Chapter Thirty-Three: The Official Meeting

Chu Bing was frozen in place, every hair on her neck bristling with terror.

She could never have imagined that the masked man, who had already left her room, would suddenly appear here again!

In the dead of night, what were they doing at this temple instead of sleeping at home?

Chu Bing wanted to cry but had no tears. Shivering, she awkwardly raised her paw and gave a little wave. “Hi, fancy meeting you here.”

A flicker of amusement flashed through Li Yuxi’s eyes. He hadn’t expected this woman to be so bold.

“This is our first proper meeting, isn’t it?” Li Yuxi walked toward her.

With each step he took, the tension on Chu Bing’s face grew.

Noticing this, Li Yuxi’s lips curled into a wicked smile. He deliberately took a few more steps forward, watching with satisfaction as Chu Bing looked as if she wished she could disappear on the spot.

“Li Yuxi!” With the man almost upon her, Chu Bing quickly shot out her hand in a stop gesture and called out loudly, “Second Young Master Li, we’ve never had any past grievances, nor recent enmity—why do you keep making trouble for me?”

All she had done was witness him kill someone with her own eyes.

But surely this wasn’t the first time Second Young Master Li had encountered such things?

He’d already killed someone—would he really care about a mere bystander?

Chu Bing pleaded earnestly, “Second Young Master Li, surely you wouldn’t bother with someone as insignificant as me. Let’s pretend we never saw each other that day. I’ll act as if nothing happened, and we’ll go our separate ways. Isn’t that fair?”

She clasped her hands together, ready to take her leave.

Li Yuxi raised an eyebrow and blocked her way. “Chu Bing?”

Her name lingered on his tongue, and when he spoke it, it carried a strange undertone.

Chu Bing forced herself to ignore the odd feeling in her heart and asked cautiously, “Second Young Master Li, do you have any further instructions?”

Li Yuxi chuckled lightly. “You spend all your days glued to my third brother. Do you like him?”

“What? Nonsense!” In her agitation, Chu Bing forgot all her fear of Li Yuxi and snapped, “Why do you people always think relationships have to be so complicated? Li Haoran and I share a pure revolutionary friendship!”

Their bond was one forged in life and death!

She would never allow anyone to sully it!

Ignoring the strange feeling in her heart, Chu Bing mustered a fearless expression.

Little did she know that the more passionately she protested, the more peculiar she appeared in Li Yuxi’s eyes.

“Since you have no designs on my third brother, perhaps you should keep a bit more distance from now on. After all, he’ll eventually marry and have children…” Li Yuxi said deliberately.

His gaze bore into Chu Bing, watching for the subtlest change in her expression.

A flash of bewilderment crossed Chu Bing’s eyes. She had never considered what would happen if Li Haoran were to marry someday—where would that leave them?

But the thought passed as quickly as it came, and she swiftly regained her composure. Right now, escaping from this killer in front of her seemed much more important.

She forced a cheerful smile. “That’s wonderful! If Li Haoran gets married, I’ll stay as far away from him as possible! No one will bother me anymore!”

She waved her hand in exaggerated dismissal. “Your family should hurry up and find him a wife. It’s not proper for him to be loafing about every day! As his elder brother, you really ought to take more care!”

With a mischievous grin, Chu Bing suddenly pointed behind Li Yuxi and shouted, “Who’s there!”

A trace of laughter flickered in Li Yuxi’s eyes as he obligingly turned around—only to find no one there.

By the time he turned back, the little fox had already darted off into the distance.

“Wild by nature, hard to tame,” Li Yuxi muttered, shaking his head as he set off in pursuit.

The two figures raced through the bamboo forest, one chasing relentlessly after the other. As the pursuer drew ever closer, Chu Bing gritted her teeth and, risking exposure, activated her teleportation ability!

It was true that some martial arts experts moved with such speed and agility that it could seem like teleportation, but even then, their movements would leave the faintest trace.

Teleportation left none.

Chu Bing rarely used this power in front of skilled martial artists, unless absolutely necessary. If she was discovered, the consequences would be dire.

But now, with danger so close, she had no choice.

In an instant, she vanished from the bamboo grove.

Li Yuxi frowned, a glimmer of surprise in his eyes. He hadn’t expected Chu Bing to slip through his grasp.

Suddenly, a rush of wind swept past his ears.

A figure in white chased after Chu Bing’s direction.

Li Yuxi’s gaze sharpened. Harnessing his lightness skill, he quickly caught up with the newcomer.

“Elder Brother?”

The figure in white paused and turned, surprise flickering in his otherwise indifferent eyes as he spotted Li Yuxi in this unlikely place.

“Second Brother,” Li Mohan nodded slightly, his face betraying little emotion even before his own kin.

Li Yuxi was long accustomed to his brother’s reserve and paid it no mind. Instead, he asked directly, “Brother, what brings you here?”

“…Father asked me to handle some matters.”

Li Yuxi understood. “Has Brother finished the task?”

Seeing Li Mohan nod, he continued, “If so, then perhaps you should return and rest.”

Li Mohan frowned and replied coldly, “A thief just now was lurking in the shadows, spying on my movements. I need to track her down.”

A glint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes, his aura fierce and unyielding.

Li Yuxi cast a casual glance in the direction Chu Bing had fled. “Just a petty thief—there’s no need for you to trouble yourself, Brother. I’ll go after her myself.”

“You know her?” Li Mohan’s brow eased slightly.

“In that case, tell her this: some things are better left unsaid.” He tapped the hilt of his sword, the meaning unmistakable.

Li Yuxi’s eyes gleamed as he nodded in agreement.

“I’ve taken care of those lackeys from the imperial court,” Li Mohan said suddenly. “When do you plan to make your move?”

Li Yuxi clasped his hands behind his back, his expression unreadable. “I await Father’s command.”

“These years, the court has rotted from within. Corrupt officials run rampant, leaving the people destitute. Since Father harbors the ambition to overturn this dynasty and save the masses from their suffering, it’s only right that we, his sons, follow him.”

Ever since the current emperor had ascended the throne, he’d wallowed in pleasure and grown weary of state affairs. The officials beneath him were unchecked, doing as they pleased. Taxes grew heavier each year, while the people’s incomes dwindled.

The land was filled with grievance and despair.

If things continued like this, there would be no home, no nation left.

“It’s enough that you remember our father’s words. I must report back to him now—farewell.” With a flick of his sleeve, Li Mohan’s figure melted swiftly into the forest.

Li Yuxi watched his brother’s retreating back, shadow falling across his handsome features, his expression unreadable.