Volume Four: Sword Spirit Chapter Two: The Bizarre Crime Scene

The four of them drove to Jiang Yun’s home. As soon as they opened the door, Huo Mingkun clapped a hand over his eyes and burst out with a curse, “Whoa, what a powerful magnetic field.”

Yaoguang glanced at him, tapped the back of his neck, and only then did Huo Mingkun regain his composure. She circled the room once. It was spotlessly clean, distinctly different from the rooms of most single girls. There was a strong magnetic field here; Yaoguang sensed it, finding a deep, chilling aura—one unique to cold weapons—mixed with a murderous energy. This was not the malevolence of ghosts, but the lingering presence of blood that had soaked into the weapon over countless encounters. With time, the blade had become a slayer’s edge, absorbing the essence of blood and forming its own singular field.

Amid these two auras, there was a third—one belonging to a spirit. This must be the sword spirit. Yaoguang felt again: the spirit was excited, saddened, and held a sense of watchful longing. The emotion was complex.

She looked up at the sword hanging above the living room wall. The metallic scabbard shimmered with pale golden light, two dragons embossed along its length, and gemstones set into its surface. Yaoguang reached up, took down the sword, and drew it. The silver blade exuded a cold, clean radiance, her own reflection clear upon its surface.

“What a fine sword,” Yaoguang murmured, examining it closely. Two neat characters were engraved on the blade: “Qingyou.”

Her fingers brushed the blade; it gave a faint, ringing note, as if answering her.

She gripped the hilt, channeling spiritual energy into it. The sword began to tremble, slipped from her grasp, and hovered in midair.

“Who are you? Show yourself at once,” Yaoguang addressed the sword.

The blade wobbled but gave no reply, still floating in the air.

“Who are you? Show yourself now,” she repeated.

Still, the sword only drifted, occasionally emitting a low hum, as if observing her.

Yaoguang couldn’t help but laugh at the sight. Smiling, she continued, “A sword spirit, yet you neglect your cultivation and chase after a young woman—are you a scoundrel now?”

Ting... At her words, the sword vibrated in apparent displeasure, letting out a low ring.

“What, you’re upset? What right have you to be upset?” Yaoguang teased.

Ting... The sword sounded again, spinning once in the air before coming to a halt.

“So, you refuse to appear? Fine, suit yourself.” Yaoguang nodded and turned to leave. The sword, sensing her intention, floated swiftly before her, blocking the way.

“What is this now? You won’t show yourself, and you won’t let me leave?” The spirit’s antics amused her.

The sword circled her a few times, then suddenly darted its tip at Yaoguang. She dodged nimbly, but the sword pursued, thrusting again and again as if playing a game of tag. Several strikes missed; the blade quivered in frustration, then whirled and shot toward Xuan Chen. Startled, Yaoguang pressed her index and middle fingers together, sent a streak of golden light at the sword, and struck it squarely on the tip. The blade zipped past Xuan Chen’s ear, shearing off a few strands of his hair.

“Insolence!” Yaoguang’s fury flared at the attack. With a shout, she instantaneously appeared before the sword, her presence radiating a killing intent. She roared, “Wretched creature, how dare you!”

At her command, all three men instinctively covered their ears, yet still felt a wave of dizziness. With a flick of her hand, Yaoguang cleared their minds, then turned back to the sword spirit. She brought her palm down in a decisive strike. With a clang, the sword dropped to the floor, and a blue figure drifted from its body—a female spirit, her expression angry as she faced Yaoguang.

“So you finally show yourself. Tell me, why did you harm a human?” Yaoguang demanded.

“Why do you meddle in my affairs?” the sword spirit retorted angrily.

“Do you think I want to? You’ve been hounding that young woman—don’t you realize you aren’t human?” Yaoguang couldn’t help but laugh, finding the spirit rather foolish.

“I’ll chase her if I want. None of your business,” the sword spirit snapped back.

“Very well, I’ll stop interfering. Instead, I’ll simply destroy you and be done with it.” Yaoguang raised her hand. “You’re a sword spirit, so I’ll use a sword to cut you down.” With a twist of her wrist, the Youlan Sword appeared in her palm.

“An ancient divine blade—Youlan... Who are you?” The sword spirit recoiled in shock at the sight of the weapon.

“I have never changed my name or my title. I am Yaoguang, sovereign of Phoenix Spirit Mountain, the Divine Phoenix herself,” Yaoguang answered calmly.

“Divine Phoenix?!” The spirit froze for a moment, then dropped to her knees. The sword aura and murderous intent faded. She transformed into a graceful woman clad in blue. “Qingyou pays her respects to the Divine One. Please, have mercy. I never meant to harm the girl. I am but a remnant soul, lingering in this blade for thousands of years, seeking my reincarnation. That young woman is my former self.” The sword spirit’s voice quivered with emotion.

“Your former self?” Yaoguang was taken aback. So this sword was Jiang Yun’s in a previous life, and the spirit was a fragment of Jiang Yun’s unreincarnated soul.

“Yes, I am a remnant of her past life. I only wished to find her. But so many years have passed; my memories are faded. All I wanted was to return to her side. When she polished the sword and her blood touched me, I realized who she was. Her blood stirred me deeply; I merely wished to reveal myself, not to cause harm. Yet, when I encountered her blood, I couldn’t control myself.”

“I see,” said Yaoguang, sheathing the Youlan Sword. “Perhaps I can help you. Return to your scabbard, and I will search your memories, help you fulfill your wish.”

“Thank you, Divine One.” The spirit bowed three times to Yaoguang, then, with a chime, merged back into the sword. The blade now lay still in Yaoguang’s grasp. She took a light-colored cloth from Jiang Yun’s house, wrapped the sword, and placed it on the coffee table.

“Let’s go,” Yaoguang said, heading for the door.

“Where to?” Xuan Chen asked.

“The antique shop,” Yaoguang replied without looking back, and strode out.