The Eternal Way-Chapter 103: Ambush

It was the second day, and they were resting on their journey.

Li Qi was practicing in small movements, not consuming too much energy but still slowly absorbing some water vapor while also reading a book with part of his attention.

Meanwhile, Shen Shuibei was tormenting a squirrel.

She was digging into the squirrel's burrow.

The nearby squirrel could only watch helplessly.

Primarily, she had suddenly developed a liking for nuts the previous day, apparently enjoying the fresh scent within them. After Li Qi mentioned the idea of cracking sunflower seeds as entertainment, her interest was piqued.

However, there were no sunflower seeds here; amidst the snowy White Snake Mountain, only acorns and pine cones were available.

Where could one find plenty of acorns and pine cones?

Easy, naturally inside the pine tree holes.

Thus, she committed an unforgivable act.

She robbed the squirrels.

She succeeded after a fierce struggle, defeating the squirrels.

Crunch, crunch, crunch—she sat under the tree, munching on the winter provisions that the squirrels had painstakingly collected, looking thoroughly delighted and incredibly cute.

Unfortunately, the squirrels did not share this sentiment.

Nature is cruel, and in this small-scale competition among herbivores, the rabbit emerged victorious.

A good thing, indeed.

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Putting aside these interludes, Li Qi did not plan to rest. After daily practice, he continued on his journey.

The road remained peaceful, as traveling with just two people, one being a highly skilled cultivator, didn't attract much trouble. There was nothing valuable to rob, and provoking a formidable opponent would be unwise for most sensible people.

Robbery required careful consideration, much like wolves hunting—speed, precision, and ruthlessness were essential. Even if unsuccessful, minimizing damage was crucial.

While wolves roamed the mountains fearlessly, facing tigers without hesitation, they dared not attack recklessly, knowing that any injury would make them vulnerable to further attacks, worsening the situation.

Therefore, large caravans were more suitable targets, allowing for quick raids with minimal losses and substantial gains.

Facing two individuals who could fight back, akin to porcupines, offered little meat and many quills, making them undesirable prey for wolves.

Thus, their journey remained peaceful, and by traveling through the night, they returned to Snake Tail County on the second evening.

Li Qi thought it best to return quickly, prepare some feed for Old Horse, and set off immediately.

Though unsure whether the county magistrate knew about them, staying longer was risky.

A county magistrate—what a high-ranking official!

According to Li Qi's understanding, a county covered thousands of miles, almost equivalent to a province in his former world.

Though titled as a county magistrate, they wielded significant power. With hundreds of thousands of residents in the county town and surrounding villages and mountain settlements, the population could reach millions.

The county magistrate would likely be akin to a secretary.

Better to avoid unnecessary trouble. Leaving a day earlier might prevent potential issues, even if it meant Old Horse couldn't rest fully. Overall, it was a wise decision.

They could always let Old Horse rest in the next county.

With Old Horse's speed, reaching the next county took only a day.

Li Qi made up his mind, returned to the city, and rushed to the inn's entrance.

"Shopkeeper, check out," Li Qi knocked on the door, entered, and got straight to the point without intending to say much.

"Certainly, sir. Would you prefer your prepaid stable and feed fees refunded or given as goods?" The shopkeeper responded promptly, preparing for checkout.

After all, this guest had stayed for seven days, which was unusual, so preparation for departure was expected.

Moreover, the manager had personally instructed them to accommodate this guest's requests to avoid offending him.

Though unaware of the reason, they trusted the manager's judgment.

The accountant and servants quickly reviewed the bill, listing expenses on a note for Li Qi's review.

Li Qi verified the charges, paid what was due, inspected everything, then received Old Horse from the stable hand.

Without further ado, Li Qi mounted Old Horse, ready to depart.

Old Horse, however, seemed reluctant.

Probably due to recent pampering.

"Alright, it's been a week. What are you thinking? Feeling rebellious?" Li Qi gently kicked Old Horse, jokingly scolding.

"What's 'week'?" Shen Shuibei heard an unfamiliar term and curiously asked.

"Oh... nothing, just means seven days." Li Qi casually explained.

"Oh..." Shen Shuibei nodded thoughtfully, though it was unclear how much she understood.

Leading Old Horse out of the stable onto the street, Li Qi hung the basket, held Shen Shuibei, and mounted the horse himself.

Ready to leave!

But before the hooves could sound, Old Horse suddenly stiffened, poised to run but remaining still.

Shen Shuibei immediately became alert, tugging at Li Qi's sleeve: "There's a sound, Li Qi."

Li Qi gripped his knife with one hand and held the willow branch tied to his waist with the other: "What direction? I don't sense anything."

He had no choice; apart from the progress bar, his perception abilities weren't remarkable.

"It's a ghost, deliberately hiding its form, four steps ahead of us," Shen Shuibei whispered urgently.

Hearing it was a ghost, Li Qi felt relieved.

Fighting humans still made him nervous.

But fighting ghosts—he was confident.

With Shen Shuibei pinpointing the location, Li Qi pretended ignorance and urged Old Horse forward a few steps.

Suddenly, he drew the willow branch and whipped it forward forcefully!

A loud crack echoed, followed by a wail reverberating around them.

The ghost writhed in pain, dark energy spilling everywhere!

Now, using his Aura Vision, Li Qi saw a ghost.

Clawing and fanged, exuding both dark and murderous energy!

This wasn't an ordinary ghost but a malevolent spirit—one capable of materializing elements and harming humans.

Li Qi wouldn't show mercy. Since the initial strike succeeded, he struck again.

The second strike carried the divine aura of Shentu Yu Lei.

A ninth-rank malevolent spirit would be utterly destroyed by two such strikes.

A willow branch blessed by the High Priest granted overwhelming superiority.

But this strike missed.

The ghost was suddenly enveloped by a strange force, flying backward rapidly, as if pulled by invisible strings.

Li Qi looked in the direction where the ghost flew back.

There stood an old man in brocade robes, holding a jade box, which had drawn the malevolent spirit back.

The suddenly appearing elder looked at Li Qi and said, "Young hero, why be so ruthless? Just observing, and you want to beat my ghost servant to death?"