The torrential rain had blocked the roads, making it impossible to return to town. Since they were just passing the time chatting, there was no harm in discussing the case. Brian Carter didn’t stand on ceremony and continued, “There are two things I just can’t figure out. The first is... aren’t there a bit too many corpse drivers? Driving corpses isn’t like herding cattle or horses—corpse drivers usually work alone, at most in pairs or threes. I’ve never heard of a group of corpse drivers acting together, and this isn’t even a major hub. Yet here, in this Yin family inn, there are more than a dozen gathered. Are they holding a meeting?”

“Another thing I don’t get: the corpse drivers died here, so where did the corpses they brought go?”

Little Constable waved his hand, taking it all in stride. “Maybe there were only corpse drivers. This time, they came out without bringing any corpses, agreed to meet at the inn... and then something happened.”

Brian Carter shook his head. “You think the Yin family inn is a good place? Corpse drivers only stay here to store corpses, understand? Unless they’re forced to while working, if they don’t have corpses with them, they’d rather sleep in the wild than stay in a place so heavy with yin energy.”

Little Constable understood. “So you’re saying these corpse drivers definitely came here with corpses, but they all died and the corpses disappeared. Twelve corpse drivers would have brought at least twelve corpses... so where did the corpses go?”

As soon as he asked, he suddenly realized, “The corpses must have been taken by the killer! So this case is—a robbery?! The killer murdered them just to steal the corpses? But why steal corpses?”

“Mm, you’re asking me?” Brian Carter laughed.

Little Constable laughed too, showing a mouthful of neat, white teeth. He didn’t bring up the case again, but instead looked at Brian Carter with delight, as if he’d found a treasure. “Earlier I said you’re meticulous, but I didn’t praise you enough. Not only are you careful in your work, but you’re also sharp-minded. You look at things one by one—impressive!”

“The clues are all laid out. Just string them together.” Brian Carter was modest. “You’re not from around here, so you don’t know much about the mountain tribes or corpse drivers, which is why you can’t see it clearly.”

Little Constable shrugged his thin shoulders and said carelessly, “Even if I did know them, I still couldn’t connect those clues.” As he spoke, he leaned forward, getting closer to Brian Carter. “How about this: from now on, let’s be partners. You help me.”

Brian Carter waved his hand and smiled. “I was dragged here to take the blame this time. I’m not a coroner—my uncle is. Go partner with him.”

Little Constable didn’t care. “If you’re not a coroner, just get a coroner’s job at the yamen. With your skills, it’d be a piece of cake. In the future, we’ll work side by side—you’re careful and sharp, and I... I have some amazing abilities too! No matter how big the case, it’ll be nothing to us. Heh, in a few years I’ll be the best constable in Nanli, and you’ll be the top coroner in the land...”

Before he could finish, Brian Carter burst out laughing. “I can tell—you’re just starving.”

“Don’t mention ‘hungry,’ I can’t take it...” Little Constable had been all smiles a moment ago, but at the word ‘hungry’ his face fell, and he was also unwilling to give up on Brian Carter not joining him. “Forget everything else—just talking about martial arts, I’m really skilled! I ran the thirty li from town to here without even panting, and I was holding back! No matter how clever you are, even if the thief is right in front of you, it’s useless if you can’t catch him. Solving cases and catching thieves—one with brains, one with brawn, just right.”

Brian Carter ignored Little Constable’s “grand ambitions.” No matter what the other said, he just smiled and shook his head.

Little Constable talked until his mouth was dry, but seeing that Brian Carter just wouldn’t agree, he grew more and more unhappy, thinking Brian Carter looked down on him. He pouted, “Don’t underestimate me. When it comes to solving cases, I have my own unique skills.” After a pause, he added, more forcefully, “Just this case today—I’m sure I got something right. If you don’t believe me, just wait and see. When the case is solved, you’ll see I was right!”

Brian Carter couldn’t help but laugh. “From start to finish, all you’ve said about this case is ‘tribal infighting.’ What else?”

Little Constable huffed, tossed his head, and sulked, refusing to talk to him.

Brian Carter didn’t mind at all. He lay back comfortably with his head on his arms. After a while, his expression suddenly brightened and he let out a laugh. Little Constable was startled and snapped, “What’s gotten into you?”

Brian Carter rolled over and jumped up from the ground. “The rain’s stopped. The rain’s over.” With that, he strode to the inn’s entrance.

The downpour had finally ended. The heavy clouds dispersed, revealing a brilliant starry sky and moon. Brian Carter looked unusually happy and turned back to Little Constable, “Sorry to trouble you, but please set out for Yanzi Ping right away and report the case to the magistrate.”

Then Brian Carter’s tone grew serious. “The tribesmen could cause trouble at any time. We need to notify the lord quickly and have him petition the prefect to send troops to garrison Yanzi Ping.”

Little Constable put on his boots and belt, getting ready to leave, and asked, “What about you? Aren’t you coming with me?”

Brian Carter shook his head. “You’re skilled and fast. If I went with you, I’d just slow you down. Besides, someone has to stay and watch the scene. I’ll stay.” After speaking, he didn’t forget to remind him, “Traveling at night is hard, and the roads are slippery after the rain. Be careful on your way. Don’t just rush for speed—remember, the matter is urgent, but you mustn’t be.”