Volume Ten: Crossroads Chapter Four: Phantom of Midnight

“Miss, we’re here,” Yitian announced as he entered with the celestial spirits.

“Little girl, what’s on the agenda this time?” the old patriarch of the Mang family asked.

“Hehe, we’re going to be eyewitnesses. Here’s the plan: tonight at eleven thirty, we head to that intersection. You, celestial spirits, keep watch from above. Xuanchen, you’ll drive through the red light. My cousin and I will be pedestrians. Everyone wears invisible earpieces—watch the timing, we need to get this right. We’ll cross the street normally, you’ll barrel through the light and nearly hit us. All you spirits need to do is track where that shadow goes in that instant. I’m convinced the ghost is lurking close by; we’ll find its hiding spot. Is that clear?”

“Understood.”

“Master, what should we do?” Jiang Yun asked.

“You’ll take up positions in the flowerbeds around the intersection. I’m sure if our performance is convincing tonight, we’ll get results. Everyone get ready. We leave when it’s time,” Yaoguang instructed.

“No need for an array? Just surveillance?” the fox spirit asked.

“Exactly, just surveillance. This spirit is not ordinary—I’m worried it’ll sense a formation,” Yaoguang replied.

“Wait, Yaoyao, aren’t we just bait?” the King of the Underworld complained.

“That’s right, it’s something we do often,” Yaoguang replied.

“But why?” the Underworld King was puzzled.

“The Special Sword Heaven Detective Task Force exists to handle cases that defy logic. To find clues, sometimes you have to cater to the target’s habits—even make yourself bait. Keep in mind, we’re dealing with a spirit: invisible, untouchable, and elusive. How else could we catch it? We have to lure it out,” Yaoguang explained.

“Alright then,” the Underworld King rolled her eyes.

At 11:15 p.m., everything was ready.

At 11:25, Yaoguang and the Underworld King strolled toward the intersection of Xiling Street and Xiyang Street, chatting and laughing as they went.

“Yaoyao, let’s not come out this late next time. I’m so sleepy,” the Underworld King yawned.

“You’re the one who wanted to play mahjong! Don’t blame me,” Yaoguang teased.

“I’m exhausted,” the Underworld King yawned again.

“Alright, alright, just one more block and we’re home,” Yaoguang said. As they reached the intersection, “Green light, let’s go—hey, watch where you’re walking!”

But before they could cross halfway, dazzling headlights suddenly blinded them.

“A car—!” the Underworld King yelled, but it was too late. The car was nearly upon them.

In that instant, a force from behind shoved them both backward.

The car sped through, missing them by a hair’s breadth.

“Yaoyao, are you okay?” The Underworld King scrambled up. “Thank—wait, where is everyone?”

“I’m fine, but who saved us?” Yaoguang got to her feet, looking around. No one was there.

“I have no idea.” The Underworld King stared at Yaoguang, both their lips barely hiding a smile. Their act had to continue.

“Hey, why did that car stop there?” Yaoguang pointed to the car idling in the middle of the street.

“Let’s go, we almost got run down!” The Underworld King, fuming, dragged Yaoguang over and pounded on the window. “What’s wrong with you? Get out of the car!”

“Sorry, ladies, I wasn’t paying attention to the light,” Xuanchen apologized as he got out with a sheepish smile.

“Were you trying to kill us?” the Underworld King pressed.

“My apologies, I’m so sorry,” Xuanchen kept apologizing.

“Forget it, no harm done. Go on your way,” the Underworld King waved him off.

“I’d love to, but my car just stalled and won’t start,” Xuanchen said.

“Is it broken? Let me try,” Yaoguang offered, trying the ignition. The engine roared to life. “See? It’s fine now. Be more careful next time.”

“Thank you, ladies. Can I give you a ride?” Xuanchen asked.

“No need,” the Underworld King said, pulling Yaoguang away as Xuanchen drove off.

After walking a bit further, Xuanchen’s car rolled up in front of them again. Yaoguang got in.

“Well done. Let’s go home,” Yaoguang smiled.

Back at the police station—

“Did you see anything, old spirit?” Yaoguang asked.

