Chu Li took a sip of his tea thoughtfully.
This was not a good job. He really did not want to do it. Being a Protector seemed to have a higher status. As the Ninth Princess's Protector, his status rose. It was like a dog relying on its master's power. It could be said to be a third-rank official in front of the Prime Minister, but it was not as good as being a disciple of the Front Minister.
In the Front Minister, as long as one made enough contributions, one could be promoted. With the accumulation of contributions, one could reach the level of Lord Zhen, or the commander of the Front Minister would use a scheme to kill him, or he would be promoted.
According to his observation, the commander was not that ruthless.
It was different to be the Ninth Princess's Protector.
Everyone had a few faces. Xue Luoyu had one face when she participated in the Sword of Oblivion Conference with him. After he became her Protector, he would have another face. He needed to listen to her orders.
Although he started as an unranked Protector, he was not used to people telling him what to do.
However, this was the Ninth Princess' good intention. He had to accept it.
He could only sigh at the helplessness of life. No matter how strong his martial arts was, he could not be completely free. If he wanted to control the Rain Master's Hall, he could only be a good Protector and support the Ninth Princess.
Wen Yi smiled. "Brother Chu, you have the Ninth Princess's trust. This is something to be congratulated for."
Chu Li shook his head and smiled. "There is a male Protector among the inner Protectors. Isn't the Ninth Princess afraid of others gossiping?"
"Gossiping?" Wen Yi was startled and then laughed. "Brother Chu, you're thinking too much. What kind of gossip would the Protectors have with the Ninth Princess?"
Chu Li said, "Men and women always have to avoid suspicion."
"Haha, Brother Chu, you're really interesting." Wen Yi chuckled and said, "We, the Heavens Upon Heavens, are all about matching families. Everyone is different. The Ninth Princess will never see us as men. She will only see us as bodyguards. Don't think too much about this!"
Chu Li nodded slowly.
The Outland and the Lower Realm did have some differences in views. It was more conservative. Protectors and masters could never be together. Unlike the Lower Realm, although there was a difference in social class, because martial arts were respected, the social class was not as solid.
The fact that an unranked Scribe like him was able to marry the Third Lady of the House of High Dukes was proof enough. However, this kind of thing would never happen in the Outland, so he should not dream of having a romantic relationship with the Ninth Princess.
The Ninth Princess would never have thought of this.
Chu Li said, "Oh right, why does the Ninth Princess only want me as a male Protector? It's still too little. Some things are more convenient for men to do. I'll suggest to the Ninth Princess to find a few more male Protectors, like Brother Wen."
Wen Yi hurriedly waved his hand. "Please don't!"
Chu Li looked at him in confusion.
He could see Wen Yi's envy. He also wanted to be the Ninth Princess's bodyguard, so why was he so eager to refuse?
Wen Yi sighed, "Brother Chu, if you mention it, I'm afraid I won't have any hope of becoming the Ninth Princess' bodyguard. Right now, the Ninth Princess often asks the Front Palace Department for people to be her outer guards, and I'm often ordered to protect her."
"I see!" Chu Li was enlightened.
He could tell at once that Wen Yi was not envious of him becoming an Inner Guard, but rather admired the Ninth Princess.
However, it was no wonder. The Ninth Princess was indeed very beautiful. Coupled with her high status and high martial arts skills, she was indeed very popular.
Wen Yi said, "Brother Chu, I can't thank you enough for protecting the Ninth Princess!"
Chu Li smiled. "Don't worry, Brother Wen."
— —
The next morning, the drizzle had stopped. The sky was clear, and the sun was shining brightly.
After breakfast, he left Drizzle City and went to the Rain Master Palace. He came to an ordinary house in the south of the city and knocked on the door.
There were no Protectors in front of the house, only two lifelike stone beasts. He did not recognize these stone beasts, but they looked more ferocious than lions.
The side door was quickly pulled open, and a middle-aged man came out and closed fist saluted.
Chu Li closed fist saluted. "I'm Protector Chu Li from the Front Palace Department, reporting to the Ninth Princess."
He could tell that this middle-aged man was a Supreme Master.
A gatekeeper was also a Supreme Master. Supreme Masters were too worthless. It seemed that the Rain Master Palace Master was very concerned about his daughter's safety, or else he would not waste such a talent.
The middle-aged man said slowly, "The Lady has instructed, please come in. The Lady is waiting for you in the backyard, follow me!"
Chu Li nodded and followed him inside.
After passing through four courtyards, they came to the backyard and saw the Ninth Princess, Xue Luoyu, on a lake.
Xue Luoyu was dressed in an emerald green gown, and her head was lowered as she played the guzheng.
The sound of the guzheng was faint, with a hint of murderous intent.
Chu Li raised his eyebrows and stepped into the winding corridor. After a few turns, he came to a gazebo and stood in front of her.
"Zheng!" The sound of the guzheng stopped.
Xue Luoyu put down her snow-white hand and looked up at Chu Li. Her bright eyes were like ice as she looked at him quietly.
Chu Li closed fist saluted. "Greetings, Ninth Princess."
"No need for formalities." Xue Luoyu waved her hand and pointed opposite her.
Chu Li shook his head and smiled. "I can stand and talk."
"Sit!" Xue Luoyu scoffed.
Chu Li smiled and sat opposite her.
Xue Luoyu looked at him and nodded. "I haven't seen you for a while. It seems like your comprehension of the Heavenly Book of Indifference is going well."
Chu Li smiled. "I left rashly last time and failed to protect the Ninth Princess. I failed in my duty."
Xue Luoyu waved her hand. "I only needed to teleport back and I didn't need your protection. Did you go to the Great Light Surpassing Land with Lady Sun?"
"Yes," Chu Li replied.
Xue Luoyu chuckled. "Protector Chu, you have to work hard too. Don't be forced to separate from Sun Mingyue because you're not worthy of her."
Chu Li smiled and nodded.
Once Sun Mingyue became the master of the Great Light Surpassing Land, his identity would be unworthy of her. Even if no one forced them to separate, the pressure of the secular world would be a great force.
"It's easy being my Protector," Xue Luoyu said. "I don't usually go out."
Chu Li nodded.
Xue Luoyu said, "But I have to tell you the rules in advance. You only need to protect me and listen to everything else."
Chu Li nodded seriously.
He knew that Xue Luoyu would change her attitude.
Xue Luoyu said, "Also, once you become my Protector, you'll only listen to me. You can't follow anyone else's orders, including the Commander and the Deputy Temple Master!"
Chu Li pondered for a moment and nodded slowly. "Don't worry, Lady."
"Very well." Xue Luoyu nodded and said with satisfaction, "Chu Li, you're an extremely smart person. I don't think I need to explain the rest."
Chu Li fist saluted, got up, and took a step back to stand opposite her.
Xue Luoyu's eyes sparkled. She smiled and lowered her head to continue playing the guzheng.
Chu Li was calm and his aura gradually weakened. Eventually, he blended in with his surroundings and was almost undetectable.
Xue Luoyu felt this abnormality and was more satisfied with Chu Li.
She had thought carefully about how to use Chu Li.
Chu Li was a treasured sword, but she needed to think about how to use it to its fullest potential. Chu Li was not a bad person, but he could not escape from human nature. He still had to abide by his duty. He was a Protector, not her friend.
Chu Li was not dissatisfied with Xue Luoyu. It was just the thinking of a superior. Even if his martial arts were better than hers, his status was far inferior. They were not friends, but superiors and subordinates.
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