Chapter 139: Arrangements for the future

After some thought, Li Qi felt that he couldn't just listen to one side.

As a Invoker, he was certainly meant to be an intermediary; even if he were to uphold justice for the sake of 'Dao', he should only act after hearing both sides' opinions.

"Let's wait and see for now. We'll be staying here in the meantime, so there's no rush," Li Qi said. "If that person doesn't come, we won't interfere further in this matter. After staying here for a period, we will leave."

"If that person comes, I will make my own judgment."

After Li Qi finished speaking, he said, "Your injuries are no longer serious, but you need to rest. Let your Chang Gui handle the business; you should still recuperate properly."

With that, Li Qi prepared to stand up and leave.

It was just a trivial matter to begin with; if there were no further developments, he was prepared to stop here.

Shen Shuibi also stood up at the appropriate time, following Li Qi out the door.

Piao Xu immediately said, "Thank you, Sir, for saving my life. If Sir doesn't mind, please feel at ease staying here. This concubine will surely treat you with utmost care..."

"Your family's food is quite delicious," Li Qi said, turning back, then pushed the door open and left.

Upon hearing this, Piao Xu was overjoyed and immediately bowed her head in respectful farewell.

She knew this meant the other party had agreed to stay.

When Li Qi walked out the door, he saw a small red-furred fox at the entrance, and a doctor carrying a medical box, with sweat still pouring from the doctor, seemingly having just arrived.

Only then did Li Qi recall that the Chang Gui had seemingly called out earlier, telling 'Qi Ya' to find a doctor.

"Ah, Doctor, the person is inside. You two hurry in," Li Qi pointed the way.

"Thank you, thank you..." The doctor quickly thanked him and rushed in with his medicine box.

The small red-furred fox also bowed repeatedly; though it couldn't speak, it still expressed gratitude to Li Qi for showing the way.

Li Qi shrugged and returned to his room with the rabbit.

Daily cultivation method still needed to be done.

Cultivation was like this.

There weren't that many Epiphanies and fortuitous encounters.

There was only continuous, daily, decades, or even hundreds or thousands of years of painstaking effort, like grinding water.

After the doctor rushed in, he saw Piao Xu lying on the ground, being cared for by her husband.

He walked over, quickly squatted down, opened his medical box, and began to examine her and take her pulse, without a single wasted word.

The person was still lying on the ground; wasn't he desperately rushing over to save her?

But as soon as he began diagnosing, he froze.

Then, the doctor exclaimed softly, "Five... Five Evils entered the body, and someone actually resolved them? And without any side effects whatsoever! How is that possible!"

"Doctor? Is something wrong?" Piao Xu frowned, not yet realizing what had truly happened to her.

"What's wrong? Even Qingwu Sect Master couldn't handle this kind of injury so cleanly! Who treated you!? Was it those two who just left? Who are they!?" The doctor grabbed Piao Xu, his expression flustered, asking repeatedly, clearly unable to control himself.

It was impossible to control.

The strongest medical Cultivator in the entire Qingwu City was Qingwu Sect Master Hu Xian'er. She cultivated both medical Dao and Demon Dao, reaching the seventh grade of Dao. Someone once had Jin Qi (Metal Energy) enter their body, even their Spirit Soul began to metallize, but she saved them.

She was also the most skilled doctor in trauma and external injuries within a thousand li radius; even the Imperial Physician of Green Mountain Country couldn't compare to her in this aspect.

However, the Five Evils entering the body, each with its own strangeness, intertwining with each other—this kind of injury had appeared before. It cost an enormous price to persuade her to act, and though the life was ultimately saved, the Cultivation was completely废, because the human body's minor world had been completely destroyed by the Five Evils' Qi, and the path of Cultivation was thus severed.

But now, someone's medical skills were even more brilliant than hers? Completely resolving it without any side effects.

Which medical saint passed by?

One must know, Qingwu Sect Master was a seventh-grade expert. What kind of Immortal figure was that?

But now, someone had surpassed her, and it seemed as if it was done effortlessly.

Seeing the doctor's reaction, even Piao Xu seemed to understand what she had just encountered.

Those two sirs... had a great background?

No wonder they dared to meddle in others' affairs.

One must know, when traveling, the most troublesome thing is meddling in others' affairs. Helping those in need is, after all, not a common occurrence.

So, Piao Xu immediately pulled the doctor, lowering her voice: "Doctor, listen to me—"

Piao Xu knew in her heart that these two might not fear revealing their identities, but she absolutely could not leak it, otherwise it would not only cause trouble for the two sirs but also bring about her own demise.

"I can introduce you to that person, but you must swear by your sect not to reveal the information, otherwise you also know the power of such figures. If they blame us, you and I will probably die without burial," Piao Xu warned in a low voice.

