The Eternal Way

The commotion tonight was significant.

Over twenty or thirty people died, including Lu Shan, the leader of Lizhuang Gang.

Many of these boat pullers had families—wives and children.

With these young men dead, their families would certainly report to the authorities.

Thus, Li Qi needed to handle the aftermath carefully.

He hurried back, not stopping to rest, gave Uncle Six some instructions, coordinated alibis with others, and then began writing.

As a modern person, Li Qi deeply understood the importance of learning cultural knowledge.

Though the characters in this world were different from his original world, they resembled Chinese characters and were mostly understandable. Over three years, he had learned most of them.

Writing articles might be beyond him, but copying a few lines of poetry wasn't an issue, though it wouldn't be useful since no one listened to boat pullers ramble on.

But now, this skill would come in handy.

He picked up rough leather paper, a material used by friendly boat workers of Paibo Gang to make waterproof oil paper for boats.

This leather paper was very sturdy, hard to tear, and when made into oil paper, could resist both water and fire, making it a valuable material.

Because of its properties, Li Qi chose leather paper.

Holding a piece of coal, he quickly wrote something on the paper.

Upon closer inspection, one would see that he was writing down the key points of the Ox Strength Technique!

Including how to channel qi, how to activate it, its nature, characteristics, how to quickly get started, and how to practice—all details meticulously recorded.

Having learned the Ox Strength Technique through progress bars, although he didn't know why, he had a thorough understanding of the technique, every detail etched in his mind.

Was this a good thing?

Perhaps it was.

At least it was beneficial now.

Without further ado.

He spent the entire night writing about how to learn the Ox Strength Technique, filling four sheets of leather paper densely.

He knew the principle behind the technique, but he didn't understand what "principle" meant.

For example, the formula for black powder is 2KNO3+3C+S → K2S+N2+3CO2.

He knew this string of symbols well.

But what is 2KNO3? What is 3CO2?

He didn't understand.

Regardless, he wrote it down as is; it shouldn't be wrong.

If it were wrong, he wouldn't have been able to use the Ox Strength Technique.

After finishing, he called Uncle Six over.

"Uncle Six, this is the cultivation technique. It's okay if you don't understand the principles; there are practice methods at the end." Li Qi handed the folded leather paper to Uncle Six.

Even without understanding the principles, it wouldn't hinder cultivation. Not knowing the principles of black powder doesn't prevent making fireworks with sulfur, nitrate, and charcoal.

"Little Li, are you really leaving?" Uncle Six carefully stored the leather paper, looking worriedly at Li Qi.

Three years ago, when he picked Li Qi up, he never imagined this young man would be so useful.

Over time, he had grown accustomed to relying on Li Qi's advice. Now, hearing he was leaving, Uncle Six felt lost.

"Don't worry, Uncle Six. I'm just going to lie low. Killing so many people, the authorities will investigate, but this area is chaotic, making it hard for them to catch me." Li Qi explained.

There was another thing he didn't mention—the authorities likely couldn't track him even with divination techniques.

He remembered clearly what the young man who taught him the technique said:

"Outer path objects are unpredictable and elusive; divination methods struggle to find their traces."

If outer path objects were hard to trace, what about an outer path person like himself?

Divination couldn't pinpoint his location, so he believed it would be difficult for them to find him through reasoning alone.

Yes, not discovered, but found.

He planned to take full responsibility and run away.

Where to go, he didn't know yet. He'd figure it out while carrying the burden of guilt.

Because if they couldn't find him within a short period, the authorities might drop the case. Unsolved murder cases affected year-end evaluations, and constables weren't keen on such outcomes.

If the case remained unsolved, it would become a cold case, forgotten within a year or two.

It was risky; being caught meant certain doom.

But there was no choice. Killing people always carried risks. Having risked his life once last night, risking it again didn't matter much.

"Next, I'll flee as a fugitive, but I promise I'll return," Li Qi told Uncle Six.

"Remember, insist that you had nothing to do with it. It was all my doing." Li Qi emphasized.

"I understand... but take care. Here's the reward money from opening the river, plus some savings from the gang. You can use it outside. Remember to buy good clothes; people judge by appearance out there, don't let anyone look down on you."

"Away from home, you're worth less than a dog. Without the gang, life will be tough. Endure any trouble until the heat dies down, then return." Uncle Six rambled, handing Li Qi a bag of copper coins.

Li Qi watched as Uncle Six fussed, handing him a heavy sack filled with new and old coins, but no clothes or provisions.

No clothes because there were none to spare in the gang, and no provisions because his escape route wouldn't allow them.

"Don't worry, Uncle Six. I'll return as soon as possible." Li Qi took a deep breath, slinging the sack onto his back.

Fleeing after killing, it felt like something from the Spring and Autumn period, a chivalrous act, though he was just a ragged boat puller.

But there was no choice. If he hadn't taken action, he would have been killed last night.

Li Qi was decisive, promising to return before setting off immediately. Instead of using the city gate, he clung to the underside of a cargo ship, preparing to leave via the Li River.

Though the river wasn't fully thawed, with willing boat pullers, ships could still sail.

The cargo ship was provided by intelligence from the boat workers.

Li Qi carried two ceramic jars covered with oilcloth. Inside were empty, but by turning the jars upside down and opening the oilcloth underwater, he could breathe the trapped air.

Combined with the Wave Dispelling Technique, the air in these jars could extend his underwater endurance by another hour.

Other boat pullers from Paibo Gang took the lowest price to tow the cargo ship, almost working for free, ensuring they got the job.

They would drag the ship hiding Li Qi out of the city.

Everything set, Li Qi took a deep breath, filling his lungs, then submerged, gripping the bottom of the cargo ship.

Underneath the ship, he heard the boat pullers of Paibo Gang start chanting their work songs.

"On our shoulders, nine zhang three ropes! Ho-hi!"

"Hard lives tied to our shoulders! Ho-hi!"

"Feet push stones, hands scoop sand! Ho-hi!"

"Don't say we can't row against the current! Ho-hi!"

Until the cargo ship left the city, departing Lizhou.