“Yes,” Su Ru sighed.

　　Chu Li stood up and started to pace, back and forth. He muttered, “If so, he did indeed fall into the hands of the Ren Public House. What’s Lady Xiao Qi’s decision?”

　　“My Lady didn’t say a thing,” Su Ru revealed a worried expression. “She’s still hesitating.”

　　Chu Li nodded his head. “You haven’t sent anyone yet?”

　　Su Ru raised her head to look at him.

　　Chu Li replied, “If not, I’ll go!”

　　This matter was difficult to handle. The life and death of Gu Litong was not that important; instead, Master Xiao Tieying’s life was. If this matter was not handled well, they might incur the wrath of Master Xiao Tieying.

　　Su Ru shook her head and warned, “It’s best for us to stay out of this matter!”

　　However, Chu Li ignored her warning. “Let’s go and meet the Lady!”

　　Su Ru furrowed her eyebrows but Chu Li just laughed. “As a matter of fact, it’s not as complex as you think it is — there are only two choices: to save or to kill. We can’t just leave it aside, right?”

　　“It’s too much trouble.” Su Ru frowned. “It’s not as easy as you said!”

　　“Just simplify it. We need to help the Lady no matter what. Let’s go!” Chu Li smiled before he turned and went out.

　　Su Ru hesitated for a moment, but she then followed him out.

　　Soon, both of them arrived at the Stargazing Tower and went straight to the third floor.

　　Xiao Qi was looking into the distance from the window. As the sunlight shone onto her jade-white face, it made her face glow in a warm gentle luster and her eyes glittered; her beauty was out of this world.

　　“My Lady,” Chu Li greeted.

　　Xiao Qi turned around and her bright eyes fell upon his face. “Su Ru told you?”

　　“Yes, Gu Litong has entered White Stone Town.”

　　“What’s your opinion on this?”

　　“Leave it to me!” Chu Li volunteered. “I’ll take care it.”

　　Instead, Xiao Qi looked at him silently. “What are you going to do?”

　　“I will plot against the Ren Public House and beat them at their own game,” Chu Li replied.

　　Xiao Qi was in doubt. “You’ll use of their scheme against them?”

　　Chu Li explained, “If I were Lu Yurong, I’ll predict that the Public House would either save or kill Gu Litong. After all, he’s the best bait.” Chu Li continued. “I will set up an ambush, and kill them.”

　　“You want to counter-ambush them?” Xiao Qi guessed.

　　“Yes, we can divide our manpower into three. It should be enough.”

　　“What about Gu Litong?”

　　“What would you like to do with him?”

　　“Save him!”

　　“Sure.” Chu Li accepted that order willingly.

　　Xiao Qi then asked with a small smile, “You don’t intend to let him be an informant?”

　　She had heard of Chu Li’s original scheme — to let Gu Litong become an informant. Though this time, Chu Li did not mention it at all.

　　So, Chu Li clarified. “Times have changed, and the situation now is unsuitable for that to happen. As for the informant, it’s best to target the servants in the Ren Public House!”

　　From his perspective, it would be more effective and reassuring to find someone from the Ren Public House than to rely on Gu Litong. Even if Gu Litong had successfully entered the Ren Public House, he was unlikely to get any useful information within a short period of time.

　　“Good.” Xiao Qi nodded.

　　Previously, she was afraid that he would be too eager to make a difference. Yet after hearing those words, she was relieved that he was wise and level-headed at the same time. She then uttered slowly, “Save Gu Litong!”

　　“Yes,” Chu Li complied.

　　Xiao Qi nodded slightly. “How much manpower do you need?”

　　Chu Li asked instead, “How many martial arts masters do Gu Litong have?”

　　Su Ru quickly replied, “He has four Innate Masters! ”

　　Chu Li muttered to himself for a moment and said, “I need at least forty Innate Masters, and preferably some Grandmasters as well!”

　　“Grandmasters? Impossible.” Xiao Qi shook her head.

　　As he was helpless, Chu Li compromised. “Fine. Forty Innate Masters.”

　　Su Ru replied, “Why do you need so many people?”

　　“We can’t be sure that Lu Yurong does not have a plan against our counter-ambush,” Chu Li explained.

　　Su Ru looked at Xiao Qi.

　　Then, Xiao Qi thought for a while and said, “Very well, forty Innate Masters it is!”

