Ligature Mark

The Bureau of Surveillance had sent someone. They would see how the Bureau of Surveillance handled it.

In Liu Xu's view, that person was probably in trouble.

Killing the Extreme Life Sect and the Nether Blacksmith couple had been a righteous deed.

At least, that was how Liu Xu saw it.

The Extreme Life Sect and the Nether Blacksmith couple had stirred up who knew how many storms of blood and gore; their blood debts were piled high.

That expert had killed them, and Liu Xu would have applauded in delight. But a Bureau of Surveillance clerk had died as well, and that changed the nature of the matter.

Given the Bureau of Surveillance's temperament, they would likely pursue this to the bitter end.

"I wonder why he killed the clerk..." Liu Xu rubbed her forehead. After thinking so much, her head had begun to ache faintly.

After pondering for a while longer, Liu Xu decided to set the matter aside for now. There were only a few days left anyway; she would wait until the Bureau of Surveillance's people arrived.

The night had already grown deep.

Liu Xu blew out the oil lamp, lay down on the bed, and gradually fell asleep.

The next day.

Xu Bai rose early, washed up, and came to the front courtyard.

Several escorts were already practicing their forms in the courtyard.

In their line of work, although they only knew some rough farmhand martial arts, they still had to practice every day.

If some things were not practiced, they would grow rusty. At a critical moment, that could cost them their lives.

When they saw Xu Bai emerge, several escorts hurriedly greeted him.

Xu Bai nodded, told them to continue practicing, and went out alone to eat.

The street was still bustling with people. Commoners came and went in an endless stream, the earthy bustle of the marketplace woven together with clamor, making it especially lively.

Xiao Yue was busy at the stall.

"After so long, it's finally open again."

Xu Bai walked over. He had barely taken a seat when Xiao Yue trotted up to him.

"Big Brother, the usual?" Xiao Yue kept her head lowered, her mood poor.

Xu Bai had originally wanted to pat her head as usual, but when he saw her expression, his brows furrowed.

"Did something happen at home?"

Ever since he had started eating here, Xu Bai had gradually become hooked.

Xiao Yue was very innocent. After all, she was only six or seven years old, and in the Great Yue Kingdom, a place much like ancient times, she retained much of a little girl's particular nature.

Lively, yet timid.

When she met someone familiar, she was as innocent and chirpy as a sparrow. When she met a stranger, she became like a quail.

People liked beautiful things. Xu Bai was no exception.

Since arriving in this world, his hands had been stained with far too much blood.

Even though he knew that those who provoked him deserved to die.

But Xiao Yue's innocence instead made Xu Bai feel much more open-hearted.

That was why, when he saw Xiao Yue hanging her head in dejection today, he casually asked.

"It's nothing, Big Brother. Wait a moment, I'll get your food." Xiao Yue still had her head lowered. After saying that, she turned and left.

With her usual personality, she would certainly have her head held high right now, looking like she was asking to have it patted.

Xu Bai rubbed his chin and stared at Xiao Yue's retreating back. Strange.

Something must have happened.

And it was no small matter.

With a little girl like her, she would forget small things in no time. This was very abnormal.

The more Xu Bai thought about it, the more something felt wrong. Before he could think further, a gust of wind swept past from beside him.

Following the wind, he saw the woman in white pass by.

He had not seen the woman in white for a long time. Running into her now surprised Xu Bai slightly.

"Xiao Yue, two buns, packed up." Liu Xu stood before the stall and said.

Besides Xiao Yue, the stall also had Xiao Yue's parents.

They were an ordinary-looking middle-aged couple, busy at the stall, while Xiao Yue was responsible for running errands.

"Okay, Sister Liu." Xiao Yue was still in low spirits.

At this point, Liu Xu also noticed that something was wrong.

"What's wrong, Xiao Yue?"

"Nothing, Sister Liu. Maybe I caught a chill recently." Xiao Yue forced a smile.

Children could not lie.

After taking the buns, Liu Xu pulled Xiao Yue aside, and the two whispered together.

On the other side, the middle-aged couple knew Liu Xu's identity and said nothing. The middle-aged woman served the food instead.

"Sir, please enjoy."

Xu Bai's buns were quickly brought over. He took a bite and strained his ears, trying to eavesdrop.

Unfortunately, the street was too noisy for him to hear clearly.

After a while, Liu Xu left, and Xiao Yue returned to her work.

Xu Bai thought for a moment. After finishing his buns, he called Xiao Yue over to pay.

Xiao Yue hurried over, still drooping her head.

Xu Bai placed the money in Xiao Yue's palm and asked, "Xiao Yue, tell your brother. What happened?"

"It's nothing..." Xiao Yue forced a smile.

For some reason, two streams of tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes.

She could not control them. She felt terrible.

"Xiao Yue... Xiao Yue is going to die."

Xu Bai's gaze froze. Frowning, he said, "What nonsense are you talking about?!"

"It's true, Big Brother. A few days ago, Xiao Yue dreamed of Grandma. Grandma said she wanted to take Xiao Yue to her place. Then Xiao Yue has been listless every day. The old folks say that if you dream of a dead relative inviting you, you'll die..." Xiao Yue spoke through tears, constantly wiping them away with her hands.

At that moment, Xu Bai noticed something unusual. There was a ligature mark on Xiao Yue's neck.

It was not very obvious. If one did not look closely, one would never notice it.

"Big Brother, Xiao Yue has something to do outside, so I won't talk to you anymore." Xiao Yue lowered her head and muttered softly.

Xu Bai did not ask further. His gaze never left Xiao Yue's neck.

From the look of it, Xiao Yue did not seem to intend to say anything.

There was no use asking further.

After saying that, Xiao Yue returned to the stall and spoke with the middle-aged woman.

Before the stall, the middle-aged couple nodded at Xiao Yue, seemingly agreeing to her request.

Then, Xiao Yue left.

Xu Bai considered it, then stood up. One hand resting on the hilt of the Ghost-Head Saber, he followed behind Xiao Yue.

The streets were lively, but Xiao Yue walked very slowly, as though her soul had left her body.

After passing through several streets, Xiao Yue entered a secluded alley.

Standing in the alley, Xiao Yue abruptly stopped.

Xu Bai followed behind her. Seeing this, his brows furrowed slightly.

The woman in white suddenly appeared beside Xiao Yue and patted her head.

"Sister Liu, can my illness really be cured?" Xiao Yue raised her head.

"It can be cured." Liu Xu crouched down and touched the ligature mark on Xiao Yue's neck. "Believe me."

Because she had her back to Xu Bai, when Liu Xu crouched down, the white clothing beneath her was stretched taut.

That crouching motion alone was enough to set one's heart racing.

Xiao Yue lowered her head again. Her mood was terrible, and she kept wiping away her tears.

"Come on. Don't do anything foolish. Take me to your home and let me have a look. Your sister can help you." Liu Xu stood, took Xiao Yue's hand, and left through the alley.

Xu Bai stood where he was, lost in thought.

His hand remained on the hilt of the Ghost-Head Saber, not relaxing for even a moment.

Having heard the two of them speak, he had already formed an idea.

Xiao Yue seemed to be ill, but the ligature mark on her neck was strange.

It was like a rope had been wound around it once.

Just now, that woman had said not to do anything foolish. What did that mean? Let's keep watching.

Xu Bai stepped out of the alley and continued following them in secret.