Chapter 85

"Uh-huh." Su Ru sighed.

Chu Li got up and paced, pondering, "So, he really did fall into the hands of the Renguogong Mansion... What does Miss think?"

"Miss didn't say." Su Ru showed a troubled expression: "She's still hesitating."

Chu Li nodded: "Hasn't sent anyone over yet?"

Su Ru looked up at him.

Chu Li said: "How about I take care of it?"

This matter was difficult to handle. Gu Liting's life or death wasn't that important; the key was the First Young Master. One misstep, and it would anger the First Young Master.

Su Ru shook her head: "It's best not to get involved in this matter!"

Chu Li said: "Let's go, see Miss!"

Su Ru frowned, and Chu Li smiled: "It's not that complicated. One is to save, the other is to kill. We can't just ignore it, right?"

"This matter is too troublesome." Su Ru frowned: "It's not as simple as you say!"

"Turn complexity into simplicity. We must help Miss with her worries. Let's go!" Chu Li smiled, got up, and walked out.

Su Ru hesitated for a moment and followed him out.

The two arrived at the Star Observation Tower and went straight to the third floor.

Xiao Qi stood by the window, gazing out. The sunlight shone in, making her pale face glow with a warm luster. Her eyes sparkled, and she was beautiful beyond the mortal world.

"Miss." Chu Li clasped his hands.

Xiao Qi turned around, her bright gaze landing on his face: "Xiao Ru told you, right?"

"Yes, Gu Liting has arrived in Bai Shi City."

"Any ideas?"

"Leave it to me!" Chu Li said solemnly: "I'll handle it."

Xiao Qi looked at him quietly: "What do you plan to do?"

"Turn the tables and secretly plot against the Renguogong Mansion." Chu Li said.

Xiao Qi seemed to be thinking: "Turn the tables?"

Chu Li said: "If I were Lu Yurong, I would calculate that we would either save or kill Gu Liting, making him the best bait." Chu Li said: "Set a trap and harvest lives."

"You plan to counter the trap?"

"Yes, divide into three groups, it should be enough."

"What about Gu Liting?"

"How does Miss want to handle him?"

"Save him back!"

"Yes." Chu Li responded readily.

Xiao Qi smiled slightly: "You don't plan to use him as an informant?"

She had heard Chu Li's strategy before, to make Gu Liting an informant, but this time he didn't even mention it.

Chu Li said: "Times have changed. The current situation isn't suitable. It's best to find an informant directly from the Renguogong Mansion!"

In his view, finding someone directly from the Renguogong Mansion was more convenient and effective. Even if Gu Liting entered the Renguogong Mansion, he wouldn't be able to access useful information in a short time.

"That's good." Xiao Qi nodded lightly.

She had been worried that he was eager for success, but hearing his words, she felt relieved. He was smart and calm enough. She slowly said: "Save Gu Liting!"

"Yes." Chu Li responded.

Xiao Qi nodded lightly: "How many people do you need?"

Chu Li said: "How many experts are around Gu Liting?"

Su Ru quickly said: "Four innate experts!"

Chu Li pondered for a moment and said: "I need at least forty innate experts, preferably some Transcendent experts!"

"Transcendent experts are impossible." Xiao Qi shook her head.

Chu Li said helplessly: "Then forty innate experts."

Su Ru said: "So many people?"

"Lu Yurong might be guarding against our counter-trap." Chu Li said.

Su Ru looked at Xiao Qi.

Xiao Qi thought for a moment: "Yes, forty innate experts!"

"Thank you, Miss!" Chu Li clasped his hands.

Xiao Qi nodded: "Xiao Ru, assist Chu Li!"

"Yes, Miss!" Su Ru said.

---

As the lanterns lit up, Gu Liting sat in front of the eight-person table, staring blankly at the window. The light cast his shadow on the window paper, making him feel lonely and desolate.

He was in a small courtyard of the Zhenxing Inn, in the main hall bedroom.

"Ah..." Gu Liting sighed deeply.

There were two innate experts in the right living room and two in the courtyard outside. They were supposed to protect him, but in reality, they were monitoring him, preventing him from escaping!

His face was haggard, and his eyes showed confusion.

He still couldn't understand why Zhou Yuting would betray him, reporting his actions to the First Young Master, causing the First Young Master to be furious and severely punish him.

Although he had always used Zhou Yuting as a tool, he believed he had been thorough. Zhou Yuting considered him a friend and shouldn't have betrayed him!

"Ah..." He sighed again.

Human hearts are hard to fathom. One moment they are as close as brothers, the next they viciously betray. Thinking about it made him feel cold. It was far better to tend to flowers and plants, which, though they cannot speak, will not betray him!

He got up and pushed open the window. A bright moon hung in the night sky, casting a misty light over the small courtyard. Two black-clad figures stood motionless under the plum tree.

He ignored them. At this point, his life was not in his control. He might as well give up and let them do as they pleased!

Thinking about it, he shook his head. The Duke's Mansion would not let him fall into the hands of the Renguogong Mansion. After all, he knew many of the First Young Master's secrets. If he revealed them, the First Young Master would be in great danger.

The First Young Master wouldn't tolerate a grain of sand in his eye, but the Third Young Miss might not be so lenient. Besides, there was Chu Li, who would certainly try to influence the Third Young Miss!