　　“Thank you, my Lady!” Chu Li gestured his thanks by giving a fist salute.

　　Xiao Qi nodded, “Su Ru, you’ll assist Chu Li!”

　　“Yes, my Lady!” Su Ru complied.

　　…

　　When the night fell and lanterns were put up, Gu Litong sat at a square table, staring at the window. His single shadow reflected onto the paper window and it looked exceptionally lonely.

　　He was living in the central bedroom in one of the courtyards of Prosper Inn.

　　“Haih…” Gu Litong let out a long sigh.

　　In the living room that was to his right, there were two Innate Masters while there were another two Innate Masters outside the patio. They were supposed to be here to protect him but, in fact, they were here to monitor and prevent him from running away!

　　His face looked haggard, and his eyes were filled with doubt.

　　Until now, he had not understand why Zhou Yuting would betray him by reporting his doings to Master Xiao Tieying. By doing that, he angered Master Xiao Tieying and in return, he was punished.

　　Although he had always treated Zhou Yuting as a tool, he believed that he had been very thorough with it. Zhou Yuting had always treated him as a friend so he should not be the one who betrayed him!

　　“Haih…” he let out another long sigh.

　　Well, one cannot judge a book by its cover. At one moment, they were as close as brothers but in the next, he turned around and told others about his secret; just thinking about it made him feel bitterly disappointed. Now, he would rather take care of plants and herbs! Though plants can’t talk, but at least they would not betray him!

　　As he stood up to push open the window, the bright moon in the night sky above shone into the courtyard. In the dimly lit courtyard, two men in black stood below the plum tree quietly and motionlessly.

　　However, he did not care. At this stage, it was not for him to decide whether he lives or dies, so he might as well risk everything and go all out. They can do anything to him, to kill or to cut his flesh up, it would be up to them!

　　With that thought, he shook his head. The Public House would not allow him to fall into the Ren Public House’s hands. After all, he knew quite a number of Master Xiao Tieying’s private matters, and once he exposed it, Master Xiao Tieying would be in danger.

　　Master Xiao Tieying was someone who would not tolerate any flaws, but not to the extent that he would send someone to kill him. However, it would be a different story if it was the Third Lady. Not to mention that fellow, Chu Li — he would definitely think of a way to influence the Third Lady!

　　Even if he could escape alive, going to the Ren Public House did not mean that he would live happily too. He would be fine if he was valuable to the Ren Pubic House, but once he lost his value, they would not be soft-hearted when it came to traitors like him.

　　No matter how he thought of it, his future was doomed!

　　His clenched teeth as he yelled, “Zhou—Yuting!”

　　He hated Zhou Yuting’s guts, and he itched to tear him apart. It was a shame that he could hardly save himself now, so taking revenge would be much harder!

　　“Bang! Bang!” Suddenly two explosions went off in the sky, creating two fireworks.

　　Then, numerous black shadows entered the courtyard. The two Protectors who were on stand-by in the courtyard sent out a flare as a signal, which illuminated the whole courtyard.

　　Gu Litong could see clearly as ten men went after the two Protectors, and in an instant, the sound of weapons clashing can be heard.

　　The two masters in the living room immediately ran out to help, but it was difficult to overturn the disadvantaged situation.

　　Gu Litong pressed his lips tightly together and sneered — it appeared that the Public House was determined to kill him. With that thought, Gu Litong felt disheartened.

　　“Brother Gu Litong, we meet again.” All of a sudden, Chu Li’s voice appeared behind him.

　　Gu Litong turned around sharply.

　　Chu Li was sitting at the square table, smiling. The light danced on his face and his eyes glistened, full of martial spirit.

　　“Chu Li!” Gu Litong sneered. “This is just as you wished, isn’t it?”

　　Chu Li laughed. “Brother Gu Litong, you thought I came here to kill you?”

　　“Otherwise?” Gu Litong frowned and glared at him coldly.

　　“Brother Gu Litong, you’re mistaken.” Chu Li waved his hand. “I’m came here to rescue you, under the Third Lady’s order!”

　　“Is the Third Lady that kind-hearted?” Gu Litong was dubious.

　　The Third Lady was fair and impartial in her conduct. She was fair in meting out rewards and punishments. When it was necessary to kill someone, she showed no mercy or any petty kindness of a woman. In this situation, getting rid of him was the wiser choice.