The doctor was also persuaded by these words and calmed down.

His initial excited enthusiasm was extinguished by reality. He also knew that anyone capable of such a feat must possess immense power.

"I understand. Thank you for the proprietress's guidance. I will announce to the outside that you only had external injuries and were cured by me, and that the previous treatment only alleviated the injuries. Even if there were some witnesses earlier, they probably don't understand medical Dao and won't be suspicious," he immediately replied.

"As for the introduction, let's just skip it," the doctor sighed. "Just thinking about such figures makes me timid. We are merely flower-pecking sparrows; how dare we visit a True Dragon in the clouds? It would only invite disaster."

Both knew it was best not to delve deeper into such matters. After agreeing and swearing an oath to each other, they each dispersed as previously discussed, announcing to the outside that the proprietress had merely been cursed by an enemy and that the matter had been reported to the authorities, who would naturally investigate.

Upstairs, Shen Shuibi's ears twitched.

So many people were discussing her.

Hmm... but they were all praising her.

Happy.

Then, the rabbit, with the good mood of being praised after saving someone, continued to ponder how to re-refine her Yin Spirit.

As for Li Qi, he, like the other onlookers, actually had no idea how astonishingly extraordinary the rabbit's actions were.

After all, he didn't understand medical skills either; he only knew that the rabbit had acted to save someone, and Shen Shuibi had actually done quite a few such things in the past year.

There are so many people who understand medical skills; is there a problem with him having one by his side? The rabbit can also do Alchemy; she carries a small Alchemy cauldron with many Medicinal Pills.

It's better to read more books.

Knowledge, Cultivation, the most important thing is knowledge.

His greatest advantage, coming from Shaman God Mountain, wasn't his status, but the vast ocean of books at Shaman God Mountain. Just the two books in his mind were already enough for him to study thoroughly.

It's better to seize this time of rest and continue to trigger it.

Out of three million li, he had already traveled over a hundred thousand li. Xuanzang only traveled this far.

He quickly put Piao Xu's matter out of his mind and began to ponder serious business.

After he reached the ninth grade, his speed would no longer rely entirely on the old horse. He would first find a way to make a few Wind-Walking Talismanic Incantations here. Afterwards, the old horse's speed could be further improved.

If conditions allowed, he should get some cultivation methods for the old horse.

The old horse's Bloodline was very good; if it cultivated well, there was a high possibility of it transforming from a beast into a Demon.

At that time, its speed would be even faster, and he could return to Shaman God Mountain more quickly.

It was a Dragon Steed, with great talent, so it couldn't be wasted.

However, the prerequisite for all these things was to earn more money.

Otherwise, he couldn't just rob, right?

— — — — — — — — — —

No one came to disturb Li Qi. In the blink of an eye, it was already the second day.

Li Qi, guided by his sixth sense, brought Shen Shuibi to Qingwu City for rest.

There were three main purposes for coming here this time.

First, it was for rest. After too long a journey in the wilderness, the old horse was tired, and he was tired too. They needed to find a city to rest well, recover their physical strength and spirit, to prepare for setting off again.

Second, it was to find an opportunity to make some Wind-Walking Talismans.

Wind-Walking Talismans were something he had recently seen in a book, items that only ninth-grade Cultivators could make.

However, they weren't rare items. Except for the clumsy types like those in Martial Dao, other Dao Orthodoxy, as long as they could influence 'wind', could generally make them, it just depended on whether they knew how.

Clearly, Li Qi didn't know how, so he planned to buy them.

He took a look; making this kind of Talismanic Incantation required mastery of the Qi of the Eight Winds.

The Eight Winds, also known as the weather, are the Qi of heaven, transforming into frost, dew, wind, and rain.

The Qi of heaven transforms into wind to correspond with the four seasons.

Northeast is called Blazing Wind (Yan Feng), born from the Qi of Gen, presiding over heat, causing heat and drought wherever it passes.

East is called Surging Wind (Tao Feng), born from the Qi of Zhen, a sea wind, common in coastal areas.

Southeast is called Gentle Wind (Xun Feng), born from the Qi of Xun, a warm wind, which, when received, is soft and fragrant, intoxicating people.

South is called Giant Wind (Ju Feng), born from the Qi of Li, fierce and destructive, destroying houses and farms, ruining crops, also known as Tornado Wind, capable of moving mountains and overturning seas.

Southwest is called Chilling Wind (Qi Feng), born from the Qi of Kun, a cold wind, often accompanied by bitter rain when it appears, bringing misfortune.

West is called Whistling Wind (Liao Feng), born from the Qi of Dui, the wind of autumn, presiding over desolation, causing leaves to fall and fruits to ripen wherever it passes.

