Chapter 681: Snatching the Merit

“Chu Li, I won’t let you fight alone! Just tell me if you need any help!” Prince Bao said in a deep voice.

Chu Li nodded in agreement. “Thank you, Your Royal Highness! Is the Xi Jiang Military completely led by King Ping?”

“King Ping will be leading as he is the marshal,” Prince Bao answered. “With an army of a hundred thousand men, he holds a powerful position. Who on earth would willingly step down?”

“Does the Emperor not have any solutions for this issue? The Emperor is a brilliant mind, how did he end up like this?” Chu Li shook his head.

“My brother is brilliant when dealing with other things, but he messes up a lot when it comes to domestic affairs!” Prince Bao let out a sigh. “Things mess up when you care too much about them. He takes familial love too seriously, so he struggles with indecisiveness in the matter!”

Chu Li nodded slowly.

From what he saw, he needed to be more careful now when it came to killing King An. He could not do as he wished or the Emperor would go crazy. He could not imagine how scary it was for an Enlightened Master to go berserk, but he was sure that he would not let the murderer escape. He would not escape the hunt.

Prince Bao said, “King Ping is the most similar to the Emperor amongst his siblings.”

Chu Li raised his eyebrow. “From what I know, it seems that King Jing has a higher chance at succeeding the throne.”

“King Jing has greater wisdom and is more capable and experienced at dealing with issue. He’ll do well as the Emperor. All the chancellors admire the character of King Jing, and it can be said that he has everyone’s hearts. Ahough King Ping’s temperament is closer to that of the Emperor, King Jing differs from the Emperor in that aspect.” said Prince Bao.

Chu Li slowly nodded.

If that was the case, he would be conflicted as to whom to choose, one was closer to him, thus causing him to want to let him succeed the Emperor’s throne, but the other was more suited for the position. He was the prince that all the Chancellors admired, if he took over the position, the Imperial Court would be stable and taken care of.

Prince Bao said, “King Ping has a hot temper and is not suited for politics, but he is exceptionally gifted when it comes to warfare. He used to fight at the western frontier. From a lowly Centurion, and without the advantage of being a Prince, he slowly became a Marshal, now leading a hundred thousand men, he’s truly a wonder of this world.”

Chu Li let out a sigh. “It’s a calamity, not a fortune.”

“That’s true. Once King Jing succeeds the throne, how will he deal with his brother? King Ping’s authority over the army is unrivalled, he can summon his men to battle with a single word. How would King Jing be able to sleep soundly?” Prince Bao asked

Chu Li replied, “Once King Jing becomes the Emperor, he would be an Enlightened Master, no?”

“The Emperor is not the only Enlightened Master,” said Prince Bao lightly.

Chu Li nodded.

If King Jing and Tempest Temple were to form an alliance, it would not matter who succeeded the throne, for a threat as big as this could not be dealt with.

Prince Bao continued, “The Emperor is at a loss in this matter. One has unparalleled power over the army while the other has unmatched prestige among the Chancellors. No matter who succeeds, the other will not take it well. This is what troubles the Emperor the most, he is torn between the two choices, unable to make up his mind!”

“Did the Emperor not think of this in the first place?” Chu Li furrowed his brows.

As the Emperor, he must have had foresight, he would not have knowingly let this happen.

“The Emperor is soft hearted, he wanted to relieve King Jing of some command over his troops but whenever King Ping speaks up, he immediately changes his mind.” Prince Bao shook his head and sighed. “King Ping’s temperament is too similar to the Emperor’s. He clashes with the Emperor every time they meet, a father and son who can’t stop arguing. Despite this, he still likes King Ping the most.”

Chu Li held his white jade cup, and took a small sip. It was hard for the law to interfere with one’s familial issues, let alone an Imperial Court affair. This was not going to be easily resolved.

——

Chu Li returned to King An’s Imperial Residence. Chief Chu approached him when he had just entered the door and said, “Head Chief Chu, your subordinates are waiting for you.”

Chu Li arrived at the main area where he saw Dong Qifei pacing back and forth. Yang Zongwen was sitting on an armchair as he sipped on his tea. His eyes were closed as he rested, as if he were deeply enjoying the drink.

“Centurion,” Dong Qifei hurriedly approached him.

Chu Li waved his hand, and took a seat next to him. “It’s already so late. What is it that you can’t leave for tomorrow?”

