White-Robed Chief
Chapter 164: In Control

"Master Xiao, with all due respect, we still haven't done our jobs so we can't leave just yet." Song Siwen shook his head. "We still need to go to the outskirts and inspect exactly where they fought."

"Do you still suspect Chu Li? I'm starting to believe that you're simply targeting the weak and avoiding the strong. Do you not dare to deal with the Tempest Temple?" asked Xiao Tieying.

"Master Xiao, that is far from the truth. If it really was the Tempest Temple, we'd definitely go for them!" Song Siwen clarified while his face grew sour.

"Go after the Temple? You have a very confident tone. I'm sure you and your men would not dare say the truth." scoffed Xiao Tieying with sidelong glances and a cold laugh.

"What are you implying Master Xiao?" Song Siwen furrowed his brows.

"Did you really believe that I couldn't recognize the wound on High Official Zhao Zilai's chest?" asked Xiao Tieying.

Song Siwen's expression turned grim. He scoffed, "I don't understand what you're trying to say, Master Xiao!"

"You guys come into contact with the monks from the Tempest Temple so frequently. I don't believe that you can't identify it. The wound was from the Spear Finger Strike." laughed Xiao Tieying.

"So Master Xiao set us up!" Song Siwen replied with a face still grim but he managed to force out a little laugh.

"Who knew that you were so naive and stupid. Moreover, even obediently walking into his traps. You guys already knew so why did you keep it from us? Are you afraid that I'd find out or did you intend to frame Chu Li? Or maybe you were afraid to anger the Tempest Temple?" scoffed Xiao Tieying.

"Some truths need not be said so clearly, Master Xiao," said Song Siwen.

Everybody knew of the Imperial Court's doubts with the Tempest Temple. If they fought against the Temple, not only would it have been arduous and fruitless, they would have suffered heavy casualties as well. They felt hate and fear, so the best choice was not to provoke a fight with the Tempest Temple.

"You guys are really embarrassing. The Imperial Court can't handle a sect because of useless Protectors like you!" scoffed Xiao Tieying.

"Do you not know the true power of the Tempest Temple and how strong they really are? They chased after one of your Scribes to kill him. Chu Li is going to die but you still want to look for trouble with them?" asked Song Siwen impolitely.

"Who said that Chu Li would die?" Xiao Tieying coldly replied. "He'll recover in no time."

"Master Xiao, we're all aware of how powerful the Perishable Touch is. He was struck by four fingers, he's definitely going to die. We're going to investigate tomorrow, with or without your consent," Song Siwen said as his mouth twitched.

"Very well, do as you wish. Chu Li can't move so you'll have to do it yourselves." scoffed Xiao Tieying.

Song Siwen took a deep breath to calm himself down and subdue his anger. They had made mental preparations before coming over. The twelve Public Houses and the Imperial Court had relatively unique relationships, but they were all on good terms. They were not surprised that Xiao Tieying displayed zero respect.

"We want to rest," Song Siwen said.

"Linquan, take them to rest!" scoffed Xiao Tieying.

"Understood." Linquan smiled with his squinted eyes. He moved forward and fist saluted. "Please follow me, everyone. We shall move to the abode."

Song Siwen and his men fist saluted Xiao Tieying and quietly left the main hall.

Xiao Tieying sat on the armchair and watched as they left. Right after they left, he immediately stood up and paced around. "Anyone out there?!" he yelled.

"Master Xiao?" replied a young maid who gently walked past the door.

"Go and get the Third Lady to come over right away!"

"Understood."

Xiao Qi came over in her white gown to a very restless Xiao Tieying. "Big brother, what is wrong with the situation?" she asked.

"Chu Li is a daring fellow. He made a false accusation and said that Zhao Zilai had colluded with the Tempest Temple to ambush him. I thought he was going to push everything off the table and say that he knows nothing, so he could get away," Xiao Tieying said with a shake of his head.

"Did they buy it?" asked Xiao Qi.

"They're still unconvinced. Those men are really vicious and they're afraid of the Temple. We need not argue irresponsibly because it'll definitely be a mess. I called you over because of the Perishable Touch. They said that Chu Li was going to die for sure with four strikes of the Perishable Touch on him and I don't think they were giving out false information," Xiao Tieying said.

