Chu Li said, "This is not a trivial matter. If the High Duke's Public House really doesn't act properly, I'm afraid it will cause chaos in the country. Money moves people's hearts, not to mention this Cloud Slashing Treasure Manual? The Wulin sects in the territory will take advantage of the situation to create chaos. "
"It's better to leave this matter to the High Duke's Public House. It's best if the Imperial Court doesn't interfere, especially your Secret Guardians Hall. The more you mess things up, the worse it gets." Lu Yurong scoffed.
Chu Li slowly said, "If this was Chong Ming Road, I wouldn't want to interfere. Master Xiao Tieying is impartial and straightforward, but this is the Ji Public House. That might not be the case."
He knew the reputation of the Ji Public House. High Duke Ji was not a righteous person. Instead, he valued money very much and acted unscrupulously. It was precisely because of these High Dukes that the courtiers discussed the removal of the High Duke's Public House all day long.
"Let me tell you, the Ji Public House has a very close relationship with the Hao Ran Faction." Lu Yurong said faintly.
"Hmm?" Chu Li frowned and asked, "If that's the case, will they protect Hao Ran Faction?"
"Of course!" Lu Yurong scoffed.
Chu Li shook his head. "Hao Ran Faction won't be able to get away scot-free. The leader of the High Ridge Association shouted that the Cloud Slashing Treasure Manual is in the hands of Hao Ran Faction's Ling Haiya. Everyone in the city heard it. I reckon that by tomorrow, everyone will know!"
"Then the Hao Ran Faction is really in trouble!" Lu Yurong frowned and said, "I'm afraid it'll be the destruction of the faction."
The Hao Ran Clan was a second-rate clan. If it was a first-rate clan like the Green Hill Faction or the Phoenix Faction, others would be wary of them even if they obtained the secret manual.
If they wanted to snatch the secret manual, they had to work together. Working together was the most troublesome thing, especially when the people of the martial arts world were hot-blooded and free to do whatever they wanted. They would not give in to others, they could only make others give in to them. Only if there was someone with great prestige would it be possible for them to work together.
The Hao Ran Faction did not have such a deterrent force. Once others received the news, they would pounce on them without any scruples. They would do anything for the sake of the Cloud Slashing Treasure Manual. People die for wealth.
"Those who kill will always be killed." Chu Li shook his head.
He had no sympathy for Ling Haiya. Just like how he felt for Wu Zhi, he didn't care if they died. After all, none of them were innocent.
However, because of this, too many grudges would be stirred up, and the martial arts world would be in chaos. He was a little worried. Once the chaos occurred, it would not only affect one road, it would spread far and wide, and even the Chong Ming Road would not be spared.
If it was not for the Yi Public House, he would not have worried about these things that the Emperor should worry about.
Lu Yurong said, "The key is that Haoran Faction doesn't have the secret manual. Even if Haoran Faction is smart enough to hand over the manual, I'm afraid they'll be wiped out in the end."
Chu Li furrowed his brows.
"If we want to avoid it, we can only join forces with the High Duke's Public House." Lu Yurong shook her head and said, "This is a huge taboo. Not only will the imperial court not agree to it, but all the sects in the martial arts world will also treat Hao Ran Faction with hostility."
Chu Li said, "At the end of the day, the Hao Ran Faction is doomed."
Lu Yurong nodded slowly and indifferently. She did not care at all.
Chu Li stood up and paced with his hands behind his back.
Stepping on the thick and soft carpet and smelling the refreshing fragrance, it was indeed a great enjoyment in this house.
However, Chu Li was not in the mood to enjoy this. He pondered and said, "If we want to solve the Hao Ran Faction's crisis, we can only ask them to unite with the other factions. Unfortunately, they can't produce the secret manual. … Why don't we send the secret manual back?"
"How kind of you." Lu Yurong scoffed.
Chu Li shook his head. "A storm is brewing!"
Lu Yurong scoffed and said, "You don't have to worry about these things. You're not the Emperor."
Chu Li laughed and shook his head.
