They're Still Waiting for Me

Luo Lijun was furious. Swaying her massive bulk, she retreated into the pool. From the side, Feng Daiku said, "Young Master Li, I've never seen anyone dare speak to someone from the Inner States like that. Aren't you truly afraid of provoking a fierce battle?" Li Banfeng shook his head with a laugh. "If a few words could start a war, how would that war be any different from a brawl between hoodlums? This war won't happen. Neither the Inner States nor the Outer States want to fight. There's just one thing I'm curious about: why do the Inner States refuse to have direct contact with the Outer States? Miss Feng, do you know the reason behind this?" Feng Daiku replied, "I've thought about this as well. From what I know, the people of the Inner States have always viewed the Outer States as enemies. They have strict clan rules forbidding casual interaction with Outer States people. Even speaking a few extra words might bring fatal consequences." Clan rules? This was the first time Li Banfeng had heard of this. Li Banfeng stayed overnight in Qishuiyao, taking the opportunity to inspect the construction progress of the factory. The next day, just as Li Banfeng was preparing to head to Lüshui City, Feng Daiku brought news once more: Luo Lijun had reappeared. Yesterday, she had shouted at Li Banfeng, declaring that she and her clansmen would never accept his terms or his provocation. Yet today, Luo Lijun had changed her mind. "I have discussed it with my clansmen," Luo Lijun said. "We can agree to your terms, starting with guaranteeing this single entrance in Qishuiyao. In return, we want this place to suffer no further disturbance whatsoever from Outer States people—including the garrison commissioners." Li Banfeng said, "Could you be a bit more direct?" Luo Lijun said, "Qishuiyao can no longer have a Garrison Office." Feng Daiku glanced at Li Banfeng. This demand seemed far too steep; she had assumed he would refuse. To her surprise, Li Banfeng actually agreed. "I will negotiate with the Outer States on this condition to make them withdraw the Garrison Office," he said. "And how will you handle the terms I proposed?" Her tentacles trembling, Luo Lijun replied, "We agree to grant an additional piece of newland, a hundred li of territory, along with a covenant deed—a complete pair of covenant deeds." Li Banfeng nodded on the spot. "I'll give you word as soon as possible." After leaving the factory, Feng Daiku was quite concerned about the situation. "The Outer States will never withdraw the garrison commissioner of a territory. Even if they truly withdrew, they would likely cut off all transit to Qishuiyao. I'm afraid these terms cannot be negotiated." "Whether they can be negotiated depends on the Outer States' attitude," Li Banfeng said, falling into deep thought as he stood by the factory gates. "Right now, I truly cannot see through the Inner States' stance." Feng Daiku asked, "Should we probe them further?" Li Banfeng nodded. "We should, but I'll leave that to you. I have to make a trip to the Outer States. There are still matters waiting for me to handle, and many people waiting for me." Feng Daiku stared blankly. "Who are you talking about?" "Many people... very many..." Li Banfeng gazed into the distance without explaining. Looking at his profile, Feng Daiku felt her mind wander slightly. Remembering the sheer assertiveness and domineering presence he displayed before the Inner States people, there might truly not be a second man like him in this world. "Young Master Li, what kind of women do you like?" Feng Daiku asked, her cheeks flushing slightly pink. "Women who can sing," Li Banfeng answered candidly. Feng Daiku smiled gently. "I can sing a few ditties as well, Young Master Li. Which melody do you prefer?" Li Banfeng pondered for a moment. "When you sing, can you emit smoke?" Feng Daiku was taken aback. "Emit what smoke?" Li Banfeng replied in all seriousness, "Just like a train, chuffing out great billows of white smoke." "That... it seems... I cannot..." Feng Daiku could not comprehend Li Banfeng's line of thought. "Then never mind." Li Banfeng shook his head and turned to walk away. Back at her quarters, Feng Daiku leaned against a veranda pillar, lost in a quiet daze. She picked up a bronze mirror and examined her reflection closely. Feng Daiku was one of the finest beauties in all of Puluo Province, an Emotion Cultivator above the clouds. With so much as a second look at her, what man in this world could maintain his composure? And yet he asked if I could emit smoke? What kind of sense does that make? *** Mu Yuejuan and Feng Chongli had rowed their boat across the river for three full days. A torrential downpour finally swept over the waters, which had remained