Lin Fan rushed to the door and called out again, "Qin Feng!" The lights were on, but the world was silent. Lin Fan called out again, "Qin Feng!"

She felt a surge of fear and turned back. The short sword in her hand became visible. Lin Fan's eyes darkened; she had seen this scene before when Mr. Chen fought Ouyang Yu. She picked up her phone to call Qin Feng, but there was no network service. Lin Fan gritted her teeth, thinking the barrier was quite up-to-date. Swallowing hard, she gripped the short sword tightly and raised her voice, "Come out."

"Miss Lin."

Lin Fan quickly turned around. Mr. Chen walked in from outside, and Lin Fan immediately became vigilant. He looked up, smiling, his eyes still gentle. "Long time no see."

Lin Fan gritted her teeth and forced a smile, "Mr. Chen, long time no see." She pointed around, "What do you mean by this?"

Mr. Chen walked over, smiling, "I need to borrow something from you."

Lin Fan backed away, "What do you want to borrow?"

"Your life."

Lin Fan thrust her short sword forward, "Sorry, this is not something I can lend."

Mr. Chen's long sword flashed, and in the next moment, it was above Lin Fan's head. Lin Fan quickly blocked it, her arm going numb from the impact, causing her to stumble back, nearly coughing up blood. Mr. Chen's sword was about to strike again when Lin Fan hurriedly shouted, "I still have one more question! I can't beat you, can you let me finish speaking?"

"Speak." Mr. Chen held his long sword, staring straight at her.

"Are you blind?"

"I used to be, but not anymore."

Lin Fan's mind was filled with thoughts of this old man being a big liar, a bastard—

"How old are you?"

Mr. Chen frowned, looking displeased, "Do you have any other questions?"

Lin Fan flexed her wrist, "Is Zhou Jing dead?"

"You'll know once you get there." He raised his sword to strike again, and Lin Fan quickly retreated, "Wait, I have more to say."

"Speak."

"Why do you dig out hearts?"

"To eat." His eyes darkened, "You can't ask any more questions. Be obedient and come with me, and I'll let you die painlessly. If you disobey, you'll suffer." His final words were unexpectedly gentle, with a touch of indulgence.

"Death is the same, whether it's painful or painless."

At this point, Lin Fan had nowhere to retreat. She raised her head high. "I respect you as a gentleman, but I didn't expect you to do such a thing. Defying fate, you won't end well either; don't you know that?"

Chen Xianghua didn't waste any words, attacking Lin Fan directly. Lin Fan had some skills but was not particularly proficient. Chen Xianghua never figured out what was special about Lin Fan's short sword, but it didn't matter. He planned to take Lin Fan's heart and study the short sword later.

Lin Fan leaned back to avoid the long sword, sliding her short sword along its blade. With a slashing sound, she twisted her wrist, cutting Chen Xianghua's wrist. Lin Fan, being petite, slipped under Chen Xianghua's arm like a snake, stabbing towards his back.

Caught off guard, Chen Xianghua felt a sharp pain in his back and quickly dodged, blood flying out. Under the flickering light, Lin Fan licked her lips, gripping the short sword, her gaze vicious as the sword quickly absorbed the blood.

"Who are you?"

"Can you see past lives? Can't you see who I am?" Lin Fan's voice rose slightly, filled with a sinister tone, "Old thing, you're truly unafraid of divine retribution."

"Ouyang Yu?"

Chen Xianghua's long sword thrust forward, and Ouyang Yu, who had taken over Lin Fan's body, moved swiftly. This body was personally nurtured by him and was the best vessel. Previously, with that jade pendant suppressing her soul, nothing dared to possess her. Later, with Qin Feng around, no evil spirits dared to approach. This body was indeed the most suitable for habitation.

In the midst of their sword fight, Ouyang Yu's short sword cut Chen Xianghua's shoulder, the lights above flickering. The barrier couldn't hold, and Chen Xianghua pulled out a talisman, attacking Ouyang Yu. Ouyang Yu screamed in pain and was thrown out, her short sword clattering to the ground.

