Chapter 159: Honesty

Qingwu City, second floor of the inn where Li Qi was staying.

Hu Meier sat sideways on the edge of Li Qi's bed, while Li Qi lay on the bed, with a bed table in front of him, covered with a lot of food, though it looked somewhat unappetizing.

After all, there were too many penises.

Hu Meier sat by the bed, her hands and feet delicate and slender, her skin fair and smooth, like a refreshing snow lotus, her beauty captivating.

With a fragrant aura and a gentle murmur, she exuded ultimate charm. She was clearly a super expert, yet at first glance, she seemed like a fresh lotus emerging from water, or a bird leaning on someone, not dangerous but rather pitiable and lovely.

"I came this time to ask about your future plans, Mr. Li," Hu Meier said.

"Jin Buhuan has been overthrown, and the Jin family's influence has left Qingwu City. Mr. Li, you are naturally an honored guest of our Qingwu Sect. My sister and I discussed and would like to invite you to stay at our Sect for two or three days. Although our Qingwu Sect has some businesses that are not very presentable, our cultivation method is a legitimate medical Dao, and we can help regulate your injuries," she politely invited Li Qi.

As she spoke, a fragrant breeze wafted, and though the beautiful woman in front of him made no unnecessary movements and spoke with politeness, respect, and deference, she still made one feel as if she were subtly alluring, as if slightly shy.

At this, Li Qi couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

It was indeed no wonder these fox spirits managed to make their businesses successful.

He prided himself on his strong willpower, claiming he could resist even a rabbit unconsciously acting cute in front of him, but whether it was Hu Xian'er or Hu Meier, he found them a bit hard to resist.

This had nothing to do with his inner thoughts; the difference in strength was too great, they were simply not on the same Rank.

This was merely the aura they emitted; if they truly intended to use charm on him, Li Qi would not be able to resist even if it meant death.

By then, his subjective will would be completely irrelevant; his persistence and will would all be a joke. As long as these two merely crooked a finger, his consciousness would be destroyed, and he would do nothing but crawl over, even if his lower body couldn't actually move.

However, it was fortunate that his Yang Qi was severely insufficient at the moment, and his internal fire had been drained, leaving him listless. Thus, he didn't harbor any wicked thoughts, and the other party also wouldn't deliberately cast charm on him. Under multiple factors, Li Qi finally managed to calm his mind.

Was it a blessing in disguise?

"Thank you for the Country Lord's kindness and the two Seniors' generosity. However, I have no intention of staying long in Qingwu City. I have a mission entrusted to me by my master, so please forgive me," Li Qi said honestly, raising his hand.

"I naturally know that Mr. Li cannot stay long, which is why I only asked you to visit for two or three days. After all, in your current state, it will probably be difficult for you to travel for some time; you need rest. Recuperating here would take at least ten days before you can depart, but once at the Sect, my sister and I are both Seventh Grade in the medical Dao, and we have methods to help Mr. Li recover quickly."

"Secondly, for this visit, we have also prepared generous gifts. I heard that Mr. Li's Dragon Steed does not yet have an excellent cultivation method. Our Qingwu Sect is, by extension, a Demon Dao Sect, and we have some collections of demon race cultivation methods. However, they are not convenient to bring out of the Sect, but Mr. Li can come and pick out what he likes."

"Finally, Mr. Li, do you know... the reward the Country Lord promised you is currently hidden in Qingwu Sect~," Hu Meier leaned in, whispering into Li Qi's ear.

Li Qi shivered upon hearing this.

Of course, the shiver was mainly because her breath brushed his ear.

Damn it, these fox spirits!

Li Qi forcibly suppressed his agitation, frowning as he said, "In Qingwu Sect?"

"That is natural. Just wait for Mr. Li to come and claim it. Before I left, my sister was already preparing gifts at the Sect and tidying the guest area, just waiting for Mr. Li to visit," Hu Meier said.

Li Qi nodded upon hearing this, clearing his throat: "Please step back, Senior. Men and women should not touch. Please rest assured, Senior, since that is the case, once I can get out of bed and walk, I will personally come to visit!"

"Then my sister and I will open our doors wide, just waiting for Mr. Li's arrival~," Hu Meier retreated a few steps, chuckled softly, and then bid farewell and left.

Li Qi watched her leave.

Then he began to eat.

Even the most important matters could wait until after eating, even if it was penis soup.

However, as he ate, Li Qi pondered the situation.

Jin Buhuan was dead, and he had no reason to stay in Qingwu City, but why did Qingwu Sect insist he come to their doorstep?

What gift couldn't be sent over? What matter couldn't be discussed face-to-face?