“Centurion, this can’t wait till tomorrow!” Said Dong Qifei hurriedly, “The Mei Yi Courtyard has really crossed the line!”

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Chu Li looked at Yang Zongwen.

Yang Zongwen made a closed fist salute. “Centurion, Elder Dong is not wrong, the Mei Yi Courtyard have crossed the line, they took a chance while you weren’t here, and they snatched the second assassination case for themselves!”

Chu Li furrowed his brows. “The assassination case of the Imperial Crown Prince Shan?”

“That’s right!” said Dong Qifei, “They didn’t crack the case of Imperial Crown Prince Jiang’s assassination, but they still had the audacity to take on a second case. They even said that the two cases were related.

Chu Li waved his hand. “Yang Zongwen, when did this happen?”

“Two hours ago.” Yang Zongwen said, “The second assassination case was handed directly over to the Secret Guardians Hall, they didn’t bother with the Fairy Capital’s wishes. They were originally going to hand it over to the Mei Er Courtyard, but you were not present, so Chen Donghai from the Mei Yi Courtyard took it away by force.

Chu Li said, “Did the Commander say anything?”

“The Commander did not agree to it at first. But Chen Donghai produced a soldier’s pledge, saying that he would crack the case in three days, or he was willing to face punishment.” said Dong Qifei with hatred. “They must have gotten hold of a clue, such that they were certain enough to take on the case. How vile of them!”

Chu Li waved his hand and asked, “Is he certain of this?”

“To claim to crack the case in three days… if he wasn’t certain, would he really take the second case on such a conditiom?” said Yang Zongwen.

Dong Qifei said, “Centurion, we can let this incident slide. If we don’t take it back, the Mei Er Courtyard will be seen as pushovers, everyone will take advantage of us!”

Yang Zongwen nodded and said, “Centurion, Elder Dong is right, we have to take it back.”

Chu Li furrowed his brows and scoffed. “Let it be, we’ll just snatch one of theirs next time!”

He did not expect the Mei Yi Courtyard to be so proactive. They were a tad bit hurried, but they took their chance when it came. Though it was for the best, it suited his intentions.

Prince Bao had nothing to say if they could crack the case. It was not that Chu Li did not want to accept it, but the Mei Yi Courtyard took the chance to steal their credit while he was attending the feast.

Seeing how Chu Li was unaffected by their pleads, Dong Qifei grew agitated. “Centurion, cracking this means getting the rank 4 Military Medal! The rank 4 Military Medal!”

Yang Zongwen slowly nodded. “That’s why Mei Yi Courtyard is green-eyed.”

Dong Qifei said, “If we attain the rank 4 Military Medal, we could do nothing for the next two years and still eat comfortably. If the reward was converted into taels of silver, it would be enough to buy a property as large as the Secret Guardians Hall!”

Chu Li’s eyebrows twitched.

He was indifferent when it came to the Military Medal. As the Head Chief of the Imperial Residence, and the Head Chief of the Public House, he did not lack treasured swords or weapons of the sort, thus money was of no issue to him. This was why he was not too worried.

Yang Zongwen said, “Centurion, since Chen Donghai is so dismissive of us, there’s no need for us to follow the rules anymore. Let us tell the Commander directly that the Mei Er Courtyard will investigate as well. We will investigate separately and see who can crack the case quicker. Let the reward go to the winner!”

“That’s right, that’s right, we should rub it in their face this time!” Said Dong Qifei excitedly, “Let the other courtyards know of the Mei Er Courtyard’s power so that they dare not to rob us of our merit!”

Chu Li smiled. “Next time, then, there’s always a next time.”

To get himself involved in so much trouble for a large piece of property was not a wise move.

“Centurion!” Dong Qifei discontentedly called out.

Chu Li impatiently waved his hand. “Go, I’m tired. Don’t be an eyesore, go entertain yourselves elsewhere.”

“Centurion, it’s a rank 4 Military Medal!” Dong Qifei called out.

Chu Li continued, “Military medals can be earned anytime, just go!”

After saying this, he stood up and returned to his own courtyard.

On the second day, he went to the Secret Guardians Hall. When he reached the entrance, one of the Protectors said, “Centurion Chu, the Commander has arrived!”

Chu Li nodded and walked into the living room.

With the Commander and the Deputy Commander was a middle-aged man seated next to them. Chen Donghai, the Centurion of the Mei Yi Courtyard.