Chapter 450: 450
It was dawn, Chu Li was cultivating in the courtyard of the Secret Guardians Hall . Xu Huande walked in with large strides .
Chu Li took a glance at him before continuing with his cultivation .
Xu Huande sat by the stone table . "Chu Li, you may now exit your seclusion . "
Chu Li smiled . "There's no rush . I've just entered the best shape and would need to go into seclusion for a while longer . This place is more suitable than the Imperial Residence . Very quiet indeed!"
Xu Huande coldly remarked, "Was it you who took down the two Secret Guardians?"
"Which Secret Guardian?" Chu Li was stunned and stopped his movements . He then came to a realization, "Oh, you mean those two who leaked intel to the enemies of the High Duke's Public House? What happened to them?"
Xu Huande scoffed heavily . "They've been dispelled of their cultivation!"
"Only dispelled of their cultivation? The Young Master is too forgiving . If it was up to me, I would kill them and find an isolated plot to bury them . Out of sight out of mind, who can say anything about it . " Chu Li continued with his movements as he shook his head and sighed .
Xu Huande glared sharply at Chu Li as if trying to see through him to validate his words .
Chu Li said, "Commander Xu is suspecting me? But I don't know who they are . I've been here from day to night, how could I possibly have killed someone?"
"Humph! It better not be you, or else . . . " Xu Huande gnashed his teeth .
Chu Li gently paddled his palms and leisurely responded, "Since you're allowing me out of seclusion, it must be calm on the outside . What's the situation like?"
Xu Huande coldly rebutted, "To have the High Duke's Public House to publicize as such, is not a good thing!"
Chu Li answered, "The High Duke's Public House publicizing would be on His Majesty's watch . Anyway, publicizing it or not, His Majesty would have to be on the lookout . . . How's the two Secret Guardians?"
"They won't die . " scoffed Xu Huande .
Xu Huande was pretty annoyed with those two fellas, making their own decisions and mixing in personal agendas . There was too much of a personal vendetta that it had brewed into such a huge deal . Even if they were not dispelled of their cultivation, returning to the Secret Guardians Hall would not do them any good .
Chu Li slowly ended his flow and took a deep breath out .
The white breath that he breathed out shot out ten feet before it dispersed .
Xu Huande frowned .
This person's inner energy was the purest it could be and was indistinctly topping him by a large margin . It had only been fifteen days yet his advancement was much further than him . If this were to continue on, he would soon be unable to catch up to him!
——
A young man whose complexion was as clear as jade appeared at the Imperial Residence of King An . He had a remarkable presence, standing there like a tree in the wind, naturally attacking all of the gazes with his elegant bearing .
He arrived at the Imperial Residence and two protectors looked at him warily . They sensed the danger emitting from him .
"May we know if Young Master is looking for anyone?" One of the protectors closed fist saluted and asked solemnly .
"I am Meng Jian, brother of Meng Zhi . I wonder if my brother, Meng Zhi is around?" the handsome young man closed fist saluted and smiled .
"Deputy Commander Meng?" Two of the protectors were momentarily stunned and exchanged glances .
"Did something happen to my brother?" Meng Jian asked .
He became visibly upset and his voice was slow yet forceful . Each word he spoke shook these protectors to the core .
They trembled and immediately waved their arms .
The protector before him immediately answered, "Deputy Commander Meng has left the House and has yet to return . "
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"How long has it been?" Meng Jian muttered .
"Over a month . "
" . . . I wish to see His Royal Highness," said Meng Jian .
"Young Master Meng, we are not in the position to decide . We can only pass on the message . "
"Alright, go ahead . "
One of the protectors ran into the Imperial Residence .
Chief Zhu quickly came out in large strides and closed fist saluted once he was out the main door . He grinned . "Young Master Meng, please come in quick! Please come in!"
Meng Jian returned the gesture with a closed fist salute of his own and dully smiled .
Chief Zhu replied, "Just call me Elder Zhu, I am the treasurer . Young Master Meng, please come in quick . "
"Chief Zhu . " Meng Jian gently nodded and followed him into the Imperial Residence .
