Chapter 32: War
Shen Shuibi was directly pulled out from behind Mister Zhu and stood before Li Qi.
"It's you!?" she exclaimed in surprise after clearly seeing Li Qi's face, even forgetting her previous adamant refusal to come out.
Shen Shuibi's eyes turned red!
She knew it! These Baiyue shamans must have a scheme within a scheme!
When she had encountered this little shaman earlier, she should have realized that a big shaman would follow immediately.
Now, she was trapped!
However… fortunately, the Wushen Mountain probably… perhaps… had no ill intent.
Otherwise, according to what they said, they would have just captured her and used her for sacrifice and divination, without needing her to lead them to the Lady.
But…
She couldn't trust them easily!
The rabbit demon's mind was filled with anger. She made up her mind: she absolutely couldn't trust these shamans. They had tricked her once, and they would certainly have more bad ideas later!
She was the Lady's rabbit, and everything she did had to be for the Lady's sake. She couldn't believe their one-sided claims.
Thinking this, Shen Shuibi glared at Li Qi and Mister Zhu, her face full of vigilance.
As for Li Qi, he paid no attention to Shen Shuibi. Although he recognized the foolish demon he had encountered before, ultimately, Mister Zhu was in charge here.
So he immediately bowed: "Young Master, is my task to follow this envoy to meet Lady Luofu?"
"That's right." Mister Zhu nodded. "You two should know the ins and outs of this already, and I've told you my purpose. I cannot personally go to Lady Luofu, and I even have to deliberately avoid her. After all, a startled bird should not be lightly disturbed," Mister Zhu said.
Li Qi stood with his head bowed, eyes fixed on his nose, pretending not to hear the last part.
"The Lady is not a startled bird!" Shen Shuibi immediately retorted.
However, Mister Zhu couldn't be bothered to respond to her.
Shen Shuibi's few words earlier had nearly infuriated him to death. It was better to speak less with those who lacked common sense.
After all, the Li Qi before him could surely deduce the specific situation of the Great Lu Kingdom from these clues, and perhaps even… guess that a war was imminent. Yet, he remained silent, only speaking pleasantries. Although there was a suspicion of flattery and lack of straightforwardness, at least he wasn't infuriating.
Thinking of this, Mister Zhu suddenly felt a flicker of interest.
"Li Qi," he called out.
Li Qi, who had been playing dead, immediately bowed: "Your student is here!"
He had quickly adjusted his self-address, showing great quick-wittedness. The stark contrast between his previous feigned lifelessness and his sudden responsiveness even startled Shen Shuibi.
The rabbit hopped on the spot, then glared fiercely at Li Qi, as if blaming him for scaring her.
"There are likely many major events happening in the vicinity of the Great Lu Kingdom. Besides what you've already stated, what else have you inferred? Speak, and if you are correct, I will reward you," Mister Zhu said.
Li Qi nodded, understanding in his heart that this was a test.
Although this Mister Zhu had likely been watching him all along and had already tested him upon his arrival, Li Qi must have been deemed qualified for him to appear and promise benefits, asking him to perform this task.
This current question was probably a sudden thought, perhaps something specific he had considered, and he was even offering a reward.
Hmm… putting aside the purpose, this Mister Zhu was indeed as he claimed, inherently kind… asking a question and even giving a reward.
Nevertheless, he immediately started his mind, pondering what major event would warrant this esteemed figure specifically asking him.
For him to call it a major event, it must truly be significant, but it couldn't be an unexpected occurrence, like the emergence of a rare treasure, as that would be impossible.
Because he would have no way of knowing about such things, and asking Li Qi would be useless.
Therefore, there must be signs, something in the common folk, a major event that he might know about, or even have unknowingly participated in… and this major event must be related to the conflict between the Tang Dynasty and Wushen Mountain.
What kind of major event could this be?
There wouldn't be many. A major event requiring the participation of the common people, that Li Qi could foresee, involved only two things.
The great affairs of a nation are only sacrifice and warfare!
Sacrifice had nothing to do with 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, which clearly wouldn't be considered a major event in Mister Zhu's eyes.
So… only warfare remained.
Military affairs, war, only these could be considered major events.
And if it was related to him…
Li Qi pondered in his mind, and soon, he thought of a clue.
Lu Shan, Big Strong Shan! The leader of the Strong-Force Gang, he had said that he was a deserter from the Song Kingdom! (See Chapter 12)
The Song Kingdom bordered the Great Lu Kingdom and was further north. It was highly likely that it also bordered the Tang Dynasty. Moreover, Big Strong Shan had also mentioned that he had fled when the Song Kingdom was being attacked by the Tang Dynasty.
The answer was then obvious. Li Qi immediately replied, "I guess, what Young Master is referring to should be the war between the Tang Dynasty and the Song Kingdom?"
"Correct." Mister Zhu nodded with satisfaction. "With your cleverness, I'm not worried about you suffering losses on your journey to meet Lady Luofu."
"However, you were able to guess this, likely due to clues and hints from the Strong-Force Gang. Now, think again, why would I have sought out the Strong-Force Gang?"
Li Qi had considered this question when he figured out the previous answer, so he didn't hesitate: "Perhaps… Young Master intended to use the Strong-Force Gang as a sacrifice from the very beginning?"
"Not so, not so. A sacrificial offering is a precious thing in ritual, not to be misused. How could a mere soldier from the Song Kingdom be worthy of the word 'sacrifice'? As a ritual priest, you must pay attention to your choice of words in the future. Sacrifice is the means to communicate with heaven, earth, ghosts, and spirits; it must not be treated lightly," Mister Zhu reminded him.
However, he also understood Li Qi's meaning, so he added, "But your conjecture is correct. A deserter from the Song Kingdom, someone who chose to abandon their nation and flee their friends in the face of the Tang Dynasty's attack, this crime deserves execution. However, before executing him, I can also use him to lure out the outsider people I need."
As Mister Zhu said this, he glanced at Li Qi.
Li Qi immediately bowed his head.
Sure enough, Mister Zhu said he was inherently kind, but he never said he wouldn't kill or scheme…
It was better to be cautious with this new boss.
"Alright, let's not dwell on these matters. Since you've answered correctly again, I shall give you a benefit to provide you with more assurance on your journey." With that, Mister Zhu took a willow branch from his sleeve.
He said, "You are going on a long journey to find Lady Luofu. It's inconvenient for me to accompany you, so allow me to present you with a willow branch as a farewell gift."
Li Qi didn't find it appropriate to ask what it was, but he knew there was indeed the idiom of breaking a willow branch as a farewell gift. Besides, this was a reward for answering correctly, so he didn't decline. He stepped forward, took the willow branch, expressed his gratitude, and then resumed playing dead, saying nothing more.
"I've tested you a few times, and you've passed them all. So, the task is now yours. Do well." Mister Zhu patted Li Qi's shoulder, then disappeared from the spot.
Leaving Shen Shuibi and Li Qi staring wide-eyed at each other.
(Chapter End)