Chapter 14

After an hour had passed, Zhuo Feiyang challenged again, but as soon as he made his move, he was immediately struck by a sword, his face turning ashen and ugly.

The sword pierced his shoulder, rendering him unable to fight.

He gritted his teeth, his face turning iron-gray, and without a word, he turned and left, not even acknowledging Su Ru and Zhao Ying, clutching his shoulder as he strode away.

As Zhao Ying was about to board the boat, she gave Chu Li a fierce glare, deepening the enmity between Chu and Zhuo, making it even harder for her to mediate.

Chu Li gave a sheepish smile.

After he watched the small boat disappear, he turned to meet Su Ru's smiling eyes.

Su Ru pursed her lips and smiled lightly, "Chu Li, do you like Zhao Ying?"

Chu Li smiled.

Su Ru chuckled, "It seems she likes Zhuo Feiyang more. That makes sense, standing next to each other, Zhuo Feiyang has the upper hand."

Chu Li remained silent.

Su Ru smiled at him, "Zhao Ying seems quite popular."

"Her beauty, gentleness, and kindness, which man wouldn't like?" Chu Li sighed, feeling melancholic, as Zhao Ying didn't like him.

"Do you think you have a chance?"

"Of course!"

"I doubt it!" Su Ru pursed her lips and smiled lightly, "Can you compete with Zhuo Feiyang?"

"..." Chu Li frowned.

Zhuo Feiyang was not only a genius but also handsome, more appealing to women than himself. He didn't delude himself; he truly couldn't match Zhuo Feiyang. Women generally preferred Zhuo Feiyang, who exuded a strong and charming aura, making himself pale in comparison.

"Feeling discouraged?" Su Ru smiled, her eyes like water, sizing him up.

Chu Li shook his head, "I won't give up!"

"That's the spirit!" Su Ru laughed, "Giving up isn't like you!... Do you want my help?"

Chu Li raised an eyebrow and looked at her.

Su Ru laughed, "Don't you believe I can help?"

"Thank you, Chief Steward!" Chu Li bowed deeply, "Please help me!"

When it came to asking for help, he didn't hesitate, willing to put aside his pride. Without this determination, how could he win a woman's heart!

Su Ru giggled, "Men... really!"

Chu Li smiled awkwardly, "Can't just stand by and watch the woman I like be taken by another man, especially since Zhuo Feiyang isn't a good match. I can't let Zhao Ying fall into a pit!"

"Like I don't know your thoughts?" Su Ru rolled her eyes and huffed, "Men think only they deserve beautiful women, not others!"

Chu Li chuckled.

Su Ru huffed, "Alright, no more joking. I have a serious matter to discuss."

"Yes!" Chu Li's expression turned serious.

Su Ru glanced around; Li Yue was not there, only the two of them stood by the lake, a gentle breeze blowing, the lake water fresh, the surroundings quiet and spacious.

"Can you grow a large amount of Immortal Grass?"

"If you don't mind the land being ruined, no problem."

"Good, this time we need a large batch of Immortal Grass, grow it as soon as possible!"

"How much?"

"At least twenty acres!"

"Twenty acres!?" Chu Li frowned, "This will ruin the land, it will take at least five years to recover!"

"Um-hum."

"… It's best to plant it outside the estate, and the land should be as fertile as possible."

"Exactly!" Su Ru nodded lightly, pondering, "This matter must be kept secret!"

Chu Li nodded slowly.

From Su Ru's expression, he knew this couldn't be made public.

"There's a valley in the Ten Thousand Mountains, very secluded. Go there to plant, the land there is very fertile."

"Yes." Chu Li nodded without hesitation.

"Keep this matter secret, don't draw attention." Su Ru shook her head, "But don't make mistakes, so I plan to assign you a guard."

"More people mean more risks." Chu Li said, "I can handle it myself!"

"What if something happens halfway?" Su Ru rolled her eyes and huffed, "Can you handle it?"

Chu Li raised an eyebrow, smiled, and looked in the direction where the small boat had disappeared.

