Chapter 41: Chapter 41

As Chu Li turned his body around, he simply swung his hands about.

“Pak!” The sound of a slap was clearly heard while Zhou Yuting held onto his face and stared at him angrily.

Chu Li smiled as he said. “Look how careless I am! I’m sorry, Brother Zhou Yuting!”

He did not leave an opportunity for Zhou Yuting to speak before he turned and left the Floral House.

Outside the Floral House, the Blue Stone street was really quiet. Although strings of lanterns made the night glow as if it was still daytime, there was only a married couple who were walking around leisurely.

Chu Li lifted the branch up and stepped out of the Floral House, smiling.

He then looked at a sulking Zhao Ying, and he giggled. “Sister, don’t take the garbage that Zhou Yuting spewed to heart.”

“Alright.” Zhao Ying was feeling really down.

“With that mouth of his, he’ll say anything that is unpleasant to the ears. There’s no need to be bothered by it!”

Zhao Ying did not say a word.

“Zhou Yuting just said those nasty things to get at me, and I’m the one who dragged you down!”

Still, Zhao Ying remained silent.

“He will not dare to say a thing from now on! I promise that he’ll be nice every time we meet!”

“Don’t be angry, we’ve already gotten them back! We cheated them of their money!”

Zhao Ying rolled her eyes. “Brother, you got cheated as well, didn’t you? It was five hundred taels!”

“Hehe… This for five hundred taels was so worth it!” Chu Li touched the metal-like branch and praised it, “This is a priceless treasure!”

“Really? What is this?”

“Have you heard of the Glory’s Will Tree?”

“Glory’s Will Tree?” Zhao Ying furrowed her brows and pondered for a bit, but she slowly shook her head.

Chu Li smiled. “Then you should go back and learn about it.”

The Glory’s Will Tree could release a kind of spiritual force that accelerated the growth of plants. In legends, it was called a priceless treasure but he had never thought that he would find one here.

The older the tree was, the faster it could boost the growth speed of the plants. Time was the most important factor in growing luxury herbs, and because of this, the value of Glory’s Will Tree was unrivaled.

“Gu Litong didn’t recognize it?” Zhao Ying said in displeasure. In fact, her impression towards Gu Litong had fallen because, in the end, he was the same as Zhou Yuting!

Chu Li touched the branch and giggled. “If he recognized it, he wouldn’t have let it go. Not even with a hundred thousand taels.”

Zhao Ying looked at Chu Li and had a sudden realization. Ever since he stepped into the Floral House, Chu Li already had his eyes on Gu Litong! He purposely used the two branches to make it seem like he had a grudge towards him but in fact, it was all just to deceive Gu Litong.

Gu Litong fell into his trap unknowingly and gave away the treasure.

“Brother, you’re so cunning!”

Chu Li smiled without saying another word.

“I noticed that Zhou Yuting was scared to death. He’s not that much of a coward, is he?”

“That’s because you don’t know High Official Zhou’s personality.” Chu Li shook his head. “He’s the one who prohibited Zhou Yuting from getting close to women.”

“Why?”

“When High Official Zhou was cultivating Virgin Palm, he couldn’t hold his lust in and lost all his powers. If he knew about Zhou Yuting’s little secret about all the women he has, he’d definitely break his legs.”

“These things still exist?”

“Even though Zhou Yuting looks arrogant and brash on the outside, he’s like a little mouse with a cat when he’s in front of his father.”

Zhao Ying imagined the image of Zhou Yuting’s fearful expression, and she broke into laughter.

Chu Li smiled. “Junior Sister, how about we punish him for a bit if you’re not satisfied with that?”

Zhao Ying quickly waved her hand. “There are rules in the Public House! Brother, don’t you do anything stupid!”

Against those who belittle you, you merely had to do the same to them. She had scolded Zhou Yuting as well, but it would have been a completely different scenario if she had made a move. If Chu Li took action, even Lady Xiao who had a liking towards him would not have batted an eye nor help him out of the situation.

Her bright eyes widened as she looking at Chu Li seriously.

“That’s it, I won’t punish him!” Chu Li smiled.

