Chapter 709: Mask

Chu Li sighed and spoke gently, “Commander, let me do it.”

“Little Chu!” Fu Mengshan said sternly, “You can’t possibly think that all of us in the Secret Guardians Hall are good-for-nothings with you being the only capable one, can you?”

Chu Li laughed. “I will be going into Isolated Cultivation in a few days, might as well perform one more good deed so that Mei Er Courtyard can feel more at ease too.”

He turned and smiled at Chen Donghai. “Centurion Chen, it seems like I’d have to steal credit from you again, I beg your pardon.”

Chen Donghai was overjoyed but painted a look of reluctance on his face. “Centurion Chu, your status is sensitive, it’s best if you stay away from this case. It won’t end well if you act, the public won’t be pleased regardless of what the investigated results are.”

He originally thought that the case was a pie falling right into his lap from the sky, however, he soon realized that it was not a pie but a huge pit of fire that killed anyone who jumped into it. The survival of him and his subordinate was only due to the Ji Public House warning that although they had no courage to kill, they were still daring enough to cripple a few secret guardians!

He realized that his initial assumption of the Ji Public House having ordinary abilities was absolutely wrong, they were stronger than what the Grandmasters that he brought along could handle—the true powers of the Ji Public House were stronger than they imagined, way beyond the rumors predicted.

In the face of a High Duke’s Public House that concealed their capabilities as such, he must be very cautious because if something big was really discovered, his death was almost guaranteed. This was why he was doing everything in his power to get Chu Li to take his place in handling this mission.

Nevertheless, those sly old foxes, the Commanders somehow managed to see through his motives and stopped him.

However, in his disappointment, Chu Li jumped out and leaped into the fiery pit himself.

‘Haha,’ Chen Donghai let out a secret cackle, there was literally no one dumber than Chu Li in the world. It seemed like despite the intelligence he showed before, he was only clever in trivial matters and with this type of cleverness, he would not be able to go far, he was destined to die young!

To sever one’s path to prosperity was the same as killing one’s parents, there was no animosity between Chu Li and Chen Donghai, but since Chu Li had cut off his road to achieving distinction, he became his greatest nemesis, a person he must dispose of if he had the chance to!

Fu Mengshan frowned as he said, “Elder Chen is right, how can you explain to the Yi Public House if you find something? And people will still doubt the results if you end up finding nothing, just leave it, Young Chu.”

Xu Huande added, “You already took one of the two big cases, it would be too much if you’re to take over another, what would your colleagues think if you don’t leave any benefits for others?”

“If that’s the case…” Chu Li slowly nodded and sighed. “I understand, then we’ll still have to trouble you then, Centurion Chen.”

Chen Donghai smiled as he nodded. “I’m already grateful for your thoughtfulness, Centurion Chu.”

If it was not for Chu Li helping him out of his current predicament, he would have had an outburst cursing Chu Li for playing with him! However, since Chen Donghai was technically indebted to him, he could not even glare at Chu Li, much less have a fallout with the young man, otherwise, he would be henceforth be known for being ungrateful.

“Elder Chen, you should leave first and take your time to recover, then start investigating the Ji Public House as soon as possible!” Fu Mengshan waved him off.

Chen Donghai stood up and did a fist salute. “Then I’ll take my leave.”

He walked out of the main hall slowly, limping with every step, his injuries appeared to be extremely severe.

Fu Mengshan shook his head.

Xu Huande scoffed. “This fella is calculative and pretentious!”

He took a look at Chen Donghai and then at Chu Li, it was only natural that the Commanders would side with those who were sincere and talented.

Chen Donghai might be competent, but he was selfish, and self-centered in everything he did and cared not for the Secret Guardians Hall. In comparison to Chu Li, he was too narrow-minded and unpleasing.

What they did not know, however, was that Chu Li had seen through their thoughts and was catering to their egos, which was why he appeared to be putting the interests of the Secret Guardians Hall above everything else.

Even if he would not be able to be the Secret Guardians Hall’s leader in the future, being able to be a Vice Commissioner like Commander Xu was enough for him.

