War

Shen Shuibi was yanked out from behind by Young Master Zhu and then stood before Li Qi.

"It's you!?" she exclaimed in surprise upon clearly seeing Li Qi's face, even forgetting her earlier reluctance to come out at all costs.

Shen Shuibi's eyes reddened!

She knew it, these Baiyue shamans were definitely one scheme after another!

When she first met this young shaman, she should have realized a senior shaman would follow soon.

Now, she had fallen right into their trap!

It's just... fortunately, Wushen Mountain seems to have no ill intentions, maybe... perhaps... probably.

Otherwise, as they said, they could have just captured her to be a sacrificial offering for divination, there would be no need for her to lead them to find Lady.

But...

She couldn't trust them easily!

The Rabbit Demon's mind was filled with anger. She was determined not to trust these shamans. They had schemed against her once, and they would surely have more bad ideas later!

She was Lady's rabbit, and everything she did had to be for Lady's sake. She couldn't just believe their words.

With that thought, Shen Shuibi glared at Li Qi and Young Master Zhu, her face full of wariness.

As for Li Qi, he paid no attention to Shen Shuibi. Although he recognized her as the foolish demon he had encountered before, ultimately, Young Master Zhu was in charge here.

So, he immediately bowed, "Young Master, my mission is to follow this envoy to meet Lady Luofu?"

"That's right," Young Master Zhu nodded. "You both know the cause and effect. I've also told you the objective. I cannot go to Lady Luofu myself; in fact, I must deliberately hide. After all, a startled bird shouldn't be easily disturbed," Young Master Zhu said.

Li Qi stood below, head bowed, eyes focused on his nose, as if he hadn't heard anything.

"Lady is not a startled bird!" Shen Shuibi immediately retorted.

But Young Master Zhu couldn't be bothered to reply.

Shen Shuibi's few words earlier had almost made him furious. It was better to talk less with people who lacked common sense.

After all, Li Qi in front of him could definitely deduce the specific situation of the Great Deer Kingdom from these clues, and perhaps even guess that a war was happening. Yet, he remained silent, only saying pleasantries. While it might be considered sycophantic and insincere, at least it wasn't infuriating.

Thinking of this, Young Master Zhu suddenly felt a spark of interest.

"Li Qi," he called out.

Li Qi, who had been pretending to be dead, immediately bowed. "Your student is here!"

He had quickly adjusted his self-address, showing great cleverness. The drastic contrast between his pretense of death and his current demeanor even startled Shen Shuibi.

The rabbit jumped slightly, then glared fiercely at Li Qi, as if blaming him for scaring her.

"Many major events are likely to occur in the vicinity of the Great Deer Kingdom. Besides what you've already mentioned, are there any other things you've inferred? Speak them. If you guess correctly, I will reward you," Young Master Zhu said.

Li Qi nodded, understanding that this was a test.

Although this Young Master Zhu had likely been monitoring him all along, and had tested him when he arrived, making him qualified before appearing and promising him benefits to do his bidding.

This question was probably a sudden thought that popped into his mind. He must have thought of something specific, and he was even offering a reward.

Well... setting aside the objective, this Young Master Zhu was truly kind-hearted, just as he said himself... giving rewards for asking questions.

However, he immediately put his mind to work, pondering what major events would warrant this influential figure specifically asking him.

If he called it a major event, it must truly be a major event, but it couldn't be an accidental occurrence, like the appearance of rare natural treasures.

Because he would have no way of knowing about such things, and asking Li Qi would be useless.

Therefore, there must be signs, in the common folk, that he might know about, or even have inadvertently participated in... and this major event must be related to the conflict between the Tang Kingdom and Wushen Mountain.

What could such a major event be?

There wouldn't be many, and it would require the participation of the common folk. The major events Li Qi could foresee were only two.

The major affairs of a nation are only sacrifice and war!

Sacrifice was irrelevant to the former Li Qi, and it was also the business of the shamans. The biggest sacrifice Li Qi had participated in was the River Opening ceremony, and it was clear that such things were not considered major events by Young Master Zhu.

So... only war remained.

Military affairs, war, these would be considered major events.

And if it was related to him...

Li Qi pondered in his mind and soon thought of a clue.

Lu Shan, Shan Dazhuang! The leader of the Mighty Gang, he had said he was a deserter from the Song Kingdom! (See Chapter 12)

The Song Kingdom bordered the Great Deer Kingdom and was further north, likely bordering the Tang Kingdom. Moreover, Shan Dazhuang had also said that the Song Kingdom was attacked by the Tang Kingdom at that time, which was why he fled.

So the answer was obvious. Li Qi immediately replied, "I guess, Young Master, you are referring to the war between the Tang Kingdom and the Song Kingdom?"

"Correct," Young Master Zhu nodded with satisfaction. "With your intelligence, I have no worries about your journey to meet Lady Luofu."

"However, for you to guess this, you must have received clues and hints from the Mighty Gang. Now, think again, why would I find the Mighty Gang?"

Li Qi had already figured this out while thinking about the previous answer, so he didn't hesitate. "I'm afraid... Young Master intended to use the Mighty Gang as sacrifices from the beginning, didn't you?"

"Not so, not so. Sacrifices are precious offerings for rituals and cannot be used carelessly. How can a mere soldier from the Song Kingdom be worthy of the word 'sacrifice'? As a shaman, you must pay attention to your wording in the future. Rituals are the way to communicate with heaven, earth, spirits, and gods, and must not be treated lightly," Young Master Zhu reminded him.

However, he also understood Li Qi's meaning, so he continued, "But your guess is correct. The deserter from the Song Kingdom, who chose to abandon the country and flee when faced with the Tang Kingdom's attack, abandoning his friends, deserves to be executed. However, before executing him, I can also use him to lure the Outer Way individuals I need."

Young Master Zhu glanced at Li Qi as he finished speaking.

Li Qi immediately lowered his head and bowed.

As expected, Young Master Zhu said he was pure and kind by nature, but he never said he wouldn't kill or scheme...

It was better to be cautious with this new boss of his.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Since you answered correctly again, I'll give you a reward to ensure your journey is a bit safer," Young Master Zhu said, taking out a willow branch from his sleeve.

He continued, "You're going on a long journey to find Lady Luofu, and it's not convenient for me to accompany you. So, I'll give you this piece of willow branch to see you off."

Li Qi didn't dare to ask what it was, but he knew there was indeed a tradition of breaking off a willow branch to bid farewell. Besides, this was the reward for answering his questions correctly, so he didn't refuse. He stepped forward, accepted the willow branch, thanked him, and then continued to play dead, remaining silent.

"I've tested you a few times, and you've passed each one. Therefore, I'll assign you the mission. Do a good job," Young Master Zhu said, patting Li Qi's shoulder before disappearing from his spot.

This left Shen Shuibi and Li Qi staring at each other.