Chapter 1950 - 1949: Admission

The Heavenly Dao's whereabouts before, Li Qi truly did not know, as he was not yet born at that time, so it couldn't be considered that he lied to Tang Rao.

"Since it's a legend, it must be something from a long time ago. Many people probably don't know about it anymore."

Tang Rao seemed to empathetically say to Li Qi, thereby reducing Li Qi's psychological burden.

He tended to believe that everything Li Qi was doing now was under duress, not something he was willing to do, so the speculation of whether Li Qi would betray him did not exist.

"Boss, are you looking for the Heavenly Dao? Want to avenge our brothers?"

Li Qi asked Tang Rao.

Recently, the Kao Shan Sect was destroyed by the Heavenly Dao, and the brothers within the Kao Shan Sect were severely injured. These consequences, bestowed by the Heavenly Dao, should be borne by the Heavenly Dao.

Presumably, Tang Rao couldn't swallow that anger, so he wanted to find the Heavenly Dao and demand an explanation from it.

"Revenge, for the deep blood vendetta!"

Just thinking of that blood vendetta, and then thinking that the Heavenly Dao has yet to appear, Tang Rao's clear eyes instantly seemed to become bloodshot, red to the point where people dared not look directly.

"Boss, I have something I want to say to you."

Li Qi thought for a long time and felt he should speak to Tang Rao about it.

Tang Rao was someone he could trust, being considered a brother by Tang Rao; even if he couldn't reincarnate, even if he couldn't be reborn, he felt it was worth it in this life.

If Tang Rao could defeat the Heavenly Dao, Tang Rao wouldn't stand by and watch Li Qi suffer, right?

"What?"

Tang Rao was smart; without using sound transmission or speaking directly, he asked Li Qi in Illusion City.

Only using his own methods could he feel at ease.

Li Qi clearly seemed to have secrets. Years of experience and TV dramas he had watched before gave him the experience that once someone told the truth, they would meet with retribution, and Tang Rao didn't want Li Qi to become one of them.

"I have some matters to attend to, let's talk next time."

Tang Rao spoke casually, but privately he had already sent a message in Illusion City to Li Qi, asking what Li Qi wanted to say.

"Boss, actually, I know where the Heavenly Dao is."

Li Qi had concealed this truth for a long time, physically and mentally exhausted, constantly fearing whether Tang Rao would expel him once he knew the truth, no longer acknowledging him as a brother, or worse, punishing him, even taking his life; these were all possibilities.

Now, having brought the secret to light, he felt much relieved.

Even if Tang Rao would request Li Qi to leave, at least he was honest and hadn't done anything to betray Tang Rao.

His admission from the beginning was a mistake; whether mid-course changes could atone for that and allow him to get back on track was uncertain.

"Hmm?"

Tang Rao only hummed a response, signaling for Li Qi to continue.

"Boss, I know I've wronged you. Long ago, I was sent by the Heavenly Dao Sect to your side to acquire what he wanted from you. But I've never done anything to wrong you, nor have I passed any information about the Kao Shan Sect to the Heavenly Dao. I am not saying this today to clear my name; I just don't want the psychological pressure and guilt. Speaking out, I feel much better. Boss, I'll call you boss for the last time, as I might not have the opportunity later. I can't stay in the Kao Shan Sect. The Heavenly Dao will kill me, cast me into the Reincarnation path, denying me eternal rebirth. Protect your Divine Stone well, never let him succeed. Before he gets the Divine Stone, the Heavenly Dao won't harm you. Once he obtains the Divine Stone, disaster will befall you."

This was the only thing Li Qi knew, and he had inadvertently overheard it from the Heavenly Dao once. After that, he forced himself not to think about it, to forget, so as not to bring trouble upon himself.

Yet he couldn't forget, constantly reminding himself to keep silent. If he hadn't truly regarded Tang Rao as a brother, he would never have revealed everything to Tang Rao.

"Thank you, brother!"

Tang Rao called Li Qi a brother, which meant a lifetime brotherhood. How could he let Li Qi leave?

"Boss, I still should go. Take care of yourself on the road ahead!"

Li Qi told everything, and Tang Rao hadn't blamed him, which was a fortune for Li Qi. However, he felt too ashamed to stay there anymore; leaving on his own was far more dignified than being asked to leave.

"Leave? Where are you planning to go?"

Tang Rao was confused; Li Qi had told him everything, which made them comrades. Since they were family, where did Li Qi plan on going?

"Now that you know I was with the Heavenly Dao, you still won't let me leave? How can I be willing to stay here any further?"

Ironically, now that he had spoken, Li Qi felt even more reluctant.

"Why not? Besides, you're still injured; are you sure you won't let me treat you? Will you just endure the pain?"

No matter how well Li Qi hid it, it was useless; Tang Rao, with his Eyes of Golden Flame, could see everything clearly.

"What choice do I have if I don't endure the pain?"

He didn't want to be this way either. The injuries given by the Heavenly Dao couldn't be healed by ordinary treasures, and even with Elixir Pills, recovery was exceptionally slow unless Tang Rao intervened.

Yet he had betrayed Tang Rao, acted as a spy beside him, and Tang Rao not only didn't blame him, but also provided Elixir Pills and healing. Li Qi made a silent vow never to betray Tang Rao in this life.

Instead of wasting time talking with Li Qi, Tang Rao preferred to heal his injuries first.

For wounds without scars, Tang Rao could only guide the small flame ginseng into Li Qi's body. Wherever it went, Tang Rao healed until Li Qi said there was no pain left, and only then did he stop.

"You're all healed now; if the Heavenly Dao tries to control you again, come to me. Even if I'm injured, I'll protect you well."

This is what brotherhood is!

Willing to get hurt himself, yet never allowing anyone to bully his brother. In regards to loyalty, if Tang Rao was second, no one would dare claim to be first.

"Thank you, boss!"

Walking back with Tang Rao, Li Qi shared insights on the Heavenly Dao accumulated over a long time, including what the Heavenly Dao had done and what it intended to do, as well as any tasks previously assigned to him. Everything he could remember, he spoke of, and just as he finished, they arrived at the inn.

"You should rest first; I'll refine some Elixir Pills for your protection tonight."

Tang Rao initially intended for Li Qi to stay in the same room with him, but Li Qi assured him that the Heavenly Dao typically left significant intervals before contacting him, ensuring his safety if he stayed alone. Reassured by these words, Tang Rao allowed Li Qi to go ahead.

Once in his room, from the moment he entered, Tang Rao couldn't shake the lingering unease, a sense that something significant was about to happen.