White-Robed Chief
Chapter 188: Status

Chu Li stepped onto the boat.

The boat was on water and a breeze blew past his face. His blue robe was floating about. He looked as if he was thinking about something.

Using the Narrowed World technique, Chu Li could pass through the void and immediately appear on Symphony Island. However, he did not activate it in the Public House because he did not want anyone to know about it.

The islands of the Yi Public House were separated by bodies of water. This made the Public House safer as it was more segregated. If they knew that the Narrowed World technique voided this characteristic, they would have been unable to rest well.

Chu Li guessed that Lady Xiao Shi wanted him to go over this time to discuss about matters regarding King An.

The boat floated along the lake like a lone leaf. With a great speed carrying the boat, they reached the Symphony Island in no time.

A delicate and beautiful maid was waiting on the shore. She saw Chu Li arrive and folded the lower corners of her gown to greet Chu Li. "Chief Chu Li, please follow me."

Chu Li nodded.

The maid gracefully lead the way. Chu Li softly asked, "How's the Second Lady's mood?"

"Lady Xiao Shi is depressed," The delicate maid said. "It looks like she's worried about the thing with the Chief."

Chu Li nodded and said nothing.

They went into a floral sea and then entered a pagoda in the courtyard.

The pagoda was surrounded and covered by a white veil.

It gently floated along with the wind, like mist.

Within the curtain was Xiao Shi dressed in a white gown. She was holding her hand in the air as she sat in front of the short tea table. Xiao Shi was in her own world. Her peptachord was shining a gentle light. It was not an ordinary item.

"Lady Xiao Shi, Chief Chu Li has arrived," the maid gently reported.

Xiao Shi turned and then beckoned Chu Li.

Chu Li entered the pagoda. His surroundings were obscured by the veil, and it had a surprisingly serene feel.

"Sit down." Xiao Shi pointed at the garden stool opposite her.

Chu Li fist saluted, and sat down as he quietly looked at Xiao Shi.

Xiao Shi's facial features were both beautiful and dreamy. It made people unable to help themselves, to praise the beauty of nature. For nature itself produced such a beauty.

Xiao Shi sighed. "Chu Li, do you want to accompany me to King An's Imperial Residence?"

Chu Li nodded.

"You really intend to follow me?" Xiao Shi asked again.

Chu Li answered in a single beat, "Yes."

Xiao Shi gently shook her head. "But I don't want you to go!"

Her eyes were like spring water, quietly dripping on Chu Li's face as she observed Chu Li's expression. "You've saved me twice. I don't want to express any more gratitude towards you.."

Chu Li had decided on her, and sacrificed his life twice because of love. If she had said thank you on any of those occasions, it would have been taken as courtesy and alienated him. It would have hurt him.

She would have disappointed his infatuation for her.

After going through so much pain, standing on the line between life and death, she had become cold and numb. Her heart was already tired at such a young age. She no longer fell in love at first sight and will never ever again. Even when Chu Li sacrificed his life to save her, she only felt a little touched. Nothing close to love.

Even if someone was better than Chu Li in every manner by a factor of ten, she still would not be able to fall in love.

This could only be blamed on fate. The heart of the girl Chu Li met was dead.

This was unfair to Chu Li.

She had the thought of allowing Chu Li to stay by her side because she felt more relieved, and no longer lonely with him around. However, she stood firm. No matter how much Brother Xiao Tieying and Sister Xiao Qi tried to persuade her, she would never change her decision. She did not want to let Chu Li follow her. It was far too ruthless to him.

Chu Li said, "Second Lady, I think you've misunderstood something."

Xiao Shi looked at him with her spring water-like eyes.

Chu Li sighed to himself.

It was a pair of eyes that made every man lose their way. No man could ever resist it!

Chu Li composed himself and then smiled. "I saved Lady Xiao Shi because it was my duty. I did my best to fulfill it, not because of personal feelings."

"Ah—" Xiao Shi's eyes continued to be focused on him.

Chu Li knew that she had not given up just yet. She still was not yet convinced. He continued, "The one I like actually, isn't Lady Xiao Shi."

Xiao Shi did not even blink. She wanted to observe Chu Li to tell if he was telling the truth.

Was he afraid that he would feel guilty himself? Was that why he said that?

