The Test

"You're going to let me go?" Shen Shuibi looked at Young Master Zhu in surprise.

"I'm not letting you go. I'm having you take my messenger to find Lady Luofu and tell her that Wushen Mountain is willing to accept her and will also shield her from the pressure from the Tang Kingdom," Young Master Zhu said.

"I see... But I still have a question, this Great Diviner..." Shen Shuibi paused, "I heard that the original Baiyue people all wore animal skins, right? Why are you all wearing Tang Kingdom cloth clothes now, and the latest styles at that?"

This time, however, she didn't get an answer. Young Master Zhu's expression changed, and he angrily waved his sleeve.

With a thump! Shen Shuibi felt as if her head had been hit by a sledgehammer!

Then, she felt her soul being forcibly ripped from her body. Everything in front of her blurred, and she was uncontrollably falling downwards. She lost her physical form and became a spirit.

An indescribable howling surrounded her. The wooden floor and walls offered no obstruction.

Then, it was as if a rope had bound her and yanked her back.

A blur of strange scenery rushed past her eyes. Everything in the world seemed distorted.

Then, she saw Avici Hell.

Emerging from the Burning Thirst Prison, five hundred yojana deep, the beings of hell ran to and fro, the hellfire fiercely pressing against them, boiling their bodies, scalding and cooking them. Countless people wailed in indescribable pain.

However, these illusions didn't last long. Soon, she was yanked back into her body.

She was still shaken, unable to describe the feeling.

Shen Shuibi clutched her chest, feeling a wave of nausea.

"I've carved a mark on your soul that only my Wushen Mountain lineage knows. This mark is also a letter, containing what I want to say to Lady Luofu."

"This thing doesn't have tracking capabilities, so you can rest assured. After all, if I wanted to find Lady Luofu, I could just take you back and use you as a sacrifice to perform a divination with the Great Diviner," Young Master Zhu explained to Shen Shuibi patiently, though his expression was not good.

"And my messenger is that one." Young Master Zhu walked to the window and pointed at Li Qi below.

Then, ignoring Shen Shuibi, he flickered and suddenly vanished from his spot.

Leaving the Rabbit Demon standing there, utterly bewildered.

Li Qi was sleeping soundly.

Honestly, he hadn't slept this soundly in a long time. After all, he had eaten his fill, and when he was full and satisfied, sleeping was incredibly comfortable.

Besides, he had been up for two days and a night before, and most of that time he had been sprinting on mountain roads. He was utterly exhausted, so being able to rest properly now was the best thing ever.

After all, no one could run a marathon for two days and a night and not sleep soundly.

However, as he slept, he suddenly felt someone beside him.

Almost instantly, Li Qi rolled over and got up!

He still had nine hundred and ninety-two Great Deer Wuzhu Coins on him! He didn't dare to sleep too deeply, even while sleeping.

But after getting up, he looked over and almost fell to the ground, narrowly avoiding a major tumble.

Because the person who appeared before him was the young scholar he had seen at the Mighty Gang before!

"Shh, don't shout. It's late at night, shouting disturbs the neighbors and will attract others," Young Master Zhu said, placing a finger to his lips.

Li Qi was still shaken but quickly calmed down.

This young scholar could bestow sorcery with a casual gesture, and now he had appeared before him silently...

He had no ability to resist this person, so there was no point in struggling.

Besides, him appearing beside him in the middle of the night couldn't be because he had nothing better to do. He must have a purpose, a plan involving him.

What could a poor boat-puller like himself have that such a powerful figure would covet?

For someone like him, the only things that would truly pique his interest... would likely be items and people of the Outer Way, right?

At this thought, Li Qi's hair stood on end, but he dared not move an inch. He simply stood there, awkwardly but vigilantly.

Although he knew that vigilance was useless.

However, since this person hadn't killed or abducted him the moment they appeared, it meant he still had some value for conversation. To gain the upper hand in the conversation... he needed to understand what this person wanted from him or what he needed him to do. Then... even if he didn't foolishly try to haggle, he could at least gain something.

At the very least... don't let this big shot develop a killing intent towards him, right?

Li Qi thought helplessly.

"My surname is Zhu, you can call me Young Master Zhu," the young scholar introduced himself to Li Qi.

Li Qi immediately bowed: "This humble one greets Young Master Zhu. Young Master Zhu seeking this humble one so late at night must have important matters. This humble one will certainly not refuse and is willing to serve Young Master Zhu diligently, offering my meager strength!"

"Tch, you're quite a smart one. Much more pleasant to listen to than that uncooperative woman from before," Young Master Zhu chuckled. His previously gloomy expression had recovered somewhat. "You guessed right. I am indeed here to give you something to do, but before that, I have one more thing to tell you."

"Do you know, you're about to die," Young Master Zhu said, clapping his hands with a smile.

Li Qi's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly relaxed.

Since the other party mentioned he was about to die, it was likely that some unknown crisis was indeed approaching, and he was in real mortal danger.

However, Young Master Zhu had just admitted he had something to entrust to him, and now he brought up the fact that he was about to die. Clearly, this important figure was prepared to resolve this matter, and he would likely have Li Qi repay this favor by diligently completing the task he was about to assign.

Li Qi immediately cooperated, lowering his head and bowing: "Young Master! This humble one's life is cheap and not worth regretting, but I fear it may delay the important matter Young Master wishes to entrust to this humble one..."

Young Master Zhu nodded with satisfaction: "Although I know you're not entirely sincere, it at least proves you're a smart person. Do you know that I orchestrated the events at the Mighty Gang? And the target was items and people of the Outer Way. Do you know why I did that?"

"Although the matter was sudden, it is of great importance. This humble one has been troubled and has thought day and night, managing to come up with some ideas... However, Young Master's ambitions are too grand. This humble one is like an ant entering a vast mountain. Although I can glimpse the rocks and trees, I cannot see the full picture of the mountain..." Li Qi said respectfully, though he seemed hesitant to speak further.

"I believe you have the ability to see the whole picture by observing a single detail. How about I give you a few clues, and you can deduce things yourself? If you can't do that, it will be difficult for me to entrust this matter to you," Young Master Zhu said.