Li Che clenched the Spirit Infant Statue, his gaze flickering uncertainly.
Since the opposition already had their eyes locked on him and left that malevolent Spirit Infant Wood Carving as a marker, Li Che was unwilling to take any chances. *What if he went out to work and they broke into the earthen house and acted violently? Regretting then would be too late.*
"The safest place... naturally, the wood carving shop!"
"I'm now a wood carving master, with a workshop of my own. I can have Xi Xi and Xiao Ya stay in my workshop..."
"Yes, it's safe and steady!"
After deciding to take the steadier path, Li Che woke his wife, Zhang Ya.
"Dear, you were too wild last night... holding back for so long, wasn't it?" Zhang Ya's face blushed faintly, her gaze at Li Che soaked with affection.
Li Che chuckled, running his fingers through his wife's loose, silky hair.
"My love, pack up our things and bring Xi Xi. Come join me at the wood carving shop for the next couple of days while I work."
Li Che said.
Zhang Ya froze for a moment. Go to the wood carving shop to work together?
"Dear, today's your first day starting work as a wood carving master... Isn't it inappropriate for Xi Xi and me to go with you? Wouldn't it upset the shopkeeper?"
Li Che shook his head, "No, it won't. The workshop is a private space for the wood carving masters, and family members are allowed there. Besides, I'll explain it to the shopkeeper."
Upon hearing these words, Zhang Ya didn't say much else and began tidying up, bringing along Xi Xi, who was on the bed waving her tiny hands and feet, amusing herself.
After wrapping Xi Xi snugly, the family braced against the wind and snow, heading out toward Xu's Wood Carving Shop.
Li Che shielded his wife and daughter as the howling cold winds swept by. He tightened Zhang Ya's cotton coat and bundled Xi Xi tightly to prevent the cold from reaching her.
At the same time, Li Che's peripheral vision scanned his surroundings, his heart tense and alert.
Zhang Ya watched her husband behave this way, her heart suddenly tightening. *She knew something must be wrong, but since Li Che didn't say anything, she decided not to ask. Still, worry silently settled in her mind.*
The husband and wife walked through the snow, their child in tow, stepping onto the snow-covered, bluestone-paved main street.
"The Holy Spirit teaches, cleanses away the worldly, and ensures worry-free reincarnation..."
"A wisdom higher than imparted teachings naturally emerges..."
The clanging of bells and the pounding of drums echoed as the procession of Spirit Infant Sect followers approached, carrying an enticing, ominous air.
On the palanquin they carried, a Three-Headed Six-Armed Spirit Infant Wood Carving statue exuded eerie malevolence amidst the wafting incense smoke.
Li Che could almost feel the Spirit Infant Master Statue's eyes faintly shifting toward his family—a fuzzy, oppressive gaze seemingly fixed on him, making his back crawl like needles piercing it.
"Dear..." Zhang Ya glanced at the Spirit Infant Master's procession, visibly panic-stricken.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here."
"Don't look, just keep walking."
Li Che patted his wife gently, pulling her delicate shoulders closer as they made their way toward the wood carving shop.
Yet Li Che couldn't shake the chilling sensation of the wind brushing against his back. *It felt as if a shadow was following their every step.*
*An impending crisis darkened the environment like dense ink spilled into a pool, spreading until the entire pool was stained black.*
Fortunately, they soon arrived at Xu's Wood Carving Shop.
As they stepped through the door of the shop, Li Che felt his body relax for the first time. He turned back to glance at the distant streets, his eyes narrowing. Sure enough, a shadow disappeared around a corner.
"Lei Chunlan?"
Li Che's chest heaved violently, rage building to the point where he couldn't resist a murderous urge.
"A Che?"
Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted him. Chen Dabao, clutching his gourd of wine, had been calmly drinking when he spotted Li Che alongside Zhang Ya and Xi Xi.
The sight startled him momentarily, but being a seasoned and perceptive man, Chen Dabao instantly recalled Li Che mentioning that the Spirit Infant Master had targeted his daughter. He quickly pieced things together.
"Come inside first."
