A faint smile showed in Sun Mingyue’s almond-shaped eyes. “He’s an extraordinary character after all, so there’s nothing wrong if you were to fall for him. He might not look very attractive, but he has a kind heart and a great future ahead of him. It might not be such a bad thing to get together with him.”

　　Li Ruolan quickly explained, “My Saint, I really have no feelings for him. We’re just regular friends.”

　　“Alright then, regular friend.” Sun Mingyue scoffed. “If you keep being shy like this, someone else might snatch him away!”

　　“Whoever wishes to snatch him away can have him. I will never want him anyway,” Li Ruolan said briskly.

　　Sun Mingyue answered, “I hope you won’t regret it.”

　　“So Zhao Dahe…?” Li Ruolan asked.

　　Sun Mingyue shook her head. “There’s no need to intervene. Let’s see how he’s going to get through this.”

　　“But…” Li Ruolan said anxiously, “if we allow the situation to go on like this, the White Tiger Sect will murder him sooner or later!”

　　“We shall see if he’s capable of overcoming this challenge then,” Sun Mingyue replied.

　　Li Ruolan stared at her helplessly.

　　Sun Mingyue said, “Don’t disturb him. Let him find a way out on his own.”

　　“… Understood.” Li Ruolan sighed.

　　“You may leave now.” Sun Mingyue waved a hand.

　　Li Ruolan walked out of the basilica listlessly and stood at the entrance while directing her gaze at the dazzling, ice-covered mountain summit around her. Then, she lowered her eyes to the boundless peaks below the summit and shook her head.

　　…

　　The following days were calm and uneventful.

　　Kou Qiong and the others had already found a residence for shelter. These crafty men always had more than one plan to fall back on and had prepared this place beforehand. Now, Chu Li had hidden in this residence to focus on cultivating, so that he could increase his cultivation level as soon as possible in preparation for the great battles that awaited him.

　　He could imagine how mad the White Tiger Sect would be as they hunted him down. They would not quit until they managed to kill him.

　　Chu Li calmed his heart and continued cultivating.

　　He had finally witnessed how cunning Kou Qiong and his companions were. Although the Radiance Clan’s residence had been torn down, they had come out unscathed and had even managed to secretly recover a few valuable items. Given their ability to get away with stealing from the Roaring Tiger Clan, their skills could be considered unique.

　　Chu Li was indifferent to their survival and could not care less if they died. In any case, they were sinful people who deserved to die. Although, it would be better if they managed to stay alive since it would save him the effort of finding other people to replace them. As for their manner of doing things, as long as they were not doing anything evil, he did not bother about their actions.

　　As evening came later that day, Chu Li was sitting in the gazebo when Kou Qiong and the others hurried over with a lunchbox. After opening the lunchbox, they served him a few delicious-looking dishes.

　　As Chu Li took the pair of chopsticks Kou Qiong had presented to him, he swept his gaze over the three men and asked calmly, “What have you done this time?”

　　“Hehe…” The three of them immediately smiled sheepishly at him.

　　Chu Li exhaled sharply and muttered, “Just say it.”

　　“Well…” Kou Qiong noticed his expression and carefully replied, “We’ve paid a visit to the Roaring Tiger Clan.”

　　“Mmm, and then?” Chu Li picked up a slice of beef and put it into his mouth to chew it.

　　Kou Qiong continued warily, “We asked them for some money to spend.”

　　“How much did you ask for?” Chu Li asked.

　　“A hundred thousand taels,” Kou Qiong replied.

　　Chu Li swept his eyes over the three of them.

　　Kou Qiong corrected himself with embarrassment. “A hundred and thirty thousand taels.”

　　“How thoughtful of you.” Chu Li scorned. “You’ve taken the amount you wanted and saved me extra work.”

　　“Clan Leader is wise and powerful. We can never hide anything from you!” the three men hurriedly said.

　　Chu Li coldly responded, “You guys should be aware that if you keep acting in my name, people may kill you off very soon!”

　　“Clan Leader is now a famous figure in the city. No one dares to offend you.” Lu Shu chuckled. “Upon hearing Clan Leader’s name, those people from the Roaring Tiger Clan dare not disobey us, and they were originally the tyrants of Gale City!”

　　Chu Li muttered, “If White Tiger Sect sends their people over, you guys can expect to suffer then!”

　　“Hehe, as long as they can’t defeat Clan Leader, we’ll be safe and sound,” Lu Shu said with a grin.

　　Chu Li glanced at them and waved a hand. “Whatever. Just stop doing things like this in the future. Off you go now!”

　　“Clan Leader, you must be tired after cultivating for so long. Would you like to relax a little?” Lu Shu suggested with a chuckle. “How about we go and meet Gale City’s beautiful women?”

　　“How beautiful can they be?” Chu Li scoffed.