Chen Xianghua stepped forward to seize Lin Fan's body, throwing out another talisman, completely shattering the barrier. Ouyang Yu was knocked back again, crashing into the wall. Struggling to get up and reach for the short sword, it disappeared before she could touch it. She spat out a mouthful of blood and looked up to see Mr. Chen carrying Lin Fan out of the police station.

With the barrier broken, countless noises flooded in. Ouyang Yu wiped the blood from her mouth. After a moment, she cursed and was about to chase when she heard the sound of guns being cocked. She turned to see three gun barrels pointed at her, spitting out a mouthful of blood foam, "Call Qin Feng, Lin Fan has been taken."

Ouyang Yu tried to stand, staggering and almost falling, scratching a blood mark on the wall, suddenly shouting, "Hurry up! Lin Fan will die!"

She could have fought the old man, but she had ventured into the Fourth Realm. Her mask fell off, revealing large, hideous scars on her face. Her skin was aging, and every day she saw the marks of her aging.

Before anyone could call Qin Feng, he had already come out, "Have you seen Lin Fan—" He stopped mid-sentence, seeing Ouyang Yu leaning against the wall, frowning, "Did you take Lin Fan?" He grabbed Ouyang Yu's collar, "Where is Lin Fan?"

Ouyang Yu raised her chin, her eyes mocking, "Do I look like I could take Lin Fan? That old man."

Qin Feng's mind exploded, buzzing with countless noises, chaotic and overwhelming his brain. He was a bit dazed, "What did you say?"

"Lin Fan has been taken. You idiots, she was taken right from your headquarters." Ouyang Yu laughed wildly, "So stupid, not only Lin Fan but also that foolish teacher. Let go of me, or she'll die."

Qin Feng's fist clenched tightly. After a brief silence, he quickly pulled out his gun, cocking it and pointing it at Ouyang Yu's head, "You're not lying?"

"Captain Qin!" Someone tried to stop him, but Qin Feng didn't turn, his voice cold, "Don't interfere."

"I'm not lying." Ouyang Yu coughed from laughing, calming down after a while, staring into Qin Feng's eyes, "She is my life, my princess. I want her to live more than you do."

Qin Feng dragged Ouyang Yu outside, stuffing him into the car in the parking lot, "Take me to find her."

"You think it's that easy to find her?" Ouyang Yu coughed again, "I'm not a GPS."

"If we're too late, Lin Fan will die!" Qin Feng suddenly turned around and shouted, "How do we find her, quickly!"

He tried to light a cigarette to calm down but crushed it before he could put it to his mouth, throwing it away, gritting his teeth, "Damn it!"

Ouyang Yu took out a piece of paper from his pocket, biting his finger to draw a little figure. He tore the paper into the shape of a person, muttering a spell. The paper man stood up.

Ouyang Yu opened the car window, and the paper man floated out.

Xiao Wang, who got in the car later, felt his scalp tingling, swallowing hard. Ouyang Yu seemed very weak, covering his mouth as he coughed, "Wait."

Qin Feng started the car. Xiao Wang wanted to get out but quietly put his gun back. The figure in front of him, neither human nor ghost, was too terrifying. Appearing out of nowhere at their unit, now conjuring this ghostly figure.

Ouyang Yu leaned back in the seat with his eyes closed, looking seriously injured, soon spitting out more blood, "Zhongming Road—the old building."

—

Lin Fan wanted to strangle Ouyang Yu. Why did he possess her? Crazy! If it weren't for Ouyang Yu's possession, Lin Fan could have held on a bit longer.

She looked around at the dim, narrow space, unable to tell where she was. The flickering candlelight cast shadows around the six jars beside Lin Fan, creating an eerie atmosphere.

Lin Fan closed her eyes, trying to summon her short sword with her mind, but it was useless. The short sword was probably lost. Lin Fan closed her eyes, wondering why Chen Xianghua wanted to kill people and what the six jars were for. She remembered Qin Feng mentioning the Yin Sha Array.

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Lost in thought, Lin Fan considered many things. Would it hurt if a knife cut through flesh? She missed Qin Feng and wanted to kiss and hug him.

Lin Fan was nineteen, having spent the first few years of her life aimlessly, eventually finding a purpose. Now facing death, she had no regrets. Lin Fan had saved several lives and experienced family and love.

