Chapter 18: A Fateful Revelation at Xu Ji

Chen Daba walked with his hands behind his back, watching Xiao Liu leave. Snow danced from the sky, landing on his graying hair.

His eyes held a trace of detachment and something more complex.

Sun Changbiao was dead. Old Chen inwardly sighed—his concern was never really about Sun Changbiao’s demise. In these times, death was an everyday occurrence.

But what troubled Old Chen was Li Che’s impulsiveness.

He had only just discovered that the man coveting XiXi was none other than Sun Changbiao, who had joined the Lingying Sect. Yet, scarcely had matters begun… Li Che rushed off to kill Sun Changbiao.

Decisive. Ruthless. Swift in his actions!

But was it really Li Che who struck?

Where did he get the strength to kill Sun Changbiao?

Even Old Chen began to feel disoriented and suspicious.

What had started as a leisurely stroll shifted as he took a detour toward Sun Changbiao’s courtyard.

Just as he neared, heart-wrenching cries echoed in the air.

Outside, a throng had gathered. They witnessed Butler Sun—his weathered face drained of color, trembling, fists clenched in a mix of anger and grief.

“Who is it? Who killed my son?”

“My son was gentle and kind. Who could be so cruel?”

Butler Sun wept uncontrollably, the agony of losing his son piercing his heart.

Beside him, Liu sat on a chair with help, tears streaming incessantly.

Old Chen edged closer and inquired; a strange feeling stirred in his chest.

“A giant of a man—towering like a small mountain, with hands as broad as fans—kicked the door open and even smashed Sun Changbiao with one powerful strike…”

“It was the handiwork of a Bone Tempering fighter… It seems that if not Li Che, then even Li Che, who had only just perfected Skin Polishing, would have been outmatched by Sun Changbiao.”

“Strange… How could such a coincidence occur?”

Old Chen was equally astonished, shaking his head in disbelief.

He looked upon Sun Changbiao’s corpse—his head severed, bones broken, his organs shattered—and noted the grim, pitiful end.

Turning his gaze, he saw Sun Changbiao’s four daughters huddled in a corner, timid and withdrawn. The eldest, standing at the forefront, stared at her father’s body—her eyes not filled with grief, but rather…

…with a hint of grim satisfaction.

……

……

The news of Sun Changbiao’s slaughter spread like wildfire through Xu Ji Courtyard.

It stirred up a tremendous uproar.

When the Third Manager had left the city, the incident at the shop exploded into a major scandal.

The next day, Xu Ji from the Inner City sent investigators, accompanied by constables from the Outer City authorities.

Xu Beihu, draped in a large fox cloak, his massive frame pulsating with a fierce, almost electric energy, fixed his gaze on Sun Changbiao’s corpse in the coffin, a curious glint in his eyes.

“A blow with the strength of a thousand pounds—a single kick shattered his internal organs. In the clash, his arm was smashed with overwhelming force. No doubt, the attacker was a domineering Bone Tempering fighter. And the precision of that head cut? It speaks of an extremely sharp weapon… likely a sword.”

Beside him, Outer City Inspector Zhao Chuanxiong, equally imposing with a wide-bladed dao at his side, narrowed his eyes as he analyzed the scene.

“Inspector Zhao, this case now falls to you. Who would have imagined that after years of peace at Xu Ji, some rogue would brazenly commit such a crime in our shop?”

Xu Beihu cupped his fists in greeting.

Zhao Chuanxiong smiled and waved him off, saying, “Perhaps it was the work of another group, trying to make an example out of us. But it’s odd… Why single out Sun Changbiao? And why him?”

Xu Beihu was equally baffled; despite his deliberation, no clear answer emerged.

With a slight smile, Zhao Chuanxiong raised his hand and said,

“Search thoroughly. See if you can find any clues.”

No sooner had his words faded than the constables set off to inspect Sun Changbiao’s mansion.

Liu, who had been weeping on her chair, suddenly showed signs of panic as the investigators started their search.

Moments later, a constable shouted, “Found something!”

He returned swiftly, carrying a ‘Three-Headed Six-Armed Spirit Infant Statue.’

“Lingying Sect?!”

Xu Beihu glared furiously, his hair whipping about, then turned to Liu and bellowed, “You worship Lingying Sect?!”

Zhao Chuanxiong squinted, clapping his hands lightly. “So it is the Lingying Sect—that explains a lot…”

He glanced toward the four girls in the corner. The youngest, barely two or three, had disheveled hair and a bewildered expression.

Xu Beihu’s face darkened. Although they had long suspected Lingying Sect’s infiltration into the shop, its sudden exposure brought great shame to Xu Ji.

“It now seems evident. Sun Changbiao had pledged to Lingying Sect. His daughters, coveted by them for sacrifice, were the target. Sun Changbiao fought back to protect his daughters, and in the process, he lost his life at the hands of these villains.”

