White-Robed Chief

Chu Li casually asked, "Would you be able to kill Li Hanyan without my help, Senior Brother Deng?"

"Um…" Deng Datong paused for a moment before shaking his head and answering, "This woman is extremely strong. Otherwise, she wouldn't have defeated Senior Brother Chang. Since my skill level is somewhat equal to Senior Brother Chang's, I fear that I'm not her match."

Chu Li responded, "I'm able to kill Li Hanyan without your help, Senior Brother Deng."

"Hmm?" Deng Datong laughed it off as if he did not believe it. "Junior Brother Zhao, you might be powerful, but you've only cultivated for such a short period of time. On the other hand, Li Hanyan is a prodigy, and I heard that her strength is around Chu Li's level. She's managed to make a name for herself within just two years, so she's nothing to look down upon!"

"Hah, Chu Li is nothing!" Chu Li proudly declared.

Deng Datong scorned. "Junior Brother Zhao, there's Du Feng of the South and then there's Chu Li of the North. I heard that Du Feng was pursued by the Great Ji Dynasty's emperor after he killed Prince An, but in the end, he was still able to escape to the Fu Dynasty."

Chu Li added, "Stop straying away from the topic. We're talking about Li Hanyan now. Senior Brother Deng, you can't even defeat Li Hanyan, but you still have the audacity to take on the task. Not only that, but you've also roped me in your plan! You're basically expecting me to hand everything to you on a plate! You TRULY deserve praise!"

Chu Li scornfully looked at Deng Datong.

"Hehe, you think too much. After all, I really do need your help, Junior Brother Zhao." Not only was Deng Datong unfazed by the remarks, but he was also even more delighted too.

Chu Li coldly uttered, "I wonder, why the Saint would allow something like this to occur?"

Sun Mingyue replied, "The Holy Church promotes flexibility. After all, martial arts isn't the only way to gain merit. At times, intellect is required as well. Since he's daring enough to use such a ploy, who am I to reject it?"

"You…" Chu Li shook his head and sighed. "Senior Brother Deng, sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not going to help you with this."

Deng Datong flinched for a moment as the color drained from his face. "Why not?"

"Why should I?" Chu Li lazily answered. "Why do I need to help you? Sure, the situation might be different if you've discussed it with me beforehand, but no, you decided to act first and ask later. You didn't mention a single thing to me, and you've even roped me onboard! Tell me, why should I aid you?"

"This task is beneficial to everyone. I don't see why you wouldn't agree to it!" Deng Datong exclaimed. "See, I get to become a Patrol, and you, Junior Brother Zhao, get to gain merits. Sure, you wouldn't be able to become patrol, but just think of the merits you'll obtain."

Chu Li coldly answered, "Senior Brother Deng, had it not been for your interference, I would've already bagged the role of Patrol by now. However, the situation now is that you've stolen my position, and you're even seeking my assistance! What kind of fairy-tale do you think you're living in?"

"Oh, I see!" Deng Datong shook his head. "Junior Brother Zhao, you should broaden your mind. You're still young, and as such, it's kind of inappropriate for you to take up the role of Patrol so early. I'm sure you'll have your chance again in two more years or so. So, just keep earning merits."

Chu Li scoffed. "Be it in martial arts or accumulation of merits, I trump you in both aspects, Senior Brother Deng. However, the fact that you're planning to deceive me just because of your seniority proves just how incompetent you are!"

Chu Li had turned hostile, as the words he spat were dripping with obvious resentment.

Despite that, Deng Datong did not change his expression. He then looked at Sun Mingyue and commented, "Saint, Junior Brother Zhao is really young, huh? He's practically bursting with energy."

Sun Mingyue's expression was calm and collected. She did not utter a single word. It was clear that she wanted them to settle the matter among themselves.

Chu Li snapped. "So, I'm supposed to grind for two more years just because I'm young? Don't you think this is ridiculous? Just look at the Saint, she's young as well, isn't she?!"

"This isn't what I meant!" Deng Datong hurriedly shook his hands as he looked pleadingly towards Sun Mingyue.

Sun Mingyue mentally shook her head. While Deng Datong might be adept at devising ploys and remaining thick-skinned, his way with words was far inferior to Chu Li's.

Sun Mingyue flung her hands up. "Deng Datong, I'll leave the matter of your helper to yourself. Just forget about Dahe if you're unable to persuade him and go look for someone else. After all, Zhao Dahe isn't the only expert within the Holy Church of Light."

"Umm…" Deng Datong hesitated.

His original plan was to borrow the Saint's authority to pressure Chu Li into accepting his offer.

However, it now seems that the Saint had no intention in pressuring Zhao Dahe, and as such, Deng Datong himself was now backed into a corner.

Deng Datong desperately urged, "Junior Brother Zhao, you're already close to attaining the role of Patrol anyways. So, I'm sure the next time a spot opens up, you're bound to get it."

