Prince An said, "Chief Chu, you don't believe me?"
Chu Li smiled and said, "Although the martial arts of the Tempest Temple are exquisite, it's not as miraculous as this. It must be some other method that the Royal Highness doesn't want to announce to the public. But with this method, there's no need to be afraid of crippling my martial arts."
King An scoffed, "Amethyst Mountain!"
Chu Li asked, "What enmity does the Amethyst Mountain have with Your Royal Highness that they want to cripple Your Royal Highness' martial arts?"
"Who knows what kind of madness they have!" King An sneered, "I will definitely make them pay the price!"
Chu Li hurriedly said, "Your Royal Highness, please be careful with your words. Don't provoke the people from Amethyst Mountain again!"
"They don't have the guts!" King An scoffed.
Chu Li shook his head. "That might not be the case. If they dared to cripple Your Royal Highness once, why wouldn't they dare to cripple Your Royal Highness a second time? Is it because Your Royal Highness is under the protection of the Tempest Temple? That's why they have reservations?"
"Seeking protection from the Tempest Temple?" King An frowned and stared at him in dissatisfaction.
Chu Li smiled. "The Tempest Temple and Amethyst Mountain have never been on good terms. Now, they have even more reason to go against Your Royal Highness."
"If they dare to mess around again, I'd rather give up the throne and ask my father for help!" King An sneered.
Chu Li said, "That's a good idea. The Emperor is an Enlightened Master, the Amethyst Mountain must be afraid."
King An sneered and glared at him.
He could hear the sarcasm in Chu Li's words. Seeking protection from the Tempest Temple and asking for his father's help were all hinting at his incompetence, especially in front of his Princess and daughter!
He waved his hand impatiently. "Alright, you can go first."
Chu Li's expression did not change. He closed fist saluted and smiled at Song Liuying, Xue Ningyu, Leng Qing, and Leng Qiu, "Princess Song, Princess Xue, ladies, I shall take my leave."
The four women smiled and nodded apologetically.
Chu Li smiled nonchalantly and walked out of the Precious Light Courtyard.
He was secretly annoyed. It seemed like he had to teach King An a lesson, or else he would be so arrogant. If he did not teach him a lesson, he would really think that he could control everything, and that he could suppress him at will!
Siao Shi was waiting for him at the Tianshu Courtyard. She quickly welcomed him, "How was it?"
Chu Li smiled and said, "Lady Siao Qi is very clever, you've guessed it correctly."
"Did he really take away your position as the chief steward?"
"Yes, from today onwards, I am the Director of the Tianshu Institute."
"What a bastard!" Siao Shi said hatefully.
Although Chu Li did not care for this position, not wanting it and having it taken away were two completely different things. It seemed that King An was ready to shed all pretense of cordiality and chase Chu Li out of the Public House, completely disrespecting the Public House.
Chu Li had also guessed King An's intention. He was pursuing them relentlessly and would not stop easily. Seizing the position of Head Chief was only the first step.
He sighed and said, "King An wants to drive me out of the Imperial Residence, not only to vent his anger, but also because of foresight."
The two of them came to the gazebo and sat down. A cool breeze blew gently. Yang Xu served them tea and retreated gently.
"Don't tell me it's to offend the High Duke's Public House?" Xiao Shi scoffed.
Chu Li nodded slowly.
Xiao Shi frowned and pondered for a while before nodding. "You do have some brains, but isn't this too obvious? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at by the world?"
Chu Li said, "He doesn't care that much, he only cares about what the Emperor thinks!"
The current Yi Public House was not the same as before. It had a great reputation and prestige, but it also provoked the imperial court. The closer King An was to the Yi Public House, the more the imperial court and the Emperor would be suspicious.
"His next step is to drive you out of the Public House?" Siao Shi frowned.
Chu Li nodded. "Most likely."
"Then what should we do?" Xiao Shi scoffed.
"Let's lie low for now." Chu Li smiled. "No matter what, I'm still rank one. If there's no valid reason, he won't be able to drive me away. I'll stay at the Secret Guardians Hall so that he won't be able to find anything."
"We have to strike first," Xiao Shi said.
Chu Li nodded and smiled.
Xiao Shi rolled her eyes at him and scoffed, "What bad idea are you thinking now?"
Chu Li said, "His Royal Highness is using a honey trap to arrange a maid for me. I'm afraid I can't refuse."
"Honey trap … That means he won't drive you away immediately!" Xiao Shi said.
Chu Li smiled. "I think he'll have to take it slow, one step at a time. I won't be able to resist."
"Honey trap …" Xiao Shi glanced at him. "You're looking forward to it, aren't you?"
Chu Li said, "I wonder what kind of beauties His Royal Highness will collect."
"Men," Xiao Shi shook her head. "You better be careful, don't fall for it."
Chu Li smiled. "Honey trap is hard to guard against. It's considered an overt plot."
The next morning, Chu Li felt strange. He felt like something was missing. He suddenly remembered that Leng Qiu and Leng Qing did not come.
In the past, they would be cultivating in the courtyard at this time. They did not disturb him and treated it as their own courtyard. However, he did not see them today.
He frowned. Leng Qing and Leng Qiu did not talk much. They only nodded and greeted him when they saw him. They continued to cultivate their swordsmanship. The two of them were very persistent in cultivating their swordsmanship. They were hardworking and serious, far better than the average person.
He liked the two of them. He did not feel it usually, but now that they were gone, he felt a little disappointed.
Using the Omniscient Mirror, he saw where the two of them were.
The two of them were in King An's cultivation courtyard. They were pouting and slowly cultivating their swordsmanship.
After cultivating for a while, they stopped and sat on a chair to talk.
"Father is really stingy." Leng Qiu scoffed. "Does he have to treat the Head Chief like this?"
"He's not the Head Chief anymore. Be careful with your words. Don't make father angry." Leng Qing wiped the fine beads of sweat off her fair forehead and said lightly, "Father is in a fit of anger, don't talk too much."
"But this is too much!" Leng Qiu scoffed. "When father was in isolated cultivation, the Head Chief worked hard to manage the Imperial Residence. He put in so much effort and worry. Once he came out, he immediately cast the Head Chief aside and removed him from his position. He even told us not to get close to him. Isn't this burning the bridge after crossing it?"
"We'll talk about it after this." Leng Qing said. "Our words won't work. Let mother and the others persuade him."
"They're about to quarrel with father. It's useless!" Leng Qiu pouted.
"Matters between adults are not that simple. Let's not worry about it." Leng Qing shook her head. "Let's find a chance to talk to Chief Chu today."
"The Head Chief must be furious." Leng Qiu scoffed. "If it were me, I'd just pile up my load and not do anything!"
"Maybe father wants Chief Chu to be like this." Leng Qing shook her head and sighed. Her eyes flashed as if she was thinking about something.
The two of them talked for a while and got up to continue practicing their swordsmanship.
Logically, the cultivation courtyard was the most suitable place to practice martial arts. However, they always felt uncomfortable. They could not bring themselves to practice their swordsmanship. It was as if the air in the cultivation courtyard was not refreshing. When they breathed in the air here, their bodies became heavy and stiff. They did not feel as light and comfortable as they did in the Head Chief's courtyard.
"Why don't we ignore father's order and go there secretly?" Leng Qiu smiled. "He won't know anyway. Even if he knows, it's nothing."
"… That's fine." Leng Qing said.
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