“There was definitely something,” the Python Spirit said. “The moment you were about to be hit, I saw a figure in black pull you both back.”

“Right after that, the shadow flashed to Xuanchen’s car, and the car stopped there,” the Yellow Spirit added.

“Could you see where it came from?” Yaoguang asked.

“Not where it appeared, but I did see where it vanished,” the Fox Spirit replied.

“Where?” the Underworld King asked.

“Right in the middle of the intersection—at the manhole cover. That’s where the shadow disappeared,” the Male Spirit answered.

“It came out of the manhole, too—I saw it,” Huo Mingkun added.

“The manhole at the intersection?” Yaoguang was startled. “Alright, tomorrow morning we’ll check inside. Let’s rest for now.”

The next morning at seven thirty, everyone gathered at the intersection. Sure enough, there was a manhole cover.

Prying it open, Xuanchen and Tianyou donned waterproof suits and descended. Soon, the two of them called up, “Phoenix, tell Lele to come down—we’ve found a skeleton, likely male.”

Yaoguang was shocked. She turned to the Underworld King, “Wait up here. I’m going down.”

“I’m coming too,” said the Underworld King.

“It’s filthy down there, why bother?” Yaoguang protested.

“You’re afraid of rats, but you’re going anyway. Enough talk—the spirit is down there, too. You won’t regret taking me,” the Underworld King winked.

“Fine, let’s go.” Yaoguang helped her into protective gear, and together they climbed down.

“The smell…” The Underworld King almost broke down.

“The sewers are the darkest corner of any city,” Yaoguang said with a wry smile.

“Phoenix, the skeleton’s over there…” Xuanchen pointed to a grate clogged with garbage. The corpse was half-reclined, swarmed by flies.

Lele went ahead and examined the remains. “It’s nearly skeletal. The clothes are rotted.”

Yaoguang approached. A rat darted past, making her scream.

“A mighty goddess, afraid of rats—unbelievable,” Xuanchen teased.

“Phoenix, this man was dragged here after death. There are bloodstains leading from the manhole to the body. I’ll try to collect some samples,” the forensics officer said.

“Go ahead,” Yaoguang nodded.

“Don’t be afraid, we’re here to help you,” Huo Mingkun called out from nearby, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Hm? What’s going on?” Yaoguang and the Underworld King exchanged glances and walked over, where they saw the ghost of a man in black, glaring at them warily.

“Don’t be afraid, we’re here for you. Please, trust us,” Huo Mingkun said gently.

“Who are you? I’m not leaving,” the ghost said in a hollow voice.

“You shouldn’t linger here. Your body should rest in the earth, and your soul should find peace,” Yaoguang said softly.

“No… go away,” the ghost replied, dark resentment swirling around him.

“Let me try,” the Underworld King said, stepping forward. “Look at me—do you recognize me?” A blue light flickered in her eyes.

The ghost stared, stunned, then suddenly knelt down. The Underworld King quickly gestured for silence. While everyone else’s attention was on the ghost, only Yaoguang, who had been watching her closely, caught the subtle signal.

“Get up, don’t be afraid. You trust me, right? Then come with us. You died unjustly, but we’re here to help. Let’s leave this place, I promise I’ll take good care of you. Is that alright?” the Underworld King said sincerely.

“I trust you. Her too,” the ghost said, pointing at Yaoguang. “I’ll go with you. It’s so dark here—I’m scared.”

“Don’t be afraid. We’ll take you somewhere bright,” the Underworld King assured him. “I know you trust me, but why do you trust her too?”

The ghost nodded. “She carries light,” he said, gazing at Yaoguang.

“Yaoyao, how do we get him out? It’s broad daylight,” the Underworld King asked, troubled.

“That’s easy,” Yaoguang replied, producing a thin cloak with a wave of her hand. “Wear this, and we’ll take you out.”

The ghost draped the cloak over himself and followed behind Yaoguang and the Underworld King.

Huo Mingkun looked at Xuanchen in confusion, as if to ask, “Wait, our big cousin can see ghosts too?!”

Xuanchen shook his head, utterly bewildered: he had no idea either.