However, the Third Lady did not greet them anymore. She left at noon, leaving only her fragrance behind. Chu Li felt lost.
Li Yue's head drooped, unable to muster up any energy.
The quality of the Winter's Star was average. It was not considered a spirit herb. The purity of its spiritual energy was similar to that of the willow tree. He was multitasking, touching the Moonlight Orchid with one hand and the Winter's Star with the other.
The spiritual energy of the Moonlight Orchid was channeled into the Winter's Star through the Minute Pulse Cleansing Technique.
With the Moonlight Orchid's spiritual energy, the Winter's Star was full of life overnight. It was as green as a light drizzle.
On the morning of the second day, Suru appeared in an apricot yellow gown, accompanied by a faint fragrance.
Chu Li was cultivating in the Moonlight Orchid parterre. Li Yue had been waiting under the willow tree by the lake. Finally, Su Ru appeared.
He welcomed her enthusiastically. The two of them came to Chu Li.
Su Ru waved him off. She stared at the Winter's Star for a long time. She looked up and asked, "Chu Li, is this really the pot?"
Chu Li nodded.
"It's …" Su Ru could not believe it. She touched the Winter's Star and finally believed it. "It's really the flower!"
She had made a small mark on the flower. No one would notice it.
Chu Li sighed. Su Ru was so young but she was so meticulous. She should not be underestimated. He should not be arrogant and think that he could do whatever he wanted with the Omniscient Mirror.
Su Ru looked at Chu Li and suddenly smiled. "Chu Li, looks like you're quite capable."
Fang Han smiled but did not say anything.
Su Ru took out a silk handkerchief from her sleeves. There was a seed wrapped in it. She passed it to Chu Li. "This is a gift from the Lady. Try to keep it alive."
"What seed?"
"Nightmare Flower. Have you heard of it?"
Chu Li thought for a moment. He searched through his memory palace. "The Nightmare Flower that keeps one's youth?"
"You're so knowledgeable!" Su Ru nodded in approval. "That's it!"
The Lady might have put Chu Li in an important position. She had investigated Chu Li's situation after he entered the Public House.
He loved to read and was knowledgeable. He was the only one among the Public House Guardians. Almost everyone was focused on cultivating their martial arts and did not have the time to read. They felt that it was better to have a strong martial art than to know more. Chu Li's way of thinking was different from the others.
Chu Li furrowed his brows. "It's said that the Nightmare Flower grows on top of the clouds. I'm afraid the environment is …"
"It's up to you." Suru smiled and pointed at the seed. "If you can really make it germinate and grow, then you're really capable!"
"Alright, I'll try."
"If it doesn't grow, then it's better to obediently serve the flowers!"
"Yes," Chu Li said in a low voice.
Li Yue tried to please her, offering to help deliver the Winter's Star back. Suru rejected his offer and left. Li Yue stood under the willow tree and gazed into the distance for a long time. Even when the boat was out of sight, he could not bear to look away.
Chu Li smiled. "Brother Li, is your soul gone?"
Li Yue blushed and shouted, "Don't talk nonsense!"
"Wake up!" Chu Li shook his head. "That's not a woman we can think about!"
"Sigh …" Li Yue lazily squatted down and scratched the ground with a grass stick. "Sometimes, I'm not satisfied. I wish I could be a Protector!"
"Even if he mastered a peerless martial art, it would still be impossible for him to obtain a beauty like Chief Steward Su."
"There's always a glimmer of hope!"
"Even if it's Zhuo Feiyang, Chief Steward Su doesn't care about him. Are you more handsome and stronger than him?"
"That mouth of yours!" Li Yue pointed at him. "I can't even have a sweet dream. You just have to pour cold water on me!"
"I'm just afraid that you'll do something stupid. Once you let your emotions get to your head, you'll do anything!"
"Sigh … I really don't know which man is worthy of Chief Steward Su!"
"That's not something we should be concerned about. Let's get back to work!" Chu Li sighed.
His heart, however, was different. His ambition grew stronger and stronger. He wanted Xiao Qi, Suru, and Zhao Ying. He wanted them all so that he could return to this world!
