Chapter 9: The Hidden Enemy

The days following their discovery in the west wing were tense. Lin Mo and Li Wan'er moved cautiously, their alliance a fragile but necessary one. They agreed to meet in secret, sharing what they knew and piecing together the puzzle of the dark forces threatening the Li family.

One evening, under the cover of darkness, they met in the garden. The moon hung low in the sky, its pale light casting long shadows across the ground. The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers, but the beauty of the night was lost on them.

"We need to find out who's behind this," Li Wan'er said, her voice low but firm. "If someone in the family is using dark magic, they won't stop with my mother."

Lin Mo nodded, his expression grim. "I've been sensing disturbances in the qi around the estate. It's as if the energy is being twisted, corrupted. Whoever is doing this is powerful."

Li Wan'er frowned. "But who would have the knowledge—and the motive—to do something like this?"

Lin Mo hesitated. "It could be anyone. The Li family has many enemies, and not all of them are outside these walls."

Li Wan'er's eyes narrowed. "You think it's someone in the family?"

"It's possible," Lin Mo said. "But we need proof before we make any accusations."

They spent the next few hours discussing their plan. Lin Mo would use his growing mastery of the Celestial Codex to track the source of the corrupted qi, while Li Wan'er would use her position in the household to gather information. It was a risky strategy, but they had no other choice.

The following day, Lin Mo began his search. He moved through the estate, his senses attuned to the flow of qi. The disturbances were subtle, but they grew stronger as he approached the east wing. The east wing was rarely used, its rooms filled with dusty furniture and forgotten relics. But as Lin Mo stepped inside, he felt a chill run down his spine.

The air was thick with a malevolent energy, and the shadows seemed to twist and writhe on their own. Lin Mo focused his qi, creating a protective barrier around himself. He moved cautiously, his eyes scanning the room for any signs of the dark ritual.

In the corner of the room, he found what he was looking for—a small, intricately carved box, its surface covered in strange symbols. The box pulsed with a dark energy, and Lin Mo knew that it was the source of the corruption.

But before he could examine it further, a voice rang out behind him.

"I knew you'd come here."

Lin Mo turned to see a figure stepping out of the shadows. It was Li Cheng, Li Wan'er's cousin. His face was twisted into a cruel smile, and his eyes gleamed with malice.

"Li Cheng," Lin Mo said, his voice steady despite the pounding of his heart. "What are you doing here?"

Li Cheng chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "I could ask you the same question. But I think we both know the answer."

Lin Mo's mind raced. Li Cheng had always been ambitious, but he had never shown any interest in the mystical arts. Could he be the one behind the dark ritual?

"You've been meddling in things you don't understand," Li Cheng said, stepping closer. "The Celestial Codex is not meant for the likes of you."

Lin Mo's eyes widened. "How do you know about the Codex?"

Li Cheng's smile widened. "I know many things, Lin Mo. And soon, you'll know nothing at all."

With a flick of his wrist, Li Cheng summoned a wave of dark energy, sending it hurtling toward Lin Mo. Lin Mo reacted instinctively, channeling his qi to create a shield. The two forces collided with a deafening crash, sending shockwaves through the room.

Lin Mo gritted his teeth, his muscles straining under the pressure. Li Cheng's power was formidable, but Lin Mo refused to back down. He focused his qi, pushing back against the dark energy with all his strength.

The battle raged on, the room filled with the crackle of energy and the clash of wills. Lin Mo knew that he couldn't hold out forever. He needed to end this, and fast.

With a final surge of energy, Lin Mo unleashed a powerful blast of qi, shattering Li Cheng's attack and sending him sprawling to the ground. Li Cheng groaned, his body wracked with pain, but his eyes still burned with hatred.

"This isn't over," he spat, struggling to his feet. "You may have won this round, but the game is far from finished."

Before Lin Mo could respond, Li Cheng disappeared into the shadows, leaving behind only the faint echo of his laughter.

Lin Mo stood there, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He had won the battle, but he knew that the war was far from over. Li Cheng was just one piece of the puzzle, and the true enemy was still out there.

As he left the east wing, Lin Mo couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled over him. The storm was gathering, and the Li household was at the center of it. But with Li Wan'er by his side, he knew that they had a chance—however slim—to uncover the truth and save the family from the darkness that threatened to consume it.