Chapter 1726: Chapter 1757: Cut Down the Tree, Tear Down the House
The news of Baihe Boy visiting the Liu Family spread quickly.
But what does it mean that the Liu Family is now stable?
Li Xiaobai caught a few people gossiping by the roadside and asked in a deep voice, “Gentlemen, isn’t it inappropriate to gossip in front of the Great God White Crane?”
“Great…Great God White Crane!”
“The Great God is above, receive a humble bow!”
The people, upon seeing Baihe Boy behind Li Xiaobai, felt weak in the knees and kowtowed frantically, seeing Baihe Boy as akin to a god of death.
“You mentioned earlier that the Great God White Crane went to the Liu Family, and afterwards, the Liu Family became stable. What does it mean?”
“How much do you know about the Liu Family’s affairs? You must disclose everything without the slightest concealment, or else face severe punishment!”
Li Xiaobai sternly threatened.
“Please forgive me, sir. I was merely recounting the rumors I heard and do not actually know about the Liu Family’s affairs!”
The leading middle-aged man was sweating profusely.
Anyone accompanying the Great God White Crane could not be ordinary. Having misspoken today, he could easily be silenced for good.
Li Xiaobai did not buy it: “Then tell me the rumors you’ve heard. If you’re honest, I might spare you this time.”
“They are just rumors, unverified. I don’t know if they are true.”
“It’s just said that the Liu Family is haunted by demons, and Netherworld officials went to investigate. After coming out, they remained tight-lipped, mentioning nothing. Over time, some rumors began to spread.”
The middle-aged man dared not look Li Xiaobai in the eye, speaking with his head lowered.
“What rumors?”
“Rumor has it that the Liu Family’s daughter-in-law is not carrying the flesh and blood of the Liu family’s young master, but of someone powerful from the Netherworld.”
“I’ve just been passing on hearsay, but this explanation might make sense. It’s the only way to justify why, even with evil spirits nearby, Netherworld officials did nothing.”
“Then why did you say the Liu Family became stable after the Great God White Crane visited? In what way are they stable?”
Li Xiaobai continued to ask.
“Think about it, sir. If what I said is true, then for the Liu Family to emerge unscathed amidst this turmoil, they would need help from many influential figures. Knowing full well that the Liu Family is plagued by evil spirits yet choosing to restrain from action, much like the other great deities of the Netherworld, speaks volumes.”
The middle-aged man was essentially a chatterbox, though frightened, he talked endlessly about this gossip.
Only the initial rumors held some value; the more he talked, the more absurd it got. He even speculated whether the Liu Family’s daughter-in-law was carrying the child of an Asura King or the King of Underworld, making Li Xiaobai’s eyelids twitch.
With Baihe Boy, they meandered back to the Liu Family Mansion.
Along the way, he sought information from many passersby and organized their statements, finding that they mainly fell into two camps.
One camp, like the middle-aged man mentioned, believed the Liu Family’s daughter-in-law was not pregnant with a ghost fetus but rather the child of a high-standing figure, explaining why Netherworld cultivators turned a blind eye, even with rampant evil, many silenced, yet no action taken.
The other camp’s views aligned closely with Granny Liu’s, believing that the current bureaucratic system of the Netherworld is bloated, making it difficult to execute tasks precisely. The factions are using this chance to weaken each other’s power, making the situation even more challenging to resolve.
However, according to the Netherworld Messenger from the Reincarnation Department, the missing people were killed by the Black and White Impermanence, which added credibility to the rumors.
If it was truly just for waiting for the other side to make a mistake to impeach them, all this unnecessary effort to murder and silence wouldn’t be needed.
But what the real truth is, will still require further investigation of the Liu Family Mansion.
“Predecessor Baihe, let’s visit Granny Liu again. This time, we must meet the Liu Family’s daughter-in-law.”
Li Xiaobai glanced at Baihe Boy, but the response was still a stony face.
This master neither spoke nor acted, essentially only present to intimidate adversaries and allow him to act superior.
The doors of the Liu Family were wide open, yet inside was void of any presence, as bleak and desolate as before.
Not a single caretaker was present.
The two of them casually walked within, not in a hurry to find Granny Liu, instead leisurely exploring the mansion. Since the incident occurred here, clues must be left somewhere.
Baihe Boy was motionless, continuously facing the wall of the house, which was made of wood. Li Xiaobai had seen it last time as well. Besides the white powder on these wooden elements, nothing else seemed out of the ordinary.
However, this time, his heart tightened, for he found the same white powder on an ancient tree in the courtyard.
Although the traces were sporadic, they were concentrated, visible only on the lower half of the tree while the upper half showed no signs of the white powder.
Li Xiaobai moved next to Baihe Boy, both observing the white powder on the house wall, confirming it was the same substance.
The powder appeared to seep from inside the wood, which didn’t seem like it would produce such matter. But to find out what it is, the wood would likely need to be cut open.
Destroying someone’s house without figuring out anything would probably lead to many troubles afterward.
“Isn’t this the Great God Li and the Great God White Crane? How could you visit my humble abode without informing, forgive my lack of welcome.”
An elderly woman’s voice came from behind. At some point, Granny Liu had somehow come up behind them, smiling at them.
“Hahaha, Granny Liu, no need for such formality. As they say, ignorance is innocent. Today, my visit with the Great God White Crane was impromptu, please don’t be offended.”
Li Xiaobai laughed heartily, showing no hint of embarrassment, waltzing into the main hall and seating himself confidently, acting completely at home.
“Granny Liu, your house’s timber is quite fine, where did they come from?”
“Oh you flatter me, it’s just some dead wood transported from the Mortal Realm. Ancient woods from the Netherworld carry too much yin energy; residing near them is harmful to the body.”
Granny Liu poured tea and served drinks amiably, showing no intent to bring up the earlier matters.
“You are too modest. I think the ancient wood in the courtyard is impressive. What kind of tree is that?”
Li Xiaobai, unable to steer away from the topic of the wood, suspected the white powder had something to them.
Granny Liu’s smile remained, but her eyes began to turn shadowy.
“That is a willow tree, sir. Its branches have been chopped off, leaving only the massive trunk. It has stood unyielding for nearly a century.”
“What a divine tree indeed.”
Li Xiaobai nodded, contemplating how he might cut the tree to examine its interior, and, by extension, dismantle the Liu Family home to uncover the mystery of the white powder within.
Granny Liu asked, “I wonder if the two supreme deities have any significant matters for your visit today?”
“My son is out; you may return tomorrow if seeking him.”
“Granny Liu, it’s all well that he’s not around. We are here to see your daughter-in-law.”