Chapter 103: Ambush

It was the next day, and they were resting during their journey.

Li Qi seized the opportunity to practice his cultivation in a small way, not expending too much stamina, but slowly digesting some water Qi, while also dedicating some attention to reading.

Meanwhile, Shen Shuibi was bullying squirrels.

She was digging through squirrel holes.

The squirrels nearby were angry but dared not speak.

Mainly, she had suddenly developed a fondness for nuts yesterday, seemingly enjoying the fragrant aroma within them, because Li Qi had told her about the concept of a 'melon seed-eating crowd,' which piqued her interest.

However, there were no melon seeds here; amidst the snowy expanse of White Snake Mountain, there were only acorns and pine nuts.

Where would one find more acorns and pine nuts?

Easy, in squirrel holes, of course.

Thus, she committed a heinous act.

That was, robbing squirrels.

She succeeded; after a fierce struggle, the squirrel lost.

Munch, munch, munch, she sat under the tree, chewing on the winter provisions the squirrel had painstakingly collected, her expression looking utterly delighted and adorable.

Unfortunately, the squirrel did not think so.

But nature is cruel like this; in this small herbivore competition, the rabbit emerged victorious.

Good, good.

Leaving these interludes aside, Li Qi did not plan to rest; after his daily exercise, he continued his journey.

The journey remained peaceful, after all, there were only two people traveling, and one of them was a high-ranking expert.

There was no visible cargo to rob, and instead, they might provoke an expert; few sensible people would do such a thing.

Robbery also requires discerning the target, just like a wolf pack on the hunt, one must be swift, accurate, and ruthless, and even if unsuccessful, they cannot afford too much loss.

Although wolf packs roam the mountains and forests with great prestige, fearless of fierce tigers, they do not dare to act recklessly, because once injured, others will covet you, and the situation will become even more severe.

Thus, large merchant caravans are more suitable targets; grab one or two carts and run, with minimal loss and still a profit.

Facing two individuals who are alone and capable of fighting back is like facing a hedgehog; no meat, but many quills, something wolf packs do not like to eat.

Therefore, with a safe journey and continuous travel through the night, they returned to Snake Tail County on the evening of the second day.

Li Qi pondered for a moment and decided it was best to return quickly, prepare some feed for the old horse, and then depart immediately.

Although he didn't know if the county magistrate knew, it was always better not to linger.

A county magistrate, what a high-ranking official that must be.

According to Li Qi's current understanding, a county could easily span a thousand li, which was almost as large as a province in his previous world.

Though called a county magistrate, their actual power was that of a high official; a county town could have hundreds of thousands to a million people, and counting the surrounding villages and scattered mountain strongholds, the population could easily reach ten million.

The county governor should be like a secretary.

It's better to avoid trouble than to seek it; leaving a day earlier, though it meant the old horse couldn't properly fatten up, could prevent potential problems, so overall, it was a gain.

Worst case, they could fatten it up in the next county town.

At the old horse's speed, they would reach the next county town in a day.

Li Qi made up his mind, returned to the city, and then, without stopping, rushed to the inn's entrance.

“Innkeeper, checking out.” Li Qi knocked, entered, and went straight to the point, not intending to say much more.

“Alright, honored guest, as for the stable and feed money you prepaid, would you like it converted into cash, or would you prefer to receive the feed directly?” The innkeeper didn't say much and promptly processed the checkout.

A guest who had stayed for seven days was already quite long, and checking out was normal; they had long been prepared.

Moreover, this was personally instructed by the manager, who said that this gentleman's requests should be met as much as possible, and he must not be offended.

Although he didn't know why the manager said so, there must be a reason.

The accountant and the stable boy quickly reconciled the bill, noting down the exact expenses on a slip of paper for Li Qi to review.

Li Qi calculated it once, confirmed it was correct, then paid what needed to be paid, checked what needed to be checked, and then the stableman led the horse and handed it over to Li Qi.

Li Qi said nothing, mounted the horse, and prepared to leave.

The old horse, however, still looked reluctant.

It probably had too good a life recently.

“Alright, it’s been a week, what more do you want? Are you getting spoiled?” Li Qi lightly kicked the old horse and scolded it jokingly.

“Week? What is that?” Shen Shuibi heard an unfamiliar term and asked curiously.

“Uh… nothing, it just means seven days.” Li Qi casually brushed her off.

“Oh…” Shen Shuibi, however, nodded thoughtfully, though it was unclear what she understood.

Pulling the old horse out of the stable and onto the street.

As usual, Li Qi put on his backpack, picked up Shen Shuibi, mounted the horse, and then swung himself onto the horse.

Ready to escape!

But before the horse's hooves could even make a sound, the old horse suddenly stiffened, adopting a posture ready for a wild dash, yet it didn't move.

Shen Shuibi immediately became alert, pulling on Li Qi's sleeve: “There’s a sound, Li Qi.”

Li Qi gripped his knife with one hand and the willow branch tied to his waist with the other: “Which direction? I don't feel anything.”

There was nothing he could do; in terms of perception, besides the progress bar, there was truly nothing else worth mentioning about him.

“It’s a ghost, and a ghost that has deliberately concealed its presence, four steps directly in front of us.” Shen Shuibi immediately reported in a low voice.

Li Qi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing it was a ghost.

Fighting people still made him a bit nervous.

But fighting ghosts was a sure hit.

Since Shen Shuibi had pinpointed the direction, Li Qi pretended not to notice and urged the old horse forward a few steps.

Then, he suddenly drew the willow branch and whipped it forward sharply!

With a crack, a wail echoed all around.

The ghost writhed in pain, Evil Qi overflowing!

At this point, Li Qi, with his Qi-sensing vision activated, also saw a ghost.

It was baring its fangs and claws, with a green face and tusks, and its entire body was filled not only with Yin Qi but also with Evil Qi!

This was not an ordinary ghost, but a malevolent spirit!

A malevolent spirit that had already manifested Five Elements substances and could harm and devour people.

Li Qi certainly wouldn't leave it a way out; since the sneak attack was successful, he would give it another whip.

The second whip was imbued with the Divine Qi of Shen Tu Yu Lei.

A ninth-rank malevolent spirit could be whipped into Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering with two blows.

The willow branch personally bestowed by Grand Invoker was an overwhelming advantage against those below.

But this whip missed its target.

This ghost was suddenly enveloped by a strange power, and it flew backward as if pulled by a rope, not as if it were flying on its own.

Li Qi looked in the direction the ghost flew back.

He saw an old man in brocade robes holding a jade box; it was this jade box that pulled the malevolent spirit away.

The suddenly appearing old man looked at Li Qi and said, “Young hero, why are you so ruthless? You just want to beat my ghost slave to Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering here, just for a mere glance?”