Chapter 27: Eyes

Having been here for several years, Li Qi had long since mastered the extraordinary skill of being able to sleep anywhere.

There was no other way; sometimes, when pulling boats, he would pull from day to night, and by the end, he would be as tired as a dead dog, so he would just lie down on the sand and gravel by the river and sleep.

What could a Lifter do?

Staying in an inn cost twenty coins a night, and that was for a communal bed; if he wanted a private room, it would cost no less than forty or fifty coins, and he couldn't bear such luxury.

Thinking about it, his previous world was actually like this too.

Many farmers would cultivate their land for a year, bring their produce to the city, and after selling it, only have two or three thousand yuan left in their pockets.

They'd go to the city and earn that much, but to stay one night… not to mention those big hotels, even those budget hotels would cost one or two hundred, or three or four hundred yuan.

So they would rather sit by the roadside and endure a night than stay in a budget hotel.

Li Qi was now in this situation.

However, the good thing was that he at least ate his fill tonight.

Curled up in the corner, with the eaves sheltering him, it was enough.

Li Qi closed his eyes, preparing to rest; after all, he had been traveling for an entire day and night yesterday and was utterly exhausted.

He tied his bundle to his hand and held it close to his body; no one would be able to touch the bundle without disturbing him.

He was asleep.

However, a faint gaze, piercing through the deep night sky, was fixed on Li Qi.

“His temperament is acceptable, he is more than resourceful, and he doesn’t lack courage; moreover, he is calm and composed, acting as if nothing is amiss even when facing his own wanted poster.

This kid, how is he like a common Lifter?

Indeed, is he an outsider?”

Earlier, on the River Viewing Platform, the Young Master Zhu, who stood on the same stage as the Lord of Li Prefecture and even made the Lord of Li Prefecture respectfully bow to him, now stood in a guest room of an inn not far away, looking at Li Qi through the open window.

“I expended great effort, performed a Grand Ritual, and the result I divined said that an outsider would appear, which would be very auspicious for me,” he muttered to himself.

“Outsiders are difficult to divine, but I finally managed to find a trace of one after much hardship.

But does this outsider refer to this thing… or that person?”

Young Master Zhu played with the broken game console in his hand.

He had already tested it with numerous methods—earth, fire, wind, water, thunder, the netherworld, divine light, and will—all had been tried in contact with this object.

He finally determined that this object only reacted to faint electrical currents.

But it only reacted; all the internal components were already broken, making it impossible to activate.

Was it the effect of this external object, or the effect of this person?

Young Master Zhu pondered.

“Woo… mmm mmm mmm!” But at this moment, a woman’s voice came from nearby, a muffled whimpering sound made when her mouth was gagged.

“Stop calling out; your cultivation is scattered, and you can’t break free from this silencing spell.”

Young Master Zhu put away the game console, turned around, and sat down on a stool, looking at the beautiful woman on the bed.

If Li Qi were here, he would definitely recognize her at a glance: this was Shen Shuibi, the demon he had gone to great lengths to escape from.

“Empress Luofu’s personal maid… Heh, what a big fish.

The Grand Ritual result was indeed spot on: an outsider appears, which is very auspicious for me.

Such a heaven-sent功, it’s practically served right to my mouth; I just need to open it and take a bite to get it.”

Young Master Zhu said to Shen Shuibi.

Shen Shuibi’s face was filled with terror.

Although she appeared to have no restraints on her body, she seemed to be tightly bound, like a fish pulled ashore, constantly thrashing, yet unable to stand up or get off the bed.

Watching her struggle, Young Master Zhu seemed a bit bored and said to her, “I will release your restraints and let you speak, but you’d best cooperate well.

Can you do that?”

“If not, don’t blame me for taking you back to Shaman God Mountain.”

“While my ability is insufficient to divine Empress Luofu’s location through you, surely one of the many Grand Diviners of Shaman God Mountain can do it.

By then, you won’t even have the chance to cooperate with me,” Young Master Zhu said.

“You are Empress Luofu’s personal maid, and your Karma is extraordinarily linked to hers.

Do you think the Grand Diviners of Shaman God Mountain can directly trace Empress Luofu’s location through you?”

“By then, she could die because of you.”

After speaking, Young Master Zhu waited for Shen Shuibi’s answer.

He saw that Shen Shuibi no longer struggled, but tears welled up in her eyes and dropped down, patter-patter.

She sobbed for a while, then quickly wiped her tears on the pillow, and then nodded.

It seemed she had agreed to cooperate.

Seeing this, Young Master Zhu waved his hand, releasing her restraints.

She suddenly gained freedom but did not move.

“This Grand Invoker…” Shen Shuibi looked at Young Master Zhu, trembling.

“Not so,” Young Master Zhu said.

“I am merely a Invoker, not a Grand Invoker, but it doesn’t matter; you can call me whatever you like.”

He still had the appearance of a young scholar, looking very kind.

“Shen Shuibi, is it? There’s no need to be so afraid.

I only restrained you earlier because I was afraid you had some secret technique.

Now that you’ve decided to cooperate and have no secret techniques, why would I make things difficult for you?”

“Besides, you should have noticed, right? If I really wanted to take you back to Shaman God Mountain, I would have already gone; why would I stay until now?”

Young Master Zhu said this.

After all, she was Empress Luofu’s maid, so she should be able to understand his goodwill.

However, Young Master Zhu didn't expect Shen Shuibi to pause for a moment, then nod in sudden realization, her trembling body relaxing.

“Ah? This… Empress Luofu’s maid, why does she seem a bit foolish?”

However, it was good that she had calmed down; anyway, she wasn’t in charge, so whether she was foolish or not didn’t matter.

However, seeing Shen Shuibi still in a daze, Young Master Zhu spoke again, “Shen Shuibi, do you think the Baiyue is already under the rule of the Dao of Humans?”

Shen Shuibi was suddenly roused and quickly nodded: “Niangniang said… the Baiyue countries have been too heavily influenced by Tang Nation, and no longer revere Shaman Dao, only revering the Dao of Humans.”

This blunt statement made Young Master Zhu’s face darken by three shades.

“Cough, cough, although Empress Luofu has insight, she is not a person of Baiyue after all, and her understanding of the current situation is insufficient.

Shaman God Mountain, in the end, is still the master of this Baiyue.

The Shiwan Mountains, the Baiyue countries, still obey the commands of Shaman God Mountain!”

Young Master Zhu said with a grim expression.

“Then why are the nearby areas all counties and prefectures? And there are county magistrates and officials? And they rely on laws to govern the world? I heard these are all characteristics of the Dao of Humans, aren’t they?”

Shen Shuibi asked, confused.

“Don’t ask those useless questions!”

Young Master Zhu said exasperatedly, “Let’s get to the point.

Shaman God Mountain is not freeloading; we still have a say in the Baiyue.

Empress Luofu was wronged in Tang Nation and fled to Baiyue.

Perhaps she can come to Shaman God Mountain and meet with the various Shaman Gods.”

“But… Niangniang isn’t here, so what’s the use of telling me…” Shen Shuibi’s face showed some grievance.

“Therefore, I plan to have you take a messenger to notify Empress Luofu.”

Young Master Zhu let out a long breath, regaining his composure, and continued.