Chapter 5

contains Chinese: yes.

Thus: 【1】 Lei A Po……killing babies?

contains Chinese: yes.

She specifically picks out the babies she delivered to kill?!

contains Chinese: yes.

contains Chinese: yes.

contains Chinese: yes.

Translation: "\"Uncle, where did you hear that? \" Li Che took a deep breath, his heart sank, and he hurriedly asked." We'll keep quotes. Output: 【4】 "Uncle, where did you hear that?" Li Che took a deep breath, his heart sank, and he hurriedly asked.

contains Chinese: yes.

The old scholar held a cigarette butt, exhaling a hazy smoke, his brows furrowed into a shape resembling the Chinese character for river: "I didn't believe it at first either, but seeing that Xixi wasn't delivered by Lei A Po? So I went to inquire specifically…"

Chinese.

Translation: "\"It's true; the families of the dead children… all went to the outer city government office, and the government issued a wanted order, now wanting Lei A Po! \"" We'll output: 【6】 "It's true; the families of the dead children… all went to the outer city government office, and the government issued a wanted order, now wanting Lei A Po!"

Chinese.

Translation: "\"If you don't believe me, you can go check the notice board at the government office; that wanted order is posted there. \"" Output: 【7】 "If you don't believe me, you can go check the notice board at the government office; that wanted order is posted there."

Chinese.

Translation: "The old scholar's voice also became much more solemn." Output: 【8】 The old scholar's voice also became much more solemn.

Chinese.

Translation: "Although he regretted that Xixi wasn't a boy, after all he was of the Lao Li family; upon hearing this news, his first reaction was still to worry about Xixi's safety." Output: 【9】 Although he regretted that Xixi wasn't a boy, after all he was of the Lao Li family; upon hearing this news, his first reaction was still to worry about Xixi's safety.

Chinese.

Translation: "\"I heard that Lei A Po… had taken refuge in the 'Spirit Infant Dharma Master', believed in the Spirit Infant teaching, and then suddenly killed… alas, it's truly sinful, they're just children. \"" Output: 【10】 "I heard that Lei A Po… had taken refuge in the 'Spirit Infant Dharma Master', believed in the Spirit Infant teaching, and then suddenly killed… alas, it's truly sinful, they're just children."

Chinese.

Translation: "The old scholar's voice even trembled a little; he let out a long sigh, continuously puffing on his cigarette." Output: 【11】 The old scholar's voice even trembled a little; he let out a long sigh, continuously puffing on his cigarette.

Chinese.

Translation: "Li Che's face became extremely solemn, his heart lifted up." Output: 【12】 Li Che's face became extremely solemn, his heart lifted up.

Chinese.

Translation: "As for Li Che now, Xixi is his heart's flesh, his most precious daughter; if anything happened to her, Li Che would feel heartache and self-blame." Output: 【13】 As for Li Che now, Xixi is his heart's flesh, his most precious daughter; if anything happened to her, Li Che would feel heartache and self-blame.

Chinese.

Translation: "Protecting one's daughter is what a father ought to do, the responsibility he should shoulder!" Output: 【14】 Protecting one's daughter is what a father ought to do, the responsibility he should shoulder!

Chinese.

Translation: "\"Thanks, uncle; I'll go look into it so I can prepare early. \"" Output: 【15】 "Thanks, uncle; I'll go look into it so I can prepare early."

Chinese.

Translation: "Li Che said solemnly; the old scholar quickly nodded, then rubbed his hands: \"Since we're here, we might as well take a look at Xixi on the way…\"" Output: 【16】 Li Che said solemnly; the old scholar quickly nodded, then rubbed his hands: "Since we're here, we might as well take a look at Xixi on the way…"

Chinese.

Translation: "Li Che was speechless, looking at the embarrassed old scholar, said nothing, and brought him inside." Output: 【17】 Li Che was speechless, looking at the embarrassed old scholar, said nothing, and brought him inside.

Chinese.

Translation: "Upon seeing Xixi, the old scholar's old face broke into a grin that seemed about to blossom." Output: 【18】 Upon seeing Xixi, the old scholar's old face broke into a grin that seemed about to blossom.

Chinese.

