The Mirror Master

Liuxi Town, in the dead of night.

The County Yamen, however, was brightly lit.

The County Magistrate, the County Captain, and a number of constables and government constables were all standing in the main hall.

Despite being summoned in the middle of the night, not a single one of them dared show the slightest hint of dissatisfaction.

This was all because of the young-looking woman seated above them. She was from the Evil Extermination Bureau in Jingzhou City, a Morning Bell Ringer, and a Golden Core Realm expert!

Never mind petty officials like them; even the Prefect of the Commandery had to be respectful when facing a Morning Bell Ringer.

This Morning Bell Ringer had arrived incognito and was now suddenly asking about the haunting case from over a month ago.

The County Captain, Liu Feng, recounted the events of that day once more.

The Morning Bell Ringer’s questions were very detailed. She even inquired about the annihilation of the Lu Family and the fire at Carpenter Zhang’s home.

He Liangzhi stood to the side, leaned in, and said softly, "My Lady, it’s more or less as described in the case files."

Mo Tang mulled it over for a moment before suddenly asking, "You just mentioned there was a Peach Wood Sword at the scene?"

"That’s right."

County Captain Liu Feng said, "I originally thought it belonged to the Zhou Family. But later, I heard from Daoist Yu of Danding Temple that someone else might have been there that night. This person was an unskilled practitioner. The Peach Wood Sword had been deliberately smeared with dog’s blood, and since the two conflict, it was rendered ineffective."

Mo Tang tapped her fingers on the table and murmured, "The key lies with this person."

He Liangzhi said, "It’s too late today; all the shops have long since closed. Tomorrow, we can investigate who bought things like dog’s blood and Peach Wood Swords around the time of the incident. That should lead us to this person. It’s just that it’s been a while, so people might not remember."

Mo Tang thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "Go and summon Hall Master Chen from the Chen Martial Arts Hall."

The government officials exchanged strange glances, but no one moved.

"What are you standing around for!"

He Liangzhi snapped, "Just say that someone from the Evil Extermination Bureau has arrived with important questions and tell him to come over!"

Liu Feng forced a smile and said, "Your Excellencies, please don’t be angry. It’s just that the Chen Martial Arts Hall closed down long ago, and Chen Tieshan is no longer in Liuxi Town."

He Liangzhi asked, "What happened? Where did he go?"

Liu Feng said, "I’m not sure of the details. I heard his son got into trouble in Bluestone City, picked up a gambling addiction, and racked up a huge debt. Chen Tieshan had no choice but to sell his property and go to Bluestone City to sort it out. He never came back."

Mo Tang’s brow furrowed slightly.

She could faintly sense that something was amiss.

Chen Tieshan was also a crucial person in this case.

Yet he was no longer in Liuxi Town, and his family had suffered a misfortune.

’Is this a coincidence?’

"You may all leave now."

Mo Tang waved her hand.

The officials from the County Yamen felt as if they had been pardoned.

He Liangzhi asked, "My Lady, is there a problem?"

Mo Tang picked up a brush. He Liangzhi stepped forward to grind the ink and spread a sheet of rice paper on the table.

A moment later, Mo Tang had drawn several circles on the paper, writing inside them: Lu Da, Lu Er, Zhou Family, Chen Martial Arts Hall, Carpenter Zhang...

"According to the case file, Madam Zhou developed malicious intent and conspired with Lu Da to secretly harm Lu Er’s family."

Mo Tang drew a line on the paper. "Lu Er’s family expanded and renovated their home, after which people began to die sudden, violent deaths. This was likely due to a type of Witchcraft called ’Brick Mourning’ performed by Madam Zhou, which also aligns with Carpenter Zhang’s cause of death."

He Liangzhi said, "In that case, someone must have broken the ’Brick Mourning’ Witchcraft, causing Carpenter Zhang to suffer the backlash. Then his family being burned to death... it’s possible..."