Did he really have to go there to get it?

There must be something special about Qingwu Sect.

Good news?

Bad news?

A conspiracy?

He didn't know, and there was no way to know. The clues were severely insufficient, making it impossible to draw any useful conclusions. He could only prepare himself and then go, but he presumed there should be no life-threatening danger.

If the other party truly wanted to kill him, they could have done so now. Li Qi, no matter what, couldn't be a match for a Seventh Grade, and in reality, probably not even an Eighth Grade.

Fighting above one's Rank was simply unrealistic. Each Grade was a heaven unto itself. The difference between Ninth Grade and Eighth Grade was like that between Foundation Establishment Stage and Undergoing Tribulation; they weren't on the same level at all.

He pondered these things, while continuously stuffing the delicious, though mostly aphrodisiac, food into his mouth.

Although he was very weak now.

But it wouldn't cause any problems from over-supplementation, would it?

When he finished eating, a warm current continuously surged in his stomach, warming his weak body. Only then did he believe that Shen Shuibi truly thought this way of eating was good.

But where was Shen Shuibi?

Where did the rabbit run off to? Why hadn't she appeared yet?

Li Qi was a bit puzzled.

So, he clapped his hands and called out a few times.

But it wasn't the rabbit who entered, but Piao Xu.

"Miss Piao Xu, why is it you? Where is Shen Guniang?" Li Qi asked.

Piao Xu replied, "Mr. Shen is discussing some matters with Elder Hu. Perhaps she didn't hear you. Mr. Li, what do you need to do? If you have anything, just tell me."

Shen Shuibi was discussing matters with Hu Meier?

Li Qi frowned.

What exactly was Qingwu Sect up to?

But there was no need to show these things in front of Piao Xu, so Li Qi said, "I've finished eating. It's good that Piao Xu, you've come. Here, take this." Li Qi reached out and picked up the Tang Dao from beside the bed.

"This is?" Piao Xu stepped forward and saw the blade in Li Qi's hand.

"This item is a military blade produced in Tang Nation, a Ninth Grade Spiritual Tool. It contains a trace of Jin Qi (Metal Energy), a trace of Evil Qi, and a trace of martial Qi. Its power is considered High Grade among Ninth Grade artifacts. Apart from lacking a self-destruct function, it is no less inferior to your flying dagger," Li Qi said.

"Your flying dagger was given by me to Jin Buhuan, and later directly damaged and integrated into that Jin Qi. I can no longer retrieve it to return to you, so I will use this as your compensation."

Piao Xu quickly declined: "Mr. Li saved my life! Such great kindness is beyond repayment, how can I still have the nerve to ask for Mr. Li's compensation? I absolutely cannot accept this item."

She already knew the whole story. This calamity was purely brought about by that tiger demon and had nothing to do with others. If Li Qi hadn't intervened, she would have already died, and her flying dagger would have been stolen by Jin Buhuan, so she firmly refused to accept it.

Li Qi shook his head and said, "What you're saying isn't right. With Jin Buhuan dead, how many people in Qingwu City have I saved? Should all of them give me compensation?"

"Since I saved their lives and don't need their compensation, how can I accept yours? What's right is right. Take it."

Piao Xu firmly refused, repeatedly declining.

Li Qi had no choice but to say, "You are currently at the center of attention in Qingwu City. While important figures won't care about you, there's no guarantee that some small fries won't target you, thinking you have something unusual. You're not good at fighting, and you don't have a Spiritual Artifact in hand, plus the inn acts as a restriction. How can you survive well in this city?"

"If you refuse now, and someone comes to trouble you after we leave, how will you protect Qi Ya?"

Upon hearing this, Piao Xu's face was conflicted, but she ultimately accepted the military blade.

After receiving it, tears welled in her eyes, and she knelt, repeatedly kowtowing and expressing her gratitude.

Li Qi waved his hand: "Stop kowtowing. The food you make is quite delicious. When we leave, make some more for us to take on the road, and that will be your repayment."

Piao Xu didn't know what to say, so she just left the room.

Leaving Li Qi lying on the bed.

Since he was just lying there, he might as well continue reading.

He closed his eyes and continued to read, studying spells and learning.

Knowledge is power.

He could also ponder how to condense his Nascent Soul.

Closing his eyes, he simultaneously restored his Human Body Minor Heaven and read his book.

Just like that, time began to pass slowly.

Time spent reading always passed especially quickly. Perhaps seeing that Li Qi hadn't opened his eyes, Piao Xu, who had originally come to deliver food, merely placed the food aside and left.

By the time Li Qi opened his eyes again, it was already late at night, and the food had grown cold.

