Master of the Spirit Infant Cult, The One-Blade Master

Granny Lei… killing babies?

And only targeting the babies she delivered?!

When Li Che heard this from his uncle, his hair stood on end, and his pupils contracted sharply.

"Uncle, where did you hear this?" Li Che took a deep breath, his heart sinking like a stone into a dark abyss, and hurriedly asked.

The old scholar puffed on his pipe, a cloud of smoke curling out lazily. His brows furrowed into a deep "川" shape as he spoke, his voice tinged with unease. "At first, I didn't believe it either, but seeing that Xi Xi was delivered by Granny Lei, I made it a point to investigate..."

He paused to take another long puff, as if the act of smoking steadied him. Then, with a grim expression, he continued, "It's true. The families of the deceased children have raised a huge uproar at the outer city's government office. The authorities have even issued a wanted notice. Granny Lei is officially a fugitive!"

"If you don't believe me, you can go to the government bulletin board and see for yourself. The notice is there for all to read."

His voice had grown heavier, laden with worry.

Despite his old-fashioned regret that Xi Xi wasn't a boy, she was still part of the Li family. Upon hearing this news, his first concern was for her safety.

"I heard Granny Lei joined the 'Spirit Infant Cult,' a dangerous sect. They believe in some twisted spirit-infant doctrine. And those murders—those poor children were snuffed out in an instant. Such a terrible sin... they were just innocent babies."

The old scholar's voice trembled slightly as he spoke, his hands fidgeting as if trying to grasp something invisible. After a moment, he sighed heavily, bringing the pipe back to his lips and puffing without pause.

Li Che's expression darkened, his features tightening with a sense of urgency. His heart hung suspended, weighed down by the implications of the news.

To him, Xi Xi was more than just his daughter—she was his precious treasure, the light of his life. The mere thought of any harm coming to her was unbearable, filling him with an overwhelming sense of dread and responsibility.

It was a father's duty to protect his child. No matter the cost, he would shoulder this responsibility.

"Thank you, Uncle," Li Che said solemnly. "I'll investigate this further and make preparations in advance."

The old scholar nodded quickly, his relief evident. Then, rubbing his hands together awkwardly, he hesitated before adding, "Since I'm already here... let me take a look at Xi Xi."

Li Che chuckled inwardly at his uncle's sheepish demeanor. Without saying a word, he gestured for him to follow into the house.

When the old scholar laid eyes on Xi Xi, his stern expression softened into a wide, delighted grin. It was as if his smile blossomed like a flower, filling the room with warmth.

Though he often lamented that Xi Xi wasn't a boy, his affection for her was genuine and deep.

"Your sister-in-law is due soon," the old scholar said, his smile broadening. "Your aunt says her belly is pointed, so it's probably a boy… Heh, I hope the little rascal is as adorable as Xi Xi."

The brightness in his tone revealed his anticipation. His eldest son's wife was expecting her first child, and the family eagerly awaited the arrival.

After sending his uncle off, Li Che turned to his wife, Zhang Ya, before heading out. His voice was calm but firm as he instructed, "Wife, while I'm away, keep the doors and windows locked. No matter who it is or what they say, don't open the door."

Zhang Ya froze for a moment, startled by the sudden seriousness in his tone. However, she chose not to question him. Instead, she nodded obediently, agreeing without hesitation.

Anxiously, Li Che made his way to the government bulletin board. Sure enough, there it was—the wanted notice for Granny Lei.

"Lei Chunlan—wanted for the murder of seven children, all of whom she delivered a year ago..."

Li Che's gaze lingered on the words. He adjusted his straw hat, shielding his face from the sun, and stared at the notice in deep thought.

"A year ago… So the children she targets must be at least one year old?"

His mind raced with possibilities. Was this a pattern he could rely on? Could this offer his family a semblance of safety?

But then another thought chilled him to the core.

What if Lei Chunlan was willing to change her methods? What if she decided to target infants as young as a month old?

No. He couldn't take that risk. He wouldn't gamble with Xi Xi's life.

"It seems I must become an official woodcarver at Xu's Woodcarving Workshop. With their protection, at least my family will have a safe haven."

Taking a deep breath, he adjusted his hat again, shielding his grim expression as he turned toward Xu's Woodcarving Workshop.

Upon arriving at the bustling workshop, Li Che spotted Master Chen—a man whose snowy white hair and beard contrasted sharply with his rosy complexion. The elder craftsman sat comfortably in a chair, humming a tune as he sipped leisurely from a wine gourd.

"Li, you're here?" Master Chen greeted him with a hearty laugh. "So I heard you're taking the woodcarving assessment, eh? Ha! You've got guts, boy. Just one month of self-study, and you think you're ready for the test?"

The older man's voice carried a teasing edge, but there was a glint of curiosity in his sharp eyes.

Master Chen's full name was Chen Dabao. At 68 years old, he was one of the most senior craftsmen at Xu's Woodcarving Workshop.

Rumor had it that Master Chen had been qualified to work at Xu's prestigious inner-city branch for years. Yet, for reasons unknown, he had refused the offer, choosing instead to stay at the outer-city workshop.

And it wasn't just Chen Dabao. Several other master craftsmen had made the same decision, their motives shrouded in mystery.