Hearing footsteps approaching, Lin Fan opened her eyes, straining to see. In her peripheral vision, she saw Chen Xianghua carrying someone over. The bed, or whatever it was, was hard and uncomfortable.

He laid the person down, gently kissing their forehead, "It'll be over soon

He wanted to wait, but Cai Lan couldn’t. She was dying. Late-stage cancer had caused her organs to deteriorate, leaving no other option. Over the past year, he had been frantically searching for targets, killing to harvest hearts and souls. Seven people born in the Yin year, month, and hour, their souls refined into Yin evil spirits.

"Lanzi, it won't hurt." His voice was soft and gentle, making Lin Fan's skin crawl. This Mr. Chen was really perverted. Lin Fan couldn’t make a sound or move. Mr. Chen walked over, looking at Lin Fan. "I didn’t want to kill you so soon, but there’s no other choice. It will be over quickly, and you won't feel any pain."

He placed talismans around the room, lit candles, and then started to undress Lin Fan. "Such a young body, with excellent physical condition. If the timing hadn’t been off last time, I wouldn’t have pushed this body to that Qin kid."

Lin Fan endured the nausea, biting down hard until her mouth bled.

"But now, it’s good this way. He’s raised you well. This body is a good vessel, perfect for soul transfer."

Her body growing cold, Mr. Chen drew blood and painted symbols on Lin Fan’s skin. "The soul extraction won’t take long. It will be over soon, so don’t move."

Just as he was about to begin, the talismans at the door started to tremble. He glanced back, his eyes darkening, and sped up. Lin Fan felt the excruciating pain of having her soul extracted for the second time. The first time was with that lunatic Ouyang Yu. She suddenly screamed, and with the short sword in her hand, she stabbed at Mr. Chen. Mr. Chen never expected Lin Fan to be able to move at this moment.

He quickly took out a talisman and struck Lin Fan with it. Lin Fan, not quite human, feared talismans. The burning pain made her scream and roll off the bed, still clutching the short sword. Kneeling on the floor, Mr. Chen’s expression changed. "You managed to break free?"

Lin Fan gritted her teeth, her gaze growing colder. She only wanted to live. Why was living so hard? Why did she have to be forced to die? Just because you want to live, these six people have to die? They also want to live. No one has the right to take another's life. He had no right.

Lin Fan spat blood, gripping the short sword as she lunged forward. Mr. Chen struck her, sending her flying into the corner, knocking over a table. Her internal organs felt displaced, but she got up, wiped the blood from her mouth, and pulled the tablecloth around herself.

Mr. Chen strode over, drawing his long sword with a metallic clang. Lin Fan grabbed the overturned table and smashed it at him. Mr. Chen deflected it, and the table landed on the bed, knocking over a bottle. Lin Fan saw Liu Juan in her police uniform, who seemed dazed but then awakened at the sight of Mr. Chen.

Lin Fan shouted, "Smash all the jars on the bed, quick! Sister Liu!"

Mr. Chen turned to throw a talisman at Liu Juan, and Lin Fan lunged with her short sword, slicing Mr. Chen’s shoulder. He retaliated by stabbing her shoulder, and silence fell.

The door was kicked open, and Mr. Chen pulled his sword to dodge, the bullet narrowly missing him and shattering the glass behind him. The glass fragments scattered with a crash. Lin Fan fell back, blood gushing out. Qin Feng rushed in, holding Lin Fan, pressing down on her shoulder wound. Mr. Chen’s sword was already coming at them. Qin Feng grabbed Lin Fan’s short sword to deflect it, and Xiao Wang also rushed in. Qin Feng shouted, "Take Lin Fan away! Get her to a hospital!"

Mr. Chen quickly moved towards the door, his sword strikes becoming more vicious. Qin Feng fought desperately, barely managing to fend him off with his limited sword experience from the Fourth Realm. He shouted again, "Get Lin Fan out of here!"

The sickly Ouyang Yu also entered, running over to grab Lin Fan but was pushed away by Xiao Wang. Ouyang Yu then noticed the formation on the bed, his eyes lighting up. These were precious supplements, and he was clinging to life.

Lin Fan pressed her wound, struggling to sit up and said to Xiao Wang, "Those jars contain vengeful spirits, the victims of the heart extraction cases. Brother Xiao Wang, release them quickly, and they can be reincarnated."