Even if it was only suffering awaiting him, he still wanted to stay with her and follow her. Chu Li's love was far too deep. He definitely dared to do and say anything in order to convince himself.

Chu Li looked calm.

Both of their gazes intersected in the air.

"Then who's the one that you like?" Xiao Shi calmly asked.

Chu Li hesitated and kept quiet.

Xiao Shi continued, "Are you trying to fool me?"

Chu Li shook his head.

Xiao Shi showed small signs of a smile. "Then tell me. Who's it?"

Chu Li asked, "Can Second Lady keep this a secret?"

"Seems like she's a great person!" Xiao Shi pursed her lips as she gently smiled. "Very well then! I'll keep this a secret between the both of us!"

Xiao Shi knew that she was rather eccentric today. She did not like people and liked to isolate herself. She hated anyone who appeared in her field of vision. However, Chu Li was an exception. Maybe he was the only who could make Xiao Shi let her guard down.

In Chu Li's presence, she felt very relaxed.

Chu Li slowly said, "The Third Lady."

"...Hmm—?" Xiao Shi's eyes widened.

Chu Li continued, "The one that I like is the Third Lady."

Xiao Shi furrowed her brows. She stared at him. "Sister Xiao Qi...?"

She found it hard to believe.

Xiao Qi's beauty was not inferior to hers but Xiao Qi's temperament was a little off. She was cold, otherworldly, and looked at as above common folk.

Men liked women that were as gentle as water. Xiao Qi was cold and lacked any feminine traits. Men would have only taken a step back in her presence.

Chu Li slowly nodded. "Yes."

"You really like Sister Xiao Qi?" Xiao Shi did not blink.

Chu Li answered, "I really do like the Third Lady."

"You're not kidding, are you?" Xiao Shi asked.

Xiao Qi had cultivated the Rooted Soul heart technique. It required the user to detach themselves from any form of affection. The moment she chose to cultivate this, she had already made up her mind to be alone forever, and unburdened by the mundane. She wanted to pursue the finest of martial arts, and achieved the level of an Enlightened Master.

If Chu Li really liked Xiao Qi, then his plight was destined to be futile.

Chu Li answered, "How can we joke about this kind of thing!?"

Xiao Shi was still unconvinced.

She could not read Chu Li's expression. Did he really like Sister Xiao Qi, or did he want to make Xiao Shi give up so that she would not feel guilty about it? Was that why he said this on purpose?

Xiao Shi felt a little complicated and restless. She calmly said, "Sister Xiao Qi is pure and clean. She definitely attracts affection, but the two of you together is impossible."

Chu Li nodded. "I know. Our status has too great a difference."

Xiao Shi waved off her hand in disagreement. "This isn't about status anymore."

Chu Li smiled. "I still think that this is about status. However, if I accomplish enough and build up my success, I'll be able to be matched with the Third Lady in the future!"

"Don't you already have your own island?" Xiao Shi asked.

Chu Li gently nodded.

"Do you know what that means?" Xiao Shi said.

Chu Li shook his head.

Xiao Shi made a forced smile. "That means you're no longer inferior in status to us. Other than the fact that Brother Xiao Tieying will be the future High Duke, the three of us siblings are all Island Leaders. You're an Island Leader too! We're all on equal footing, so you already can be matched with Sister Xiao Qi! There's no need to push your success any further."

Chu Li still showed a flaw in his character. Every excuse he made was in an attempt to convince Xiao Shi to let him join her to King An's Imperial Residence.

He claimed that he liked Xiao Qi, and half of it may have been true. However, the other half of it was an excuse for him to accompany Xiao Shi.

Chu Li sighed. "Lady Xiao Shi, I actually intend to go to King An's Imperial Residence to increase my knowledge and experience."

"This sounds more truthful to me!" Xiao Shi scoffed.

Chu Li explained, "King An's Imperial Residence isn't our Public House. There'll definitely be intrigue awaiting. I can assist you if I'm there! I have no improper desires towards Second Lady! There's no need to worry and overthink."

Xiao Shi rolled her eyes as she scoffed. "Seems like I'm inferior to Sister Xiao Qi."

Chu Li awkwardly smiled. He did not deny it.

"I'll take this as it being one-sided from me!" Xiao Shi waved off her hand. "Alright! You can follow me!"

Chu Li fist saluted and then left.