Chu Li muttered lowly, “Commander, Commander Xu, I should still work on this case. Centurion Chen can conduct the official investigation while I run a secret one simultaneously, with the Ji Public House’s actions, it does seem like they have a clear conscience.”

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“The Ji Public House is not a power to be trifled with!” Fu Mengshan warned. “Especially High Duke Ji, he’s a man of profound cultivation level but a person who would justify his wrongdoings, so if you’re really going to look into this, know that he does not care if you are a junior, he’ll attack!”

“High Duke Ji…” Chu Li chuckled. “I’d like to learn a thing or two from him.”

“…That’s true, alright then, you go look into him secretly.” When Fu Mengshan thought about it, he realized that with Chu Li’s cultivation level, there was no need to fear High Duke Ji and agreed. “Be quick and swift… You did well this time in the Ministry of War, it was smooth and efficient and had managed to astound the Chancellors of the imperial court. Now, who can still claim that the Secret Guardians Hall only does bad things?”

After the thorough inspection of the Ministry of War, the Secret Guardians Hall’s status has increased greatly as the imperial court Chancellors realized that the Secret Guardians Hall was not just the Emperor’s lackeys, it also had remarkable capabilities.

This shock effectively silenced those who were out for the Secret Guardians Hall’s blood as the Emperor had also praised the Secret Guardians Hall.

Chu Li nodded. “I shall leave now.”

Fu Mengshan reminded gravely, “Little Chu, you better not expose yourself, remember to keep your face covered and act covertly or else things might just get awkward.”

“Thank you, Commander. I understand.” Chu Li signaled his acknowledgment. “I will disguise myself as an ordinary secret guardian and use an alias.”

Fu Mengshan fished out a box from his inner pocket and handed it to Chu Li. “Take this.”

Chu Li reached out to receive it and upon opening it, he found a mask that was as thin as a feather inside. It was looked just like human skin, the resemblance eerily similar.

Fu Mengshan explained, “This is a mask made from Fog Beast skin, you can use it to camouflage imitations.”

“Fog Beast…” Chu Li murmured and knotted his eyebrows together as he tried to recall the name. “Is it the Spirit Beast that can change the size and color of its body?”

“Exactly.” Fu Mengshan confirmed his guess with a smile and continued, “This can no longer be found anywhere else and there’s only one in the Imperial House’s secret store, I’ve asked for this from the Emperor and now, I’m giving it to you!”

“The Fog Beast huh…” Chu Li was amazed.

The Fog Beast was a Spirit Beast and lived in the Hundred-Thousand Hills which was why it could not be found anywhere else now and the mask was unprocurable.

Fu Mengshan reminded him. “This is something that’s over ten thousand years old, so be careful when you use it. Avoid using it when you can, don’t risk breaking it.”

“Yes.” Chu Li nodded.

Fu Mengshan continued briefing him. “We also prepared an identity for you, Chu Lingfeng.”

Xu Huande took out a dossier and handed it to Chu Li.

Chu Li opened it after receiving it and scanned over it, he found a form of personal details of his alias, including where he grew up, who his family members were, where learned his skills and when he took on his government post.

Fu Mengshan added, “Chu Lingfeng has a clean family background and has no preoccupations so no one can really tell after you put on the Fog Beast mask. You will be Chu Lingfeng, this way, you’ll be freer to roam the martial arts world in your Master of martial arts status.”

Chu Li slowly nodded. “Yes, thank you, Commander and Commander Xu.”

Fu Mengshan went on, “This is our way of protecting you so that you can stay away from the limelight and avoid fatal disasters. If you stay in the limelight for too long, we don’t doubt that the Holy Church of Light, not to mention the Tempest Temple won’t give up on trying to get a piece of you.”

Chu Li nodded again.

Fu Mengshan advised, “Knowing when to advance and when to retreat is the way to preserve oneself, with this alias, your original identity can stay hidden for a few years and the Secret Guardians Hall will no longer assign you missions.”

Chu Li did a deep fist salute with gratitude.

He had a similar thought, but he did not expect that the two Commanders to have the same plan as he did.

In this case, his slacking off would be perfectly justifiable and could finally focus on cultivating. He was feeling an extreme sense of urgency because if he did not start cultivating soon, Fang Qingyang could just surpass him soon.