Li Ruolan instantly smiled. "Thank you very much, my Saint."
Sun Mingyue whispered, "I've decided to reward him on my own. However, Zhao Dahe's martial arts will be crippled according to the rules of the Church. You can't lump these two things together. I won't be so tolerant if Zhao Dahe breaks the rules of the Church again!"
"Yes." Li Ruolan hurriedly nodded. "On behalf of Zhao Dahe, thank you very much, my Saint."
"On behalf of him?" Sun Mingyue quietly laughed. "You seemed more anxious than Zhao Dahe when you heard that his martial arts were going to be crippled."
Li Ruolan frantically explained, "I felt that he was being treated unfairly. Zhao Dahe could have easily lied but he insisted on telling the truth. Unfortunately, he was punished for his truthfulness. I don't think that honest people should be treated that way."
"I was foolish." Sun Mingyue waved her pale hand and said, "I shouldn't make an honest person suffer. Zhao Dahe should carry out his tasks sincerely and focus on his cultivation."
"Yes!" Li Ruolan smiled.
Sun Mingyue said, "Two people from the torture chamber will go with you. You will supervise them from the sidelines while they cripple Zhao Dahe's martial arts. n.o.body is allowed to play tricks or bend the rules for their personal interests!"
"Yes." Li Ruolan firmly nodded.
Li Ruolan was aware of her responsibilities. She was here to prevent others from carrying out any schemes. Mo Qingqing was not an ordinary person because her uncle was an Altar Leader.
That Altar Leader could not go ahead and get rid of Chu Li on his own due to the restrictions of the Church rules. However, he could use petty tricks to expel Chu Li. It would not be too difficult for him to backstab Chu Li on purpose or cause an accident that would negatively affect him.
A young woman in green clothes gently entered when Sun Mingyue clapped her hands.
Sun Mingyue said, "Tell Li Changsheng and Zhao Yuanhao from the torture chamber to come over."
"Yes," The young woman in green clothes replied in a clear voice before she gracefully left.
Li Ruolan was shocked. "My Saint, Li Changsheng and Zhao Yuanhao are a.s.sociated with Altar Leader Mo…"
"Give them a chance. Let's see if they're bold enough to act recklessly," Sun Mingyue replied.
Li Ruolan helplessly asked, "What will happen if they truly act recklessly and take the opportunity to kill Zhao Dahe? What good will come out of that?"
Those two men were skilled in these matters because they were from the torture chamber. Li Changsheng and Zhao Yuanhao could easily provoke Zhao Dahe when his martial arts gets crippled. If Zhao Dahe became enraged and attacked them, the other two men could openly punish him severely.
Zhao Dahe would be at his weakest state once his martial arts is crippled. Although the effects would not be immediately visible, Zhao Dahe would probably end up dead from being seriously wounded if he was either slapped or punched by a Grandmaster during this period. If Zhao Dahe managed to survive, he would be permanently rendered useless. It would be impossible for him to cultivate his martial arts ever again.
Ruthless measures like these were like second nature to the people from the torture chamber.
Sun Mingyue stated, "I want to see if they're brave enough to do it."
She clapped her hands again.
A different young woman in green clothes gracefully entered.
Sun Mingyue told, "Tell Zhu Yingjie and Zhu Yinghao from the torture chamber to come over."
"Yes." The young woman who was dressed in green clothes nimbly left.
Sun Mingyue explained, "The Zhu Brothers will follow behind, but they'll be hidden. They will seize Li Changsheng and Zhao Yuanhao if those two men decide to break the rules."
"My Saint, why are you going through all this trouble? You should just send the Zhu Brothers instead." Li Ruolan could not help but add.
Sun Mingyue gently shook her head. "This is a rare opportunity."
"Zhao Dahe will still get the short end of the stick."
"You have the Miracle Cure Pill. Why are you worried?"
Li Ruolan helplessly shut her mouth before she sighed again.
The Saint's ability to manipulate others was extremely impressive. The Saint insisted on creating opportunities for everyone to make mistakes because she trusted no one. She would cast some bait as though she was fis.h.i.+ng and see who would take it.
Numerous people were easily tricked in the beginning because the Church was filled with rules. n.o.body could avoid the harsh punishment of having their martial arts crippled or being expelled from the Church. However, everyone became smarter. They were honest and well-behaved now.
The Saint was clearly using Zhao Dahe as bait to see if Li Changsheng and Zhao Yuanhao would fall for her trap.
…
The Ji Dynasty.
In Fairy's Capital within King An's Imperial Residence's Tianshu Courtyard, the bright moon hung in the corner of the sky. The dazzling lights in the courtyard made it seem as though it was still daytime.
Chu Li suddenly appeared. Xiao Qi's sword was already poking Chu Li when a ray of light flashed across her blade.
Chu Li's longsword jabbed forward when he flicked his fingers.
Xiao Qi furrowed her eyebrows and glared at him. Chu Li's cultivation level was getting stronger and he had already greatly surpa.s.sed Xiao Qi. If this continued, it would definitely be impossible for Xiao Qi to handle Chu Li.