consistently sunny until now. A change in weather proved they had entered a new environment; Mu Yuejuan had located a new painted scroll. Ahead lay a bamboo forest. Feng Chongli rowed the skiff ashore, feeling momentarily dizzy the instant his feet touched solid ground. Through these days of probing, Feng Chongli had discovered certain patterns. "All these days, I've been wondering: if I enter one of your paintings and simply keep walking in any direction, will I cross into another scroll? If I just keep going like that, could I walk through every single one of your paintings?" Mu Yuejuan sneered. "Don't ask me. Go try it yourself and see if you have the life in you to come out alive." Passing through the bamboo forest, a pavilion appeared ahead. A gaunt, emaciated man walked out from the pavilion, gazing at Mu Yuejuan with intense excitement. "You're here..." The man hurried forward to greet her. Mu Yuejuan picked up a stalk of bamboo from the ground, then walked up to the man with a face full of joy. "How long have you waited for me?" Mu Yuejuan gently caressed his gaunt cheek. "I've waited for you three whole days," the man said, eyes brimming with tears. "I believed with all my heart that I would see you." "Why are you so foolish?" Mu Yuejuan brushed away his tears with tender pity. Beside the pavilion stood a bamboo cottage. The man took Mu Yuejuan's hand and led her toward it, but she stumbled and fell. "Aiya~" Mu Yuejuan cried softly, and the man immediately caught her. "Quick, let me see—are you hurt?" Leaning down, the man scooped Mu Yuejuan into his arms and carried her into the cottage. The maiden was very light; carrying her took no effort at all. Little did he know, from the moment Mu Yuejuan had tripped, the girl he lifted had been transformed from that stalk of bamboo. Mu Yuejuan and Feng Chongli continued on their way. Feng Chongli glanced back toward the bamboo cottage and asked, "How long have you known that man?" Mu Yuejuan thought for a moment. "About half a year." "Has he been sleeping with a bamboo stalk the entire time?" Feng Chongli asked. Mu Yuejuan said, "That isn't the right way to put it. That bamboo was painted by me. Within my paintings, there is no difference between that bamboo and me." Stepping out of the scroll, the two emerged into a room. Judging by the surroundings, they were still in Lüshui City—likely an old house in Yuanzhufang to the south of the city. There was almost no furniture inside; beside the bed stood a dining table, upon which sat a small dish of pickled vegetables and two moldy steamed buns. Feng Chongli sighed. "Pinching pennies, spending a fortune without hesitation just to buy an authentic painting of yours, all in hopes of sharing a tender night with you... If he ever learned the truth, this deal would make him regret until his guts turned green." "If he never knows, he won't regret it. As I said, inside the painting, the bamboo and I are one and the same," Mu Yuejuan said, looking back at Feng Chongli with a sneer. "A businessman like you will never comprehend the wonders of such affection." *** Inside the Dark Star Bureau, Zhong'er held a box of files, took a deep breath, and walked toward Director Shen's office. Lightbulb grabbed Zhong'er from behind. "Brother, what are you doing? Have you lost your mind?" Zhong'er shook his head. "I haven't lost my mind. Some things must have an answer!" Lightbulb urged, "You're being so impulsive right now—what kind of answer do you think you can get?" "No matter what the answer is, someone has to go and ask." Shaking Lightbulb off, Zhong'er knocked on Director Shen's door. "Come in." Shen Jingye looked up at Zhong'er and smiled. "Xiao Qin, you have something for me? Come, sit down." "Yes, Director Shen. I'm here to ask about Director Li." Zhong'er took a seat opposite Shen Jingye. "What did you want to ask?" Director Shen maintained his smile, looking as if he were indulging a foolish child. Zhong'er was no stranger to smiles like that. "Director, I only want to ask about Director Li's condition." "Regarding Director Li's situation, I have already emphasized it at our meetings. We are actively investigating. Until we have definitive findings—" "Are we truly investigating?" Zhong'er placed the box of files in front of Shen Jingye. "During this time, I have been investigating Director Li's whereabouts on my own. I gathered a large amount of information regarding Madam Bagworm Moth, including her combat capabilities, her living environment, her haunting patterns, and her daily habits. I wanted to submit these files to aid the investigation, yet from top to bottom, not a single person in the bureau was willing to accept them! I truly don't understand what's going on. Are we investigating Director Li's whereabouts