156 Infighting

Early morning of the following day: Chu Li finished his daily cultivation and rode a boat to the island where the abode was located.

Xue Ling sailed the boat while Chu Li, who was dressed in a green robe, stood on the bow of the boat with his hands behind his back. It was as if there was a veil draped slowly on the lake, there was a thin vapor clearly visible.

The morning air was particularly fresh and moist. After taking a single breath, it was as if his alveoli were cleaned and the dirty air from the city disappeared. His whole body felt refreshed and his mood became unexplainably good.

Xue Ling was dressed in a white gown and her face shone like a jade. "Master, what is this High Official Zhao Zilai trying to do?"

Chu Li shook his head.

Xue Ling snorted. "I think he has ill intentions. With Master's identity, how'll you have time to hang out with him?"

Chu Li laughed. "My identity is far more inferior compared to his."

Xue Ling pursed her red lips.

Chu Li said, "Be sure not to show this kind of attitude later. A visitor from afar is a guest. To do the honors is a must. If I don't go, who else will? Surely we can't have Master Xiao Tieying and Lady Xiao Qi accompany him personally?"

"What's our plan for today?" Xue Ling asked.

"We'll ask for High Official Zhao Zilai's opinion."

Xue Ling snorted and accelerated the boat.

Ever since she reached the Innate Mastery's Boundary, she did not have to row a boat to drive it forward. She could use her inner energy to move the boat, and because of this she liked being the one sailing the boat. Chu Li knew that this novelty would dissipate after a while.

She accelerated the boat once again and they soon reached the island where the abode was located. However, Zhao Zilai was already standing by the shore waiting for them.

Zhao Zilai was dressed in purple and he looked amiable.

Chu Li gave a fist salute. "Sorry for letting Senior Zhao Zilai wait for so long. It's all my fault!"

"Hahaha, I just arrived as well," Zhao Zilai said with a smiling face. "Then let's get going now and have breakfast at the Sky Inn!"

His piercing gaze turned away from Chu Li and fell on Xue Ling. It wandered to her cold but beautiful face, her voluptuous breasts, her slim waist and her round peach-like hips.

Xue Ling frowned and her face turned colder. His gaze felt real, like a hand slowly caressing her body. It gave her goosebumps and made her feel sick.

She was accustomed to people gazing at her and was able to turn a blind eye to their stares, but this kind of piercing gaze felt so real it was unbearable.

"Please come aboard!" Chu Li stood in front of Xue Ling in a stride. He smiled and said, "Senior Zhao Zilai, please come aboard!"

Zhao Zilai chuckled a few times and flew up, displaying sublime levitation. His figure took a turn in the air, forming an arc. He was about to land behind Xue Ling.

Xue Ling was startled.

Chu Li turned, reached out his hand and grabbed her slender and flexible waist. He turned them around and their positions were now switched.

As soon as Zhao Zilai landed, Chu Li turned around and faced him.

Zhao Zilai laughed and glanced at Xue Ling who was blocked by Chu Li. He shook his head and burst out laughing. "It seems that Young Chu Li is very anxious about his maid."

Chu Li said calmly, "She's my personal maid. Senior Zhao Zilai, let's go!"

Xue Ling bit her lips and stuck close to Chu Li's back. A sense of security and warmth filled her heart. She turned her head to avoid looking at Zhao Zilai.

Chu Li drove the boat at full speed and soon they reached the shore.

After he and Zhao Zilai stepped ashore, he turned and told Xue Ling, "Go back and finish the task I gave you."

"Yes." Xue Ling was surprised but she answered without hesitation.

She knew that Chu Li had changed his mind because originally he wanted to let her follow them. After all, if there was nobody to serve them tea, it would not be a pretty sight. To let them do such things themselves would be shameful considering their status. It would also show that the Public House was a bad host.

"Hahaha." Zhao Zilai chuckled and waved his hand. "Please don't. You should bring along the girl. It's not fun with just two guys. It'll be more interesting to have the girl around, don't you think so?"

Chu Li smiled and said, "She still has something to do and it can't be delayed."

