https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-19-Wrathful-Cry-Ghost-Suppressing-Divinity-Method/12983879/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-21-Xu-Family-s-Sinew-Opening-and-the-Ox-Demon-s-Journey/12983881/
Chapter 20: If the Child Doesn't Like You, Don't Force It
Chapter 20: If the Child Doesn't Like You, Don't Force It
Amidst the wind and snow, a figure stood tall and unwavering.
His vital energy weaved outside his body like a rainbow, making him stand out starkly against the gray-white sky. With a saber slung across his body and a piercing gaze, he also carried a hint of playful amusement.
From a distance, he spotted Li Che, carrying braised meat, jars of wine, and osmanthus cakes.
Li Che's first thought was... his secret was exposed.
But upon further reflection, he realized that with his Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit, his altered appearance had left no trace.
If his secret remained hidden...
Then why was this county magistrate's deputy, who had just finished investigating Sun Changbiao's death, still here and now standing before his courtyard? What business could he have?
For a moment, Li Che was at a loss, his thoughts in disarray.
"Are you Li Che, Li Master?"
The deputy's hand, covered in calluses from sword practice, rested on the fabric-wrapped hilt of his sword as he approached Li Che with a smile.
Li Che's hands were full, so he could only give a symbolic fist bump: "Indeed, it's me. What can I do for you, sir?"
The deputy, Zhao Chuanxiong, sized up Li Che while maintaining a half-smile.
Judging from Li Che's spiritual state and energy, his cultivation was likely just at the peak of Skin Polishing Mastery. Nothing more. He couldn't be the Bone Tempering killer who had brutally murdered Sun Changbiao.
According to Zhao Chuanxiong, the killer was nearly two meters tall, with a robust build and muscles all over, a truly terrifying sight.
A far cry from Li Che's appearance.
However, Zhao Chuanxiong didn't come to Li Che for this reason.
"Zhao Marshal, Liu Shi confessed." Zhao Chuanxiong maintained his enigmatic smile as he looked at Li Che.
Li Che's heart skipped a beat, instantly understanding what Zhao Chuanxiong was referring to.
"Did you receive a Furious-eyed Spirit Infant Carving the other day? The one that the deceased Sun Changbiao left at your doorstep..."
"As a Spirit Infants Sect believer, he had his eyes on your family's Spirit Infant."
Zhao Chuanxiong's lips curled slightly as he stared at Li Che.
Li Che clenched his teeth upon hearing this: "I knew it. Because my daughter, Xixi, was targeted by the Spirit Infants Sect right after her birth, I worked hard and became a woodcarver at Xuji Woodcarving Shop, moving into the Xu Family Compound..."
"I thought we were safe, that my daughter could grow up securely. But after Xixi's first birthday banquet, the Spirit Infants Sect came looking for her again at the workshop..."
Li Che's face flushed with emotion as he spoke, filled with deep concern and resentment.
"Master Chen suspected that the carving was placed by someone from the workshop, so I asked him to investigate, and it was indeed Sun Changbiao."
As Li Che spoke, his face involuntarily showed a look of fear: "Marshal Zhao, I didn't kill Sun Changbiao, I..."
Zhao Chuanxiong kept his gaze fixed on Li Che, noticing his incoherent speech.
"It's fine. You couldn't possibly have killed Sun Changbiao, you don't have that strength..."
"After all, it's related to you. I'm just asking routine questions."
At the right moment, Zhao Chuanxiong turned towards the courtyard.
"Master Li, won't you invite me in for a chat?"
Zhao Chuanxiong smiled, "I've heard you're a skilled woodcarver. Perhaps I'll need to commission a carving from you in the future."
Hearing this, Li Che hesitated for a moment. He didn't want to invite the deputy inside, but with such a direct request, he had no choice but to comply.
He opened the courtyard gate.
Zhang Ya stood gracefully under the thickly snow-covered eaves, while Xixi played with a wooden baby walker.
