Celestial Demon Starting from Attribute Points-Chapter 40: Homeward Bound

Wei Yao drove the carriage, with Li Xuan and Zuo Hong sitting inside.

Zuo Hong didn’t even bring any close confidants.

She was going to watch the drama, not to fight; bringing disciples would be inappropriate.

Under the moonlight, distant sounds grew increasingly noisy.

When the three arrived outside the Cao Mansion, entry was impossible.

The gates of the Cao Mansion were blocked, the soldiers’ iron armor glinting coldly, while Prefect Cao Shuda in his official attire was vaguely visible confronting General Yuan.

Disciples of the Canal Gang were densely gathered on the road outside the mansion.

The soldiers were divided into two groups, with one confronting the Canal Gang.

Zuo Hong arrived and naturally showed her face to enter the Canal Gang’s ranks.

In the Canal Gang, a rough burly man holding a large knife asked, "Why are you here?"

Zuo Hong opened the carriage curtain to reveal Li Xuan.

The burly man saluted and said, "So it’s Master Li."

Zuo Hong laughed and said, "It’s our Dock Master Zhao."

Li Xuan also saluted and said, "Greetings, Dock Master Zhao."

The burly man smiled and said, "No need to be formal."

After exchanging greetings, Li Xuan began observing the outside.

Things seemed tense, but actually, no fight was going to break out because just now a disciple reported that Mr. Su had stepped to the front and agreed to a blood test to prove his innocence.

General Yuan, wanting to prevent any tricks, had specially prepared a copper basin and a copper knife and brought a yellow dog for testing.

However, from their position, it was impossible to see what was happening in the middle.

Li Xuan wanted to get closer to see; he got off the carriage and led Wei Yao towards the Cao Mansion, shouting as he ran, "I am Li Xuan, a scholar from the Great Yin! I am Li Xuan, a scholar from the Great Yin!"

General Yuan slightly turned his head but then shook it.

Immediately, armored soldiers blocked Li Xuan outside.

From a distance, Cao Shuda also shouted, "Li Xuan, do not rush in, wait there."

"Yes, Master," Li Xuan responded from afar, but he already squeezed in a bit, able to clearly see the situation in the middle.

Between the Prefect of Hundred Flowers Mansion and the General ensuing confrontation stood an elderly man with half-white hair.

He held the copper knife given by Yuan Guan, reached above the copper basin, and suddenly made a cut.

Blood flowed, drop by drop, into the copper basin.

Soon, a thin layer was amassed.

"General, is this blood enough to prove my innocence?" Mr. Su said, sighing, "Lin Jieniu was a good kid before; somehow he left the mansion city and became the evil spirit the General described ... I truly was unaware."

Yuan Guan coldly stared at him and suddenly waved his hand.

The nearby soldiers understood, bringing a yellow dog forward, then squatting, prying its mouth open.

Another soldier lifted the copper basin and poured its contents into the dog’s mouth.

The dog struggled, but was pressed down by several hefty soldiers; soon enough, it finished drinking the blood from the basin.

After drinking, the dog smacked its lips, wanting to bark at the soldiers, yet dared not to.

The air became quiet.

Everyone coldly watched the dog.

Yuan Guan refused to believe the dog was harmless; he, being the city’s general, naturally knew the terrifying nature of demon blood.

If the dog appeared even slightly abnormal, he would promptly order the killing of Mr. Su.

But as time passed, the dog remained lively.

Mr. Su sighed again, stepped forward two more steps, deeply bowing to Cao Guan, said, "I rarely leave home, thus haven’t frequented the General, causing misunderstandings; I apologize to the General."

Yuan Guan continued staring at the dog, seemingly unconvinced by this outcome.

Suddenly, he pointed to the guard beside him, saying, "Go try it."

The guard immediately stepped forward, picked up the copper basin, and drank the remaining fresh blood.

...

...

In this situation, Li Xuan immediately understood.

