By the time Chen Mo left the courtyard, it was already dusk.
The winter days were short, and the setting sun hung dimly over the distant peak of Dayin Mountain.
At some point, snowflakes as thick as goose feathers had begun to drift down, densely blanketing the sky.
Qiulan was waiting at the gate, her face pale from the cold. She rubbed her hands together to warm them, then blew white clouds of breath into her palms. When Chen Mo stepped outside, she hurried over with a smile.
"Young Master, is everything taken care of?"
Chen Mo wasn't in high spirits. He only gave a quiet "Mm."
As she led the way out, Qiulan asked curiously, "Did you find out how Young Master Xie Dong died?"
Seeing her curiosity and fear, Chen Mo didn't want to frighten her. "He was simply possessed by evil. Come on, let's head back early."
Chen Mo didn't elaborate, so Qiulan didn't press him. She simply led the way obediently.
They crossed the grand Xie Manor. Chen Mo saw many members of the Xie Family crying, especially near the mourning hall, where sobs rose and fell without pause.
It reminded Chen Mo of when he'd been sick in his past life.
His parents had cried just like this.
Every family had its own troubles.
Those who died after parting from their loved ones were at least free of suffering. It was the living who had to bear the grief.
Outside Xie Manor, Chen Mo climbed into the carriage. Qiulan took the driver's seat, and they rattled through the streets toward Chen Mansion.
In low spirits, Chen Mo lifted the curtain and watched people coming and going along the streets. He listened to the vendors' cries rising and falling, and the county town seemed unchanged—forever bustling and lively.
But Chen Mo's thoughts had long since flown far away.
Old Master Li was a living corpse?
Ghosts in this world were one thing, but there were damn zombies too?
And Li Hongxi had really climbed out of that ancient well?
It made no sense.
Back in Ghost Land, Li Hongxi clearly couldn't get out. She'd tried to trick him into pulling out the Red Candle at the well's mouth.
Later, Granny Li had attacked him twice, both times trying to abduct him. That meant she still wanted him to pull out the Red Candle at Ghost Land's well, so she could free her daughter.
But if he could pull out that Red Candle, why couldn't Granny Li or Old Master Li?
Besides, Granny Li had failed both times. He hadn't been abducted.
So how had Li Hongxi gotten out?
Could Granny Li have thought of another way?
But Li Hongxi had been dead for twenty years. If Granny Li had another method, she would have used it long ago. Why wait until now to abduct him?
No...
Something was wrong...
There must be some detail I've overlooked.
Chen Mo rubbed his temples, trying to recall the details of the two abduction attempts.
The first time, Granny Li had put a Paper Figure on his back and sent Zhu San and Zhu Liu to abduct him.
The second time, Granny Li had stuck the Paper Figure onto Liu Mazi and sent him to abduct Chen Mo.
Why had the Paper Figure been in a different place each time?
Wait...
When Liu Mazi came to his home the second time, his soft sword had cut Chen Mo across the chest.
An injury!
That was the only difference Chen Mo could think of.
A wild idea suddenly sprang into his mind: Could this have been what Granny Li wanted? All she needed was for him to get hurt, then she could use his blood to release Li Hongxi?
If that was when Li Hongxi had gotten out, then the timing fit with his visit to the Li residence today.
But Liu Mazi's corpse had been burned by Chen Mo. He hadn't taken any of Chen Mo's blood...
Chen Mo couldn't figure it out, and the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became.
He still didn't know how Granny Li had done it, but one thing was certain... the Li family was terrifying.
Even though Chen Mo had now become an Internal Martial Master, he still couldn't feel at ease.
After entering Chen Mansion and getting out of the carriage, Chen Mo told Qiulan, "Gather half the carriages and horses in the household, then find a few trustworthy people to deliver them to Third Master Xie."
Qiulan didn't know the reason, but she agreed all the same. "I'll arrange it right away."
Chen Mo hurried toward the Central Courtyard. Now that he knew Xie Dong had died after being possessed by evil, and had learned how strange the Li family was, he wanted to go to Black Mountain Stronghold as soon as possible to learn Exorcism. He wondered whether his father had brought back news of Li Yuanlong.
Just as he reached the entrance to the Central Courtyard, he spotted Chen Yu'er in a red padded jacket, crouching beside a flower bed with her bottom sticking up as she scraped at the snow.
Chen Mo couldn't help laughing. "Xiaoyuer, what are you digging for?"