Seeing an official enter the courtyard, Zhang Ya's face paled instantly.
"Husband..."
She rushed over, thinking Li Che was in trouble.
After putting down his items, Li Che explained, "This is Marshal Zhao from the county magistrate's office, here to inquire about some matters.
Zhang Ya nodded slightly, her tense heart finally relaxing a little.
Zhao Chuanxiong appeared beside Xixi without anyone noticing, his eyes narrowed in a smile, "So this is Master Li's daughter, she's truly lively and adorable, a little jade carving."
Li Che's heart tightened at his words, an alarm bell ringing in his mind.
"Yes, all children are like this."
"Old Zhao, I really like children. May I hold her for a moment?" Zhao Chuanxiong asked gently.
"My daughter is shy, Zhao Marshal, please don't be embarrassed." Li Che refused without a moment's hesitation.
However, Zhao Chuanxiong squatted down as if he hadn't heard a thing, looking at Xixi, "Xixi, let Uncle hold you, okay?"
Xixi's crystal-clear eyes stared at Zhao Chuanxiong, and the next moment, she started toddling away with her baby walker.
But Zhao Chuanxiong's hand was already extended, and he was stopped by another hand gripping his. He couldn't hold Xixi.
"Marshal Zhao, the little girl doesn't want you to hold her, what are you up to?"
Old Chen wasn't particularly tall, and a wine gourd hung at his waist. His hand reached out and pressed down on Zhao Chuanxiong's extended hand.
The howling wind seemed to freeze in this moment, suspended in mid-air, and then it was torn apart by a terrifying gust, exploding into a hazy cloud of snow.
Two opposing streams of energy clashed, like tidal waves crashing into each other.
Zhao Chuanxiong tilted his head slightly, looking at Chen Dabao who had stopped his movement. Chen Dabao's smile gradually faded.
"So it's Master Chen..."
"If the child doesn't like you, don't force it. Don't leave any psychological shadows on her."
Old Chen spoke calmly.
"Grandpa Chen... hold me." Xixi, seeing Master Chen, toddled over with her baby walker and bumped into his leg, calling out in a babyish voice.
"Ouch, my dear, let Grandpa hold you." Old Chen looked at Xixi, and his old face bloomed with a smile like a chrysanthemum as he picked Xixi up from her baby walker.
Zhao Chuanxiong stood up, no longer squatting, and his hand returned to the hilt of his knife.
"She's so adorable."
Zhao Chuanxiong watched as Old Chen carried Xixi away, smiling as he spoke.
Li Che's heart also relaxed a little.
"Master Li, Master Chen, I'll take my leave now."
Zhao Chuanxiong didn't linger in the courtyard, waving goodbye. His figure disappeared into the hazy snowstorm.
Old Chen carried Xixi, bobbing up and down as he played with her, making Xixi giggle non-stop.
As they watched Zhao Chuanxiong's departing figure, they slowly exhaled in relief.
"Ah Che, from now on, don't let strangers enter the courtyard, especially unfamiliar ones..."
Old Chen spoke solemnly.
"Xixi resisted Zhao Chuanxiong, and she has spiritual sensitivity. She can sense the good and evil in people, and with Zhao Chuanxiong's intentions..."
Li Che's expression changed slightly at these words.
"He told me that Liu Shi confessed that Sun Changbiao placed the Spirit Infant Woodcarving at your courtyard entrance?"
Old Chen looked at Li Che.
Li Che nodded.
Old Chen smiled, his voice turning a little cold, "From start to finish, Liu Shi only admitted that the couple worshipped at the Spirit Infant Sect, but never admitted to placing the Spirit Infant Statue at your doorstep..."
"Moreover, the Spirit Infant Statue found in Sun Changbiao's house is an ordinary Tri-headed Six-armed Spirit Infant Statue. It opens and closes its eyes..."
"How did Zhao Chuanxiong know that the statue placed at your doorstep is the 'Glaring Spirit Infant Statue'?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