Northwest is called Fierce Wind (Li Feng), born from the Qi of Qian, a strong wind, unyielding and unparalleled.

North is called Cold Wind (Han Feng), born from the Qi of Kan, bringing the desolation of all things, with plants withering wherever it passes.

One must specifically study these Eight Winds, adjusting them with musical pitch and combining them with the eight notes, to create this Wind-Walking Talisman. Although common, it's not something one can learn simply by self-study. So, he wasn't going to learn it himself but would buy it.

As for the effect of this item, it's also very simple and clear: it allows one to always have a tailwind when running, and air resistance is reduced to almost nothing.

Of course, this is only effective below a certain speed; it loses its effect at higher speeds.

Although it seems like only a small effect, it actually provides a surprisingly significant boost to speed, usually increasing it by more than 20%, and it's effective continuously; one Talismanic Incantation can be used for half a year or even a year without issue.

However, this item is extremely fragile; even Mortals can easily tear it. In combat, unless the disparity is huge, this item would shatter even from residual force, so it has little combat value. It's fine for traveling.

Li Qi planned to buy about three to five, to hang on the old horse, himself, and Shen Shuibi, and get a few as spares. This way, the old horse's movements would be much faster.

The third purpose was to find a cultivation method for the old horse, to see if the old horse could cultivate.

It didn't need to be too good, just enough to help it lay a foundation and get started.

After all, the cultivation methods found in these places wouldn't be too good. When he reached Shaman God Mountain, he would definitely find better ones. For now, it was just to let the old horse gain some Cultivation, transforming from an ordinary "beast" into a "Demon."

With the decisions and plans made, the next step was to implement them.

The resting part had gone well. He was very satisfied with this inn, and they hadn't charged him afterwards. Even what they had collected before was returned by Piao Xu, so it was essentially free food and lodging.

Li Qi didn't refuse either. After all, he and his companions had saved her life, so it could be considered a consultation fee.

Not taking what one should take is not the Dao of 'Dao'.

Li Qi believed his Dao was 'Dao', so he wouldn't act kindly for its own sake, as that would only burden both sides.

The Dao of 'Dao' is like the movement of heaven, perfectly centered, without bias or deviation.

As he pondered his objectives, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.

"Please come in," Li Qi looked up, interrupting his thoughts, and said.

Shen Shuibi twitched her nose, raising her head happily: "Breakfast is here!"

Yes, Li Qi also knew it must be Piao Xu bringing food.

The tender pork, Four Beauties Soup, and stir-fried fatty pork with bamboo shoots, all made by Piao Xu herself when they first entered the inn, showed her superb culinary skills, capable of making ordinary food incredibly delicious.

Last night's dinner was also a delicacy, wonderfully flavorful, so Li Qi was very curious about this second meal of small dishes.

"Sirs, this is today's breakfast. Please enjoy," Piao Xu personally brought in the food.

Shen Shuibi was already somewhat impatient, because these foods were indeed very delicious, among the few things that could stir Shen Shuibi's emotions.

Most of the time, the rabbit was in a daze, actually pondering matters. Anything that could make her temporarily abandon her thoughts was undoubtedly a fresh and excellent product.

Li Qi also looked curiously, carefully observing what new dishes there were today.

He saw that today's main dish was porridge, but not ordinary porridge. It was made with rose, citron, and osmanthus flower dew poured over it, the water and rice blending as if the rice had been brewed into wine, emitting a delicate fragrance.

There were also side dishes for the porridge, made from the meat of chicken, fish, and shrimp, dried thoroughly and made into fine threads, mixed evenly with fresh bamboo shoots, mushrooms, sesame, and Sichuan peppercorns. The flavor was delicious yet not greasy, perfect with porridge.

Then there were six or seven goose feet, all plump and sweet, an inch thick, in a soup bowl. They smelled of carp and crucian carp, as if clear broth was made from carp and crucian carp, covered with melon and ginger. After the soup turned milky white, the goose feet were added and simmered over high heat until extremely tender, so that all the fresh flavor was contained within the feet, not leaking an iota.

A small breakfast, yet each dish had a different flair, making Li Qi praise it involuntarily.

"Miss Piao Xu, your craftsmanship is probably the foundation of your inn's success in attracting customers. To be able to establish yourself in Qingwu City, a place of indulgence, with such a simple little shop for fifteen years, truly shows your unique skill," Li Qi tasted a bite and praised.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Shen Shuibi quickly raised her chopsticks in agreement, then picked up a goose foot and began nibbling at it with small bites.

"It's just a small culinary skill, Sir, as long as you like it," Piao Xu smiled shyly, then asked, "May I ask what arrangements you two sirs have for today? This concubine has lived in the city for a long time and is familiar with all places, which can help Sir save some detours."