Chapter 1: Courtesy Demands Reciprocity

Liaozhou, Linhai City.

The setting sun was as red as blood, the great river flowing eastward.

James Carter stood atop the river embankment, gazing at the surging waters rushing east, his eyes vacant and thoughtful.

Confucius said: Time passes like this.

Twelve years ago today, when he was only ten, James Carter drowned in this very river.

By chance, the Taiyi Order brought him to this world, allowing him to transmigrate into the body of the ten-year-old James Carter, giving this young body a new life. From then on, James Carter became his name!

To him, June 6th is his true birthday. Unfortunately, this kind of secret can't be told even to those closest to him.

The blood-red glow of the setting sun shone from the side onto James Carter's tall figure. His crisp black inspector's uniform seemed to glimmer, yet his silhouette carried an indescribable sense of loneliness and desolation.

Standing behind him, Youngest Harris couldn't care less about how cool or melancholic James Carter's pose looked.

Youngest Harris furtively glanced around. The embankment was empty, with no one in sight. Behind them was a large stretch of willow trees protecting the dike, and not even a single boat could be seen on the river. He felt this was the perfect opportunity to act.

He slowly opened the holster at his waist, drew the inspector-issued six-shot revolver, and aimed it at James Carter's back.

Youngest Harris blinked his small eyes and silently muttered in his heart, "Every debt has its debtor. I'm just following orders. If you become a ghost, remember to find David Brooks..."

Though this was a bit of self-deception, it was enough for him to pull back the hammer and squeeze the trigger without any psychological burden.

"Bang bang bang..."

The revolver's cylinder spun rapidly, emptying all six rounds in a matter of seconds.

At less than two meters away, shooting at a stationary target was no challenge for him.

This small-caliber pistol wasn't very powerful, so Youngest Harris was afraid it wouldn't kill James Carter. Two of the shots even hit the back of James Carter's head.

What surprised Youngest Harris was that James Carter, after being shot, didn't collapse on the spot but stood there motionless.

Even though the revolver wasn't powerful, no one could withstand being shot so many times. Even if not killed instantly, he should be bleeding all over and screaming in agony.

This was just too abnormal!

Youngest Harris had done his share of killing, but this was the first time he'd encountered something like this.

While Youngest Harris was still in a daze, James Carter turned around. Youngest Harris was instantly stunned.

There was a strange look on James Carter's handsome face—somewhat confused, a bit angry, and even a hint of pain endured.

"You idiot—"

Just as James Carter was about to curse, he suddenly stopped, because a girl in white had appeared out of nowhere, floating in midair like a ghost.

The girl in white anxiously shook her head and waved her hands at James Carter: "Daddy, you mustn't curse!"

The girl had bright, lively eyes, her long black hair tied up in a high Taoist bun, and her white clothes were also in the style of a Taoist robe. She looked just like a pretty and adorable little Taoist.

James Carter glanced at the girl in white and forcibly swallowed the curse that was on the tip of his tongue.

He adjusted his mood and put on a standard smile: "You silly... goose, you really hurt me."

As he spoke, James Carter touched the back of his head and showed Youngest Harris the blood on his fingers: "Look, I'm bleeding."

He then asked, "Sam Harris, we've only known each other for half a month, and I've always respected you. What did I do wrong that made you want to shoot me?"

"Shooting me in the back, tsk tsk..."

Youngest Harris had a look like he'd seen a ghost. In front of him, James Carter was still as handsome, polite, and refined as ever.

He couldn't see the girl in white beside James Carter, nor did he know that James Carter had almost started cursing.

In this situation, James Carter's abnormal behavior was unspeakably eerie and terrifying.

Youngest Harris had been an inspector for nearly thirty years, but he'd never seen anything like this. He was scared out of his wits.

Even a Source Master with extraordinary powers couldn't block bullets without a Source Armor!

Youngest Harris was usually quite talkative, but now his mouth was so dry he couldn't utter a word.

Seeing Youngest Harris too scared to speak, James Carter gently comforted him, saying, "Sam Harris, don't be afraid. I'm not a ghost, just a bit stronger physically."

Youngest Harris's beady eyes darted around, unable to hide his panic.

Taking six bullets and only breaking the skin—just a bit stronger? Who are you kidding!

He stammered, "Chief Gao, I-I didn't mean to."

"Hmm?"

James Carter couldn't help but laugh. "You shot me six times, and you say you didn't mean to? Sam Harris, that's a bit much."

"I-I mean it wasn't my idea to kill you."

The fat on Youngest Harris's face was trembling, but his tongue grew more fluent, "It was Captain David Brooks who ordered me. David Brooks is the real culprit. I-I'm just a murder weapon..."

As he spoke, Youngest Harris suddenly burst into tears. His small eyes were like open faucets, tears streaming down in an exaggerated flow.

"Chief Gao, please don't kill me, don't kill me, I'm begging you..."

As he spoke, he threw down the revolver in his hand and fell to his knees with a thud, looking sincerely penitent and remorseful.

"Sam Harris, don't be like this."

James Carter grabbed Youngest Harris's arm and forcibly pulled him up. Looking at Youngest Harris's tearful little eyes, he couldn't help but find it especially amusing.