Ouyang Yu turned to look at Lin Fan, his gaze darkening as he clenched his fists. He was like Mr. Chen, ruthless in achieving his goals. Pure Yin people were hard to find, and he had hoped to pick up the pieces following Mr. Chen... Unfortunately.

Six lives, missing one would still be useless.

Ouyang Yu looked away, hurrying over to take Lin Fan. "I won’t harm her."

Xiao Wang glanced at him, hesitated for a few seconds, and chose to believe him for now. He got up and ran towards the jars, but Mr. Chen’s sword was already coming at him. Xiao Wang turned and fired, the bullet passing through Mr. Chen without slowing him down, as if nothing had happened.

The sword kept coming. In a panic, Qin Feng lunged to push Xiao Wang aside, raising the short sword. The clang of metal echoed as Mr. Chen stepped back, noticing Ouyang Yu carrying Lin Fan out the door. He immediately threw a talisman, hitting Ouyang Yu, who grunted in pain, almost kneeling. Still, he struggled forward, out the door. Lin Fan, enduring the pain, looked up at his face. "Put me down."

"No!" Two meters out, Ouyang Yu collapsed, cushioning Lin Fan with his arm to prevent further injury. He knelt, holding Lin Fan, coughing up blood. She was startled, clutching her shoulder and trying to pull away.

Ouyang Yu tightened his grip, not letting go. His breathing was labored, his lungs like bellows. He had hoped to live a few more days, but Mr. Chen’s talisman was too lethal. His heart was burning, and he probably wouldn’t survive.

Lin Fan looked up. "What do you want? How—" Before she could finish, Ouyang Yu kissed her, making her head buzz. Something cold was passed from his mouth to hers. She tried to push him away, but his arms were locked around her, forcing the thing into her mouth. Lin Fan was on the verge of insanity; she had only kissed Qin Feng, and now this, with the hated Ouyang Yu—words failed her.

"Let go—" As she opened her mouth, she swallowed the thing and pushed Ouyang Yu away. He fell back, laughing with an infatuated gaze fixed on Lin Fan. His skin aged rapidly, blood streaming from his mouth. "It’s a good thing. It will protect your life."

Lin Fan was dazed, clutching her wound and backing away. "What was that?"

Ouyang Yu’s eyes dimmed, but he continued staring at Lin Fan. "An inner elixir. I’m not human, Princess. I have no heart. I’ve killed many, and today, this is my rightful end."

Lin Fan looked at him. He was just like this, obsessive and crazy.

Xiao Wang was thrown out of the room, struggling to get up. Lin Fan, trying to help, was grabbed by Ouyang Yu. He stared into her eyes. "My time is up. I want to see you... I won't get another chance..."

On that rainy day, her voice was as clear as jade beads clinking together, "Lift your head. What’s your name?"

He looked up and saw her face, like an immortal’s. Dark eyes full of life, red dress like fire, so beautiful. His father fawned beside him, "Please grant him a name, my lord."

"He is so pretty. Call him Changyu then."

"Thank you, my lord—" He was pushed to the ground, head hitting the bluestone, the pain making him dizzy. Someone complained about breaking the rules for a slave, but from then on, his blood bore the name 'Yu,' living solely for her.

Ouyang Yu closed his eyes, pressing on Lin Fan’s shoulder wound, using his last strength to stop the bleeding. Coughing blood, he smiled. "Living to meet you is enough for this life."

Lin Fan looked at his ashen face, her feelings complicated. "You shouldn’t have done this—"

Ouyang Yu’s lips moved, but no sound came out. Lin Fan leaned closer, "What did you say?"

"Take his heart—" Ouyang Yu's hand fell heavily, and his skin and flesh quickly shriveled and dried on the bones. He had lived for a hundred years using dark magic, with no afterlife; death meant complete annihilation.

The heart extraction was to be eaten, to prolong life. This was dark magic, sealing the soul as Yin Sha. The revived person was no longer human, yet still human. Chen Xianghua did it for his lover, and Ouyang Yu did it for Lin Fan.

