Chapter 723: Secret News

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Zhou Ziyu asked, unsatisfied, “Big Brother, do you not believe my words?”

“Third Brother, stop talking about things like these all the time, sister-in-law may be pretty, but not every man would like her or harbor evil designs against her!” Zhou Zifeng waved his hands and laughed.

As he spoke, he took a glance at the obedient Zhou Mei.

Zhou Mei had her head down and was silent as if she had something on her mind.

Zhou Ziyu frowned. “Big Brother, I don't care about others but this Chu Li is no ordinary man. If he really is up to something terrible, can we stop him?”

Zhou Zifeng burst out laughing at the preposterous idea, his third brother was delusional to have entertained such a foolish thought. He brushed Zhou Ziyu off stiffly. “You let your fantasy run too wild! Stop thinking about keeping your wife safe all the time and do something useful for once, as a real man, what are you doing fooling about affairs of love!”

He glared at his younger brother. “Think about it, no matter how beautiful sister-in-law is, how is she more beautiful than Second Lady Xiao? Judging by how Chu Li stays by Second Lady Xiao's side all the time, his taste in women must be refined, so how could he fall for a woman so easily? You're being ridiculous!”

“Ah Mei is prettier than Second Lady Xiao!”

“Haha, only you would say that! Sister-in-law is pretty but to say that she was the prettiest in the Ji Dynasty… Alright, you should go and do what you should be doing, stop disturbing me from reading!” Zhou Zifeng waved him away. “Look at your second brother and how much he's suffering for the Public House?”

Zhou Ziyu pursed his lips. “The Public House will not be mine anyway. It'll be yours, big brother, so why should I suffer for you. I'm not as stupid as Second Brother!”

“Who's stupid?” Loud footsteps resounded as Zhou Zimo approached in large steps and gave Zhou Ziyu a slap at the back of his head. “And being a good-for-nothing like you isn't stupid?”

Zhou Ziyu called out grumpily. “Second Brother…!”

Zhou Mei greeted him with a curtsy.

Zhou Zimo whispered lowly. “Father's back.”

Zhou Ziyu exclaimed in surprise. “Ah?! Why was I not informed?”

“Lower your voice!” Zhou Zimo hissed.

Zhou Zifeng's expression changed. “Second Brother, did anything happen?”

“Big Brother, we'll talk when we get back!” Zhou Zimo a.s.sured.

Zhou Zifeng slowly nodded as his face restored its calmness and he gestured to his third brother. “Third Brother, you should head back first, I'll leave a little later.”

“Mmm.” Zhou Ziyu agreed and rushed downstairs.

Zhou Mei curtsied and left with Zhou Ziyu.

Zhou Zifeng shook his head as he watched her graceful retreating silhouette.

After all, she was a girl from a small family; she was extremely charming but not decorous enough that only Third Brother would go head-over-heels for her, how could Chu Li take a fancy to her?

His third brother's jealousy was getting out of hand. If this was to go on, Zhou Ziyu would truly become a good-for-nothing.

The fact that his father had returned silently when his homecoming should be announced with great fanfare was a sign that something was up—especially when the current situation in the Public House required their High Duke to calm the people.

He took a moment to compose himself and recollect his calmness before heading back home. As soon as he stepped into the residence, he could feel the heavy atmosphere weighing down on him.

Lu Yuancheng hurried over and murmured. “The High Duke is heavily injured, please take a look at him, Eldest Master.”

“Injured?” Zhou Zifeng frowned and lowered his tone. “What kind of injury?”

“The Shura Palm,” Lu Yuancheng replied.

Zhou Zifeng nodded in acknowledgment and walked in further until he came to the High Duke's bedchamber.

There were already over ten Protectors standing guard outside the room with both Zhou Zimo and Zhou Ziyu as well as Zhou Mei and the Second Madame, Wan Yi present.

As he saw Zhou Zifeng approaching, Zhou Zimo spoke, “Big Brother, father's looking for you!”

Zhou Zifeng ordered lowly, “Second Brother, keep watch on the Public House, don't let the news get out!”

“Okay.” Zhou Zimo nodded.

Zhou Zifeng pushed open the door and entered the room. It was a dimly lit room where a small, thin silhouette sat on the bed, the top of his head transpiring with white steam, the silhouette's face barely visible through the opaque steam.

Zhou Zifeng silently waited as he stood before the bed.

