“Hmph!” A muffled noise could be heard. A few drops of blood spilled onto the ground, but there was no sign of anyone around.

　　Chu Li swung his hand and another flying blade pierced through a pine tree soundlessly. Then, there were no more movements.

　　The Heavenly Demonic Orb was fell onto his precordium. The surge of his blood provided him with endless power. The Omniscient Mirror became clearer as well. He was able to see a shadow sweeping discretely past the pine trees, moving further and further away from them.

　　Chu Li disappeared in a flash.

　　Instantaneously, he appeared behind the shadow and threw the flying blades at them.

　　One of the flying blades sliced through the shadow. There was nothing there, but blood was spilling from an opening.

　　Chu Li finally drew his long sword out from the scabbard at his hilt.

　　There was a momentary flicker of light. It vanished just as quickly.

　　Among all of his mastered martial art skills, Chu Li was the best at his sword and knife techniques. They were followed by the Shura Palm, and his fist techniques were actually the techniques he was least confident about.

　　He launched his sword after he had accumulated enough energy within it. Moreover, Chu Li was under the influence of the Heavenly Demonic Power. The Modesty Sword flashed and sliced through its victim. He then returned it to the scabbard and watched his next move.

　　A man clad in black appeared right in front of him all of a sudden. He had a had pressed on his chest as he collapsed onto the ground.

　　Lu Yurong then flew towards them.

　　When Chu Li removed his Heavenly Demonic Power, the sense of hunger and weakness surged within him like the ocean tides.

　　Lu Yurong glanced sideways at Chu Li. That hit with the sword just now made her heart pound. She felt that even she might not even be able to dodge it.

　　“He’s dead?” She lowered her head and looked at the man clad in black.

　　Chu Li nodded slowly, but his expression did not look relieved at all.

　　The power of the Phantom Yin Skill of the Amethyst Mountain was formidable. There would still be quite a few martial arts masters on the Amethyst Mountain even when this one died. He might be able to escape from them, but Xiao Shi and the others might not be able to do the same. Hence, Chu Li was afraid that he would not be able to defend them should the Amethyst Mountain decided to seek revenge.

　　Lu Yurong knew instantly what he was thinking about when she saw the look on his face.

　　“You’ve already killed who you have killed. There aren’t many disciples in the Amethyst Mountain, so they’ll be pained by this loss of theirs,” Lu Yurong said.

　　Chu Li suppressed his worries. He smiled and said, “Today was a killing spree for us. Thank you so much!”

　　Lu Yurong rolled her eyes at him. “You want to kill more?”

　　Chu Li shook his head. “It’s better to quit while we’re ahead of the game. I see this as a way to release some resentments!”

　　He picked up the bag which he had placed far away and disappeared together with Lu Yurong. They reappeared at the courtyard of the Imperial Residence of King An.

　　It was already early morning. Chu Li and Lu Yurong had been slaughtering for the whole night.

　　When he appeared, he noticed that Dong Qifei and Yang Zongwen were standing outside the courtyard.

　　Leng Qiu and Leng Qing were still practicing their swordsmanship in the courtyard. They were drenched in sweat, their eyes glistening.

　　Lu Yurong shook her head and laughed at the sight of the two of them. “Are they really trying to become masters of the sword?”

　　Chu Li replied, “They want to beat Leng Tao at the next Hunting Ceremony.”

　　“Although Leng Tao’s Martial Art is not that strong, he has been training it for years,” Lu Yurong continued. “He has pointers from a renowned master, too. Can they really do it?”

　　Chu Li laughed and said, “Well, we’ll just look forward to it then!”

　　“I’d really like to see for it myself. I’m leaving.” Lu Yurong waved her delicate hand.

　　Chu Li did a fist salute.

　　Killing countless martial arts masters alongside Lu Yurong had proved that the both of them had spectacular chemistry when working together. It was a very satisfying thought.

　　Lu Yurong bid farewell to Leng Qing and Leng Qiu. She then flew away.

　　“Come in!” Chu Li called out.

　　Dong Qifei and Yang Zongwen pushed the door open immediately as if they were following an edict.

　　“Captain, you’ve returned!” Dong Qifei called out quickly. “Hurry to the Secret Guardians Hall!”

　　Chu Li said, “Hold on to this. Take care of it.”

　　He pointed to the bag on the table.

　　“What is it?” asked Dong Qifei. He was ready to open it.

　　Chu Li put out his hand to stop him. He glanced at the two ladies and then back at him. “Only look once you’re outside. Make sure you do a neat job. Don’t scare anyone while you’re at it.”

　　“…Yes.” Dong Qifei nodded quickly. “When are you returning to the Secret Guardians Hall?”

　　As soon as Chu Li returned to the Secret Guardians Hall, he could do anything he wanted. Those people from the Secret Guardians Hall have been cursing atrociously at their captain. It was as if their captain had committed one of the ten unpardonable crimes and had to plead guilty to the Emperor and the Secret Guardians Hall.