Translation: "Although he complained that Xixi wasn't a boy, his fondness for her was genuine." Output: 【19】 Although he complained that Xixi wasn't a boy, his fondness for her was genuine.

Chinese.

Translation: "\"Your sister-in-law is about to give birth too; your aunt says her belly is pointy, so it should be a boy… heh, I hope the little one is as cute as Xixi. \" The uncle laughed brightly." Output: 【20】 "Your sister-in-law is about to give birth too; your aunt says her belly is pointy, so it should be a boy… heh, I hope the little one is as cute as Xixi." The uncle laughed brightly.

Chinese.

Translation: "\"Wife, while I'm away from home this period, you must keep the doors and windows shut; no matter who calls, don't open the door…\"" Output: 【21】 "Wife, while I'm away from home this period, you must keep the doors and windows shut; no matter who calls, don't open the door…"

Chinese.

Translation: "After seeing off the old scholar, before Li Che went out to work, he especially gave Zhang Ya a reminder." Output: 【22】 After seeing off the old scholar, before Li Che went out to work, he especially gave Zhang Ya a reminder.

Chinese.

Translation: "Zhang Ya was stunned, but didn't ask anything; she simply agreed to comply." Output: 【23】 Zhang Ya was stunned, but didn't ask anything; she simply agreed to comply.

……

Translation: "……" (ellipsis). We'll output exactly the ellipsis? The line contains two dots? Actually it's "……". We'll output "……". Output: 【24】 ……

……

Same: 【25】 ……

Chinese.

Translation: "All the way worried, Li Che came to the government notice board, and indeed saw the wanted notice for Lei A Po." Output: 【26】 All the way worried, Li Che came to the government notice board, and indeed saw the wanted notice for Lei A Po.

Chinese.

Translation: "\"Lei Chunlan, she killed seven babies, all of whom she had delivered a year ago…\"" Output: 【27】 "Lei Chunlan, she killed seven babies, all of whom she had delivered a year ago…"

Chinese.

Translation: "\"Huh? Those delivered a year ago… so, do those murdered babies need to meet the condition of being one year old? \"" Output: 【28】 "Huh? Those delivered a year ago… so, do those murdered babies need to meet the condition of being one year old?"

Chinese.

Translation: "Li Che wore a straw hat, gazed at the notice, and fell into contemplation." Output: 【29】 Li Che wore a straw hat, gazed at the notice, and fell into contemplation.

Chinese.

Translation: "But he dared not place his trust in his own speculation." Output: 【30】 But he dared not place his trust in his own speculation.

Chinese.

Translation: "What if Lei Chunlan would also strike at a baby just one month old?" Output: 【31】 What if Lei Chunlan would also strike at a baby just one month old?

Chinese.

Translation: "Li Che dared not gamble…" Output: 【32】 Li Che dared not gamble…

Chinese.

Translation: "He couldn't afford to gamble." Output: 【33】 He couldn't afford to gamble.

Chinese.

Translation: "\"It seems I must become a woodcarving master at the woodcarving shop… if under the protection of Xu Ji Mu diao Pu, at least I'll be safe. \"" Output: 【34】 "It seems I must become a woodcarving master at the woodcarving shop… if under the protection of Xu Ji Mu diao Pu, at least I'll be safe."

Chinese.

Translation: "Li Che took a deep breath, pressed down his straw hat, and headed for Xu Ji Mu diao Pu." Output: 【35】 Li Che took a deep breath, pressed down his straw hat, and headed for Xu Ji Mu diao Pu.

Chinese.

Translation: "Just arrived at the woodcarving shop, he saw Chen Shifu, whose hair and beard were all white but whose complexion was flushed, sitting on a chair, humming a little tune and drinking gourd wine." Output: 【36】 Just arrived at the woodcarving shop, he saw Chen Shifu, whose hair and beard were all white but whose complexion was flushed, sitting on a chair, humming a little tune and drinking gourd wine.

Chinese.

Translation: "\"Little Li, you're here? I heard you're entering the woodcarving examination; haha, you've got guts, self-taught for just a month and dare to take the exam. \" Chen Shifu saw Li Che and laughed, teasing." Output: 【37】 "Little Li, you're here? I heard you're entering the woodcarving examination; haha, you've got guts, self-taught for just a month and dare to take the exam." Chen Shifu saw Li Che and laughed, teasing.

