The Mirror Master

The great fire raged late into the night, reducing the entire Memorial Hall to a ruin.

Though it was late, the blaze still drew a few scattered onlookers.

However, rumors of the Lu Residence being haunted were so widespread that everyone kept their distance.

Even upon seeing the fire, no one dared to enter and help put it out. They merely saw it as material for the next day’s gossip.

Lu Bai and the others kept watch.

Once the flames died down, they sifted through the rubble. Seeing that Lu Ziyuan and the others’ bodies had been burned to ash, with only a few scattered bones remaining, they could finally relax.

Even if the Government Office came to investigate, they wouldn’t find anything.

"Nephew Lu."

Chen Tieshan said, "Something did happen here, after all. I’m afraid it won’t be suitable for you to rest here tonight. Why don’t you come and stay at my martial arts hall for a few days?"

In truth, the fire had only destroyed the Memorial Hall; the flames hadn’t spread elsewhere.

Chen Tieshan’s invitation was primarily so Lu Bai could help him resolve the matter of the Evil Technique at the Chen Martial Arts Hall.

Although Lu Bai had told him the specific location, he was completely clueless as to what was actually there or how he should deal with it.

"It’s so late. Wouldn’t we be imposing?"

Lu Bai saw through Chen Tieshan’s intentions but didn’t call him out on it, offering only a token refusal.

"Not at all."

Chen Tieshan smiled. "There aren’t many people at the hall these days. We have plenty of empty rooms, more than enough for the three of you."

Lu Bai nodded. "Very well. My apologies for the trouble, Hall Master Chen."

In reality, he had been waiting for Chen Tieshan to extend the invitation.

He had just killed Lu Ziyuan’s family, and Zhou Yu had also died on these grounds.

Excuses like an accidental fire or vengeful spirits claiming their due might fool others, but they wouldn’t fool Madam Zhou.

The Zhou Family was a powerful force in Liuxi Town. They ran a restaurant business, employed numerous Guards, and even had an Inner Martial Artist in their service.

With his current Cultivation, Lu Bai had no confidence he could take on an Inner Martial Artist.

If the Zhou Family came knocking to demand an explanation, it would be a huge problem.

And if they got desperate and resorted to something like an assassination or a sneak attack, things would be even more troublesome.

He could probably protect himself, but it would be difficult to guarantee the safety of Wang Shi and Uncle Fu.

Staying at the Chen Martial Arts Hall was much safer.

More importantly, Lu Bai wanted to leverage the power of the Chen Martial Arts Hall to eliminate the Zhou Family once and for all.

That was his real reason for visiting Chen Tieshan in the first place.

Lu Bai quickly packed a few belongings.

Lately, Wang Shi had been taking a sleeping draught every night before bed.

Uncle Fu woke her and briefly explained the situation.

Worried about frightening her, he omitted any mention of the killings. He only said that a fire had suddenly broken out and that the victims had spontaneously combusted before perishing in the blaze.

The group returned to the Chen Martial Arts Hall under the cover of night.

Chen Tieshan first got Wang Shi and Uncle Fu settled, but he didn’t immediately lead Lu Bai to his room.

"Dad, Big Brother, what took you so long? What were you doing over there?"

Just then, a sleepy-eyed Chen Qianqian, roused by the commotion, came stumbling out of her room.

Seeing Lu Bai in the courtyard, Chen Qianqian couldn’t seem to believe her eyes. She rubbed them, waking up a little more, and frowned. "What are you doing at my home in the middle of the night?"

"Qianqian!"

Chen Tieshan gently chided her, "Mind your manners. I invited Nephew Lu."

"Huh?"

Chen Qianqian was baffled. Having just woken up, her mind was still foggy.

"Go on back inside. Don’t make a scene."

Chen Tieshan rebuked her, afraid his daughter might say something else tactless and offend Lu Bai. He took Lu Bai by the arm and started leading him toward the training hall.

"Is there something else, Hall Master Chen?"

Lu Bai feigned ignorance.

Chen Tieshan cleared his throat. "It is rather late, but I can’t rest easy with that Evil Technique still unresolved."

"Nephew Lu, perhaps we could go take a look now?"

"Of course."

Lu Bai’s agreement was swift.

"My thanks. Xiaofeng, come and light the way for Nephew Lu."

Chen Tieshan called out.

Chen Xiaofeng was deeply reluctant, but knowing the gravity of the situation, he obediently fetched an oil lamp.

