Baby's Cry (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Chen Mo's heart skipped a beat, a vague sense of dread creeping in. "Catch your breath first, then tell me clearly."

Huff, huff, huff.

Ma San took several deep breaths before he could steady himself, though his face remained pale:

"When I led the three grooms to the Xie Manor, I found the main gate wide open, no doorman in sight. Inside, it was dead silent, with a chilling, eerie air. I knew something was off, but remembering the young master's orders had to be carried out, I took the three grooms in. Just past the gate, I saw two servants hanging from a crooked-neck tree. Going deeper, more servants and maids were hanging from the beams. I called out a few times—no one answered..."

Ma San gasped for air again before continuing: "I sent the three grooms to the Central Courtyard while I headed to the western side compound, where Third Master Xie lived. I owed him a favor from years back, so I wanted to check if he was alright. I found him drowned in the courtyard's water vat."

Third Master Xie was dead.

Drowned, no less!

Chen Mo had just been planning to take Qiulan to the Xie Manor to seek Third Master Xie's advice, but now...

Suppressing the horror in his heart, Chen Mo asked, "And then?"

Ma San panted heavily. "Then I backed out of the western compound and went to the Central Courtyard to call for the three grooms, but got no reply. When I stepped inside, I saw them hanging from the beam at the entrance too. Besides them, Master and Madam Xie were also hanging from the same beam, their faces covered with waterweed and mud. Not a single soul alive in the entire Xie Manor. I didn't dare linger and rushed back to report."

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

The prestigious Xie family of Honghe County—gone just like that?

Xie Lianghong had mentioned earlier... that Granny Li was coming to wipe out the Xie family.

But he hadn't expected the disaster to strike so fast. He'd barely left the Xie Manor before the entire household was annihilated!

That meant when he visited in the afternoon, Li Hongxi must have been hiding inside the manor, waiting until nightfall to act.

The Xie Manor was no more...

A strong instinct surged in Chen Mo—Li Hongxi would come for him and the Chen Family next.

Maybe even tonight!

Fortunately, Chen Mo had entered the Internal Martial realm and mastered the Blazing Palm, so he wasn't too afraid. And tomorrow, Li Yuanlong was supposed to visit and test him for training at Black Mountain Stronghold.

An Internal Martial Master failing to earn Li Yuanlong's approval? That didn't add up.

If he could just get through today safely, the Chen Mansion would be fine.

So the question was—

How to survive tonight?

Run?

Where could he go in the dead of night?

There were even more Evil Spirits in the countryside outside the city; leaving town would be more dangerous.

Soon, Chen Mo made a decision. "Qiulan, give the order—light every lamp in the mansion. Also, gather all the guards, servants, and maids in the Central Courtyard. Hurry!"

Qiulan grasped the gravity of the situation and ran off to relay the orders.

Chen Mo then instructed Ma San, "Trouble you to go to Magistrate Li Yu's residence. Tell him to head to the Xie Manor and handle the aftermath. If possible, ask him to come to the Chen Mansion for help. After you deliver the message, don't linger outside—come straight back to the Central Courtyard."

Though still shaken, Ma San had seen Chen Mo cut down Liu Mazi and felt emboldened. He agreed, "I'm on my way."

After seeing Ma San off, Chen Mo grabbed his broadsword and headed to the back courtyard.

The snow was falling harder, but Ma Tie stood guard diligently. He bowed upon seeing Chen Mo. "Young Master."

Chen Mo nodded. "Get a burlap sack. Tie this woman up tight, stuff her in it, then follow me to the Central Courtyard for the night."

Ma Tie didn't know what was happening outside. "Young Master, has something happened?"

"Tie her up first, then come to the Central Courtyard with me. I'll explain there." Chen Mo made the call swiftly, then pondered: Why was Ma San the only one who survived? Just luck?

He couldn't dwell on it. He prepared quickly and headed to the Central Courtyard.

Magistrate Li Yu's residence was not far from the County Office—just two alleys away. It was a small, three-courtyard house, tidy but sparsely furnished.

That was thanks to Li Yu being an upright official. Though he had married Xie Cui, the fourth daughter of Xie Liangming, the Xie family's eldest master, he refused to move into the Xie Manor. Instead, he insisted on living frugally with Xie Cui.

Back then, Xie Liangming had clashed with Li Yu over this many times. But Xie Cui insisted on following her husband and didn't want to hinder his career.

Xie Liangming couldn't sway his sister, so he let it go.

Later, Xie Liangming often brought expensive gifts and fine furniture to improve their living conditions, but Li Yu always refused, nearly driving Xie Liangming to fury.

Still, Li Yu was a clean official. In just a few years as Magistrate, he had earned the people's support. He wasn't entirely inflexible, either—he would occasionally offer the Xie family's business some leeway, as long as it didn't break the law.

Over time, Xie Liangming came to accept this brother-in-law.

In the Li Manor, besides Li Yu and Xie Cui, there was only one maidservant named A Xia.

Xie Cui, now thirty-six, had recently caught a chill. She leaned against the headboard, pale and haggard. The tall, sturdy Li Yu took the herbal medicine A Xia had brewed, scooped some with a spoon, blew on it to cool it, and brought it to Xie Cui's lips.

But she kept her mouth shut, refusing to open it.

Li Yu's face was full of concern. He coaxed her, "Wife, I know you're grieving over Xie Dong's death. But the more so, you need to take your medicine. Get well soon, so I can focus on finding the real culprit."