Chu Li smiled as he took the longsword and gently threw it aside. The longsword landed directly in the scabbard at Xiao Qi's waist.
Xiao s.h.i.+ put the book down before she clapped her hands. She smiled and said, "Well done!"
Xiao Qi cast a sidelong glance at her…
The two women were fully dressed in spotless white clothes. Their faces were seemingly carved from white jade.
Xiao s.h.i.+ smiled and asked, "You haven't returned for several days. Did something happen?"
Chu Li smiled and sat opposite her. Chu Li lamented. "Lately, I've been very busy over there. I had to help the Tian Luo Sect because the Church of the b.l.o.o.d.y Garment attacked them."
"I can't believe that you still have time to be concerned about the Tian Luo Sect." Xiao s.h.i.+ huffed. "White Shroud Shendao was famous for his fighting prowess, but his reputation is ruined now. He's a laughing stock."
Chu Li raised his eyebrows.
Xiao Qi said casually, "Feng Xue went to Snow Lunar Pavilion to challenge the masters there. She defeated all of Snow Lunar Pavilion's masters, but the Pavilion Leader did not fight back. Feng Xue openly challenged White Shroud Shendao, but he obviously failed to show up."
Chu Li sighed before he said, "It would've been impossible for him to be there."
Xiao Qi said, "Due to that, everyone a.s.sumes that White Shroud Shendao is hiding because he's too scared to fight. Everyone thinks that Chu Li of the North and Du Feng of the South should just concede defeat. They also think that the nickname of Du Feng of the South should be changed to Feng Xue of the South now. Feng Xue will probably come to Fairy's Capital very soon."
Chu Li asked, "Do you really think that she's brave enough to come to Fairy's Capital?"
"Feng Xue will definitely come to challenge you," Xiao Qi said. "I don't know if you can defeat her. When that time comes, the battle between Feng Xue of the South and Chu Li of the North will serve as Feng Xue's chance to surpa.s.s you. Feng Xue will attempt to suppress every youth hero!"
Chu Li frowned and asked, "Is she trying to become the next Enlightened Master?"
"It's very likely," Xiao s.h.i.+ said. "Judging from her att.i.tude, Feng Xue wants to challenge every single master. She will become the ultimate victor if n.o.body manages to stop her. If that happens, Feng Xue will truly become the next Enlightened Master."
"Feng Xue is certainly thriving with wild ambition despite being a woman," Chu Li exclaimed in admiration. "Is the Feng Fei Ninth Heaven Technique really that powerful?"
"It's more powerful than you could ever imagine," Xiao Qi said. "Feng Xue defeated our Master as well."
"Is Senior Shen injured?" Chu Li frantically asked.
Xiao Qi faintly replied, "Not severely."
Xiao s.h.i.+ said, "Chu Li, are you going to fight Feng Xue if she really comes to Fairy's Capital?"
"I'm going to challenge her as White Shroud Shendao," Chu Li quietly said.
Xiao s.h.i.+ was instantly excited. She replied, "That's a great idea! Feng Xue will be too ashamed to challenge you if you defeat her in battle as Du Feng."
"Though, your blade technique…" Xiao Qi furrowed her eyebrows.
Xiao Qi knew that Chu Li's sword technique was far greater than his blade technique. However, Chu Li would be giving his opponent the upper hand by challenging Feng Xue with his blade technique. Only an idiot would do such a reckless thing.
Chu Li smiled and said, "I'm going to study blade techniques intensively."
"You should do it as fast as possible. Don't wait until Feng Xue has actually arrived in Fairy's Capital!" Xiao s.h.i.+ frantically said.
Xiao s.h.i.+ was making a fuss but she was not actually worried. She was not doubting Chu Li at all. Xiao s.h.i.+ did not think that he would lose because she was extremely confident in his abilities.
He slowly nodded. "I'll do my best."
Chu Li spoke to the two young women for some time before he returned to Phoenix G.o.ddess Brothel.
Phoenix G.o.ddess Brothel was bustling with activity now. Silk and bamboo music filled Chu Li's ears just as he left his room. The sound of girlish laughter occasionally echoed past him. Phoenix G.o.ddess Brothel had fully transformed into a lively and dazzling realm of luxury.
Chu Li stopped outside Bai Feng's room and knocked on the door.
Bai Feng pulled the door open and gestured at Chu Li to come inside when she saw him.
The pair entered the room together and sat down. Bai Feng's pale hand gingerly brushed through her beautiful hair as it cascaded down. She said, "Go on, what's the matter?"
"Senior Bai, I'd like a set of the most excellent blade techniques." Chu Li went straight to the point.
"Blade techniques…" Bai Feng muttered, "The most excellent ones?"
Chu Li nodded.
"No problem!" Bai Feng said, "The Tian Luo Sect's disciples rarely cultivate blade techniques, but there are several blade manuals in the Sutra Library. I'll get you the best one!"
"Thank you very much, Senior!" Chu Li made a fist salute.
Bai Feng replied, "The more exquisite blade techniques are harder to cultivate. Will you be able to focus on cultivating it now?"
"There's no harm trying," Chu Li smiled and said. "I'm just going to look through it."
