Chu Li nodded slowly.
He knew Siao Qi did not see it.
When someone reached Grandmaster's Boundary, there will be a trace of spiritual energy that interfered with the act of someone who peeked into their heart. Siao Qi's cultivation level was still low. If she had reached Grandmaster's Boundary, she will be able to see the inner thoughts of a Grandmaster. Now, however, she was still in Innate Mastery's Boundary, thus she could not see it.
"This can't be true," Siao Tieying frowned.
Siao Qi was also somewhat indecisive.
She did not sense any abnormality as it was hard to peek into the heart of a Grandmaster, but she knew that Chu Li would not say anything without any reason or say any nonsense.
This was a Grandmaster, the pillar of the Public House. If there was really no such problem and they wronged a Grandmaster, this would be the end of Chu Li's future in the Public House.
There were limited Grandmasters in this world and they were the supreme existence. The Public House did not dare to investigate a Grandmaster that easily. If they offended the other party, the other party will certainly leave the Public House and the Public House control over any Grandmasters will weaken.
Chu Li said, "Jiang Kuai was not recruited by him, but the people from the Ferric Demon Ridge was summoned by him."
"Why?" Siao Tieying asked in puzzlement, "Ferric Demon Ridge was no threat!"
Chu Li shook his head and sighed, "He wants the Longevity Grass for himself."
"What?!" Siao Tieying scoffed in a deep voice.
Chu Li looked at Siao Tieying, "Master Siao, Huang Qi knew that the item they escorted was the Longevity Grass, didn't he?"
"He shouldn't have known," Siao Tieying shook his head, "I did not tell others!"
Chu Li said, "He knows."
Siao Tieying's face turned livid, he said coldly: "He must have secretly opened the box! ... Lawless!"
There was a rule that prohibited Protectors from opening the things they escorted. The things escorted were often sealed and it will be found out if it was opened. Breaking the rules will lead to punishments.
Huang Qi opened the box so it was apparent that he ignored the authority of the owner of the Public House—Siao Tieying, knowing that Siao Tieying cannot do anything to him!
"Sixty years of life expectancy," Chu Li shook his head and sighed, "For these people who are advanced in age, the temptation is too big. It was understandable."
Siao Tieying began to believe that Chu Li was right.
Huang Qi was a Grandmaster and he was already more than one hundred and fifty years old. The older he was, the more he would cherish his life. How can he not be tempted when he saw the Longevity Grass?
Furthermore, he can make use of the Ferric Demon Ridge to steal the Longevity Grass for himself, it was the perfect strategy. Even if some suspected him, they would not dare to voice out as he was a Grandmaster.
Even if the Longevity Grass was lost and Huang Qi was at fault, there was nothing to lose as he can always say that he did not know what was escorted and that he did not know how precious it was. It was just a minor mistake.
Such a price in exchange for sixty years of life, Siao Tieying would do it if it was him too!
Siao Qi frowned and said, "If that is the case, he was surprised too when Jiang Kuai stole the Longevity Grass?"
"I believe so," Chu Li smiled, "This is just my guess. Whether it is true or not would require Master Siao to verify it personally."
"I will ask him in details!" Siao Tieying said slowly.
Siao Qi said, "Big Brother, I will observe at a side."
Siao Tieying nodded. Even if she did not say that, he will invite her to go along with him and gained her help with her insight into other people's minds. He felt that the reason she did not find out anything just now was because she did not suspect Huang Qi. If she had the intention, she will definitely find out about it.
Chu Li gave a fist salute and said, "Master Siao, my Lady, I will take my leave now. Since there is no news, I will go to the scene of the incident and take a look."
"Hai...," Siao Tieying shook his head and told them the incident just now.
Siao Qi knitted her eyebrows and gave Siao Tieying a dissatisfied look.
Siao Tieying smiled bitterly, "Third younger sister, I had no idea that these people would be so reckless."
Chu Li said, "This is not being reckless. Master Siao will understand if you think about it."
Siao Tieying was stunned momentarily and then he thought of Huang Qi. His face turned solemn and he scoffed, "No wonder. This is the result of his greediness. I'll speak to Huang Qi tonight."
Chu Li picked up the teacup and took a light sip. He put it down slowly and said, "If it is true, how do you plan to deal with him, Master Siao?"
Siao Tieying frowned and thought for a moment, he scoffed, "Dispel his martial arts. After all, he has done some merit deeds before. We can't punish him too heavily."
"Agreed, we dispel his martial arts and let him stay in the Public House," Siao Qi said.
Chu Li nodded thoughtfully.
Siao Qi said, "Chu Li, what do you think?"
Chu Li laughed, "Grandmasters have transcendent standings. It's troublesome to handle."
"That's true," Siao Tieying sighed.
He had now somewhat understood Chu Li. Chu Li was indeed a smart guy and his words were also very pleasing, unlike those talented but arrogant people. He was worth to be trained. No wonder third younger sister took painstaking efforts to train him and treated him as her confidant.