Lu Yurong said, "There's going to be another bloodbath. Many people will fall, and many will rise to become famous masters. This kind of storm happens every ten years or so. You'll get used to it. … If we can't weaken these martial arts sects, the Ji Dynasty will be in chaos, and the High Duke's Public House will be in trouble."
The High Duke's Public House was extremely vigilant against the martial arts sects. They would also secretly sow discord among them, causing them to have grudges and kill each other. This would weaken their strength, and they would not pose a threat to the High Duke's Public House.
Once the martial arts world was stronger than the High Duke's Public House, the prestige of the High Duke's Public House would be greatly damaged. That would be a disaster. The martial arts sects would take the opportunity to stir up trouble and would never let go of the chance to expose themselves. Some would take the opportunity to expand their territory and recruit disciples, while others would rob and kill.
Chu Li sighed and said, "Actually, it's easy to calm this storm. The Ji Public House can just stand up and say that they've obtained the secret manual."
Lu Yurong smiled faintly. "Why would the High Duke's Public House do such a stupid thing? They're eager for it to happen."
Chu Li frowned. "This matter is a little strange. I don't think it's appropriate."
"Sigh … I'll tell you the truth," Lu Yurong said, "This matter might not be the doing of the Ji Public House."
"Hmm …?" Chu Li frowned and looked at her.
Lu Yurong pondered for a moment, her bright eyes staring at him.
Chu Li said, "Is there something that I don't know?"
"Fine, there's no harm in telling you. These methods are commonly used by the High Duke's Public House, and also by the imperial court. They weaken the martial arts sects' strength, so that the imperial court can't suppress them and the world won't be at peace. "
"Aren't you afraid that this will damage the country's strength?" Chu Li asked.
Lu Yurong smiled. "What's the big deal about damaging the country's strength? As long as the Li Dynasty doesn't attack, the key is to stabilize the country."
The two of them were alone in the secret room, so she spoke more boldly. She told him about these cold-hearted methods so that he would not act recklessly, lest he messed up someone else's plans and made a huge enemy.
If it was really the doing of the Ji Public House, then it must have been with the Emperor's permission. No matter how strong Chu Li was, he would not be able to withstand a single blow from the Emperor.
"You're saying that this secret manual might be the doing of the Ji Public House?" Chu Li frowned.
"It's highly possible. Don't underestimate the talents of the High Duke's Public House," Lu Yurong said.
Chu Li sat on the armchair and sighed. "I thought it was a conspiracy by the Li Dynasty to weaken the Ji Dynasty's strength, but in the end, it was the Ji Dynasty's doing, sigh …"
He shook his head and laughed.
Lu Yurong looked at him with a smile. "I thought you're smart enough to have guessed it long ago, and I even hinted it to you, but you always think of the Li Dynasty's side, forcing me to tell you this!"
Chu Li said impatiently, "This is playing with fire!"
"It can't be helped," Lu Yurong said, "Not only the Ji Dynasty, but the Li Dynasty, the Zheng Dynasty, the Fu Dynasty, and the Qiu Dynasty are all like this."
Chu Li sighed. "Hmm, I understand."
This was the cold reality. There were no emotions, only benefits. The martial arts factions would be schemed against by the imperial court and the High Duke's Public House, so power and martial arts were equally important. His path was not wrong.
"So don't interfere in this matter. Let the Ji Public House handle it themselves," Lu Yurong said.
Chu Li smiled. "Thank you very much."
These words were not something an ordinary person could say, and Lu Yurong would not say these things to an ordinary person. It was considered a sincere and kind gesture.
Lu Yurong scoffed. "As long as you don't do anything stupid. As for this secret manual, I'd better cultivate it."
"I'll give it to you." Chu Li stood up. "It's late, goodbye."
"Hurry up and leave!" Lu Yurong waved her hand and picked up the Cloud Slashing Treasure Manual to read again.
Chu Li disappeared in a flash.
His following days were idle, and he did not interfere with the case of the Autumn Wind Camp anymore. He only watched the changes in the martial arts world in the Ji Public House.
On the third day, he received news that Hao Ran Faction was massacred by more than ten martial arts masters in one night. Their vitality was greatly damaged, and half of their disciples were killed while the other half were injured.
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