Perhaps moved by her husband's sincerity, Xie Cui finally opened her mouth and swallowed the bitter medicine in big gulps.

Li Yu's face lit up with a smile. He set down the bowl and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Now that you've taken the medicine, you'll get better soon."

Xie Cui's gaze softened, warmth creeping into her eyes. "You've been running yourself ragged for this concubine. If I added to your troubles, I'd be the one acting foolish. I went to see Third Brother this morning, and he said Xiao Dong died possessed by an evil spirit..."

At that, Xie Cui's already haggard face drained of what little color remained.

To comfort his wife, Li Yu spoke against his own beliefs. "You're a learned woman, my dear. You can't take Third Master Xie's ravings seriously. He's helped the county office solve plenty of cases over the years, but spending so much time around the dead has left him a bit unhinged. Even Master Xie has scolded him more than once. Don't dwell on it."

Xie Cui was no child, and she wouldn't be so easily convinced. "But Third Brother looked terrified when he said it, and he spoke with such conviction..."

Li Yu cut her off. "Don't let your mind run wild. I've already sent men to investigate thoroughly. Someone's playing tricks."

Seeing Li Yu's firm resolve, Xie Cui stopped pressing. She gripped his hand tightly. "Husband, after what's happened to the Xie Family, we're counting on you. Eldest Brother and his wife were already in poor health. With Xiao Dong gone, they won't be able to eat or sleep. I'm terrified something might happen to them..."

By the end, Xie Cui had buried her face in her hands, sobbing.

The Xie Family was a prominent clan in Honghe County, and Xie Cui had been educated since childhood—she was sensible. This tragedy had made her feel the family's fortunes were teetering on the edge.

"Rest assured, my dear. I'll find the killer and bring them to justice as soon as possible. I'll give Master Xie an answer." Li Yu thumped his chest in assurance.

Xie Cui finally felt some relief.

Just then, A Xia rushed in from outside. "Master, Mistress. There's a man at the door. Says he's a guard from the Chen Mansion, with urgent news for you."

"Understood." Li Yu acknowledged, then helped Xie Cui lie down and tucked the quilt around her before heading out.

At the courtyard gate, he found Ma San, drenched in sweat.

As a guard for the Chen Mansion, Ma San was a regular around the county and naturally recognized Magistrate Li Yu. He stated his business at once.

Li Yu asked, "What brings you to me so late?"

Ma San said, "You haven't heard, Magistrate? The Xie Manor Massacre..."

He recounted everything he'd seen and heard.

Even the magistrate, who oversaw all criminal matters in Honghe County, was shaken. But Li Yu quickly suppressed his panic. "Thank Second Young Master Chen for me. Don't spread this. I'll handle the aftermath. Go on home now. I'll send men to guard the Chen Mansion shortly."

After dismissing Ma San, Li Yu hurried back to the main hall, donned his official robe, and strapped on his waist knife and badge. Finally, he returned to the bedroom, instructing Xie Cui to rest well, saying he had a lead on Xie Dong's death and needed to go out late.

To spare his wife worry, he said nothing of the massacre.

Though a magistrate was a lowly, unranked official, he could borrow a Ninth-Rank Official Robe for ceremonies or major occasions. Tonight's matter was serious, so he wore it for convenience.

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

"Is there something else, my dear?"

Xie Cui spoke weakly, "Husband, I know you hate evil like an enemy. But Honghe County isn't safe right now. If you run into danger, put your own safety first. I've lost Xiao Dong—I can't lose you too."

Li Yu's heart warmed at her earnest concern. "Don't worry, my dear. This isn't my first day on the job. I know what I'm doing."

Leaving the bedroom, he told A Xia to look after Xie Cui, then hurried out.

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

He had his reasons: anyone capable of wiping out the Xie Family wasn't ordinary—it might truly be the work of an Evil Spirit. Going alone to the Xie Manor would be too dangerous. He needed to inform his elder brother, the newly appointed County Magistrate.

Meanwhile, Xie Cui watched her husband leave, her heart uneasy. She called A Xia over and asked, "What did that guard from the Chen Mansion say to my husband?"

A Xia shook her head. "I was standing too far away, I couldn't hear clearly. He looked very urgent—maybe they really have a lead."

Xie Cui breathed a little easier. "Go keep watch outside. Don't skimp on the charcoal—light yourself a fire to stay warm. Don't catch a chill. When you're a bit older, I'll find a matchmaker and get you a good husband."

A Xia beamed. "Thank you, Mistress. I'll go now. Call me anytime you need me."

She left, lit a fire in the sitting room, and crouched nearby, waiting for orders.

Feeling the mistress was kind to her and knowing the household was strapped for money, A Xia used the charcoal sparingly, hoping to save her mistress some silver. Gradually, drowsiness set in, and she dozed off leaning against the table.

After some unknown time, a groggy A Xia heard someone calling her name.

"A Xia... A Xia..."

She jolted awake, instinctively thinking the master had returned. Excited, she ran out into the courtyard, looked around—but saw no one.

"A Xia... A Xia..."

The voice kept calling.

Now fully awake, A Xia suddenly realized... that wasn't the master's voice at all.

It was the cry of a young girl.

The master and mistress had no children—where would a girl come from?

And the voice was hoarse and low, sending a chill down A Xia's spine.