Chapter 20

In the wind and snow, a figure stood firm.

Translation: In the wind and snow, a lone figure stood firm.

Note: 'standing tall and unmoving' can be rendered as 'stood firm' or 'stood tall'; we'll use 'stood tall and unmoving', but concisely, 'In the wind and snow, a figure stood tall.' works.

Rainbow-like qi and blood intertwined outside his body, making him extremely conspicuous against the grey-white heavens; he wore a chai dao, his gaze extremely sharp, yet tinged with amusement.

Translation: Rainbow-like qi and blood intertwined outside his body, strikingly conspicuous against the grey-white sky, he wore a chai dao, his gaze extremely sharp, yet tinged with amusement.

We need to keep the meaning: rainbow-like qi and blood intertwined outside his body, extremely conspicuous amidst the grey-white heavens, wearing a chai dao, his gaze extremely sharp, yet tinged with amusement.

From afar, he spotted Li Che holding braised meat, a jar of wine, and osmanthus cake.

Translation: From afar, Li Che could be seen carrying braised meat, a jar of liquor, and osmanthus cake.

Li Che stopped dead in his tracks, his first reaction being that his crime had been exposed.

Translation: Li Che halted his steps, his first reaction being…… his misdeed had been exposed.

But upon further thought, there was no reason; with his Dragon Elephant Vajra fruit, his altered appearance left no trace.

Translation: But upon reflection, there was no reason; with his Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit–altered appearance, he had left no trace.

If his crime had not been exposed…

Translation: If his wrongdoing had not been exposed……

Why did the prefectural constable, after completing his investigation into Sun Changbiao's death, not leave but instead show up at his courtyard, and what does he want?

Translation: Then why had this government constable, after finishing his investigation into Sun Changbiao's death, not left but instead appeared before his residence—what did he want?

For a moment, Li Che couldn't think of a reason, his mind going blank.

Translation: For a moment, Li Che could not think of a reason, his thoughts scattered.

"Are you Li Che, Master Li?"

Translation: "Are you Li Che, Master Li?"

His palm, rough from sword practice, rested on the cloth-wrapped hilt as Zhao Chuanxiong watched Li Che approach and asked with a smile.

Translation: His hand, calloused from blade practice, rested on the cloth-wrapped hilt; Zhao Chuanxiong watched the approaching Li Che and asked with a smile.

With his hands full, Li Che could only give a symbolic fist salute: "It is I, Sir Constable; what orders do you have?"

Translation: Li Che's hands were full, so he could only clasp his fist symbolically: "It is I, Constable—what orders do you have?"

Zhao Chuanxiong studied Li Che, then shook his head almost imperceptibly.

Translation: Zhao Chuanxiong looked at Li Che, sizing him up silently, then gave a barely perceptible shake of his head.

From Li Che's emanating mental state and aura, his cultivation seemed to have just broken through the Skin Tempering stage, nothing more; he could not be the bone-tempering killer who ruthlessly murdered Sun Changbiao.

Translation: From Li Che's emanating mental state and aura, his cultivation was at best just breaking through to completed Skin Tempering—nothing more—making it impossible for him to be the bone‑tempering killer who slew Sun Changbiao with ruthless decisiveness.

According to Lady Liu's description, the killer stood nearly two meters tall, with a burly build and densely packed muscles, extremely terrifying.

Translation: According to Lady Liu's description, the killer stood nearly two meters tall, powerfully built, muscles packed densely, extremely terrifying.

His build was utterly unlike Li Che's.

Translation: His build was utterly unlike Li Che's.

However, Zhao Chuanxiong's visit to Li Che was naturally not for this reason.

Translation: However, Zhao Chuanxiong's visit to Li Che was naturally not for this reason.

"Lady Liu has confessed," Zhao Chuanxiong said, looking at Li Che with a half-smile.

Translation: "Lady Liu has spoken." Zhao Chuanxiong looked at Li Che, still maintaining a half‑smile.

Li Che's heart jolted; he instantly understood what Zhao Chuanxiong meant.

Translation: Li Che's heart jolted; he instantly understood what Zhao Chuanxiong was referring to.

"Did you recently receive a wooden carving of an angry-eyed spirit infant? That was placed at your door by the deceased Sun Changbiao…"

Translation: "Did you not receive a wrathful spirit infant wooden carving the day before yesterday? That was the one the deceased Sun Changbiao placed at your doorstep……"

"As a follower of the Spirit Infant Sect, he set his sights on your family's spirit infant."

Translation: "As a follower of the Spirit Infant Sect, he set his sights on your family's spirit infant."

Zhao Chuanxiong's lips curled slightly as he stared at Li Che.

Translation: Zhao Chuanxiong's lips curled into an arc as he stared at Li Che.