at all?" "I've already emphasized—we have been investigating all along!" Shen Jingye took the file box. "I accept these files. I acknowledge your contributions to the investigation." Shen Jingye firmly believed that the sincerity he showed would appease this stubborn subordinate. The young man ought to see hope and return to his desk to await updates. Yet Zhong'er's next reaction completely exceeded Shen Jingye's expectations. "You took the files, but you won't look at them at all, will you?" "Of course I will look—" Shen Jingye tried to rein in his temper. He was furious, because Zhong'er had spoken the truth: he indeed had no intention of looking at those files. "The anomaly that appeared that night was never Madam Bagworm Moth at all, right?" Zhong'er interrupted. "Do you have any basis for saying such things?" Shen Jingye grew even angrier, because Zhong'er had hit upon the truth behind the truth. "Of course I have a basis," Zhong'er said, pointing to the file box. "According to records from Puluo Province, Madam Bagworm Moth's primary combat method is spitting silk to trap prey. I investigated the scene multiple times, yet I couldn't find a single strand of moth silk! That completely contradicts Madam Bagworm Moth's combat habits! Madam Bagworm Moth is accustomed to ambushing from high vantage points, and there are several unfinished buildings near Suichen Road, yet not a single trace of battle was found near those structures. Madam Bagworm Moth is enormous in size and has no habit of burrowing into the earth. The area surrounding Suichen Road is open terrain—after the battle ended, where could such a colossal creature possibly hide?" Shen Jingye frowned. "Who authorized you to conduct an unauthorized investigation? Call your Captain Chen here!" Zhong'er shook his head. "There's no need to call Captain Chen. This was my personal action, and I will bear the consequences myself. Director Li followed bureau orders to carry out a mission, and now he is missing in action, yet we haven't launched a single genuine search-and-rescue operation! As a combat operative, I at least have the right to know what we are fighting for!" "Enough!" Shen Jingye reached the end of his patience. "How do you know we haven't launched search-and-rescue operations? Some efforts cannot be disclosed to you because they involve high-level confidentiality! You are using limited thinking to question our bureau's overall operations!" Shen Jingye had finally found his bureaucratic rhythm. For the next several minutes, he would unleash a full-bore lecture, burying Zhong'er under rhetoric without giving him another chance to speak. Yet just as he steered the conversation back on track, Shen Jingye's landline rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he saw it was Director Du. Shen Jingye picked up the phone. "Director Du, our materials still require further revisions. Please give us a little more time..." Hanging up, Shen Jingye softened his tone and said to Zhong'er, "You see? The higher-ups are deeply concerned about Director Li's safety. We even have to prepare a specialized report for this." Zhong'er's ears twitched. Keeping his head down, he said, "That call just now had nothing to do with Director Li. My hearing is very sharp; I heard what came through the receiver." Shen Jingye drew a deep breath, forcefully suppressing his temper. This brat's words were always so unsparingly sharp. He could not continue arguing with him. Whether he could convince the boy didn't matter; the crucial point was that squabbling with a junior agent was thoroughly beneath his dignity. "Xiao Qin, each of us holds a different post, carries different responsibilities, and faces different pressures and difficulties. When facing pressure, whether we can properly fulfill our duties becomes especially vital. As a young member of the Security Squad, your duty is—" Just as Shen Jingye recovered his lecturing momentum, the phone rang again. "You see? This is my duty, this is the pressure I face. In the face of hardship and pressure, what kind of choice must I make? That is what you need to reflect upon!" Shen Jingye picked up the receiver. "Director Du, we're just making minor adjustments to the details. We'll immediately—" "It's me." The voice on the other end was not Director Du. Shen Jingye shuddered. "Xiao Shen, come to my office." The line went dead. Shen Jingye looked at Zhong'er, his face pale as a sheet. Zhong'er's hearing was sharp, and he had recognized the voice from the receiver. "Director Li is back?" Shen Jingye nodded. "Yes, he's back. He told me to go to his office. Do you want to come with me?" Zhong'er pondered for a moment and said, "Director, each of us holds a different post, carries different responsibilities, and faces