“Will the marriage be canceled just like that?” Chu Li shook his head. “If that’s the case, aren’t we just giving them exactly what they wish for?”

　　Xiao Shi furrowed her brows. She seemed to be preoccupied with her thoughts as she stared at him.

　　She was extremely smart, so she understood immediately what Chu Li meant. “Are you trying to say that this is the imperial court’s doing?”

　　“The opposition party is too large. The imperial court, the martial arts world, and even the rest of the High Duke’s Public Houses oppose it. There are even some of them who’re just looking to cause a scene. It’s a mixture of truth and falsehoods in there. If the assassin is not caught, we’ll never be able to know for sure who’s who.” Chu Li sighed as he shook his head.

　　“Let’s go back now! They may not be able to catch up with the assassin but maybe you could!” Xiao Shi said.

　　“Or we could just act like we know nothing.” Chu Li shook his head.

　　Xiao Shi’s eyebrow twitched. A smile that was as bright as pearls suddenly appeared on her face. “Chu Li, are you finding it hard to leave on such short notice?”

　　“Why would I be reluctant to leave?” Chu Li smiled.

　　Xiao Shi’s smile was as lovely as flowers. “Miss Lu is indeed very pretty!”

　　Chu Li broke into a smile. “She likes women, not men!”

　　“Even if she’s interested in women, it’s still pleasing to stick around and stare at her.” Xiao Shi’s smile grew wider and much more captivating. “Besides, you’re quite capable too. Maybe you could get to her to change her preference!”

　　“All right, all right. Let’s get back. Shall we go now?” Chu Li said with a smile.

　　“Let’s go. No one cares anyway,” Xiao Shi said.

　　Chu Li gave Xue Ling and Yang Xu a few orders and brought Xiao Shi back to the Public House.

　　In the backyard of the Iron Eagle Island, Xiao Tieying was sitting in the gazebo with a book in his hand. He was staring into the distance absentmindedly. The evening mist there was thick like white clouds, and the place looked desolate. His huge physique made him seemed especially lonely.

　　“Big brother,” Xiao Shi called out.

　　She walked to the gazebo and said in a soft voice, “Are you thinking about sister-in-law?”

　　“No.” Xiao Tieying shook his head quickly.

　　He did not want to show his weak side to his sister.

　　He looked towards Chu Li. “The two of you have heard the news as well?”

　　“How’s the heir to the High Duke now?” Chu Li asked.

　　“He’s still unconscious. This assassin’s Martial Art was truly terrifying.” Xiao Tieying exclaimed, exhaling heavily.

　　“Is he a man or a woman?”

　　“It’s an old man,” Xiao Tieying said and shook his head. “I was walking on the avenue and he just appeared suddenly. The protectors didn’t even have time to react. The old man’s swordsmanship was swift, and his Light-body Technique was really good too!”

　　“Attempting an assassination in an open area…” Chu Li muttered and nodded. “Did you exchange blows with the assassin?”

　　“He just left,” Xiao Tieying said. “He wasn’t hurt.”

　　“Let’s visit the heir to the High Duke,” Chu Li said. “I’ll try to the best of my abilities.”

　　“Big brother, Chu Li’s really good in healing wounds,” Xiao Shi said. “Let’s focus on saving him first!”

　　“Mm, doesn’t hurt to try.” Xiao Tieying nodded. “Chu Li can bring me there. Second younger sister, you should take a rest. Would it pose an inconvenience to the imperial residence?”

　　“I’ll just have to return tomorrow,” Xiao Shi said.

　　“Don’t do anything to attract gossip,” Xiao Tieying said earnestly.

　　Xiao Shi rolled her eyes at him.

　　Chu Li smiled. “Let’s go, eldest master.”

　　—

　　The next morning, the heir to the Song High Duke woke up while Chu Li and Xiao Shi were on their way back to the imperial residence. He managed to keep his Martial Art. The only thing he needed to do was to take care of his health now.

　　What bothered Chu Li was that the assassin had already disappeared.

　　Even the All-Seeing Divine Power could not sense him.

　　Chu Li could come up with two possibilities. The first possibility was that the man had managed to overthrow his All-Seeing Divine Power. The second possibility was that the person did not exist in the world anymore.

　　It was not possible for someone to overpower his All-Seeing Divine Power, which meant that it must be the second possibility.

　　Chu Li was afraid to entertain the conjecture that he was the Holy Church of Light’s disciple.

　　No matter how powerful one was, it would have been hard for one to murder. Taking into account that the assassin had impressive Martial Art, only a disciple of the Holy Church of Light would be this heartless. He could have possibly used a secret skill. That might explain how he could assassinate Song Shiling so easily and then died at the end after wounding himself heavily.

