Undoubtedly, when Shen Shuibei stepped out, she immediately attracted the attention of everyone in the shop.
Li Qi never expected that simply changing clothes, combing her hair, and adding an ordinary wooden hairpin could make such a huge difference.
So, Li Qi quickly paid for the clothes. Originally, he had planned to haggle for a better price, but now, he didn't dare to press his luck. He grabbed Shen Shuibei and headed out.
"Excuse me, excuse me..." He smiled apologetically at the onlookers as he pulled the delighted Shen Shuibei away.
Based on their month-long interaction, Li Qi was confident that Shen Shuibei was oblivious to the attention. Her smile was genuine joy, much like a child with a new toy.
While she was genuinely happy, Li Qi felt the weight of all the gazes as he led her through the streets.
He didn't want to take away Shen Shuibei's joy by asking her to change back just to avoid attention.
It would make him seem too weak.
Even if it drew some attention, he believed he could protect them both.
With newfound pride, Li Qi confidently walked with Shen Shuibei towards the city gates.
Fortunately, the Great Deer Kingdom was known for its strict laws, at least officially.
Officially enforced laws were enough to deter any troublemakers during the day.
As for nightfall...
No one dared to leave the city after dark in this world.
Li Qi led Shen Shuibei out of the city, into the wilderness, and deep into the mountain forests, reaching the non-human settlements within the Ten Thousand Mountains.
He whistled loudly.
Shen Shuibei covered her ears, trembling and contorting her face in pain, turning various shades of blue and purple.
She couldn't tolerate sharp sounds, likely a consequence of her heightened rabbit hearing.
But only such sounds could travel far.
Soon, the sound of hooves echoed, and Old Horse neighed in response from afar.
Before long, a handsome horse galloped over, its hooves kicking up dust, swiftly approaching Li Qi, nuzzling him affectionately.
"Alright, you stay here for the night. I need to buy some supplies for our trip and a map. Old Horse, what do you want? Beans or oats?" Li Qi asked Old Horse.
Old Horse neighed and stomped his hooves.
Shen Shuibei translated, "He wants oats, preferably mixed with some sugar beets."
"Quite demanding, alright, I'll bring it for you." Li Qi patted Old Horse's back, then turned to Shen Shuibei, "Stay here with Old Horse. Nothing should catch up with you. I'll return tonight, or early tomorrow morning at the latest. I need to deal with that piece of gold. By the way, Old Horse, can I have another tuft of your mane?" Li Qi cut off a piece of Old Horse's mane, causing him to shake his head in annoyance.
He feared that his beautiful mane would soon be bald due to Li Qi's demands.
"Yes, we'll wait here for you," Shen Shuibei nodded.
She was always straightforward.
Though somewhat naive, she was capable of drastic actions, like self-sealing her own powers.
Sometimes, Li Qi wondered if he could easily give up his hard-earned cultivation after hundreds or thousands of years of practice.
Hard to say, but he knew he wouldn't be as composed as Shen Shuibei.
So far, he hadn't seen her become disheartened despite losing her powers. She always seemed cheerful, quickly bouncing back from any sadness.
It was as if the lost thousand years of cultivation weren't hers at all.
From a revered celestial being to a fragile woman relying on him for survival, she showed no signs of sorrow.
Her resolve was truly admirable.
Of course, it might be because she was naive and didn't fully grasp the situation.
But Li Qi doubted that.
Despite her innocent demeanor, her vast knowledge and experience were evident.
Naivety didn't equate to low intelligence; someone who could remember so much couldn't be foolish.
Thus, Li Qi greatly admired Shen Shuibei.
After giving these instructions, Li Qi gathered his money and entrusted his belongings to Shen Shuibei before heading back to the city.
He needed to deal with the gold.
The solution he came up with involved using the money for a small-scale ritual without incurring losses or risks and without shifting blame onto others.
He decided to spend the money on a small sacrificial ceremony.
Who would he worship?
He would honor the deity he was most familiar with—the god of the Li River, the deity worshipped at Qinghua Palace.
This deity, whom he had participated in major ceremonies for three times already, was his choice.
---
"Here, yes, place it there."
"The altar goes here, correct, right here."
"Wait, you'll be responsible for drumming, just use this small drum."
Li Qi directed the laborers.
He hired them for ten qian each to help set up a small shrine for the river god, including wood, meat offerings, small paper boats, incense, and Old Horse's mane.
Purebred dragon horses were incredibly useful.
All this cost Li Qi two thousand three hundred qian, including labor.
Honestly, it hurt his heart to spend so much.
But he had considered doing this anyway, and the gold merely solidified his decision.
As a Zhu person, he had never conducted a ceremony involving more than himself. This marked a first.
Such group rituals were the true means to acquire significant power.
Just thinking about the scale of opening the river... made him tremble.
Every year, tens of thousands of people worked tirelessly, preparing countless rituals and offerings.
How much did the governor of Lizhou gain as the master of ceremonies?
Forget about that, focus on this ceremony.
After setting everything up, Li Qi approached, offering sacrifices, placing the folded paper boat into the Li River.
Among the offerings was the piece of gold!
Offering gold to deities was a traditional practice; what could go wrong?
Meat, wine, gold, dragon horse mane—all arranged according to ritual.
Damn it, let curses and disasters come! If anything could withstand such forces, it would be the god of the Li River!
Li Qi didn't believe this cursed object could stand against such a powerful deity.