https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-19-The-Nine-Headed-Bodhisattva-of-Wrathful-Crying-and-the-Divine-Art/12831071/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-21-Xu-Clan-Opens-the-Sinews-Minotaur-Sets-Out/12831073/
Chapter 20: If the Child Dislikes You, Do Not Force It
Chapter 20: If the Child Dislikes You, Do Not Force It
Amidst the snowstorm, a figure stood resolutely.
A vibrant aura of vitality and blood intertwined around him, making him stand out vividly against the gray sky. He carried a rudimentary saber, his eyes sharp and piercing, yet tinged with a hint of amusement.
From a distance, he saw Li Che approaching, carrying braised meat, a jar of wine, and osmanthus cakes.
Li Che halted, his first thought being that his misdeed had been exposed.
But upon further reflection, he realized there was no reason for it. Using the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit, he had altered his appearance, leaving no trace.
If his misdeed hadn’t been exposed…
Then why was this bailiff from the magistrate’s office, who had just finished investigating Sun Changbiao’s death, now standing in front of his yard?
For a moment, Li Che was at a loss, his mind blank.
"Are you Li Che, Master Li?"
A hand, calloused from years of sword practice, rested on the cloth-wrapped hilt of his saber. Zhao Chuanxiong looked at Li Che, who was approaching, and smiled.
Li Che, hands full of items, could only give a half-hearted bow. "Yes, it’s me. What can I do for you, sir?"
Zhao Chuanxiong observed Li Che closely, then shook his head almost imperceptibly.
From Li Che’s aura and spiritual state, it was clear that his cultivation was only at the peak of the Skin Tempering stage. He was far from being the bone-tempering brute who had ruthlessly killed Sun Changbiao.
According to Liu’s description, the murderer was nearly two meters tall, with a massive, muscular frame that was terrifying to behold.
This was vastly different from Li Che’s build.
However, Zhao Chuanxiong’s visit was not about that.
"Liu has confessed," Zhao Chuanxiong said, maintaining a half-smile as he looked at Li Che.
Li Che’s heart skipped a beat, instantly understanding what Zhao Chuanxiong meant.
"Did you receive an angry-eyed spirit infant wooden statue the day before yesterday? That was placed at your doorstep by the deceased Sun Changbiao…"
"As a believer in the Spirit Infant Sect, he had his eyes on your spirit infant."
Zhao Chuanxiong’s lips curled into a slight smile as he stared at Li Che.
Li Che’s teeth clenched. "I know. My daughter, Xixi, was targeted by the Spirit Infant Sect the moment she was born, which is why I worked hard to become a woodcarver and moved into the Xu family compound…"
"I thought my daughter would be safe and could grow up without worry. But after Xixi’s first birthday banquet, the Spirit Infant Sect came to the shop again…"
Li Che’s face flushed red with anger and frustration.
"Master Chen suspected that the statue had been placed by someone in the shop, so he asked me to investigate. It was eventually confirmed that Sun Changbiao was responsible."
At this point, Li Che’s face showed a hint of fear. "Bailiff Zhao, I didn’t kill Sun Changbiao, I swear…"
Zhao Chuanxiong, who had been watching Li Che closely, saw that he was starting to ramble and raised a hand to stop him.
"Alright, I understand. You couldn’t have killed Sun Changbiao; you don’t have the strength for it."
"Since it’s related to you, I’m just going through the motions."
Zhao Chuanxiong turned and looked into the yard.
"Master Li, won’t you invite me in for a sit-down?"
Zhao Chuanxiong smiled. "I’ve heard your woodcarving skills are exceptional. I might need to ask you to carve something in the future."
Li Che hesitated for a moment, reluctant to let Zhao Chuanxiong into his yard. But since the bailiff had been so direct, he had no choice but to invite him in.
He opened the yard gate.
Zhang Ya stood under the eaves, her delicate figure framed by the thick snow. Xixi was toddling around in a wooden walker in the cleared yard.