Chinese.

Translation: "Chen Shifu's full name is Chen Dabao, now sixty-eight years old, and he is a senior old master at Xu Ji Mu diao Pu." Output: 【38】 Chen Shifu's full name is Chen Dabao, now sixty-eight years old, and he is a senior old master at Xu Ji Mu diao Pu.

Chinese.

Translation: "I heard Chen Dabao had long been qualified to enter the inner city Xu Ji, but he never wanted to go, preferring to stay at the outer city woodcarving shop." Output: 【39】 I heard Chen Dabao had long been qualified to enter the inner city Xu Ji, but he never wanted to go, preferring to stay at the outer city woodcarving shop.

Chinese.

Translation: "Not only Chen Dabao, but several other woodcarving masters in the shop are the same." Output: 【40】 Not only Chen Dabao, but several other woodcarving masters in the shop are the same.

Chinese.

Translation: "This left Li Che puzzled; why not go to the inner city?" Output: 【41】 This left Li Che puzzled; why not go to the inner city?

Chinese.

Translation: "I've heard that the living environment and conditions in the inner city are far better than those in the outer city." Output: 【42】 I've heard that the living environment and conditions in the inner city are far better than those in the outer city.

Chinese.

Translation: "\"You little rascal… although the inner city is good, it's equally dangerous nowadays; the world is in turmoil, evil spirits abound, strange temples stand everywhere, various sects rise and fall, the imperial court's orders are in disorder, its control over many cities has long weakened, thus every city has fallen under the grip of the city's aristocratic clans…\"" Output: 【43】 "You little rascal… although the inner city is good, it's equally dangerous nowadays; the world is in turmoil, evil spirits abound, strange temples stand everywhere, various sects rise and fall, the imperial court's orders are in disorder, its control over many cities has long weakened, thus every city has fallen under the grip of the city's aristocratic clans…"

Chinese.

Translation: "\"Between the aristocratic clans, they fight for control of the city, seize huge profits, constant disputes and friction; this old body of mine, entering the inner city would be like stepping into a whirlpool, I couldn't withstand the turmoil. \"" Output: 【44】 "Between the aristocratic clans, they fight for control of the city, seize huge profits, constant disputes and friction; this old body of mine, entering the inner city would be like stepping into a whirlpool, I couldn't withstand the turmoil."

Chinese.

Translation: "\"In this outer city… conditions are poorer, but relying on my inner strength, I can still live a comfortable life. \"" Output: 【45】 "In this outer city… conditions are poorer, but relying on my inner strength, I can still live a comfortable life."

Chinese.

Translation: "Chen Shifu happily took a sip of the old yellow wine from the gourd, smacking his lips as he spoke." Output: 【46】 Chen Shifu happily took a sip of the old yellow wine from the gourd, smacking his lips as he spoke.

Chinese.

Translation: "Li Che nodded, indicating he could understand Chen Shifu's idea." Output: 【47】 Li Che nodded, indicating he could understand Chen Shifu's idea.

Chinese.

"In the mountains, with no tigers, monkeys call themselves king; the emphasis is on simplicity."

Chinese.

Translation: "Suddenly, Li Che thought of something and softly asked: \"Master Chen, have you heard of the Spirit Infant Dharma Master? \"" Output: 【49】 Suddenly, Li Che thought of something and softly asked: "Master Chen, have you heard of the Spirit Infant Dharma Master?"

Chinese.

Translation: "Chen Shifu's drinking motion paused, his brows furrowed, he glanced at Li Che: \"You little rascal, are you worshipping this thing? \"" Output: 【50】 Chen Shifu's drinking motion paused, his brows furrowed, he glanced at Li Che: "You little rascal, are you worshipping this thing?"

Chinese.

Translation: "Li Che hurriedly shook his head and repeated the news the uncle had told him that morning." Output: 【51】 Li Che hurriedly shook his head and repeated the news the uncle had told him that morning.

Chinese.

Translation: "\"My daughter is exactly the baby Lei Chunlan delivered… I'm afraid. \" Li Che said anxiously." Output: 【52】 "My daughter is exactly the baby Lei Chunlan delivered… I'm afraid." Li Che said anxiously.