different pressures and difficulties. This is your duty and your pressure. I need to keep to my own place, so I won't be going." With that, Zhong'er stood up, bowed to Shen Jingye, and walked out of the office. Shen Jingye wiped away his sweat, keeping his mind relatively clear. This matter had to be reported immediately. The current Li Qi might be extremely dangerous and could threaten the safety of the entire Dark Star Bureau. He flipped open his address book. Just as he was about to lift the landline receiver, the bell rang once more. It was Li Qi again. Shen Jingye answered. "Xiao Shen, hurry up. If you don't come over, I'll just walk over there myself." Shen Jingye shuddered again and stood up from his desk. Entering Li Qi's office, Shen Jingye looked at Li Qi and confirmed his identity twice over, scrutinizing every detail. Li Qi chuckled and looked at Shen Jingye. "Xiao Shen, have a seat." "Mm." Shen Jingye sat on the chair, knees together, leaning slightly forward. It was him, without a doubt. It was Li Qi. He was still alive. After encountering Lühuazi, he was actually still alive. Li Qi smiled. "Surprised, aren't you?" "Surprised? No, how could I be surprised?" Shen Jingye tried his best to appear natural. Li Qi feigned surprise. "Not even a little pleasantly surprised?" "What is there to be pleasantly surprised—" "Think carefully again?" "Pleasantly surprised!" Shen Jingye quickly changed his tune. "I'm exceedingly pleasantly surprised! Director Li, you have no idea how many days we've been searching for you. I truly thought—" "Truly thought I was eaten by Madam Bagworm Moth?" Li Qi chuckled. "Director Shen, have you ever seen Madam Bagworm Moth?" "I haven't." Shen Jingye shook his head repeatedly. "I have," Li Banfeng said, leaning against the back of his chair as he recalled Madam Bagworm Moth's appearance. "Madam Bagworm Moth is an insect with a human face—round-cheeked and quite good-looking. But the Madam Bagworm Moth I met on Suichen Road didn't have a round face at all, and wasn't good-looking in the slightest. An elongated face covered in pustules, dressed in rags... Didn't look like an insect at all, but rather like a beggar." Shen Jingye ventured, "Perhaps the different environment caused a biological mutation." Li Qi feigned astonishment. "Mutated that severely? How about I take you to see him again? You can examine him closely to see if he's really Madam Bagworm Moth." Shen Jingye truly could not bear the pressure any longer and stopped playing tai chi with Li Banfeng. "Director Li, I never went to the scene, and I don't know much about the situation there. When I received the mission from higher-ups, they told me it was Madam Bagworm Moth. What actually transpired at the scene, I truly have no idea..." Li Qi looked at Shen Jingye. "Then should we find someone who does understand and have a good chat? How about that Director Du you mentioned earlier?" "Going to Director Du right now might not be appropriate. We should communicate thoroughly between ourselves first." Shen Jingye had already contacted Director Du; the order Director Du gave him was to stall Li Qi first. Li Qi chuckled. "You're right, we must communicate first. Communicate thoroughly." Shen Jingye's face was dripping with sweat. "Let us first discuss Madam Bagworm Moth. That night—" "Cut the crap about Madam Bagworm Moth!" Li Banfeng's face darkened. "That was Lühuazi. If you don't know who Lühuazi is, I can take you to get acquainted with him right now!" "No need," Shen Jingye said, shaking his head profusely. "I've reviewed the files on Lühuazi and heard plenty about him. Is he... still in Yuezhou?" Li Banfeng shook his head. "He returned to Puluo Province. I sent him back." This was the absolute truth. Shen Jingye froze in shock. "You went to Puluo Province?" "Yes," Li Banfeng nodded. "And while I was at it, I made a trip to Qishuiyao to check on the situation there." Hearing Qishuiyao, Shen Jingye grew even more nervous. "How is the situation there?" "Not great," Li Banfeng said gravely. "You sent people who turned the gatekeeper at the Inner States' entrance into a skeleton. Faced with such severe provocation, the Inner States are unlikely to let the matter rest." Shen Jingye widened his eyes. "That wasn't done by us!" "How do you know it wasn't done by you?" Li Qi frowned. "When I asked you before, didn't you claim you knew nothing at all?" Shen Jingye hastily explained, "Over the past few days, I looked into the situation further. There truly was a misunderstanding in this affair." "Special Envoy Xu Shouming's fifty-plus subordinates were turned into skeletons by the Inner States people—does that count as a misunderstanding too?" "This..." Shen Jingye searched for words. "This was likely a disastrous consequence