　　Zhao Dahe was a young man from Peace Town who had never really experienced the world of sensual pleasures and the temptations of the secular world. It would be very strange for him to not desire to meet any beautiful woman at all.

　　Lu Shu laughed. “Clan Leader will surely approve of them. We’ve checked them out before.”

　　Kou Qiong said, “Clan Leader, aside from the White Tiger Sect, there are also the territories of the Flaming Sun Sect and the Tian Luo Sect in Gale City. It’s just that these two parties are not as strong as the Roaring Tiger Clan. If Clan Leader manages to make the Flaming Sun Sect and the Tian Luo Sect your allies, then the Radiance Clan will certainly be able to gain a firm foothold!”

　　“Make them my allies?” Chu Li frowned and shook his head.

　　Reportedly, it was very likely that the complete annihilation of the Radiance Clan back then had been the result of an alliance between those three sects. Now that the Holy Church of Light had gotten stronger, they might have become the common enemy of the other three sects.

　　“Before Clan Leader killed those two elders of the White Tiger Sect, the Flaming Sun Sect and the Tian Luo Sect would have certainly turned you away, but the situation has changed now. If Clan Leader discusses with them and suggests an equal partition of Gale City among us three parties, their hearts will definitely be swayed. Humans have a greedy nature after all!” Kou Qiong said.

　　Feng Wuji added, “According to the information we’ve gathered, the White Tiger Sect is unreasonable and oppressive, and they’ve been rather unpopular over the past few years. Many disciples of the Flaming Sun Sect and the Tian Luo Sect have been bullied, so they’ve been secretly trying to fight the White Tiger Sect.”

　　“I’m just worried that once we appear, those three parties will work together instead,” Chu Li said.

　　“That may not be the case,” Feng Wuji replied. “Based on our investigation, Phoenix Goddess Brothel belongs to the Tian Luo Sect. Clan Leader can pay them a visit and see where they stand. Perhaps they’re hoping to work together with Clan Leader to eliminate the Roaring Tiger Clan!”

　　“Exactly. Clan Leader is now the most powerful person around here. Everyone is hoping to work with you,” Kou Qiong said.

　　Chu Li paused to think for a moment before nodding. “Might as well then. I’ll go to the Phoenix Goddess Brothel tonight!”

　　The three men became overjoyed at once.

　　Chu Li glanced at them and huffed. “You guys won’t have to go with me!”

　　“Clan Leader, have you been to a brothel?”

　　“No.” Chu Li shook his head.

　　“If you don’t observe their rules, you might get slaughtered,” Kou Qiong quickly answered.

　　Chu Li scoffed. “It’s okay. I have those hundred thousand taels that you guys snatched anyway.”

　　“Clan Leader, a hundred thousand taels might seem like a large sum in other places, but it won’t be considered a huge amount at the Phoenix Goddess Brothel since all their customers are mostly rich and well-known,” Kou Qiong said. “I’m afraid you won’t be able to visit them more than a few times with only a hundred thousand taels of silver.”

　　Chu Li pursed his lips and asked, “Ten thousand taels of silver should be enough for me to get one beautiful woman, right?”

　　They shook their heads.

　　Chu Li waved a hand. “Stop wasting my time. Get lost. Tonight, Kou Qiong will accompany me there!”

　　Kou Qiong beamed with delight while the other two sighed deeply and looked disappointed and resigned.

　　Back when Chu Li was absent, they secretly took the opportunity to visit a brothel.

　　Now that Chu Li had returned, they would have to follow him around and attend to his every need. How could they ever find the time to visit the Phoenix Goddess Brothel! They were already itching to go there!

　　In the early evening, when the lanterns were first lit, Gale City was brilliantly illuminated and seemed even livelier than it was during the day.

　　Chu Li wore a white robe and gently swayed a white jade folding fan with one hand while Kou Qiong trailed behind him.

　　The two of them stood in front of a colorfully decorated building while listening to the silk and bamboo music as well as the sweet sounds of singing that echoed from inside the building. Everyone there was indulging in a life of luxury.

　　A servant came out to welcome them before leading them to the second floor.

　　The first floor was the lobby, where tables were neatly arranged. It was like a restaurant since customers could eat and drink here before calling some women over to accompany them.

　　On the second floor, there were numerous rooms where customers could have women come up and accompany them. Here, they could hear the women sing or watch them dance.

　　As for the third floor, only those with certain qualifications could go up there. Normal customers were not allowed to enter.

　　Chu Li sat and did not speak. He let Kou Qiong take care of everything.

　　A few young women in muslin clothing gracefully entered the room. These few women were rather ordinary-looking and carried themselves in a dignified manner as they sat behind a silk curtain and began to play a song.

　　Then, a young, petite girl opened the door and walked in lithely. She gave Chu Li a curtsy and wore a sweet smile on her gorgeous face. “I’m Yue Ru. Greetings, Young Master Zhao.”