The CEO's Woman Chapter 479 - The General’s Eldest Miss

A few days after Li Qiang had his mistresses and wives vacate his mansion, a royal summons arrived. To his utter astonishment, the king also commanded him to prepare a gift for the General, who was slated to arrive in the Capital on the very day of Li Qiang’s visit. The royal decree stated that General Wang was returning after three arduous years on the borders, engaged in combating rebels.

"General Wang..." Li Qiang’s brow furrowed as he conjured the image of the old General who had once trained his own brother. The animosity General Wang harbored for Li Qiang was common knowledge throughout the Capital. Now, his brother was tasking him with presenting gifts to this very General. Was this some cruel jest, intended to provoke the old man into an early demise from sheer rage? Li Qiang sighed. Had this been the former him, he would have relished the chance to enrage the General. However, this time, he had no intention of provoking anyone, especially not in his current state of profound weakness. "Dou Lin... is there a swifter method of travel to the Capital?" he inquired, a novel idea beginning to form in his mind.

"A carriage journey would typically require five days to reach the Capital. However, if you were to travel by horse, the duration could be significantly reduced. Two days, provided you forgo sleep and meals," Dou Lin replied. Ever since Li Qiang discovered Dou Lin’s existence, the latter had remained in close proximity daily. Though Dou Lin maintained his invisibility in the presence of others, he was invariably by Li Qiang's side when they were alone.

"I see..." Li Qiang rose from his bed and approached the window. "Will you accompany me to the Capital?"

"I will," Dou Lin confirmed.

"Excellent... then, would you be willing to impart some knowledge of magic to me during our journey?"

Dou Lin’s lips thinned, and he fixed Li Qiang with a look of clear disbelief. He had repeatedly explained to Li Qiang that magic was beyond his grasp, primarily because he possessed none.

"Very well. I shall cease pestering you about these matters," Li Qiang conceded after a few minutes of palpable, uncomfortable silence. "When might your superior agree to meet with me?"

"When the opportune moment arises," Dou Lin stated.

"Hmm... In that case, I request to be left alone," Li Qiang declared. "If your intention is to observe me and uncover my secrets, then grant me my solitude. Do not simply hover and watch me," he added. The sole reason for Dou Lin’s constant companionship, Li Qiang surmised, was to monitor him. This must be an order from the leader of Dou Lin's group. Yet, Li Qiang found the entire arrangement utterly absurd – ridiculously so.

If Li Qiang intended to conceal something, why would he brazenly display it with Dou Lin present? Would that not be incredibly foolish? How could these individuals possibly believe him capable of such imbecility? Li Qiang internally shook his head at the thought.

These people must still perceive me as the same slow-witted Li Qiang I once was, he concluded as he settled back onto his bed. He sensed Dou Lin’s departure without a word exchanged. Li Qiang then lay down, closed his eyes, and initiated his meditation practice.

Meditation.

This practice was commonplace in this world, with individuals meditating to enhance their magical abilities. Typically, they would sit in a lotus position rather than recline. Naturally, Li Qiang had no intention of adhering to convention. Primarily, he had never learned to meditate for the purpose of accessing magic. No one had ever instructed him, for the simple reason that he was deemed a failure! His constitution lacked any capacity to store magic.

From his childhood, Li Qiang had been branded as useless, an ordinary individual incapable of wielding magic. It was widely believed that his veins and core were fundamentally incapable of holding any magical essence. Li Qiang inwardly gritted his teeth, recognizing the cliché nature of the transmigration experience he was undergoing.

So many transmigration novels followed the exact same pattern! But was he the sort of person to blindly follow the predetermined script of this new life? Li Qiang clenched his jaw and shook his head internally. He would not conform.

Instead of attempting to practice magic or seeking methods to enable his core or Dantian to store it, Li Qiang opted to cultivate a skill he had mastered on Earth. In this world, Li Qiang chose the path of a Qi master over that of a magic-user.

Li Qiang possessed a deep familiarity with Tai Chi from his previous life on Earth. Furthermore, he had acquired knowledge of acupuncture and other traditional healing arts during his training with Wang Rou. He reasoned that this accumulated wisdom could serve as his key to survival in this new realm.

Li Qiang regulated his breathing. If this world empowered individuals to manipulate the four elements as magic, then perhaps... it could also amplify one's internal energy? What if he could harness Qi in the same manner that the inhabitants of this world wielded magic?

The sheer possibility of it ignited a thrill within Li Qiang.

Shortly after closing his eyes, Li Qiang realized his hypothesis was correct. He could indeed sense his internal energy in this world. He felt it coursing vibrantly through his veins, brimming with life and vitality! This realization instantly filled him with elation. He resolved to continue his meditation, dedicating himself to studying his body and harnessing this energy to explore broader possibilities for his future.

Several hours into his meditative state, Li Qiang was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of his butler.

.................................................

"Please forgive my intrusion upon your rest." Gregory spoke, his gaze fixed on Li Qiang. Observing Li Qiang's remarkably healthy appearance, Gregory couldn't help but ponder if the Duke would soon regain his former vigor.

"Hmm... I intend to journey tomorrow. Ensure sufficient clothing is packed. See to the treasury and prepare a gift for the General."

Gregory gave a respectful nod. "I have already made inquiries at the treasury and selected two gifts."

"Two?" Li Qiang inquired, raising an eyebrow. "One should suffice. I doubt the General is excessively avaricious."

"However, there are two Generals returning to the capital."

"Two? And who might the other be?" he asked.

"The General's eldest daughter will accompany him. Miss Wang... Wang Rouyun."

Li Qiang froze, as though struck by a bolt of lightning. His face paled dramatically as he looked at his servant. "Wang Rouyun?" he managed to breathe out, his voice barely a whisper.

"The General's eldest miss... she is..." Gregory's words seemed to reverberate within Li Qiang's mind, conjuring images of a woman atop a stallion, clad entirely in white, rushing through his consciousness like a tempest.

"Wang Ruo"

"Wang Ruoyun."