Chapter 79: Learning
"Don't worry, I'm not blaming you. It's just that I recently heard some rumors," Li Qi said.
Having comforted Old Horse, he recounted the events of the past two days, focusing particularly on the matter involving the Song Kingdom general.
After finishing his story, Old Horse actually calmed down.
He neighed softly twice.
Then Shen Shuibei translated: "Old Horse says it wasn't him."
"What?" Li Qi was stunned.
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In the Great Deer Kingdom, in Lizhou, Yixian County, at Squire Wang's residence, Li Qi arrived alone to conduct further negotiations.
Li Qi cleared his throat twice: "Ahem, ahem, it seems there was a misunderstanding. So, I don't think you need to offer your blood to erase Old Horse's karmic ties."
After speaking, Li Qi glanced at Grandma Wang.
The fact that Old Horse wasn't Longju Liuying...
Did she know?
She must know, right?
She was a diviner, though not ranked.
But neither was Li Qi.
However, he already knew that even without ranking, Wu Zhu could possess various extraordinary abilities, so he dared not underestimate her.
As for Martial Dao...
It seemed other than fighting, there wasn't much else impressive about it.
But it was still quite formidable; Niu Li Shu gave him immense strength of six thousand jin, and after reaching Rank 9 in Martial Dao, he could easily lift stones weighing over twenty thousand jin with his bare hands. With Carp Flow Intent, his strength could temporarily double.
One could say they had different focuses; Martial Dao was purely about combat power, whereas Wu Zhu focused more on functionality, with combat as an auxiliary skill.
Regarding diviners, Li Qi had heard that although their combat power wasn't strong, they possessed many bizarre techniques. Thus, he did not dare to underestimate Grandma Wang.
Therefore, Li Qi said: "Elderly lady, since you don't need to sacrifice your blood to erase Old Horse's karmic ties, can I change the form of payment?"
Upon hearing this, Grandma Wang nodded immediately and said: "Of course, Elder Brother, please state your request, and I will do my best to fulfill it."
"It's not anything strange. I just want to know how you located us? That's why I was tricked by you," Li Qi asked.
Upon hearing the word "tricked," Grandma Wang became visibly nervous.
Addressing the topic, Li Qi's expression turned serious: "Forgive me for being blunt, Elderly Lady. As someone bearing the responsibility of a Grand Wu, if your explanation isn't satisfactory, even though I resolved the conflict between humans and ghosts, saving you from the malevolent spirit, if you can't explain clearly, I might have to silence you."
Grandma Wang stiffened upon hearing the term "Grand Wu."
For those from Wu Deity Mountain, the terms "Grand Wu" and "Grand Diviner" were undoubtedly oppressive.
She immediately bowed: "This foolish old woman deserves death... previously, I concealed things, hoping Elder Brother would forgive me..."
"I know you concealed things, but everyone has their difficulties. I won't press you on past matters. I just hope you tell me how you located me," Li Qi waved his hand, seemingly relaxed, but his eyes remained fixed on Grandma Wang.
Grandma Wang, solemn and fearful, knelt directly: "Elder Brother, I am indeed a foolish old woman but would never dare to delay the affairs of a Grand Wu. Actually... I didn't know Elder Brother's whereabouts at all."
"Elder Brother's cultivation is profound; my divination couldn't locate you. So... this foolish old woman used a clumsy method."
"It's not difficult. Those gold pieces... I merely performed a small trick, giving them form but no substance, unable to frame anyone. But if someone from Wu Deity Mountain or someone knowledgeable saw them, they might suspect the gold carried a curse, leading them to seek out Elder Brother... I've distributed thirty-five such pieces of gold." Grandma Wang explained.
"As long as I saw someone from the wilderness who could fight beasts alone or showed unusual signs, I had my son give them one..." the old woman touched her forehead to the ground, explaining cautiously.
Li Qi, after listening, looked up, speechless.
Damn, he underestimated the heroes of the world.
Who would have thought that a blind old woman in a small county town would have such a fishing tactic.
But indeed, it made sense.
His heart ached...
That piece of gold was worth a thousand coins.
"Then, how did you confirm my Longju and my whereabouts? Even answering about the military knife?" Li Qi asked again.
"Not hiding from Elder Brother, in Wu Deity Mountain, I learned a technique called 'Mirror Flower Water Moon,' allowing me to secretly observe Elder Brother from afar... then seeing the martial energy on the long knife, I guessed some things and deceived Elder Brother... unexpectedly hitting the mark... regarding the military knife, it was true, and Longju Liuying was also real..." Grandma Wang explained.
Li Qi truly didn't know what to say now.
Li Qi took note of this incident as a learning experience.
Well, learn from mistakes, consider it a lesson.
However, he didn't plan to hold her accountable, simply telling Grandma Wang: "... Alright then, I'll leave this knife with you to erase its karmic traces. I'll help your family resolve the final matters, and then your Wang family will be safe."
"Thank you, Elder Brother!" Grandma Wang repeatedly kowtowed.
Li Qi didn't stop her, leaving the long knife for her to perform her ritual. He completed the final sacrificial ceremony, offering five offerings and clear water, thus honoring yin energy.
Five offerings referred to five types of finely sliced cold meat dishes.
Clear water was water blessed by Wu Zhu, nourished by the qi within their body.
Performing the ritual, he simultaneously drew out the energy from the tomb, receiving the ghost's blessing, and sealed the tomb once more.
After completing everything, the karmic traces on the long knife were erased.
Li Qi didn't let Grandma Wang die but still took twenty gold pieces from the Wang family.
Then, without staying, he bought some provisions, mounted Old Horse, and set off without delay.
On the road, Shen Shuibei tightly hugged his waist to avoid falling off. During Old Horse's swift gallop, she suddenly asked: "Li Qi, is this really it? It doesn't seem like you."
"Why does it not seem like me?" Li Qi countered.
"Well, I always felt that to eliminate any risk, you'd directly silence her and then leave," Shen Shuibei said.
Hearing this, Li Qi laughed heartily.
"If I were still the Li Qi who just left Lizhou City, I would have unhesitatingly silenced her to prevent any possible risks," Li Qi explained to Shen Shuibei.
"But times have changed," Li Qi's voice suddenly lowered.
"I'm not an executioner or a desperado. I'm now a seeker of the Dao, aiming to climb the path, see more scenery, rather than living cautiously like a rat!" Li Qi raised his head confidently.
"Oh, Li Qi, do you think they pose no threat?" Shen Shuibei tilted her head in response.
"Cough, cough, saying that makes me sound...," Li Qi felt a bit embarrassed.
"Not saying you're arrogant," Shen Shuibei counted on her fingers: "Isn't this about your true intentions? You probably didn't want to kill, so you'd rather bear some risks, right?"