After that, Chu Li went into two other shops that sold plants where he found nothing but disappointment.

The Glory’s Will Tree was a rare treasure even though it was very hard to grow them. Just like the monarch, it required assistance from other trees — the Black Eye Tree, the Crimson Sunset, and the Thorned Beauty were all indispensable.

“It’s getting late now, Brother. Let’s go back.” Zhao Ying stared at the bright moon in the sky.

Chu Li shook his head as he looked at the branch. “I’ll accompany you back to the residence.”

“I want to return to the Public House,” Zhao Ying said in a low voice.

Chu Li looked at her expression, but she quickly turned away in order to avoid his gaze.

Even without using the Omniscient Mirror, Chu Li knew that what Zhou Yuting said had made a difference because Zhao Ying was now trying to avoid any arousing suspicion.

Although he was a genius with relationships, he knew that he should not be too hasty. He needed to take it slow and so, he smiled. “Then that’s great, we can go back together.”

“I was planning to do some Isolated Cultivation, and I won’t be able to take care of the residence.”

“It’s fine, I will get Li Yue to help.”

“Alright.” Zhao Ying walked slowly and hesitantly as if something was bothering her.

Chu Li acted as if he did not see that. Instead, he put up a smiling face, and told her about some interesting stories and gossips within the Public House — Zhao Ying liked to listen to these gossips.

However, Zhao Ying’s replies were inattentive, and so they both slowly made their way back to the Public House. After they walked into the Public House, they parted their separate ways as Chu Li rowed a boat back to the East Garden.

…

Su Ru arrived at Chu Li’s courtyard. After she knocked on the door, Xue Ling walked out to greet her with a bow. “Good day, Chief!”

Her apricot gown was especially bright under the lights, even her hair was beautiful. “Has Chu Li returned from the East Garden?”

“Yes,” Xue Ling answered.

Su Ru walked into the courtyard and glanced at the black dirt. She carefully walked around it and sat down in the pagoda. “How is he? Quite easy to serve, isn’t he?”

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“It’s alright.” Xue Ling hesitated.

Su Ru turned her head around to look at her.

Xue Ling immediately dropped her head down, her expression solemn.

Su Ru pointed at her. “It seems like you’re doing it again! You’ve grown eyes on top of your head, huh? You looked down on Chu Li, didn’t you?”

“Chief…” Xue Ling smiled in embarrassment.

“I’m quite curious.” Su Ru shook her head. “Why didn’t you think that he was up to standards?”

Xue Ling looked at her and lowered her head again. “He doesn’t know martial arts, does he?”

“He doesn’t know martial arts?” For a moment, Su Ru was startled, and then she laughed out loud.

Xue Ling raised her head. “Am I wrong?”

“Haha! Who told you that he doesn’t know martial arts?” Su Ru could not stop laughing.

Su Ru’s laugh was giving Xue Ling goosebumps. “His eyes are not energized, his limbs are all strengthless, and he doesn’t have the support of inner energy; it can be easily seen that he has never trained in the martial arts before!”

At this point, she had gotten increasingly confident in her judgment. “His temples are normal! Even if he tried to learn martial arts, there’s a limit to his levels!”

“Xue Ling, this is the best joke I’ve ever heard so far! I’ll definitely have to tell Lady Xiao about this when I get back!”

As soon as she heard that Su Ru was going to report this back to Lady Xiao, she panicked. It was not the first time she had been scolded by Lady Xiao for her arrogance. She quickly asked. “Chief, unless I said something wrong?”

Su Ru took two deep breaths and her smile faded. “Sigh… I’ll just tell you the truth. He’s an Innate Master.”

“Innate Master?” Xue Ling was stunned as she looked at Su Ru shockingly.

However, Su Ru smiled as she said, “I won’t lie to you, will I?”

“But…” Xue Ling furrowed her brows, puzzled. She asked, “But he doesn’t look like a master at all! Aren’t the temples of an innate master sunken?”

“Everyone’s physicalities are different. These physical features may not be as accurate as you think.” Su Ru smiled faintly. “So how’s that? Can you still be arrogant now?”