The thin old man sitting atop of the bed had a snowy white beard and a pair of fuzzy eyebrows. He looked over sixty years old, his face adorned with a pair of half-open eyes, a grave expression, and a sickly-green face.

Zhou Zifeng's heart dropped, his father looked exactly like his second brother before—they were both severely injured by the Shura Palm. The difference was that by this time, his second brother was already unconscious, while his father could still manage by using his profound skills.

However, he knew that if this was to go on, his father would not be able to ward off the Shura Palm.

“Sigh…” High Duke Ji, Zhou Yutian opened his eyes as he let out a long exhalation.

“Father, how are you feeling?” Zhou Zifeng asked worriedly.

“I won't die from this.” Zhou Yutian scoffed.

Zhou Zifeng questioned, “How did you get hurt?”

His father's martial art was extremely powerful and was almost unrivaled, this was the first time Zhou Zifeng witnessed him being wounded.

Zhou Yutian shook his head. “I can't believe that these fellas were so powerful that I couldn't defeat them!”

“How many Asuras were there?”

“Two!”

“And they're so powerful?”

“We are in deep trouble this time!” Zhou Yutian murmured lowly. “It's about time for me to tell you some things…”

“Father…!” Zhou Zifeng said anxiously.

Zhou Yutian waved and continued. “This is the secret of the High Dukes' Public Houses, the reason why the Public Houses won't betray the Leng Family and why the Leng Family trusts the Twelve Public Houses…”

“Father, you can be healed!” Zhou Zifeng interrupted.

Zhou Yutian's eyebrows knitted themselves together. “The Shura Palm I was struck with isn't the same as Zimo's.”

It seemed like he also knew how Chu Li had healed Zhou Zimo.

“What harm is there to try? Just let Chief Chu take a look at you, father!” Zhou Zifeng advised.

“Chu Li…” Zhou Yutian's eyebrows went into a tighter knot on his forehead.

Zhou Zifeng added. “He's also the Yi Public House's Chief!”

He knew his father's unspoken concern, Zhou Yutian hated the Secret Guardians Hall to his core and his sentiments towards the secret guardians were the same.

Zhou Yutian harrumphed. “He's now a centurion in the Secret Guardians Hall! You must beware of those in the Secret Guardians Hall, they're all rats who are unable to achieve anything and are only good at spoiling things!”

“Father, let's just get you healed first!” Zhou Zifeng urged.

The Chu Li that Zhou Zifeng saw was not as despicable as his father said; Chu Li knew his place as a guest and had remained in the courtyard, he did not poke his nose everywhere and seemed honest—Chu Li definitely saved Zhou Zifeng from unnecessary worries.

At this moment, the Chu Li whom Zhou Zifeng thought was honest, was sitting on his bed, absorbed in his thoughts.

He saw the thought that flashed through Zhou Yutian's mind and was dawn with a sudden realization.

No wonder the Twelve High Duke's Public Houses would not betray the Emperor, once the Twelve Public Houses High Duke's Medallions were merged together with the Emperor's gold plate into one, they could all ascend to the Outland after channeling a special technique.

Ascension to the Outland meant that one was technically a Deva whose life vitality would be henceforth calculated by ten thousand years and could also reincarnate after their decadence—they would be people blessed with both fortune and wisdom. This, for those who had exhausted their life vitality, was an irresistible temptation. Worldly pleasures were nothing in comparison to this.

“Let's give it a try then.” Zhou Yutian declared proudly.

Zhou Zifeng quickly came to Chu Li's courtyard.

As Chu Li exited his bedchamber and opened the door to his courtyard, he found Zhou Zifeng at his doorstep, sincerely requesting for his help which he readily agreed to do.

He followed Zhou Zifeng to Zhou Yutian's courtyard where everyone had stared at him until he went into the High Duke's room and everything went silent.

Chu Li entered the bedchamber and did a fist salute. “Greetings, High Duke Zhou.”

“Chu Li, have a look at my injuries and see if you can treat me.” Zhou Yutian waved him over.

Chu Li stepped up and took his wrist for a diagnosis. He smiled at the High Duke. “Aren't you afraid of me harboring evil intentions?”

“You can run but you can't hide, there's nothing for me to fear,” Zhou Yutian scoffed. “How is it?”

Chu Li nodded. “It's not a big deal.”