“Really.” Henry Thompson spoke honestly: “Yesterday’s Lanyue Tower case involved me, so I had no choice but to do my best and prove my innocence. Fortunately, with the help of Lieutenant Johnson, the case was solved.”

Charles Harris continued to eye Henry Thompson suspiciously, clearly doubting Henry Thompson’s abilities, but the three criminals locked up inside were real enough.

He then shook his head and said, “That’s exactly where the trouble lies. Guys like you, loafers, aren’t rare in our Six Paths Division—there’s more than just one or two. Lieutenant has always turned a blind eye, just pretending not to see. But now, for some reason, Lieutenant Johnson thinks you’re promising, a future pillar of the Six Paths Division, so she’s got her eye on you. That girl is especially serious about things. For a while, I’m afraid I won’t be able to cover for you anymore.”

This was exactly what Henry Thompson wanted: “If it really can’t be helped, then so be it. From now on, I’ll just work honestly.”

“How can that be?” Charles Harris raised his voice, looking at Henry Thompson in disbelief. “You’re giving in just like that? Robert, you’re at least a famous playboy in Nanjing—shouldn’t you at least put up a fight? Don’t be a coward.”

Henry Thompson just sighed. “You know my family’s situation. How could I still hold my head high? Even someone like you, Captain Harris, is cautious and deferential in front of Lieutenant—what can I do? Besides, I think what Sir Johnson said makes sense: our salaries come from the people’s hard-earned money. Since we live off the people, we should serve them loyally and turn over a new leaf.”

Halfway through his words, his pupils contracted slightly as he desperately signaled to the other, but unfortunately Charles Harris didn’t notice. He was quite displeased: “Explain yourself—how am I cautious and deferential? I’m just giving the Jiang family some face, humoring her a bit. Do you really think I’m afraid of her? Just now, did she really dare to send me away? Who would do her work then? I—”

Perhaps finally noticing Henry Thompson’s odd expression, Charles Harris’s tone suddenly changed: “But I do admire Sir Johnson’s abilities. She’s not only highly skilled in martial arts, but also a great person—smart, capable, a good manager, appoints people on merit, selfless, considerate of her subordinates, always leads from the front. Having a boss like her is truly a blessing for us.”

“Thanks for the praise! Even though everything you said is true, I’m still not happy.” From behind came Grace Johnson’s chilly voice: “We’re short-handed this month, and no one’s been assigned to clean the latrines in the back courtyard. Since you, Captain Harris, like giving the Jiang family face, why not do it again and take on this task?”

Charles Harris immediately slumped, his face turning bitter: “At your command, at your command!”

Then Grace Johnson tossed a bright yellow, arrow-folded talisman book into his arms: “Yingtian Prefecture has asked us for help. There’s a case at Ertou Bridge they can’t handle.”

“Is it the work of a demon?” Henry Thompson raised his eyebrows slightly. “But as I recall, Ertou Bridge isn’t in our group’s jurisdiction, is it?”

Grace Johnson glanced at him: “It’s not our jurisdiction, but with the prince’s disappearance, all manpower in Southern Zhili is being pulled away—who cares about jurisdiction now? They say it’s an evil spirit causing trouble, and there have already been two deaths. In any case, Captain Harris, go over there as soon as possible.”

Once their superior had turned and left, Henry Thompson looked at Charles Harris sympathetically: “Captain, you didn’t have to agree just now. Suzaku Hall is short-handed—she actually wouldn’t dare do anything to you.”

“Get lost!” Charles Harris was furious, then wilted again, lamenting, “You, Henry ThompsonRobert Thompson, used to be such a decent, proud, and generous young man—how did you end up like this? What a shame, what a shame!”

Henry Thompson smiled: “Captain Harris, if you’re just upset that I’ll have less pocket money in the future, that’s easy to fix. As long as Sir Harris can get me an ‘excellent’ on this month’s evaluation, I’ll be sure to show my gratitude.”

“Forget it.”

Charles Harris shook his head, then his expression turned serious: “Robert, do you have all your gear? Since you’re not planning to slack off anymore, I’ll have to work you hard. You’ll come with me later. If it really is an evil spirit, we might have to fight this time.”

“All set!” Henry Thompson actually felt a bit excited and expectant. He was eager to see what the monsters and ghosts of this world were really like.

As a forensic doctor with two years’ experience, he’d seen plenty of corpses, but never a single ghost. So he was very curious, very eager.

Charles Harris gave him a strange look, then after a long moment, let out a long, drawn-out sigh.

The two moved quickly, and as they talked, they arrived at the stables outside. Each mounted a sturdy dragon steed and thundered out of the compound.

These were real ‘dragon steeds’, not just a way of describing two fine horses. Not only did they have scales on their bellies, but also a single horn on their heads, and stood at least two meters tall at the shoulder!

In less than a quarter of an hour, the two had already reached Ertou Bridge, at least ten li from Suzaku Hall—the speed of these dragon steeds was no slower than modern vehicles.

“This is the place!”