Investigation

It was already springtime. In Li Prefecture, the snow had melted, and everything was growing and thriving.

But the situation is different near White Snake Mountain. While spring breezes are indeed blowing underground, the mountain remains covered in snow.

This is still at the foot of the mountain, but the snow melts more slowly, usually in late spring or early summer. As for the higher places, it is said that the snow never melts all year round, always coiled on the mountaintop like a white snake.

In the cold, gloomy night, darkness was about to fall. The night air was so cold it was piercing, and even breathing was painful, as if the wind was carrying needles.

Li Qi took a breath and then exhaled, his eyes unconsciously watching the white vapor he exhaled. In an instant, the white vapor was blown away by the cold wind, as if the wind here would never stop.

Instead of going back to sleep, he found a water source and began cultivating. He practiced the Carp Flowing Intent in the water, absorbing the water's energy and refining it into internal energy through movement.

The practice of spiritual cultivation must be continued every day without interruption; it cannot be delayed because of the need to travel.

It was very cold, and the wind was howling through the mountains.

Even so, there are still people in this place. You can see mining teams passing by occasionally, and you can see smoke rising from villages in the distance, but there are hardly any lights.

After practicing meditation until late at night, Li Qi dressed and walked back to his car.

His living conditions were better than most of the Jing family members; at least he had his own oxcart.

Some Jing family members, due to a shortage of oxcarts, even had to pitch tents outside, which was much colder.

Walk back to the oxcart and carefully open the door.

Shen Shuibi was already asleep.

The rabbit was curled up on the bedding. When the cold wind blew in from the open door, it seemed to be stimulated by something. It sniffed and curled up even tighter, but it didn't wake up at all and continued to sleep soundly.

Isn't she immune to heat and cold? How could she feel cold?

Li Qi was a little confused, but he didn't wake her. Instead, he quickly closed the door and lay down himself.

He had already washed himself thoroughly at the water source while cultivating, so he went straight to sleep.

Looking at the roof of the car, he slowly took a deep breath and glanced at Shen Shuibi again.

The rabbit kicked off its blanket; I guess that's some kind of innate ability—the rabbit kicks off its blanket.

Li Qi reached out and gently pulled her blanket up a little.

As he pulled the blanket, Li Qi felt that it was warm and soft, and had a faint fragrance. It had been sprinkled with sesame oil for preventing mold and repelling insects, and was quite expensive.

Li Qi bought this sesame oil, and it's sold in the Jing family's caravan. Shen Shuibi likes it very much.

Okay, let's go to sleep.

The journey went smoothly afterward. With two ninth-rank officials escorting him, it was difficult to encounter any danger in these places. So, the four days passed in the blink of an eye, and Li Qi received a reward of four gold coins.

After helping the Jing family caravan load all their goods onto the cargo ship, the Jing family members bid farewell to Li Qi. Jing Yan and Shopkeeper Jing also thanked Li Qi and Shen Shuibi for their guidance.

After exchanging pleasantries, Shopkeeper Jing cupped his hands and said, "Brother Li and your sister, if you have the opportunity in the future, please visit Song Kingdom. We will certainly treat you well."

"I'll definitely come if I have the chance. I wish you a safe journey, Manager and Sister Jing. Sister, please don't be impulsive again, lest you have to run away overnight again," Li Qi joked.

Jing Yan snorted coldly and did not answer, but judging from her attitude, she probably wouldn't hold back if something like this happened again.

After bidding farewell, Li Qi watched the other party's ship set sail, pass through the Li River, leave White Snake Prefecture, head to Li Prefecture, and then follow the Li River all the way back to the Song Kingdom. The ship was fully loaded with many mountain goods and treasures from White Snake Mountain, all of which were not produced in the Song Kingdom. He figured he would make a lot of money on this trip.

As the ship set sail, Li Qi glanced back at Shen Shuibi and said, "Miss Shen, let's go! Let's go back. Old Ma should have fattened up enough. Let's go back and continue our journey!"

"Yes!" Shen Shuibi perked up at the mention of setting off.

The two immediately turned around, preparing to walk back to Snake Tail County. Li Qi waved, Shen Shuibi immediately understood, jumping onto Li Qi's back and letting him carry her.

Ox carts are slow, unlike people.

Carrying Shen Shuibi on his back, the journey that would take the oxcart four days could be completed in two days at most.

Li Qi carried a rabbit on his back, and the rabbit carried a basket on its back. In this strange posture, the two of them quickly set off and began their journey back to Snake Tail County.

Almost simultaneously.

Snake Tail County, the inn with stables where Li Qi once rented.

"Sir... this, this is, that, that person's horse." The innkeeper, covered in sweat, kept bowing and kowtowing to the constable in front of him.

"Eight feet tall at the shoulders, pure black coat, a fine horse. To ride such a fine horse, I wonder which noble family he belongs to? Has he mentioned it?" The constable glared at the shopkeeper and asked casually.

The shopkeeper dared not answer casually. He quickly cupped his hands and replied, "I have never heard that person mention it, but that person has a woman with him who is extremely beautiful. I suppose she is not a concubine that an ordinary family can afford."

"Extremely beautiful? How beautiful? How old are you? What accessories are you wearing? What material are your clothes made of?" the constable asked again.

"She was as beautiful as a fairy, with skin as smooth as mutton fat, and her face seemed to glow. However, her accessories were rather shabby, with only a copper hairpin. Her clothes were made of cotton, but when she wore them, they looked like silk and gauze, exuding an ethereal aura," the shopkeeper immediately replied truthfully.

The constable frowned, unsure of what to do.

With his tall stature, magnificent horse, beautiful concubines, and his own rank of ninth grade, he looked every bit the part of a high-born nobleman, someone not to be trifled with.

But he was dressed simply and had no attendants.

What kind of logic is this?

"Perhaps there are taboos in the methods of cultivation? And some precepts must be observed?" the constable wondered to himself.

That's possible.

But if that's the case, why would he associate with the Jing family for some money? Was he really after those few coins?

One possibility is that he actually didn't have much money, or perhaps no status, and that Meiji and the horse were found.

However, the possibility is extremely small and can be completely ruled out.

So, the second possibility is that he actually knew about the conflict between the Jing family and the county magistrate, and deliberately went to help them.

But if that's the case, what's the reason for keeping the horse?

Warn?

Deterrence?

Or is there some other reason, such as him not realizing it at all?

The horse is very thin and is still fattening up, clearly having just come from a long journey. Is this related to the person's purpose?

There are quite a few suspicious points...

Hmm... but let's not alert them yet.

I'll report this information back to the county magistrate first; I shouldn't make any judgments on my own.

Thinking of this, the constable coughed lightly and said, "Then you should take good care of yourself. I won't disturb your business anymore. Remember to pay your taxes on time and don't delay."

The shopkeeper readily agreed and then respectfully saw the constable out of the shop.

Then, he let out a long sigh, but felt a little strange.

These constables usually don't do anything, why are they here today?