The Imperial House and the Tempest Temple had been in contact quite regularly. Many of the Protectors of the Imperial House have died at the hand of the Tempest Temple. Therefore, what they said was still trustworthy in that sense.

"The Perishable Touch." Xiao Qi furrowed her brows.

She sat in the armchair and sighed, "It's definitely hard to deal with."

"Can Chu Li hold on?" Xiao Tieying hurriedly asked.

"Looking at his condition now, he should be fine. Back when he saved second elder sister, Elder Guo confirmed that he was dead for sure but he was still able to pull through and recover very quickly. Elder Guo has also said before that his vitality is much stronger than that of a common folk," muttered Xiao Qi.

"In that case, he'll be fine." Xiao Tieying let out a long sigh of relief. "That man, really…" he said as he shook his head.

Xiao Tieying was lost for words. Chu Li's abilities were good but his ability in stirring up trouble was even better. He had started a feud with the Tempest Temple and even killed the High Official of the Imperial House. Chu Li was very bold, to say the least.

"Third sister, do you have any way to solve this?" asked Xiao Tieying.

Xiao Qi shook her head. "He's already cultivated the healing heart technique which makes his boundary deeper than mine. He'll be fine," she said.

"Do you want to assign him a maid?" Xiao Tieying asked.

Such an outstanding genius needed to be cared for so he remained loyal to the Public House.

"Xue Ling has been doing a pretty good job at that," replied Xiao Qi.

"Why not have Su Ru stay by his side? I recall seeing her treat him well too," asked Xiao Tieying.

Xiao Qi glared at him.

"It's just a suggestion. It's fine if you disagree." Xiao Tieying laughed.

"Don't even think about using Su Ru, Brother." Xiao Qi scoffed.

"Why not we let him become the chief of the Jade Guardian Island? I think he likes second younger sister," said Xiao Tieying.

"Big — Brother— !" Xiao Qi's grim expression showed through her delicate face.

Xiao Tieying hurriedly waved off his hand. "Okay, okay! Forget what I said."

He clearly knew what Chu Li's abilities were after the incident. He was able to do what others could not and this was just at an Innate Mastery level. If Chu Li were to reach the Grandmaster's Boundary, it would be a great benefit to the Public House. Similar to adding wings to a tiger.

Chu Li was in the phase where he was interested in women and what would be a better way to control him other than that particular thing?

"If second elder sister overheard that, she'd definitely never want to meet Chu Li again." Xiao Qi scoffed. "Don't tell me you plan on marrying second elder sister with him."

"You're quite daring to think of that, sister! Of course, it'd be possible if she agreed. Chu Li is definitely not a normal person." Xiao Tieying laughed.

"Second elder sister is proud and arrogant. She won't like Chu Li." Xiao Qi shook her head.

"But Chu Li was her savior."

"A savior is only a savior. Chu Li is only a Scribe and no matter what, second elder sister will not take a liking to him. She only sees him as a subordinate, not a man." Xiao Qi shook her head and sighed.

"Aren't you the same?" Xiao Tieying laughed.

Xiao Qi shook her head and said, "The heart technique I cultivate forbids me from falling in love. The circumstances differ from Sister Xiao Shi's."

"I don't know if Sister Xiao Shi can see past all this," said Xiao Tieying with a loud sigh.

After all that, he merely wanted to help his second sister unravel the Vitality Sealing Finger.

Now that the Imperial House's High Official was no longer helpful and there was still no news of the Thunder Guiding Blade, their second younger sister's destiny was full of trouble and misfortune, which made people feel pity.

The Imperial House Protectors left Chong Ming Town immediately after lunch to search for the scene where the battle took place. They hurriedly completed their work.

When they returned in the evening, they went to Iron Eagle Island equipped with gloomy faces.

Xiao Tieying stood at the entrance of the hall and fist saluted to welcome them. After they were seated, he took a sip of tea and leisurely asked, "Have you found the place?"

"We met a person. He said he personally saw Chu Li kill Brother Zhao Zilai." Song Siwen put down his teacup as he calmly spoke.

Xiao Tieying furrowed his brows with a grim expression: "In that case, you still intend on blaming it on Chu Li?"

"We've no choice, that person explained it very clearly." Song Siwen coldly affirmed Xiao Tieying's question.

Xiao Tieying laughed coldly, "I'd like to know who told you this nonsense."

"We've already sent that person to Fairy's Capital," replied Song Siwen calmly.