Dongfang Yan missed the morning court session because he was bathing and was reprimanded by the Emperor.
In the evening, he drank late into the night with several newly won-over court officials and returned to his residence exhausted after midnight.
No sooner had he stepped through the gate than a servant came to report: Princess Qing An was in trouble!
When he rushed anxiously to the rear garden, he saw Princess Qing An desperately trying to charge into the lake, held back only by five or six guards pulling her away.
Thinking she was throwing a tantrum over being confined, Dongfang Yan shouted, “Qing An, what nonsense are you up to? Come over here at once!”
Princess Qing An paused and turned her gaze eerily toward Dongfang Yan.
Though she still looked like Qing An, the smile on her face was peculiarly sinister.
She sneered, “It’s so cold in the lake. My body has rotted from soaking. Come down and keep me company. I’m really so cold…”
Her voice carried an indescribable chill.
Dongfang Yan sensed something was wrong—that wasn’t Qing An’s voice!
“Someone, go to the Xuanjing Office and summon the Demon Discernment Envoy!”
The Xuanjing Office was established ten years ago to monitor unnatural energies in the world and exorcise demonic disturbances among humans.
The Demon Discernment Envoy was the chief official of the Xuanjing Office, holding a fifth-rank position.
Most of their subordinates were talented individuals recruited from the common folk, skilled in the ways of yin and yang and capturing evil spirits.
In less than half an hour, a fair-skinned, long-bearded man in his thirties hurried over with several subordinates.
This was Xie Shouzheng, the second-in-command of the Xuanjing Office and a fifth-rank Demon Discernment Envoy.
Before Xie Shouzheng even got close, his boisterous voice rang out: “Where’s the evil spirit? Daring to cause trouble right under the Son of Heaven’s nose—do they think the Xuanjing Office is full of shit?”
Hearing this crude shouting from afar, Dongfang Yan couldn’t help but frown:
He had long heard that the Xuanjing Office was staffed by rough characters from the jianghu, lacking in manners and decorum. Since they dealt with dark affairs, nobles and respectable officials avoided interacting with them unless necessary.
But today, with a matter requiring their help, Dongfang Yan had to be polite.
“Thank you for rushing here so late at night, Lord Xie. My sister, Princess Qing An, has suddenly changed as if she’s become a different person, desperately trying to jump into the lake, and her strength has grown immense. I suspect she’s possessed by an evil spirit.”
“Your Highness, do not panic. Allow this humble official to investigate.”
At the lakeside, they saw Princess Qing An, disheveled and tied to a pillar in the pavilion to prevent her from jumping into the lake again.
She struggled violently, her wrists and ankles bleeding from the ropes, yet she seemed unaware, only roaring incessantly. She bore no resemblance to a human, appearing more like a trapped beast.
Xie Shouzheng took one look and understood: “It’s indeed possession by an evil spirit, and the resentment is quite strong.”
Dongfang Yan hurriedly asked, “What should we do?”
“No problem, no problem. Your Highness, step back and watch closely.” He stretched out his hand and called, “Where is this official’s Blood Thorns Whip?”
A subordinate promptly handed over a whip that was crimson all over.
Xie Shouzheng took the whip and cracked it through the air with a deafening “crack.”
Dongfang Yan’s expression changed: “Lord Xie, what are you doing?”
“Exorcising the evil, of course,” Xie Shouzheng replied, as if the question were unnecessary. “Your Highness, please step aside and don’t block the way.”
Dongfang Yan asked, “You’re not planning to whip my sister with that, are you?”
Xie Shouzheng raised the whip and said, “This is no ordinary whip—it specifically strikes evil spirits. Let this humble official whip her a few times, and the evil spirit will leave the Princess’s body.”
Dongfang Yan asked uneasily, “But will it injure her?”
Xie Shouzheng said, “There will inevitably be some injury.”
Dongfang Yan said, “How can that be? Change the method!”
“Can’t change it, only this method works. Your Highness, do you perhaps not trust this official? If you don’t trust this official, then I won’t handle this matter anymore. Dragged out of my home in the middle of the night by your men—do you think it’s easy for me?”
He kept chattering and truly put away his whip, preparing to go home.
Dongfang Yan had no choice but to say, “This prince believes you, but my sister has a delicate constitution. I must ask Lord Xie to show mercy.”
“Don’t worry, just a few lashes—it won’t kill her.”
“Princess, this official must offend you.”
Despite his polite words, the whip he swung showed no mercy.
Princess Qing An immediately let out a miserable scream, a bloody whip mark appearing on her body.
Dongfang Yan’s heart ached at the sight, yet he could do nothing to stop it.
Xie Shouzheng lashed one whip after another, scolding as he struck: “One lash on the hand, for your poisonous hands. Two lashes on the heart, for your cruel heart. Three lashes on your soul—reflect on your wrongs and harm no more…”
Dongfang Yan frowned as he listened nearby: “Lord Xie, you wouldn’t happen to hold a grudge against my sister, would you?”
Xie Shouzheng hurriedly explained, “Your Highness must not misunderstand! This official is striking the evil entity attached to the princess, not targeting the princess herself!”
