Chapter 32

"Sir, in this area, with such a large mansion, ten thousand taels is really a bargain. You can inquire about the value of the surrounding properties; if it’s more expensive, I’ll cut off my head!"

"What do we need your head for!" Li Yue glared.

"Ten thousand taels, let's settle on that." Chu Li patted Li Yue’s shoulder.

He had used the Great Round Mirror Wisdom to examine the layout of the mansion and was very satisfied. It had a front hall, main courtyard, rear courtyard, and garden, all of which were complete, and it could easily accommodate over a hundred people.

"Brother, isn’t this too hasty?" Li Yue widened his eyes: "We haven’t even gone inside to take a look!"

"There’s no need to look. Let’s go and get the deed." Chu Li smiled at the real estate agent: "Make sure there are no loose ends. We usually live in the Duke’s residence, and we don’t have much time, so we don’t want any trouble!"

"Of course, of course!" The middle-aged man nodded hurriedly, smiling, but he was startled and secretly wiped a cold sweat, almost causing trouble!

"Can we move in today?"

The middle-aged man nodded hurriedly, smiling: "Of course, but since no one has lived there for some time, it’s best to clean it up a bit."

"Alright, I understand. Thank you."

"Hehe, it’s I who should thank the two of you. I’ll go and get it done right away, it will be quick!"

Chu Li nodded: "Deliver it to the Duke’s residence and ask for Chu Li in the East Garden."

"Understood."

The two walked back, and Li Yue whispered: "Brother, buying such a large mansion, it’s better to be low-key. Why let him come to the residence?"

Chu Li shook his head: "There’s nothing wrong with being open and honest."

"Being open and honest is fine, but it depends on the situation. Now that you’ve suddenly reached the Sixth Rank, there are many people who envy and hate you, all hoping you’ll make a mistake and be demoted!"

"What’s wrong with this matter?"

"People will ask where you got so much money."

"From the rewards of the residence."

"People will ask what you did to deserve such a reward."

"Then it won’t be their business to ask."

"Sigh... Anyway, this is too showy!"

"Alright, don’t worry, nothing will happen. I’ve already discussed this with the steward."

"Steward Su knows?"

"Yep."

"That’s good, that’s good." Li Yue finally breathed a sigh of relief.

As they returned to the Duke’s residence, they happened to meet the graceful Zhao Ying at the South Gate. Seeing them, Zhao Ying quickly approached like a swallow.

"Senior Brother!" She smiled: "Senior Brother Li."

Chu Li glanced at her and smiled: "Congratulations, Junior Sister!"

Zhao Ying smiled: "Thank you, thank you. Let’s set off as soon as possible!"

"Alright, we’ll leave today!" Chu Li nodded.

Li Yue hurriedly asked what was going on, as Chu Li hadn’t told him about the Tiger Den.

Chu Li said he would explain later and parted ways with Zhao Ying to find their horses, meeting back at the South Gate. They rode through Chongming City, out of the South Gate, and galloped on.

Due to the delay, it was already noon, and the sun was high. With their internal energy protecting them, they didn’t feel too hot, and the two horses were full of energy.

"Senior Brother, if the tavern is built, will they come?"

"Let them choose. If they want a peaceful life, they can stay; if they want a lively one, they can come."

"I think the Tiger Den isn’t safe."

"Right, I’ve already bought a mansion and will bring them over this time."

"Senior Brother, you’re so thoughtful!"

"I hope everything goes smoothly."

Having lived two lives, he understood that many things in the world don’t go as planned. Just because you want to do something doesn’t mean you can achieve it, and even the best plans may not come to fruition.

"I’ve always been worried that someone might discover the place, making it hard to practice in peace."

"You’ve made good progress."

"Senior Brother, why can’t people tell that you have martial arts skills?"

She was very curious. Clearly, he had reached the innate realm, yet he looked as if he hadn’t practiced martial arts at all, lacking the aura and appearance of a martial arts expert.

Chu Li didn’t have the vigorous blood of a martial artist, his eyes weren’t sharp, and his temples showed no abnormalities. He looked like an ordinary person, very deceptive. If he said he didn’t know martial arts, anyone who didn’t know the truth would believe him.

"Maybe it’s because of the Transcendence Fruit." Chu Li smiled.

He usually kept only a tiny thread of internal energy in his dantian, a negligible amount, to deal with sudden changes. All his internal energy was hidden in the earth, and with a thought, it would surge in.

Without the flow of internal energy, there were no unusual signs, and outsiders couldn’t tell he had practiced martial arts.

"Such a wonderful Transcendence Fruit!" Zhao Ying praised. "Also, Senior Brother, since you have such martial arts skills, why don’t you challenge the Ninth Rank Tower? Being a guard is great!"

"Is being a guard good?"

Zhao Ying nodded: "Of course! You can go out and play, and the pay is high."

Chu Li shook his head and smiled.

"Is being a guard not good?" Zhao Ying asked in surprise.

Chu Li smiled: "Being a guard isn’t bad, but my aspirations lie elsewhere."

"Where do your aspirations lie?" Zhao Ying was even more curious.

All the guards in the residence were striving to be guards and practice martial arts. In this world of flourishing martial arts, lacking martial skills made life difficult, and everything was judged by martial arts.

Chu Li, however, went against the norm. Despite his high martial arts skills, he didn’t become a guard and was content to be a mere guard.

Chu Li said: "I think being a guard is safer."

"Senior Brother, you don’t seem like a coward!" Zhao Ying tilted her head to look at him.

Chu Li shook his head: "I value my life."

Zhao Ying stared at him curiously: "Senior Brother, you’re evading me. You must have some purpose!"

"Everyone has their own aspirations. I like a stable life and can’t be a guard." Chu Li smiled: "Is that hard to understand?"

"If you were twenty years older, I’d believe you. But to say this at your young age..." Zhao Ying smiled and shook her head.

Chu Li waved his hand and smiled: "I won’t be a guard."

"That’s too bad."

"I’m also at the Sixth Rank now!"

"…That’s true." Zhao Ying nodded. A Sixth Rank guard and a Sixth Rank protector had similar status, with only a twofold difference in pay.

Chu Li smiled at her.

His pursuits were different from others. He wanted not only martial skills but also power.

A man cannot go a day without power. In his previous life, he had suffered under the control of power. As a researcher, his research funds were controlled by his superiors, like having his testicles squeezed, a feeling that was too painful and tormenting. He had repeatedly resolved to become an official.

In this world, he left the temple to pursue glory and wealth, to fully enjoy the wonderful taste of power.

Martial skills were indeed the strongest force in this world, but power was even stronger. With formidable martial skills, one could live freely, but with great power, life was truly wonderful, and one could say they hadn’t lived in vain.

Being a guard could only pursue martial strength and was hard to enter the power structure of the Duke’s residence, so he would never challenge the Ninth Rank Tower.

As they rode and talked, the next noon, they arrived at the Tiger Den. Seeing the cave entrance, their faces changed.

The large stone that had originally been there was now shattered into pieces, scattered on the ground.

Chu Li examined the fragments and sighed: "What profound internal energy, what powerful palm force!"