https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-25-Shining-Skills-with-the-Heavens-Revisiting-the-Midwife/12831087/
Chapter 26: Sinister Cries, the Bull Demon Has Arrived!
Chapter 26: Sinister Cries, the Bull Demon Has Arrived!
The cold wind howled, and winter's harshness swept through the land, blanketed by heavy snow.
Snowflakes landed on the black tiles of the long corridor, creating a gentle rustling sound.
The winter breeze lifted, causing the white curtains of the suspended pavilion to flutter endlessly.
Li Che halted his steps, his face frozen as if by the cold winter, his eyes sharp like two unsheathed swords, piercing through the biting chill to fix on the old woman who stood bowed beside the white-clad man.
"Lei Chunlan!"
A deep, low voice emerged from the depths of Li Che’s throat.
Xu Beihu, naturally, noticed Li Che’s actions and the change in his emotions, and he was taken aback.
"What’s wrong?" Xu Beihu frowned, asking.
Li Che's heart raced, and he would not forget that face.
Lei Chunlan, the midwife who had delivered Xi Xi, was also the evil woman who had killed many of the children she had delivered.
And now, she had appeared here, a place Li Che never would have expected.
At this moment, Li Che's heart sank to its lowest point.
A thousand thoughts raced through his mind.
Lei Chunlan… what is her relationship with Si Jia's young master?
I’ve heard that Lei Chunlan is involved with the Spirit Infant Sect. Could it be that the Spirit Infant Sect and the Si family are also connected?
Lei Chunlan's background seems stronger than I imagined. No wonder the bounty on her in the outer city was taken down after just a few days, while my “Bull Demon” bounty still hangs high on the notice board.
"I’ve encountered an old acquaintance," Li Che said, suppressing his emotions and remaining calm.
Though Xu Beihu was a large, burly man, he was very sensitive to emotions and immediately noticed that Li Che’s gaze on the old woman was unusual.
"Whatever the grudge, let’s figure out the situation before making any decisions," Xu Beihu said.
Li Che nodded, and the two of them entered the pavilion.
A servant of the Jinhuang Pavilion carefully placed a wooden carving covered in black cloth on the table that had been prepared in the pavilion.
"Brother Mu Bai, I’ve brought our family’s genius woodcarver. Let’s see his skills."
Xu Beihu stepped into the pavilion, bursting into a hearty laugh.
The white-clad man sitting on a yellow sandalwood armchair turned his gaze, and Li Che could now see his face clearly.
A handsome face with a touch of eerie beauty, his eyes carried a hint of melancholy, a tear mole at the corner, and a strong, infectious sadness that lingered on the brink of tears. A lock of hair fell over his cheek, gently swaying in the breeze.
"Brother Beihu, you’ve really done me a great favor," Si Mu Bai rose, his voice tinged with a sob.
He exchanged a fist bump with Xu Beihu, then his gaze fell on Li Che.
"This must be Master Li. Although you haven’t entered the inner city, your woodcarvings have caused quite a stir there. Such rich and profound works are rare even among master woodcarvers…"
Si Mu Bai smiled, but his smile was more painful than a cry.
Li Che nodded slightly, but his gaze remained fixed on Lei Chunlan.
At that moment, Lei Chunlan also recognized Li Che. Her wrinkled face broke into a kind smile, and she looked at Li Che warmly, making no move to avoid him.
Si Mu Bai noticed Li Che’s gaze and continued his painful smile. "Just a servant in my household, helping with some tasks. If she has offended Master Li in any way, please bear with it."
Xu Beihu narrowed his eyes, and Li Che understood the meaning behind Si Mu Bai’s words.
Lei Chunlan is his person, and any conflicts should be endured…
The unspoken message was clear: Si Mu Bai was well aware of what Lei Chunlan was doing but was strongly protecting her.
Or perhaps… Li Che’s status was simply not worth Si Mu Bai’s attention.
Lei Chunlan’s smile grew even more radiant, like a withered old chrysanthemum forcing itself to bloom.
The atmosphere in the pavilion seemed to chill slightly, and the cold wind howled through.
After a moment, a wry smile appeared on Li Che’s cold face. "Perhaps I mistook her for someone else. I thought it was the midwife who delivered my beloved daughter and is involved with the Spirit Infant Sect."
"That midwife has taken many newborn lives and is a despicable criminal, wanted by the authorities. How could she possibly be in Master Si’s household? I must have been mistaken."
Although Li Che’s words carried a hint of sarcasm, Si Mu Bai heard the easing of Li Che’s tone and his smile became even more strained. He raised his hand, and Lei Chunlan bowed her head and retreated.