Chu Li snorted. "Hmph! What if I meet someone as shameless as you, Senior Brother Deng in the future? If he uses some underhanded means too, then wouldn't I just lose my shot yet again!"

His words were bitter and laced with disdain. Chu Li was practically openly chastising now.

Nevertheless, Deng Datong's expression did not change in the slightest. This thick-skinned behavior of his had shocked Chu Li, as it was rare to see someone as shameless as Datong. It seemed that Chu Li had underestimated him.

Sun Mingyue took a glance at Chu Li, and she understood that Chu Li was itching to kill Datong.

Deng Datong asked, "Speak, Junior Brother Zhao! What are your conditions for helping me?"

Chu Li snorted. "I refuse to help you. Take the hint and look for someone else! See you later!"

With that, Chu Li then turned around and walked off.

"Hold it!" Deng Datong ran ahead and blocked Chu Li's path. "There's not a single thing that can't be negotiated over. So, Junior Brother Zhao, please state what you want in exchange."

Chu Li continued to walk forward. He was close to colliding with Deng Datong.

Deng Datong's expression took on a darker shade. "Why are you so prideful, Junior Brother Zhao? Are you sure that you wouldn't seek my help in the future?"

"I'm sure," Chu Li coldly answered.

Chu Li was now inches away from hitting Deng Datong's shoulder. Despite that, he continued to push forward.

However, Deng Datong refused to budge, and as such, the two's shoulders made contact.

Chu Li disdainfully clicked his tongue as he gently shook his shoulder.

"Boom!" Deng Datong was hurled away, slamming into a thick, circular pillar.

Deng Datong then slipped down the pillar as if there was not a single bone in his body, and as he did so, he stared at Chu Li listlessly.

Chu Li shook his head and mocked, "You really are weak, aren't you, Senior Brother Deng? I can't believe you intend to face Li Hanyan with your measly martial arts. I advise that you just forget about it. Don't throw away your life!"

"Zhao Dahe!" Sun Mingyue chastised.

Chu Li said, "I didn't hit him! All I did was brush against him! I didn't even move my hands!"

Sun Mingyue scolded, "You were way too rough!"

Chu Li retorted, "All I did was reversed his force! What Senior Brother Deng exerted on me, I returned in full!"

Sun Mingyue made a shoo motion with her hands. "Just leave!"

However, Chu Li was in no rush to leave. Instead, he sized up Deng Datong. "Senior Brother Deng, you really are vicious, aren't you? You dealt such a heavy strike to me, but in the end, you only harmed yourself. So, how was it, you'll live, right?"

Deng Datong remained still. He felt as if his blood was boiling.

His body felt as if it was fighting a battle of fire against water. Both elements could not co-exist, and they had turned his body into a battlefield. All of his organs felt as if they had been shredded by a knife, and he was unable to muster any form of strength.

Deng Datong arduously stated, "Bro…Brother Zhao, you're lying. This isn't my inner energy."

Chu Li widened his mouth into a smile. "I forgot to tell you, but I've already cultivated the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture. I'm able to reverse one's Yin and Yang, and just now, I've inverted your Yin Energy into Yang Energy and returned it to you! Feels good, right?"

"YOU—!" Deng Datong pointed his finger at him, his eyes seething with hatred.

Chu Li delighted expression turned into a cold one. "Rub your eyes properly next time. Not everyone is easy prey! Saint, I'll be taking my leave if you have nothing to add."

"Zhao Dahe, why don't you lend a hand in killing Li Hanyan?" Sun Mingyue asked.

Chu Li paused and looked at her in exasperation.

Sun Mingyue explained, "Li Hanyan is a woman of great skill that specializes in murder. She's a walking tragedy. I think it best that you two cooperate and defeat her."

Chu Li swept his gaze to Deng Datong before nodding, "Alright!"

He understood the heart of others quite well. He did not see eye to eye with Sun Mingyue, and as such, he usually would not show her respect and would go against her if he did not agree with her. However, at that moment, he felt that there was no need to be that insolent.

He could perceive Sun Mingyue's resolution, and as such, he decided to take a step back and accept her order. 

Sun Mingyue heaved a sigh of relief. She was worried that he would still go against her.

Her eyes bore into Chu Li as she reminded, "Remember, disciples are not supposed to fight against one another. You know what happens if you break it!"

"Of course!" Chu Li beamed.

Sun Mingyue snorted. "Now, leave!"

Chu Li spoke in a joking manner, "Senior Brother Deng, I'll be leaving now. Come meet me at Gale City!"

Without even waiting for Deng Datong to respond, Chu Li left.

Deng Datong's face turned into a sickly shade of purple. His pain was unbearable.

He was starting to regret his decision. He was aware that Zhao Dahe was strong, but he never expected him to be this strong and had such a nasty attitude. He originally thought that the rumors were purposely exaggerated, but now, he realized that they had not been exaggerated in the least.