Chapter 1151: Consequences for All

"Ah?" Lao Lu was stunned. "What's the basis for that?"

"You shouldn't have followed us at all!" Tong Yi said. "You don't know anything about this matter. If you go along, you're just walking to your death!"

"I really don't know anything right now, but you could just tell me!"

"I... oh!" Tong Yi waved her hand. "Even if you knew, you'd end up dead. It's better to just live a good life..."

Qi Xia found the scene amusing and turned to Lao Lu, asking softly, "I don't quite get it either, Lao Lu. Are you part of the Ji Dao?"

"Me? Of course not." Lao Lu shook his head.

"So, are you protecting the Ji Dao in your capacity as Tian Tang Kou?"

"Why the hell would I protect the Ji Dao as Tian Tang Kou?" Lao Lu clearly didn't understand Qi Xia's question. "I'm protecting Xiao Chan as myself."

Qi Xia frowned slightly after hearing that. "I don't understand. You two aren't related by blood, and you're neither family nor teammates. Why would you willingly step into danger? Don't you know you could die?"

"Young man, are you really that naive..." Lao Lu gave Qi Xia a sidelong glance. "Xiao Chan and I... the two of us..."

"Oh." Qi Xia nodded. "I almost forgot... That's actually a pretty good reason."

"What do you mean by 'a pretty good reason'?" Lao Lu and Tong Yi exchanged glances. "You really are strange, young man... Even at our age, we still want to find a companion. Is romance only for you young folks?"

"It's my oversight." Qi Xia said. "I might not have understood before, but I do now."

"Then help me convince her!" Lao Lu added. "Xiao Chan won't let me go with her at all, and now I'm..."

"But that doesn't make sense." Qi Xia interrupted. "Lao Lu, when we first met, you didn't retain your memories, so theoretically, your time together with Tong Yi has been short. Can feelings develop that quickly?"

"Hey! You!" Lao Lu pointed at Qi Xia's nose. "Are you going too far, young man? What does 'feelings' have to do with 'time' anyway?"

Qi Xia wanted to retort but couldn't find the words, so he just shut his mouth.

Tong Yi ignored Qi Xia and stared at Lao Lu. "Lao Lu, I'm saying this one last time. If you follow me, I won't say another word to you for the rest of my life."

Lao Lu heard how serious Tong Yi was and fell silent for a few seconds before saying gravely, "Alright, Xiao Chan, tell me what you're really going to do. Once I know, I won't follow you anymore..."

"Really?"

"Really..." Lao Lu nodded, looking as wronged as a child despite his age.

"We're going to the place where the Sheng Xiao live." Tong Yi said. "It's a path that leads straight to death. Do you understand?"

"You all..."

"Get out of the way." Tong Yi said. "We're going to die. Do you have any reason to die with us?"

Lao Lu lowered his head again after hearing that.

Tong Yi saw that Lao Lu had gone quiet, not sure if she felt more heartbroken or relieved. She pursed her lips, then shoved him aside. "If you've got nothing to say, go find somewhere else to stay."

The shove from Tong Yi made Lao Lu stumble back several steps, bumping into Qi Xia.

The group from Ji Dao left Lao Lu behind and continued on their way.

"There we go." Chen Jun Nan stretched and said, "That settles it. I suggest we head out too. Don't you have other things to do, Lao Qi?"

"Alright."

Qi Xia nodded and turned to leave, but Lao Lu stepped forward and grabbed him.

"Qi boy..."

Qi Xia looked back, his face expressionless. "What is it?"

"I know you're smart... Can you help me out?"

"Help you?" Qi Xia said. "I don't have time right now. Let's talk next time."

"No..." Lao Lu gripped Qi Xia's wrist tightly. "I don't need much of your time—just give me some advice. I'm all out of ideas."

"I thought you two had already cleared things up." Qi Xia glanced toward the direction where Tong Yi had gone. "Do people in love ever lie?"

"This... this isn't any kind of lie!" Lao Lu argued. "Xiao Chan just doesn't want me to die, but I don't want her to die either... We're both stuck in a tough spot... Qi boy, can you give me some advice? How can I save her without getting myself killed, and without making her worry? They're heading to the Sheng Xiao territory, after all..."

Qi Xia furrowed his brow and thought it over. "Sorry, how could there be a perfect solution in this world? I suggest you find someone else for help."

After saying that, Qi Xia turned to leave again, but Lao Lu pulled him back, clearly desperate.

"Qi boy! Qi boy! I don't have to come out unscathed!" Lao Lu said. "Just tell me if there's a way to save her. Saving her is all that matters..."

"The core issue between you two is that neither wants the other to die." Qi Xia said. "Helping you would mean harming her, so have you thought this through?"

"This..." Lao Lu lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then nodded. "I've thought it through... Even if Xiao Chan ends up sad and upset, I have to make sure she lives. I just have this feeling that if she dies in the Sheng Xiao territory... there won't be another chance..."

Qi Xia stood there in silence for a while after hearing that, with everyone around him quietly watching, wondering what he was thinking.

"Qi boy..."

Lao Lu murmured one last time, his voice full of plea.

Qi Xia sighed and said, "Since you don't want to live and still want to go to the Sheng Xiao territory, then become a Sheng Xiao yourself."

"...Ah?"

Lao Lu's eyes widened slightly.

"Become a Sheng Xiao, and by dusk today, you'll board the Lian Che legitimately—that's where you're meant to go anyway." Qi Xia added. "But here's one last piece of advice: Before you become a Sheng Xiao, make sure to Hui Xiang first."

Lao Lu didn't say anything for a long time, as if his mind was flooded with questions.

But he quickly set most of them aside and only asked one thing.

"How the hell do I become a Sheng Xiao?"

"Everything follows Yin Guo." Qi Xia slowly extended his hand, pointing toward the abandoned Go club nearby.

Everyone followed his gaze, unsure what he meant.

"In there, among the scattered tables and chairs, you'll find the path to becoming a Sheng Xiao," Qi Xia said.

"Ah..." Lao Lu stood there dumbfounded for a while, not sure if he understood. Finally, he forced out three words through gritted teeth, "Thank you..."

"You can thank yourself."

Qi Xia waved his hand and led the group away.