Volume Four: Spirit of the Sword Chapter Four: Reunion of Fates

Returning to Jiang Yun’s home, Yaoguang took out the sword. “Qingyou, show yourself,” Yaoguang said. The sword trembled, and a figure drifted out from within its blade.

“Divine Lady, what did you call me?” The sword spirit was startled.

“Qingyou, that is your name,” Yaoguang replied calmly.

“Qingyou? I am Qingyou?” The sword spirit seemed bewildered.

“Let me show you this.” Yaoguang produced the jade-green spirit orb and guided the image forth. The sword spirit watched intently, growing more agitated as she did, and finally knelt in mid-air, sobbing uncontrollably.

“After you died, Xia Zixuan still named you Empress and gave you a grand burial. From that day on, he never named another Empress. Even the number of consorts was less than ten, all daughters of meritorious officials, but their ranks were low. Only the Prime Minister’s daughter was a consort; the others were mere concubines. The sole favored consort was the maid you trusted most in life. Xia Zixuan said he would let your dowry maid guard this flourishing palace for you. This consort, unless summoned by Xia Zixuan, never left your former chambers. When she first learned of your death, she intended to follow you in death, but you appeared to her in a dream, urging her to care for Xia Zixuan and, if possible, help him continue his bloodline. She stayed, but after bearing him two children, she drank child-preventing decoctions for the rest of her life. She requested to be buried as a maid in your mausoleum after death, hoping to serve you again in the next life. Xia Zixuan ruled for over sixty years; the Xia dynasty flourished, and he kept his promise to you, living well as a good emperor. You should let go of your obsession now.” Yaoguang finished speaking with a sigh.

“He remembered me all his life. That fool,” Qingyou said, gazing at Xia Zixuan’s desolate eyes in the images, understanding everything. “And it’s hard on Ziling, that girl, who kept everything as it was for me even after my death.” The sword spirit rose, then knelt before Yaoguang. “Divine Lady, thank you. I have one request.”

“Speak,” Yaoguang gently raised her.

“I carried this obsession for a thousand years. Though I have let go today, I do not wish to reincarnate yet. That girl Jiang Yun is my reincarnation, but her body is weak. Perhaps when I forced my soul to leave in reincarnation, I took away a part of it. I wish to become her guardian spirit. When her life ends, I will return to her true self and allow her to enter reincarnation whole again.” Qingyou pleaded, “I hope you will grant this.”

“You have resided in the sword for a thousand years, becoming one with it. This blade is a weapon of death, repelling all spirits. I secretly explored Jiang Yun’s spiritual sense, and indeed, she matches your spirit and the sword. Very well, I grant your wish, but if Jiang Yun refuses, I will have to release you to the afterlife,” Yaoguang said.

“Thank you, Divine Lady.” The sword spirit bowed again.

“Tianyou, go to the police station and bring Jiang Yun back. She must make her own choice,” Yaoguang ordered.

“Alright.” Chu Tianyou agreed and left swiftly. In less than half an hour, Jiang Yun was brought back.

“Jiang Yun, there are some things you need to know,” Yaoguang said, unsure how to explain these matters to a mortal girl, as they were quite extraordinary.

“Please speak,” Jiang Yun replied calmly.

“Do you have a birthmark on your back shaped like a sword? And do you often dream the same dream, waking up feeling sorrowful?” Yaoguang asked.

“How do you know?” Jiang Yun was astonished.

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“That’s right. The next part may surprise you,” Yaoguang said, and she recounted the entire story. Jiang Yun listened, first astonished, then moved and saddened, and finally at peace.

“May I see that image?” Jiang Yun asked softly.

“Of course.” Yaoguang released the image. Jiang Yun watched intently, tears streaming down her face.

“Is this the image of my previous life?” she asked, choked with emotion.

“Yes,” Yaoguang replied, surprised by her composure.

“So many years of dreams finally have an answer. It seems everything has its reason in fate,” Jiang Yun sighed. “This dream troubled me for years, but now I understand. Thank you, Sister Phoenix.” She wiped her tears and continued, “I would like to meet my former self.”

Yaoguang looked at her, finally relieved. This girl truly was different. With a wave of her hand toward the sword, Qingyou floated out of the blade. “Hello, Jiang Yun.”

“Hello, Qingyou.” Jiang Yun looked at Qingyou hovering in the air, feeling neither fear nor discomfort, but instead a sense of familiarity and closeness.

“Are you my former self?” Jiang Yun asked.

“Yes and no. I am a soul sealed in the sword before reincarnation. The remaining soul became you. So you are my reincarnation, but I am also a part of you. I am you and yet not you; you are me and yet not me. It’s a bit confusing, isn’t it?” Qingyou said, embarrassed.

“No, it’s not confusing,” Jiang Yun replied.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you. I sensed you, but I had lost my memories. I’m sorry if I scared you,” Qingyou apologized.

“It’s alright, it’s not your fault. Besides, I forgot as well,” Jiang Yun shook her head.

“Jiang Yun, I am now a sword spirit. Whether me or the Qingyou sword, they originally belonged to you. I wish to be your guardian blade, protect you for your lifetime, then reunite with you so you can enter reincarnation whole. Is that alright?” Qingyou asked nervously.

“Why wouldn’t it be? I would wish for nothing more! I’ve been weak since childhood, always attracting troublesome spirits. My family has been at their wits’ end over this. With you, I won’t fear anymore. But—can you always be by my side?” Jiang Yun looked at Qingyou.

“I can! I have cultivated for a thousand years and can come and go freely. I’m almost a sword immortal now. You can summon me anytime, and I can follow you whenever you wish. Just make a simple offering, incense and clean water, and don’t let me gather dust. I can rest when you sleep as well,” Qingyou said excitedly, becoming even more animated. “Wait, you mean you agree?”

“Of course! Years ago, a master who performed rituals for me said if I could find a killing blade as a talisman, it would be perfect. But he said such blades are rare and depend on fate. I never expected to find one—and it’s even my own blade! Only a fool would refuse!” Jiang Yun laughed happily.

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“Thank you, Jiang Yun.” Qingyou smiled, so brightly that the sword trembled with joy.

“Hahaha, I should be thanking you!” Jiang Yun laughed as well. “Thank you, Sister Phoenix.”

“No need for thanks, little one,” Yaoguang smiled. “You’re quite unusual yourself. It’s a good fate. You two should visit me when you have time—leave the sword at home, though. It’s too conspicuous; people might think there’s something wrong with you,” Yaoguang said.

“Why not bring it? Sister Phoenix, I practice Tai Chi sword for health, you know,” Jiang Yun replied, embarrassed.

“Uh…” Now Yaoguang was the one surprised. “No wonder you bought a sword at the antique shop. This really is fate. Well, you sisters catch up—I’ll be going now.”

“Take care, Sister Phoenix,” Jiang Yun said.

“Farewell, Divine Lady,” Qingyou knelt in respect.

Yaoguang waved and left with her companions. Behind her, two gossipy voices could be heard:

“Divine Lady, why do you call Sister Phoenix ‘Divine Lady’?”

“You don’t know? Let me tell you, but you must swear not to reveal it.”

“Alright, alright, tell me…”

“Swear first, it’s a big secret…”

“Okay, okay, I swear…”

“Seriously… Otherwise I won’t tell you.”

“You’re so stingy…”

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