Chapter 15: The Three Treasures
Someone called out from behind.
Li Qi immediately turned around to look and saw a traveling merchant.
But the merchant’s pack basket was unlike those carried by the nearby trade caravans. He seemed, like Li Qi, to be traveling alone.
That was rather strange.
Logically, no one in this world would venture far afield by themselves.
After all, it had already been said, this world was a dangerous one.
There were exceptions, of course. People like Li Qi, fugitives with blood on their hands, or those forced to leave their homes by circumstance.
But Li Qi had never heard of a merchant traveling alone.
Was he not afraid of dying?
"Um... Brother, over here," the merchant approached and sat down beside Li Qi.
Li Qi became slightly alert, but didn’t shoo him away. He merely sized him up. “Little brother, what is it?”
“Well, it’s like this... I saw that you were also traveling alone, so I thought I’d come over and say hello.” The merchant seemed a bit nervous, but still spoke up.
“So I was thinking, since we’re both traveling alone, why not team up? We can look out for each other on the road.” The young merchant offered.
“Travel together? Where are you headed?” Li Qi asked, while also discreetly observing the man's build.
Traveling alone was dangerous. It was indeed a good thing to find someone to journey with, but one could never be too careful.
“I’m headed to Bi County. What about you, brother? You seem to have come from that direction. There’s only one road through here, no forks or splits. We should be going the same way up until Feng County. From here to the next sign of civilization is at least fifty li, so we can share that stretch at the very least,” the merchant explained.
“Oh, right. What’s your name, brother? I’m Du, just call me A’Du,” he said, placing his tea and snacks on the table, and lowering his leather-covered pack basket as he sat down.
“I’m Li Qi.” Li Qi didn’t bother hiding his name. He looked at A’Du and asked, “From the way you speak, you seem very familiar with this route. If you know it so well, why travel with someone like me?”
A’Du gave a wry smile. “It’s precisely because I’m familiar that I want a companion. Brother, I won’t hide it, this road isn’t peaceful. Look around. Which of these merchant groups isn’t traveling with ten or more people?”
“If I wasn’t forced to, in urgent need of money, I wouldn’t be heading out with goods all by myself either…” A’Du said with a helpless expression.
It was a valid reason, but Li Qi still didn’t agree right away. He frowned slightly. “Not peaceful? Something happened?”
At that, A’Du leaned in and lowered his voice: “There are monsters haunting this road.”
“Monsters? Then who dares travel it?” Li Qi was startled.
Working at the docks, he’d heard passing merchant guilds and canal crews speak of monsters more than once. In his mind, monsters were terrifying beings that could slaughter a dozen men with ease.
“It’s just a rumor. They’re probably not true monsters, but wild beasts on the verge of becoming spirits. Beasts like that, when not yet fully transformed, are frightened off by the presence of many people, by strong yang energy. So it’s safest to travel in groups. As for people like us… we can only take our chances,” A’Du sighed.
“If not for hardship, who would travel alone…” He sighed again. “Monsters are terrifying, sure but there are far more terrifying things than monsters.”
To this, Li Qi could deeply relate.
The Strong-Force Gang had tried to kill him twice in a single day. He’d barely managed to kill his way out and now had to flee for his life. Even if there were monsters ahead, he had no thought of turning back, this alone proved the truth of A’Du’s words.
Seeing Li Qi nod slightly, seeming to agree, A’Du immediately followed up: “And Brother Li, I didn’t just want to team up because you’re traveling alone and it’s dangerous. You see, your blood and qi are vigorous, your yang energy is strong. Those nearly-spiritual beasts are most afraid of people like you. As for me, I’ve got the experience of a merchant. If we combine forces, I promise there won’t be any trouble!”
A’Du spoke smoothly and convincingly.
Li Qi studied him. He didn’t seem to be lying.
Even if he were, as long as Li Qi didn’t follow his lead or let him guide the way, there shouldn’t be a problem.
Besides, if there really were semi-spiritual beasts lurking about, having someone beside him would bring a measure of safety. As a traveling merchant used to walking the wild roads, A’Du must have some ability. If they met danger, at least he wouldn’t be a burden.
And in the worst-case scenario… he wouldn’t need to outrun the monster, just A’Du.
Having thought it through, Li Qi nodded. “In that case, let’s travel together. I’m headed to Feng County. Should be about two hundred li from here.”
“Heh, perfect! Once we reach Feng County, the place is bustling with people, exorcists, local shamans, even the governmental demon-subjugation division. No monster would dare stir up trouble in such a place. The most dangerous part is this two-hundred-li stretch in between, no oversight, broken roads, perfect for monsters and spirits to roam!” A’Du visibly relaxed after receiving confirmation, and began to chatter cheerfully.
“Brother Li, judging from your look, you haven’t been far from home before, have you? We’ve got time while drinking tea. How about I share a few road tales to pass the time?” A’Du said, acting like an old acquaintance already.
But Li Qi instantly understood what A’Du truly meant.
Though he spoke politely and with a touch of flattery, Li Qi was no fool. He knew the merchant just wanted to pass along some road customs and survival tips, he was simply afraid that being too direct might offend him, so he’d wrapped it in humor.
This man was quite tactful, no wonder he had the guts to find a partner in the wilderness.
“Sure. I don’t get out much anyway. Let’s hear it.” Li Qi responded promptly, then moved his own plate of rice cakes next to A’Du’s, signaling they’d share the food.
That was as good as saying yes.
A’Du didn’t stand on ceremony. He picked up a rice cake and poured himself a cup of tea, then began to speak.
“When traveling as a merchant, you’ll run into mountain spirits and wild beasts from time to time. But people are different from those things. Humans are the spirit of all creation, we are born with the three innate treasures. That’s something spirits and beasts can’t obtain no matter how they try. So, ordinary spirits wouldn’t dare lay hands on us.”
The Three Innate Treasures, there was that phrase again. Li Qi perked up and listened carefully.
“The Three Innate Treasures are our Spirit, Qi, and Essence. Only those born with true spiritual intelligence possess them. Demons and beasts that acquire sentience later in life can never obtain these treasures!”
Qi!
Li Qi heard that familiar term again.
(Chapter End)