Why had everything aligned so perfectly?
Was it just luck?
Liang Ge's heart raced as he stared at the blood-seeping box.
"Lu Fei, what do we do?"
Lu Fei took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm.
"Tiger, prepare the Ghost-Head Saber!"
The Ghost-Head Saber, like the Flaying Knife, was a tool of execution. However, the saber's more dominant aura might suppress the knife's malevolent energy.
"Ready, boss!" Tiger gripped the large saber tightly, holding it above the box.
"Liang Ge, stay cautious."
Lu Fei handed Liang Ge a protective talisman.
"I've got it." Liang Ge gritted his teeth, his eyes locked on the trembling box. His body was taut with anticipation, not fear, but tension and excitement.
"I'm opening it."
Lu Fei donned a pair of specialized gloves, inhaled deeply, and grasped the lid of the box.
But just as he was about to lift it, the box suddenly stilled, its eerie quiet unsettling.
The three exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.
Lu Fei carefully applied pressure and lifted the lid.
All eyes were fixed on the box, unblinking.
Inside lay an ancient, intricately designed knife. The aged leather sheath was yellowed with time, and the blade's imperfections matched the photos exactly.
Thick black smoke emanated from the knife, chilling the air around it.
The presence of the Ghost-Head Saber seemed to hold the Flaying Knife in check, keeping it eerily quiet.
"Lu Fei, is this the one?" Liang Ge asked, suppressing his excitement.
"There's definitely malevolent energy on this knife," Lu Fei said grimly.
"Then this is it! Lu Fei, how do we deal with it?" Liang Ge's eyes gleamed as he clenched his fists.
"Like the Ghost-Head Saber, we'll need to dispel its killing aura and resentment first," Lu Fei explained, pulling out his lightning-struck jujube wood rod and imbuing it with energy.
With this trusted weapon, handling cursed objects had become far more efficient. Even if it couldn't completely dispel the energy, it could at least suppress it temporarily.
"Hey! What are you doing?"
A sharp voice interrupted them.
Startled, the three turned to see Ma Laosan storming toward them.
"So this is why things started acting up—you three are behind this!" he yelled, reaching for the box. "Get lost! If you mess with my stuff, I'll call the police for robbery!"
"Tiger, handle him!" Lu Fei ordered.
Tiger sidestepped swiftly, using his bulk to shove Ma Laosan away.
"We're trying to save your life! Can't you see this knife is dangerous?"
"Save me? Don't make me laugh! You think I'm as gullible as you? A little trickery over a knife, and you're all falling for it!" Ma Laosan sneered.
Though he realized he was outnumbered, seeing Tiger armed with a massive blade unnerved him. He reached for his phone, only to remember he'd left it in the car in his haste.
"Lu Fei, ignore him and proceed!" Liang Ge urged, stepping in front of Lu Fei to block Ma Laosan.
Lu Fei refocused, raising his rod to strike the Flaying Knife.
Sensing the impending strike, the cursed knife shuddered violently, then leapt from the box like a fish, darting out of the car.
"Tiger, stop it!"
Lu Fei shouted as he dashed after the knife.
Tiger swung the Ghost-Head Saber, intercepting the knife mid-air with a sharp *clang*. The knife fell to the ground, rolling before stopping.
Black smoke erupted from the blade, coalescing into a shadowy humanoid form that lifted the knife as though wielding it.
The thin blade gleamed with a chilling light under the night sky.
"Wh-what is that?"
Even Ma Laosan saw the shadowy figure. His small eyes widened in terror as he struggled to comprehend what was happening.
"Is this another one of your tricks? How did you pull that off?"
Before he could finish, the shadow charged toward him, the blade aimed directly at his head.
"Move!"
Lu Fei and Tiger yelled in unison.
"Your little tricks won't scare me!" Ma Laosan scoffed, but the knife didn't stop. A cold gleam flashed across his face, and then he felt a sharp sting on his scalp.
A warm liquid began to trickle down.
Dazed, he touched his head.
Blood.
Bright red blood.
Then the searing pain hit, radiating from his scalp and shooting through his nerves.
"This… what is… AHH!"
Ma Laosan collapsed to the ground, screaming. The shadow loomed over him like death itself, raising the knife for another strike.
"Help me!"
Paralyzed with fear, Ma Laosan clutched his head and wailed.
*Clang!*
The knife was intercepted mid-swing.
Opening his eyes slightly, Ma Laosan saw the Ghost-Head Saber blocking the Flaying Knife's path. Behind the saber was Tiger, his rugged face etched with determination.
"You… you…" Ma Laosan stammered, his face pale and bloody.
"Still think this is a trick?" Tiger snorted.
Meanwhile, Lu Fei and Liang Ge had flanked the shadow.
The Flaying Knife twirled in the shadow's grip, its blade still wet with Ma Laosan's blood.
Despite being surrounded, the shadow's focus remained fixed on Ma Laosan. It seemed unsatisfied with just one cut.
"It's… it's real?" Ma Laosan gasped, the pain driving home the reality of the situation. His mind flashed back to the victims who had been skinned alive—starting from the scalp.
"Believe it or not, this Flaying Knife is all yours. Enjoy," Lu Fei said coldly, stepping back with Liang Ge.
Tiger withdrew the Ghost-Head Saber.
The shadow lunged at Ma Laosan, blade aimed squarely at his forehead.
"Help me!"
Terrified, Ma Laosan scrambled backward, flailing and screaming.
"I believe you! I believe you! Save me!"
Exchanging a glance, Lu Fei and his companions sprang into action.
Tiger swung the Ghost-Head Saber, blocking the shadow's next strike. Lu Fei struck the knife with his rod, channeling a surge of energy into it.
*Buzz!*
Blue arcs of electricity crackled as the knife shuddered violently. The black smoke dissipated, and the blade shattered.
The sheath was flung far away, while the fragmented blade plunged into the ground near Ma Laosan's groin—mere centimeters away from a much graver injury.
One more inch, and his lineage might have ended then and there.