Li Shizhi readily agreed: "Yes."

I thought Professor Li would deny it or not answer, but I didn't expect him to be so honest.

This sincere attitude caused her to suddenly find herself speechless, unable to deliver the prepared speech she had been working on.

"Why?"

"Naturally, they don't want the city defense fortifications in Fuxian to proceed smoothly."

Zheng Quchi was completely stunned by his frankness.

This person... could it be that he ate something that makes him speak the truth, so he has to answer every question asked to him truthfully?

She stared at him suspiciously, and continued to ask tentatively, "Why?"

But it seems that no matter what she wants to know, Master Li is always willing to give her the accurate answer.

"Because of Yuwen Sheng."

"Why...no, why do you have to answer all my questions honestly?" Zheng Quchi simply couldn't understand.

There's no need to say he deliberately lied to her. She's not some important person. If he didn't want to answer, he could have just stayed silent. Why bother making up a story to convince her?

But Li Shi's next answer surprised Zheng Quchi once again.

"Because I know you won't expose me."

ha?

Upon hearing this, Zheng Quchi's rebellious streak was triggered: "What makes you think that?"

“Because before I told you this fatal secret, I also happened to know one of your major secrets,” Master Li replied.

Zheng Quchi suddenly realized, "Oh, right, he just said he knew she was a woman..."

Zheng Quchi never expected that her act of kindness in saving someone would inadvertently reveal that she was a woman.

She had only been in close contact with him once before, and without even thinking, she could guess that he must have been discovered while rescuing someone.

The situation was urgent and chaotic at the time, and she didn't know how he made that determination. But she did know that she knew she would be discovered, and she didn't have time to think about anything else.

If she had hesitated even slightly or run even a step slower, she might not be alive and well today.

“I’m just a nobody, whether I’m male or female is irrelevant, but you’re using such a big secret to bet on me keeping quiet. Isn’t that a bit hasty?” Zheng Quchi was already seriously considering how to sell him out.

“You have no substantial evidence. Even if you report it, if I don’t admit it, you will be the one who suffers,” Master Li said sincerely.

Zheng Quchi: "..."

What he said made perfect sense, and she was speechless.

At that moment, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that as he adjusted his sleeves, a corner of his undershirt was visible, where a word seemed to be embroidered with purple thread.

It was a symbol, and also an emblem... She had never seen it before, but in a flash, she suddenly remembered something Shan Bian had once told her.

She blurted out, "Are you a disciple of Gongshu?"

Li Shi's expression suddenly froze, but he didn't show any hostility. He simply asked, "Why do you say that?"

Not denying it... that's tantamount to admitting it, right?

Zheng Quchi thought to himself, "I saw the secret emblem embroidered on the corner of your underwear. It was hidden very well. Otherwise, I might not have noticed it when we were struggling earlier."

When the Gongshu family was mentioned, she immediately thought of the feud between the Mo family and the Gongshu family. She wasn't sure how deep the hatred was, but it was definitely not going to end well. So she came up with a risky idea.

Her attitude changed, and she asked Teacher Li in a gentle voice, "Teacher Li, can you do me a favor?"

Teacher Li observed her discreetly, then replied in a gentle tone, "What kind of help do you need?"

Seeing that he remained calm and composed no matter what she did—whether she exposed his conspiracy or revealed his identity—she couldn't help but wonder how deep his cunning was.

But in any case, the stronger he is, the more he can help her now.

Her face fell, her expression filled with worry, revealing her true emotions without any pretense: "Recently, I've been threatened. I don't know who they are, but they're forcing me..."

So Zheng Quchi began to tell Master Li a story with great emotion. The gist of it was that an innocent craftswoman was coerced into killing someone by dark forces (led by Master Qu and his group).

She was to be killed if she did not comply, but she was torn and did not want to kill innocent people, so she asked him for help.

As for what she was threatened to do, she gave a vague answer without going into details.

After hearing her words, Li Shi remained calm and composed, without questioning their veracity, and readily agreed: "I will help you investigate the other party's background, you don't need to worry."

Zheng Quchi was secretly pleased upon hearing this.

She imagined that once he found out that this matter was related to the Mo family, the two families would fight like dogs, and it would be best if these criminals who endangered the city's defense project were eventually discovered by Yuwen Sheng and arrested, sent to the county jail to eat.

Zheng Quchi now intends to part ways with these evil elements and completely sever ties with them.

She had previously considered directly informing Yuwen Sheng.

However, she wasn't sure if Yuwen Sheng knew that she was both a spy from Julu Kingdom and a double agent sent by the Mo family. Would he think that her "business skills" were too strong and distrust her, and then eliminate her after the scourge was eliminated?

Seeing that he agreed readily, Zheng Quchi decided to lay things out: "I did save you before, but I never intended to ask you for repayment. If you came to me this time because you feel indebted to me and want to repay this favor, then this matter is settled, and we will no longer owe each other anything."

Li Shi's face remained expressionless, as if he were wearing a sturdy mask, but his eyes flickered, and even the white spring seemed to freeze in fear.

He didn't respond to her words, but instead asked about something else: "Why did you disguise yourself as a man to repair the city wall?"

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