Chapter 681: Second Assassination

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Chu Li was cultivating the Nature Restoration Manifestation in King An’s Imperial Residence. The more he cultivated, the more he got the feeling that something bad was about to happen.

The deeper he cultivated the Nature Restoration Manifestation, the more aware he felt, as if he were merging with the sky and the earth. It was as if every little movement around him could be monitored. Before the wind blew, he could detect its direction. Before it rained, he could estimate when it would arrive.

He was curious about what would happen if he continued training like this. Would he be able to predict everything, like a god with an omniscient mind?

Prince Bao’s invitation letter interrupted his cultivation.

He sat on one of the ledges of the bed as the bright sunlight brightly illuminated the room.

Leng Qiu and Leng Qing’s delicate shouts could be heard from the outside. The two girls were sparring as their swordsmanship grew stronger. Although they were using wooden swords, a strike on the body was still unbearably painful, and neither of them was going easy on the other.

Gripping the invitation card, Chu Li could not stop furrowing his eyebrows.

When he first heard of Leng Shoujiang’s assassination, it felt a little suspicious. This issue was not as simple as it appeared. It gave off a sense of malice and his instincts told him to distance himself from the case.

Although his martial arts was strong, he was not invincible. Apart from the Enlightened Masters, there were also many Grandmasters that were able to beat him. If it were just himself, he would not be not scared, but if something happened to Xiao Shi or the Public House, then he would have committed a huge sin.

Leng Shoushi and Leng Shoushan had personally asked for his help. He originally did not want to promise them anything, but in the end, he had relented, partly due to Prince Bao’s face, and partly due to his liking for Leng Shoushi – the ladies from the Verdant Cloud Brothel had never suffered while under him.

Thus, he gave them a helping hand without the Secret Guardians Hall’ participation.

It was also for Dong Qifei and the others. Even if the Secret Guardians Hall was the closest subordinate of the Emperor, a position that caused others to hesitate before acting against them, they were not really that hard to eliminate.

It was only after capturing Zhu Wu that he understood just how much he had been underestimating the case. It involved the treason of a Prince, which made the handling of it a tightrope walk across the jaws of death. Any closer and he would land himself in a situation where he would no doubt be disposed of.

Even if he could escape with his martial arts, Chu Li would lose his identity. He would have to change his name from then on, unable to live upright and proud in the Fairy’s Capital.

When Prince Bao’s invitation card arrived, it stated that they had already questioned Zhu Wu, and they had already told Prince Bao everything.

Chu Li believed that Prince Bao would not stick his nose into the matter.

Over the years, Prince Bao’s ability to conceal his strength and bide his time had been trained to the extreme. It would be natural for him to stay away from something as severe as this as much as possible. Why would he suddenly decide to stick his nose into the matter? One wrong move would result in his entire Imperial Residence being killed!

When he thought of this, Chu Li put down the invitation card. He decided to attend the feast.

The Imperial Residence of Prince Bao was magnificent, levels above King An’s Imperial Residence and was approximately twice as large as well. Their hallways were wide enough for a horse to gallop through whilst their lake was large enough to sail a boat.

Soon, they gathered in a pagoda in the middle of the lake in the backyard. Prince Bao and Leng Shoushi were seated there when Chu Li arrived.

Apart from the three in the garden, there was no one else present. Even the Secret Protectors had withdrawn.

“Head Chief Chu, thank you. Without your help this time, it would have been impossible to find the murderer.” Leng Shoushi took his white jade cup and downed his drink.

Chu Li smiled. “There is no need to be so courteous, Imperial Crown Prince. I have received the contract, but the Imperial Crown Prince has misunderstood me.”

“Miss Yu Qing is such a beauty, yet the Head Chief wants to reject her?” Asked Leng Shoushi.

Chu Li sighed. “Another person would mean another worry. The situation I’m in right now would only endanger Miss Yu Qing. She’s living well in the Verdant Cloud Brothel, I can only trouble the Imperial Crown Prince to take good care of her.

“The Head Chief thinks that there’s danger?” Leng Shoushi furrowed his brows.

Chu Li nodded. “The two Imperial Crown Princes should be wary of being assassinated. Minister Counsellor Gu is not a compassionate person. If he finds out that you discovered something, I’m afraid that he might make a move.”