Upon hearing this, Li Che gritted his teeth: "I am well aware, for my daughter Xixi, just born, was targeted by the Spirit Infant Sect, so I strove to improve, becoming a woodcarver at the woodcarving shop and moving into the Xu residence…"

Translation: Upon hearing this, Li Che gritted his teeth: "I am well aware—my daughter Xixi was targeted by the Spirit Infant Sect from birth, so I strove to become a woodcarver at the workshop and moved into the Xu Ji Grand Courtyard……"

"I thought we could rest easy and my daughter would grow up safely, but I never expected that after Xixi's first-birthday feast, the Spirit Infant Sect would come to the shop again…"

Translation: "I had thought we could rest easy, that my daughter would grow up safe, yet I never expected that after Xixi's first‑birthday feast, the Spirit Infant Sect would come knocking at the shop……"

Speaking of this with deep emotion, Li Che's face flushed red, burning with indignation.

Translation: Speaking of this deep feeling, Li Che's face flushed red, his resentment unabated.

"Master Chen speculated that the woodcarving was placed by someone inside the shop, so he asked Master Chen to investigate, and it was finally confirmed to be Sun Changbiao's doing."

Translation: "Master Chen suspected the carving was placed by someone inside the shop, so he asked Master Chen to investigate, ultimately confirming it was Sun Changbiao's doing."

Saying this, Li Che's face involuntarily showed fear: "Constable Zhao, I did not kill Sun Changbiao, I…"

Translation: Upon saying this, Li Che's expression involuntarily showed fear: "Constable Zhao, I did not kill Sun Changbiao—I……"

Zhao Chuanxiong kept staring at Li Che, seeing his speech somewhat incoherent, he raised his hand and waved it.

Translation: Zhao Chuanxiong kept his eyes on Li Che; seeing his words grow incoherent, he raised his hand and waved it.

"Alright, I know you couldn't possibly have killed Sun Changbiao; you lack the strength…"

Translation: "All right, I know you could not possibly have killed Sun Changbiao; you lack the strength……"

"After all, it's related to you; I'm just making routine inquiries."

Translation: "After all, it concerns you; I am merely making routine inquiries."

Zhao Chuanxiong turned and looked into the courtyard.

Translation: Zhao Chuanxiong turned at the right moment, gazing into the courtyard.

"Master Li, won't you invite me in for a seat?"

Translation: "Master Li, won't you invite me in for a seat?"

Zhao Chuanxiong smiled: "I've heard your woodcarving skills are superb; I may yet need to commission you for carvings."

Translation: Zhao Chuanxiong smiled: "I've heard your woodcarving skills are superb; I may yet need to ask Master Li to carve for me."

Upon hearing this, Li Che hesitated; though he did not want the constable to enter his courtyard, the blunt request left him no choice but to invite him in.

Translation: Li Che hesitated upon hearing this; though he did not want the man to enter his courtyard, the other's frankness left him no choice but to extend the invitation.

He opened the courtyard gate.

Translation: He opened the courtyard gate.

Zhang Ya stood gracefully beneath the snow-laden eaves, while Xixi rode her wooden learning cart, strolling through the snow-swept courtyard.

Translation: Zhang Ya stood gracefully beneath the eaves piled with thick snow, while Xixi rode her wooden walker, strolling through the snow‑swept courtyard.

Seeing an official enter the courtyard, Zhang Ya's face instantly turned pale.

Translation: Seeing an official enter the courtyard, Zhang Ya's face instantly turned pale.

"Husband…"

Translation: "Husband……"

She hurriedly called out, thinking Li Che had done something wrong.

Translation: She hurriedly called out, thinking Li Che had done something wrong.

Li Che set down what he was holding, waved his hand at Zhang Ya, and said: "This is Constable Zhao from the prefecture, here to investigate some matters; it's no big deal."

Translation: After setting down what he held, Li Che waved at Zhang Ya: "This is Constable Zhao from the government office, here to investigate some matters—nothing serious."

Zhang Ya nodded upon hearing this, her tightly wound heart finally relaxing.

Translation: Upon hearing this, Zhang Ya nodded; her tightly wound heart relaxed.

Zhao Chuanxiong, unbeknownst when, appeared beside Xixi, smiling softly: "This is Master Li's daughter, truly lively and lovely, a jade carving in pink."

Translation: Zhao Chuanxiong, unbeknownst when, had appeared beside Xixi, smiling softly: "This is Master Li's daughter—truly lively and lovely, a jade carving in pink."

Upon hearing this, Li Che's heart tightened suddenly, alarm bells ringing.

Translation: Upon hearing this, Li Che's heart tightened instantly, alarm bells ringing.

"Yes, that's how children are."

Translation: "Yes, children are all like that."

"Old Zhao, I'm quite fond of children; I wonder if I may hold her?" Zhao Chuanxiong said gently.

Translation: "Old Zhao, I'm quite fond of children; may I hold her?" Zhao Chuanxiong said gently.

"The little girl is shy around strangers, Constable Zhao, sorry about that." Li Che refused without a second thought.