Li Che had often wondered why. Why would these renowned artisans choose not to advance their positions within the Xu family's esteemed inner circle?

It was a question that gnawed at him, though he knew it wasn't the time to dwell on such matters. He bowed politely to Master Chen, silently preparing himself for the challenge ahead.

Although the living conditions in the inner city were said to be far superior to those in the outer city…

"You kid... the inner city might be better, but it's also far more dangerous," Chen Dabao said, narrowing his eyes. His tone carried a mix of warning and disdain as he leaned back in his chair.

"These days, the world is in chaos. Evil spirits are rampant, strange temples have sprung up everywhere, sects are rising like weeds after the rain, and the imperial court's hold over most cities has grown weak. As a result, many cities have fallen under the control of powerful noble families," he explained, his voice dropping into a gravelly seriousness.

"Between these families, conflicts over control of the cities and their wealth are endless. Stepping into that mess as an old man like me would be no different from jumping into a whirlpool—I couldn't handle it."

Chen Dabao smirked, his gourd of aged wine held lazily in one hand. He took a long, satisfied sip before smacking his lips in contentment.

"Out here in the outer city," he continued, "the conditions may be rougher, but with my inner strength, I can live quite comfortably. No schemes, no noble family intrigues—just the occasional evil spirit to smack down."

Li Che nodded in agreement, his mind spinning with thoughts. Sometimes, living a simpler life had its own advantages, its own peace.

But then another thought surfaced in his mind, sharp and urgent. Li Che hesitated for a moment before softly asking, "Master Chen, have you heard of the 'Spirit Infant Cult'?"

Master Chen froze mid-drink. The playful light in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a sharp, probing look as he scrutinized Li Che.

"You didn't join that cult, did you?" he asked flatly.

Li Che's face flushed with indignation. "Of course not!" he quickly clarified, then recounted the unsettling story his uncle had shared that morning. "My daughter was delivered by Lei Chunlan," Li Che confessed, his voice thick with worry. "I'm terrified something might happen to her."

Hearing this, Master Chen set down his gourd, his expression growing grim. "So, another one's fallen into the abyss of those damnable cults," he muttered, shaking his head.

His tone darkened as he continued, "Ever since that strange temple appeared and brought the Spirit Infant Cult to Fei Lei City, infant deaths have risen sharply. It's no coincidence. That midwife… Lei Chunlan, was it? She probably pledged herself to the Spirit Infant Cult's leader. Her mind has been twisted, corrupted. Those children she delivered? They were used as sacrifices to the so-called 'spirit infant.'"

"Delivery is like a ritual," he explained, his words slow and deliberate. "Once marked, it's nearly impossible to escape. That midwife... she won't easily let your child go."

Li Che's face darkened, his jaw tightening as his hands curled into fists. His breath grew heavier, his chest rising and falling with the weight of his dread.

"But," Master Chen added, his tone slightly less dire, "you mentioned the children who died were all delivered a year ago. From the looks of it, they need to be at least one year old to be eligible for the ritual."

He paused, allowing the implication to settle in before continuing. "That means, for now, your daughter should be safe. But don't let your guard down. That midwife might try to take her secretly and wait for the right time to perform the ritual later. You must remain vigilant."

Master Chen's tone was calm, almost detached. He had seen far too many tragedies to allow himself to grow overly emotional. In this chaotic world, such things had become disturbingly common.

Helping Li Che directly? That wasn't an option. Their relationship wasn't close enough to justify the risks. Li Che wasn't family, just a worker hauling wood for the shop—a mere acquaintance, at best.

Li Che understood this unspoken boundary and didn't press for help. If he asked and was refused, their fragile rapport might be severed entirely.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Li Che asked, "Master Chen… if I become a woodcarving master here, will the shop protect me and my family?"

Master Chen raised an eyebrow at the question, then took another swig of wine. After a moment, he gave Li Che a sidelong glance and said, "If you become a woodcarving master, all your problems will be solved."

He leaned forward slightly, tapping the gourd lightly against his knee as he continued, "The shop provides housing for its masters. You'd be allowed to move your wife and daughter into the compound. With the shop's protection, even if that midwife showed up, she'd be struck down on the spot."

His voice gained a dangerous edge. "We woodcarving masters don't just carve wood, boy. We cultivate inner strength. Even if that midwife has gained some twisted power from the Spirit Infant Cult's leader, she wouldn't stand a chance against us."

Master Chen's lips curled into a fierce grin, baring yellowed, jagged teeth. "If you make it as a woodcarving master—heck, even as a low-level 'One-Blade Master'—we'd be neighbors. And if that evil midwife dared show her face, I'd personally smack her to death."

But the moment passed, and Master Chen leaned back, his grin softening into a smirk. He tapped the gourd against the arm of his chair with a rhythmic thunk, eyeing Li Che playfully.

"Of course… that's only if you actually manage to become a woodcarving master," he said, his tone mocking but not unkind.

"Do you really think that after just ten days—or a month, at most—of self-study, you can surpass those apprentices who've spent years honing their craft? Kids who started carving wood before they could write their names?"

Li Che met his gaze, undeterred. The odds might have been against him, but for his daughter's safety, he was willing to bet everything.