Chapter 299: Choice

Luo Qi had his own considerations; he harbored a deep distrust of the Qionglin and its upper echelons. He had several reasons for this, though he hadn't organized them properly yet. However, even if he were to organize his true reasons and write them into a thesis to hand to Du Zhengyi, it wouldn't necessarily make Du Zhengyi believe him.

If he were smart, he wouldn't state his true reasons. He spoke of his reasons hesitantly; the only thing he was concerned about here was Guan Xinyue. She shouldn't continue to take such risks with them. For her alone, her utility to all parties was the lowest, and the Qionglin might truly be able to find her a good place to go.

But somehow, when Guan Xinyue heard him say this, she said with absolute certainty that they shouldn't return to the Qionglin, as if she had been waiting for him to help her find a reason. He was a bit confused and even began to feel that perhaps human intuition was very powerful. Although Guan Xinyue knew nothing, she might have intuitively sensed the Qionglin. If he were a bit superstitious, shouldn't he believe even more firmly that his suspicions were correct based on Guan Xinyue's reaction?

The hesitation on Du Zhengyi's face looked a bit like a struggle. His gaze was cast toward Majiang, and for some reason, Luo Qi always felt that Du Zhengyi's expression lacked confidence. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Although Luo Ruian's actions were wrong, he didn't cause any excessive harm after all."

Majiang gestured wildly at their surroundings; Luo Qi guessed he was making a gesture for something infinitely large. "Everything here is like this, and you call this not excessive harm?"

"I mean no one died, and there were no irreparable losses," Du Zhengyi said. "If the Qionglin were to follow normal procedures and hold Luo Ruian accountable, he might have to spend the rest of his life underground. He isn't that old yet; he might have another hundred years to live. After all, the mastermind behind all this here is Fan Shi; the one who made the decisions was Fan Shi, not Luo Ruian. Luo Ruian is not a High-Reaction Mage and poses no harm to others; he shouldn't be buried underground for a hundred years."

"To others... no harm?" Majiang looked at Du Zhengyi. "You really dare to say that. I think he is very harmful to both you and Luo Qi."

"But we haven't actually received a reply from Gushan, and we don't know the situation there yet. Although we notified Gushan, if Pei Lao feels this matter isn't that important and hasn't ended his seclusion, returning to Gushan might actually be dangerous for us." Du Zhengyi said another sentence that stood entirely on Luo Qi's side; Luo Qi guessed from his expression that he had just thought of it. Luo Qi was even a bit impressed by Du Zhengyi's ability to find excuses; he hadn't even thought of such a powerful reason himself. It looked like Du Zhengyi was about to continue, but Majiang reached out to interrupt him.

"Fine, fine, I know. It's the first time I've seen you be so protective; I can't help but want to laugh. Alright, actually I can understand Luo Ruian, perhaps even better than you two can. Because I am also a Mind Mage; speaking selfishly, I wouldn't want my descendants to be Mind Mages either. From the bottom of my heart, I admire Luo Ruian's daring to think and act to some extent. As for where we go, I suggest we compromise: we find a place to hide for another two weeks. First, two weeks is enough for Pei Lao to end his seclusion, and we wait for him to contact us. Second, two weeks is enough for Luo Ruian to settle his wife and himself; I hope he can find a place the Qionglin can't find to hide."

"Fine," Du Zhengyi nodded. "That is very reasonable."

Luo Qi laughed out loud. "Then I suggest Wushan."

Majiang glared at him. "The jurisdiction of the Highland Mages."

"Alright then," Luo Qi said. "The Wushan area of the Highland."

Du Zhengyi couldn't help but laugh too. Majiang sighed helplessly, looking at Du Zhengyi teasingly. He glanced at Luo Qi again, then looked at Du Zhengyi suspiciously. "Are you... actually not wanting to hand Luo Qi over?"

Du Zhengyi did not answer.

"Suddenly, the common great cause, the great cause of all Mages, doesn't seem as important to you as it used to be?" Majiang laughed, as if he had caught Du Zhengyi on something, secretly slapping Du Zhengyi in the face. "In the past, if I wanted to argue about this kind of issue with you, you wouldn't discuss it at all."

"He isn't ready yet; he is too young." Du Zhengyi looked at Luo Qi, who was wrapping his lower lip over his upper lip, making that annoying face again. "Alright, the fire has already spread; let's hurry and leave."

Luo Qi immediately followed. "How are we leaving?"

"Have you disconnected your mind from the Society?" Du Zhengyi asked.

"Just made a clean break!" Luo Qi said readily.

"Good. I estimate Fan Shi is currently pinpointing our location; we will try our best not to have contact with them. Actually, the possibility of us having actual contact is very small. From the actual measurements by Luo Qi and me, the radiation range of the Mind Mage Array exceeds the Ancient Town and covers a distance beyond the vicinity of the Ancient Town. There are several national highways in this distance, and vehicles pass through at night. Fortunately, the attack range of the Mind Mage Array makes Mages feel uneasy and afraid to approach, but humans won't feel much and will come and go as usual. I..." Du Zhengyi paused. "I called a Shenzhou ride-hailing car."

"Oh~" Guan Xinyue dragged out the sound and exchanged a look with Luo Qi. "Superb learning ability."

"Truly an unconventional genius Battle Mage," Majiang teased him dryly. "Then let's get out of town quickly."

"You take Guan Xinyue," Du Zhengyi instructed. "We need to speed up; you'd better carry her on your back. Doctor, you just used Medical Magic, your energy is insufficient, but your physical strength is fine, right?"

"No problem," Majiang said. "Guan Xinyue is quite thin."

"Luo Qi..." Du Zhengyi said.

"I might be a bit heavy."

"I mean I hope you can ensure you keep your mouth shut the whole time and don't say such nonsense. Also, run a bit faster, keep up with me, and don't fall behind."

Luo Qi bit his lip, swallowing the words about wanting to eat lamb skewers once he reached the Highland.

They reached the entrance of the town at high speed, the way completely unobstructed. Du Zhengyi didn't feel any enemies approaching, and in Luo Qi's mental vision, it was also completely blank. Luo Qi believed that at this point, his old man would definitely find a way to block Fan Shi's advance and leave him a way out.

He thought about how he had been trapped in this Ancient Town for too long; the moment he rushed out of the town street entrance, he felt the thrill of breaking out of a cage and really wanted to shout a few times. But just then, he suddenly saw a figure on the stone bridge leading out of town.

Luo Qi thought his eyes were playing tricks on him; in the mental vision he relied on, that place was completely blank. But as if to confirm his vision wasn't confused, Guan Xinyue screamed sharply.

Du Zhengyi grabbed Luo Qi's forearm, somehow looking a bit nervous, like a child caught doing something bad. Luo Qi was like his teddy bear; his body language seemed to hide an impulse to tuck Luo Qi behind him. Luo Qi turned his head to look at him in surprise.

"Pei Lao?"

Luo Qi heard Du Zhengyi call out like that; he recognized from afar that it was his mentor. Luo Qi's heart sank, and he swallowed nervously.