Old Chen's expression turned serious as he ushered Li Che and his family inside the shop.
Li Che directed Zhang Ya to his workshop, ensuring she was settled, then went to find Old Chen.
Old Chen took a sip from his wine gourd and cast a glance at Li Che, "So, you've been tagged?"
Li Che nodded, pulling out the Spirit Infant Wood Carving that had appeared outside his home last night.
At the sight of the wood carving, Old Chen's face turned grim, even setting aside his drink. "You did the right thing. Bringing your wife and daughter here is the safest move. Your house... isn't secure anymore."
"Spirit Infant Master, Spirit Infant Master... Presenting this wood carving signifies the Spirit Infant Sect has assessed your daughter as... the Spirit Infant!"
Old Chen took the carving, his expression heavy.
Li Che's face grew even darker.
"They must've been watching your family closely. Was the 'Three-Headed Six-Armed Spirit Infant Statue' left just last night?"
"It seems they're aware you've become Xu Ji's wood carving master and know you'll likely move into Xu's Courtyard. Therefore..."
Li Che's expression turned bitter, "They plan to strike first?"
"Exactly, and fortunately, you acted promptly by bringing your wife and daughter here..." Old Chen clenched his five fingers, and the Spirit Infant Wood Carving cracked, its fragments scattering onto the floor.
"You mentioned someone followed you? Could it be that midwife who harmed so many children?"
"Maybe. Didn't get a clear look... can't confirm."
"On the account of us soon becoming harmonious neighbors... I'll take a walk with you to check if it's that brainwashed midwife..."
Old Chen downed a mouthful of strong liquor and squinted slightly as he spoke.
Li Che couldn't help but feel a surge of hope.
*He knew Old Chen's attitude had shifted due to his demonstrated talent in wood carving, imbuing his works with profound meaning. Such talent... seemed more significant than he'd imagined.*
Li Che ensured Zhang Ya and Xi Xi were safe in the workshop, cautioning Zhang Ya to stay put. Old Chen arranged for a fellow master craftsman to keep an eye on things before the two ventured outside the shop together.
Both donned straw hats to brace against the snowstorm.
As they exited the shop, Old Chen tossed a cloak to Li Che, using one for himself while securing his wine gourd to his side.
They reached the alley corner.
There, atop the snow-covered ground at the corner, sat another "Three-Headed Six-Armed Spirit Infant Statue."
"Hmm, quite bold to leave a marker outside Xu's shop... Do they really think Xu Ji is made of mud?"
Old Chen squinted and stomped hard on the ground, releasing an explosion of Qi-Blood that shattered the Spirit Infant Wood Carving into countless fragments.
Crash!
At the same moment, a shadow in the distance seemed startled, darting through the snow swiftly.
"Found them." Old Chen squinted again, glancing at Li Che.
"Follow closely on your own, but stay safe."
With that, Old Chen's exposed skin flushed a fiery red, his muscles stretching taut with a sound reminiscent of a bowstring being pulled tight.
The snow beneath his feet instantly melted into water, sending waves of scorching heat outward. Propelling forward like a heated branding iron flung across the icy ground, he shattered the snow in his path while hurtling toward the fleeing shadow.
Watching Old Chen's explosive pursuit, Li Che felt a moment of shock.
*The mastery of Skin Refinement, Sinew Transforming, Bone Tempering, and Blood Exchange... Old Chen's cultivation level remained unknown, but his Inner Strength was formidable.*
Breathing out hot air amidst the cold wind, Li Che pressed down on his concealed sleeve crossbow, his expression icy and unyielding.
*Worst of all isn't a thief stealing—it's a thief scheming.*
*Thinking of those vile men targeting his adorable Xi Xi ignited a fierce savagery in Li Che.*
You want my daughter? I'll... kill you all!
...
...
Li Che pressed against the bluestone-paved road, quickly catching up.
From afar, he saw Old Chen leaning against the corner wall of the alleyway, savoring a sip from his wine gourd.
Behind Old Chen, within the alley, a shadow lay crumpled on the ground, blood staining the white snow.