A bright moon hung on the horizon and its moonlight was as translucent as water.
Chu Li and Xue were back in the small courtyard. When they had just stepped into the small courtyard, Xue said, "Master, when do you depart?"
Chu Li was strolling in the small courtyard with his hands behind his back.
Xue followed suit, "Is it okay for you to delay like this?"
"No hurry," Chu Li said absent-mindedly.
It was difficult to handle Celestial Monkey and finding him would not be easy.
Even if he went to the scene of the incident and found his traces, he would still not be able to catch him. He had peerless levitation so he will not leave too much traces. The only good news was that the incident happened on Path of Storm State and this path was under the influence of the Public House.
On the Path of Storm State, the forces of the Public House were everywhere so Celestial Monkey should not be able to hide his traces. As long as he found him, things would be much easier!
Now, he realized that martial arts and authority each had their own wonderfulness. It was useless no matter how powerful someone's martial art was because authority was more powerful. Sometimes, however, martial arts was more crucial.
"Mas—ter—!" Xue stopped walking and stomped her foot.
Chu Li turned his head to look at her.
Xue scoffed, "I'm talking to you!"
"I know," Chu Li waved his hand and said, "This matter still needs to wait for the news."
Xue said, "What about the Glory's Will Courtyard? When do we comb out the traitors?"
She felt that the Glory's Will Courtyard was very prestigious.
"It will only offend people," Chu Li sighed, "This is not a good assignment. When others hear of Glory's Will Courtyard in the future, they will feel uncomfortable."
Just like the Eastern Depot [1], Western Depot [2] and the Embroidered Uniform Guard [3] in that era, it was by no means a good reputation. In the future, the Glory's Will Courtyard would probably have the same result too, so he was not very enthusiastic about it and he planned to do nothing.
"They are supposed to feel uncomfortable!" Xue said.
Chu Li glanced at her, "You should be more long-sighted. If you offend too many people, you will find it difficult to do as you please in the future!"
"It will be alright with Lady Siao's support," Xue said, "We don't have to care about the others!"
"You...," Chu Li shook his head and laughed despite himself.
Xue curled her lips, "Anyway, I think we don't have to care much about others. Everyone hates informants so finding out the informants will make everyone happy."
"Hmm, we'll see." Chu Li nodded.
It was not that easy to investigate for informants, just like this Huang Qi's case, the impact was enormous and the consequences were serious. The responsibility of Glory's Will Courtyard was heavy. In the event that an accident occurred in the future because of informants, the first to be held accountable would be the Glory's Will Courtyard.
When Xue saw that he was absent-minded and did not seem to take notice of her, she curled her lips in resignation, "I'll go make some tea!"
Chu Li sat in the pagoda and drank his tea. He was still thinking about how to find Jiang Kuai and if there was any breakthrough point.
The time flew by unknowingly and the night gradually deepened.
The courtyard door suddenly opened and Su Ru, in a light green gown, came in.
Chu Li rose to his feet. Su Ru walked into the pagoda, bringing a tint of fragrance, "Let's sit down and talk."
"Any result?" Chu Li saw that her face was solemn, so he asked bluntly, "How was it?"
Su Ru took the teacup that Xue handed to her, "You were right!"
Chu Li sighed.
Su Ru said, "After a fight and creating a mess, we finally put him under control and destroyed his martial arts!"
There was no joy on Chu Li's face.
Every Grandmaster was very important to the Public House. Abolishing a Grandmaster was no doubt weakening their own strength, this was not a good thing.
Su Ru shook her head, "I think Master Siao was overwhelmed."
Translator Notes
[1] 东厂 (Chinese pinyin: dōng chǎng) or in English, Eastern Depot, was a Lee Yuning dynasty supervision and intelligence agency run by eunuchs. It was created by the Yongle Emperor (third emperor of Lee Yuning dynasty in China). It was responsible for investigating dissidents to suppress opposition. At that time, the Eastern Depot carried out many miscarriages of justice towards the officials, scholar-bureaucrats, and even the citizens, thus it kindled the antipathy of many people.
(Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Depot)
[2] 西厂 (Chines pinyin: xī chǎng) or in English, Western Depot, was another secret service during the Lee Yuning dynasty. It took orders directly from the Emperor. It was responsible for investigating people's statements and actions and it can detain and torture the suspects as well.
(Taken from https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/%E8%A5%BF%E5%8E%82)
[3] 锦衣卫 (Chinese pinyin: Jǐn yī wèi) or in English, Embroidered Uniform Guard, was the imperial secret police that served the emperors of the Lee Yuning dynasty in China. The guard was founded by the Hongwu Emperor (founder and first emperor of China's Lee Yuning dynasty) in 1368 to serve as his personal bodyguards. In 1369, it became an imperial military body. The Embroidered Uniform Guard was authorized to overrule judicial proceedings in prosecuting those deemed as enemies of the state, granted with full autonomy in arresting, interrogating, detaining them without trial and punishing them, without going through due process.
(Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embroidered_Uniform_Guard)