“Ah, what a heartrending display of fatherly love…”

“Liu, don’t you agree?”

Liu, still sobbing in her chair, fell silent.

Amid the gathering, Li Che couldn’t help but twitch a smile at the inspector’s assessment.

Sun Changbiao did indeed die out of fatherly love—but that love belonged to Li Che…

Without further delay, Li Che made his way to the Training Ground.

……

……

The atmosphere at the Training Ground was charged with energy.

This year, the new woodcarvers recruited by the shop had just acquired the Skin Polishing technique. Brimming with determination, they hefted stone locks as they practiced relentlessly.

Zhao Xuan, with her long, graceful legs, was instructing the newcomers. At the sight of Li Che, she greeted him with a beaming smile, “Master Li, you’re here?”

Li Che returned a gentle smile and nodded in acknowledgment.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Wang Zhengpin paused his exercise and said, “Master Li, did you hear? Master Sun met a gruesome end—his bones were crushed, tortured to death, and in the end, his head was severed. It’s beyond description.”

Li Che’s lips twitched. The rumors were growing ever more exaggerated… He wasn’t nearly that ruthless.

Nonetheless, Li Che joined the conversation, his face etched with regret.

While the elders discussed among themselves, the newcomers dared not intervene. Shortly after, Li Che resumed his training.

Now, with his Skin Polishing perfected, Li Che’s cultivation was the subject of many admiring glances.

He never missed a day of practice. After all, the Dao Fruit ‘Dragon Elephant Vajra’ required constant maturing—a daily training was essential.

Yet as he practiced, Li Che’s thoughts turned to the Muscle-Opening Technique and the Inner Strength Technique.

Just then, Xu Beihu arrived at the Training Ground.

“Second Manager.”

Everyone halted their activities and cupped their fists in greeting.

Xu Beihu’s expression softened. “I’m here from the Outer City to investigate Sun Changbiao’s death, and while I’m at it, I’ll offer some guidance on your training.”

His gaze fell on Li Che with evident satisfaction. “In just one year, you’ve mastered Skin Polishing—a promising feat. Keep training diligently, and if you have any needs, speak up.”

Li Che cupped his fists and replied, “Second Manager, now that I’ve perfected Skin Polishing, may I request the Muscle-Opening Technique and the Inner Strength Technique?”

“Today, as I passed by Master Sun’s mansion, I witnessed his tragic end. They say he sacrificed his life to protect his daughter, driven by an unwavering fatherly love… I—I’m truly afraid.”

Li Che’s voice was filled with genuine worry and sincerity.

Xu Beihu fell silent; he had already heard of Li Che’s plight.

Earlier, Li Che had sought refuge at Xu Ji out of fear of the Lingying Sect, and now this incident had tarnished Xu Ji’s reputation—a sign that their prestige was waning.

But Xu Ji’s rules were inviolable. Xu Beihu shook his head regretfully, “According to Xu Ji’s rules, you must perfect your Skin Polishing before I can teach you the Muscle-Opening and Inner Strength Techniques…”

“A solid foundation is essential for progress; without it, even the tallest tower can collapse. I fear that teaching you prematurely might lead you astray and injure you. This is for your own good.”

Li Che’s face fell with regret at these words.

Seeing his demeanor, Xu Beihu hesitated briefly before producing a porcelain vial, which he handed to Li Che. “Inside are six Skin Polishing Pills—a reward for mastering Skin Polishing.”

“Take one every five days. With your talent, you should perfect Skin Polishing in a little over a month.”

“And when that day comes, come find me for the Muscle-Opening and Inner Strength Techniques.”

Though Li Che felt a twinge of regret, his face lit up as he accepted the Skin Polishing Pills. He had already resolved to visit the market later to see if he could procure the Inner Strength Technique.

Old Chen had mentioned that, since they weren’t part of the Xu Ji circle, the Muscle-Opening and Inner Strength Techniques available outside weren’t very advanced—comparable to those sold in the market.

Seeing Li Che pocket the pills, Xu Beihu’s rugged face broke into a smile.

“Li Che, I have a commission for you.”

“Knowing your exceptional talent in woodcarving, a young master from the Inner City Si Family has approached me. He wants you to carve a wood sculpture, offering five Gold Leaves as payment.”

At this, Li Che’s heart skipped a beat.

Five Gold Leaves?!

Five hundred taels!

A major client indeed!

But this clearly indicated that the commission was no ordinary task—it would be extremely challenging.

Li Che’s expression turned solemn as he cupped his fists and asked, “May I ask what exactly the Si Family Young Master wishes to have carved?”

Xu Beihu smiled as he regarded the cautious Li Che.

“A Nine-Headed Guan Yin Weeping Statue to Ward Off Ghosts.”