— —
For the next month, Chu Li did not step out of the East Garden.
That evening, the setting sun shone down on the East Garden, making it look even more gorgeous. Li Yue brought a pot of Moonlight Orchids to the West Garden and returned angrily.
Chu Li sat in the Moonlight Orchids' parterre. A green bud emerged from the soil beside him. The Nightmare Flower had already grown.
Li Yue sat on the ground and cursed. "This Gu Litong is a despicable person!"
Chu Li raised his head and looked at him.
Li Yue said, "You didn't see it. His nose is not a nose, and his face is not a face at all. It's like we owe him ten thousand taels!"
Chu Li smiled.
"Just admit that you're not as good as him. What's with that face? It's not like you're asking him for the Moonlight Orchids!" Li Yue was getting angrier as he spoke.
Chu Li asked, "What else did he say?"
"… Nothing." Li Yue scoffed.
Chu Li smiled. "He said that I was lucky, and that it wasn't enough?"
"Hmph, something like that." Li Yue curled his lips.
He knew that this was a crucial time. If the Nightmare Flower really grew, Chu Li would be valued by Lady Xiao. There was no need for him to be entangled with Gu Litong.
Chu Li said, "Jealousy is inevitable. Did anyone see you sending the flower?"
"Everyone in the West Garden was there. You even met two along the way. Are you afraid that they won't admit it?" Li Yue's face turned serious. "Are you trying to take it for yourself?"
The new Moonlight Orchids had adapted to the soil here. Gu Litong had used it to cultivate a few plants. If he insisted that it was his own research, it would be troublesome!
Chu Li said, "I have to be careful."
"I'm going to look for Sir Meng!" Li Yue could no longer sit still. He stood up and strode away.
Chu Li shook his head and smiled. These were small matters. As long as he held onto Lady Xiao's thigh, his future would not be bad.
Meng Qinlin quickly followed Li Yue. His face was glowing. Chu Li stood up and greeted him.
"Haha, Young Chu, I'm here to tell you good news!" He patted Chu Li's shoulder and laughed. "This time, I can hold my head high. You didn't see Gu Litong's face!"
Chu Li smiled. "Brother Li just sent a Moonlight Orchid, and Gu Litong didn't look happy."
Meng Qinlin was overjoyed. "Young Li, you came at the right time. Gu Litong was returning from the Herb Garden with his face covered in dirt. We bumped into each other!"
Li Yue shook his head. "This Gu Litong is too much!"
"It's understandable." Meng Qinlin laughed. "Young Chu, you've leveled up again. You're now rank eight!"
"Thank you, Sir Meng!" Chu Li fist saluted.
Meng Qinlin waved his hand. "Young Chu, I'm sorry. You'll have to wait for a while before entering the Herb Garden."
Chu Li looked at him.
Meng Qinlin sighed. "The people in the West Garden are going crazy trying to stop you. It'll take some time before there's a result. Don't worry."
"I see …" Chu Li nodded.
Of course, he would not tell Xiao Qi's decision. There was no benefit to it.
Meng Qinlin said, "You have to be careful of Gu Litong. He's determined to find fault with you. He won't be satisfied!"
Chu Li smiled. "Actually, there's nothing wrong with competing. You'll only improve by learning from each other."
"I like your spirit!" Meng Qinlin laughed and patted his shoulder. "If you're not satisfied, come at me. Until you're satisfied!"
Li Yue shook his head. "Gu Litong is still very powerful."
"Then you'll only be able to show off your skills if you win!" Meng Qinlin laughed. "If you're too weak, it'll be boring even if you win!"
Chu Li smiled and did not say anything.
He understood that Meng Qinlin was trying to encourage him to win against Gu Litong again. He wanted to eliminate the obstacles in entering the Herb Garden.
— —
When the lanterns were lit, Chu Li was dragged out of the East Garden by Li Yue to the Goddess Brothel. How could they not celebrate his advancement to rank eight?
The Goddess Brothel was located in the south of Chong Ming Town. It was not far from the South Gate. It was a tall building with a signboard that fluttered in the wind. The whole town could see it.
