Chapter Fourteen: She Kills, Qingming

A seductive, enticing female voice whispered in Jiang Zao’s ear. The moment she heard it, her gaze grew unfocused, as if bewitched and controlled by the sound.

“Wretched woman, come quickly and set me free!” a brusque, youthful voice barked after.

“Shut up, you brat! It’s rare to find someone who resonates with us. If you scare her away, I swear I’ll use you as a sacrifice for the sword!” came a sharp retort from a second voice.

“Ah~ I was wrong…” The last voice whimpered in submission and fell silent.

Elsewhere.

Entranced by the voices, Jiang Zao’s body moved forward uncontrollably.

Behind her, Yan Wuqiu and Jiang Zhuoran, who were watching her every move, failed to notice anything amiss. They only assumed she was resonating with the spirit sword, being guided by it in search.

“Zao Zao has resonated with the spirit sword?” Jiang Zhuoran said with surprise.

Yan Wuqiu nodded in agreement, “It seems so.”

“I wonder what kind of spirit sword little sister Zao will contract with.”

Both were filled with anticipation.

“Come, come here…” The voice continued to beguile her.

From Jiang Zao’s perspective, she no longer appeared dazed as before. Surrounded by a strange, ominous scarlet environment thick with bloodlust, the scene was suffused with an oppressive atmosphere.

Everywhere around her lay bones and swords, lending a stifling heaviness to the air.

At the pinnacle of this sword tomb stood a black-and-red sword, firmly embedded in a mountain of countless piled swords. Its surface shimmered intermittently, as if breathing.

“What a unique sword,” Jiang Zao murmured, staring at it with deep admiration.

She felt an invisible connection to the sword, an intense yearning stirring within her.

Drawn inexorably closer, she stepped forward, her eyes glowing red with desire, fixed intently upon it.

As she approached, the sword’s glow flickered faster, as if excitedly welcoming her arrival.

“Don’t hesitate… draw the sword now!”

“Quickly!”

Just as Jiang Zao’s hand was about to grasp the hilt, she suddenly stopped. Her eyes cleared, cold and sharp as she glared at the strange spirit sword that had tried to ensnare her.

If not for the sword having stirred her desire to awaken her senses, she might have been fully bewitched into pulling it out.

But the consequences of drawing it were far beyond what her modest Qi Refining stage could handle—possibly fatal.

Cold sweat broke out on her brow as she withdrew her hand, clutching it tightly with heightened caution.

“Oh dear, you’ve discovered me.” The seductive voice issued from the sword itself. Jiang Zao looked on with a knowing expression.

A female ghost clad in flowing red-purple robes slowly materialized, circling the blade.

---

[So... so big...] Jiang Zao’s eyes were drawn to a certain place, and as a woman herself, her breath quickened involuntarily.

Looking at herself… well, even two of herself couldn’t compare.

“Hmph, woman... I command you to release us immediately, or I’ll kill you!” The irritable voice of a boy ghost interrupted Jiang Zao’s admiration, breaking her mood.

Jiang Zao glanced at him and rolled her eyes in annoyance.

[Kids are the most detestable creatures, especially at that age when even dogs despise them.]

“Hey, what’s with that look?!”

“I am the proud spirit of this sword! How dare you treat me like a mere ant!”

The young spirit snapped angrily, pointing at her.

He was the proud sword spirit... yet when had anyone ever dared treat him like this?

Apologies were in order—immediately!

Jiang Zao’s ears ached from the noise. Irritated, she asked, “Are you the sword spirits of this blade?”

[Shut up already!]

[If that’s a sword spirit, then I’m a loudspeaker!]

“Silence!”

The female ghost gave a cold glance. The boy spirit instinctively curled up, clutching his head and turning aside, his eyes full of grievance toward her.

The female ghost closed her eyes, nearly holding her breath to avoid looking at his pitiful demeanor.

“Indeed, we are the sword spirits of this blade. My name is She Sha, and he—”

“I am Qing Ming,” the boy spirit interrupted, proudly introducing himself. But upon seeing She Sha’s eyes, his pride vanished without a trace. He shrank, curling into a small figure sitting cross-legged on the sword’s hilt, like a scolded puppy, pitifully submissive.

[Double spirits in one sword... is that even possible?]

Jiang Zao pondered this. In dramas, novels, and even in the current cultivation world, she had never heard of a sword harboring two spirits.

She looked at She Sha and Qing Ming, then asked the question that lingered in her mind:

“Why did you try to tempt me to draw the sword?”

She Sha chuckled softly, her eyes filled with enchantment. She moved gracefully around Jiang Zao, lifting her chin.

“I have been sealed here for countless ages, weary beyond words. Naturally, I long to escape and seek a new realm.”

“Would you, my lady, be willing to grant me this?”

Her voice was a tantalizing whisper that caressed Jiang Zao’s ear. She Sha even playfully breathed upon her, sending a thrilling chill through her body. Her face flushed visibly, almost steaming.

Who could resist such temptation?

Jiang Zao, flustered and uneasy, barely held herself together. Were it not for her resolve, she might have lost control.

---

[Jiang Xiaozao, what are you thinking?!]

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. She must not indulge in wild fantasies.

“Why should I help you? What benefit do I gain?”

“Moreover, I know nothing of you—whether you are friend or foe. Why would I release you?”

“If you harm others, would that not be my sin?”

Jiang Zao’s mind sharpened, each question a clear challenge to their intentions.

They had entranced her first, then tempted her—no honest sword would behave so.

She must remain cautious. This place was clearly their doing. If they meant harm, she would have nowhere to run. No one but herself could save her.

She Sha was not angered by Jiang Zao’s questioning; rather, she admired the game being played.

“If you agree, we can contract with you and be bound by your will, never committing unjust deeds.”

“Furthermore, I can reveal to you the truth behind the injuries you suffered beyond this sword tomb.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zao’s expression shifted, her gaze sharpening.

[So someone is secretly sabotaging her?]

She Sha continued when Jiang Zao stayed silent: “Our strength is unquestionable. Contracting with us would be a great boon.”

“But wouldn’t your power merely scale with mine?” Jiang Zao asked sincerely.

[That’s how it’s always portrayed in dramas and novels.]

She Sha fell silent, uncertain how to respond.

A contract was just a contract, not a binding seal. It simply forged a connection—it didn’t alter anything.

If anything changed, it would be Jiang Zao herself. Perhaps the bond would trigger a breakthrough instantly, or perhaps no change would occur.

It all depended on one’s constitution.

“No,” She Sha forced a smile and replied.

Jiang Zao nodded, half understanding.

[She Sha’s offer is tempting indeed. Should I agree?]

[Ah, such a dilemma.]

She Sha and Qing Ming watched Jiang Zao nervously yet eagerly.

A million years trapped in this dark, sunless prison had been unbearable. They truly longed to leave this hellish cage behind.