After the incident regarding Leng Shoujiang, the number of each Imperial Crown Prince’s Protectors would have increased, so there was no need to say much more. However, since he was a guest, there was no harm in reminding them.

Leng Shoushi scoffed. “This person has a lot of guts!”

“What is your Royal Highness’ take on it?” Chu Li looked at the silent Prince Bao. “Who’s the main culprit behind the entire incident?”

Prince Bao shook his head. “I can’t tell, nor can I make any conclusions. It’s best to stay as far away from it as possible.”

“But I’m afraid that your Royal Highness can’t avoid it even you want to.” Sighed Chu Li. “I’m sure your Royal Highness has already made plans.”

Prince Bao replied, “Chu Li, you should understand that the issues surrounding King Ping weigh heavily on the Emperor’s mind. It’s related to the succession of the Emperor’s throne. If even the slightest thing goes wrong, it would cause a huge sin that will result in the death of an entire family.”

Chu Li nodded. “I understand.”

He was not afraid, but he could not say the same for the Public House and King An’s Imperial Residence.

Prince Bao continued, “I’ve seen King Ping grow up, I know him very well. He has a good spirit and is a brave person. He was always straightforward with the Emperor, speaking whatever that’s on his mind. He was never someone who would resort to cunning schemes.”

Chu Li replied, “Your Royal Highness doesn’t think that King Ping is behind this incident.”

“But people change,” continued Prince Bao, “especially in the presence of the Emperor’s throne. Nobody can say for sure.”

Chu Li furrowed his brows. “If it’s not King Ping, who else is able to persuade High Duke Ji?”

Leng Shoushi said, “If it were up to me, I would tell the Emperor directly and see how he deals with it.”

Prince Bao glared at him without saying a word.

Chu Li shook his head. “Humans are hard to predict. How could the Emperor know to trust you? Furthermore, his Royal Highness holds a sensitive position, the Emperor would think that he’s up to something.”

Leng Shoushi scoffed. “It’s such a hassle!”

He started the Verdant Cloud Brothel to have some fun, but it was also to make friends and help gather information to help his father in his work. It did not take a lot of effort as, with Prince Bao as his father, everything went smoothly.

However, this incident was costing him to use a lot of energy to think. He was not used to this, so it was not a comfortable feeling.

As the three of them were talking, an old servant came forward. His body was huge and his hair was white. He bowed as he approached near them. “Master, someone attempted to assassinate Imperial Crown Prince Shi last night.”

“An assassination?!” Leng Shoushi furrowed his brows and gasped. “How is he?”

“Imperial Crown Prince Shi is fine, thanks to the tight security of the Protectors.” The old man said in a low voice, “I heard that one of the Protectors died, but the assassinator is powerful, so he has already escaped.”

Leng Shoushi turned his head and looked at Prince Bao. “Father, could it be…?”

Prince Bao looked at Chu Li, “I guess that this case will be handed to the Secret Guardians Hall.”

Chu Li frowned and nodded.

Leng Shoushi sneered. “Dammit!”

Chu Li said, “The Imperial Crown Prince should stay within the residence for now.”

“Yes, he shall stay within the residence for a while.” Prince Bao said in a low voice.

“Father,” Leng Shoushi scoffed, “they want to get rid of us. Are we just going to idly sit here and not strike back?”

“You cannot hurry things,” Prince Bao said in a low voice. “What if it wasn’t their doing?”

Leng Shoushi bit his tongue and decided not to reply.

Prince Bao said, “Chu Li, this incident will be handed over to the Secret Guardians Hall, please help us look into it.”

“…Yes, your Royal Highness.” Chu Li made a closed fist salute and finally agreed.

Prince Bao held the pot and filled his white jade cup. “I know that it’s hard for you, but I can’t rest well if I leave this matter to any of the other people in the Secret Guardians Hall.”

Chu Li replied, “I shall do what I can.”

He sighed to himself, it could not be helped. The Mei Yi Courtyard did not do a good job during the previous assassination. With another assassination attempt, he was afraid that the Secret Guardians Hall’s Mei Er Courtyard would have no choice but to accept the case.

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