Mo Tang said, "Not possible. It’s almost certain Madam Zhou silenced them."

"This Madam Zhou is very clever and extremely cautious. She concealed herself very well."

Mo Tang continued, "The Witchcraft she used is extremely subtle. If she had directly sent a Little Ghost to harm people, it would have certainly alerted the Evil Extermination Bureau. But a Witchcraft like Brick Mourning... never mind the people at the County Yamen, even the County Government Office in Bluestone City might not have been able to identify it."

At this point, Mo Tang paused before adding, "Before that, everything was under her control and going very smoothly. But after the Witchcraft was broken, everything spiraled out of her control."

He Liangzhi asked, "Who broke the Witchcraft?"

"That is the key."

Mo Tang said, "It wasn’t Chen Tieshan. If he had that ability, he would have noticed it long ago."

"Then who could it be?"

He Liangzhi frowned. "Is there some hidden expert in Liuxi Town?"

Mo Tang said, "There’s one person who has remained hidden from everyone’s sight, unnoticed by all."

"Who?"

"Lu Bai."

"Oh?"

He Liangzhi was taken aback. "I heard this Lu Bai is just a teenager, timid and honest. How could he be involved?"

Mo Tang explained, "This Lu Bai fled the town to seek refuge, fell off a cliff, and yet survived against all odds. On the very night he returned, Carpenter Zhang’s family met with disaster. After that, Lu Da’s family was also wiped out, and the Zhou Family met with successive misfortunes."

It slowly dawned on He Liangzhi. "So you’re saying that within a little over a month, every single culprit and accomplice who harmed Lu Er’s family has died without exception!"

Mo Tang nodded.

He Liangzhi was secretly astounded. "Vengeance for his own blood... so many lives, such a grand scheme, with almost no flaws left behind. Could a teenager really be responsible for all that?"

"I don’t know."

Mo Tang shook her head, then smiled. "I hear Lu Bai is also in Bluestone City. I suppose we’ll find out the truth soon enough."

With a tap of her fingertip, the rice paper on the table instantly burst into flames and quickly turned to ash.

"It’s getting late. Let’s rest for now. If we set out early tomorrow, we should be able to reach Bluestone City by evening."

「The next day.」

Perhaps because he was exhausted from the past three days of sparring with Yun Luo, Lu Bai slept until late in the morning before slowly waking.

Lu Bai rubbed his temples.

Last night was the most peaceful and sound sleep he’d had since arriving in this world.

He didn’t know why, but it seemed he could completely relax in this small courtyard.

He didn’t have to worry about thieves, evil spirits, or any other strange dangers.

Lu Bai washed his face by the stream in the courtyard, tidied himself up, slung the Cyan Cloud Sword over his back, and walked back into the main hall.

"Daoist Yu, Daoist Yun Luo, I apologize for the imposition these past three days."

Lu Bai bowed deeply. "After I have slain that person, I will return to thank you both properly."

"Take it."

Yu Daoxuan pointed to a hat on the table and said flatly.

’The Mountain Demon Bandit Hat is ready?’

Lu Bai’s eyes lit up.

This was good stuff. The perfect Magical Treasure for scaling walls and crossing roofs on a dark and windy night.

Lu Bai stepped forward and picked up the Mountain Demon Bandit Hat, admiring it so much he couldn’t put it down. He pulled it directly over his head, leaving only his eyes, nose, and mouth exposed while the rest was completely covered.

"What do you think? Does it suit my disposition?"

Lu Bai asked enthusiastically.

"HAHAHAHA!"

Yun Luo let out a snort and couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Yu Daoxuan shot him a look. "It’s too ugly. Don’t tell anyone I made it."

As he spoke, Lu Bai’s figure gradually vanished from Yun Luo’s sight.

Lu Bai, however, was quite pleased with it. He gleefully took off the mask, folded it carefully, and tucked it inside his robes against his chest. He cupped his fists in thanks once more, then turned and left.