Baby's Cry (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Chen Mo's heart gave a sudden thump. He had a vague, ominous feeling. "Catch your breath first, then tell me clearly what happened."

Huff, huff, huff.

Ma San took several deep breaths in a row before he managed to steady himself somewhat, but his face was still pale.

"When I arrived at Xie Manor with the three stable hands, I found the manor's gate standing open. There wasn't even a gatekeeper, and it was silent inside, with a gloomy, eerie air about it. I immediately felt something was wrong, but I remembered that I had to see through the young master's instructions. So I took the three stable hands inside... As soon as we stepped through the gate, we saw two servants hanging from the Crooked Neck Tree. Farther in, we found a number of servants and maids hanging from the rafters. I called out several times, but no one answered..."

Ma San spoke, then gasped for breath a few more times before continuing. "I sent the three stable hands to the Central Courtyard and went to the western side yard, where Third Master Xie lived. Third Master Xie once did me a kindness, so I wanted to see whether he was all right. But I found him drowned in the water vat in his courtyard."

Third Master Xie was dead.

Drowned, no less!

Just moments ago, Chen Mo had planned to take Qiulan to Xie Manor to seek Third Master Xie's advice. He hadn't expected...

Chen Mo forced down his horror. "What happened next?"

Ma San panted furiously as he spoke. "Then I left the western side yard and went to the Central Courtyard to call for the three stable hands, but I heard no answer. When I entered the courtyard, I found that the three stable hands had also been hanged from the beam above the gate. And that wasn't all. The Master of the Xie Family and his wife had both been hanged there, too, with pondweed and mud clinging to their faces. There wasn't a single living soul left in all of Xie Manor. I didn't dare linger, so I hurried back to report it."

After hearing Ma San's account, Chen Mo's hands and feet trembled slightly.

The Xie Family, a prominent clan in Honghe County, had been wiped out just like that?

Xie Lianghong had mentioned it before... Granny Li was going to slaughter the Xie Family.

But he hadn't expected disaster to strike so soon... He had only just left Xie Manor, and the entire family had already been wiped out!

That meant Li Hongxi had probably been hiding in Xie Manor when he visited that afternoon. She had simply waited until nightfall to make her move.

Xie Manor was gone...

Chen Mo was suddenly struck by a powerful intuition: Li Hongxi would come after him and the Chen Family.

It might happen tonight!

Fortunately, Chen Mo had entered the Inner Family, and his Blazing Palm had reached great mastery, so he wasn't too worried. Besides, Daoist Li Yuanlong was coming to test him tomorrow for admission to Black Mountain Stronghold to study martial arts.

Would an Internal Martial Master not earn Li Yuanlong's approval? That made no sense.

As long as they made it through tonight safely, nothing would happen to Chen Mansion.

That left the question:

How could they make it through tonight safely?

Run?

In the middle of the night, where could they go?

There were even more Evil Spirits in the countryside beyond the city. It would be more dangerous outside the walls.

Chen Mo quickly made up his mind. "Qiulan, tell everyone to light every lamp in the manor. Also, have all the guards, servants, and maids gather in the Central Courtyard! Hurry!"

Qiulan realized how serious the situation was and immediately ran out to pass on his orders.

Chen Mo then instructed Ma San, "Sorry to trouble you again. Go to Magistrate Li Yu's residence and tell him that he needs to hurry to Xie Manor and take care of the aftermath. If possible, ask him to come to Chen Mansion and help us. Once you've delivered the message, don't linger outside. Come straight back and report to the Central Courtyard."

Ma San was still somewhat shaken, but he had witnessed Chen Mo hack Liu Mazi to death and had drawn courage from it. He nodded. "I'll go now."

After seeing Ma San off, Chen Mo took his broad saber and headed for the rear courtyard.

The snow was falling harder and harder, but Ma Tie was still keeping a careful watch there. When he saw Chen Mo, he saluted. "Young master."

Chen Mo nodded. "Get a hemp sack. Tie this woman up securely, put her in the sack, then come with me to spend the night in the Central Courtyard."