Su Ru huffed, "Fine, let Zhao Ying go with you!"

"Thank you, Chief Steward!" Chu Li was overjoyed, bowing deeply.

"Hmph, this suits your wishes, but if the task fails, you'll be demoted two ranks, and Zhao Ying will be reduced to a servant!"

"Yes!"

"If you encounter trouble outside, you know what to do, right?"

"Chief Steward, rest assured, I won't expose our identity!"

"You're smart!" Su Ru nodded in satisfaction. Entrusting this task to Chu Li was also a test to see if he was capable.

---

In the early morning, at the south gate of the Duke's Mansion.

Under the bright sunlight, the two bronze lions seemed to come to life, ready to pounce and devour.

Zhao Ying, dressed in a lake-green silk robe, held the reins of a chestnut horse, standing quietly beside one of the lions, her bright eyes fixed on the gate.

It was still early, and almost no one was entering or leaving the gate. Her fine eyebrows occasionally furrowed, curious about this mission.

When she received the task, it was to escort someone, a secret mission, not to be disclosed to anyone, and no information about who the person was, only to wait at the south gate in the morning, and someone would come to find her.

She was curious and excited, as it was rare to have an external mission.

She wondered how many people would be on this mission and who she would be escorting, possibly a high-ranking official, as only such important figures would need to keep their movements secret.

The Duke's Mansion was powerful and renowned, but its fame was built on countless lives, with many enemies. Those martial artists were fierce and would risk their lives for revenge. Once their movements were exposed, they might be surrounded by a pack of wolves.

As a ninth-rank guard, it was her first time participating in such a confidential mission, and she was inexplicably excited, her eyes shining, waiting patiently without any sign of impatience.

Suddenly, she saw Chu Li, and she quickly waved her hand, signaling him to stay away, to leave quickly without greeting him.

Although she was curious why Chu Li was also leading a horse, seemingly about to leave the mansion, she couldn't afford to be distracted, focusing entirely on the person who was supposed to appear, not wanting to miss them or leave a bad impression.

Chu Li led a chestnut horse, slowly approaching Zhao Ying.

Zhao Ying's bright eyes quickly scanned the surroundings, and she whispered, "Senior Brother Chu, what are you doing here!"

Chu Li smiled, "Junior Sister Zhao, waiting for someone?"

"No, I'm not waiting for anyone!" Zhao Ying quickly replied.

This mission was confidential, and she remembered not to tell anyone.

Chu Li shook his head and laughed, "You're waiting for me, right?"

"Nonsense, I'm not waiting for anyone!" Zhao Ying huffed, waving her hand, "Senior Brother Chu, talk to me another day, I'm leaving soon!"

Chu Li chuckled.

Zhao Ying frowned and glared at him.

Chu Li shook his head and smiled, "Junior Sister Zhao, you are indeed waiting for me."

"Senior Brother Chu—!" Zhao Ying stomped her foot, her face flushing red.

Chu Li said, "Your mission is to escort me!"

"Um—?" Zhao Ying's eyes widened.

Chu Li nodded, "Yes, to escort me, a confidential mission."

"R-Really you?" Zhao Ying blinked, pointing at him in surprise.

Chu Li smiled, "There's a 'Li' in your mission brief, right?"

Zhao Ying frowned at him.

Chu Li said, "You have the Duke's Mansion's badge, right?"

Zhao Ying nodded.

"Leave it behind, don't bring anything that can identify you on this mission."

"Really you?" Zhao Ying asked, disappointed.

Chu Li laughed, "Hurry up, we need to leave soon!"

"Are there any other guards?"

"No, just you, your mission is important!"

"Why me?"

"I'll explain on the way, let's go!" Chu Li waved his hand.

Zhao Ying rolled her eyes, turned, and quickly disappeared into the mansion using her lightness skill.

A moment later, she rushed back, huffing, "Let's go!"

The two mounted their horses and rode side by side.

The south gate of the Duke's Mansion was also the north gate of Chongming City. They slowly rode through the city, surrounded by bustling traffic and a lively atmosphere, the entire city like a bustling morning market, even more lively than usual.