He was out of words.

General Yuan, General Yuan, I understand you cannot take Mr. Su, with Prefect Cao still there.

But... the copper basin was clearly prepared by you; would it be so hard to add poison?

Even if worried about the basin being examined, wouldn’t smearing poison on the soldier’s hand who opened the dog’s mouth or giving the dog an earlier dosage of slow-acting poison be achievable?

Is it hard?

It has some difficulty.

Because you indeed must consider whether Prefect Cao would verify the dog after an incident; but the real challenge is just the poison’s quality.

As a general, don’t you possess some higher quality, undetectable poison?

You already intend to kill Mr. Su, why care about reasoning?

Is murder a matter of reasoning?

No, in this era without surveillance, you must craft tales!

Good man.

General Yuan is truly a good man.

Just look at the obedient guard.

Li Xuan sighed deeply in his heart; this is still a general greatly loved by his soldiers.

A short while later, indeed that guard remained unharmed.

Mr. Su made a deep bow, lowering his posture.

While Cao Shuda coldly snorted, quickly stepping down, blocking Mr. Su, retorting, "Yuan Guan, what else is there to say now?"

General Yuan said, "Lin Jieniu is a demon; for the city folk’s safety, I must investigate Su Cangyuan. Duty-bound, dare not slack off!"

Cao Shuda said, "Regarding Lin Jieniu’s case, I too will investigate thoroughly."

The air suddenly turned silent.

The two had nothing left to say.

General Yuan abruptly waved his hand, saying, "Let’s go!"

Immediately, the dark mass of soldiers left with him.

Li Xuan, with no soldiers hindering, directly approached Cao Shuda, concerned, asking, "Master, are you alright?"

Cao Shuda’s face remained gloomy; upon seeing Li Xuan approaching, he reluctantly showed some kindness, though he said nothing more, merely nodded, saying, "No issues."

Li Xuan stayed briefly before returning.

...

...

That night, a red carp was sent in a fish tank to Yulan Hall, delivered to Li Xuan.

The fish appeared like a splash of cinnabar in water, emitting a faint red glow even when covered by cloth.

Li Xuan watched for a while, feeling indeed it was magical.

However, it wasn’t the time to use this fish now; he stored it away, planning to use it after getting back to Xiongshan County, after cleansing himself with demon blood.

Afterwards, he bathed, changed clothes, and had a good night’s sleep.

The next morning, he woke up and, together with Wei Yao, went as usual to practice the Evergreen Unwithering Skill at the canal gang.

...

...

Two days later.

The martial artist of the Li family sped into Xiongshan County, returning to the Li family.

As soon as he entered the Li family estate, he was summoned by Master Li to the study.

The martial artist presented the letter from the second madam.

Master Li opened it and read it for a while, his face beaming with immense happiness. He looked at the martial artist and said, "You’ve had a hard journey; go to the accounts room and receive a reward of three months’ offerings."

Three months?

The martial artist was overjoyed.

Master Li laughed and said, "This is Xuan’Er’s happy money."

The martial artist repeatedly expressed his thanks, "Thank you, Master, thank you, young master!"

Master Li laughed heartily and said, "You may go."

The martial artist withdrew.

Master Li held the letter, reading every word repeatedly, unable to contain his joy, repeatedly saying, "Good, good, Xuan’Er is really wonderful!"

His eyes lingered longingly on the words "the Prefect’s daughter Cao Yi," suddenly showing a contemplative look, then he called out, "Someone, please bring the first madam over."

...

...

A few days later.

Cao Yi’s private gathering arrived.

Li Xuan rode alone towards a splendid garden belonging to the Cao Mansion.

The private gathering was arranged there.

Though it was near the end of spring, the garden was still a riot of colorful flowers.

Cao Yi wore a pale green silk garment, her high-waisted embroidered skirt elegantly draping her front, purposefully accentuating her softly rounded bosom, full of femininity. A luxurious shawl flowed like water, casually draped across shoulders, adding a touch of languid allure.

