Three Treasures

Someone called out from behind him. Li Qi immediately turned around to look at the person.

But when he turned his head, he found it was a traveling merchant.

However, this merchant's backpack was different from the two merchant groups around him. It looked like he was traveling alone, just like Li Qi.

That was a bit strange.

Logically speaking, no one in this world would travel far alone.

After all, as mentioned before, this world was very dangerous.

But there were exceptions—people like Li Qi, who had killed and was on the run, or those forced to leave their homeland for some reason.

Yet Li Qi had never heard of a traveling merchant going solo.

Wasn't he afraid of death?

"Um... big brother." The merchant walked over and sat down beside Li Qi.

Li Qi was a little wary, but he didn't chase him away. He just sized him up. "Little brother, is there something you need?"

"Oh, it's like this. I saw you were traveling alone too, so... I came over to say hello." The merchant looked a bit nervous but still said this.

"So, I was thinking, since we're both on the road alone, why not travel together? We can look out for each other along the way." The young merchant said this.

"Travel together? Where are you headed?" Li Qi asked, while also assessing the other's physique.

Traveling alone was dangerous. Having a companion was indeed a good thing, but one must be wary of others. Being cautious was never wrong.

"I'm going to Bi County. What about you, big brother? I saw you coming from that direction too. There's only one road here, no forks. We should be on the same route until Feng County. From here to the nearest inhabited area, it's at least fifty li. At the very least, we can travel together for fifty li." The merchant said.

"Oh, right, big brother, what's your name? My surname is Du. Just call me A'Du." A'Du said this, then placed his tea and snacks on the table, set down his leather-covered backpack, and sat down.

"My name is Li Qi." Li Qi didn't hide his name, but he looked at A'Du and replied, "From what you're saying, you're very familiar with this road. Since you know it so well, why do you want to travel with me?"

A'Du gave a bitter smile. "It's precisely because I'm familiar that I want a companion. To be honest with you, big brother, this road isn't safe. Look at the other merchants around—none of them set out with fewer than ten people."

"If I weren't desperate for money, I wouldn't want to travel alone with goods either..." A'Du's expression was helpless as he said this to Li Qi.

That reason was solid enough, but Li Qi still didn't agree. He frowned slightly. "Not safe? What happened?"

At this, A'Du leaned in and lowered his voice. "There are demons and monsters on this road."

"Demons and monsters? Then people still dare to go?" Li Qi was startled.

Working at the docks, he had heard passing merchant guilds and canal gangs talk about demons and monsters more than once. In his impression, they were terrifying beings that could easily kill over a dozen people.

"Just rumors. It's probably not real demons and monsters, but beasts on the verge of becoming spirits. These kinds of creatures, when there are many people and strong Yang Energy, they get scared. So traveling in groups is safest. For people like us... we just have to take our chances."

"Sigh, if it weren't for the pressures of life, who would travel far alone?" A'Du sighed deeply. "Demons and monsters are scary, but there are things scarier than them."

Li Qi deeply agreed with that.

The Mighty Gang had tried to kill him twice in a single day. He had barely managed to fight back and was now on the run to lay low. Even if there were demons and monsters now, he had no intention of going back. That alone proved the truth of those words.

Seeing Li Qi nod slightly, as if agreeing with him, A'Du seized the opportunity and pressed on. "Besides, Brother Li, it's not just that I see you traveling alone and dangerous and want to keep you company. Look, you have strong blood and abundant Yang Energy. Those beasts that haven't become spirits yet are most afraid of people like you. And I have experience as a traveling merchant. If we team up, I guarantee nothing will go wrong!" A'Du was articulate, speaking smoothly.

Li Qi looked at him and felt he wasn't lying.

Besides, even if he was lying, as long as Li Qi didn't follow his route or let him lead the way, it should be fine.

And if there really were beasts on the verge of becoming spirits, having someone by his side would give him more security. The other was a traveling merchant familiar with the road, able to walk through the wilds—he must have some skills. If they encountered a demon, they wouldn't be completely helpless.

Moreover, in the worst-case scenario, he didn't need to outrun the demon—just outrun the other guy.

With that thought, Li Qi nodded. "In that case, let's travel together. I'm heading to Feng County. We can share the road for about two hundred li."

"Hehe, that's enough, that's enough. Once we reach Feng County, there'll be more people, plus the local shamans, the Demon Eradication Division, and the Garrison Commander. Few demons dare to act in places like that. The most dangerous part is the two hundred li in between—no one patrols it, the road is bad, and it's easy for demons and monsters to show up!" Having received a positive reply, A'Du relaxed and started joking around cheerfully.

"Brother Li, from the looks of it, you haven't traveled far before, right? Since we're drinking tea with nothing to do, how about I tell you some interesting stories about the road to pass the time?" A'Du, now seated, acted like an old friend.

But Li Qi, seeing the other's demeanor, immediately understood A'Du's intention.

A'Du spoke politely, even with a hint of flattery, but Li Qi was sharp. He knew this traveling merchant wanted to share some taboos and experiences of the road with him. It was just that, being unfamiliar, he was afraid Li Qi might take offense, so he phrased it this way instead.

This guy really knew how to handle people. No wonder he dared to find a traveling companion in the wild.

"Sure, I really don't go out much. Go ahead and tell me." Li Qi replied immediately, pushing his plate of rice cakes over to share with the other, signaling his acceptance.

A'Du didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up a rice cake, poured himself a cup of tea, and began.

"You see, when traveling as a merchant outside, you'll occasionally run into Mountain Spirits and Wild Monsters. But humans are different from them. Humans are the spiritual leaders of all things, born with the Three Innate Treasures—things these creatures can only dream of. So ordinary spirits and monsters wouldn't dare touch us."

The Three Innate Treasures. That term again. Li Qi pricked up his ears and listened carefully.

"The Three Innate Treasures are a person's Spirit, Qi, and Essence. Only beings born with innate intelligence have them. Creatures like demons, who cultivate intelligence later, can't obtain them!"

Qi!

Li Qi heard another familiar term.