arising from the misunderstanding." Li Qi shook his head. "The Inner States don't see it that way. They are preparing for war." Shen Jingye fell silent for a moment, then looked at Li Qi. "We do not wish to see a war. What we need is peace. Our original intention in setting up a balancer was precisely to resolve misunderstandings between both sides." Li Banfeng nodded. "I went and resolved it. I don't wish to see a war either. Over these days, I spent a massive amount of time and effort trying to defuse the misunderstanding between you two. The Inner States have agreed not to escalate the situation, but they also laid down their conditions." "What conditions?" Shen Jingye never imagined that the Qishuiyao incident could make such enormous progress. Li Qi said, "The Inner States place great importance on the entrance at Qishuiyao. To guarantee the safety of this entrance, they demand the removal of the Garrison Office in Qishuiyao, and transit through Qishuiyao must not be interrupted." "Removal?" Shen Jingye shook his head. "That's impossible!" "Impossible? Are those your words?" Li Qi stood up. "Fine, then it's settled. I'll head to Qishuiyao right now and make things crystal clear to them: Director Shen has stated his stance—fight if we must, but removing the Garrison Office is absolutely out of the question." "Wait!" Shen Jingye immediately blocked Li Qi. "Director Li, what I meant was... I cannot make this decision myself." Li Qi smiled. "Exactly. You certainly can't make this call, which is why we need to discuss it with Director Du. And not just this matter—we also need to discuss Lühuazi." "What else is there about Lühuazi?" Shen Jingye grew even more alarmed. "Didn't he already return to Puluo Province?" Li Banfeng nodded. "He went back, but he never said he wouldn't return." "Why would he come back?" Shen Jingye looked at Li Qi in bewilderment. Li Qi fixed Shen Jingye with a grave stare. "Did you think that after selling me out, this whole affair would just be over?" Shen Jingye lowered his head. "Regarding that matter, I was kept in the dark—" Li Qi said, "Then let me inform you now. Lühuazi gave us five days to help him gather a batch of personnel. If we cannot gather them, he will come to Yuezhou again." "What kind of personnel?" "People from Santoucha," Li Banfeng said. "Some people in Santoucha have exceptional combat strength. Lühuazi wants to recruit a portion of them for his own use." Shen Jingye asked, "You mean the three-headed people?" Li Banfeng nodded. Shen Jingye asked, "How many does he want?" "Five thousand." "Five thousand people?" Shen Jingye shook his head repeatedly. "That is absolutely impossible." "Your words! You said it's out of the question! That makes things easy then!" Li Banfeng moved to stand up again, and Shen Jingye hastily rushed forward to stop him. "Director Li, this isn't something I can decide either!" "Which is why we still have to find someone who can." Shen Jingye nodded. "Director Li, how about this: let's draft a written report outlining the detailed circumstances, submit it to higher authorities, and then—" Click-clack~ Both of their phones buzzed; they had received the exact same message: An incident has occurred at Zhengqiao Square. The Dark Star Bureau must take immediate action. Shen Jingye pocketed his phone and said, "I can just send the Security Squad for this. Let's handle our urgent business first—" "Don't say that! What matter could be more urgent than a case? I have to go!" Li Qi put on his coat. Shen Jingye urged, "Director Li, please don't go. We have far more critical matters to discuss right before us." "Then come along with me; we can discuss it on the way!" Li Banfeng dragged Shen Jingye out of the office. Shen Jingye said anxiously, "What are you doing? The house is practically on fire, and you're still heading out to handle a case?" Li Qi frowned. "What kind of talk is that? We both stated our positions before: whenever there's a case, we go to the scene. Whoever backs out is a coward!" Shen Jingye genuinely did not want to go, but what cultivation level did Li Banfeng possess? With Li Banfeng gripping him, he had no choice. The two went straight to the Security Squad. The moment they saw Li Qi, Lightbulb's mouth fell wide open, and You Xuehan's eyes turned red. Zhong'er tried to hold back his laughter, but couldn't help letting out a chuckle. Mijian murmured softly, "Director Li... is back." Others whispered nearby, "Is this Director Li?" "Yes, that's him! The one who always charges to the front in every tough battle." "A few days ago, he fought Madam Bagworm Moth one-on-one. Everyone thought he was done for, but isn't he back safe and sound?!" Looking at the excited gazes around them, Li Banfeng said to Shen Jingye, "Xiao