On the way, Meng Jian asked, "I heard that my brother has left the Residence for more than a month and has yet to return . I wonder if he is okay?"
"About this… I am not too sure myself . Commander Meng reports directly to His Royal Highness and I have no authority to ask . His Royal Highness is currently in seclusion . I'm not sure if the commander is aware of this, I will have Commander Zheng come over . " Chief Zhu was helpless .
He brought Meng Zhi into the hall and ordered one of the maids to summon Zheng Lide and proceeded to eagerly attend to Meng Jian by brewing a pot of tea .
Zheng Lide entered the hall a short moment later .
"Commander Zheng, this is Commander Meng's brother, Young Master Meng Jian . " Chief Zhu took the chance to leave after introducing them .
Zheng Lide said, "I have long heard from Commander Meng that Young Master Meng Jian is a disciple at the Amethyst Mountain?"
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He sighed internally about Meng Zhi having such a good brother, talented, dignified and no ordinary young man .
"You're too kind," Meng Jian closed fist saluted and gently responded .
He was cool and his voice was soothing in a calm demeanor .
"Sigh… My condolences on Commander Meng . There's yet any news on Commander Meng, he most likely met with an accident . " Zheng Lide shook his head and sighed .
Meng Jian frowned . "My brother is dead?"
"There have been no sightings of him nor a body . In these sorts of circumstances, it is hard to say…" Zheng Lide mentioned .
Zheng Lide spoke while shaking his head .
"What did my brother go out to do? I want to ask His Royal Highness personally," Meng Jian said .
"His Royal Highness is currently in seclusion . Young Master Meng, if you could wait a while you can ask once His Royal Highness is out of seclusion," answered Zheng Lide .
"It seems to me that His Royal Highness is not bothered whether my brother is alive or dead . He has not sent anyone to investigate, huh?" Meng Jian dully responded .
"His Royal Highness is naturally concerned about Commander Meng and has ordered me to investigate . But there are no leads at all as if he has disappeared into thin air," Zheng Lide quickly said .
Meng Jian asked, "Does my brother have any enemies?"
Zheng Lide was surprised . He seemed to want to say something but stopped short .
Meng Jian spoke placidly, "Commander Zheng is a fellow coworker of my brother . Are you going to sit by and let the killer loose?"
"There have been no sightings of Commander Meng's corpse so we can't conclude that he's dead . Maybe he had a chance encounter and is cultivating in seclusion now," remarked Zheng Lide .
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Meng Jian shook his head . "My brother has indeed passed . "
Meng Jian had sharp senses and the moment he stepped into the Imperial Residence he could finally conclude that his brother was indeed dead . His force was no longer in this world .
"Sigh… a shame! I had a good relationship with Elder Meng, how could he… I guess this is the fate of being in the martial arts world . " Zheng Lide shook his head .
Meng Jian announced, "I want to see His Royal Highness . "
"About this… His Royal Highness is in seclusion and won't see any guests," Zheng Lide replied sheepishly .
"I believe that His Royal Highness will want to see me," answered Meng Jian .
"Alright then, let's first ask Revered Sir, Xu Ning . Please follow me, Young Master Meng . " Zheng Lide finally gave in .
The two of them walked to the outside of the Cultivation Courtyard .
Xu Ning was dressed in his yellow cowl and his eyes were shut tightly . He was quietly sitting on a cattail hassock outside the Cultivation Courtyard . He was in meditation, not moving an inch .
With the appearance of both them, Xu Ning slowly opened his eyes . His clear eyes landed on Meng Jian's face . He pressed his palms together . "Almsgiver Meng . "
"From the Tempest Temple?" Meng Jian asked .
Xu Ning answered, "I am Xu Ning . I understand that Almsgiver Meng would like to see His Royal Highness . Please wait two hours . "
" . . . Alright, I wouldn't have imagined seeing a monk from the Tempest Temple in the Imperial Residence . " Meng Jian slowly nodded .
Xu Ning smiled and pressed his palms together . He then closed his eyes .
Meng Jian scoffed but remained silent .
Zheng Lide excused himself and left .
The sun was slowly rising and its radiance shone warmth that cast a sleep spell over the residence .