At the first glimmer of dawn, the eastern sky had just begun to pale. In the back courtyard of the Ye Family's old residence, a figure darted and wheeled like a swimming dragon. Saber light spilled like silver water, tracing brilliant arcs through the darkness before sunrise.
Mountain-Crushing Saber Technique, Sixth Form—Oblivion!
Ye Yun gave a low shout, and the long saber in his hand suddenly blazed with dazzling golden light. Wherever its edge passed, the air shrieked like splitting silk. Three zhang away, an old locust tree snapped in two, its severed surface smooth as a mirror. The saber's force continued unabated, plowing a furrow a foot deep into the ground and stretching all the way to the courtyard wall before finally stopping.
Whoosh—
Ye Yun slowly lowered his saber and exhaled a breath of stale air. After a night of rest and recovery, not only had the hidden injuries he sustained fighting the strange creature yesterday completely healed, but his cultivation had advanced to the middle stage of Seventh Rank. At that moment, Essence Qi surged through him like a mighty river, and every inch of his muscles brimmed with explosive strength.
So this was the true power of the Mountain-Crushing Saber Technique... Ye Yun gazed at the pale golden aura flowing along the blade, his heart filled with emotion. In the past, his cultivation had held him back, and his family's saber technique had been little more than an empty shell. Now that he could release Seventh Rank saber aura, the six forms had finally come into their own.
The morning breeze brushed past, carrying the faint clamor of the distant market. Ye Yun sheathed his saber, but his gaze drifted involuntarily toward the Wang Mansion. The white-robed female ghost's bizarre methods from yesterday were still vivid in his mind—shifting between real and unreal, its yin energy corroding the body. Ordinary warriors truly had little chance against it.
Unless he could find a way to counter the evil yin... Ye Yun furrowed his brow, then suddenly thought of something crucial: how had the Wang Family sealed that female ghost all those years ago?
As soon as the thought came to him, everything suddenly became clear. Thirty years ago, the Wang Family had been able to hire someone to suppress the ghost. They must either have possessed a magical artifact that countered evil yin, or hired a Technique Cultivator who specialized in dealing with ghosts. Either way, there might be clues left behind.
He had to investigate the Wang Family's old residence again. Ye Yun made up his mind, then shook his head. He should go to the county yamen first.
The morning mist still hung over the county yamen courtyard. The constables on duty had gathered in twos and threes. At this hour, the courtyard was usually filled with boisterous joking and banter, but today it was strangely quiet. A dozen constables who had taken part in yesterday's operation at the Wang Mansion stood in a circle, their faces still marked by lingering fear.
That female ghost's claws were this long! A round-faced constable gestured as he spoke, his voice trembling. One swipe, and the bluestone slabs split like tofu...
Oh, give it a rest, Fatty Zhang. You were hiding in the very back. What the hell could you have seen? someone nearby scoffed, though he couldn't help shrinking his neck.
Yan Xiao Liu leaned against a corridor pillar, idly sharpening his saber. He looked careless, but his ears were pricked up as he listened to every word. When someone questioned Ye Yun's strength, his hand paused for the briefest moment, then continued its work—because he had spotted that familiar figure walking in through the main gate.
Brother Ye is here! Fatty Zhang had a sharp eye. He was the first to rush over, his round face beaming with an ingratiating smile.
The courtyard fell silent. Every eye turned toward Ye Yun. The constables who had gone with him yesterday straightened in unison, their gazes full of awe. The others, who knew nothing of what had happened, looked puzzled. They couldn't understand why everyone was treating the usually low-key Ye Yun with such respect.
Well, well, Constable Ye, aren't you putting on airs? Last one to show up for duty. A sharp-faced constable sneered. Or were you out enjoying yourself at some brothel last night?
Shut your mouth! Fatty Zhang spun around, his cheeks trembling. You think you can run your mouth about Brother Ye? If he and Sixth Brother hadn't fought the female ghost yesterday, we'd all have died at the Wang Mansion!
The constable gaped, caught off guard. Before he could recover, the dozen brothers who had gone yesterday stepped in behind Ye Yun as one, glaring at him with hostility.
I... I was only joking... The sharp-faced constable sheepishly retreated a couple of steps.
Fatty Zhang ignored him, turned back, and asked cautiously, "Brother Ye, you... you're an accomplished warrior too, right? Watching you fight yesterday, you were even fiercer than Sixth Brother!"
The question fell, and the courtyard went so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Ye Yun's answer. Yan Xiao Liu stopped sharpening his saber, too, and discreetly signaled Ye Yun with his eyes.
Ye Yun looked around at them, knowing there was no point in hiding it anymore. He smiled slightly and said casually, "I was lucky enough to break through."
Hiss—
A chorus of sharp inhalations rang out across the courtyard. A Ninth Rank warrior counted as a master in a small place like Chun'an County. Even Head Constable Chen Qingzhou had only been a Ninth Rank warrior before. Now, one after another, warriors had emerged from the county yamen: first Yan Xiao Liu, then Ye Yun.
I knew it! Fatty Zhang's face flushed with excitement. That female ghost's claws were almost at my heart yesterday, but Brother Ye swept in with one slash and saved my life!
The other constables chimed in, describing the dangers of the previous day and praising Ye Yun as if he had descended from the heavens. Ye Yun showed nothing on his face, but inwardly he remained on guard—such a public display might attract unwanted attention.
