Volume One: The Five Ghosts Life Extension Curse Chapter Four: Winning Hearts

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In the captain’s office of the Heavenly Sword Division, Xuan Chen was at his wits’ end. “Phoenix, this case has reached a deadlock. I can’t find any more solid leads. The higher-ups gave us a one-month deadline, and now half the time has already passed. What should we do?”

“So even Captain Xie has times when he’s troubled?” Yao Guang couldn’t help but tease as she looked at Xuan Chen’s pensive expression. Still, his words meant he was truly facing difficulties. Yao Guang set down her cup, lit a cigarette, and comforted him, “Alright, I’m back now, aren’t I? What’s there to worry about?”

“You have a solution?” Xuan Chen clung to her words as if grasping at a lifeline.

“What do you think?” Yao Guang shot him a sidelong glance. “I’ve already met with the chief. Stop frowning. Let me handle it. All the case files will be merged under the Heavenly Sword. This isn’t an ordinary affair—it’s the Five-Ghost Life-Extending Formation set up by the Ghost Sect. Only by breaking the formation can we lure out the mastermind. I’ll take charge of this.”

“Ghost Sect?!” Xuan Chen was stunned. “Didn’t you wipe them out ten years ago? How are they back?”

“Desire never ends, and so the Ghost Sect endures.” Yao Guang gave him another look. “Not every member was eradicated back then. Some slipped through the net. Since I’ve come out of retirement, it’s time to settle old scores.”

“So, what do you need from me?” Xuan Chen asked.

“Have the police force ready and wait for my call. Also, has Tianyou arrived?” Yao Guang inquired.

“He’s here, outside,” Xuan Chen said, pointing toward the main office.

“Good. Let’s head out,” Yao Guang said, extinguishing her cigarette and heading for the door.

A crowd had already gathered outside. The young officer had woken up and looked surprised—and a little frustrated—to see Yao Guang and the captain emerge together from the office. But seeing the captain’s respectful attitude toward Yao Guang, he dared not say a word, only clenching his fists quietly.

Yao Guang couldn’t help but chuckle at the young officer’s reaction. She swept her gaze around the room and, without preamble, got straight to the point. “Welcome to the Heavenly Sword Division, everyone. I’m Yao Guang, but you can also call me Phoenix. I’ll be working with you from now on—please take care of me.”

The room instantly erupted. Even the young officer and the middle-aged policeman were left speechless by shock. Yao Guang—code name Phoenix—was a legendary figure throughout the Ye City Public Security Bureau. She was an undefeated legend in law enforcement, the nightmare of every criminal syndicate, and a goddess in the eyes of her peers. Rumor had it that this beautiful young woman possessed supernatural abilities and could resolve cases that defied logical explanation. They said Phoenix could go to heaven or hell itself—a being who defied the odds. But she’d retired ten years ago. Why was she back at the bureau, and at the Heavenly Sword Division no less?

“You’re that legendary goddess cop—Phoenix?” the young officer was the first to speak.

“Half right, half wrong,” Yao Guang replied with a smile.

“What do you mean, half right, half wrong?” The young officer was bewildered by her words.

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“It’s true that I am Phoenix. What’s not true is that what you’ve heard is just legend—it’s all real.” Yao Guang took a small red triangular charm from her pocket and, with a flick of her wrist, it landed in the young officer’s palm. “This protective charm is for you. Your Yin-Yang eyes are unique—they’re Black-Pupil Yin-Yang Eyes. You can see things that others can’t. You were born under a dark moon, on a dark day, at a dark hour, so you attract malevolent spirits, and they like to follow you. Your spiritual power needs strengthening; right now, you can’t resist these evil entities. I’ve used my blood to fortify your seven apertures. Keep this charm with you. Unless it’s a particularly vicious spirit, nothing else will be able to possess you. When I have time, I’ll teach you how to use your Yin-Yang eyes. Also, the evil spirit attached to you is already gone—no need to be afraid anymore.”

After speaking, Yao Guang glanced at Chu Tianyou in the crowd and smiled, “Tianyou, you’ll take him under your wing from now on.” She gestured to the young officer.

Chu Tianyou stepped forward and looked at the young man. “What are you waiting for? Thank your senior! Don’t just stand there.”

“Thank you, Senior! My name is Huo Mingkun. You can call me Xiao Huo or Ah Kun, whatever you like. That’s what all the seniors here call me,” Huo Mingkun said, saluting Yao Guang. “Thank you for saving my life.” Then he turned to Chu Tianyou and saluted again. “Huo Mingkun reporting for duty, Captain Chu. Awaiting your orders!”

