White-Robed Chief

Chu Li put down the teacup and sighed.

“You’re loyal to Gu Litong but he’s treating you like a dumb dog. I’m sure you’ve realized this, haven’t you?”

“It doesn’t matter what it is. I can’t betray him!” Zhou Yuting scoffed.

“Why is it betrayal? Think about this. With Gu Litong pulling all these stunts, will the West Garden ever become great? There’ll definitely be consequences! He’s able to destroy a nice and fresh Moonlight Orchid just like that. What is he not willing to do? There isn’t a wall in the world that doesn’t have a crack. What if Master Xiao snapped at something that happened down the line because of Gu Litong? What will happen to you?”

Zhou Yuting’s expression changed.

If Master Xiao got angry, he would definitely feel that wrath.

“Did Gu Litong ever spare a thought about you when he’s doing these kinds of things? He thinks that the world revolves around him. He believes that you ought to treat him well but, not vice versa. Gu Litong doesn’t care about you. It’s just a bunch of nonsense, isn’t it?” said Chu Li.

Zhou Yuting was speechless again.

Chu Li was right. Gu Litong had never actually stopped to care about him. He only made things hard for Zhou Yuting. To Gu Litong, he existed as a mere prop.

Chu Li continued. “If today was just you keeping secrets from him as usual, you could maybe hide it away for the rest of your life— but it’s different now. I’m forcing you to choose. Do you want to pick someone whom you love that loves you back, or do you want to rot away with Gu Litong? Everyone knows what they should do if they were normal.”

“But… ” Zhou Yuting furrowed his brows.

Chu Li waved off his hand. “Besides, didn’t you want to be a righteous man? With Gu Litong and his crazy stunts, you should be clear as to which part of the West Garden you should be loyal to. Gu Litong Gu, or Master Xiao? Could it be that Gu Litong is more important than Master Xiao himself?”

Chu Li sipped some more tea. “If you keep hiding the truth, you’re just being disloyal to Master Xiao!”

Chu Li waved off his hand again and stopped Zhou Yuting. He continued on. “You betrayed Master Xiao and gave up on the woman of your life just for that bastard? Don’t you think that it’s a little funny!?”

Zhou Yuting did not say a word.

“Brother Zhou Yuting, you can be righteous and tell the truth. You can be the man in charge this time. Not only Miss Yu Jiao, but this whole residence will be yours too. Take this as warm regards from me.” Chu Li continued to push.

“Hmph, your regards are quite costly!” Zhou Yuting scoffed.

Chu Li smiled. “But I still have to clear something up. I can give you the residence for free, but the money I spent to redeem Yu Jiao is to be paid back. You can pay me back over the course of ten years. Ten thousand every year isn’t so bad.”

“Twenty years!” Zhou Yuting proposed.

Zhou Yuting was only rank eight and moreover, he was not even a Protector. He could only bring in the money from home, but ten thousand taels a year was still too much.

“Okay then, twenty years it is,” replied Chu Li.

Chu Li stood and placed the teacup down. He took out a contract and gave it to Zhou Yuting.

“Your seal, please.”

Zhou Yuting took it from him and read it. He bit on his left index finger until it bled and pressed his red fingerprint onto the contract. Zhou Yuting sneered.

“Are you still not reassured!?”

“If Brother Zhou Yuting skips out on the contract, I’ll look for Mister Zhou with this. He won’t run from his debts.”

Chu Li smiled. “Very well! I shall leave you two alone now. The first night is worth a thousand gold, after all!”

Chu Li waved at Zhou Yuting and flew away.

Zhou Yuting stood rooted to the spot, unmoved.

“Master?” Yu Jiao gently walked towards him.

Zhou Yuting had lost his train of thought. He held out his hands to hug Yu Jiao. True happiness was gained from what he had almost lost. He carried her and rushed off to the bedroom.

Chu Li returned to the small courtyard in Jade Guardian Island. It was already midnight.

He pushed the door open and a gentle call could be heard coming from inside.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me!” Chu Li stepped into the courtyard.

As soon as he walked into the courtyard, the air in the atmosphere changed immediately. It became much fresher in that split second as if all the pores on his skin opened. It was inaudibly comfortable.

