Chapter Forty-One: Lord Ren from the Imperial Court

At this moment, the battle between Mo Han Li and Yu Xi Li was also drawing to a close.

In the end, Yu Xi Li proved the more skillful, thrusting his sword into Mo Han Li’s chest.

Yet Mo Han Li’s expression did not change; disregarding the blade lodged in his chest, he continued to charge toward Yu Xi Li. The sword, which had only pierced the flesh at first, drove deeper with his movement.

Yu Xi Li’s face shifted, and with a cold snort, he withdrew his hand, abandoning the sword and turning to chase after Chu Bing.

Mo Han Li was momentarily stunned. He lifted his leg, preparing to give chase, but was stopped by a subordinate at his side. “Master, your wound...”

Lowering his head, Mo Han Li saw his clothes soaked with blood, his brows furrowing as he halted.

Meanwhile, Chu Bing was huddled with the monks inside the formation, observing the unfolding events.

Anxious, Chu Bing questioned the system in her mind, “System, what on earth is happening? Why have so many people come to this little temple?”

The system replied, “I’m not certain, but I can surmise the identities of those people. See, the ones in black are all surrounding Mo Han Li—they must be his subordinates. Those in purple have been carefully shielding the masked Yu Xi Li; clearly, they are his.”

“And those in yellow?” Chu Bing pressed. The fabric she’d seen outside the bamboo grove must have belonged to these people.

The system paused, then, with a hint of schadenfreude, continued, “Those in yellow are most likely from the palace. Since you appeared so suddenly, anyone who didn’t recognize you would have assumed you an enemy.”

How could it be otherwise? Chu Bing’s reputation was not yet so far-reaching that everyone would know her!

She glanced down at her attire, wrinkled her nose, and turned to the monks beside her. “Do any of you know why all these people are here? Are they searching for something?”

The monks exchanged glances and, after a moment’s silence, one stepped forward to speak. “Miss Chu, you saved us, so we won’t hide it from you. They’re after a secret map kept in the temple, but the abbot has already put it away. That’s all we know.”

The abbot?

Chu Bing recalled searching for the abbot when she’d realized something was amiss in the temple. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t persuade him to leave. She hadn’t thought much of it then, but now she understood—so this was the reason…

Her gaze returned to the bamboo grove.

Once everyone realized the main actors in this farce had vanished, the fighting lost its meaning. The three factions, who had been vying for the monks, could only stand where they were, their expressions varied, staring blankly now that the principals were gone.

The two Li brothers exchanged a glance, then simultaneously turned their eyes toward the imperial faction.

“Where have those bald donkeys gone?”

The palace men muttered among themselves, unwilling to waste time on others, gripping their weapons as they warily guarded against ambush while retreating rapidly.

The monks might have fled, but the temple remained. Where could they go but back inside? Surely, they must have used some secret technique to escape!

Watching the retreating imperial troops, the Li brothers were about to give chase when suddenly the sound of hooves thundered in the distance, making the earth tremble.

Within the formation, Chu Bing held her breath, eyes wide as she watched a huge contingent of mounted soldiers approach.

Even from afar, Chu Bing could see clearly—these were trained soldiers, men of the imperial army!

As the pounding of hooves drew closer, Chu Bing finally made out the man leading them. His features were sharply chiseled, his eyes deep and somber, radiating the commanding presence of one long accustomed to power.

Still, the Li brothers were not to be outdone. Yu Xi Li leaned against a tree, arms folded, a faint smile at his lips; Mo Han Li remained cold and indifferent.

The three groups stood in a tense triangular standoff.

“I’ve long heard of Young Master Li, and never expected to meet you here. Are you after the secret map as well?” the leader called.

Mo Han Li replied coolly, “Lord Ren, it’s been some time.”

Lord Ren smiled thinly, his tone faintly ominous. “The Li family’s reach grows ever longer. You even dare contend for what the palace desires!” His eyes glinted with cold intent.

Yu Xi Li let out a soft laugh. Though masked and seemingly ignored, he cared little; at a gesture, his attendant handed him a flask of water, which he sipped with ease.

Mo Han Li said indifferently, “Since ancient times, treasures have belonged to the most able. If His Majesty were truly capable, there would be no fear of losing them to others.”

Lord Ren’s eyes narrowed. He wasted no further words. With a sharp cry, his warhorse reared, and he shouted, “Li family brat, you defy your betters! Today I’ll teach you a lesson on behalf of the Emperor!”

With that, he spurred his horse towards Mo Han Li, his lance spinning in a deadly arc aimed straight at Mo Han Li’s throat.

He meant to take Mo Han Li’s life!

Mo Han Li, already wounded by Yu Xi Li’s sword, was weakened; his movements slowed just enough that the lance nearly found its mark. With unchanging expression, he tilted his head, narrowly dodging the blow.

Relying on his horse’s speed, Lord Ren struck again.

“Lord Ren!” Amid the chaos, Yu Xi Li suddenly intervened, flinging his folded fan toward the combatants. The tiny fan collided with Lord Ren’s lance, knocking it aside.

Lord Ren’s face darkened, and he sneered. “So you’re all in league. I underestimated you! But the world still belongs to the Emperor. You rebels, surrender now!”

His lance flashed coldly as he struck at Yu Xi Li. Instantly, the three forces clashed anew.

Chu Bing watched, utterly absorbed.

The three men at the center of the fray were all masters of their art; every exchange revealed some subtlety that left Chu Bing enlightened. Watching this contest was more instructive than a day’s practice alone.

“Miss Chu, we must leave at once! When their fight ends, they’ll surely come looking for us,” a gray-robed monk urged.

Chu Bing nodded. With so many people, escaping unnoticed required only one method: she must lay concealment formations ceaselessly, masking their movements.

“Listen to me. I’ll go out first to set the formation. When I signal, dash across—don’t pause, or you’ll be spotted.”

The monks, having no reason to object, agreed at once.

Chu Bing teleported outside the formation and swiftly began her work. With her ability to blink from place to place, she drew no attention, and soon the formation was complete. She led the group away at speed.

As they neared the edge of the bamboo grove, a sudden gust of wind swept up behind her. Before she could turn, a mocking voice sounded, “So you were hiding here all along. You’ve made me search quite hard.”