Ma Tie had no idea what was happening outside. "Young master, has something happened?"

"Tie her up first. I'll explain once we reach the Central Courtyard." Chen Mo made his decision at once, then wondered: Why was Ma San the only one who survived? Was it just luck?

Chen Mo had no time to dwell on it. He made a few preparations, then hurried to the Central Courtyard.

The residence where Magistrate Li Yu lived was not far from the County Office. It was just two alleys away. The house was small, with three courtyards, and though everything was tidy, the furnishings were very plain.

That was thanks to Li Yu's reputation as an incorruptible official. Although he had married Xie Cui, the fourth younger sister of Xie Liangming, the eldest master of the Xie Family, he had refused to move into Xie Manor as a live-in son-in-law. Instead, he insisted on moving out and living a frugal life with Xie Cui.

At the time, Xie Liangming had clashed with Li Yu over this more than once. But Xie Cui was determined to follow Li Yu and live elsewhere, unwilling to jeopardize his official career.

Xie Liangming couldn't sway his stubborn younger sister, so he had no choice but to let the matter drop.

Later, Xie Liangming repeatedly brought valuable gifts and expensive furniture to Li Yu's home, hoping to improve the family's living conditions. Li Yu rejected them all, nearly making Xie Liangming so furious he spat blood.

But Li Yu truly was an incorruptible official. In just a few years as Magistrate, he had earned the support of the local people. He wasn't completely inflexible, either; as long as it didn't violate court regulations, he would often make things a little easier for the Xie Family's businesses.

After a while, Xie Liangming accepted him as his brother-in-law.

Aside from Li Yu and Xie Cui, the only other person in Li Manor was a maid named A Xia.

Xie Cui, who was thirty-six and had recently caught a chill, was leaning against the head of the bed, her face haggard and bloodless. Li Yu, a tall, burly man, took the medicine A Xia had prepared, spooned some into a spoon, blew on it to cool it, then brought it to Xie Cui's lips.

But Xie Cui kept her lips tightly shut and refused to open her mouth.

Li Yu's face was full of concern as he comforted her. "My lady, I know you're grieving over Xie Dong's death. But that makes it all the more important for you to take your medicine and get well soon. Then I'll be able to focus on finding the real culprit behind everything."

Perhaps she understood her husband's good intentions. Xie Cui finally opened her mouth and swallowed the bitter medicine in one big gulp.

Li Yu beamed. After setting the bowl down, he gently brushed the loose strands of hair from Xie Cui's face and tucked them behind her ear. "Once you've taken your medicine, you'll start feeling better."

Xie Cui's expression softened, and her eyes warmed with affection. "You've been rushing around for my sake, dear. If I kept causing you trouble, I'd be quite unreasonable. I went to see Third Brother this morning. He said Xiao Dong died after being Possessed by Evil..."

As she spoke, Xie Cui's already haggard face grew even paler.

To comfort his wife, Li Yu said something he didn't believe. "My lady, you're a learned woman. How could you believe Third Master Xie's wild ravings? He has indeed helped the County Office solve many cases over the years, but after spending so much time around the dead, he's bound to say some mad things. Even Master Xie has scolded Third Master Xie for it many times. You needn't take it to heart."

Xie Cui was no child. She couldn't simply believe him. "But Third Brother looked terrified, and he sounded so convincing..."

Li Yu cut her off. "Don't let your imagination run away with you, my lady. I've already sent people to investigate thoroughly. Someone must be putting on an act and trying to make us believe in ghosts."

Seeing how firmly Li Yu spoke, Xie Cui stopped arguing and clasped his hand tightly. "Dear, after everything that's happened to the Xie Family, we're all relying on you now. Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law were already in poor health. With Xiao Dong's death, I'm afraid they'll be too distressed to eat or sleep. I'm truly worried something might happen to them..."

By the end, Xie Cui was covering her face and sobbing.

The Xie Family was a prominent clan in Honghe County, and Xie Cui had been well-educated since childhood. She was sensible, and after this ordeal, she could already feel the family's ancestral house wavering like a boat in a storm.