At the sound of the familiar voice, Xiaoyuer lowered her backside and slowly stood up. Pointing at the flower bed, she said sadly, "Brother Mo, come look. A sparrow was hopping around lively on the roof a moment ago, then suddenly fell down and died."
Chen Mo glanced at the little sparrow, frozen stiff. He hadn't thought much of it, but seeing Xiaoyuer's sorrowful face, he comforted her. "Maybe it was old. It couldn't withstand the cold and froze to death. What are you doing outside in such cold weather, anyway? Have your parents come back?"
Still lost in sadness, Xiaoyuer shook her head. "No."
"The snow's getting heavier. I'll take you back." Chen Mo picked her up and hurried to the North Courtyard.
As soon as they reached the North Courtyard gate, they heard laughter from inside. In the distance, Chen Mo saw Chen Wu demonstrating his recent progress at martial arts to Zhang Ru. Seeing how quickly her son was improving, Zhang Ru grinned from ear to ear. "Don't forget to be grateful to your Second Brother."
As he practiced his saber, Chen Wu said, "Don't worry, Mother. I remember. Second Brother has high hopes for me, so I don't dare slack off in my training for even a moment. Once I master martial arts, I'll definitely make Second Brother see me in a new light. Maybe... I might even surpass him."
Chen Mo's senses were exceptionally sharp. He heard Chen Wu from far away and thought, Making me see you in a new light isn't out of the question. But surpassing me in martial arts... You'll never manage that in this lifetime.
Chen Mo didn't say it aloud. Carrying Chen Yu'er, he entered the North Courtyard. "Second Mother, the snow's getting heavier. Don't let Xiaoyuer run around, or she might catch a chill."
When Zhang Ru saw Chen Mo, she hurried over to take Chen Yu'er from him, scolded her a couple of times, then said to Chen Mo, "Second Young Master, that's very thoughtful of you."
"No need to be so polite, Second Mother. By the way, how has Chen Wu been doing with his training?" Since he was already here, he might as well ask after his younger brother's lessons and offer some encouragement.
Sure enough, hearing his Second Brother ask about his training made Chen Wu so excited he could hardly contain himself. "Teacher Wei Heng taught me the Wind-Breaking Saber. I'll demonstrate it and ask Second Brother for your pointers."
"All right."
Chen Mo sat beneath the eaves. Second Mother served him tea, while Chen Yu'er brought over a skewer of Candied Hawthorn and held it out to him. "Brother Mo, have some."
Chen Mo took the Candied Hawthorn and ate heartily as he watched Chen Wu perform the Wind-Breaking Saber. Chen Wu was young, but he wasn't short, and his saber strikes were solid. It was clear he'd trained hard.
When he finished, Chen Wu looked at Chen Mo expectantly, waiting for his assessment.
Chen Mo put on a solemn expression, building up the atmosphere before speaking. "My younger brother is a martial arts prodigy. Very good. Your saber work is solid, and your movements flow smoothly. It's clear you've trained hard. Given time, you'll surely become a great talent."
Chen Wu's scalp tingled with excitement, and his face flushed red. He was even happier than when he got New Year's money from his mother.
With his confidence soaring after the praise, Chen Wu asked, "Second Brother, would you demonstrate the Wind-Breaking Saber for me?"
Chen Mo saw what his younger brother was thinking and smiled. "Sure."
Though he'd never trained in the Wind-Breaking Saber, he'd entered the Inner Family, and with the foundation of the Fuyang Saber Technique, the movements came easily to him.
Taking Chen Wu's saber, Chen Mo walked into the snowy courtyard, then suddenly brought it down on the ground. A deafening BOOM rang out, and the entire courtyard shook violently.
The snow went flying. The bluestone-paved ground split open in an instant, leaving a huge crack several yards long.
Chen Wu and the others stared in shock. Chen Wu, especially, felt as if his entire worldview had been shattered.
Chen Mo tossed the saber at Chen Wu's feet. Half the blade sank into the ground, while the other half trembled in the air, emitting a piercing hum.
"Martial arts aren't fancy showmanship. They're for killing. If one strike can kill your opponent, don't use a second."
Chen Wu was struck like lightning, a sudden realization washing over him. He bowed deeply. "I'll remember your lesson, Second Brother."
A moment ago, Chen Wu had been thoroughly pleased with his progress. Only after seeing his Second Brother's skill did he wake up to the truth: his Second Brother was the sky above the Chen Family.
Compared to his Second Brother, he was like a tiny drifter gazing up at the azure heavens.
Just then, Haitang hurried over. "Second Young Master, Master and Madam are back. They've asked you to come."
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