Chinese.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Chen Shifu's expression also turned solemn: \"It seems… another follower of the heretical teaching; since the Spirit Infant Sect was born from that strange temple and spread to Fēiléichéng, the number of infant deaths has greatly increased. \"" Output: 【53】 Upon hearing this, Chen Shifu's expression also turned solemn: "It seems… another follower of the heretical teaching; since the Spirit Infant Sect was born from that strange temple and spread to Fēiléichéng, the number of infant deaths has greatly increased."

Chinese.

Translation: "\"That midwife probably worshipped the Spirit Infant Dharma Master, had her mind bewitched, and took the babies she herself delivered to offer sacrifices to the Spirit Infant. \"" Output: 【54】 "That midwife probably worshipped the Spirit Infant Dharma Master, had her mind bewitched, and took the babies she herself delivered to offer sacrifices to the Spirit Infant."

Chinese.

Translation: "\"Delivering a baby is like a ritual… once targeted, it's hard to shake off. \"" Output: 【55】 "Delivering a baby is like a ritual… once targeted, it's hard to shake off."

Chinese.

Translation: "\"That midwife… will not easily let go of your child. \"" Output: 【56】 "That midwife… will not easily let go of your child."

Chinese.

Translation: "Having received Chen Shifu's affirmation, Li Che's face instantly turned grim and ugly, his fingers clenched tightly into fists, his breathing grew heavier." Output: 【57】 Having received Chen Shifu's affirmation, Li Che's face instantly turned grim and ugly, his fingers clenched tightly into fists, his breathing grew heavier.

Chinese.

Translation: "\"However, you described that the dead babies were those delivered a year ago; generally they need to be one year old to qualify for sacrifice, so within this year your child should be safe, but you must also keep watch, prevent that midwife from secretly taking your child away to later perform the evil sacrifice. \"" Output: 【58】 "However, you described that the dead babies were those delivered a year ago; generally they need to be one year old to qualify for sacrifice, so within this year your child should be safe, but you must also keep watch, prevent that midwife from secretly taking your child away to later perform the evil sacrifice."

Chinese.

Translation: "Chen Shifu, having seen many such things, his tone was rather flat." Output: 【59】 Chen Shifu, having seen many such things, his tone was rather flat.

Master Chen had seen a lot of this sort of thing, but his tone was rather flat.

What he could do was merely to remind.

To have him lend a hand to help Li Che, let alone whether he could actually help, just the relationship between him and Li Che hasn't reached that point.

Li Che, put simply, is just a helper who moves timber in the woodcarving shop, nothing more.

Li Che also understands this, and he hasn't opened his mouth to ask for help or anything like that.

If he really did ask for help, and Master Chen refused, their already thin relationship would be completely severed.

"Master Chen... if I became the woodcarving shop's woodcarver master, would the woodcarving shop take care of me?"

Li Che took a deep breath and asked.

Master Chen took a sip of wine, glanced at Li Che.

"If you can become a woodcarver master, all problems will be easily solved."

"The woodcarving shop will provide lodging for the woodcarver master; you can bring your wife and children over, be under the woodcarving shop's protection, within the woodcarving shop's courtyard... if that midwife dares to show her face, she will surely be beaten to death."

"We, as woodcarver master, cultivate inner strength; even if that midwife gets aid from the evil arts of an Infant Soul Dharma Master, we would still have nothing to fear."

"If you truly become a woodcarver master, even if you're the lowest-grade one-blade woodcarver, I'll consider myself your neighbor; by then, if that wicked midwife really dares to show her face... I'll slap her to death for you!"

Master Chen wiped the wine stains from his beard, grinning to reveal a mouth full of sinister yellow teeth, showing a bit of ferocity.

However, the ferocity soon subsided; his fingers lightly tapped the wine gourd that was being poured, and he looked at Li Che with amusement.

"The premise is... you brat can become a woodcarver master."

"This is very difficult..."

"What makes you think that your self-study, fueled by a burst of enthusiasm over ten days or so, can outweigh those apprentices in the woodcarving shop who have spent lavish sums of silver and have been learning woodcarving since childhood?"

(End of chapter)