Xue Ling was in the middle of cultivating her Crescent Cryptic. She was surprised when she saw Chu Li.

“Master!?”

Chu Li smiled. “Are you not happy that I’m back?”

Xue’s expression stiffened. She scoffed, “There’s nothing to be happy about, I still have to serve you!”

Chu Li smiled as he shook his head. He moved to the front of the Glory’s Will and observed its surroundings carefully. He nodded in satisfaction.

The Grass of Raven was now really tall. It was even taller than normal breeds, it was thick and strong. With this kind of Grass of Raven, the medication effect was surely going to be far more potent.

“Master, the Nightmare Flower bloomed twice and the Chief plucked them.”

“Hmm.”

Chu Li nodded. He had already ordered someone to send the letters to remind Su Ru to collect the Nightmare Flower on time. As for the Andromeda and the others, she did not have to rush. The effects become more potent the longer it is planted.

“Chief said that you went to accompany some pretty lady. Is that true?”

Xue Ling served tea.

Chu Li grabbed a cup and sipped a little. “It’s a bit complicated. I’ll tell you later, you should continue with your cultivation.”

“Do you want supper?”

“Not today.”

“I think I’ll at least make a little,” said Xue Ling before gently running into the kitchen.

Chu Li shook his head and smiled.

The Glory’s Will had grown one whole section. With the help of the four other trees, it had indeed grown very quickly. Now was the peak of its growth spurt. He estimated that in a year, its growth would plateau for a while and then decline into speeds that even a turtle could probably exceed. After that, it will grow depending on time passed. It could probably live on for about a thousand years.

Chu Li returned to his seat at the pagoda. He let out a breath, feeling content. Home was still the most comfortable place to be.

Chu Li had left the Public House for a month. He already felt extremely comfortable, even as he approached the small courtyard. This was his own house, and it was assuredly relaxing.

When Xue Ling served supper, Chu Li made her show him the progress she had made with her Crescent Cryptic.

Xue Ling cultivated once while Chu Li advised her.

Under the guidance of Chu Li, she had benefited greatly whenever she attempted to improve on a cultivation. She truly needed Chu Li’s advice.

The next day, Chu Li lazily got up. He sat on the pagoda for the entire day. The spiritual force from the Glory’s Will was used to refine his body as he continued to cultivate Sentient Menace. The Grass of Raven was finally ready, and he was able to start the spirit bath.

In the evening, the sunset filled the small courtyard.

Su Ru pushed open the door. She went straight into the pagoda, not waiting for Chu Li to come out. She sat in front of Chu Li and widened her eyes.

“Chu Li, what did you actually do?”

Chu Li smiled. “Do what, Chief?”

“Gu Litong was crushed and he was chased out of the Public House!” Su Ru said in surprise.

“Master Xiao was furious. No one knows why but I’m guessing you did something stupid!”

Chu Li shook his head and sighed, “Such a waste!”

“What waste? Such a faker!” Su Ru rolled her eyes at him.

“These kinds of guys should’ve been chased out of the Public House long ago!”

“He’s still someone with talent,” said Chu Li.

Gu Litong had all kinds of nasty ideas in his head, but he was still very gifted with the study of plants. If Chu Li did not have the Life and Death Scripture, he would have certainly lost against Gu Litong.

“Quickly tell me, what did you do?” Su Ru rushed to him.

Chu Li did not hide a thing. He told her everything that happened and he smiled.

“Against this kind of schemer, I needed to cure the ills with poison. It would be hard if I came out with any proper plans.”

“You’re so toxic!” Su Ru judged him with an odd expression.

“A stomach full of crafty ideas!”

Chu Li smiled. He did not say a word.

“A hundred thousand taels?” asked Su Ru.

Chu Li took out the contract. “I actually didn’t plan on making him pay the money back, but if I didn’t do everything in my power to subdue him, it would’ve been hard. Zhou Yuting isn’t that easily controlled.”

Su Ru looked at it and sneered. “I don’t have a hundred thousand taels for you!”

Chu Li smiled. “What are you thinking about, Chief. There’s no way I could let you pay for this!”

Su Ru rolled her eyes at him. “How would I know what you’re thinking?!”