"What's so important?" Zhao Zilai shook his head and laughed. "You can just let other people do it. Am I a man-eating Spirit Beast?"

Chu Li smiled and stared at Zhao Zilai hard. "My maid is timid. She can't stand the fright of Elder Zhao Zilai, please spare her. Xue Ling, leave!"

After saying that, he did not wait for Zhao Zilai's reply and waved his hand at Xue Ling to make her leave.

Xue Ling did not turn back look at Zhao Zilai when she rode the boat and went away.

Zhao Zilai was astonished. "That girl was actually an Innate Master. I misjudged her."

Chu Li smiled faintly. "She's fairly hardworking. Senior Zhao Zilai, let's go."

"I really like that girl." Zhao Zilai strolled casually and smiled. "If I were to ask for her from Master Xiao Tieying, I'm sure he wouldn't refuse."

Chu Li smiled and shook his head. "Master Xiao Tieying wouldn't agree to it."

Chu Li did not know how the other Public Houses worked but in The Yi Public House, the Protectors and Scribes were not their private properties. Everything in the Public House had rules and regulations. Those regulations were the cornerstone of the Public House. Master Xiao Tieying would not dare violate the rules and act freely.

"Oh—?" Zhao Zilai chuckled. "Should I try?"

"Senior Zhao Zilai is old but is still firm. I really admire you!" Chu Li smiled.

A killing intent arouse in Chu Li's heart but his smile became brighter.

"Hai... There's no other way." Zhao Zilai shook his head. "I've lived for too long and time is a torture. I need to find something interesting to pass time and women are among the world's most wonderful things that God made to entertain man!"

Chu Li laughed dryly.

"Young Chu Li, you shouldn't take women too seriously. Not only will you not be able to enjoy yourself, but you will end up hurt as well. You're just looking for trouble!" Zhao Zilai shook his head and was filled with emotions.

Chu Li smiled and said, "Senior Zhao Zilai's feelings were hurt by a woman before, am I right?"

"Hahaha." Zhao Zilai shook his head and laughed. "You little Chu Li, it's not a good thing to be too clever. You will not live long."

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Zhao Zilai." Chu Li smiled. "Lu Yurong's master must have been an amazing woman. She must've hurt Senior Zhao Zilai deeply!"

Zhao Zilai's eyes glinted, and a cold air surged around his body.

This was a scar that could never be healed. So many years had passed and no one dared to expose it, but this brat who was not afraid to die repeatedly exposed his scar. He was truly damned!

Chu Li feigned ignorance. He smiled casually and said, "Lu Yurong's master's surname is Fu, right?"

"You sure know a lot." Zhao Zilai stopped smiling and his face turned cold. He scoffed. "What is the name of that little girl just now?"

"Xue Ling." Chu Li smiled. "Senior Fu Yuying is extraordinarily good at scheming, right?"

Both of them went out through the south gate of the Public House and strolled down the street, pretending to be carefree and having a casual chat.

"Hahaha..." Zhao Zilai's killing intent raged in his heart. However, a smile appeared on his face because there was no need to be angry at a dead man. "It seems the Public House's intelligence is indeed resourceful. The Public House is a dog of the royal house."

Zhao Zilai was originally entrusted by Lu Yurong to kill Chu Li. At first, he felt a little pity for Chu Li since he managed to reach rank three at such a young age and his future was promising. However, Chu Li offended him, so now Chu Li would only face death.

At this point, Zhao Zilai had already changed his way of thinking. 'This brat should really be damned, no wonder Lu Yurong has to kill him.'

Chu Li smiled and said, "If the Public House is a dog of royalty, then what's Senior Zhao Zilai? ... if Senior Zhao Zilai were to go against the Public House, I wonder which side the royal family would side with... the Public House or Senior Zhao Zilai."

Zhao Zilai's smile disappeared again. He sneered. "Do you want to try, young Chu Li?"

Chu Li smiled and shook his head. "That would be unnecessary—for the Empress's sake, I will overlook it."

"Hahaha, good! Good!" Zhao Zilai was smiling again. "Young people really are ignorant and fearless!"