Chapter 1721: Chapter 1752: The Enigma of the Liu Residence, A Perplexing Mystery
Yang Chen briefly explained the organization of the Netherworld, leaving Li Xiaobai utterly astonished. Wow, this is way too casual.
Although the fourth senior brother explained it quite simply, just a little thought would reveal that its complexity far exceeds expectations. Forget about the Asura Ghost King and the Black and White Impermanence reaching an agreement; even within each side, consensus is hard to achieve. It’s probably already splintered into various factions and by no means a unified entity.
No wonder Granny Liu had such an expression when she talked about going through the process; this stuff really wears people down.
Doing something worthwhile is like overcoming numerous hurdles.
“These are stories from hundreds of years ago. What it’s like now, I don’t know. But judging from Granny Liu’s words, the Netherworld is likely even more in chaos than before.”
Yang Chen offered his assessment and also reminded Li Xiaobai not to provoke anyone here.
The Netherworld is incomparable to the Immortal Gods Realm; even a random soldier at the Ghost Gate could easily crush the current Li Xiaobai.
The difficulty of Hell is no empty title. Right now, he’s like someone who just left the Novice Village and entered the final boss’s map, requiring caution with every step.
Lost in thought, they arrived at Granny Liu’s residence.
Sure enough, the Liu Family is quite a large clan. The yard is pretty big and could comfortably accommodate a hundred people for daily living.
But now, only a family of three remains, leaving an incredibly desolate and bleak atmosphere. Whether it’s the lack of people or a sinister presence, Li Xiaobai always feels the courtyard is cold.
Granny Liu’s house was very simple, entirely made of wood. As Li Xiaobai followed inside, he noticed Baihe Boy did not continue following but stood outside staring at the wood used for the house.
Li Xiaobai, curious, also went forward to inspect. It was high-quality wood, with a faint aroma emanating from it.
He touched it with his fingers and found a little white powder on his fingertips, exuding a refreshing fragrance combining wood scent with some other smell.
“What is this? There’s this stuff in the wood; is it for building houses?”
Li Xiaobai didn’t give it much thought and turned to Granny Liu, asking, “Where’s your daughter-in-law? Quickly take me, the Great God, to exorcise the demon.”
“Please be patient, my lord. Allow this old one to call them out.”
Granny Liu knocked on the door of a room at the corner.
With a creak, the door opened slightly.
Granny Liu slipped inside sideways.
“Baihe senior, do you think these ghosts are easy to subdue?”
Li Xiaobai sidled up to Baihe Boy, making small talk.
He sensed a hint of danger and thought of seeking shelter near Baihe Boy.
Baihe Boy stood still, eyes hollow, lost in thought.
A moment later.
The door creaked open again, and Granny Liu emerged with a middle-aged man.
The man’s face was filled with despondency, his eyes vacant, and a faint aura of death emanated from him.
Granny Liu: “This is my useless son, Liu Yuan.”
“I am Liu Yuan, greetings to the two Supreme Deities.”
Liu Yuan’s knees buckled, and he bowed down, his voice mechanical and emotionless, as if completing a routine, before retreating silently to the side.
Li Xiaobai’s brow furrowed unconsciously. If he were truly anxious, he should be desperately pleading for help now, but Liu Yuan’s attitude seemed indifferent to whether help arrived or not.
Quite intriguing, indeed. What exactly is lying in that room?
“The Great God Baihe is busy with official duties. Let’s stop wasting time; we shall go and slay that demon!”
Li Xiaobai said flatly, making a show of barging in.
Liu Yuan swiftly blocked his path, his speed contrasting starkly with his previous lethargy, startling Li Xiaobai. He didn’t see how Liu moved; his eyes couldn’t keep up with this man’s speed. Liu Yuan’s strength far surpassed his own!
“Please be patient, my lord. Sit down and have some tea first. We haven’t had the chance to discuss things properly since you arrived in a hurry.”
Granny Liu pulled Liu Yuan back, her face full of a placating smile.
“I’m here to exorcise demons, but it looks like you may not really need my assistance. If that’s the case, let’s part ways here. You can go through the formalities to seek official help.”
Li Xiaobai wore no pleasant expression. Behind him was Baihe Boy; he wouldn’t easily give this old lady any chance to perform. They would either go to see her daughter-in-law now, or he would leave immediately.
“Oh, I had intended to tell the Great God more about my daughter-in-law’s situation, but you arrived so hastily, unprepared. I was thinking of the Great God’s well-being.”
“Since the Supreme Deity insists on leaving, I shan’t keep you.”
Granny Liu sighed softly as she spoke.
“Hmph, making trouble for nothing; may fortune favor you.”
Li Xiaobai snorted coldly and stepped toward the door, seeing no sign of the old woman trying to stop them, even after leaving the courtyard.
While he outwardly showed anger, deep inside he contemplated the situation. The old woman’s attitude had changed dramatically, not because of his few words, but what went wrong, what happened to make her suddenly indifferent to their presence or absence?
Has the demon on her daughter-in-law not been exorcised?
Is the unborn child ignored now?
Turning back, Li Xiaobai saw Baihe Boy following him out. Within the Liu Family’s wooden house down the road, two people sat in Taishi Chairs, their eyes riveted on him, watching them leave the residence.
He could vaguely see Granny Liu’s smile.
“Baihe senior, what is going on? Why the sudden change in this family’s attitude?”
“Could something have happened when Granny Liu entered her daughter-in-law’s room?”
Li Xiaobai was at a loss and humbly sought Baihe Boy’s guidance.
Unfortunately, he was met with the same wooden expression.
However, the real surprise was that Baihe Boy actually followed him out. His fourth senior brother had said that it wasn’t Baihe Boy following him but rather him following Baihe Boy, meaning that Baihe Boy came out on his own initiative.
If there were really demons or monsters within the Liu Residence, why would this Great God choose to come out?
He inquired with Yang Chen internally, receiving a brief reply.
“I can’t see through it either. Baihe Boy harbors no ill will toward you for now; staying by his side is safe. However, unless the city’s mystery is resolved, you won’t get away; you must find clues to unravel the mystery of the Liu Residence.”
Li Xiaobai nodded, glanced at Baihe Boy, and walked towards the alley stalls around the Liu Residence.
Since the missing persons and murders related to demons were connected to the Liu Family’s daughter-in-law, it wouldn’t hurt to inquire with the local cultivators.
When incidents happen in a large clan, onlookers gather by the dozens; there’s no risk of silencing everyone. By asking around, surely something could be discovered.
Yet wherever Li Xiaobai went, doors and windows slammed shut, and even street vendors packed up instantly and fled, fearing any association with him.
Despite this, Li Xiaobai’s quick reflexes allowed him to dash forward and boldly seat himself at a noodle stall, scaring the owner into sitting on the ground with a thump.
Baihe Boy also walked slowly to the table and sat down.
“Mm…what would the Supreme Deity like?”
The owner, an old man, asked tremulously.
Li Xiaobai thought for a moment, then replied, “I’m looking for some information.”