Li Zhi

"Ring, ring, ring!!" The sharp sound of the bell suddenly interrupted the chanting, and everyone present winced, covering their ears in pain.

As the bell sound gradually weakened, Li Huowang had already positioned his sword against the man's neck.

"Heh heh, Daoist, what are you doing?" The man, with the sharp sword pressed against his neck, remained calm, showing no signs of fear.

"What am I doing? I should be asking you that! What kind of god are you summoning?" Li Huowang growled.

The blade, slightly pressing, drew a thin line of blood.

Li Huowang was certain of one thing — no matter what god this man was summoning, it definitely wasn't anything good. He hadn't encountered anything decent in this forsaken place yet.

Realizing he had been misunderstood, the man froze for a moment, then let out a laugh.

"Daoist, you're not from around here, are you? I haven't summoned any gods, I didn't even strike my drum. Can't summon a god like that. I was just proving that I am a spirit medium, that's all."

At this point, Xiao Man stepped forward and whispered, "Yes, that's true. A spirit medium really needs to strike the drum."

Li Huowang, now focusing on the colorful drum hanging from the man's waist, lowered his guard a little and slowly withdrew his sword.

"Friend, don't joke like this in the middle of the night. It could easily be misunderstood. You should leave now."

The man looked Li Huowang up and down, noting the wary expression. He nodded awkwardly and then turned to leave. "Alright then. I'm Li Zhi. Until we meet again. Goose, let's go."

After saying that, without another word, he led the woman with the red veil over her face and walked down the dark path into the forest.

Once they had disappeared completely, Li Huowang turned to the others and said, "Don't sleep tonight. Stay alert, just in case that guy hasn't really left."

There was no telling what that man's true intentions were, especially when he had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

With some murmurs of agreement, the group gathered around the campfire, each holding their weapon. Li Huowang grabbed a dry piece of wood, tossing it into the fire. The glowing flames illuminated their tense faces.

The long night passed slowly, and aside from everyone looking haggard, nothing else occurred.

"Let's rest this morning and continue our journey. Gouwa, keep watch," Li Huowang said before slowly closing his eyes.

How long he slept, Li Huowang didn't know, but he was gently shaken awake. "Li Shixiong, that man is back."

"What?" The news instantly snapped Li Huowang awake. When he turned to look, he saw Li Zhi from last night, smiling, standing not far away with the same woman with the red veil.

"I thought about it all night, and I've come to understand. I must have scared you last night, right? I apologize, really," Li Zhi said, his voice full of a strange, easygoing charm.

The sunlight filtered through the branches, casting light on Li Zhi's slightly darkened face, making the mole on his cheek stand out.

If it weren't for the colorful drum around his waist, he could easily be mistaken for a hardworking farmer.

Under the bright sun, Li Zhi looked far less threatening than he had in the dark of the night before.

Li Huowang, his thoughts racing, quickly composed himself and bowed his head. "Li Zhi, you're too kind. I was rash yesterday, please forgive me."

No matter the man's real intention, now that a spirit medium was right in front of him, Li Huowang felt it would be unwise not to pry some information out of him.

"I heard this young lady say you share the same surname as me, Daoist? What a coincidence, I'm also Li. Perhaps we're distant relatives from five hundred years ago," Li Zhi continued, speaking casually as if they had known each other for ages.

Li Huowang, his guard still up, responded, "Li Zhi, where are you headed?"

"Ah, my grandmother, Black Third, is about to celebrate her birthday. So, I'm on my way to send my congratulations," Li Zhi said, his tone casual and friendly.

"To celebrate a birthday?" Li Huowang thought to himself, So, it seems spirit mediums like him aren't entirely detached from worldly concerns like monks or Daoists.

"What about you, Daoist? Why the large group of people?" Li Zhi asked, his eyes glinting as he glanced at Li Huowang's bloodstained Daoist robe.

"We're headed to Liangguo," Li Huowang replied succinctly.

"Ah, that's quite a long journey. You'll have quite the rough time," Li Zhi said with a grin.

After some small talk, the atmosphere between them grew less tense, at least for the moment.

The donkey cart wheels creaked to life, and Li Zhi, with his red-embroidered shoes, walked alongside the group.

"Not far ahead is Ban Yue Gou, there's a village there. You can rest for a few days, but once you leave there, it's at least another fifteen days until you reach a place with accommodations. You know how it is out here, sparsely populated," Li Zhi said as though he were an old friend, offering helpful advice.

"Thanks for the advice, Li Zhi. Since you're a spirit medium, which god do you serve at home?" Li Huowang asked, diving straight into the question.

Hearing this, Li Zhi and the woman with the red veil both subtly raised their heads.

"Heh, I'm a disciple of the Bei family. Since you asked, I won't be coy. How about you, Daoist? What sect do you belong to?" Li Zhi replied.

"Xishan Donghua Sect, Qingfeng Temple, Xuan Yang," Li Huowang quickly answered, using the same story he had used when dealing with Dan Yangzi.

He wasn't sure which sect Qingfeng Temple belonged to, but at least using this name would make others think he was a legitimate practitioner, rather than some fake Daoist.

Li Zhi shook his head with a smile. "Heh, I've never heard of it. But then again, the world is so big, not everyone knows everything."

Li Zhi's easygoing nature and constant smile made him oddly likable, and even in his presence, Li Huowang felt the mood lighten a little.

After walking for a while, it was time for lunch. Once again, they set up their makeshift stove and cooked noodles. The river nearby was wide enough to make things easier.

Li Zhi didn't pull anything out of his small bundle, but just squatted nearby, watching the others, which made Li Huowang's group feel a little uneasy.

"Li Zhi, would you like some?" Li Huowang asked.

"Oh, that'd be great! I didn't eat all day yesterday," Li Zhi said eagerly, rushing over to grab a bowl.

A bowl after bowl, Li Zhi kept eating, making Bai Lingmiao frown.

"Li Shixiong, he's eaten nearly three pounds already... How can he eat so much? Could it be that he's been hanging around us all this time just to get a free meal?"

Everyone watched as the last noodle disappeared into Li Zhi's mouth. He showed no shame as he squatted under a tree and continued slurping down the broth.

Li Huowang walked over and, imitating Li Zhi, also squatted down next to him. "Are you full now? Want me to cook more?"

"Ah, no, no need, that'd be too much... But I really haven't had enough," Li Zhi replied with a grin as he took another large gulp of soup.

"Alright then, I'll cook two more pounds of noodles!" Li Huowang called out to the pot.

"How come you're eating all of it? Where's your wife? Isn't she hungry?" Li Huowang glanced at the woman with the red veil. He noticed her nails were unusually dark and long.

"I'm the god, she's the second god. I'm the one eating, it's enough," Li Zhi said matter-of-factly.

"Oh? Why is that?"

Li Zhi paused in his slurping and wiped his mouth with his elbow. With a smile, he said, "Heh, Daoist, asking so many questions. Are you trying to recruit me?"