"Why only me?"

"To avoid drawing attention, we look like a couple, no one will notice us."

"… Who's a couple with you!"

"Ha ha…"

"I'm just a ninth-rank guard, my martial arts aren't good." Zhao Ying said, a bit embarrassed.

This was her first secret mission, and the reward for a secret mission was three times that of a regular mission, not everyone could take it. According to reason, she wasn't qualified for such a secret mission.

"Better not to use martial arts if we can avoid it." Chu Li sat on his horse, lazily guiding it.

"What if there's danger?"

"Only one word—run!"

"Then what do I do!"

"Play the role of a couple!"

"Senior Brother Chu—!" Zhao Ying glared at him, dissatisfied.

"Junior Sister Zhao, don't you want to take this mission?" Chu Li smiled, "If you really don't want to, we can find someone else."

Zhao Ying rolled her eyes and huffed, "Who said I don't want to!"

Chu Li said, "You won't hold a grudge against me, right?"

"Why would I hold a grudge?"

"I defeated Zhuo Feiyang, you feel sorry for him?"

"Stop talking nonsense, who feels sorry!" Zhao Ying huffed, "It's just a martial arts competition, Senior Brother Zhuo is a martial arts genius, he will surpass you eventually, Senior Brother Chu, you shouldn't be so smug!"

"Who said Zhuo Feiyang can surpass me?"

Zhao Ying pouted, not wanting to rub Chu Li's sore spot, as he couldn't cultivate inner energy due to lack of foundation, which was very pitiful, and she didn't want to say it out loud.

Chu Li smiled, "Junior Sister Zhao, you like Zhuo Feiyang a lot, right?"

Zhao Ying rolled her eyes and didn't speak.

Chu Li sighed, "Who can blame Zhuo Feiyang for his good looks, sigh... I just didn't expect Junior Sister Zhao to also judge people by their appearance."

"Senior Brother Chu, stop talking nonsense, who judges people by their appearance!" Zhao Ying said, annoyed, "I don't like Senior Brother Zhuo!"

"Everyone can see that you like Zhuo Feiyang!"

"Nonsense!" Zhao Ying huffed, "I just seek guidance from Senior Brother Zhuo to improve my martial arts quickly!"

"Seeking guidance from him is not as good as from me!" Chu Li shook his head and smiled, "He just buries himself in practice, not reading books, his martial arts knowledge is far behind!"

"Senior Brother Chu, martial arts require practice, just reading books isn't enough!" Zhao Ying disagreed.

Chu Li shook his head, "Junior Sister Zhao, you're wrong about that."

As they talked, they rode through the bustling crowd, drawing attention from the people. Although Chu Li wasn't particularly handsome, his demeanor was impressive, and Zhao Ying was beautiful, making them a well-matched pair.

Chu Li wasn't in a hurry, leisurely enjoying the vibrant atmosphere, feeling a sense of ease and comfort he hadn't experienced in a long time. Since he had the Sutra of Withering and Flourishing and had established his foundation, his heart was no longer oppressed, and he felt truly free.

Zhao Ying huffed, "Senior Brother Chu, how am I wrong?"

Chu Li said, "You think your martial arts are unique, but in fact, you're just following the old path. The Martial Arts Hall has many cultivation notes, recording personal insights and experiences, but you don't read them, preferring to figure things out on your own..."

He shook his head, "This is a waste of time!"

"Figuring things out on your own gives deeper insights." Zhao Ying huffed.

Chu Li shook his head, "By your logic, you don't need a good teacher, just practice on your own!"

"Hmph, I won't argue with you!" Zhao Ying was at a loss for words.

Chu Li said, "Junior Sister Zhao, you practice the Swallow Sword Technique, right?"

"Yes."

"Find time to practice it for me to see."

"Senior Brother Chu, you know the Swallow Sword Technique?"

"Somewhat, I've read a few cultivation notes."

"… Alright." Zhao Ying huffed, wanting to see if he was just boasting!