Just as the countless hooks and chains soared through the air once more, and Henry Thompson reached into his sleeve to touch a talisman inside, a soft, delicate, and melodious voice—so pleasant it could make one’s ears pregnant—suddenly rang out from outside the Lan Yue Pavilion.

　　“How interesting. Did I just hear someone say they look down on our Six Paths Division?”

　　As these words drifted in, the bailiffs who had been swinging their hooks and chains, ready to seize people, all wore expressions as if they’d seen a ghost. Without exception, they retracted their hooks and chains at lightning speed, coiling them back around their waists, and their swords and sabers were all swiftly sheathed.

　　Edward Sutton’s face turned ashen. He had just been soaring like an eagle, nearly reaching the ceiling, ready to strike down at Henry Thompson and his companions with a thunderous, eagle-like blow.

　　But upon hearing this voice, the Iron-Gallant Chief Constable twisted in midair in a bizarre maneuver and landed back on the ground, four zhang away from Henry Thompson.

　　At this moment, a commotion erupted outside the Lan Yue Pavilion. Henry Thompson glanced out and saw a tall young woman in a narrow-sleeved purple ruqun, clad in silver-white armor, with a long saber at her waist.

　　She had exquisitely beautiful features like an animated character, with a bewitching and alluring aura.

　　Though dressed in military attire, she exuded a thousand charms and endless grace. On her shoulder lay a three-tailed spirit fox, pure white with a single horn on its head. It lounged lazily, its fox tail curled around the girl’s snow-white neck. Its jet-black eyes swept over the crowd before it indifferently lowered its head, as if closing its eyes to rest.

Chapter 3: The Blood-handed Butcher

　　“We’re in luck.”

　　Richard Palmer leaned in close to Henry Thompson and whispered, “The newly appointed ‘Demon-Subduing Captain’ of the Six Paths Division, Grace Johnson, known throughout Southern Zhili as the ‘Iron-Blooded Asura’ and the ‘Blood-handed Butcher.’ This woman is notorious for being fiercely protective, domineering, and unreasonable. I remember two years ago, Edward Sutton was seriously injured by a single punch from her and couldn’t get out of bed for half a month—and she was only fifteen then.”

　　Even without Richard Palmer’s reminder, Henry Thompson had already recognized the girl. What his friend didn’t know was that this Captain Johnson was now his superior’s superior.

　　As for the spirit fox, Henry Thompson also remembered it. In the memories of his original self, it was the offspring of the divine beast Bai Ze and the Nine-tailed Spirit Fox—a powerful and rare spirit creature.

　　Henry Thompson felt a surge of joy, but also a twinge of anxiety.

　　After all, he had actually skipped his night shift at the Six Paths Division yesterday to come to the Lan Yue Pavilion with Thomas Bolton and the others. And now, his superior’s superior was here, infamous for her ferocity.

　　Grace Johnson entered with graceful, light steps, clicking her tongue as she walked: “As expected, the death of a noble is as weighty as Mount Tai, while the life of a poor man is as light as a feather. Seven li away, the family of George Miller on Goldsmith Street was slaughtered by bandits, and no one has cared to investigate. But here, over sixty bailiffs have gathered—what a grand display.”

　　Then she smiled sweetly at Edward Sutton: “So what if it’s the Six Paths Division? Who said that just now? Was it you, Iron-Gallant Chief Constable?”

　　At her feet, there was a series of cracking sounds—the marble floor was faintly webbed with cracks like a spider’s web.

　　Edward Sutton’s face was dark as water. He half-lowered his eyelids and cupped his hands, “This humble one wouldn’t dare! Perhaps you misheard, Captain?”

　　“Someone like you dares call himself Iron-Gallant?”

　　The silver-armored girl let out a light laugh, but her eyes were full of disappointment. She then glanced around the main hall of the Lan Yue Pavilion: “The murder case of Samuel Clark will now be taken over by our Six Paths Division. All bailiffs of the Ying Tian Prefecture present are to assist in the investigation, under my command.”

　　Edward Sutton couldn’t help but frown. He hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke: “Captain, I’m afraid that’s not appropriate. The one who first discovered the body was—”

　　“Enough nonsense! The Censorate of Southern Zhili, Andrew Clark, has already reported the case to our Six Paths Division, requesting us to find the murderer as soon as possible.”

　　Grace Johnson waved her sleeve, cutting off Edward Sutton mid-sentence, her attitude utterly dismissive, treating Edward Sutton as if he were nothing: “Since this case involves nobility and is suspected to be the work of a martial cultivator, it falls under our Six Paths Division’s jurisdiction. By the way, I vaguely heard someone say they wanted to examine Samuel Clark’s corpse—”

　　At this moment, Grace Johnson’s gaze fell on Henry Thompson: “I remember you. Charles Harris’s subordinate, second son of the Marquis of Sincerity, Henry Thompson, eighth-rank Demon-Subduing Inspector, a spirit coroner apprentice?”

　　Henry Thompson couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. It seemed she didn’t know about his skipping work, so he quickly cupped his fists and saluted: “Before joining the Six Paths Division, I studied as a coroner.”

　　“Well, isn’t that a coincidence? I didn’t bring a coroner with me this time.” Grace Johnson smiled charmingly, radiating allure. “I don’t know how skilled you are, but if it’s just to take a look, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

　　“Captain!” Edward Sutton’s brows were furrowed into a deep crease. “Henry Thompson is a suspect in this case! The red palm print on the deceased’s back is very likely the result of the Sincerity Li family’s Cold Breath Fiery Palm!”

　　“Is that so?” Grace Johnson was momentarily stunned, then snorted dismissively: “I said just to take a look, not to cut him open on the spot. Besides, with so many people present, could he really tamper with the evidence? Don’t you have eyes, Edward Sutton? Or are you trying to teach me how to do my job?”