“See now—hasn’t the princess quieted down?”
Princess Qing An had indeed stopped struggling and screaming, but she was now barely breathing.
Xie Shouzheng handed the whip to his subordinate, then took out a gourd. Removing the seal from its mouth, he chanted, “Enter my treasure gourd, be ferried to rebirth—come, come, come—”
“Eh, unwilling to come? Why so stubborn? You’re already dead—why cling and cause trouble?”
“Enter my treasure gourd, be ferried to rebirth—come, come, come—”
“Come, come, come—”
After several attempts, Xie Shouzheng helplessly told Dongfang Yan, “Your Highness, that evil entity is deeply attached and filled with resentment. This official cannot summon it for the time being.”
Dongfang Yan asked, “What should be done then? Surely Lord Xie isn’t powerless against a mere spirit?”
Xie Shouzheng replied, “This is no ordinary spirit—it has already transformed into a ‘Li’. Perhaps this official should perform a ritual to inquire what grievance it holds with the princess and why its attachment remains unbroken. If we can properly guide it to transcendence…”
“An evil entity that harms people needs no transcendence! I want it shattered—shattered into nothingness!” Princess Qing An, having regained some consciousness, roared loudly.
Xie Shouzheng said, “Even an evil entity was once human. Casually dispersing it violates natural harmony and is the worst course of action.”
Princess Qing An turned tearfully to Dongfang Yan, pleading, “Brother, it has tormented me so. I don’t care—I want it shattered, never to be reborn!”
Dongfang Yan declared to Xie Shouzheng, “Did you hear the princess? Whether human or ghost, whoever dares harm my sister—I’ll ensure it can’t even descend to hell!”
The next moment, a sinister wind carrying withered leaves violently rushed at Princess Qing An. Her face contorted fiercely once more as she let out a skyward roar. With a “Bang!”, the ropes binding her snapped entirely.
Xie Shouzheng’s face paled drastically: “Disaster—it’s transforming into a Sha!”
When a person dies, their spirit remains—newly deceased souls are wandering spirits. Deep attachments create “ghosts,” and after mutation, they are called “ferocious Li.” Above ferocious Li lies “Sha.”
Though a “Li” is fierce, it retains some humanity.
A “Sha,” however, loses all humanity entirely, and its power surges wildly, attacking any visible person indiscriminately.
Apart from strong obsessions and resentment, turning into a Sha requires certain triggers, making it relatively rare.
No one knew why it had happened tonight.
Xie Shouzheng was also troubled, but he had no choice but to press on.
As soon as he swung his whip, Qing An Junzhu grabbed the tip and, with a forceful throw, sent Xie Shouzheng flying.
Xie Shouzheng sprang up like a carp, rummaging through his sleeve while cursing, “Damn it all! I kept saying we should resolve this peacefully, and now we’ve forced her into becoming a Sha! Ah, I’m going to be the death of you all!”
Qing An Junzhu struck out with several swift palm strikes, sending over a dozen palace guards flying, then lunged at Dongfang Yan.
Though Dongfang Yan was skilled in martial arts, before he could even execute a move, Qing An Junzhu seized him by the throat, lifting him as effortlessly as a chick.
“Die, all of you! Die!” Qing An Junzhu roared, her eyes bloodshot, sharp fangs protruding from her mouth, her face twisted into a terrifying visage. She was clearly possessed by the Sha.
“Qing An, snap out of it… Lord Xie, save… save me…”
Xie Shouzheng was still fumbling through his sleeve, muttering, “Where’s my Demon Subduing Hammer? Did I forget to bring it? Ah, Your Highness, hold on a little longer. I’m looking for the hammer, where is it… Ah, found it!”
He pulled out a hammer the size of a fist, his expression turning stern as he shouted, “Evil spirit, prepare to die!”
The hammer descended with thunderous force, and half of Qing An Junzhu’s body instantly burst into flames.
She let out a piercing shriek—”Aoww!”—released Dongfang Yan, and frantically tried to extinguish the flames on her body.
Dongfang Yan shouted, “Do not harm my sister!”
Xie Shouzheng rushed over and kicked Qing An Junzhu into the lake, finally putting out the flames.
But she was now bobbing in the water, on the verge of drowning.
Dongfang Yan yelled, “Save the princess quickly!”
Xie Shouzheng, however, said, “Even in this state, the malevolent Sha refuses to leave the princess. I fear this will only end in death.”
Dongfang Yan asked, “What do you mean, ‘end in death’?”
“If we don’t eliminate the malevolent Sha, it will soon slaughter everyone in the palace. Better to sacrifice one to save the many.”
As soon as he finished speaking, his subordinates quickly formed ranks, drawing their bows and aiming at Qing An Junzhu in the lake.
Xie Shouzheng’s tone turned icy cold: “Although I am reluctant to see both jade and stone shattered, the Xuanjing Office is commissioned by the Emperor to protect the peace. In dire circumstances, we must…”
Before he could finish, Dongfang Yan drew his sword with a clang and pointed it at him: “No one is allowed to harm my sister!”
