Chapter 1722: Chapter 1753: Baihe Arrives—Do You Know Your Crime?
"What news does the Supreme Deity seek?"
The old man broke into a cold sweat on his forehead, his eyes constantly glancing at Baihe Boy. A person’s name is like the shadow of a tree; though he hasn’t met the deity, he has heard of him.
The legend of Baihe Boy is known by all; they have heard of him since childhood, and now he appears before their eyes.
He just came out from Liu Residence, needless to say, it must be related to Granny Liu.
"Lately, many missing persons’ portraits have been found in the city, and there are rumors of hauntings at Liu Family, surely related to this matter. What do you think, old man?"
Li Xiaobai tapped his fingers on the table, speaking calmly and composedly.
"This... this... I don’t know!"
"I’ve never been to Liu Family; I have nothing to do with this matter!"
The old man knelt down in horror, paying respects to Baihe Boy with a grand salute.
"So you mean, there’s really something wrong with Liu Family?"
"Do you know what’s going on with Liu Family’s daughter-in-law?"
Baihe Boy showed no reaction, so Li Xiaobai continued to ask.
"With Great God White Crane here, speak out, and you will be safe and sound."
"This... I’m not very clear about these matters, just know that Liu Residence is haunted, quite fiercely, many have died, cultivators from Liu Residence have fled, surrounding cultivators have also mostly left, leaving only our sick and feeble elderly to make a living from small businesses."
The old man grimaced, looking as miserable as possible, discussing Liu Family affairs was more painful than taking his life.
"Seems not right, from your expression earlier, it’s not as simple as just haunting, is there some hidden truth?"
Li Xiaobai looked intensely at the old man.
"Sire, please spare this old man, I truly don’t know much. Matters of Liu Residence must not be mentioned, else it’s a crime worthy of losing one’s head!"
The old man was almost crying, even his voice trembled when mentioning Liu Residence, showing extreme fear.
Li Xiaobai was confused, no matter how powerful the demon might be, such reaction wasn’t warranted; after all, this is the Netherworld, Ghost Gate, even if temporarily unregulated, eventually the ghost will be suppressed, why is it so?
"Old man, you see the Great Deity personally made this trip, I must gather some information to report upwards, I won’t make things difficult for you, just share a bit, how about it?"
Li Xiaobai took a sip of tea, showing a friendly smile as he spoke.
"Alas, no one knows what really happened inside Liu Residence, those who know the insider details have all fled."
"Just know that a year ago, Liu Residence’s young master married a wife, and within two months she conceived. Initially, it was a good thing, neighbors all came to congratulate, but on the day of the grand banquet celebration at Liu Residence, most of those who went to celebrate inexplicably died, appearing fine at first but died mysteriously at home later, heard it was very tragic."
"Afterwards, more people kept dying, Liu Family cultivators fled, leaving only the old lady and her son with the pregnant woman; rumors say Liu Family’s daughter-in-law carries a ghost fetus!"
The old man hesitated for a long time, seeing no one around, he lowered his voice to share.
It was evident he spoke vaguely, retaining much, unwilling to reveal everything.
Li Xiaobai asked, "Did you go to the celebration that day?"
"Of course not, those who went died, I never set foot in Liu Family, just watched from afar."
"Those hurriedly closing shop earlier did the same, good thing they didn’t go, otherwise probably already in reincarnation now."
The old man spoke.
"And with such a big incident, so many dead, no one managed it?"
"How can no one manage it, even Asura King, Black and White Impermanence Lords visited, shocked even King of Underworld!"
"They all went to Liu Family?"
"Yes, they all went in!"
"What happened after?"
"Then they came out."
The old man said mysteriously, "Sire, now you understand why this matter can’t be discussed?"
Li Xiaobai feigned ignorance, "Why?"
"Sire, think about it, even Asura King, Black and White Impermanence, King of Underworld went to Liu Family, yet the strange occurrences weren’t solved; tell me, is this taboo something ordinary people dare to touch?"
"Seeing Great God White Crane just passing by, tasting slightly, no need to wade in such muddy waters."
The old man revealed some valuable information, differing greatly from Granny Liu’s words.
Granny Liu not only invited Ghost General to subdue demons but invited top experts from the Netherworld; yet why did these high-ranking Netherworld figures visit Liu Family but didn’t act, instead feigning ignorance?
Li Xiaobai pondered in his heart, looking at Baihe Boy, this deity was truly like a block of wood, not saying a word was one thing, but not even moving, those unaware might think he was a corpse sitting here.
Seeing the opportunity, the old man slyly slipped away, abandoning his shop, nimbly packed up his bedding and fled.
"Senior White Crane, since even Ghost King, Impermanence, and even King of Underworld have been notified of the matter, I think it’s prudent that we don’t intervene, and Liu Family seems not to seek help either, shall we leave it at that?"
Li Xiaobai tentatively asked, adhering to the principle of fewer troubles, keen to leave this eerie place.
Seeing Baihe Boy didn’t indicate anything, he stood up and left.
But this time, the deity didn’t follow.
"Not following is great, take this chance to run to find Second Senior Sister."
Li Xiaobai quickened his pace, heading deeper into the Netherworld.
However, as he walked, things started feeling off; winding around eventually brought him back to that mystic shop, Baihe Boy seated motionless at the table again.
Tried again, no matter the route taken, ended up back at square one.
He realized it was due to the unresolved matters, Baihe Boy wasn’t letting him leave.
He promptly put on a smile, "Senior White Crane, I walked around the city twice earlier, scouting for information, what shall we do next?"
"Why not seek a Netherworld Messenger to inquire? They surely know the inside story."
Li Xiaobai walked towards where the government was, this time Baihe Boy followed.
Within the Netherworld, all necessary institutions were fully equipped, more complete than in the Divine Realm, the Yamen was pivotal in clearing cases, guarded by countless Netherworld Messengers.
Outside the Yamen was deserted, only three or two Netherworld Messengers leaned against the wall corners, bored.
"Halt."
Seeing Li Xiaobai, one of the Netherworld Messengers instantly perked up, regaining some semblance of authority, harshly shouted.
"How dare you, Great God White Crane is here; who are you to be presumptuous!"
"Summon your officials out to meet me!"
Li Xiaobai stood with arms folded behind, coldly said, releasing an invisible aura of dominance, intimidating the Ghost Officials.
With Baihe Boy by his side, his confidence soared, the messengers positioned before the Yamen saw Baihe Boy and were instantly terrified, stumbling as they rushed inside to report, Baihe’s fame was too overwhelming, renowned for hunting malicious ghosts and spirits, all Netherworld employees dreaded him.
Within just a few breaths, a voice rapidly emerged, seen Baihe Boy then fell prostrate.
"With Great God White Crane present, I failed to greet properly, please forgive the offense!"
Baihe Boy remained unmoving, Li Xiaobai grunted coldly, feigned commanding tone, "Great God White Crane would not visit for no reason, now that here, do you realize your sins!"