The ten pieces of paper were Xu Huande's list of informants.
They were independent of the Secret Guardians Hall. They only recognized Xu Huande and not the Secret Guardians Hall.
Xu Huande took out another jade pendant from his inner pocket. This time, it was only half a piece, and he passed it to Chu Li. "This is a keepsake. They'll obey your orders as soon as they see this jade pendant. They're all hidden chess pieces, so you have to be cautious when using them."
Chu Li took it and nodded slowly.
These informants were not only in the Ji Dynasty but also in the Li Dynasty, the Zheng Dynasty, the Fu Dynasty, and even the farthest Qiu Dynasty.
The identities of these people varied. Some were peddlers and servants, some were officials of the imperial court, some were martial arts masters, some were prostitutes, and some were even servants. Their identities were different, and the level of information they came into contact with was also different. However, their loyalty could withstand the test, and they could be of great use at critical times.
Chu Li was secretly impressed. Compared to these chess pieces, he did not have enough of them. Moreover, they were not rich enough and were too singular. The information they could receive was also limited. He would have to learn from Xu Huande in this aspect.
Later on, he discussed with Xu Huande how to arrange the chess pieces. He learned a lot from listening to them and was even tempted to try it out on Crouching Bull Mountain.
The two talked as they galloped. The sound of the horse's hooves did not affect their conversation.
"You must be careful of Gu Yu and Fu Mengshan." Xu Huande said in a low voice, "He's ruthless. If Gu Yu isn't around, he'll rely on you. However, if Gu Yu gives him any benefits or pressures or threatens him, I'm sure he'll turn against you together with Gu Yu."
"What should I do?" Chu Li asked.
In terms of wisdom and meticulousness, he was better than Xu Huande. However, in terms of experience, he was far behind. Sometimes, experience was wisdom.
"Go into isolated cultivation." Xu Huande shook his head. "He can't be provoked, so avoid him. After these three fires, Gu Yu will know that he can't do without you. He'll be well-behaved. No matter how favored he is, deep down, he still wants to do something to shut his mouth."
Chu Li nodded slowly. "Alright, I'll go into isolated cultivation again."
"Since you're going into isolated cultivation, don't worry about Mei Er Courtyard." Xu Huande said, "I don't think he'll give up. He'll poach Mei Er Courtyard's people or even suppress them. Your subordinates will have to be tested."
"I won't harm them, will I?" Chu Li frowned.
He had killed the secret guardians who tried to assassinate Xu Huande. If Gu Yu used the people from Mei Er Courtyard as well, he would be in danger.
Xu Huande said, "That'll depend on their wisdom to protect themselves."
"Mm." Chu Li smiled. "Understood. Thank you, Commander Xu!"
"There's also the Emperor …" Xu Huande hesitated.
Chu Li replied, "I know that the Emperor is heartless. This time, Gu Yu is here to test me. If I reveal even the slightest hint that I know about this, I'll be silenced."
"It's good that you understand this." Xu Huande smiled. "You can't treat the emperor as a human. He's a god, cold-blooded and heartless."
"Just how powerful are the Enlightened Masters?" Chu Li asked. "Commander Xu has met the Emperor before, do you know?"
"This is a big secret." Xu Huande said, "But now that things have come to this, I don't have any scruples anymore. The Enlightened Master's world is his world, and it's a world of its own. He is the god of this world!"
Chu Li shook his head, indicating that he did not understand.
"Within a radius of a hundred feet, divine powers are useless and inner energy can't be replenished. Grandmasters are no different from acquired masters." Xu Huande shook his head. "No matter how powerful a Grandmaster is, he can't withstand a single blow from an Enlightened Master!"
"I see …" Chu Li slowly nodded, his heart heavy.
"Don't think about going against the Emperor." Xu Huande said, "Just like how you can't resist fate."
Chu Li slowly nodded.
His desire to become an Enlightened Master grew stronger.
Xu Huande said, "But the Emperor won't kill you easily. As long as you don't kill the princes and imperial princes, even if the Emperor wants to kill you, he won't do it himself. There's a chance."
Chu Li said, "This time, it's Gu Yu who wants to kill you, Commander Xu. The Emperor didn't kill you, so there's a chance."
"It'll be fine once we reach the Imperial Mausoleum." Xu Huande said, "Gu Yu can't reach the Imperial Mausoleum!"
Chu Li nodded.
—
In the evening, Chu Li returned to his courtyard and asked Zhu Tianhua to greet Yang Zongwen.
A moment later, Yang Zongwen came over and bowed in front of him.
Chu Li sat by the stone table in the courtyard and muttered, "Is there any movement from Commander Gu?"
"Nothing." Yang Zongwen shook his head. "Something seems to be brewing. It feels like the calm before the storm."
Chu Li said, "Tell Commander Gu that I'm going into isolated cultivation again."
"Yes." Yang Zongwen quickly asked, "Are you avoiding him?"
"Just avoid him." Chu Li sighed. "It's not worth it to fight because of personal feelings, but you guys can't be like me."
Yang Zongwen looked troubled.
Chu Li said, "Tell the others to seek refuge with Gu Yu. Qin Jin and the others fought among themselves and got seriously injured. They have to go back and recuperate!"
"Seek refuge with Gu Yu?" Yang Zongwen's expression changed.
Chu Li shook his head. "This is the only way. Otherwise, you guys won't be able to resist him. Qin Jin and the others won't believe it even if they want to seek refuge with him!"
"He won't believe it even if we seek refuge with him," Yang Zongwen said.
Chu Li smiled. "He'll accept you guys even if he doesn't believe it. He'll achieve his goal by destroying our Mei Er Courtyard. However, if he wants you guys to leave Fairy's Capital, he'll let Qin Jin and the others deal with you. Qin Jin and the others are Grandmasters and they've worked hard. He can't do anything to them."
"Yes." Yang Zongwen hesitated.
Chu Li said, "As a centurion, I'm going into isolated cultivation at a crucial time. If I leave you guys behind, it'll be enough to make you angry and disappointed. Then, you'll seek refuge with him."
Yang Zongwen quickly said, "How is that possible!"
Chu Li smiled. "It's highly possible. People will believe it if I tell them. I'm the first to be heartless, so I can't blame you guys for being unjust. Gu Yu will also be skeptical. We'll talk about it when I come out of isolated cultivation."
"When will the centurion come out?"
"That depends on luck." Chu Li smiled. "I'll only come out when I encounter a case that I can't solve."
Yang Zongwen smiled.
Chu Li said, "There's another piece of news. The Holy Church of Light is planning to assassinate King Ping. Visit Commander Fu personally and tell him about it. Keep it away from others and don't tell anyone else!"
"Yes," Yang Zongwen replied.
Chu Li waved his hand. "Go. How you deal with Gu Yu will depend on your abilities!"
"We'll deal with it!" Yang Zongwen smiled. "Don't worry, centurion."
"If there's a problem, send someone over immediately. I'll rescue them," Chu Li said.
"Yes." Yang Zongwen fist saluted and left.
Chu Li pondered. He wondered if Gu Yu would send someone to kill Xu Huande. If he did, would he send Qin Jin and the others?
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