"Don't worry, my lady. I'll find the culprit as soon as I can, arrest him, and bring him to justice. I'll also give Master Xie an explanation." Li Yu thumped his chest as he promised.

Xie Cui was somewhat comforted at last.

Just then, A Xia hurried in from outside. "Master, madam. There's a man outside who says he's a guard from Chen Mansion. He has something urgent to report to you."

"I understand." Li Yu replied, then helped Xie Cui lie down and tucked the quilt around her before leaving the room.

When he reached the courtyard gate, he saw Ma San, drenched in sweat.

As a guard for Chen Mansion, Ma San was often around the county town and naturally knew Magistrate Li Yu. He immediately explained who he was.

Li Yu asked, "Why have you come to see me in the middle of the night?"

Ma San replied, "Does Your Honor not know? The entire Xie Family has been wiped out..."

He recounted everything he had seen and heard.

Even Li Yu, who oversaw all criminal cases in Honghe County, was deeply shaken by the news. But he quickly suppressed his alarm and said, "Please thank Second Young Master Chen for me. We mustn't let this get out. I'll take care of the aftermath. You should go back as soon as possible. I'll send men to protect Chen Mansion shortly."

After sending Ma San away, Li Yu hurried back to the main room, put on his official robe, and fastened his saber and token to his belt. Finally, he went to the bedroom and told Xie Cui to rest well. He said they had found a lead in Xie Dong's death and that he needed to go out for a while, even though it was late.

To spare his wife more worry, he didn't tell her that Xie Manor had been wiped out.

Although a Magistrate was a minor, low-ranking official, he was permitted to wear a Ninth-Rank Official Robe during sacrifices or important ceremonies. The matter tonight was serious, so he put it on for convenience.

Just as he was about to leave, Xie Cui called out to him.

"Is there something else, my lady?"

Xie Cui spoke weakly. "Dear, I know you hate evil with a passion. But Honghe County is dangerous these days. If you encounter danger, your own safety must come first. I've already lost Xiao Dong. I absolutely can't lose you, too."

Seeing how earnestly Xie Cui cared for him, Li Yu felt warmth in his heart. "Don't worry, my lady. This isn't my first day on the job. I know what I'm doing."

After leaving the bedroom, Li Yu told A Xia to take good care of Xie Cui, then hurried out.

Li Yu didn't recklessly rush to Xie Manor. Instead, he headed straight for the County Office.

He had a plan: whoever could wipe out the entire Xie Family was no ordinary force. It might really have been the work of an Evil Spirit. Going to Xie Manor alone would be dangerous. He needed to alert his elder brother, who had just been appointed County Magistrate.

After watching her husband leave, Xie Cui felt uneasy, so she called A Xia over and asked, "What did that guard from Chen Mansion say to my husband?"

A Xia shook her head. "This servant was standing too far away to hear clearly. The guard looked very worried. Perhaps they really did find a lead."

Only then did Xie Cui relax. Exhausted, she said, "Go keep watch outside. Remember, don't skimp on the charcoal. Light a brazier for yourself so you can stay warm. Don't catch a chill. When you're a little older, I'll find someone to play matchmaker for you and help you find a good husband."

A Xia was delighted. "Thank you, madam. I'll go now. Call for me anytime if you need anything."

She went out, lit a brazier in the reception room, then crouched beside it, waiting for her mistress to call.

Perhaps A Xia felt her mistress treated her well and knew the household was struggling financially. She had been sparing with the charcoal, hoping to save her mistress a little money. Gradually, sleepiness crept over her, and she fell asleep with her head on the nearby table.

After who knew how long, A Xia, still half-asleep, heard someone calling her name.

"A Xia, A Xia..."

A Xia woke with a start. Assuming the master had returned, she excitedly ran out the door and looked around the courtyard, but she couldn't see anyone.

"A Xia, A Xia..."

The voice kept calling.

By now, A Xia was fully awake, and she suddenly realized... that wasn't the master's voice at all.

It sounded more like a little girl calling out.

The master and madam had never had any children. Where could a young girl have come from?

And the voice was hoarse and low, sending a chill through A Xia.