Celestial Demon Starting from Attribute Points-Chapter 38: Watching the Fire

At night, Li Xuan and Wei Yao did not return to Yulan Hall but planned to spend the night in a secluded place in the city.

Returning so late would be too conspicuous, it’s better not to return; this way, others will think you never left, or perhaps came back early...

And indeed, with the peddler’s body gone, Li Xuan heard no further footsteps nearby.

He pulled Wei Yao into the carriage.

Wei Yao couldn’t resist Li Xuan; merely touched her hand, her face flushed, legs fidgety, heart racing, knowing full well it wasn’t a suitable place for such things, yet she still hoped.

After a while, the carriage seemed to turn upside down, shaking like wave crests, she could only revel in it because... she was entirely captivated.

However, Li Xuan didn’t make any moves but hummed a melody gently.

The melody was quiet and lightly sad, like the silent night tide, like rolling moonlight, like a solitary figure running alone on the beach, easily bringing peace to one’s heart.

This was a melody he heard before he crossed over, he couldn’t remember the song’s name, maybe it was a piano piece, maybe something else...

The enchanting atmosphere added a bit of romance, then gradually mellowed.

The tall, thin figure slightly hunched his back, pursed his lips, dissipating the tempting mist, just humming the tune.

Wei Yao didn’t mind him at all but leaned against the transformed Li Xuan, listening to his humming, the restless desire in her heart seemed to calm down as well.

She slowly closed her eyes, fatigue overcame her, then she gradually fell asleep...

Inside the carriage, the sound of the melody slowly faded.

Li Xuan pulled the cloak to envelop the girl completely with him, as if sleeping under one blanket, thus keeping warm, then took a deep breath and activated the Sun Breathing Skill from the Evergreen Unwithering Skill.

Inner peace, a breath arose in the belly, the breath traversed the whole body, reaching the Mud Ball Palace, where he saw the image of the blazing sun in the primal chart, adding warmth, then descended towards the abdomen.

With worldly energy, transforming the internal breath, then imbuing it with a touch of sun’s essence, nurturing the body, all bones relaxed.

The breath cycle completed without failure.

Li Xuan continued cultivating.

His spirit attribute was very high, with this kind of cultivation which was akin to resting, he could stay awake for three days and nights and still be full of energy.

...

The next day, early in the morning, Li Xuan returned the rented carriage to the carriage shop, had breakfast with Wei Yao, then prepared to return to Yulan Hall.

Along the way, suddenly there was the startling sound of hoofbeats, galloping like thunder, causing the bowls, chopsticks, and teapot on the nearby shop’s tables to tremble slightly with a "doot doot" sound.

The townspeople looked from afar, curiously chatting away.

"Is there a thief? Why did General Yuan deploy the troops?"

"So many soldiers, what happened somewhere?"

"Seems like the south, isn’t the south Qing River, what could be happening there..."

Li Xuan didn’t pause his steps but knew... Yuan Guan seemed genuinely determined to kill Lin Jieniu and Mr. Su.

So...

Since he didn’t want to investigate, let General Yuan investigate.

As for Lin Jieniu.

Since he’s already died once, just let him not live anymore, even if the "living" one there is no longer the real Lin Jieniu.

Killing doesn’t necessarily rely on fists.

Because the person you want to kill is also wanted dead by someone else.

...

...

Li Xuan and Wei Yao returned to Yulan Hall.

Soon, Second Madam came over, asking: "When does the young master plan to return to the county? We’ve been held up here for quite some time. We should go back."

Li Xuan originally wanted Second Madam to take his second brother back first, but considering these turbulent times, he worried in his heart, fearing an accident would leave them gone.

So, he said: "Second Madam, the daughter of Prefect Cao invited me to a small gathering, let me attend first, then we’ll return together."

The daughter of Prefect Cao?

Second Madam was startled.

How long has it been, and the young master has already hooked up with a noble’s daughter?

Being the daughter of the Prefect’s family, she’s not comparable to small families and households in the county.

Knowing well the overall situation and family interests, she hurriedly said: "Alright, alright, young master, take your time, prioritize big matters, prioritize big matters."

Li Xuan smiled and said: "Second Madam can call me Xiaoxuan, in front of you, I’ll always be the junior."

Then, he stepped back, bowed in a junior’s salute, and left.

Second Madam pinched the second brother’s ear, saying: "Look, look, this is your big brother, learn more from him."

The second brother was speechless, thought to himself: ’Mother doesn’t know the scenario at the Peach Blossom Pavilion banquet that day, big brother only appears to understand etiquette... actually is a beast in clothing.’

Second Madam suddenly asked: "That day, did the daughter of the Cao family go?"

The second brother nodded, saying: "Her name is Cao Yi, she’s very close with big brother."

"Close?"

Second Madam’s eyes lit up, "Could it be... she’s interested in your brother?"

The second brother nodded, after all, even though he was still a child, he heard Cao Yi talking to big brother, the voice practically dripped sweetness.

Second Madam happily clapped repeatedly, murmuring "Good, good, good, when the master knows, he might be overjoyed."

Saying this, Second Madam hurried to the desk, spread paper and pen, and started writing a letter.

She intended to write the reason for the late return and the local happenings into the letter, then dispatch the Li family riders back, delivering the letter to Xiongshan County, to the master.

