Chi Xiao Sword’s resonation was not melodious but intense.
For the first time, Li Guanyi felt such an angry reaction from Chi Xiao.
The intensity of the feeling, as though it wanted to fly out and slash something, was even stronger than when it encountered the aura of an Overlord. The only treasure weapon on Li Guanyi, the Shaoyang Sword gifted by Aunt Qingyan, seemed to be responding to the Chi Xiao Sword, softly whistling.
Li Guanyi paused, looking towards the path that signaled a certain danger, then turned to Shaking Light and the Taoist, "Since it is an opportunity, I am quite interested. But after all, there is danger. I’ll send you to a safe town over there first, then I’ll come back."
Shaking Light shook her head, her voice serene, "No matter what kind of place it is, I will accompany you."
The Canggu Taoist opened his eyes and glanced to the left for a moment, seemingly surpassing Shaking Light’s stargazing divination in just an instant. A flicker of rage seemed to cloud his eyes, thunderous and intense, which in the next moment turned into pure clarity as he said, "Left."
Li Guanyi grinned and flicked the whip, the old ox taking a step forward as the young man said, "This Taoist, you really speak succinctly. How about a few more words?"
The Canggu Taoist indifferently gave Li Guanyi a glance.
No one had ever spoken to him before.
It wasn’t that he was arrogant; his nature was simply serene. He only said, "Thirsty."
Li Guanyi laughed heartily, reaching out to grab a jar of wine beside him, then without looking, flicked his wrist, and the jar flew towards the back, where the Canggu Taoist leaning against the railing of the ox cart casually caught it.
He took a casual sip and then frowned.
The young Taoist laughed loudly, proudly raising his eyebrows, "Yes, sweet rice wine."
"It won’t make one drunk."
"I hid it under the straw, cool enough. In the searing heat of summer, a sip is refreshingly comfortable."
"What, is the wine not to the Taoist’s taste?"
The Canggu Taoist thought to himself, he’s still a child after all.
A youth of more than fourteen years old, even when counting his age inclusively as fifteen, was still only .
Fond of sweet things.
Zu Wenyuan, what is your opinion truly?
The Canggu Taoist tipped his head back for another mouthful and said indifferently, "Acceptable."
"The Tao encompasses all, sweetness is no hindrance."
So, Li Guanyi laughed heartily, "See, you can talk normally. Don’t be so mystically distant, floating like you’re in the air." The Canggu Taoist did not respond, simply continuing to drink, flicking his wrist to throw the wine jar back to its place, fitting perfectly.
The ox cart, rocking gently, turned left, reaching a small town as the last trace of light was swallowed by the horizon. The town was small and naturally could not compare with the grandeur of Heroic City or Jiangzhou City, shrouded in darkness.
Li Guanyi sniffed, detecting a faint scent of blood.
The Chi Xiao Sword had quieted down, but the sharp intent to kill grew stronger.
Inside Li Guanyi, the "Eternal Moon Undying Body’s" Golden Core spun faster, becoming slightly unstable, showing signs of flowing towards another qi mechanism, which he forcefully restrained. He slightly lifted his eyes, feeling that this place seemed like a cold and dreary cave.
Arriving at the only inn that could accommodate them, with several horses tied up outside, Li Guanyi secured his ox cart and entered only to encounter some familiar faces—five roughed-up big men from the Divine Beast Manor he had met before his encounter with Shaking Light.
Before, these men had had generous servings of meat and wine at their table.
But now, there was only one dish of stir-fried green vegetables on the table.
Each of the five big men had a piece of yellow millet steamed bread in hand, huddled around the single dish of vegetables.
One big bite of bread, one chopstick of vegetables.
The leading big man lifted his head and shouted, "Shopkeeper, five more steamed breads!"
"You said it yourself, ordering dishes means no charge for the steamed bread."
Then, looking down, he tapped his underling with the chopsticks and scolded in great anger, "You rascal, did you just snatch two pieces of veggies? I saw you!"
"Boss, we still have some money..."
"Nonsense, in Zhenbei City, things will be costly. Eat or not, you might even lose your steamed bread. In the Martial World, the most important thing is to be steady. A simpler meal to reduce the fat on your belly is better than having nothing. If not, shall we just eat plain rice?"
"Eating plain rice in the Martial World is too shameful."
After schooling his underling, the big man glanced up and saw Li Guanyi entering, his face stiffening into a forced smile. His underling began to shout but was silenced by a heavy hand pressing down on his head, "Eat your steamed bread."
Li Guanyi paid no attention to the disciples of the Divine Beast Manor.
He simply ordered four bowls of noodles and several dishes. Although this was Chen Country, the locale was a junction between the north and south of the Central Plains, accommodating both culinary styles. Rice and noodles were both available, and the shopkeeper quickly brought over the food.
Li Guanyi glanced over and noticed that the shopkeeper, about forty years old, was emaciated with a pale complexion, "Oh, shopkeeper, you don’t seem very well. You look pale and blood-deficient. Take good care of yourself."
The shopkeeper forced a smile, "Thank you, young Taoist."
As he put down the dishes, it was apparent the region was not lacking in produce and variety of food, yet Li Guanyi observed that the other servants had the same frail and blood-deficient look, and the female workers and the accountant all seemed pregnant.
Was this a family business, with the shopkeeper’s son running errands and his daughter-in-law keeping the books? The elderly wife and the maternal uncle were in charge of cooking, but even the shopkeeper’s elderly wife was pregnant. Was it due to a lack of self-control?