That's enough. Yan Xiao Liu cut off the praise at the right moment and came over, speaking in a low voice. "Brother Ye, what should we do about that strange creature? If we don't deal with it soon, the whole of Chun'an County may be in turmoil."
Ye Yun nodded and was about to speak when a commotion suddenly arose from the direction of the county hall. County Commandant Zhang strode over, accompanied by a middle-aged man in brocade robes, with several clerks who looked like secretaries following behind.
"What are you all doing here?!" County Commandant Zhang barked. "Get back to your posts!"
The constables scattered like startled birds. Ye Yun was about to leave when the man in brocade robes called out to him. "You. Are you Ye Yun?"
Ye Yun turned and cupped his hands in greeting. "That's right, sir. May I ask who you are...?"
"This is Prefect Zhou, from the prefectural government," County Commandant Zhang introduced him, his tone carrying a hint of flattery. "He's come especially to investigate the strange case at the Wang Mansion."
Prefect Zhou was around forty, with a fair, clean-shaven face and narrow eyes that gleamed with shrewdness. He looked Ye Yun up and down, then suddenly asked, "I hear you've entered the ranks of accomplished warriors?"
"I was fortunate enough to break through to Ninth Rank," Ye Yun answered neither servilely nor arrogantly.
"Good, very good." Prefect Zhou clapped his hands and smiled. "I need talented people like you." He took a scroll of official documents from his sleeve. "The haunting at the Wang Mansion has alarmed the prefectural government. The provincial governor has ordered me to handle the matter in full. Starting today, you will assist me with the investigation."
Ye Yun accepted the documents, but a trace of suspicion stirred in his heart. The prefectural government's response had been far too quick. The case had only happened yesterday, and they had already sent someone this morning? Besides, there was a faintly chilling aura about Prefect Zhou, strangely similar to the female ghost's...
"This subordinate accepts the order." Ye Yun answered respectfully on the surface, but inwardly he was already on full alert.
Prefect Zhou nodded in satisfaction, then said to County Commandant Zhang, "I need to consult the Chun'an County Annals, especially the records of the Wang Family massacre thirty years ago."
"I'll have them prepared right away." County Commandant Zhang hurriedly agreed and left.
Once everyone had dispersed, Yan Xiao Liu moved close to Ye Yun and said quietly, "Prefect Zhou's arrival is suspicious. Something about him doesn't sit right with me."
Ye Yun gave a slight nod. "Look into his background. Remember, don't alert him."
"Understood." Yan Xiao Liu nodded, then added as if something had just occurred to him, "By the way, Head Chen is awake. He said he wants to see you."
In a side room in the county yamen's rear courtyard, Chen Qingzhou was propped halfway up in bed, his face still pale. When Ye Yun entered, he struggled to sit up, but Ye Yun quickly stepped forward and held him down.
"Head Chen, don't move. Watch your wound."
Chen Qingzhou shook his head and gave a bitter smile. "Brother Ye, I can't call you that anymore." He looked directly at Ye Yun. "If you hadn't stepped in yesterday, I and the rest of the brothers would have died."
Ye Yun remained impassive. "You give me too much credit, Head Chen. It was that mysterious hero..."
"Enough." Chen Qingzhou waved a hand. "I may be badly injured, but I'm not blind. The way you wielded that saber was exactly like Commander Ye's back in the day."
Ye Yun's heart jolted. Chen Qingzhou had recognized the Ye Family's secret saber technique!
Seeing Ye Yun fall silent, Chen Qingzhou sighed. "Fifteen years ago, I served as a personal guard under your grandfather. Later, I retired due to an injury and became a constable here in Chun'an County." A look of remembrance crossed his eyes. "Commander Ye treated me with great kindness. I never expected..."
Before he could finish, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. Yan Xiao Liu rushed in, his face deathly pale. "This is bad! Prefect Zhou took some people to the Wang Mansion. He said he was going to perform a ritual to send the souls on..."
Ye Yun sprang to his feet. "When did this happen?"
"Just now!" Yan Xiao Liu said urgently. "He brought four men in black robes. They looked downright sinister. I overheard them saying they were going to set up an altar and perform a ritual at noon..."
Chen Qingzhou forced himself upright. "The yang energy is strongest at noon. In theory, that's the wrong time to send souls on... unless..."
"Unless they're not sending the ghost on—they're releasing her!" A cold gleam blazed in Ye Yun's eyes as he instantly understood. The yin energy around Prefect Zhou, the sudden order from the prefectural government, and his unusual interest in the Wang Family case records... It all pointed to a terrifying conclusion!
"Xiao Liu, stay here and look after Head Chen." Ye Yun turned and strode out, speaking rapidly. "I'm going to the Wang Mansion. If I haven't returned in two hours, take the brothers and leave Chun'an County at once!"
"Brother Ye!" Yan Xiao Liu shouted anxiously. "There's clearly something wrong with Prefect Zhou. It's too dangerous for you to go alone!"
Ye Yun stopped in the doorway and looked back with a confident smile. "Don't worry. A Seventh Rank warrior won't die that easily."
Before the words had faded, he shot out of the county yamen like an arrow loosed from a bow, leaving Yan Xiao Liu staring in stunned silence and Chen Qingzhou with a knowing look on his face.
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