Chapter 35

"Chi!" A sharp whistle suddenly sounded, and a cold light shot towards Chu Li.

Chu Li lightly sidestepped to avoid it.

"Amitabha..." A deep, resonant Buddhist chant drifted from the forest, echoing throughout the woods.

Fashan's voice rang out: "Mr. Chu, this poor monk greets you!"

Chu Li snorted: "Monk, I spared your life, and you still seek trouble?"

"Does Mr. Chu dare to fight?"

As soon as the words were spoken, Fashan and two gray-robed monks appeared, standing about ten meters away from the women, looking up to examine Chu Li with calm, solemn eyes.

Fashan smiled, while the two middle-aged monks had expressionless faces, coldly staring at Chu Li. Even when they looked up, their gaze was condescending, as if they were inspecting a wayward disciple.

Chu Li gave Zhao Ying a look, signaling her to stay back and watch over the situation.

He floated down to stand five steps away from Fashan. These two monks clearly looked like brothers, with ordinary appearances and flat heads like saucers, the physiognomy of innate experts.

Both were thin and gaunt, as if malnourished, but Chu Li could see the immense power they possessed, their cultivation not inferior to Fashan. Together, the three of them posed a lethal threat to him.

After examining Chu Li, the two middle-aged monks looked at Zhao Ying, then at the other women, frowning deeply, their faces filled with disgust, as if they had seen something ugly.

Chu Li saw their thoughts and shook his head.

They deeply detested these women, viewing them as the source of sin and the cause of ruin. No wonder their disciples had fallen; it was not only due to a lack of self-control but also because these women were too alluring, making it impossible to resist. They were the root of all evil!

Chu Li sensed their murderous intent towards the women.

"Mr. Chu, though young, has profound cultivation. This poor monk is ashamed and can only fight together with the others," Fashan said with a smile, clasping his hands together. "If Mr. Chu can leave unscathed, this poor monk will not pursue further and will turn and leave."

Chu Li chuckled lightly. This was just a ruse to make him feel at ease, to prevent him from fleeing.

"Mr. Chu, shall we spar again?" Fashan smiled.

Chu Li nodded: "I would be honored!"

"Please—!" Fashan's smile grew wider, his heart filled with murderous intent.

The two middle-aged monks' eyes flashed with a fierce light, their chests brimming with killing intent.

The three of them were determined to kill Chu Li. They could form a Small Three Talents Formation, which would double their power. Even if Chu Li had the skills of a celestial being, he would find it impossible to escape.

Chu Li placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and sighed: "Monk, must it be to the death?"

"Why does Mr. Chu say such things?" Fashan smiled. "It's just a sparring match!"

Chu Li shook his head, speechless at Fashan's hypocrisy. It was rare to see someone so duplicitous. Monks were not supposed to lie, but Fashan was skirting the rules.

Chu Li suddenly raised his hands, and "Chi! Chi!" two cold lights shot out.

The two middle-aged monks suddenly froze, clutching their throats and staring at Chu Li with wide, disbelieving eyes.

"Bang! Bang!" They fell backward, their throats pierced by exquisite throwing knives, blood gushing out and soaking the dry leaves on the ground.

Chu Li's face remained unchanged as he looked at Fashan.

Fashan's smile froze, his eyes filled with disbelief as he looked at his two junior brothers, then at Chu Li: "You... you..."

A faint golden light appeared on his face as he activated the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill.

"Amitabha..." Fashan clasped his hands and chanted, his expression immediately becoming solemn. He looked at his fallen brothers with a compassionate gaze and then raised his head to look at Chu Li: "Mr. Chu, are you not afraid of our temple's pursuit?"

Chu Li smiled: "I am a guard of the Duke's Mansion. The Great Thunderclap Temple cannot just barge in to arrest me."

"Will the Duke's Mansion support you?"

"Of course!"

"Very well... very well, this poor monk will take his leave!" Fashan sneered, giving the women a deep look before turning to leave.

Chu Li watched him walk away slowly, not pursuing.

Fashan's hand under his robe held a handful of hidden weapons, ready to shoot at the women at any moment. Once he made a move, he would distract himself.

Zhao Ying floated down in front of him, glanced at the two monks on the ground, and urged: "Senior Brother, chase him! Don't let him get away. If the Great Thunderclap Temple finds out, they won't spare you!"

Chu Li shook his head: "Forget it, I'll spare his life."

"Senior Brother, how can you be so muddled!" Zhao Ying said hurriedly. "Even if you don't kill him, you should capture him. We can't let him report back!"

Chu Li laughed: "We are the guards of the Duke's Mansion. Why should we fear the Great Thunderclap Temple? Let's go!"