"Not the midwife. Just a martial practitioner who's achieved Great Success in Skin Refinement, pledged loyalty to the Spirit Infant Sect, and became one of their followers."
Old Chen remarked casually when he saw Li Che approaching.
Li Che's heart sank instantly, disappointment washing over him.
*It wasn't Lei Chunlan... Truly unfortunate.*
The dark-skinned man had a rugged toughness from years of exposure to the elements, but now he lay severely beaten—mouth and nose bleeding heavily, collapsed on the ground, struggling for breath between fits of coughing.
Evidently, Old Chen had dealt him a ruthless beating, leaving him gravely injured and demoralized.
Old Chen, having finished his skirmish, drank his wine with a laid-back air akin to a post-victory cigarette.
Li Che's icy gaze locked onto the man who had buried his head in the snow. Clenching his fists tightly, his eyes radiated profound coldness.
"Where's Lei Chunlan?"
Li Che's voice came out hoarse and raspy.
"I... I don't... know..."
The dark-skinned man muttered weakly.
Barely had the words escaped when Li Che stepped forward, kicking the man's head forcefully, driving it into the snow-covered bluestone ground with a muffled thud.
Li Che delivered several more kicks in succession, yet the man gritted his teeth and merely grunted in pain, refusing to cry out or beg.
Old Chen watched nonchalantly, his lips curling into a faint, ambiguous smile.
Moments later, the pair silently traversed the long street. Old Chen walked leisurely with his hands clasped behind his back.
Beside him, Li Che suddenly glanced at Chen Dabao. "Old Chen, you head back to the shop first. I'll go buy a pound of pighead meat and some yellow wine to thank you..."
Old Chen's face lit up with mirth upon hearing this, breaking into a grin. "Ah, you're too kind. Go on, then. I want the stew from that sauce shop in the west end of town."
Li Che chuckled, nodded his agreement, and disappeared into the swirling snow.
Old Chen watched Li Che's retreating figure, smacked his lips once, grabbed his wine gourd, and unplugged it to gulp down a mouthful.
"The kid... truly a good father."
"But killing a martial artist with Great Success in Skin Refinement... would be no easy feat without training."
...
...
In the alleyway.
Snow drifted about, scattered and sparse, chilling to the bone.
The thick stench of blood lingered as the dark-skinned man, beaten savagely by Old Chen, staggered painfully, clutching the wall and pulling himself upright...
Old Chen's strength surpassed him enormously, leaving the freshly refined man helpless. Resistance had been futile.
As for the kicks delivered by Li Che? To someone at the Skin Refinement stage, they were insignificant—merely a slight humiliation.
"When marked by the Spirit Infant Master... not a single Spirit Infant escapes... Even Xu Ji can't protect them..."
The dark-skinned man muttered between ragged breaths.
Suddenly.
His frame froze sharply, his gaze snapping to the alley entrance, now shadowed by a silhouette.
Struggling to raise his head, he was met with the sight of a slender figure wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat, blocking the exit of the alleyway.
The straw-hatted figure raised his arm.
Swoosh!
A sharp whistle sliced through the air and snow.
Thwack!
Something burst abruptly...
The dark-skinned man felt a piercing pain explode from his eye. A wooden crossbow arrow, propelled by intense force, pierced directly through his eyeball, staining his vision with blood instantly.
He let out a horrific scream, pain igniting his nerves instantly!
Like an enraged tiger, he roared savagely, attempting to lunge toward the alley's shadowy assailant to tear them apart!
Li Che, his straw hat casting a shadow over his expressionless face, watched the man charging. With a whistling swish, another crossbow bolt shot forth.
Arrow after arrow, each one finding its mark!
Skin Refinement indeed toughens the flesh... but can it toughen the eyes?
Li Che unleashed the first volley of nine crossbow bolts from the sleeve launcher.
Only after the dark-skinned man knelt and slumped to the ground, his head bristling with arrows like a porcupine, breathing his last and falling silent...
Did Li Che nonchalantly adjust his sleeve, his expression unemotional as he concealed the sleeve crossbow and turned.
Pulling his straw hat lower... he strode through the snowstorm, heading toward the west end's sauce shop.