Xue Ling lowered her head.

He is such a young Innate Master that it would never have crossed her mind that he was an Innate Master! More so, he is on the same level as Lady Xiao!

Lady Xiao’s qualifications were through the roof. The martial arts she had learned was in the top class of extinct studies, and with the help of the resources from the Public House, it was not surprising for her to reach the level of Innate Master at her age. However, Chu Li was only a Scribe.

“You…” Su Ru pointed at her. “If you’re not going to change your attitude, you’re going to suffer a huge loss sooner or later. Chu Li hasn’t scolded you, has he?”

“It doesn’t matter how arrogant I am, I will not shrink on my responsibilities.”

“He’s a smart person. He has definitely read through you, but he’s probably just too lazy to deal with it.”

Xue Ling lowered her head in embarrassment.

“Is he learning a strange type of martial art?”

“The pose is quite weird.”

“You’d better not do the same!” Su Ru pointed at her. “Not even I would dare to dabble in what he’s doing!”

“Yes.” Xue Ling nodded unwillingly.

“Xue Ling, you’ve already picked the Crescent Cryptic, so you can’t be greedy. This martial art technique is the one that takes up the most energy,” Su Ru ordered.

“Understood,” Xue Ling answered seriously.

Only then did Su Ru relax. “You’re his servant, so just dedicate yourself to serving him. Keep all the thoughts that you have to yourself because he’s very important to Lady Xiao. If he’s unhappy, I would care less if you got punished!”

Xue Ling unwillingly answered, “Yes.”

“Well, I should go now.” Su Ru stood up. “Lady Xiao was worried about you. She told me to come and give you some advice and you actually did do something stupid!”

Xue Ling lowered her head in humiliation.

Su Ru waved goodbye and left the courtyard using her light-body technique.

…

When Chu Li arrived at the courtyard the next morning, he had realized that Xue Ling was more tentative. She was unlike before, where he had to personally order her to do everything.

He activated the Omniscient Mirror and took a look. He then broke into laughter — Lady Xiao was truly thoughtful.

Xue Ling served him two plates of delicate dishes. “Master, these are some dishes I made.”

“Hmm, not bad.” Chu Li looked at them; they smelt and looked great.

Besides that, Xue Ling also served him a black jar. When she opened the jar, Chu Li could immediately smell a very thick and unique scent of wine. That instance, he could immediately tell that it was the Guang Ling wine.

This jar would cost at least ten silver.

“Master, please!” Xue Ling presented him a jade cup filled with wine, using both of her hands.

The jade was reflected onto the golden-colored wine, making the wine look even more delicate. Furthermore, the taste was even thicker.

Chu Li handed over the jade cup and smiled. “Xue Ling, what’s wrong?”

“Master, I would like you to give me some advice on my cultivation.” Xue Ling looked him in the eyes with her bright and energetic eyes.

“The Crescent Cryptic?” Chu Li swirled the jade cup.

Xue Ling straightened her back and nodded slightly. “Yes.”

“Definitely.” Chu Li smiled. “Though my advice isn’t exactly cheap.”

“Order me as you wish, Master!”

Chu Li pointed at the table. “Four dishes and a bowl of soup for every meal, as well as a jar of top-class wine.”

“Not a problem!” Xue Ling clenched her teeth and answered slowly but decisively.

Chu Li smiled and looked at her pretty face, unbridled. “Okay then, I’ll give you some advice. You should adjust your cultivating periods — only train during midnight, and don’t cultivate the Crescent Cryptic during the day.”

Xue Ling blinked her clear eyes as she looked at him with a sense of confusion.

The Crescent Cryptic is a hard martial art technique to practice, and the progress is slow. It takes time to cultivate it bit by bit. So, she tried her best to train whenever she had the opportunity. If she restricted it only to midnight, the day that she would she complete her cultivation would never come!

However, Chu Li said no more. He finished the cup of wine in one go and began to eat the dishes that were prepared. He looked infatuated.

Xue Ling hugged the jar and filled up the jade cup; she was doubtful of his advice.