"Master Li’s understanding is greatly appreciated. Let’s see your skills now."
Si Mu Bai spoke lightly, deftly moving past the topic.
Here is the rewritten chapter with non-English characters replaced with their English equivalents or transliterations:
Chapter Rewrite
Beihorn stood to the side, his expression slightly grim. He was disappointed with Lucas's decision. Although Lucas's defiance wouldn't have made much difference against Lancelot, Beihorn's presence could have bolstered his courage and helped him regain some face. Instead, Lucas chose to endure the humiliation.
While Lucas's decision was cautious, it lacked the boldness and audacity Beihorn admired. Beihorn could understand, though—after all, they were dealing with the Sifton family. However, Lucas's character reminded him of his younger brother, Youhorn, who was too calculating and too willing to endure, which Beihorn found distasteful.
Since Lucas had chosen to back down, Beihorn didn't bother to say much more.
Simon Bay, on the other hand, walked up to the wooden sculpture and pulled away the black curtain, revealing the "Nine-Headed Goddess of Mercy's Wrathful Weeping Demon-Subduing Statue."
Simon Bay's breath hitched.
His eyes filled with joy as he stared at the statue, and slowly, tears began to stream down his cheeks.
"Ah, so beautiful, so beautiful. Though it lacks divine essence, the meaning is profound. The nine heads of the Goddess of Mercy, each with a different expression, all convey compassion and suffering. The slightest furrow of the brow shows a deep empathy for all living beings. The wrath and weeping are rich with meaning..."
"Truly, it is wonderful."
Simon Bay laughed and cried, clapping his hands in delight.
In the next moment, Simon Bay's hands pressed firmly against the wooden statue, and he began to wail. A faint white mist began to rise from the statue.
Lucas's eyes widened in shock. The eerie scene made his heart tighten.
The entire pavilion was suddenly enveloped in a unique and strange atmosphere, as if ghosts were crying, women were wailing, and old men were sobbing their hearts out.
Lucas felt a sting in his nose, as if he too was about to cry.
Beihorn stepped in front of Lucas, lightly patting his shoulder. Instantly, Lucas's urge to cry vanished.
Stepping back, Lucas's eyes flickered with surprise.
"Simon Bay is cultivating divine essence. You were affected by the residual divine essence. I've suppressed it for you. You're fine now," Beihorn said with a smile.
Though he was not entirely satisfied with Lucas's temperament, Lucas's talent was undeniable, and Beihorn still thought it was worth cultivating a good relationship with him.
Lucas bowed in gratitude.
"Your cultivation is only at the peak of the initial stage. If you had been influenced by the wrathful weeping divine essence for too long, it might have damaged your mental state..."
"Take the gold leaves and leave. The carriage is waiting outside. You can return home on your own. If you want to explore the inner city, you can, just make sure to leave before nightfall."
Beihorn chuckled.
Lucas took the five gold leaves, stowed them away, and bowed before leaving.
He glanced back at Simon Bay, who was still hugging the statue and sucking the divine essence out of it. The statue looked like a withered eggplant, its Goddess of Mercy features barely recognizable.
Lucas licked his lips.
His hands were starting to itch.
He resisted the urge to use the Embryonic Form of his Thousand Analysis Hand technique to draw out the divine essence from Simon Bay.
Lucas left the Golden Splendor Pavilion.
Back in the carriage, Lucas sat in the luxurious interior, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. His eyes narrowed.
"Old man, stop the carriage for a moment. It's rare for me to visit the inner city. I want to buy some osmanthus cakes for my wife and bring some delicious food back. Please wait for me."
Lucas smiled.
Though the carriage driver was from the Beihorn family in the inner city, he was quite respectful to Lucas and nodded with a smile.
"Go ahead, Master Lucas. I'll wait for you here. Just make sure to leave the inner city before nightfall."
Lucas bowed politely.
The inner city was bustling with activity, with a large population and streets as lively as those in the outer city.
Once out of the driver's sight, Lucas's expression turned icy.
He first bought some black cloth and made a loose black robe. He also bought a bamboo hat and, using a carving knife and thin wood from his pocket, quickly crafted a calf mask.
Finding a deserted alley, he put on the bamboo hat, took off his clothes, and hid them. Then he put on the black robe, the bamboo hat, and the calf mask.
In an instant!
The shadow on the alley wall began to twist and stretch, as if a divine dragon were murmuring and a demonic elephant were roaring.
Enduring? Cautious? Backing down?
I just want to change my approach... and beat you to death!
"Lancelot..."
"Your Bull Demon Lord is here!"
(End of Chapter)
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