189 Calamity

As Chu Li stepped onto the Jade Guardian Island, Su Ru quickly rushed over to welcome him. She waved as he approached.

Chu Li smiled and then gave a fist salute before following her to the Stargazing Tower's third floor.

Xiao Qi was donned in a white gown. The reflection of light from her sword seemed like water.

Xiao Qi saw Chu Li and sheathed her sword into her scabbard. An eerie aura came from the sword as it was slowly sheathed.

He was amazed. Her swordsmanship was improving far too quickly. She controlled the blade as if it were an extension of herself. It shattered the earth when she moved it, and it was nearly invisible when it stood still.

Xiao Qi passed her sword to Su Ru. She pointed to a garden stool, and the both of them sat opposite her.

"So...how's it? Did Sister Xiao Shi agree?"

"Yes."

"You're really something to have come up with all these ideas!" Xiao Qi calmly said. "It never worked no matter how hard Brother Xiao Tieying and I tried to persuade her. I can finally go without worries if this is how everything falls into place."

Chu Li asked, "When will the envoys of King An's Imperial Residence arrive?"

"If everything goes according to plan, they'll arrive tomorrow afternoon," Xiao Qi answered. "You'll follow me to choose your island first."

Chu Li nodded.

Xiao Qi continued, "We still have about twenty islands left in the Public House. You can choose any of them, big and small, near and far. Forget about the ones too far, though."

"Alright," Chu Li replied.

Xiao Qi took the teacup Su Ru served, and broke into a smile. "So, how did you persuade Sister Xiao Shi…?"

Chu Li smiled and said nothing.

Xiao Qi fiercely stared at him. "Okay, I won't ask. I've also gathered some intel from King An's Imperial Residence. I'll have Su Ru bring you to Glory's Will Courtyard. You can slowly see and get a rough idea of what's going on when you get there."

Chu Li gently took a sip from the teacup he was served.

Xiao Qi announced, "Then we shall head off to choose an island, right now!"

She placed her teacup on the table along with Chu Li. They left the Stargazing Tower together.

As the three of them boarded the boat, Chu Li said, "Ah, that's right, I'll bring Xue Ling along to have a look as well."

"You're really meticulous, aren't you?" Su Ru pursed her lips. She smiled and said, " Xue Ling isn't in the courtyard at the moment. I think she went over to the Martial Arts Hall."

Chu Li nodded. They boarded the boat and sailed toward the eastern side.

After fifteen thousand meters of travel, they arrived at the shore of a small island.

The three of them looked around the island. No one had tidied up the place. It was messy and quite inhospitable — the trees and brushes were thick and not uniform. It had no aesthetic to it, but it looked rather wild and full of life.

Chu Li glanced around the area, and he shook his head in rejectiontion. The island was large but he did not like it.

After that, he arrived at ten other islands for a look. He looked from far away and closer to the islands. The last one they planned on visiting was only one thousand and five hundred meters northwest of the Jade Guardian Island.

Xiao Qi stood at the bow of the boat and pointed at the island. "Back in the day, I really wanted that island. However, Brother Xiao Tieying didn't allow me to take it. He kept rambling on about how it wasn't big and lordly enough, so I had to choose another one. How about you go up and see if you like it?"

Chu Li walked onto the small island and activated the Omniscient Mirror.

The island was round and about half the size of the Jade Guardian Island. It was full of trees, many of them prosperous. A much better sight than a lot of the other islands.

There was an aura surging forth from all directions, and he felt its essence. The aura was from a few colossal trees in the area. It was significantly purer than the typical kind of aura he encountered regularly. It had apparently lived for a really long time and was not a common item.

The island's vigor was much more prosperous than any of the other islands. Even the land was full of aura.

Chu Li nodded in satisfaction. "It'll be this one!"

"Look here…" Xiao Qi looked at him. "Don't you think it's a little small?"

The island was only twice the size of the East Garden, and it was also a little too close to the Jade Guardian Island. Too close for comfort for most people, so no one chose this island.

Chu Li affirmed his choice. "There's nothing to do in a big island anyway."

"It'd be much more spacious, no?" Xiao Qi asked.

Chu Li shook his head. "How much space could I possibly occupy alone!?"

Xiao Qi replied, "Well, that's only for now. How about in the future? Your woman, kids, grandchildren, and even your great-grandchildren! They'll all be staying here as well! You'll regret it then when you don't have enough space for everyone."

"That's right." Su Ru pursed her lips. "This island will be yours, forever."

Chu Li smiled. "Life will indeed change with the passing of time. However, we'll think about that when we get there. I choose this island."

"Young Su Ru, you'll have to deal with the rest," Xiao Qi said. "Don't make Chu Li worry over this."