　　“We’ll see.” Chu Li waved his hand to dismiss them.

　　The two of them could do nothing but carried the bag out and left.

　　“What are they carrying?” Leng Qiu took a towel and wiped her forehead gently. “So mysterious!” she said with a grin.

　　“It’s better if you did not see it.” Chu Li smiled and said.

　　Leng Qiu pursed her lips. “You’re hiding something from us. What can’t you show us?”

　　Leng Qing was wiping her forehead with a towel as well. She cast a sidelong glance at him.

　　Chu Li called for Leng Qing’s maid. He asked for her to relay a message to the kitchen staff to prepare some meat and serve them up at once

　　While he conversed with the two ladies, he devoured all the food on the table like a tornado swallowing up everything in its path. After his meal, he disappeared from the Imperial Residence of King An and reappeared at the Symphony Island in the High Duke’s Public Houses.

　　Xiao Shi was practicing her breathing technique in the gazebo. She was dressed in a bluish-white gown. Her beautiful face was solemn.

　　Amidst the gentle wind, her breathing was slow and gentle. A sense of peace and calmness emitted from her body as if she became one with the wind.

　　She turned to look at Chu Li when he appeared. Her eyes were as clear as the water.

　　Chu Li smiled and said, “Let’s go to Spirit Cranes Peak.”

　　A small smile formed on Xiao Shi’s lips. She nodded.

　　The two of them disappeared in a flash and appeared at the Spirit Cranes Peak.

　　When they entered Spirit Cranes Peak, pure spiritual energy gushed into their bodies instantaneously. It had restored his previously weak and exhausted body.

　　Two baby cranes cried out and dashed towards them.

　　Chu Li played with them for a moment. Then, he laid under a tree to rest.

　　The thick and soft grass acted as a cushion with Chu Li laying on it, enveloped by pure spiritual energy. It was so comfortable that he wished he could just fall asleep.

　　Xiao Shi placed her legs together and sat beside him elegantly. She studied him from head to toe. “You killed someone again, didn’t you?”

　　Chu Li nodded. “Yes.”

　　“Who?” Xiao Shi asked.

　　Chu Li told her everything.

　　Xiao Shi only listened without expressing any opinion. She was indifferent all these fights and murders.

　　After Chu Li explained everything, he relaxed and went to sleep gradually.

　　—

　　The setting sun bathed the main hall of the Secret Guardians Hall a rosy red.

　　A bunch of people was seated in the main hall. There were ten middle-aged men and five to six elders. The crowd made the main hall bustled with activities.

　　Ma Kun and a pair of chubby youths sat on the armchairs opposite of Fu Mengshan and Xu Huande, listening to what they had to say.

　　“Commander, I’ve searched thoroughly and, indeed, there was no one named Minister Counsellor Zhou there.” Ma Kun’s face became as pale as a piece of paper. His voice was so weak as if a gust of wind would be enough to blow his words away.

　　“It looks like there really was an imposter,” Xu Huande added.

　　Ma Kun nodded reluctantly. “We’ve been fooled!”

　　Fu Mengshan sighed. “Young Chu was right, sigh…”

　　He swept his gaze around the hall.

　　Some of them were so ashamed that they avoided looking at him.

　　They understood what he meant and felt very disappointed in themselves. They were so many of them that were supposed to be incredibly capable. How could they not have thought about it? They were completely distracted by the news of Minister Counsellor Zhou’s desertion, so much so that such they could not be bothered about anything else.

　　They also knew very well that it was an extremely serious matter. They could not help but panic and thought about the worst possible outcomes.

　　“Even if it’s an imposter, we still have to kill him!” Xu Huande said coldly. “Minister Counsellor Zhou must have fallen into their evil scheme!”

　　Everyone nodded slowly.

　　A minister counsellor was an officer in the imperial court. Not only was he murdered without any apparent reason, but the Secret Guardians Hall had also failed to capture the murderer. The Great Ji Dynasty had been laughing at the Secret Guardians Hall, joking about how the Emperor has brought up useless men. The Li Dynasty would also think that the Great Ji Dynasty was useless.

　　“That three men…” Xu Huande asked. “How powerful are they?”

　　Ma Kun gave a bitter smile. “One of them went against the three of us. He managed to injure us severely with just a few moves. If it wasn’t for our excellent Light-body Technique, I’m afraid that we won’t be able to sit here and meet with you now!”

　　“I think so too,” Fu Mengshan said. “Those that were sent to the Great Ji Dynasty were definitely not any common martial arts masters. It says a lot about how capable they are for being able to escape from us. ”

　　“Commander, you have to send more men,” Ma Kun said. “I think that the one who attacked us was the weakest.”

　　“Mmm…” Fu Mengshan nodded.