The Eternal Way

In the dead of night.

On a street.

Two people.

Li Qi and Shen Shuibei stared at each other, each looking at the other.

Li Qi was bewildered. He had been waiting for Young Master Zhu to introduce them so he could introduce himself and get acquainted before setting off on their journey!

But what was up with this new boss? He came, asked a few questions, dumped them here, and left?!

This boss seemed rather irresponsible... or perhaps he wasn't the only one tasked with finding Luo Fu Niangniang? Was he busy securing other backups?

No, maybe he was the backup.

However, it wasn't just Li Qi who looked bewildered; Shen Shuibei shared the same confusion.

The rabbit demon's mind was filled with questions, even forgetting her previous wariness and dislike.

Huh? This annoying Great Wu Zhu just left?

Leaving her alone with this equally annoying young Wu Zhu to find Luo Fu Niangniang?

Would he follow her?

These Wu Zhu were all very cunning. It was said that everything on Wu Deity Mountain was mystical and mysterious.

Wu Zhu were relatively normal compared to others. They usually handled external communications.

The diviners were even more peculiar, always muttering incantations and using divination techniques to scheme against others and themselves, never speaking clearly and leaving others to guess their meanings.

Apart from these two main categories, other types of witches and shamans were even more eccentric, often performing exorcisms and sometimes talking to thin air, making them hard to understand.

Shen Shuibei's mind was full of doubts.

But Li Qi reacted faster. He stepped forward directly, "Miss Shen, do you remember me? We met earlier today."

"I know, you're that sneaky little Wu who tried to capture me!" Shen Shuibei said warily, scrutinizing him closely.

She examined Li Qi meticulously, noting every detail about him.

His skin was tanned and rough, indicating he spent a lot of time outdoors doing manual labor.

His clothes... were shabby, made of coarse hemp fabric, worn out and patched nowhere, showing no signs of feminine care, not even basic mending.

He looked pitiful.

His face... was quite handsome, with a rugged sincerity.

Bah! How sincere could this little Wu be, full of tricks and schemes, listening to his conversation with the Great Wu Zhu confirmed he was a deceitful person.

Li Qi felt her scrutiny and straightened his back, speaking earnestly, "Wasn't our last meeting purely coincidental? Miss Shen, you were trapped by that demon, and we saved you. After encountering you, I let you go. How can you say I was trying to capture you? Just because of your high status, can you casually slander me?"

"But after you came, that Great Wu Zhu captured me!" Shen Shuibei complained, somewhat angry.

"Great Wu Zhu's actions are beyond my knowledge as a mere subordinate," Li Qi sighed. "Actually, I'm just as confused as you!"

By aligning his position with Shen Shuibei, Li Qi continued before she could react, "However, Miss Shen, I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing."

"How is it not bad? You clearly have intentions toward Luo Fu Niangniang!" Shen Shuibei angrily retorted.

Intentions toward Luo Fu Niangniang... sounded odd. Li Qi couldn't help but think sarcastically.

But knowing how to persuade, he quickly followed up, "Luo Fu Niangniang is persecuted by Tang Dynasty, surely you are aware of this?"

At this topic, Shen Shuibei fell silent, visibly distressed.

This girl... was single-minded and straightforward.

But that made her easier to deceive.

Thinking this, Li Qi continued, "Our Wu Deity Mountain shares the same stance as Luo Fu Niangniang, both opposing Tang Dynasty."

Now speaking confidently as "our Wu Deity Mountain," though Li Qi actually knew little about it, he believed in clinging tightly to the powerful.

"With a common enemy, you must know that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Wu Deity Mountain seeks Luo Fu Niangniang purely for cooperation. To reassure her, they sent someone like me as an envoy. This way, there would be no threat to her. Since I am from the Outer Path, my location cannot be tracked through divination, ensuring Luo Fu Niangniang's safety."

"Aren't these measures enough to show our sincerity?" Li Qi sincerely said.

Was he really sincere?

Of course not, it was all a lie. If they truly wanted to act deviously, Li Qi believed Wu Deity Mountain had countless ways to bypass any obstacles.

But...

For someone less sharp, a pile of reasons and a sincere tone could easily win trust.

It was clear Shen Shuibei was convinced,

Because it seemed... Li Qi's words, well, possibly, should, might, probably... made some sense?

Seeing Shen Shuibei's confusion, Li Qi seized the opportunity and showed her the willow branch, "Miss Shen, take a look at this. Being lowly, I have no knowledge of magical artifacts. I don't know what Young Master Zhu gave me. Coming from Luo Fu Niangniang's side, you must know!"

Shen Shuibei, still thinking, instinctively shifted her attention to the willow branch when interrupted.

Under Li Qi's sincere gaze and request, she found it hard to refuse...

So, she replied, "Uh, this should be a willow branch infused with Earth Spirits' divine energy, capable of warding off evil, binding spirits, and even striking ghosts."

"There are records... 'On New Year's Day, place a willow branch at your door, and no ghosts will enter.' I heard from Luo Fu Niangniang that there is a treasure in Tianzhu called the Jade Pure Bottle, which has a willow branch inside, making it a potent talisman. Infused with Earth Spirits' divine energy, its power increases significantly, though it's still not worthy of being displayed in Luo Fu Niangniang's vase." Mentioning this, Shen Shuibei became somewhat proud.

"So that's it. Indeed, Miss Shen is knowledgeable," Li Qi genuinely praised, as he truly didn't know these things.

"Hmph!" Shen Shuibei, having escaped for so long, finally received praise and proudly puffed out her chest.

"Let's find a place to rest. I'd love to hear more from you, Miss Shen, to broaden my horizons. Please take care of me on the road ahead," Li Qi suggested.

"That goes without saying," Shen Shuibei politely responded.

However, she hadn't realized that,

Initially, she had no intention of traveling with Li Qi.