Li Qi suddenly realized that while Shen Shuibei usually appeared a bit naive, she could be surprisingly insightful at crucial moments.
So he awkwardly ran his hand through his hair and replied with a simple: "Hmm..."
That was indeed the case.
Li Qi wasn't particularly keen on killing. Even though letting the Wang family go posed some risk, and Grandma Wang didn't seem like an honest person, he still didn't want to kill.
Ultimately, if he truly wanted to kill, there would have been no need to insist that Old Li retreat.
Simply aiding Old Li would have led to the Wang family's downfall sooner or later.
Li Qi had no particular aversion to killing; he just believed it shouldn't be done so lightly.
To exterminate an entire family over suspicion and dissatisfaction...
Coming from another civilization, he found it hard to accept such actions.
If they were enemies, like those soldiers and members of the Lida Bang, he wouldn't hesitate to kill them.
But the Wang family weren't enemies; they were merely pitiful people who had to scheme to survive.
Thus, even though they had schemed against him, Li Qi wasn't angry. He only took it as a reminder to be more cautious in the future.
"Then, Li Qi, do you feel guilty because you're bearing this risk? And thus feel a bit embarrassed towards me?" Shen Shuibei asked again.
Li Qi couldn't hold back anymore and turned his head: "Miss Shen, are you pretending all the time?"
This was where Li Qi felt embarrassed. If it were just him, taking risks was part of the deal; one reaps what one sows. Choosing to be good meant accepting the consequences.
But now, with Shen Shuibei by his side, it meant she was also bearing the risk, making him feel uneasy.
"Huh?" Hearing Li Qi's question, Shen Shuibei looked puzzled and responded with a confused "Huh?"
She didn't seem to be pretending...
Was it her sharp intuition or simply pure sixth sense?
It was a bit embarrassing.
"Cough, cough, never mind, continue," Li Qi changed the subject.
Shen Shuibei immediately shifted her attention, easily swayed.
So she continued: "Well, if that's the case, then I'm actually your biggest source of risk. Shouldn't I feel guilty according to what you said?"
Before Li Qi could respond, she continued: "See, you don't think I'm risky..."
But before she could finish, Li Qi interrupted: "Actually, you are quite risky. Aren't you feeling guilty?"
Shen Shuibei swallowed the rest of her words.
She let go of Li Qi's waist and retreated to the back, sulking.
The rabbit was angry.
And Li Qi, sitting in front, didn't speak either.
Mainly... if Shen Shuibei kept talking, it would make him feel awkward.
He shouldn't say such things. There was no need for such intimacy. With Old Horse, traveling thousands of miles was just a matter of days. Once they found Lady Luofu, they would part ways. Why complicate things?
For the next step, Li Qi planned to return to Lizhou City.
According to Shen Shuibei's route, there was no need to return to Lizhou City, but Li Qi decided to take a detour back to Paibo Gang.
Firstly, he wanted to tell them not to practice Niu Li Shu anymore.
Secondly, he wanted to teach them Carp Flow Intent.
As for the third reason...
There was no third reason.
Li Qi shook his head, dispelling extraneous thoughts, and patted Old Horse's neck: "Old Horse, run faster. We'll enter the city tonight!"
Old Horse neighed and sped up.
Stepping on clouds, swift as the wind, the dragon horse galloped through the forest. Yixian County was four to five hundred li from Lizhou City, but this distance was covered in half a day.
Setting out at noon, Li Qi reached the outskirts of Lizhou City before sunset.
The difference between having a vehicle and not having one was stark.
A three-wheeled cart versus riding this priceless dragon horse was another level altogether!
Li Qi couldn't help but marvel at how he had taken half a month to walk this journey, while Old Horse made it back in half a day. The differences between people could be...
But after a brief moment of reflection, Li Qi patted Old Horse's belly and dismounted: "Old Horse, same as usual. You and Miss Shen wait outside. I'll go into the city to buy some supplies. We'll rest for the night, then find Lady Luofu. This time, get ready; we won't stop."
Old Horse neighed indifferently, seemingly unbothered by the long journey.
Shen Shuibei, however, had already recovered from her anger. Her temper rarely lasted more than five minutes. So, lifting her head eagerly, she asked: "Can I go into the city with you?!"
"No," Li Qi shook his head.
"Why?" The rabbit clearly showed disappointment.
"Because I'll be back soon, and you're too beautiful. Lizhou City is different from Yixian County. If someone takes a fancy to you and something happens, I might not be able to protect you," Li Qi explained.
This reasoning pleased the rabbit, so she accepted it.
After all, Li Qi would only be gone for a few hours.
And he would bring back supplies.
At this moment, Li Qi suddenly remembered something and pulled out a hairpin from his pocket.
"This, I bought it to chat with a vendor while gathering information. I don't need it, so I'll give it to you." He handed it to Shen Shuibei.
Shen Shuibei hesitated for a moment, then happily accepted it, politely saying: "Thank you!"
"What's there to thank? It was bought to gather information, and it's made of copper, not worth much," Li Qi waved his hand nonchalantly. "I'll go into the city now and should be back tonight. Won't be long."
"Okay!"
"Neigh!"
Shen Shuibei and Old Horse both responded.
Li Qi slung his basket over his shoulder and strode confidently into Lizhou City.
After watching him leave, Shen Shuibei leaned against Old Horse's head and whispered: "Old Horse... why does he seem so mature normally but act like a child now? Why does he always seem annoyed with me? Did I upset him? Was it because I got too close and bothered him?"
Shen Shuibei sought Old Horse's opinion.
And Old Horse neighed twice, apparently deep in thought, munching on grass with half-closed eyes, offering no comment.
As an old dragon horse, he was too lazy to care about these complicated matters.
People grow wiser with age, and horses do too.
In such situations, speaking is often wrong.
Better to watch from the sidelines.
Don't ask me; I'm just a horse.