The bedroom was tidier than expected.
All the furniture was in its original place, with no signs of struggle.
If not for the blood-soaked pillows and quilt on the bed, it would be hard to tell that such a gruesome murder had taken place here.
"The police said that the mistress and the child were beheaded in their sleep. Their heads were neatly placed outside by the boss, while their bodies remained under the covers."
Tiger turned his gaze away, unsure if it was out of fear or unwillingness to confront the scene.
"The murder happened in the bedroom, so the cursed object should be here. Once we find it, we'll leave," Lu Fei said, scanning the room until his eyes landed on an antique display shelf against the wall.
Boss Liang, being an antiques dealer, was also a collector, and the shelf held several authentic items.
But no knives.
The two split up and searched the room, checking cabinets, drawers, even under the bed and table. They turned the room upside down but found no knives.
They moved on to other rooms.
The children's room, storage room, kitchen, and bathroom.
They searched everywhere, but there was no sign of a blade emanating yin energy.
"Strange! Did the police take it as evidence from the crime scene?" Tiger's eyes were clouded with confusion as he scratched his head.
Lu Fei pondered. "Maybe it isn't a conventional knife. We'll need to visit Boss Liang. He was the one who acquired it, so he would know what it is and where it's kept."
"Alright, I'll make the call. I still have the police contact number," Tiger said.
They left Duo Bao Xuan.
Though it was broad daylight, being inside a haunted house for so long was unsettling.
Once outside, Tiger immediately made a call.
Boss Liang was being held at the detention center, and visits required prior approval. After much persuasion, the earliest they could schedule a visit was the next day.
The following day, they brought along some essentials and headed to see Boss Liang.
After going through security checks, they finally met him.
Lu Fei almost didn't recognize him.
Boss Liang, who was in his forties and once a robust man with a healthy, ruddy complexion, now looked frail and aged, with hair as white as snow. He had lost significant weight, and his entire demeanor was that of a man whose spirit had been drained, leaving him a husk.
His hands were cuffed, and his face bore the lifeless look of someone who had given up.
"Boss... Boss Liang."
Tiger called out, lighting a cigarette and offering it to him.
A glimmer of light appeared in Boss Liang's eyes, and a complex expression crossed his haggard face. His hoarse voice trembled, "Someone came to see me after all."
"Boss Liang, what happened? Did you come across something unclean?" Tiger spoke sympathetically. "This is Master Lu from the Evil Pawnshop. If it's something supernatural, he can help."
Boss Liang glanced up at Lu Fei, surprised, but his expression quickly fell into hopelessness. "It doesn't matter. My wife and child are gone… Everyone says I did it. How do I deserve to live in this world..."
"Don't say that, Boss Liang. If this was the work of an evil spirit, it's not entirely your fault. Finding out the truth would bring peace to your wife's soul," Tiger said, trying to comfort him.
Boss Liang shook his head, face full of torment. "No one believes me. Even I don't believe myself anymore. Tiger, Master Lu, thank you for coming..."
"Boss Liang, take a look at this." Lu Fei placed a sheet of yellow paper in front of him.
"What is it?"
Boss Liang looked down, and his body trembled when he saw the four blood-red characters. His sunken eyes widened.
"This... This is my wife's handwriting!" His lips quivered.
Lu Fei nodded. "Yes."
"When did she write this? Is this blood? How do you have her writing?" Boss Liang's voice rose, incoherent with shock.
"You might not believe this, but she came to the Evil Pawnshop last night and wanted to pawn something."
"Last night? Impossible! She's already..."
Boss Liang shot up, drawing the attention of the nearby guards.
"Boss Liang, calm down and sit. We need to talk this through," Lu Fei said evenly.
Tiger also nodded encouragingly.
Boss Liang sat down, but his chest heaved with labored breaths. No one could remain composed after hearing such news.
He took the cigarette Tiger had lit and drew on it deeply.
"What do you want from me?"
"Boss Liang, we want to help. We really saw your wife last night, and I witnessed those words appear myself," Tiger recounted the events of the previous night with sincerity.
After hearing it, Boss Liang sat stunned, his eyes reddening. "Her spirit is still at Duo Bao Xuan?"
"Ghosts remain in the mortal world due to unresolved desires," Lu Fei said softly. "For those who died unjustly, their souls harbor resentment. She wanted to pawn the knife to the Evil Pawnshop, likely because that knife brought disaster to your family."
"The knife?" Boss Liang's body shook, his frail frame teetering as if unable to bear the truth. "Was it really that knife? Was it my fault after all?"
His reaction confirmed Lu Fei's suspicions.
At that moment, Boss Liang seemed to age another ten years. His loose skin quivered, and though he looked like he wanted to cry, no tears came.
"Boss Liang, if it's an evil object, it's not entirely your fault. Tell Master Lu where the knife is so he can take care of it, and your wife and child can find peace," Tiger urged gently.
Boss Liang covered his face, his shoulders shaking as guilt consumed him, leaving him unable to speak.
Lu Fei sighed. "Boss Liang, what's done is done. Blaming yourself won't change that. But if you act now, you might make amends, even if only a little. At least ensure they can rest in peace, right?"
The words struck a chord with Boss Liang.
Clenching his fists, he looked up, eyes swollen and red. "Master Lu, I've heard of the Evil Pawnshop, known for dealing in cursed objects."
"Yes."
"Then you must have heard of the Ghost-Headed Blade."
"Ghost-Headed Blade?" Lu Fei's eyes widened slightly. "The blade used by executioners in ancient times? It's said that these blades have killed so many that they exude a deathly aura, which no ordinary person can suppress."
"I thought I could handle it." Boss Liang managed a grim smile.
"Last month, I heard that a wealthy collector was willing to pay a fortune for a Ghost-Headed Blade. The price was enough for me to live comfortably for five years."
"I asked around and finally found one in a rural household."
"The blade was hanging on the earthen wall of the house. I knew at a glance it was genuine. These blades were heavy, meant for decapitation, and even if rusted, they emitted a chill."
"The farmer had no idea of its true value, only that it was a family heirloom said to protect the house. I didn't pay much for it and took the Ghost-Headed Blade home."
"I thought I was about to make a windfall. I never expected it to lead to the destruction of my family!"