https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-4-Celestial-Craft-Upgrade-Bad-News-Arrives/12983841/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-6-Passion-Challenges-Profession-Tang-Family-s-Mechanisms/12983849/
Chapter 5: Spirit Infant Master, One-Knife Master
Chapter 5: Spirit Infant Master, One-Knife Master
Auntie Lei... killing babies?
Specifically targeting those she delivered?
Upon hearing his elder brother's words, Li Che's hair stood on end, and his pupils constricted.
"Elder Brother, where did you hear this from?" Li Che asked anxiously, his heart sinking.
T
"It's true. The families of those who died... they all went to the Outer City government offices, and the government has issued a wanted notice, they're currently searching for Auntie Lei!"
"If you don't believe me, you can go and check the government's notice board, the wanted notice is posted there."
The old scholar's voice grew solemn.
Although he regretted that Xixi wasn't a boy, she was still a part of the Li family, and upon hearing such news, his first concern was Xixi's safety.
"I heard that Auntie Lei... has followed the 'Spirit Infant Master', and has joined the Spirit Infant Teachings. To kill so many... sigh, it's truly a sin, they're just children..."
The old scholar's voice trembled, and he sighed deeply, puffing on his pipe.
Li Che's expression turned grave, his heart filled with worry.
For the current Li Che, Xixi was his pride and joy, his most precious daughter. If anything happened to her, Li Che would feel both pain and guilt.
Protecting his daughter was a father's duty, a responsibility he must bear!
"Thank you, Elder Brother. I'll go and look into this, so I can take action early."
Li Che said seriously, and the old scholar nodded, then rubbed his hands, "Since we're here, let's go and check on Xixi..."
Li Che was speechless, looking at the embarrassed old scholar, he didn't say anything and led him into the house.
Upon seeing Xixi, the old scholar's wrinkled face lit up with a smile.
Although he complained that Xixi wasn't a boy, his fondness for her was genuine.
"Your sister-in-law is about to give birth too. Your aunt said that with her pointed belly, it should be a boy... Hey, I hope the child is as adorable as Xixi." The elder brother smiled brightly.
His eldest son's child would be born this year.
"Wife, while I'm not at home for this period, you must lock the doors and windows, and no matter who calls, don't open the door..."
After seeing the old scholar off, Li Che, before heading to work, specifically instructed Zhang Ya, "While I'm not at home for this period, you must lock the doors and windows, and no matter who calls, don't open the door..."
Zhang Ya was taken aback but obediently agreed to follow his instructions.
...
...
With a heavy heart, Li Che arrived at the government's notice board and indeed saw the wanted notice for Auntie Lei.
"Auntie Lei, killed seven children, all of whom she delivered a year ago..."
"Hmm? Delivered a year ago... So, these murdered children all had to be around one year old?"
Li Che, wearing a conical hat, gazed at the notice.
But he didn't dare trust his own deduction.
What if Auntie Lei also targeted newborns, just a month old? Li Che didn't dare gamble...
He couldn't afford to gamble.
"It seems I must become a woodcarving master at Xuji Woodcarving Shop... With their protection, at least there's no immediate danger."
Li Che took a deep breath, adjusted his conical hat, and headed towards Xuji Woodcarving Shop.
As soon as he arrived, he saw Chen Dabao, his hair and beard white but his face glowing red, sitting in a chair, humming a tune as he drank from a gourd of wine.
"Little Li, you're here? I heard you're participating in the woodcarving assessment, haha, you've got guts, daring to take the assessment after just a month of self-study." Master Chen laughed upon seeing Li Che.
Master Chen, Chen Dabao, is 68 years old and a senior master at Xuji Woodcarving Shop.
It was said that Chen Dabao had long been qualified to enter the Inner City Xuji, but he always refused, preferring to stay at the Outer City shop.
Not only Chen Dabao, but several other woodcarving masters at the shop also chose to stay in the Outer City.
This puzzled Li Che. Why not go to the Inner City? He heard that the living environment and conditions in the Inner City were far better than the Outer City.
"Young man... While the Inner City is a great place, it's also dangerous. These days, the world is in turmoil, filled with malevolent spirits, strange temples, and various sects rising and falling. The imperial court is in disarray, and their control over many cities has long waned. As a result, the aristocracy has taken control of most cities."
"The struggle for power among the wealthy families is fierce, leading to constant conflicts over interests. For an old man like me, entering the Inner City is like stepping into a whirlpool. I can't handle the turmoil."
"Life in the Outer City may be rough, but with my inner strength, I can still live comfortably."
Master Chen took a satisfying sip of the old yellow wine from his gourd, smacking his lips.
Li Che nodded, understanding Master Chen's thoughts.
In the absence of a tiger, the monkey is king... But a simple king.
Suddenly, Li Che thought of something and asked softly, "Master Chen, have you heard of the Spirit Infant Master?"
Master Chen paused mid-drink, furrowing his brows as he glanced at Li Che. "You're interested in that?"
Li Che quickly shook his head and recounted the news his elder brother had shared with him earlier that morning.
"My daughter was born with the help of Lea Chunlan... I'm worried," Li Che said with a heavy heart.
Master Chen's expression turned solemn upon hearing this. "It seems like another person has fallen under the influence of a heretical sect. Ever since the Strange Temple gave birth to the Spirit Infant Sect, the number of infant deaths in Thunderstrike City has increased significantly..."
"That midwife must have worshipped the Spirit Infant Master and been swayed by her. She uses the babies she delivers as sacrifices to the spirit infant."
"Childbirth, in her eyes, is a ritual. Once you're marked, it's hard to shake her off."
"That midwife won't let your child go easily."
Li Che's face turned serious and ugly at Master Chen's confirmation. He clenched his fists, his breathing growing heavier.
"However, according to your description, the children who died were all born a year ago. It seems they need to be about a year old to be eligible for the sacrifice. So, within this year, your child should be safe. But you must keep a close eye on them to prevent the midwife from secretly taking your child away and performing the evil ritual later!"
Master Chen had seen too many such cases, and his tone was rather indifferent.
All he could do was offer a reminder.
For him to take action and help Li Che, aside from the question of whether he could or not, their relationship wasn't close enough for that.
To put it bluntly, Li Che was just a laborer who moved wood in the woodcarving shop, nothing more.
Li Che was aware of this, and he didn't ask for help.
If he did ask, and Master Chen refused, their already tenuous relationship would be completely severed.
"Master Chen... If I become a woodcarving master in the shop, would the shop care?" Li Che asked, taking a deep breath.
Master Chen took another sip of wine and glanced at Li Che.
"If you become a woodcarving master, all problems will be solved."
"The shop will provide accommodation. You can bring your wife and child here. Under the shop's protection, in the courtyard... If that midwife dares to show up, she'll be beaten to death."
"We woodcarving masters cultivate inner strength. Even if that midwife has the Spirit Infant Master's dark arts, we fear nothing."
"If you truly become a woodcarving master, even if you're the lowest-ranked one, I'll be your neighbor. If that evil midwife dares to show her face... I'll slap her to death myself!"
Master Chen wiped the wine stains from his beard, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth with a hint of malice.
However, the malice soon faded, and he gently tapped the wine gourd with his fingers, looking at Li Che with a playful gaze.
"The prerequisite is... if you can become a woodcarving master."
"That's difficult..."
"Do you think you can surpass the apprentices who have spent a fortune and years learning woodcarving, just by studying for ten days or so on your own?"
Chapter end
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