Chapter 59: The Evil Blade

　　The bedroom was neater than expected.

　　The furniture was all in its proper place, with no signs of a struggle.

　　If it weren't for the blood-soaked pillow and mattress on the bed, one would hardly realize that a brutal murder had taken place in this room.

　　"The police said that the boss's wife and children were decapitated while they were sleeping. Their heads were neatly arranged outside by the boss, while their bodies were still lying in bed."

　　Hu Zǐ averted his gaze, not knowing whether it was out of pity or fear.

　　"The murder happened in the bedroom, so the evil object should be in the bedroom as well. Once we find it, we'll leave." Lù Fēi looked around and his gaze fell on an antique shelf by the wall.

　　Mr. Liáng, who deals in antiques, is also an antique enthusiast himself. The shelf was filled with many genuine pieces.

　　But there was no knife on it.

　　The two of them searched the bedroom separately, checking cabinets, drawers, even under the bed and table, practically turning the room upside down, but they found no knives.

　　They then went to search other rooms.

　　The children's room, the storage room, the kitchen, the bathroom.

　　Every place was searched, but they still could not find the yin-infused knife.

　　"This is strange! Could it have been taken away by the police as evidence from the scene?" Hu Zǐ stared blankly, scratching his head and guessing.

　　Lù Fēi, pondering, said, "Perhaps that knife isn't an ordinary one. It seems we need to meet Mr. Liáng. He is the one who acquired this item and knows best what it is and where it is placed."

　　"Okay, I'll make the contact. I still have the police number here," Hu Zi said.

　　The two of them left Duo Bao Xuan.

　　Even though it was broad daylight, staying in a haunted house for so long still made them feel uncomfortable.

　　After coming out, Hu Zi immediately made a phone call.

　　Boss Liang is now being held in detention, and a visit would require advance notice. No matter how much he pleaded, the earliest they could arrange a visit was tomorrow.

　　The next day, when the time came, the two of them brought some items and went over.

　　After their belongings were inspected, they finally saw Boss Liang.

　　Lu Fei almost didn't recognize him.

　　Boss Liang was in his forties, in the prime of his life, and originally a robust middle-aged man with a ruddy complexion.

　　Now, his hair was completely white, and he had lost a significant amount of weight, his entire demeanor drained, looking haggard and aged as if he was already in his sixties.

　　He was handcuffed, his face a picture of resigned despair.

　　"Boss, Boss Liang."

　　Huzi called out to him, took out a cigarette, lit it, and handed it to him.

　　A flicker of light appeared in his eyes, and a complex emotion spread across his aged face. In a hoarse voice, he said, "So there's still someone who came to see me."

　　"Boss Liang, what exactly happened? Did you encounter something foul?" Huzi asked sympathetically, "This is Manager Lu from Sinisterium Pawnshop. If it's something foul, he can help you solve it."

　　Boss Liang looked up at Lu Fei, somewhat surprised, but then weakly said, "It's no use. My wife and children are gone... They all say I killed them. Do I even deserve to live in this world anymore..."

　　"Boss Liang, don't say that. If it's something foul that caused this, it's not entirely your fault. We need to find out the truth, so that your wife can rest in peace," Huzi advised.

　　Boss Liang shook his head in agony: "No one believes me. Even I don't believe myself anymore. Huzi, Manager Lu, thank you for coming to see me..."

　　"Boss Liang, first take a look at this." Lu Fei took out a piece of yellow paper and placed it in front of Boss Liang.

　　"What is it?"

　　Boss Liang lowered his head and saw the four bloody words, instantly shuddering all over as his downcast eyes suddenly widened.

　　"This, this is my wife's handwriting?!" His lips were trembling.

　　Lu Fei nodded: "That's right."

　　"When did she write this? Is that blood on it? How did you get her writing?" Boss Liang was very agitated, stammering incoherently.

　　"You may not believe it, but last night she came to Sinisterium Pawnshop and tried to pawn something to me."

　　"Last night, how is that possible? She clearly has already..."

　　Boss Liang suddenly stood up, drawing the attention of the police.

　　"Boss Liang, calm down first, sit down and speak slowly," Lu Fei said calmly.

　　Huzi also nodded to Boss Liang.

　　Boss Liang sat down, but his chest was still heaving violently; no one could remain calm after hearing such news.

　　He picked up the cigarette Hu Zi had lit and took a few deep puffs.

　　"What do you want, exactly?"

　　"Boss Liang, we want to help you. We really saw the boss lady last night; I saw these words written with my own eyes." Hu Zi seriously recounted what had happened that night.

　　After listening, Boss Liang was stunned, his eyes turning red: "Her soul, it's still in Duobao Hall?"

　　"A spirit lingers in the mortal world usually because of an unresolved obsession," Lu Fei said in a low voice. "People who die violently often harbor grievances. She wants to pawn the knife to Sinisterium Pawnshop, perhaps because that knife has harmed you all."

　　"The knife?" Boss Liang was greatly shaken, his aged body swaying as if he couldn't accept it, "Was it really that knife? Did I really bring this upon my whole family?"

　　From his reaction, Lu Fei knew he had guessed correctly.

　　In an instant, he seemed to have aged even more, his loose skin trembling, wanting to cry but unable to shed a tear.

　　"Boss Liang, if it's something tainted, then it's not entirely your fault. Where is that knife? You should tell Lu Fei, and once he takes it, the boss lady can be set free," Hu Zi advised, unable to bear seeing his pain.

　　Boss Liang covered his face, his shoulders shaking, completely overwhelmed by guilt, unable to utter a single word.

　　Lu Fei sighed, "Boss Liang, the incident has already happened. Blaming yourself won't help. We should do something to make amends, even if it's just a little. At least, we should let the mother and son rest in peace, right?"

　　These words woke Boss Liang up.

　　He clenched his fists, supporting himself as he lifted his head, his eyes red and swollen, saying, "Manager Lu, I've heard of your Sinisterium Pawnshop, which specializes in the trade of evil artifacts."

　　"Yes."

　　"Then you must have heard of the Ghosthead Sword."

　　"The Ghosthead Sword?" Lu Fei was slightly startled, "The sword used by executioners in ancient times for beheading? Such a sword carries a heavy toll of blood, and ordinary people simply can't suppress its malevolent energy."

　　"I thought I could handle it," Boss Liang forced a smile that looked worse than crying.

　　"Last month, I heard that a rich tycoon was offering a high price for a Ghosthead Sword. The price offered was enough for me to live on for five years."

　　"I asked around everywhere, and finally found one at a peasant's house in the countryside."

　　"The sword was hanging on the earthen wall of the peasant's house. I recognized it at first sight. These swords are all heavy, and because they have beheaded many people, they carry a chilling aura even when the blade is rusty."

　　"That farmer didn't know the value of the knife. He just said it was passed down from his ancestors and was kept to protect the house. I didn't spend much money and acquired the ghost-head saber."

　　"I thought I could make a fortune, but I ended up with a broken family!"