On the way there, Chen Mo had gotten a general idea of the Liu Family's situation from Head Constable Xing.
The Liu Family's ancestors had served as second-rank palace guards. They had once been a distinguished family, but after their fortunes declined, they moved to Tongling County.
The late master of the household, Liu Yuan, had been a seventh-grade martial artist. He was a genial man who rushed to help whenever others were in need, and everyone in town had a good word for him.
There was only one thing people criticized him for:
He was far too infatuated with women.
He had taken seven concubines and still wasn't satisfied. Then he set his sights on his own sister-in-law.
She had only just come of age, and under Liu Yuan's mix of threats and enticements, she had no choice but to give in and agree to become his co-wife.
But something happened on their wedding night...
"Your servants were blind, unable to recognize a true master. Please don't take offense, sir."
Lady Liu approached and curtsied gracefully. "I am Madam Liu Qin. It's an honor to meet you, Banner Commander."
Chen Mo raised his eyes and sized her up.
Her ample figure stretched her clothes taut and round. Her face was bare, without a trace of makeup, and her slightly furrowed brows lent her an air of gentle sorrow.
A married beauty and a widow—she had the full set of buffs.
"Li Yuan, test her."
Chen Mo spoke coolly.
Li Yuan paused, then quickly understood.
Though she was quite displeased by the way he ordered her around, she held her tongue. She took a pure white piece of jade from her robes and walked over to Lady Liu.
"Don't resist."
The jade touched Lady Liu's brow.
Nothing happened.
This was Mystic Jade, capable of sensing demonic energy.
Since it hadn't reacted at such close range, Lady Liu hadn't been possessed by a demon or ghost.
They then summoned the rest of the household and tested them one by one. After confirming no one was possessed, Chen Mo watched the cluster of concubines before him and shook his head inwardly. Master Liu had been quite the ladies' man—he'd stuffed himself with rich meals every day and still wanted to order a rice bowl on the side...
Still, it was strange. He'd married so many wives and concubines, yet didn't have a single child.
Could he have had a loaded gun and no bullets?
"Why haven't I seen your younger sister?"
Chen Mo looked around and asked.
Lady Liu sighed. "Ever since that day, Ru Yan has been so frightened that she's stayed in her room and hasn't dared come out."
"If you need to test her, I'm afraid you'll have to trouble yourself to go there, sir."
On her wedding day, she'd lifted her veil only to find her groom beside her dead, his head empty.
That would certainly leave a lasting scar.
"Wan'er, show the sir the way."
Lady Liu said.
"Please come with me, sir."
A maid led them toward the rear courtyard.
As soon as they left, the previously noisy courtyard fell silent. You could have heard a pin drop.
Every face went blank as they all turned to look toward the rear courtyard.
They arrived at a side room. The maid knocked on the door, but no one answered.
"The Second Young Madam may be resting..."
Before she could finish, Chen Mo pushed the door open and went straight inside.
The room was dim, without a candle or lamp. A thin woman lay on her side on the bed. She looked somewhat like Lady Liu, but there was little color in her face, and she seemed frail and sickly.
When she saw someone enter, she hurriedly sat up, looking nervous.
"Don't be afraid. We're not bad people."
Li Yuan reassured her.
She went over to the woman and took out the Mystic Jade. It didn't react at all.
Chen Mo frowned. "Are you sure this thing works? It couldn't be a fake, could it?"
Li Yuan shot him a look and couldn't be bothered to answer. She turned and asked gently,
"Ru Yan, did you notice anything unusual on the night it happened?"
Qin Ruyan slowly shook her head. It seemed she'd remembered that terrifying scene, because her face grew even paler.
Head Constable Xing lowered his voice. "We've questioned her several times. There's nothing suspicious, and a whole crowd of friends and relatives were present when it happened. It shouldn't have been her..."
Chen Mo looked at her pretty face and asked, "Liu Yuan forced you to marry him. Did you hate him for it?"
Qin Ruyan fell silent for a moment, then replied weakly, "The master treated my sister and me very well. In this chaotic world, we had a place to live and never had to worry about food or clothes. What is there for me to resent?"
Chen Mo nodded and said nothing more.
After everyone left, the room fell silent again.
"Elder Sister, did I do all right?"
Qin Ruyan tilted her head and asked softly.
Her gaunt figure quickly filled out, and in the blink of an eye, she looked exactly like Lady Liu!
She opened her mouth, and a slightly mature voice came out:
"The two who came today are a little tricky. Let's find a way to get through tonight first."
"One last blood sacrifice, and the great work will be done. Then we won't have to be trapped in this wretched place anymore! The sky's high and the birds can fly wherever they please!"
They walked out of the rear courtyard.
The sun was sinking toward the horizon, and dusk was falling.
According to Head Constable Xing, if nothing went wrong, then something would probably go wrong tonight.
Li Yuan said, "Since there's nothing wrong with the Liu Family, our next step..."
Chen Mo replied coolly, "Who said there's nothing wrong?"
Li Yuan furrowed her brows and was about to speak when Lady Liu came over, hips swaying.
"Have you finished your investigation, sir?"
"It's getting late, and the town hasn't been peaceful lately. We have no choice but to bolt the doors and shut the gates. I'm afraid I can't keep you here."
She was clearly telling them to leave.
With his hands behind his back, Chen Mo said solemnly, "I have a feeling that evil people may run amok in Liu Mansion tonight. I've decided to stay here and protect you, madam."
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Head Constable Xing nearly choked on his own saliva.
The demon or ghost was only killing men. Lady Liu was far safer than you, wasn't she?
Li Yuan cursed under her breath.
He was putting on such a righteous front, but he was clearly lusting after her beauty and up to no good... She'd thought he was different from other men, but now it seemed he was just as vile!
Lady Liu looked taken aback and hesitated. "Most of the household are women, and I'm still in mourning. I'm afraid that wouldn't be appropriate, would it?"
Chen Mo's expression was grave. "These are extraordinary times. We must act as the situation demands. How can we concern ourselves with petty formalities?"
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Or are you questioning my character, madam?"
"I wouldn't dare..."
Lady Liu saw that there was nothing she could do and said, "If that's the case, then thank you for your trouble, sir. Someone, show the sir to the East Wing to rest."
"Arrange an empty room for me too, right next to his."
Li Yuan stared at Chen Mo without blinking.
She wanted to see exactly what this man was up to!
The gates of Liu Mansion were tightly shut.
Head Constable Xing stood outside and sighed helplessly.
He'd thought these two officials had truly come to solve the case, but it turned out...
As he watched the last of the sunlight fade from the sky, fear rose in his eyes. He wondered who would die tonight.
Inside the room, the candlelight flickered like a bean.
Chen Mo sat cross-legged as True Essence circulated through his body.
Trickles of vital essence surged from his acupoints, continuously tempering his body and nourishing his blood and qi.
Although everyone in Liu Mansion seemed normal and bore no trace of demonic energy, the life essence inside him was restless. It seemed to find something here especially repellent.
The system had gone quiet after notifying him that an event had been triggered.
That was Absolute Immortal's usual style: there were no mission requirements, so he had to figure everything out for himself.
Knock, knock, knock.
Just then, someone knocked on the door, and Lady Liu's voice came from outside:
"Sir, are you resting?"
Chen Mo opened his eyes, his gaze flickering.
"I didn't come to investigate you, madam, but now you've come to investigate me?"
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