Even if he escaped, life in the Renguogong Mansion would not be easy. As long as he had value, he would be fine, but once he lost his value, the Renguogong Mansion would not be merciful to a traitor.

Thinking about it, his future was destined to be tragic!

He clenched his teeth and chewed on three words: "Zhou—Yu—Ting—!"

He hated Zhou Yuting to the bone, wishing he could tear him apart, but unfortunately, he couldn't protect himself, and this grudge would be hard to avenge!

"Bang, bang!" Two bright flowers suddenly exploded in the sky.

Several black figures drifted into the courtyard. The two black-clad guards immediately threw out signals, lighting up the small courtyard.

Gu Liting saw clearly. Ten people rushed at the two black-clad guards, and the sound of metal clashing echoed in an instant.

The two experts in the hall rushed out to help, but the situation was still disadvantageous.

Gu Liting pursed his lips and sneered. It seemed the Duke's Mansion was determined to kill him. Thinking about it, he felt disheartened.

"Brother Gu, we meet again." Chu Li's clear voice suddenly came from behind.

Gu Liting turned sharply.

Chu Li was sitting at the eight-person table, smiling. The light danced on his face, and his eyes sparkled with vigor.

"Chu!" Gu Liting sneered: "Are you satisfied now?"

Chu Li smiled: "Do you think I'm here to kill you?"

"Or what?" Gu Liting glared.

"Brother Gu, you misunderstood." Chu Li waved his hand: "I am here to save you, by order of the Third Young Miss!"

"Is the Third Young Miss so kind?" Gu Liting was half-believing, half-doubting.

The Third Young Miss was fair and clear in her rewards and punishments, but when it came to dealing with enemies, she showed no mercy. In the current situation, getting rid of him would be the best solution.

Chu Li said: "You made a mistake, and being expelled from the mansion is justified. But the Third Young Miss values talent. You will start working on the periphery and return to the mansion after making contributions!"

"I will definitely return to the Duke's Mansion!" Gu Liting gritted his teeth.

Chu Li laughed.

Gu Liting said coldly: "Do you think I can't return?"

"Returning to the mansion isn't that easy." Chu Li spoke calmly, ignoring the sound of metal clashing outside.

In a short time, twenty Renguogong Mansion guards rushed over, putting the Duke's Mansion guards at a disadvantage, one against two, the situation was not good.

Chu Li remained calm, speaking leisurely with Gu Liting: "Don't forget about Zhou Yuting."

"Zhou—Yu—Ting—!" Gu Liting squeezed out the words through his teeth, coldly: "I will settle this score with him!"

Chu Li smiled: "You angered the First Young Master. Zhou has a good father. Without your backing, how can you compete with Zhou?"

"Hmph!" Gu Liting sneered.

He was confident in his talent. As long as he worked hard, the Third Young Miss would certainly promote him. Under the First Young Master, Zhou Gong might have influence, but the Third Young Miss was fair and wouldn't be swayed by Zhou Gong.

Chu Li looked at him for a moment and smiled: "It seems Brother Gu hasn't slept well these past few days."

"Thanks for your concern!" Gu Liting sneered.

Chu Li said: "Brother Gu must be very curious, right?"

"Curious about what?"

"Why Zhou suddenly turned against you and stabbed you in the back!"

"Do you know?"

Chu Li smiled: "I helped Zhou redeem Yu Jiao for ten thousand taels of silver, buying your future."

"Is it you—?!" Gu Liting was stunned, then suddenly furious, standing up, wanting to smash Chu Li's smiling face: "You—"

Chu Li waved his hand and smiled: "Brother Gu provoked me repeatedly, and I had no choice but to resort to this. It was a last resort!"

"Bullshit!" Gu Liting gritted his teeth.

Chu Li still smiled: "Everyone has weaknesses. Zhou is a love-struck fool, and you, Brother Gu, are filial to your mother. If I bribed the maidservants by the old lady and had them say bad things, making the old lady angry, what would happen?"

"You—!" Gu Liting's face changed.

Chu Li smiled: "Just a joke. If the Renguogong Mansion really wanted to recruit you, they wouldn't ignore the old lady. So, if you really go to the Renguogong Mansion, your fate is predictable... Will you come with me?"

"Chu, you are a despicable person!" Gu Liting said coldly.

Chu Li smiled: "I am a gentleman to friends and a villain to enemies. Brother Gu, let's be friends, shall we? Let's go!"

Gu Liting hummed: "Do you not want to kill me?"

Chu Li shook his head and smiled: "If I wanted to kill you, do you think you would still be alive?"

Gu Liting was silent, having experienced Chu Li's cunning, he didn't dare to boast.

Chu Li went to the window and threw a signal into the sky.

"Boom..." A loud thunder echoed in the sky, and a golden sword appeared, shining in the night.

In an instant, ten Duke's Mansion guards rushed into the courtyard, changing the situation. Both sides were in a stalemate, the courtyard was crowded, and a fierce battle ensued.

Chu Li retracted his hand and turned to look at Gu Liting: "Shall we go?"

"Okay!" Gu Liting no longer hesitated. Chu Li was terrifying, but the opportunity was rare. He would take the risk!