The three of them entered a training hall. Lu Bai pointed to a spot on the main beam and said, his voice low in the faint light, "Hall Master Chen, go have a look up there. There should be a piece of talisman paper stuck to it."

"Of course."

Chen Tieshan was about to use a Body Technique to scale the pillar, but he suddenly stopped. "Nephew Lu," he asked cautiously, "is it safe to just peel it off? Or should I use something else to knock it down?"

"It’s fine."

Lu Bai said, "Since Zhou Yu was the one who put it up, it can surely be taken down."

"That makes sense."

Chen Tieshan planted his left foot on the pillar and launched himself upward, but he was still a good distance from the main beam.

He then kicked his right foot off the wall beside him, using the added momentum to launch himself again, finally landing on top of the beam.

He felt around for a moment and, sure enough, his fingers brushed against a piece of talisman paper, which he promptly tore off.

Chen Tieshan leaped down and held the talisman paper up to examine it.

It was an ordinary piece of pale yellow paper, but it was covered in strange, blood-red runes that gave off a bizarre aura.

"Nephew Lu, this is the thing, isn’t it?"

Chen Tieshan asked.

Lu Bai nodded.

In truth, he had never seen the object before himself.

His knowledge of the Evil Suppression Technique came from fragmented accounts in ancient books from his previous life; his understanding was superficial at best.

The only reason he had been able to discover this item was thanks to his Eye of Illusion.

"What should I do with this thing?"

Chen Tieshan asked again.

"Just burn it."

Lu Bai wasn’t actually sure, but he figured he could try the same method he had used to deal with the Brick Mourning.

Chen Tieshan held the talisman paper over the oil lamp. It instantly ignited.

He quickly let go, and the paper burst into a ball of eerie green flame in mid-air, turning to ash before it even touched the ground.

"Is that it? Is it over?"

Chen Tieshan was still apprehensive and couldn’t help but ask, "Nephew Lu, are there any other hidden threats in the hall?"

"That’s hard to say. The main threat should be gone."

Lu Bai said thoughtfully, "As for anything else, I’ll need to conduct a more thorough search tomorrow morning."

In reality, there were no other malevolent objects from the Evil Suppression Technique in the martial arts hall.

But as long as Lu Bai didn’t give the all-clear, Chen Tieshan would have to let him and his family continue to stay.

"Alright!"

Chen Tieshan nodded. "Thank you for your help with this matter today, Nephew Lu."

"It was nothing."

Lu Bai offered a faint smile.

"Then we won’t disturb you any further. Please get some rest, Nephew."

With their minds still heavy with worry, Chen Tieshan and his son showed Lu Bai to a guest room before taking their leave.

When they returned to the main courtyard, they found Chen Qianqian pacing back and forth. She had clearly been waiting for some time.

She was wide awake now, her mind buzzing with questions. She hurried over to them. "Dad, Big Brother, why did you bring him to our house?"

Chen Tieshan opened his mouth, but then hesitated.

’Tonight’s events were secretive and bloody,’ he thought. ’It’s best that Qianqian doesn’t know.’

Chen Tieshan smacked his lips. "That Lu Bai... he’s no simple man. He hides his true self very well!"

"Him?"

Chen Qianqian’s face was a picture of disbelief. "Dad, what are you talking about?"

"It’s not like I just met him. Back when we were engaged, we met privately a few times. He would blush just from talking to me and didn’t even dare to meet my gaze. He’s completely harmless."

"That might have all been an act."

Chen Tieshan said, "That boy’s mind is too deep. Even I can’t see through him. I used to think the Lu Family’s eldest son was the promising one with a boundless future. I never expected the younger one to be the truly ruthless one!"

"The Lu Family’s ancestors must be smiling on them to have produced such a prodigy!"

The more she listened, the more confused Chen Qianqian became.

How could her father’s attitude toward Lu Bai change so drastically in a single night? His words were now laced with a hint of admiration and respect.

"Dad!"

Chen Qianqian couldn’t stop herself from asking, "My engagement to him has already been canceled. You don’t regret it, do you?"

"Not at all."

Chen Tieshan shook his head. "It’s for the best that it was canceled. You..."

He had wanted to say, ’You’re not worthy of him.’

But on second thought, she was his daughter. The words were too hurtful.

Chen Tieshan changed his phrasing. "Qianqian, Lu Bai is... not someone you can handle. Just remember this: from now on, whatever you do, do not cross him."

"You should stay far away from him. The man is ruthless."

Chen Xiaofeng muttered under his breath, "If he really became my brother-in-law, I’d be worried he’d find an excuse to beat the hell out of me one day."