The cold wind rustled through, winter swept wild, and heavy snow drifted endlessly.
Snowflakes falling upon the black tiles of the long corridor roof made a soft scraping sound.
The swirling winter breeze stirred the white draperies hanging like ethereal veils from the pavilion, tossing them back and forth relentlessly.
Li Che halted his steps, his expression seemingly frozen by the icy winter. His eyes, sharp and unwavering like unsheathed swords, pierced through the biting cold and fell upon the old woman standing bowed beside the man in white.
"Lei Chunlan!"
Li Che's voice emerged deep from his throat.
Xu Beihu immediately noticed Li Che's movements and the shift in his emotions, hesitating for a brief moment.
"What is it?" Xu Beihu frowned and asked.
*Li Che's emotions churned. That face—he would never forget it.*
Lei Chunlan, the midwife who helped deliver Xi Xi, but also the wicked woman who had caused the deaths of countless children she'd delivered with her own hands.
And now, she appeared here, in a place Li Che could never have imagined.
*Li Che's heart sank to the bleakest depths.*
*Thoughts swirled endlessly through his mind.*
Lei Chunlan... What connection does she have with Young Master Si?
The background of Lei Chunlan seems stronger than expected. No wonder the bounty notice posted in the Outer City was taken down in just a few days, whereas his own "Bull Demon" bounty remains prominently displayed on the public board.
"I ran into someone familiar." Li Che suppressed his emotions, speaking calmly.
Xu Beihu, despite his rugged appearance, possessed a perceptive mind and immediately noticed that Li Che's gaze toward the old woman was unusual.
"If there's any grievance... figure out the situation before making a move." Xu Beihu advised.
Li Che nodded, and the two entered the pavilion's private room.
A servant from the Golden Splendor Pavilion carefully placed the wood carving covered in black cloth onto the table that had been prepared beforehand in the pavilion.
"Mubai, my family's talented wood carving master is here. Take a look at his craftsmanship."
Xu Beihu strode into the upper-floor pavilion, laughing heartily and boldly.
The man in white, seated upon a yellow sandalwood Taishi chair, immediately turned his gaze toward them. Li Che also saw the man's face clearly.
His refined and elegant features bore a touch of an otherworldly beauty. His eyes, tinged with melancholy, framed by a single tear-shaped mole at the corner, radiated a deep and infectious sadness—teetering on the edge of sorrow. A strand of hair fell across his cheek, fluttering softly in the wind.
"Beihu, you've truly done me a great favor." Si Mubai rose, his voice tinged with the sound of suppressed sobs.
He bumped fists with Xu Beihu before his gaze landed on Li Che.
"This must be Master Li, correct? Although you've not yet entered the Inner City, several of your woodcarvings have sparked quite a stir within. With such profound meaning imbued into your creations, under a Woodcarving Master, your works truly stand out..."
Si Mubai said with a smile, though his smile itself seemed harder to bear than tears.
Li Che nodded slightly, but his eyes remained fixed upon Lei Chunlan.
At this moment, Lei Chunlan also recognized Li Che. The wrinkles on her elderly face stretched into a kindly smile, her gaze warm as she looked at Li Che—showing neither avoidance nor hesitation.
Si Mubai caught sight of Li Che's gaze and continued his unpleasant smile, saying, "Just a mere servant in the mansion, helping with a few tasks. If Master Li has been offended in any way, I ask for your understanding."
Xu Beihu squinted, and Li Che understood the underlying meaning in Si Mubai's words.
Lei Chunlan was under his protection; whatever grievances Li Che had... he would have to endure.
Through his tone, it was clear that Si Mubai knew exactly what Lei Chunlan had done but maintained a strong attitude, openly shielding her.
Or perhaps... it was Li Che's status that Si Mubai found insignificant.
Lei Chunlan's smile grew even brighter, like a wilted chrysanthemum stubbornly blooming anew.
The atmosphere within the pavilion seemed to chill in an instant, the cold wind howling as it rushed in.
After a short silence, Li Che's icy face broke into a faint smile: "Perhaps I am mistaken. I had thought you were the midwife who delivered my beloved daughter and who had entangled herself with the Spirit Infant Sect."
"That midwife caused the deaths of many newborns—an absolute villain, wanted by the government office. How could she possibly appear here at Young Master Si's Mansion? It must be my error."
Though Li Che's words carried undertones of sarcasm, Si Mubai could tell his attitude had softened. His lips curled into an even more unsightly smile, raising a hand with a dismissive wave. Lei Chunlan kept her head low and promptly withdrew.
"Master Li showing deference to me is most appreciated. Let's move on to Master Li's craftsmanship." Si Mubai spoke casually and forcefully, brushing past the topic.