...

...

On another side, Li Xuan, after returning, rested briefly, then changed to his own carriage to find Zuo Hong.

He planned to go to the Canal Gang to read books, continue cultivating the Evergreen Unwithering Skill, and also to gather some information.

...

...

In the afternoon, he encountered Zuo Hong.

At this time, the entire Twelve Linked Chain Dock was in a tense and fierce atmosphere, as disciples were wielding weapons and heading in groups towards the upstream of Qing River.

That’s where Lin Jieniu’s water fort was located.

This "Lin Jieniu" had just returned and hadn’t had the chance to do anything, so he was naturally still in the water fort at this time.

But despite the turmoil in the dock, Zuo Hong didn’t move; she clearly leaned towards the "non-combatant" category.

She was still at Red Stone Dock.

Li Xuan looked at this rather chaotic scene and curiously asked, "Sister Zuo, what’s happening?"

Zuo Hong glanced around, hesitated briefly, but finally said, "Brother Xuan, someone is attacking."

Li Xuan responded in surprise, "In broad daylight, there are bandits entering the city?"

Zuo Hong said, "Not bandits, but... government soldiers."

Li Xuan showed a stunned expression, completely shocked.

Zuo Hong waved her hand and said, "Forget it, forget it, our Twelve Linked Chain Dock is doing honest business, and the government soldiers are not targeting our entire canal gang, but the Second Young Master Lin.

Let’s not talk about this, after all, it’s not related to Brother Xuan.

Brother Xuan has come to read a book, right?

Come, I’ll take you to the headquarters."

Li Xuan bowed and said, "Thank you."

Then, the three of them easily made their way to the headquarters.

Li Xuan took out "Evergreen Unwithering Skill" and began to train with the contemplation diagram.

This action met everyone’s expectations of a training posture.

After all, the contemplation diagram is highly detailed, and only by training with it can one avoid mistakes.

Wei Yao waited outside the fort, meanwhile finding a clearing in the woods to practice her spear.

Zuo Hong rode her horse back, making plans to have dinner together that evening, and Li Xuan did not refuse.

...

...

Most of a day of training passed quickly.

Fast footsteps sounded from afar.

Li Xuan looked up and saw someone dressed in red approaching, it was Zuo Hong.

He exhaled deeply and stood up.

Training under the sunny sky seemed to speed things up a little...

He returned "Evergreen Unwithering Skill," just in time to meet Zuo Hong.

Zuo Hong appeared frightened at the time.

Li Xuan said, "Sister Zuo, is there something wrong? If there is..."

Zuo Hong quickly said, "Nothing, nothing, eating with Brother Xuan is what’s important. In a few days, when Brother Xuan returns to Xiongshan County, it won’t be possible to invite you no matter how much I wish for it, so I need to cherish this."

Li Xuan smiled, "I should cherish it too."

A while later, the three of them returned to Red Stone Dock.

At the feast, Zuo Hong recounted the day’s events.

"That General Yuan came for Lin Jieniu and said he would take him away."

But our canal gang is not one to be easily bullied, and even if General Yuan wanted to take Lin Jieniu away without reason, it was impossible.

But then..."

Zuo Hong spoke in horror, "General Yuan threw out a sack, and from the sack came a heap of squirming minced flesh, constantly reviving into human form, only to be shattered again by powerful arrows.

But even when shattered, it kept reviving...

General Yuan claimed Lin Jieniu was such a demon too.

We didn’t believe it.

General Yuan asked Lin Jieniu to cut himself to prove he was innocent, saying if hot blood flowed, he was normal, if not, there was no need to argue.

As a result... Lin Jieniu refused."

She sighed deeply, "In the end, Lin Jieniu died. Although he was impervious to knives and guns, he feared fire, and General Yuan had already brought fire arrows.

A volley of fire arrows shot down, engulfing Lin Jieniu completely in flames, and he let out horrific shrieks that did not sound human.

Shortly after, Lin Jieniu became a heap of rotten flesh on the ground, never to rise again.

Our canal gang’s coroner examined him, claiming... Lin Jieniu had been dead for several days.

It seems like he died the day he left Yanzi Dock.

But why he left Yanzi Dock and where he went, no one knows..."

Li Xuan looked shocked, and his hands and feet were frozen.

Seeing his startled appearance, Zuo Hong suddenly wasn’t afraid anymore and solemnly said, "General Yuan left the water fort and was hot on his trail, directly heading towards Cao Mansion to capture Mr. Su.

Now, it seems no one can stop him.

Many of our canal gang’s disciples were summoned, heading towards Cao Mansion together."

Li Xuan suddenly stood up and said, "Prefect Cao is my mentor, I can’t sit idly by, I..."

Zuo Hong moved closer and quietly advised him, "Listen to your sister, better to go later, now is too soon."

Li Xuan said angrily, "Yuan Guan has gone too far!"

He shouted loudly enough for the disciples guarding outside to hear.

Zuo Hong hastily grabbed him, shouting, "Brother Xuan, you are a scholar, you must preserve yourself to serve the court. In this matter of right and wrong, it will have its resolution, don’t be hasty, don’t be hasty..."

Li Xuan sat back down, sighed deeply, and murmured, "I hope my mentor doesn’t run into trouble."