Everyone laughed at Huo Mingkun’s rapid-fire responses. “Quick-witted. He’s a good prospect,” someone remarked.

Yao Guang didn’t look at him again. With a wave of her hand, a protective charm appeared in everyone’s hands. The crowd looked at their charms in astonishment, then at Yao Guang. How had these charms materialized out of thin air? Levitation? But the Heavenly Sword Division wasn’t made up of ordinary people, so nothing was too surprising.

Yao Guang spoke in a calm voice, “The Ghost Sect has returned to the mortal realm and seems ready to make a comeback. Our Heavenly Sword Special Criminal Investigation Unit won’t have much downtime from now on. These charms will protect you and allow me to sense if you’re in danger. I want all of you to return safely every day. I don’t want to see a repeat of what happened ten years ago. Remember, from now on, not one member of the Heavenly Sword Division is allowed to be lost.” When she said this, her expression was especially grave. “Chu Tianyou and I are heading out. No one leaves after work today—I’m treating everyone to dinner, so don’t refuse me.” Her smile returned as she spoke, and she led Chu Tianyou out. As she passed the middle-aged officer, she slipped a piece of paper into his hand. “Recite this once a day—your powers will greatly increase, and it will ease the resentment you struggle with.” Then she continued out.

The middle-aged officer unfolded the paper, baffled, and was stunned. The short cop beside him was equally surprised. “The Lingxi Heart Method? Isn’t that what you’ve been searching for all this time?” he exclaimed, clicking his tongue. “Senior Phoenix really is generous.”

“You don’t know Phoenix. When it comes to evil spirits, she’s ruthless. But with her own people, she’s as compassionate as a Buddha. You’ll see for yourself,” Xuan Chen explained. “Alright, back to work. Don’t forget the dinner tonight.”

“How old is she, really?” the middle-aged officer asked in confusion.

“Hush. Phoenix’s real age isn’t something you can judge with your eyes. When she started out, we were probably still students. You’ll find out in time,” the short cop said seriously.

The rest of the team was still too shocked to focus on work, chatting instead about the legendary Senior Phoenix. Some bold ones even pulled Xuan Chen aside to ask questions. He was in an unusually good mood today and answered them all. And so, a lively discussion of Senior Phoenix’s glorious exploits erupted in the Heavenly Sword Division.

Meanwhile, in the chief’s office upstairs, someone was grinning from ear to ear as he picked up the phone. “Hello, Chief? It’s Old Jia—Phoenix is back. Rest assured.”

The person on the other end was equally delighted. “Phoenix, hah! That’s wonderful. You’d better take good care of her, or you’ll have someone razing your precinct to the ground.”

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“Oh, don’t worry. But does Phoenix really need protection?” Chief Jia put a heavy emphasis on the word ‘protection.’

“You’re right—lucky you! As long as Phoenix is willing to return, that’s all that matters. Give her anything she asks for. If you can’t manage it, call me. She gets a green light for everything. That’s all—I’m hanging up.” After hearing the busy signal, Chief Jia was overjoyed. He walked to the window, humming happily as he watched a yellow Toyota Yaris speed away.

The passing officers outside all glanced at his door in puzzlement. The chief must have won the lottery to be this happy.

“You don’t know—Senior Phoenix is back,” someone whispered.

“Senior Phoenix… that goddess…”

“That’s right…”

“Oh my…”

And so, in an instant, news of the goddess Phoenix’s return spread throughout the Ye City Public Security Bureau—surely the most explosive news of the year.

Sure enough, while everyone was still abuzz, an order arrived for Xie Xuanchen: the five-story building behind the bureau was now exclusively for the Heavenly Sword Special Criminal Investigation Unit. All their equipment would be state-of-the-art, and the unit would operate with a full green light, free of restrictions. Xie Xuanchen would remain captain, Chu Tianyou vice-captain, and Phoenix would serve as special advisor. The order ended with two words: “Special Approval!”

Upon receiving the order, Xie Xuanchen actually laughed out loud. At last, his wish had come true—he could walk tall again. When he announced the news, the whole Heavenly Sword Division erupted in excitement once more.

Meanwhile, Yao Guang, racing along in her Yaris, couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on. She’d left a wisp of spiritual awareness back at the office and, to her chagrin, the first thing she heard was this news.

Then, at the same moment, both Chu Tianyou and Huo Mingkun’s phones chimed. They looked down and burst into excited laughter.

And the dark lines on Yao Guang’s forehead only deepened…