Seeing a bailiff enter the yard, Zhang Ya’s face turned pale.
"Dear…"
She hurriedly called out, fearing that Li Che had done something wrong.
Li Che put down the items he was carrying and waved at Zhang Ya. "This is Bailiff Zhao from the magistrate’s office. He’s here to investigate something, but there’s nothing to worry about."
Zhang Ya nodded, her tense heart finally relaxing.
Zhao Chuanxiong, however, appeared beside Xixi with a smile. "This is Master Li's daughter, truly lively and adorable, like a little porcelain doll."
Li Zhi's heart tightened immediately, alarms ringing in his mind.
"Yes, children are all like that."
"Old Zhao has always had a fondness for children. May I hold her?" Zhao Chuanxiong asked in a gentle tone.
"My daughter is shy around strangers, I'm sorry, Head Constable Zhao." Li Zhi refused without hesitation.
However, Zhao Chuanxiong, as if he hadn't heard, squatted down and looked at Xixi. "Xixi, would you like Uncle to hold you?"
Xixi's crystal-clear eyes fixed on Zhao Chuanxiong, and the next moment, she started to scoot away in her walker.
But Zhao Chuanxiong chuckled, and his hand reached out.
Li Zhi's eyes narrowed, and the Dragon-Elephant Adamantine Dao Fruit in his heart began to pulse.
However, he quickly suppressed it.
Because Zhao Chuanxiong's outstretched hand was suddenly grabbed by another hand, preventing him from reaching Xixi.
"Head Constable Zhao, the little girl doesn't want to be held by you. What are you doing?"
Old Chen, not a tall man, with a weathered wine flask at his waist, had extended his hand to stop Zhao Chuanxiong's.
The snowstorm seemed to freeze in mid-air at that moment, only to be torn apart by a terrifying gust of wind, turning into a mist of snow.
Two powerful auras clashed, like massive waves colliding in a tumultuous surge.
Zhao Chuanxiong turned his head slightly to look at Chen Dabao, who had blocked his move, his smile fading.
"Ah, it's Master Chen..."
"The child doesn't like you, so don't force it. Don't leave a bad impression on a little one."
Old Chen said calmly.
"Grandpa Chen... hug." Xixi, seeing Master Chen, drove her walker into his leg and called out in a sweet, childish voice.
"Ah, my little treasure, Grandpa will hug you. Come here." Old Chen's face lit up with a warm smile as he lifted Xixi from her walker.
Zhao Chuanxiong stood up, his hand returning to the hilt of his sword.
"Such a lovely child."
Zhao Chuanxiong watched as Old Chen carried Xixi away, smiling.
Li Zhi's heart relaxed a bit.
"Master Li, Master Chen, I'll take my leave now."
Zhao Chuanxiong didn't linger in the yard, waved his hand, and disappeared into the snowstorm.
Old Chen bounced Xixi in his arms, making her giggle.
He watched Zhao Chuanxiong's retreating figure, slowly letting out a breath.
"Ai, Zhe, in the future, don't let strangers into the yard so easily..."
Old Chen said solemnly.
"Xixi's rejection of Zhao Chuanxiong wasn't just shyness. Xixi has a spirit, a sense that can discern good from evil. Zhao Chuanxiong... has ill intentions." Old Chen continued.
Li Zhi's expression changed at this.
"He told you that Liu's confession implicated Sun Changbiao for placing the Spirit Infant Statue at your door?"
Old Chen looked at Li Zhi.
Li Zhi nodded.
Old Chen smiled, but his voice was cold. "From start to finish, Liu only admitted that she and her husband were followers of the Spirit Infant Sect, but never admitted to placing the Spirit Infant Statue at your door..."
"Moreover, the statue found at Sun Changbiao's house was a common three-headed, six-armed Spirit Infant statue, with eyes that open and close..."
"How did Zhao Chuanxiong know that the one placed at your door was the 'Furious Gaze Spirit Infant'?"
(End of Chapter)
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