The two of them sat by the window on the second floor. They looked down at the busy streets. It was bustling with noise and excitement. They were the only ones who were sober.
Four jars of Jade Leaf Brew were opened. The aroma of the wine filled the air. Ten delicious dishes were placed on the table. The two of them chatted while drinking.
Li Yue was excited. He laughed. "Brother, this is the way. This is how life should be. We're getting such a high salary. Why don't we come out and enjoy ourselves?"
Chu Li smiled. "This meal will cost at least ten taels of silver, right?"
"Six taels is enough!" Li Yue laughed. "The food isn't worth much, but the wine is. It's one tael per jar!"
Chu Li was not sure about the price.
"We're getting fifty taels a month. Plus, there are rewards!"
"That's true."
Chu Li was also a person who liked to enjoy life. Good wine, good food, and beautiful women. He liked to drink the best wine and sleep with the most beautiful women. He had high standards. If he wanted to enjoy life, he would enjoy the best. He needed to have status, power, and martial arts before he could enjoy life.
"Yo! Isn't this the famous Master Chu?" Suddenly, a loud voice was heard. Two people stood in front of their table.
Chu Li glanced at them. They were two young men. One was tall and skinny. He had long, narrow eyes. He looked at the two of them arrogantly. Beside him was a plump young man with a pale, fat face.
"Gu Litong!" Li Yue shouted.
The tall, skinny man said coldly, "Li Yue!"
"Gu Litong, you're following me?!" Li Yue's face darkened.
"What a joke!" Gu Litong laughed coldly. "You're not a beauty. Why would I follow you? Chu Li, right? "
His long, narrow eyes were bright. It was as if he wanted to see through Chu Li.
"I'm Chu Li. Brother Gu, it's an honor to meet you!" Chu Li looked at Gu Litong. It was the first time they met. Gu Litong's martial arts was extraordinary. He could be a rank nine Protector.
Gu Litong sat down without hesitation. He stretched out his hand. "Waiter, give me two more pairs of chopsticks!"
"Coming …"
Chu Li frowned. Gu Litong's actions showed that he did not take him seriously.
"You're Chu Li?" The plump young man looked Chu Li up and down. "You're in the limelight!"
Chu Li looked at him. "And you are …?"
"Zhou Yuting!" The plump young man said proudly.
Chu Li suddenly realized. "Oh, it's you, Brother Zhou."
Zhou Yuting was a rank eight Scribe. He was the son of High Official Zhou of the Martial Arts Hall. He had a wide network of contacts.
Zhou Yuting picked up the wine jar and filled it for himself and Gu Litong. He put it down heavily. The two of them toasted each other. It was obvious that they were the hosts.
Li Yue was furious. However, Chu Li signaled him to calm down.
Zhou Yuting put down his wine glass and looked at Chu Li. "Chu Li, tell me the truth. Did you really grow the Moonlight Orchid?"
Chu Li smiled. "What do you mean, Brother Zhou?"
"The Moonlight Orchid was grown by Brother Gu!" Zhou Yuting put down his wine glass and said loudly.
Chu Li was surprised. He looked at Zhou Yuting and Gu Litong and laughed.
"Zhou Yuting, what nonsense are you talking about?" Li Yue stood up and glared at him. "The Moonlight Orchid was grown by Gu Litong?"
"That's right. It was grown by Brother Gu!" Zhou Yuting took a sip of wine and nodded calmly. "Chu Li stole Brother Gu's technique. People like him don't deserve to stay in the Public House!"
Chu Li shook his head.
"Nonsense!" Li Yue's face was red with anger. "Zhou Yuting, you're too shameless. I was the one who sent the Moonlight Orchid. Many people saw it. Don't try to deny it!"
"Who saw it?" Zhou Yuting waved his hand. "They're lying for you. How dare they!"
"Fang …" Li Yue was about to say his name when Chu Li interrupted him. "Forget it, Brother Li!"
Li Yue looked at him.
Chu Li filled his wine glass and held it up. "Come, let's have a drink after hearing such an interesting joke!"
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