Qin Feng also fell out, hitting the ground hard. Chen Xianghua, holding his sword, walked out. Lin Fan, from who knows where, found the strength to stand in the chaotic corridor. She picked up a steel pipe and rushed forward, striking down to protect Qin Feng. Qin Feng leaped up, slashing Chen Xianghua's abdomen with his short sword. It was too fast; Chen Xianghua couldn't dodge, and his belly was cut open. Blood gushed out. As he tried to block, Lin Fan struck again with the steel pipe. Chen Xianghua struggled to respond, retreating as Lin Fan felt a burning sensation all over her body, possibly due to Ouyang Yu's gift. Her face flushed red, and she swung the steel pipe fiercely at Chen Xianghua. As he barely deflected Qin Feng's short sword, Lin Fan's pipe hit his face. He raised his hand to block, and the long sword broke. He was stunned; the magical sword that could cut through iron was broken by Lin Fan? Qin Feng then drove the short sword into his abdomen, using all his strength to push Chen Xianghua against the wall, piercing his body with the short sword. Chen Xianghua, in turn, swung the broken sword at Qin Feng's neck. Lin Fan, her head buzzing, yelled, "To hell with you!" and swung the steel pipe sideways at Chen Xianghua's head, hitting his arm. Chen Xianghua's face slid off, covering half his face, and he dropped the broken sword.

Lin Fan, confused and disoriented, suddenly let out a loud, desperate scream. Qin Feng turned to see Lin Fan's blood-red eyes. The tablecloth covering her had long fallen off, and her body was covered in blood. She drove the steel pipe through Chen Xianghua's body, and he fell to the ground with a thud.

Driving a blunt steel pipe into a body required immense strength. In just a few seconds, Lin Fan fell backward. Qin Feng quickly caught her, holding her in his arms. "Lin Fan?"

Lin Fan closed her eyes, silent.

Qin Feng panicked, shedding his coat to wrap Lin Fan, and rushed out. Xiao Wang struggled to his feet, "Captain Qin?"

Lin Fan had stopped breathing. Qin Feng placed her in the passenger seat. Getting into the driver's seat, he covered his face, taking a deep breath to calm down. He had to stay calm.

He drove at full speed, abandoning the car at the hospital entrance, and carried Lin Fan straight into the emergency room. She had no pulse, and the doctors and nurses worked frantically to save her. Qin Feng leaned against the wall, burying his face in his hands.

Every minute was agonizing, feeling like years. He didn't know how long it had been when the doctor came out, shaking his head, "My condolences."

Qin Feng was confused, "What did you say?"

"She is confirmed dead."

Qin Feng stood up, feeling dizzy. The emergency room was chaotic. Lin Fan lay on the bed, her face dirty, covered in blood. Qin Feng walked over, trying to wipe the blood off her face, but it had dried and wouldn't come off.

Her body was still warm. How could she be dead?

Qin Feng touched her face, feeling for a pulse on her neck but found none. In an instant, overwhelming grief consumed him. He hugged Lin Fan tightly, gritting his teeth to avoid making a sound, holding her firmly.

Why did she die? Weren't they supposed to spend a lifetime together?

The emergency room was silent. Everyone saw Qin Feng's trembling shoulders. He might have been crying, but he made no sound, just trembling. Seeing a grown man cry like this was heart-wrenching.

After a long silence, Qin Feng picked up Lin Fan. He walked out, but a nurse stopped him, "Sir?"

"She's not dead. Move aside." Qin Feng lifted his head, his eyes red from crying, his voice cold. "I'm taking her home."

Qin Feng carried Lin Fan out of the hospital. No one dared to stop him. The wind was strong, and he couldn't find his car; perhaps it had been towed. He wrapped Lin Fan tightly in his coat, kissed her face, "Don't be afraid." Finally, he flagged down a taxi. Once inside, he stared at Lin Fan's face, scraping off the blood scabs.

The driver asked, "Where to?"

"Home."

"Where is your home?"

Qin Feng held Lin Fan in his arms, pressing his lips to her forehead. His voice was low and hoarse, "I'm taking you home, Fan Fan. We're going home."

The driver asked, "Where exactly is your home? Are you drunk or something? Can you give me an address? If you don't want the ride, get out."

Lin Fan's little finger moved slightly, so lightly that it could be easily missed if not noticed.