“You three are all injured. Here are some pills that can stabilize your vital energy and heal internal wounds.” William Warren handed over the pills as well.

“Thank you.” George Lambert nodded.

“Once we escort him back to the Division of Demon Suppression, we’ll send word to the Imperial Guard to request a commendation for you.” With these final words, William Warren turned around and drifted away.

George Lambert held the pills in his palm, gazing at her willow-like figure as she left, momentarily lost in thought.

In all his past experiences, he had never seen such a woman before. She carried an aura of pure clarity, as if there wasn’t a single blemish inside or out.

He wondered if it was related to her cultivation on the great path.

Judging by her magical abilities, she was clearly a skilled Qi Refiner—perhaps that was the source of her celestial aura.

And that breathtaking sword strike across ten li of long street had truly been astonishing, letting George Lambert feel for the first time the power of the legendary Qi Refiners.

“George Lambert...”

“George...”

Two weak voices called from behind. He turned to see Daniel Parker and John Brooks lying on the ground, feebly waving at him.

“I know she’s beautiful, but...” John Brooks groaned, “could you give us the medicine first?”

“What does it taste like?” Daniel Parker also looked over. “I want to try it too.”

“Ah.” George Lambert snapped out of it, quickly helping his two brothers up and feeding them the pills from William Warren one by one.

John Brooks swallowed the pill and suddenly exclaimed, “Is this a Xuanmen Deer Blood Pill?”

“What’s wrong?” George Lambert asked.

“This pill is a secret Xuanmen recipe! It greatly strengthens the vital energy and opens the meridians—its effects are incredible! One of these costs at least several hundred taels, and it’s not even available on the market.” John Brooks marveled, “She just gave us three without a second thought—how generous!”

George Lambert glanced in the direction where William Warren had disappeared, equally surprised.

It was one thing for this woman to have extraordinary cultivation, but she was also stunningly beautiful; and on top of that, she was so lavish—a true wealthy lady?

...

The old farmer selling iced sour plum juice in the alley heard the commotion behind him. He glanced back, saw the officers arresting someone, and quickly turned away.

He seemed fearful, lowered his head, pushed his cart, stopped calling out his wares, and hurried through the alley toward the city gate. Fukung Ward was close to the southern gate of the capital, so he arrived quickly.

Blending into the crowd leaving the city, he was inconspicuous and was about to slip out with the flow.

Suddenly.

A hand reached out from the side and pressed down on his cart.

“You still have more than half your sour plum juice left, and it’s still broad daylight. Why are you in such a hurry to go home?”

The old farmer’s shoulders trembled. He looked up to see a tall, handsome young Imperial Guard smiling at him. With his other hand, he had already lifted the blanket covering the ice bucket to check inside—it was George Lambert.

“Officer, I’m not feeling well, maybe I’ve caught something. I just want to go home and rest.” The old farmer forced a smile in explanation.

“Oh?” George Lambert asked with a smile, “Played with fire too much, have you?”

“Huh?” The old farmer looked utterly confused and asked, “Officer, what do you mean?”

“George!” Two more sickly-looking Imperial Guards hurried over—it was Daniel Parker and John Brooks.

Though they were badly injured, after taking the pills from William Warren, they immediately felt their vital energy stabilize and greatly replenished. Now, only some external wounds remained.

At this moment, Daniel Parker was holding a block of ice wrapped in cloth, the outside melting, the inside very murky.

It was the very block the old farmer had thrown into the shop’s backyard earlier.

“I saw you throw this block of ice into someone’s backyard with my own eyes. Don’t you know?” George Lambert demanded, “Come clean—why did you set the fire in Fukung Ward?”

“Aiya!” The old farmer dropped to his knees. “Officer, I really don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“Yeah?” Daniel Parker was puzzled too. “Didn’t he just throw a block of ice into someone’s backyard? Ice and fire—those things aren’t even related.”

John Brooks blinked and whispered, “Depends on the situation—sometimes they are.”

“Dachun, throw that block of ice on the ground,” George Lambert said to Daniel Parker.

Daniel Parker did as told and tossed the ice aside. It was frozen solid and didn’t break. George Lambert drew his blade and chopped it in two.

A pile of white powder spilled out onto the ground.

“What’s that?” John Brooks asked curiously, wanting to get a closer look.

“It’s phosphorus powder,” George Lambert quickly said. “Stay back!”

At first, nothing happened. But as a gust of wind blew the powder, suddenly a green flame burst out of nowhere, crackling with fierce fire and thick smoke—igniting instantly and violently!

“Ah!” Daniel Parker and John Brooks both jumped in shock.

“This substance is called white phosphorus. Once exposed to air, it ignites very easily,” George Lambert took out a small pouch from his robe, opening it to reveal some soil mixed with white chunks. “I found this at the fire scene last night—it’s the residue left after phosphorus burns.”

“Oh...” John Brooks exclaimed in sudden realization, “No wonder we couldn’t catch the arsonist last night!”