Xu Beihu remained silent, his expression subtly darkened, yet in his heart, he felt a tinge of disappointment toward Li Che.
Even if Li Che couldn't harm Lei Chunlan, with Xu Beihu present, he could have stood his ground and regained some dignity. Yet Li Che chose the path of compliance, swallowing his humiliation instead.
Though steady and composed, he lacked that audacious, unyielding spirit which Xu Beihu found lacking.
However, he could understand. After all... the opponent was the Si Family.
Still, Li Che's temperament reminded him too much of his third younger brother, Xu You—too gloomy, too capable of suppressing rage, which Xu Beihu greatly disliked.
Since Li Che had chosen to bow his head voluntarily, Xu Beihu had no intention of saying more.
Si Mubai stepped toward the wood carving and pulled off the black cloth. Instantly, the "Nine-headed Guanyin Angry Cry Town Ghost Statue" was revealed before his eyes.
Si Mubai's breath caught.
His eyes glimmered with surprise and joy, staring fixedly. Gradually, two streams of hot tears rolled down his cheeks.
"Amazing, truly amazing! Though it lacks Divinity, its meaning is rich beyond compare. Each of Guanyin's nine heads bears a unique expression, yet all embody compassion and suffering; even the slightest furrowed brow conveys a deep empathy for all beings. The profound melancholy behind its angry cry—what artistry!"
"Marvelous, simply marvelous."
Si Mubai cried and laughed, clapping in awe.
The next moment, Si Mubai pressed both palms firmly against the carving, his mouth opening wide to wail. From the carving, faint streams of white vapor began to rise.
Li Che's pupils contracted. This eerie sight made him tense instantly.
The pavilion was shrouded in an indescribable, peculiar air, as if ghosts were weeping, as if a woman was wailing, as if an old man was crying his heart out...
*Li Che felt his nose tingle and was overwhelmed by the urge to cry.*
Xu Beihu stepped forward, placing a hand lightly on Li Che's shoulder. Instantly, Li Che's desire to cry dissipated, vanishing like smoke.
Taking a step back, Li Che's gaze flickered with surprise.
"Si Mubai is cultivating Divinity. You were affected by the overflow of his Divinity; I suppressed it for you. You're fine now." Xu Beihu said with a smile.
Though he wasn't entirely pleased with Li Che's temperament, Li Che's natural talent was undeniable—worthy of alliance and friendship.
Li Che clasped his hands together in thanks.
"Your cultivation is barely at Skin Refinement Completion. If you had been influenced longer by the Angry Cry's Divinity, it could have damaged your spirit..."
"Take your Gold Leaf and depart. There's a carriage outside; you may return on your own. Should you wish to explore the Inner City, you're free to do so—just leave before nightfall." Xu Beihu said with a soft smile.
Li Che received five Gold Leaves, secured them, and bowed before departing.
He took a long look at Si Mubai, still clutching the wood carving and ravenously draining its essence, the carving now withered like a frostbitten eggplant, its Guanyin form indistinguishable...
Li Che licked his lips.
His hand... seemed to itch a little.
*Resist the urge to siphon Si Mubai's Divinity using his Prototype Divine Power, "Thousand Analyzing Hands."*
Li Che exited the Golden Splendor Pavilion.
Seated inside the luxurious carriage, Li Che's fingers lightly tapped the tea table rhythmically, his gaze narrowing slightly.
"Old man, stop the carriage here. Since I rarely visit the Inner City, I'd like to buy some Osmanthus cake for my wife and bring back some delicacies. Please wait for me while I step out," Li Che said with a smile.
The charioteer, though from Xu Ji of the Inner City, treated Li Che with respect, responding warmly, "Master Li, go ahead. I'll wait right here. As long as we leave the Inner City before dark, it'll be no issue."
Li Che nodded politely.
The Inner City was bustling, its streets teeming with activity comparable to the Outer City. The lively crowds added charm to the prosperous avenues.
Once out of the charioteer's view, Li Che's expression turned ice-cold.
First, he stopped by a silk shop to purchase black cloth, which he quickly fashioned into a loose-fitting black robe. Then, he bought a straw hat before retrieving his engraving knife and thin wooden materials from his pocket. With his adept skills, he crafted a Cute Bull Mask within seconds.
He found an empty alley.
Donning the straw hat, he shed his clothes and tucked them away, then cloaked himself in the black robe, wore the straw hat, and placed the Cute Bull Mask over his face.
In an instant!
The shadow cast by his figure on the alley walls distorted, writhed, and grew taller!
It was as if a Divine Dragon roared lowly, or a Demon Elephant bellowed fiercely!
*Suppress? Comply? Yield?*
*I'm simply switching stances... to beat you to death!*
"Lei Chunlan..."
"Your Bull Demon grandpa is here!"