He had been too engrossed in his reading and hadn't noticed the time.

Lost in study, unable to extricate himself.

However, at that moment, he turned his head and saw Shen Shuibi right by his bed, staring blankly with him.

Outside, the bright moon hung high, its light as pure and white as dew.

The cold, white light streamed in, falling on the room's floor and illuminating Li Qi's bed, making the entire room seem to be covered in a faint, slightly hazy blue hue.

This light, reflecting on Shen Shuibi's face, made her appear even more exquisite and noble.

Yes, Shen Shuibi, at some unknown point, had quietly sat by Li Qi's bed, tilting her head and watching him.

The clear moonlight fell, illuminating the room and the two of them—

The old osmanthus's fragrance was cold, mountains and rivers cast shadows, like a snow-filled embrace, all winds clear and unrestrained.

Pure white dew formed, crystal clear and reflecting all scenes, light condensing leisurely, gentle ripples filling the courtyard.

This scene even made Li Qi suspect he was dreaming, so he didn't speak for a moment, but quietly admired this tableau where beauty and scenery merged into one.

However, Shen Shuibi, who had never been one for tact or understanding, saw Li Qi open his eyes.

So she spoke without hesitation, breaking the silence: "Li Qi, Piao Xu told me you called me? What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

It seemed she had been waiting for Li Qi to open his eyes...

The dream-like scene from moments ago was shattered, and Li Qi felt a pang of regret, wishing he could have sealed Shen Shuibi's mouth to make her remain quiet for a while.

However, that was just a thought. He quickly collected his thoughts and replied, "Ah, nothing. I was just asking, what did that Hu Meier want with you?"

"Oh, that. She asked me if I was interested in joining Qingwu Sect as a Guest Elder. I said no, and she talked about a lot of other things, but I refused them all, and then she left. Why?" Shen Shuibi tilted her head: "You called me over just to ask about that?"

"I see. Then I understand." Li Qi nodded, then asked, "By the way, do you have any plans afterward?"

"Me? Aren't I here to accompany you?" Shen Shuibi asked in confusion: "Of course, whatever you do, I'll do."

Shen Shuibi was a bit puzzled. Why would Li Qi ask that?

She could have returned to Shaman God Mountain long ago; she only came to accompany Li Qi. Of course, she would go wherever Li Qi went. What plans could she have?

Making plans should be Li Qi's responsibility, after all, these three million li were Li Qi's journey, a test prepared for Li Qi by Grand Invoker.

"I see. Then let's rest for a bit. I'll visit Qingwu Sect soon, and then we'll continue towards Shaman God Mountain. How about that?" Li Qi said.

"Okay, as long as you have a plan," Shen Shuibi readily agreed.

"Mmm, then that's settled." Their brief conversation ended. Li Qi continued to lie motionless, while Shen Shuibi walked out of the room, immersing herself in her own world again, not knowing what she was thinking.

Certainly not thinking about Li Qi.

Li Qi was a little annoyed.

Why had the rabbit become increasingly distant lately?

Was it because they were too familiar? So she reverted to her old self from Mount Luofu?

It was possible. She had said before that she had remained silent for several hundred years. Now, as she became more familiar with him, she also became more relaxed, and with that came the natural return to her former state of staring blankly for hundreds of years.

No, he had to find a way to increase the sense of novelty between them, otherwise, they would truly just become friends.

Fortunately, he was resourceful and had prepared in advance.

To rekindle the freshness of their first meeting, this was the moment!

— — — — — —

Putting aside Li Qi's complicated thoughts, by the next day, Li Qi was finally able to get out of bed.

A martial artist's body recovered quickly. After two or three meals, plus Medicinal Pills, he had basically regained his mobility.

However, it was only mobility. His body's injuries absolutely did not support fighting, and his Human Body Minor Heaven showed almost no signs of recovery, only capable of slow recuperation.

He could be said to have no combat capability whatsoever.

The first thing Li Qi did after getting out of bed was to prepare to visit Qingwu Sect.

But as soon as he opened the door, he was dazzled.

The entire lobby of the inn was filled with gifts.

Radiant jewels, myriad colorful glows, and various rare treasures crammed the inn's lobby.

Clearly, these were from various factions coming to visit Li Qi.

Piao Xu had already sorted and arranged the gifts, waiting for Li Qi to handle them himself.

Li Qi got a headache just looking at them, so he turned to Piao Xu and said, "Please trouble Miss to inform these people to take their gifts back. Make a note of all those that aren't accepted, and I will personally deliver them back one by one!"

Having said that, he immediately left the inn and headed towards Qingwu Sect without stopping.

Compared to these things, Qingwu Sect was more worth his time and effort.