Chapter 29: The Left Eye That Can See the Past?

"This is nothing more than your conjecture."
Iron Mask shook his head, not fully agreeing with Xu Ye's statement.

"It is indeed my conjecture."
Xu Ye smiled.

Of course, it was not merely a conjecture. Years of experience investigating cases had allowed him to sense the atmosphere of a murder scene the moment he stepped into the courtyard.
Moreover, he had found evidence among the wounds on the corpses that substantiated his suspicions.
But now was clearly not the time to explain, and Iron Mask was not the one who could make decisions regarding the case, so Xu Ye chose to remain silent for the time being.

Bang!
At that moment, Iron Mask, who had already walked to the door, attempted to push it open through the landscape painting hanging there, but was bounced back by an invisible force.

"This scholar is truly despicable. Not only did he flee in the face of danger, he even used the Kunshan Scroll to completely seal off this room!"
Iron Mask snorted angrily.

Not only Iron Mask, but Xu Ye also felt a surge of anger towards the scholar's actions.

"Iron Mask, the vengeful ghost's strike did not hit any vital spots. Brother Fox's life should be safe."
Meanwhile, not far away, Lin Buyu finished treating Fox's wounds and stood up.

"Thank you, Miss Buyu."
Upon hearing this, the perpetually grim and tense expression on Iron Mask's face relaxed, revealing a look of happiness.
Though he had been tricked by Fox this time, he had been raised by Fox's mother since childhood. If anything happened to Fox, he would have no way to explain it to his aunt.

Xu Ye glanced at Fox on the ground, noticing that half his body was wrapped in white silk covered with seal script. What was remarkable was that the silk showed not a single trace of blood. He wondered inwardly:

"It seems this white silk must be some sacred artifact for healing injuries. To be able to control such a severe wound with such simple means— in some sense, the medical technology of this world is far more advanced than that of my own."

"So this is the girl possessed by the vengeful ghost. She is rather lovely, what a pity."
As Lin Buyu passed by the corpse possessed by the ghost, she squatted down, curiosity shining in her eyes. Upon seeing the face clearly, a look of pity appeared on her face.

Since it was certain the ghost had been slain, Iron Mask did not stop Lin Buyu from examining the body; after all, the corpse would soon be sent to the Sanctum of Medicine.

Xu Ye was also curious about the appearance of the girl possessed by the ghost, so he walked over.

"Eh? It seems the ghost's corpse is holding something in its hand."
Just as he stepped forward, he heard Lin Buyu exclaim.

"Miss Buyu, don't touch anything yet."
Upon hearing this, both Xu Ye and Iron Mask quickened their pace.

"Ah!!..."
Before they could reach her, the corpse suddenly opened its eyes wide and emitted a chilling, bloodcurdling scream.

---

Once again, the ghostly mist born of resentment poured from her mouth, and her arm reached out to strangle Lin Buyu.

Slap!
At the critical moment, Xu Ye stepped forward, pulling Lin Buyu up with one hand while his other hand clenched into a fist, gathering strength and swinging at the ghost.

Boom!
Perhaps sensing his desire to save her, the righteous energy within his martial courage surged forth as he punched, enveloping his arm and fist so that it looked like a giant hammer striking the ghost with tremendous force.

Bang!
With a thunderous crash, the ghost's body was sent flying, slamming into the wall and falling silent.

"That was close..."
Though the punch appeared swift and clean, it had been extremely dangerous. Xu Ye clearly felt the ghost's fingernails brush against the bandage over his left eye. Had he been a moment slower, his face would have been torn open.

"Phew... Thankfully, Brother Xu Ye, you reacted in time."
Iron Mask, who had also rushed to help, breathed a sigh of relief.
If Lin Buyu had died here, not only would any hope of promotion to Wuchang vanish, he might not even be able to keep his position as a ghost messenger.

"Looks like you owe me another favor, Miss Buyu."
Xu Ye looked down at the still-shaken Lin Buyu and teased her with a smile.

"I... I have a token of innocence, I don't need your help."
Lin Buyu was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly pulled her arm from Xu Ye's grasp.

"Brother Xu Ye, if I hadn't brought you into the job myself, I'd almost suspect you'd worked for the Ghost Suppression Bureau before."
Iron Mask regarded Xu Ye with surprise.

"Iron Mask, don't joke. My background is perfectly clear to the Bureau."
Xu Ye stretched lazily and responded with a carefree smile.

"That's true."
Iron Mask nodded, smiling.
Because of the tragedy at the Xu residence, Xu Ye's background had been thoroughly investigated by the Bureau; there were no secrets left.

"Iron Mask, what happened just now?" Xu Ye pointed to the remains of the vengeful ghost. "How did it come back to life?"

"It wasn't a resurrection; there was a lingering resentment in the woman's body that caused a false revival."
Iron Mask pondered briefly, squatting to examine the corpse as he spoke.

"Miss Buyu, was it this object you saw?"
He pulled a tattered piece of cloth from the woman's hand.

"Yes, that's the one."

---

Lin Buyu nodded hurriedly.

"Iron Mask, let me take a look."
Xu Ye reached out to him.

"It must have been torn from someone she killed, purely by accident."
Iron Mask handed the cloth to Xu Ye.

Xu Ye examined it. The fabric was stained with blood and dust, its material indiscernible, and there was little useful information.

"Wait, Xu Ye, don't move! Your blindfold is torn!"
Just as Xu Ye was about to hand the cloth back, Lin Buyu suddenly called out to him.

"Oh, it must have been scratched by the corpse's nails. It's nothing."
Xu Ye paid little attention, planning to hold it in place and deal with it later.

But as soon as he raised his hand, the blindfold loosened. His left eye, shrouded for many days, was suddenly exposed to the light.

"Don't open your eye yet! Cover it quickly. Let me re-bandage it, or it won't heal."
Lin Buyu reminded him again.

"It's not that serious. I feel my eye is almost healed."
Xu Ye smiled at her, unconcerned, then looked again at the piece of cloth in his hand.

But at that moment, his left eye, which had felt normal, suddenly burned unbearably, as if a piece of molten iron had been thrust into its socket.
Yet, he could not close the eye, as if it had slipped from his control.

"What is happening?"
As Xu Ye wondered if his injury was flaring up again, he suddenly caught a glimpse through his fingers of a shadow darting past.

"Is it a person? Or a ghost?"
Filled with terror, Xu Ye ignored the pain and looked in the direction the figure had gone.

He saw a stranger wielding a blood-stained long blade, locked in combat with a wild-eyed, ragged woman brandishing a kitchen knife and scissors.

After several exchanges, the man seemed to falter, pulled out a book from his breast, and began to recite loudly as he flipped through the pages.
The woman suddenly appeared dazed, and turned, walking step by step toward the cellar.

As she passed Xu Ye, he finally saw her face clearly; it was none other than Miss Cao, the one possessed by the murderous ghost.

"Am I... am I witnessing the scene of the crime?"
Xu Ye was shaken to his core.