“Save her!” he ordered. “At any cost, bring the princess ashore!”
The palace guards, following the order, leaped into the lake one after another.
Qing An Junzhu had been struggling in the water, but as the rescuers approached, she suddenly reached out and pushed their heads underwater.
They were trying to save her, but Qing An Junzhu, possessed by the ferocious Sha, was intent on drowning them!
Meanwhile, Dongfang Yan, frantic about his sister’s safety and heedless of the guards’ lives, kept ordering more people to retrieve Qing An.
Xie Shouzheng grew furious: “Jin Wang, Dongfang Yan! Those guards are people too, born of parents! How can you sacrifice so many lives for one person?”
Dongfang Yan coldly replied, “People have their ranks and status. If their lives can be exchanged for my sister’s, I don’t care how many die!”
“You!” Xie Shouzheng was so enraged he was speechless, yet there was nothing he could do.
At that moment, a clear and melodious voice drifted over: “Though yin and yang stand apart, sincere devotion can bridge the gap. Three ethereal souls, seven wandering spirits, gather and return to consciousness, heed my command! Dongfang Qing An, come ashore at once!”
Lin Qingyue emerged from the darkness, her black dress as if woven from the night itself. As her sleeves fluttered, the dark golden feather butterflies embroidered on her skirt seemed almost alive.
The previously frenzied and ferocious Qing An Junzhu trembled upon hearing her voice and actually obeyed, crawling obediently out of the water.
The guards who had nearly drowned because of her narrowly escaped with their lives.
Drenched from head to toe, Qing An Junzhu walked to Lin Qingyue’s side, lowering her eyes and appearing exceptionally docile.
Xie Shouzheng was utterly astonished: “Sh-she actually listens to you? How did you manage that? Quick, subdue her properly—what if she goes berserk again later?”
Lin Qingyue replied, “No need for subduing. Once her lingering attachment is resolved, she can naturally be sent on her way.”
“But she’s already turned into Sha—how can her attachment be resolved? Unless…” Xie Shouzheng scrutinized Qing An Junzhu closely and suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “Her resentment has faded significantly! Has she reverted? How is that possible?”
In Xie Shouzheng’s understanding, any ghost that had transformed into Sha was like a living person who had breathed their last—beyond redemption.
“Who exactly are you? What did you do to restore her humanity?”
Could it really be just those few words she chanted earlier?
Lin Qingyue couldn’t be bothered to explain too much to him and instead turned to Dongfang Yan: “Her lingering attachment lies with you. Do you wish to know what it is?”
Dongfang Yan was full of suspicion: “Why would it be with me? And how do you know all this? Since you can stop this creature from harming people, why waste time?”
Lin Qingyue sighed softly: “Your Highness truly lacks any curiosity.”
“I indeed have no interest in the affairs of wandering spirits. But if my cooperation is necessary to save Qing An, I naturally won’t refuse.”
For some reason, Dongfang Yan found Lin Qingyue’s demeanor strangely unfamiliar.
“Such admirable disinterest.” Lin Qingyue lowered her head with a faint smile, then suddenly pulled a golden hairpin from her hair and stabbed it toward Dongfang Yan’s chest without warning.
Dongfang Yan, greatly alarmed, blocked hastily but still had the skin on his chest grazed by the pin. Crimson blood immediately welled up.
“Lin Qingyue, how dare you!”
Without another word, Lin Qingyue reversed her grip and plunged the hairpin into Qing An Junzhu’s chest.
“Lin Qingyue!” Dongfang Yan erupted in fury, drawing his sword against her.
Lin Qingyue stated calmly, “Just taking a bit of blood—it won’t kill anyone. Any further delay, and she’ll turn into Sha again.”
Sure enough, as her words fell, a savage expression once again surfaced on Qing An Junzhu’s face, and she snarled viciously at Dongfang Yan.
After collecting blood from both of them, Lin Qingyue asked Xie Shouzheng, “Do you have any blank talisman paper? Lend me some.”
“Yes, yes, yes!” Xie Shouzheng hurriedly pulled out several sheets of yellow paper and handed them to Lin Qingyue.
Using the blood on the golden hairpin, Lin Qingyue swiftly drew a talisman with a few strokes.
Then, tossing it into the air, she rapidly formed hand seals and shouted: “All past lives are but a fleeting dream. With blood as the guide, Dream Tracing Shadow Return!”
In an instant, everything around them rippled like reflections in water. After a few tremors, the surroundings suddenly transformed into a long bluestone street lined with brilliant lanterns and crowded with people.
It appeared to be a Lantern Festival celebration.
“Where is this place?” Dongfang Yan felt it looked somewhat familiar.
Lin Qingyue’s voice drifted over leisurely: “Your Highness, do not panic. This is a recollection of Princess Qing An’s past memories.”
“Dream Tracing Shadow Return” was a unique skill created by Immortal Lord Qing Yue during his idle moments in the World of Cultivation.
It allows one to immerse themselves and witness another person’s memories as if they were there.