　　Chu Li replied, “You made a mistake, so you deserved to be driven out of the Public House. But the Third Lady spared you because she valued your talent. You’ll be assigned to do external jobs and if you make a contribution, you’ll be recalled to the Public House!”

　　“I’ll definitely return to the Public House!” Gu Litong gritted his teeth and promised.

　　Chu Li roared with laughter.

　　Gu Litong scorned at him coldly, “You think I won’t make it?”

　　“It’s not that easy to go back to the Public House,” Chu Li continued to talk casually, not affected by the sound of clashing metals outside.

　　During their conversation, twenty Protectors of Ren Public House arrived. The tables had turned. Suddenly, the Protectors from Yi Public House were at a disadvantage, with one against two — the situation was bad.

　　However, Chu Li was not worried. It was as if he did not notice the situation and kept talking casually with Gu Litong. “Don’t forget that there’s Zhou Yuting.”

　　“Zhou—Yuting!” Gu Litong squeezed out the three syllabi through the gap between his teeth, and vowed coldly, “I will seek my revenge!”

　　Chu Li smiled. “You’ve angered Master Xiao Tieying, and Brother Zhou Yuting has a good father. So, you do not anyone to back you up anymore, how are you going to compete against Brother Zhou Yuting?”

　　“Hmph!” Gu Litong sneered.

　　He was confident with his talent. As long as he worked hard, the Third Lady would promote him. If it was under Master Xiao Tieying, High Official Zhou’s words might have some influence, but Third Lady was fair-minded; he didn’t have to worry about High Official Zhou playing shady games.

　　Chu Li studied him and teased, “It seems like Brother Gu Litong did not have a good sleep these past few days.”

　　“Thank you for caring!” Gu Litong mocked.

　　Chu Li taunted him. “Brother Gu Litong, you must be curious, right?”

　　“Curious about what?”

　　“Why Zhou Yuting betrayed you all of a sudden and back-stabbed you!”

　　“You know why?”

　　Chu Li grinned from ear to ear. “I was the one who helped Brother Zhou Yuting take Yu Jiao out of the game, with a ransom of two hundred thousand silver to buy your future!”

　　“It was you?!” Gu Litong was momentarily stunned. Then, he blew into a rage and rose to his feet furiously. He wanted so bad to dig out Chu Li’s smiling eyes. “You—”

　　Chu Li waved his hands and smirked. “Back then, you kept provoking me. I did not argue at all but you provoked me again and again. I had no choice but to resort to this and as a matter of fact, I was forced to do so!”

　　“Bullshit!” Gu Litong clenched his jaw and snapped.

　　Chu Li kept his smile. “Humans have weaknesses. Brother Zhou Yuting is someone who’s crazy in love. Brother Gu Litong, you respect your mother very much. If I bribe the maid of the old lady and have her say a few words to the old lady to make her angry, what will be the consequences?”

　　“You!” Gu Litong’s expression changed.

　　Chu Li laughed. “I was just joking. If Ren Public House really wants you, they will not overlook the old lady. As I said, if you really join the Ren Public House, you can imagine the consequences… Are you going to come with me now? ”

　　“… Chu, you are a despicable man!” Gu Litong spat vilely.

　　Chu Li laughed. “I’m a gentleman to my friends but to the enemies, I am a villain. Brother Gu Litong, we’re better off as friends. Let’s go!”

　　Gu Litong scoffed, “Don’t you want to kill me?”

　　Chu Li shook his head and chuckled. “If I really want to kill you, do you think you could live until now?”

　　Gu Litong fell silent as he had, firsthand, experienced Chu Li’s sinister. Thus, he dared not say a word.

　　Chu Li went to the window, reached out and threw a signal to the sky.

　　“Boom…” A thunderous rumble filled the sky. A golden sword appeared in the air, flashing golden light — it was conspicuous against the night sky.

　　In the blink of an eye, ten Protectors of Public House rushed into the small courtyard, and the situation took a sudden turn again. Both parties went into a deadlock. The small courtyard was overcrowded and soon, the fight was in a heap.

　　Chu Li withdrew his hand and turned his head to look at Gu Litong. “Are you coming?”

　　“Fine!” Gu Litong no longer hesitated. Chu Li may be terrible, but because the opportunity was scarce, h e chose to take a chance!