Chapter 94: Conflict

All in all, Shen Shuibi knew that important matters came first and didn't cry and refuse to leave.

However, the rabbit's period of being upset was exceptionally long this time.

Li Qi had no solution; he had apologized, but the problem was… how could he guard against this?

Would a normal person see a fluffy rabbit and think of it in that way?

But Shen Shuibi wasn't human.

Alas, she usually acted too normal, making him forget the species difference.

In any case, Li Qi later spoke with the innkeeper, saying that Old Ma needed rest and that the prepaid room fees for these few days would serve as Old Ma's food expenses. The innkeeper naturally had no reason to refuse and agreed.

After arranging for Old Ma, he set off with a pouting, sulking Shen Shuibi.

However, being a rabbit after all, although she was still upset along the way, once they truly reached the caravan and a group of people came up to greet them, her timid nature kicked in. She hurriedly hid behind Li Qi, clutching his clothes tightly, using his body as an obstruction to block their view, and that little bit of anger from before vanished into thin air.

Shen Shuibi had always given Li Qi the impression of being very gentle, with her anger lasting only a short while.

Although this time it was indeed Li Qi's own fault…

But he really couldn't be blamed…

Who would have thought that petting a rabbit could lead to a harassment charge?

Forget it, he'd remember it in the future.

Taking Shen Shuibi and some luggage, Li Qi joined the caravan.

After settling Shen Shuibi, Li Qi immediately went to visit the leader of the caravan, the merchant who had invited him earlier: “Things were rather rushed when we spoke before, and I forgot to introduce myself. I am Li Qi, but I don’t know how to address Your Excellency?”

“My surname is Jing, and my given name is Biewen. I am a Manager of the Jing Family Business. Martial Artist Li can just call this old man by my name,” Jing Biewen said.

“How could I? You are an elder, how could I call you by your given name? Then from now on, I will address you as Manager Jing,” Li Qi said.

After exchanging more pleasantries, Li Qi eagerly got to the point.

“Manager Jing, do you know where the other ninth-rank Martial Artist in the caravan is? I will be working with him for the next few days, so I would like to pay him a visit. Can the elder guide me?” Li Qi asked politely.

“So Martial Artist Li is here for this matter. However, that ninth-rank Martial Artist was not recruited from outside; he is a disciple of my Jing Family’s main branch Martial Affairs Hall. Nevertheless, if you are to fight side by side, it is good to get to know each other beforehand,” Manager Jing nodded and said.

Then, he began to introduce him: “That is also a ninth-rank Martial Artist of the Dao, an Elder of the main branch Martial Affairs Hall, different from us branch families…”

Manager Jing introduced, and Li Qi listened attentively from the side.

It turned out that this merchant association belonged to a Family named Jing.

When speaking of his Family, Manager Jing seemed quite proud. The Family had a seventh-rank Old Ancestor overseeing it, several eighth-rank Hall Masters, and dozens of ninth-rank Elders. The Family members had clear divisions of labor, with different cultivation methods for different businesses, forming a considerable force in Song Kingdom and considered a prominent Family, holding a hereditary earldom, titled ‘Earl Jingnan’.

Li Qi was astonished. Aside from the ethereal Shaman God Mountain and Tang Nation, this was his first time dealing with such a large force.

It was indeed a major power; the Song Kingdom’s business had even reached Great Deer Kingdom’s White Snake Prefecture.

However, a mighty Dragon cannot suppress a local snake. Having offended the Snake Tail County Magistrate, he still needed to accelerate his escape.

After introducing the Family background, he began to introduce the “Martial Affairs Hall Elder.”

The Martial Affairs Hall, as the name suggests, was responsible for martial affairs within the Jing Family, Cultivating Martial Dao cultivation methods. This Elder was named Jing Yan, a female. Her mother died young, and her father was strict, leading to her reclusive personality. Aside from practicing martial arts, she had almost no other hobbies.

Therefore, Manager Jing suggested that if he wanted to build a good relationship and facilitate future cooperation, he should go under the guise of sparring. He should absolutely not bring gifts when visiting, as that would prevent him from being driven out.

Li Qi listened carefully to all of this, then excused himself, promising to dedicate himself wholeheartedly to the work.

Manager Jing cupped his hands to Li Qi, seeing him off.

Li Qi returned the bow, then walked towards the location Manager Jing had indicated.

However, halfway there, he heard Shen Shuibi’s voice.

“What do you want to do!?” Not far away, Shen Shuibi’s panicked voice sounded, seemingly close by.

Li Qi immediately abandoned all his previously planned strategies, unhesitatingly tore the coarse cloth from his long saber, took a step forward, and his inner Qi surged! In two blinks of an eye, like a tiger and leopard leaping, and a rabbit and falcon striking, he crossed the caravan members in two or three moves, even scaling a wall, instantly rushing dozens of meters, and in a flash, returned to where Shen Shuibi was.

Although his reaction was already very fast, the opponent had already detected this.

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing came, a long sword directly blocking Li Qi’s saber, countless sparks flying from the point of impact.

Li Qi clearly felt a skillful force coming from his long saber, almost causing him to lose his grip on the hilt.

His heart tightened, knowing he had encountered a master.

This was an encounter battle; there wasn't enough time for Li Qi to scheme or ambush, so he could only face it head-on.

However, Li Qi knew he wasn't good at facing things head-on. He wasn't a true Martial Artist; his ninth-rank was purely due to Shen Shuibi helping him. Although he had Cultivated very hard, he had only been initiated for a little over a month. Compared to Martial Artists who had honed their martial arts since childhood, his technique was truly terrible.

However, precisely because Li Qi was not a true Martial Artist, he had some other means.

While his long saber was almost shaken out of his hand by the opponent's skillful force, Li Qi gritted his teeth and activated the Soldier Qi within the saber!

A cold light immediately flashed across the long saber, white Qi like a flock of birds, like powder and dust, vigorously like smoke, covering the blade. Li Qi only felt the strength in his previously sore and weak wrist multiply!

Although it didn't truly multiply, at least he stabilized it.

At this moment, it was still the first clash, and not even a blink of an eye had passed, but Li Qi had already thought of a tactic. After activating the Soldier Qi, he gripped the saber with both hands and delivered a powerful downward chop, like splitting Mount Hua.

Carp Current Intent erupted, the carp leaping over the Dragon Gate, unleashing double the strength!

The blade was sharp, coupled with the sudden immense force and weight. Relying on the weapon's advantage, Li Qi directly split the opponent's sword in half, cutting it into two pieces!

With a clang, the long sword fell to the ground.

Li Qi also took the opportunity to embrace Shen Shuibi, protecting her behind him, and only then did he have time to look around.

Shen Shuibi's personality would never proactively cause trouble, nor would she say such things for no reason.

So, even if it meant losing this business deal, he would not allow the rabbit to be wronged. Therefore, he abandoned his polite demeanor and immediately attacked without hesitation.

All around, many members of the caravan looked at Li Qi in astonishment.

Good heavens, a long sword forged from refined steel was split in half with one saber strike?!