Chapter 33: Cheating

In the dark of night.

On the street.

Two people.

Li Qi and Shen Shuibi looked at each other, you looking at me, I looking at you.

Li Qi was utterly bewildered. He was still waiting for Young Master Zhu to introduce them so he could then introduce himself, for them to get to know each other, and then they could set off!

What was wrong with this new boss? He came over, asked a few questions, then just dumped them here and left?!

This boss was a bit irresponsible… Or was he not the only candidate to find Empress Luofu? Was he busy dealing with other backups?

No, maybe he was the backup.

However, Li Qi wasn't the only one looking lost; Shen Shuibi was too.

The rabbit demon's mind was full of questions, even forgetting her previous wariness and disgust.

Huh? That annoying Grand Invoker just left like that?

Leaving her and that equally annoying Young Master to go find Niangniang?

Would he track her?

These Invoker were all very cunning. She heard that Shaman God Mountain, from top to bottom, was full of strange things.

The Invoker were considered relatively normal; usually, they were the ones who handled external communication.

Those Diviner were even more obsessed. She heard they mumbled to themselves all day, using divination to plot against others and themselves, never speaking clearly, relying on others to guess what they meant.

Besides these two main categories, all other types of Shaman were, according to legend, completely insane. They were like those shamanic witches who performed rituals, and some even talked to the air, which was very hard to understand.

Shen Shuibi's mind was full of questions.

However, Li Qi reacted faster. He stepped forward directly: “Shen Guniang, do you still remember me? We met earlier today.”

“I know, you’re that little Shaman who secretly came to catch me!” Shen Shuibi said warily.

She scrutinized Li Qi from head to toe, carefully examining every detail on him.

His skin was brownish-black, probably from constant sun exposure, and somewhat rough, not delicate at all. One look and you could tell he was from the lower class, probably doing manual labor before.

His clothes… were also very crude, made of coarse linen, worn out in many places. But he probably didn’t have a woman to help him, so there wasn’t even anyone to mend the patches; the holes were left unrepaired.

It made her feel truly pitiful to see.

As for his face… it was quite handsome, with a heroic feel, looking very straightforward and sincere.

Bah! How could this little Shaman be straightforward? He was full of schemes, his mind full of calculations. Listening to his conversation with the Grand Invoker, he must be a treacherous villain.

Li Qi felt the other party scrutinizing him.

So he straightened his back and said righteously: “Was our last meeting not purely accidental? Shen Guniang, you were trapped by that demon, and it was us who rescued you. After meeting you, I also let you go. How can you say I came to catch you? Just because you have a high status, can you casually slander me?”

“But after you came last time, that Grand Invoker came and captured me!” Shen Shuibi said, feeling wronged and a bit angry.

“How could a small fry like me know about the Grand Invoker’s actions?” Li Qi gave a wry smile: “Actually, I’m just as bewildered as you are!”

After saying this, Li Qi put himself on the same side as Shen Shuibi.

But before Shen Shuibi could react, he immediately added: “However, Shen Guniang, I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing.”

“How is it not a bad thing? You clearly have designs on Niangniang!” Shen Shuibi fumed.

Designs on Niangniang… Why does that sound so strange? Li Qi couldn’t help but inwardly grumble.

But he knew how to trick people, so he immediately followed the topic: “Empress Luofu was persecuted by Tang Nation, Shen Guniang must know that, right?”

When this topic came up, Shen Shuibi stopped talking, her expression visibly becoming distressed.

This woman… she really is single-minded, a one-track mind.

But that's not bad either, since she's easy to fool.

Li Qi thought, but his mouth didn't stop: “Our Shaman God Mountain, however, shares the same stance as Empress Luofu; we are both enemies of Tang Nation.”

He was now saying “our Shaman God Mountain” as soon as he spoke, even though Li Qi didn't actually know what Shaman God Mountain was, but a powerful backer was a powerful backer, and it was better to cling tightly.

“Since we have a common enemy, you must know that the enemy of an enemy is a friend. Shaman God Mountain seeking Empress Luofu is purely out of a desire for cooperation. To reassure Niangniang, they even sent a small fry like me as a messenger, so as not to pose a threat to Niangniang. Furthermore, I am an outsider, unable to be located by divination, which can also reassure Niangniang, because it’s impossible to track Empress Luofu by tracking me.”

“With such reassuring methods, can it still not prove our sincerity?” Li Qi said sincerely.

Truly sincere?

Of course not, it was all nonsense. If they really wanted to play tricks, Li Qi believed Shaman God Mountain had a myriad of ways to circumvent it.

But then again…

For someone with a less-than-sharp mind, a pile of reasons and explanations, topped with a sincere tone, makes it very easy to gain trust.

It was clear that Shen Shuibi was indeed moved,

Because it seemed… what Li Qi said, uh, possibly, probably, perhaps, maybe… seemed to make some sense?

Seeing Shen Shuibi fall into confusion, Li Qi struck while the iron was hot, taking out the willow branch: “Shen Guniang, please look at this. My status is low, and I haven’t had contact with Spiritual Tools or anything similar. I don’t know what Young Master gave me, but since you are from Empress Luofu’s side, you must know!”

Shen Shuibi was still thinking, but suddenly interrupted, she subconsciously shifted her attention to the willow branch.

Under Li Qi's sincere gaze and plea, she seemed unable to refuse...

So, she replied: “Uh, this should be a willow branch infused with Di Qi (Earthly Qi) Divine Qi. It can ward off evil, and also has the effect of binding, and can even whip ghosts and evil spirits.”

“There are records that say… ‘On the first day of the first month, place willow branches on the door, and a hundred ghosts will not enter the house.’ I heard Niangniang say that there is a treasure in Tianzhu called the Jade Pure Bottle, and it has a willow branch inserted in it. So, willow branches are objects that ward off evil. After being infused with Di Qi Divine Qi, their power is doubled. It’s estimated that they can even kill people, but that’s about it. They’re not even good enough to be placed in Niangniang’s vase.” As she spoke of this, Shen Shuibi became somewhat proud.

“So that’s how it is. As expected, Shen Guniang is truly knowledgeable.” Li Qi genuinely didn’t know these things, so he praised her from the bottom of his heart.

“Hmph hmph!” Shen Shuibi, having been on the run for so long, seemed to finally be praised, so she puffed out her chest, looking triumphant.

“Then let’s find a place to rest first, and I’ll listen to you, Shen Guniang, tell me more to broaden my horizons. Please take good care of me on the road ahead.” Li Qi said.

“That is natural.” Shen Shuibi responded politely.

However, she had no idea.

Actually, she had previously refused to travel with Li Qi.