Shen, look how happy everyone is now that you've arrived." Shen Jingye gave two dry chuckles. He truly had no desire to go, but now he couldn't back out. Once aboard the minibus, Li Banfeng said, "First, brief Director Shen on the situation at the scene." You Xuehan was ready. This time, the threat was not an anomaly, but a fugitive suspect. The suspect was spotted in a restaurant at Zhengqiao Square. After the restaurant owner reported it, law enforcement personnel rushed to the scene immediately. The suspect had taken the customers and staff hostage using a homemade bomb. Law enforcement had attempted negotiations several times to no avail, and the situation was exceedingly dangerous. Shen Jingye frowned. "Is this our bureau's responsibility?" You Xuehan hurried to report, "According to verification by on-site personnel, the suspect is a brawler of the middle tier." The "middle tier" was the Dark Star Bureau's rough classification for dark-energy users. Tiers one through three were classified as low tier, tiers four and five were middle tier, and tiers six and seven were high tier. In the Dark Star Bureau's database, the highest tier of dark-energy user was tier seven, which was also the general consensus across the Outer States. The suspect being a brawler above tier three meant ordinary law enforcement personnel would find it exceedingly difficult to subdue him. Under such circumstances, deploying the Dark Star Bureau was mandatory. Having understood the case, Shen Jingye made operational arrangements: "This incident is taking place in the central district. Everyone must pay extra attention to safety and confidentiality..." The formulation of specific tactics was entirely left to Chen Changrui; Shen Jingye's mind was completely consumed by the Inner States people and Lühuazi. Chen Changrui drew up a meticulous plan, designating seasoned operatives like Mijian, Haitangguo, Zhuizi, Banzhuan, and Huajia as the primary strike force to forcefully subdue the suspect. Yet upon arriving at the scene, Chen Changrui's tactics proved useless. First, they had underestimated the suspect's capabilities. According to the latest intelligence, the suspect's homemade bomb was equipped with both an automatic detonator and a remote detonator, meaning that even if the suspect were subdued, the bomb could still detonate at any second. Second, the suspect had decided to fight to the death. He gave everyone only ten seconds—after ten seconds, he would detonate the bomb. "Back off, all of you! If you don't want to die, stay far away!" Hiding behind the bar counter to evade all sniper angles, the suspect held a promotional megaphone used by the restaurant and shouted, "Ten seconds! Only ten seconds! I'm counting down right now!" Did this suspect have a death wish? Not quite. He knew the explosive force and blast radius of his bomb all too well. He planned to use the chaos before and after detonation to carve out an opportunity to escape. "Ten! Nine!" The suspect began his countdown. Shen Jingye looked grim, but issued no orders. They had barely arrived and the situation had already deteriorated to this point. At this stage, taking no action to avoid expanding casualties was the best way to avoid expanding his own liability. "Eight!" "Xiao Shen, let's move!" "Move where?" Shen Jingye turned his head, but before he could grasp what Li Qi meant, Li Qi grabbed him and charged straight into the restaurant. In front of Li Qi was the suspect; in front of Shen Jingye was the bomb. The suspect counted down: "Seven!" Li Qi nodded. "It's me. Hello!" The suspect froze, then moved to press the remote detonator in his hand. Li Banfeng took the remote away. The suspect froze again and drew a handgun. Li Banfeng took the handgun away as well. The suspect grabbed a pen off the counter—in the hands of a Martial Cultivator, anything could become a weapon. Li Banfeng fired a shot, and the suspect collapsed backward onto the floor. The timer was still counting down; less than three seconds remained. Li Qi watched Shen Jingye silently. Li Qi was in no rush; he had plenty of ways to deal with the bomb. Shen Jingye was in a desperate panic—he was the closest person to the bomb. With astonishing speed, he located the critical junction point and disconnected the timer from the detonation mechanism. The timer reached zero, but the bomb did not explode. "Done pretending? Are you a craft cultivator or a calculation cultivator?" Li Banfeng looked at Shen Jingye with a smile. Shen Jingye gritted his teeth, looked back at Li Qi, and tried his utmost to remain calm. "I have never concealed it." Since he hadn't concealed it, he would simply have to be tempered on the battlefield that much more. Someone was still waiting for Li Qi, and Li Qi had never forgotten.