Fashan showed no mercy or foolishness of a monk. His actions were ruthless and unscrupulous. He couldn't be left alive, but with the women here, he was constrained. He would deal with it after sending them back to Chongming City.

Zhao Ying stomped her foot, her eyes wide with worry and helplessness: "Senior Brother, I don't know what to say to you!"

Chu Li said: "Be more careful in the future. The Great Thunderclap Temple might even target you. It's best to stay in the mansion!"

"I..." Zhao Ying frowned, slowly nodding.

She was indeed worried. The Great Thunderclap Temple was domineering and would likely accuse her of being an accomplice, leading to a joint pursuit. Sigh... her good days were over, truly a headache!

She glanced at Chu Li and shook her head.

Chu Li smiled: "Don't worry, the Great Thunderclap Temple won't dare to cause trouble in Chongming City."

"I hope so!" Zhao Ying sighed.

The women were also worried, so they urged a quick departure. They set off that night and arrived in Chongming City by the next evening.

Over a hundred horses made an impressive sight, and the city guard's face changed dramatically. Only after Chu Li showed his guard's badge did the guard relax, smiling apologetically.

The Duke's Mansion was the leader in Chongming City, and the guards of the Duke's Mansion were not to be questioned by a mere city gate guard. They were allowed to pass without delay.

Fifty beautiful women entering the city drew countless gazes. Though not the most beautiful, they were all attractive in their own way, and the onlookers found something to admire in each of them.

Zhao Ying spurred her horse to return to the mansion to find Li Yue, while Chu Li directly led the women to their new residence.

By the time they arrived, Li Yue was already waiting at the gate, surprised to see the fifty beautiful women. He looked at one and then another, his eyes wide with amazement, unable to take it all in.

"Brother, this... this..." He pulled Chu Li aside and whispered: "Where did you get so many beautiful women?"

Chu Li shook his head and smiled: "I'll tell you later. For now, settle them in."

"Tell me now," Li Yue couldn't contain his curiosity. "Where did they come from?"

"I'll tell you, but hurry up," Chu Li pushed him.

Li Yue reluctantly stepped forward to greet the women.

He had already familiarized himself with the mansion and efficiently assigned them rooms. There were many rooms, but not enough for each to have one, so they had to share.

Chu Li pulled Zhao Ying aside and instructed her to find a tailor to make some clothes for them, to tidy up, and then take them out to familiarize themselves with the surroundings.

Zhao Ying nodded: "No problem, leave it to me. Where are you going, Senior Brother?"

Chu Li said: "To chase Fashan!"

"Is it too late to catch him now?"

"Let's try."

"Can you catch up?"

"We have to try."

"Then it's better not to go," Zhao Ying shook her head. "You won't catch up, and even if you do, the news is already out. Why waste the effort?"

Chu Li shook his head: "Fashan is dangerous and must be dealt with!"

"What if he has more help? Better to be cautious," Zhao Ying said. "If he could find two, he can find more."

Chu Li nodded and silently left.

Zhao Ying watched his back, her brows furrowed with worry. The monks of the Great Thunderclap Temple were not to be underestimated!

"Where is my brother?" Li Yue asked, coming over. "Sister Zhao, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Zhao Ying hid her worry. "Thank you, Senior Brother Li."

"Hey, it's no big deal. It's an honor to serve so many beautiful women," Li Yue waved his hand, chuckling. "By the way, Sister Zhao, where did all these beautiful women come from?"

"Senior Brother will tell you later," Zhao Ying smiled.

Li Yue grinned, nodding helplessly. Everyone was so tight-lipped, but he had a feeling these women might have a problematic background.

Fortunately, they were all very friendly and not temperamental.

Chu Li floated out of the city, not riding a horse, but using his lightness skill to move swiftly. His feet surged with boundless internal energy, supporting him to reach the peak of his lightness skill.

When he reached the forest where they had rested earlier, Chu Li examined Fashan's footprints and used the Great Mirror Wisdom to track them. The Great Mirror Wisdom could cover a three-mile radius, allowing him to find Fashan's footprints without stopping to search.

He pursued until morning, reaching the top of a mountain. He stopped in front of a vertical cliff about ten meters high, with a cave halfway up. Fashan was sitting cross-legged inside, meditating. He suddenly sensed Chu Li's approach and opened his eyes.

He leaned out, and Chu Li waved from the base of the cliff: "Monk, we meet again!"

"What does Mr. Chu intend?" Fashan's face darkened as he stood at the cave entrance and shouted: "Do you intend to finish me off?"

Chu Li said: "Isn't that what you were trying to do? I'm just returning the favor!"

With that, he floated up. Fashan suddenly pulled out a pill from his robe, swallowed it, and his face turned red as if drunk. He did not dodge Chu Li's sword, and his red face quickly turned a purplish-gold. PS: Support, recommend, and collect, please.

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