Chapter 39: Vicious Scheme, Revealing Strength

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"Old Chen?"

Li Che's face darkened instantly.

During this period, not only did Xixi particularly like Old Chen, but even Li Che and Zhang Ya considered the lonely old man part of their family.

Li Che's gaze shifted to Zhao Chuanxiong.

Seeming to sense Li Che's intense gaze, Zhao Chuanxiong paused in his escort of Chen Dabao, narrowed his eyes, and returned the look.

"Li Che?"

"It's Master Li..."

"Long time no see."

Zhao Chuanxiong smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

Back when Sun Changbiao died, Zhao Chuanxiong, who was in charge of the investigation, had traced the case to Li Che. What he called an investigation was actually a threat to confirm Xixi's status as a Spirit Child.

Zhao Chuanxiong felt regret that after confirming Li Nuanyi's status as a Spirit Child, he never found a chance to act.

And then he encountered the Bull Demon, who injured him. After a period of recuperation, he faced the Bull Demon again, who killed the Bagua Staff...

Scared, Zhao Chuanxiong dared not cause trouble easily and had been living in fear, thus never getting a chance to act.

This time... if it weren't for Si Mu Bai's urgent push, Zhao Chuanxiong would have continued to live in fear. After all, the Bull Demon was still alive.

"Head Constable Zhao, what crime has Master Chen committed?"

Li Che asked in a deep voice.

"Sun Changbiao's case, Sun Lianfu has reported it again, saying that Chen Dabao killed his son Sun Changbiao and also murdered Sun Changbiao's wife, Liu Shi."

"The matter has escalated to the government, and I have been assigned to take charge of the case again... to apprehend Chen Dabao."

Zhao Chuanxiong stared at Li Che with a mocking smile.

"Your daughter has been doing quite well this year, hasn't she?" Zhao Chuanxiong said with a hidden meaning.

Li Che's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this, suppressing the urge to kill.

Ignoring the provocation in Zhao Chuanxiong's words, Li Che said in a deep voice, "Wasn't it said that the Bull Demon was responsible for that case?"

Zhao Chuanxiong shook his head. "Sun Lianfu has reported it again. With the Bull Demon running rampant in the city, committing brutal murders, the City Lord needs a major case to calm the people. He personally intervened and ordered me to apprehend Chen Dabao for questioning. If he is innocent, the City Lord will ensure a thorough investigation."

"Master Li, rest assured. Master Chen is a respected woodcarver of the Xu Family. We won't let him come to harm."

"Once the truth is uncovered, he will be released."

"But, Master Chen must still go to the Thunderclap Prison."

"Master Chen is strong, and I know it. If he resists... he will be placed on the government's wanted list. Then... it will be the Inner City's Divine Capturer who will come after him, not me, Old Zhao."

Zhao Chuanxiong said calmly.

Chen Dabao's face darkened, and he shook his head slightly at Li Che, who wanted to say something.

The Inner City's Divine Capturer... they are true divine cultivators. Provoking such a person would be very troublesome.

"Ache, protect Xixi."

Old Chen whispered to Li Che.

Zhao Chuanxiong took Old Chen away.

Silence fell over the woodcarving shop.

Li Che took a deep breath, realizing that the Spirit Child Sect... had finally begun to target the outer city's Xu Family.

Or rather, they were after Xixi, the Spirit Child.

Xu You had once said that Xixi's divine essence was extremely rich, making her a top-tier Spirit Child. For the Spirit Child Sect, she was a great temptation, and they might take drastic measures.

"Because Old Chen has been living at my house, protecting Xixi, Zhao Chuanxiong felt he needed to take Old Chen away first before making a move?"

Indeed, to a discerning eye, this was the case.

Old Chen's Body Tempering cultivation was at the Blood Change Realm, having practiced for several decades. As a senior woodcarver of the Xu Family, the Xu Family naturally didn't hesitate to provide him with a Blood Change method.

As for Internal Energy, Old Chen had even reached the threshold of the Fourth Heaven.

Old Chen's martial arts were the best among the Xu Family's senior woodcarvers. Even in the Inner City, he wouldn't be considered weak.

With such a strong protector, taking Xixi away wouldn't be easy, so Zhao Chuanxiong had to remove him.

However, because Old Chen was strong, Li Che wasn't worried about his safety.

"Where is Third Manager?" Li Che stared at Steward Sun.

Zhao Chuanxiong said that the one who reported the case was Steward Sun Lianfu.

But Steward Sun didn't refute it, indicating that it was true, or even if it wasn't, his silence suggested a connection with Zhao Chuanxiong.

Steward Sun didn't answer Li Che, keeping his head down and avoiding eye contact.

"Third Manager... was called away by Second Manager early this morning and returned to the Inner City."

Zhao Xuan, with her long, strong legs from martial practice, explained to Li Che.

"Second Manager... Xu Beihu?"

Li Che frowned.

What a coincidence?

Third Manager Xu You had just left, and Zhao Chuanxiong came to take Old Chen away...