　　Xiao Shi sat in the Tianshu Courtyard, resting her head on her hand lazily. She scoffed, “It was someone from the Holy Church of Light, isn’t it?”

　　She thought it over and had guessed that it was a disciple of the Holy Church of Light.

　　Chu Li answered, “Probably.”

　　“That’s all right. At least it wasn’t someone from the imperial court,” Xiao Shi said.

　　Chu Li asked, “Can the imperial court witness their political marriage without batting an eye?”

　　“There’s nothing special about a political marriage,” Xiao Shi scoffed.

　　Chu Li shook his head. “It sets a very bad example. If the marriage were to happen, other High Duke’s Public Houses would definitely have political marriages too. It would then pass down from one generation to the next, becoming a body by itself rapidly. The Leng family would then be in danger.”

　　“That’s true.” Xiao Shi furrowed her brows and nodded slowly.

　　“That’s why the imperial court will definitely stop them, but they can only do it in secret,” Chu Li said.

　　“What can they do other than carrying out an assassination?” Xiao Shi sneered.

　　Chu Li replied, “It’s the most effective way. They tried to assassinate the heir to the High Duke this time. What if they decided to target the Song family’s lady next time? Or maybe the eldest master?”

　　Xiao Shi frowned as she muttered under her breath.

　　Chu Li smiled. “There’s no need for you to worry, Lady Xiao Shi. We’ll deal with it as they come.”

　　Xiao Shi shook her head gently and sighed. “Big brother truly leads a rough life. Look how hard it was for him to get a wife!”

　　Chu Li laughed at that.

　　“Master, King Jing sent an invitation to you.” Xue Ling came in with light steps and handed a simple and elegant invitation card to him.

　　Chu Li took the card and glanced at it. “I’ll go now.”

　　“The beautiful Lady Lu invited you, right?” Xiao Shi said with a knowing smile.

　　Chu Li said, “Nothing good is going to come out of her invitation.”

　　“Go, go. Don’t make her grow impatient waiting for you!” Xiao Shi grinned and waved her delicate hand.

　　Chu Li acted as if he did not understand her joke and gave a fist salute before he left hurriedly.

　　Xiao Shi gazed at his retreating figure and scoffed, “All men are the same. They lose their ability to think as soon as they see beautiful women.”

　　Xue Ling’s lips tugged up into a smile. “No matter how pretty Miss Lu is, she can’t be prettier than you.”

　　Xiao Shi turned her head and glanced at her. “There’s no point in sugarcoating your words. Your master is just not a good person!”

　　Xue Ling’s smile lingered as she pursed her lips and lowered her head.

　　—

　　Familiar with the way, Chu Li reached the Imperial Residence of King Jing.

　　Lu Yurong was standing outside the open gates.

　　She was wearing a light blue gown with a white veil, covering her amorous and delicate face and only showing her eyes that were as clear as the autumn rivers.

　　The wind blew over and fluttered her gown and veil. Her beautiful face appeared in glimpses, making her seem even more mysterious and attractive.

　　Chu Li dismounted from his horse and gave a fist salute.

　　Lu Yurong walked toward him lightly. She curtsied and greeted, “Please, Head Chief Chu!”

　　Chu Li grinned. “Is there such a need to be so ceremonious?”

　　“You’ve helped the Public House so much. How can we not?” Lu Yurong said.

　　Chu Li said, “Is His Royal Highness in the imperial residence?”

　　“Yes,” Lu Yurong answered.

　　Chu Li raised his eyebrows and looked at her.

　　Lu Yurong said, “It’s been a while since the previous incident, His Royal Highness is getting bored and has been idling.”

　　“I’m afraid he has other motives for inviting me.” Chu Li shook his head.

　　Lu Yurong said, “Don’t worry, the Imperial Residence of King Jing doesn’t reciprocate generosity with animosity.”

　　“That would be for the best.” Chu Li walked alongside her as they entered the residence.

　　The scribes and maids they met along the way bowed to them respectfully. It was apparent that Lu Yurong held a high position in the residence. The identity she had was unprecedented.

　　“You should feel relieved now, right?

　　“What should I be relieved of?”

　　“King An’s cultivation was crippled. He’s no longer a threat to you.”

　　“Who told you that King An’s cultivation was crippled?” Chu Li shook his head as he smiled.

　　Lu Yurong was startled by his words and stopped in her tracks.

　　Chu Li said, “You had only witnessed the first half of the show, but not the latter.”