The Prefect’s daughter Cao Yi was sitting at a table, her hands lightly plucking the strings of an ancient wooden zither.

Though many young gentlemen and ladies were present, since they were attending her private gathering, they surrounded Cao Yi like stars encircling the moon, each offering compliments, trying all sorts of ways to flatter her.

But Cao Yi seemed somewhat absent-minded.

Though many attended her gathering today, the most important person had not yet arrived.

Just then, a maid ran over from afar, whispered a few words into Cao Yi’s ear.

The young gentlemen and ladies observed as Miss Cao, the epitome of a refined lady, pursed her lips into a smile.

A young lady from a powerful family giggled and said, "Sister Cao, you’re so happy, has Master Li arrived?"

Cao Yi didn’t pay much attention to her but thought of standing up to greet him. Suddenly reconsidering, she thought it might seem too eager, so she maintained an aloof posture, focusing on playing her zither.

She strummed the strings.

The music was melodious.

Soon, rhythmic sounds were heard from afar.

Cao Yi looked up to see a young man full of spirit coming along to the beat.

The young man walked in the golden sunlight, as if the whole person was glowing.

As he came closer, without a formal greeting, he abruptly drew the Sparrow Feather Sword from his waist and began to dance with the music.

Cao Yi played the zither.

Li Xuan danced with the sword.

Originally wanting to hide her tension, Cao Yi was truly drawn into playing the zither by the sword dance.

She feared disrupting the harmony.

The young gentlemen and ladies, who had been whispering and laughing, quietly watched the two, some even began feeling envious, thinking that if the two became a couple, they would truly be a pair blessed by the heavens.

Li Xuan’s sword dance and Cao Yi’s music gradually became a spiritual melding.

Cao Yi’s tension completely disappeared, she smiled.

Li Xuan was also smiling.

The music revealed intentions, the dance unfolded the heart, was there a need for words?

When the piece ended, the dance stopped, the two looked at each other and suddenly smiled.

Cao Yi said, "Brother Xuan, take a seat."

Li Xuan went joyfully.

...

The half-day gathering soon ended.

The young gentlemen and ladies gradually departed, but Li Xuan deliberately stayed behind.

Cao Yi felt secretly shy yet sweet.

When everyone had left, Li Xuan said, "Sister Yi, in two days, I’ll be returning to the county."

"I know."

Cao Yi nodded sweetly.

Li Xuan smiled and said, "This time when I return, on the third day of June, it will be my wedding day, will you come, Sister Yi?"

Cao Yi: ???

The color drained from her face.

She stammered, "You... you’re getting married?"

Li Xuan replied, "Yes, with a girl from the county, the engagement is set, I can’t let her down."

"I... I..." Cao Yi suddenly found herself unable to speak, "I..."

She suddenly turned and ran away.

Li Xuan watched her departing figure, sighing quietly in his heart.

Certainly, vines need to climb trees, but they thrive from... roots.

While in Xiongshan County, he learned much about Tian Yuan, she is a woman he needs and who needs him, one who can ensure a secure rear guard.

If the second madam told his parents everything she saw, then...

He took a deep breath, thinking silently, ’It’s time to go back.’

...

...

That night, Li Xuan looked for Cao Yi but couldn’t find her, so he sought out Cao Shuda to apologize.

Prefect Cao didn’t mind, even perceiving it as a sign of Li Xuan’s faithfulness and loyalty. If he had easily agreed to his daughter and directly annulled his county engagement, only then would Prefect Cao have kept his distance.

...

The next day, Li Xuan went to bid farewell to Zuo Hong, then packed his belongings.

Suddenly, the entire Hundred Flowers Mansion erupted.

The news came: General Yuan had died, and the Yuan Mansion was massacred by demons in revenge. Prefect Cao was furiously hunting demons and had found several, now executing them publicly on the street!