Translation: "My little girl is shy of strangers, Constable Zhao, I'm embarrassed." Li Che refused without a second thought.

However, Constable Zhao acted as if he hadn't heard, crouching down and looking at Xixi: "Xixi, would you give uncle a hug?"

Translation: Yet Constable Zhao, as if he hadn't heard, crouched down and looked at Xixi: "Xixi, will you give uncle a hug?"

Xixi's clear, sparkling eyes fixed on Constable Zhao; the next moment, she pattered away on her learning cart.

Translation: Xixi's clear, sparkling eyes fixed on Constable Zhao; the next moment, she pattered away on her walker, beginning to glide.

However, Zhao Chuanxiong chuckled, his hand already reaching out.

Translation: However, Zhao Chuanxiong chuckled, his hand already reaching out.

Li Che's eyes narrowed; the Dragon Elephant Vajra fruit in his heart began to throb faintly.

Translation: Li Che's eyes narrowed; the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit in his heart began to throb faintly.

But it was soon suppressed by him.

Translation: But it was quickly suppressed by him.

Because Zhao Chuanxiong's outstretched hand was seized by another hand, preventing him from hugging Xixi.

Translation: Because Zhao Chuanxiong's outstretched hand was seized by another hand, preventing him from taking Xixi.

"Constable Zhao, the little girl doesn't want to hug you—what are you doing?"

Translation: "Constable Zhao, the little miss doesn't want to hug you—what are you doing?"

Old Chen, not particularly tall, with a polished wine gourd at his waist, extended his hand and pressed down on Zhao Chuanxiong's outstretched hand.

Translation: Old Chen, not tall, with a wine‑gourd wrapped in patina at his waist, extended his hand and pressed down on Zhao Chuanxiong's outstretched hand.

The wind and snow filling the sky seemed to freeze in that instant, hanging motionless in midair, then torn apart silently by a terrifying gust, bursting into fine snow powder.

Translation: The wind and snow filling the sky seemed, at that instant, to freeze abruptly, hanging motionless in mid‑air, then torn apart silently by a terrifying gust, shattering into misty snow powder.

The two opposing forces of qi collided with a roar, like towering waves crashing.

Translation: The two opposing vital energies collided with a boom, like towering waves crashing.

Zhao Chuanxiong slightly turned his head to look at Chen Daobao, who blocked his move, and the smile on his face faded bit by bit.

Translation: Zhao Chuanxiong tilted his head slightly, gazing at Chen Dabao who blocked his move; the smile on his face faded bit by bit.

"So it's Master Chen…"

Translation: "Ah, so it's Master Chen……"

"If the child doesn't like you, don't force it; don't leave any shadow on the child."

Translation: "If the child doesn't like you, don't force it—don't leave a shadow on the little one."

Old Chen said lightly.

Translation: Old Chen said lightly.

"Grandpa Chen… hold." Xixi, seeing Master Chen nearby, stepped on her baby walker, bumped into his leg, and shouted in a babyish voice.

"Oh dear, my heart and treasure, Grandpa hugs you, come." Chen Lao looked at Xixi, and in an instant his old face broke into a smile like a chrysanthemum, picking Xixi up from the walker.

Zhao Chuanxiong also stopped crouching, stood up, and placed his palm back on the hilt of his sword.

"What a lovely child."

Zhao Chuanxiong watched as Chen Lao carried Xixi away, and said with a smile.

Li Che's heart also relaxed slightly.

"Li Shifu, Chen Shifu, I'll be going first."

Zhao Chuanxiong did not linger in the courtyard, waved his hand, and left the courtyard, his figure disappearing into the hazy wind and snow.

Chen Lao held Xixi, swaying back and forth as he played with her, making Xixi giggle nonstop.

While watching Zhao Chuanxiong's retreating back, he slowly let out a breath.

"A-Che, from now on don't let people enter the courtyard so easily, especially strangers……"

Chen Lao said solemnly.

"Xixi's resistance to Zhao Chuanxiong isn't just shyness; Xixi has spiritual nature, possessing the spiritual ability to discern good and evil toward her—this Zhao Chuanxiong… harbors ill intent." Chen Lao said.

Upon hearing this, Li Che's expression changed slightly.

"He told you the Liu family admitted it, that Sun Changbiao placed the Spirit Infant wooden carving in front of your courtyard?"

Chen Lao looked at Li Che.

Li Che nodded.

Chen Lao chuckled, his voice a bit cold: "From beginning to end, the Liu family only admitted that the couple themselves had joined the Spirit Infant Sect, but never admitted to placing the Spirit Infant wooden carving at your doorstep……"

"Moreover, the Spirit Infant statue found in Sun Changbiao's home is an ordinary three-headed, six-armed Spirit Infant statue, its eyes opening and closing……"

"And how did Zhao Chuanxiong come to know that the one placed before your door is the 'Wrathful-eyed Spirit Infant'?"

(End of chapter)