Volume Seven: The Phantom of River City Chapter Eight: Memories of the Past

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The buffet restaurant was filled with laughter and cheer.

“Hey, Phoenix, how much is this one? Why don’t I treat you?” Captain Li bit into a lobster.

“I’ve rented out the whole place, but go ahead if you want.” Yaoguang smiled.

“Forget it, you’d better handle it. I was just being polite,” Captain Li chuckled. “This single lobster costs two months of my salary.”

“Then why are you even saying anything? Not even eating can stop you from talking.” Yaoguang rolled her eyes.

Captain Li just laughed.

Yaoguang took a drag on her cigarette, her eyes blurring slightly as she watched everyone eat so happily.

“What are you thinking about, Phoenix?” Captain Li asked.

“Old memories,” Yaoguang sighed.

“You haven’t looked happy since seeing those two paintings,” Captain Li paused. “If you want to talk about it, I’m here. But if not, that’s fine too.”

“It’s not about wanting or not wanting. Some things have weighed on my heart for years; if someone’s willing to listen, why not let it out?” Yaoguang sighed again. “Those are memories stained in blood. Ten years ago, in Leaf City, there was a so-called Underworld Organization Association. On the surface, it was a grassroots group, but that was just a front. Behind it lay a darkness called the Ghost Sect. Are you familiar with metaphysics?” Yaoguang asked.

“Yes, like some Taoist arts,” Captain Li nodded. “But I’ve never witnessed them myself.”

“Well, those rituals you see on TV—some of those things really do exist in this world. Sorcerers exist, too. The members of the Underworld Organization Association were such sorcerers, each practicing different arcane arts. But without exception, not a single one walked the righteous path. You’ve heard of the Ghost Child, right? Raising little ghosts? Some of them did just that—using illicit means to rear child spirits, then selling them for profit. At first, these dark arts could grant wishes for those who bought them, but eventually the spirits would turn on their masters—at best losing money and health, at worst losing their lives. The association operated in the shadows, growing slowly. As the victims multiplied, the authorities received reports and called for Celestial Sword to investigate. Celestial Sword, officially the Celestial Sword Special Criminal Investigation Unit, mainly handled the most difficult cases. I was captain back then. Xuancheng and Tianyou were my team members. We investigated for a long time, finally gathering enough evidence and preparing to take action against the association. When the time came, we apprehended ninety percent of their members—a great victory. But no one knew what happened in the final pursuit. I underestimated the strength of those who slipped through the net, and in that last battle, eleven of our Celestial Sword team were killed. My deputy captain was taken by the enemy. By the time I found him, he’d been turned into a painting. One was a bleeding angel—the angel’s head, hands, and legs were his. The other was a sealed demon, whose body was also my deputy’s. He was murdered, dismembered, and made into those paintings, his organs tossed carelessly into a trash bin. When I saw it, I felt as if my soul had died. They all thought I was grieving for my fallen comrades, but only Tianyou and Xuancheng knew the truth—my deputy captain was also my fiancé. Because of me, he suffered that fate. Because of me, Celestial Sword was dealt a heavy blow. I brought their bodies back, handled the aftermath, and left Celestial Sword. I didn’t return for ten years, because I couldn’t face it. Now you understand why I reacted so strongly to those two paintings.” Yaoguang wiped away her tears.

“I see,” Captain Li sighed.

“Others worship me, think I’m some invincible legend. But who knows that I couldn’t even protect those dearest to me? My most trusted teammates gave me their backs, but I couldn’t shield them. That year, at the funeral, petals fell like rain, and my heart was shattered to dust. The most terrifying thing isn’t despair, but the black abyss that follows it. From that moment, I swore an oath of vengeance against the Ghost Sect—one day, I’ll root them out completely. All these years, I’ve been hunting down their remnants. Recently, I’ve discovered traces of their activity again. Back then, I swore before my sect: any member of the Ghost Sect must die, and those who collude with them are unforgivable. If I don’t eradicate these vermin, I can’t face my fallen comrades. Over the years, this has become my deepest obsession.” Yaoguang took a breath.

“You can’t blame yourself entirely—the enemy was cunning. Come on, Phoenix. Let’s drink to your wish coming true as soon as possible.” Captain Li drew a deep breath and raised his glass.

“Thank you for your kind words. Cheers.” Yaoguang lifted her glass.

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“Tonight, we don’t go home until we’re drunk…”

The morning sunlight was warm and gentle.

Yaoguang stood in the morgue, gazing at the bodies of Zhang Fengchuan and Ma Yanran with a gentle smile. “Soon, Wang Qing will come to take you home. In your next life, may you find happiness.” Her hand passed over their bodies, and the wounds from their dismemberment disappeared. Yaoguang turned and left.

She stood outside the police department building. “Director Wang, Captain Li, we’re leaving now. Until we meet again.”

“Thank you for everything this time,” said Director Wang.

“No need to thank me, it was my duty.” Yaoguang smiled.

“Phoenix, from now on, we’re brothers. If I come to Leaf City, I’ll buy you a drink!” Captain Li said.

“Deal, it’s a promise. Goodbye.” Yaoguang replied.

Her car sped along the road back home…

“Sis, all these years must have been so hard on you. That male immortal was the deputy captain, wasn’t he?” Huo Mingkun said with concern.

“It wasn’t so hard. After all, I’ve already guided him onto the immortal path. You know, that year, to help him ascend, I lost nearly all my cultivation, sacrificed half my spirit essence, and barely survived three hundred and twenty-four thunderbolts. But the heavens had mercy. I drew the lightning into my body, reforged my divine veins, and rose to become a true deity. Since the heavens let me rise from the ashes, I won’t live this life in vain. Now, I can surely protect you all—and everything I care about.” Phoenix patted him reassuringly.

“Master!” Jiang Yun clung to Yaoguang’s arm, sobbing uncontrollably.

“My silly girl, why are you crying? It’s all over now. Don’t cry, don’t cry.” Yaoguang soothed her.

“You never comforted me like that,” came a voice from the back of the house.

“Oh, what’s your deal? Yun’er is my disciple, which makes her my daughter. Are you seriously jealous of my daughter? Shameless.” Yaoguang looked at the male immortal with a dazzling smile.

“I don’t care…” the male immortal muttered.

“Hey, aren’t you embarrassed?” Yaoguang replied.

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“I don’t care…” the male immortal pouted, acting spoiled.

“All right, all right, we’ll comfort you together. Good boy, big sister loves you.” Yaoguang patted his head.

“Ugh, aren’t you being gross?” the male immortal said, looking disgusted.

“You asked me to comfort you…” Yaoguang pursed her lips.

“You two—go to the backyard if you’re going to show off,” Xuancheng snapped.

“You’re the dog here!” Tianyou retorted angrily.

“What are they even doing?” Jiang Yun asked, looking at Huo Mingkun in disbelief.

“It’s nothing, you’ll get used to it,” Huo Mingkun replied.

“Seriously…” Jiang Yun felt as if a flock of crows was flying overhead.

Before they even reached Leaf City, they received a call from Director Jia. “Phoenix, Jiang City has already sent a letter of gratitude. The bureau wants to hold a celebration for Celestial Sword.”

“Not going. I’m going home to sleep. Hanging up now.”

“How can you be like this…” Poor Director Jia…

A little over a month after returning to Leaf City, Yaoguang received a call from Li Zhitao: Zhao Xingkun had been sentenced to death. He had been invited by Wang Qing to attend the funeral of Zhang Fengchuan and Ma Yanran, and the wedding attire they had chosen was placed on their bodies. Wang Qing buried them together…