"Very well, I'll quickly get someone to tidy up the place and then find someone to build a nice place," Su Ru said. "You can move in after half a year or so."

Chu Li said, "Chief still needs to go to Snow Lunar Pavillion. Just let me handle the rest."

"I'll bring Xue Ling along and teach her so she can take over whenever I'm not around," Su Ru replied. "Let Xue Ling take care of these petty matters next time."

Chu Li nodded.

——

The sunset dyed the courtyard red in the second evening.

Chu Li sat in a pagoda, cultivating White Tiger Portrait. He was satisfied.

He had ordered Xue Ling to go to the Stargazing Tower to ask if the Envoys had arrived after she lit the beautiful lanterns. He felt an ominous foreboding.

After Xue Ling left the courtyard, Chu Li stood up and then left the pagoda. He stopped in front of Glory's Will. He raised his head and looked to the skies.

Xue Ling returned fairly quickly, pushing the door open. Her complexion was rather pale. "Master! The Envoys of King An's Imperial Residence! They're missing!"

Chu Li arched his eyebrows in confusion.

Xue Ling continued, "The Protectors we sent to escort them are also gone."

"Where'd they disappear to?"

"The outskirts of Soaring Aves Town."

Chu Li thought to himself. The distance between Soaring Aves Town and where he stood was twenty-five thousand meters apart.

"Lady Xiao Qi has already gone over to Iron Eagle Island. Do you want to go and see what's going on, Master?" Xue Ling asked.

Chu Li shook his head.

"You don't want to go, Master?"

"Going now is pointless," Chu Li said. "Master Xiao Tieying is much more experienced in matters like these. We'll just wait for the news."

Xue Ling scoffed. "You're really good at keeping your composure, Master!"

——

Xiao Tieying was sitting in the main hall, stiff. He grabbed a scroll as he chatted with Xiao Qi.

His temperament and attitude was far different from before. It was like he was switched with a double. Xiao TIeying was calm, and he spoke in a lively and humorous manner. His attitude did not seem to reflect worry at all.

However, whenever something involved Xiao Shi, he always somehow ended up short-tempered and chaotic.

The disappearance of the Envoys of King An's Imperial Residence was a large problem, but he was able to stay calm and handle it with tact.

"Chu Li chose the island closest to Jade Island Guardian?" Xiao Tieying smiled. "He really isn't greedy!"

Xiao Qi put down her teacup. "I think he's just messing around."

Xiao Tieying laughed. "It seems to me he doesn't pursue fame."

"He was educated with the dharmic base from a young age," Xiao Qi explained.

"Let's not have Su Ru worry about the expenses. Just get the best for everything," Xiao Tieying said. "We owe Chu Li a little too much. We'll have to repay him well."

Xiao Qi gently nodded.

Xiao Tieying placed the scroll down and then gently took a sip of tea. "Sister Xiao Qi, I'm guessing it's the Ren Public House messing around this time."

"It may be the Huay Public House," Xiao Qi proposed. "They waited around the outskirts for the past few days and got nothing. They've probably become angry from the embarrassment."

Xiao Tieying asked, "Do you think they'd dare to kill…?"

Xiao Qi furrowed her brows as she muttered, "The Huay Public House wouldn't dare to. They just sent a memorial apology to the throne. We can't exclude the Ren Public House either. Lu Yurong is quite crafty, and I'm sure she'd dare to be behind something like this."

"If they kill the Envoys of King An's Imperial Residence. We'll just spoil their big wedding." Xiao Tieying smiled. "Have Chu Li go over. His presence would surely flip the earth and the skies around!"

Xiao Qi shook her head and then smiled. "Brother Xiao Tieying, how could you still laugh in this situation?"

"What's the point of being bitter?" Xiao Tieying smiled. "I'm quite relieved at how Elder Zhao Qingshan and the others are doing their job."

They had already assigned Zhao Qingshan and three other Grandmasters to the rescue mission. The people in the Yi Public House knew Soaring Aves Town very well. The Envoys would be found in no time.

Xiao Qi said, "Sister Xiao Shi finally agreed. I suppose Chu Li's persuasion really is the best."

"He's still her savior, after all." Xiao Tieying smiled. "Her grandeur was lost from the start. Ah, the report is back."

A voice came from the outside, "Master! High Official Zhao Qingshan wants to see you!"

"Elder Zhao Qingshan, please come in!" Xiao Tieying loudly welcomed the High Official.

Zhao Qingshan and the three men entered the main hall. They looked gloomy.

Xiao Tieying stood up and then welcomed them. "Where are the rest?"

"Master, we were too slow. They were murdered!" Zhao Qingshan sighed. "However, the Protectors are safe."

Xiao Tieying scoffed. "This is rather cruel..."

He turned toward Xiao Qi. "Seems like the Ren Public House is behind this."