Could it be that Xu Beihu was also involved with Zhao Chuanxiong and his ilk?

"Steward Sun... how could you frame Master Chen? The case of Sun Changbiao was already closed, and it was said that the Bull Demon killed him!"

Zhao Xuan was very angry and said heavily to Steward Sun.

"My son was examined by Chen Dabao before he died..." Steward Sun raised his head, his old face trembling. "After he examined him... my son died... how could such a coincidence exist?"

"My son's death must be related to Chen Dabao!"

"What Bull Demon, what nonsense hero... he might even be Chen Dabao in disguise!"

Steward Sun said coldly, his words filled with venom.

"Steward Sun, the Bull Demon hero... hates evil and injustice. The Spirit Child Sect has caused chaos in Feilei City, making many families hang white cloth and burn white paper. Only the Bull Demon hero has stood up to kill their evil doers. How can you insult such a hero?"

"Your son, Sun Changbiao, joined the Spirit Child Sect and wanted to trade another's daughter for a son... such a wicked person deserved to die!"

Zhao Xuan crossed her arms and said coldly.

"And your framing is too obvious. What does the Bull Demon look like, and what does Old Chen look like... how can you connect them?"

"Why don't you say Master Li is the Bull Demon?"

Zhao Xuan was very upset with Steward Sun, who betrayed them.

Li Che was startled, thinking he had been exposed...

"Miss Zhao... you shouldn't say such things lightly."

Seeing Li Che's startled expression, Zhao Xuan quickly explained, "It was just an example, Master Li, don't be nervous... you've only been practicing martial arts for a short time, and you're worlds apart from the Bull Demon, I understand."

Li Che: "..."

You understand nothing!

Suddenly.

The noise in front of the Xu Family woodcarving shop suddenly quieted. In the misty snow, Zhao Chuanxiong, dressed in black and red official clothes, returned.

His rough hand rested on the hilt of his long sword, standing tall in the snow.

Everyone was shocked.

Zhao Chuanxiong's gaze fixed on Li Che.

"Master Li, Steward Sun says... it was you who asked Chen Dabao to investigate Sun Changbiao, so... are you also involved in Sun Changbiao's death?"

Zhao Chuanxiong, who had returned, stared at Li Che and said ominously.

"Master Li, why don't you come with me?"

The words were like a thunderclap!

The atmosphere in front of the Xu Family woodcarving shop immediately exploded, causing a commotion!

Many people were both shocked and angry, seeing clearly that Zhao Chuanxiong was deliberately making things difficult!

Steward Sun's face changed, dark and silent, but he said nothing.

Zhao Chuanxiong's gaze was almost vicious as he stared at Li Che, his sword partially unsheathed, his blood surging, like a venomous snake or a python.

"Li Che! I ask you, when Sun Changbiao died..."

"Where were you?"

"What were you doing?"

"What were you..."

BOOM!!

Before the Internal Energy-infused questions could finish, they echoed like thunder!

A torrent of sword light tore through the snow, like a net from the heavens, descending upon Li Che!

Aiming to suppress Li Che, making it impossible for him to respond, forcing him to surrender!

The aura of Bone Tempering Great Success was fierce and wild, his blood boiling, the sword light even more dazzling, making the atmosphere in front of the Xu Family woodcarving shop oppressive!

Zhao Chuanxiong... not only wanted to take Chen Dabao, but also Li Che!

Leaving only Zhang Ya and Xixi, the helpless mother and daughter, in the Xu Family courtyard!

At that time, when the Spirit Child Sect's villains make their move, they would easily snatch Xixi!

A vicious scheme!

A despicable scheme carried out under the guise of the government!

What dirty tactics!

Seeing the torrent of sword light bursting before his eyes, as it approached within three feet, Li Che's eyes flashed with a fierce light!

His face turned red, as if venting his anger under Zhao Chuanxiong's oppressive aura!

Then, Li Che clenched his fingers into a hook, tearing through the air, forming a fist like a spear!

He stepped forward.

Bent his body.

Punched!

Using his fist as a spear!

Great Success... the Xu Family's Eight-Linked Bone-Shattering Spear!

His entire body's tendons and bones resonated, bones cracking!

In an instant, like a flash of lightning.

Zhao Chuanxiong's sword and Li Che's fist clashed several times, their Internal Energy and blood surging, causing the sword to tremble!

The air currents stirred, the snowflakes in the air couldn't fall, as if repelled by the powerful force, forming a mist of snow around them.

Zhao Chuanxiong, gripping his trembling sword, retreated gracefully.

Li Che, his face red, took several steps back, the snow flying up from his footsteps.

In front of the woodcarving shop.

The hot blood still burned.

But everyone was stunned by the thunderous clash between Li Che and Zhao Chuanxiong, silent as cicadas in winter.

Zhao Chuanxiong, gripping his sword, his black hair fluttering, his eyes filled with shock, stared at Li Che, a mix of absurdity and disbelief.

"You actually..."

"Bone Tempering?"

PS: Please follow for more! This is a crucial Tuesday, everyone help Li to push forward again!

(End of Chapter)