The red line slowly split open, forming a crack. At first glance, it looked as if a third eye had appeared between David Sutton's eyes.

"Spare me, please spare me this once, I can give you all of my collection."

David Sutton opened his mouth, as if wanting to speak, but no sound came out.

The crack between his eyes grew wider and wider, the black smoke quickly dissipated, turning into a stream of black vapor that merged into the red line.

David Sutton's eyes widened, his body seeming to be drained of all strength, and with a thud, he collapsed onto the floor.

The eye between his brows slowly closed, turning back into a red line, and then disappeared.

"Amy Chandler, what's wrong?"

Brian Chandler rushed in from outside, saw David Sutton slumped in a pool of blood, and hurried over to help him up.

At this moment, a man in his early thirties walked in from outside the tavern.

After entering, his gaze swept the room and landed on the corpse on the floor, now nothing but an empty skin.

"David Sutton, what happened?"

David Sutton coughed a few times, finally regaining his composure.

"Henry Wade, I just came in to inspect the body, and saw that Mr. Lewis's corpse had turned into this.

I went up to take a closer look, but then a stream of black vapor flew out from his body..."

"Enough!"

Henry Wade quickly cut off David Sutton, striding forward to examine Mr. Lewis's corpse.

A moment later, he stood up and said, "Clearly, Mr. Lewis colluded with the thief, and when the plot was exposed, he took his own life."

He looked at David Sutton, his brows slightly furrowed.

"This matter must not be mentioned to anyone. If even a hint of this leaks out, you'll be held responsible."

Before David Sutton could speak, Brian Chandler quickly interjected, "Understood, it was Mr. Lewis who colluded with the thief and took his own life when the plot was exposed."

Henry Wade's expression softened a little.

"David Sutton was injured while apprehending the thief, so go home and rest for now.

Tomorrow is your day off, no need to come to the yamen. Brian Chandler, see him home, understood?"

"Understood."

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the tavern.

Brian Chandler gave David Sutton a look, helped him up, and slowly led him out.

"Second brother, what happened?"

"Old Wade failed to catch the thief just now, and a few of our brothers got hurt."

"And Mr. Lewis..."

"He's going to use Mr. Lewis to report back, let's not get involved."

As Brian Chandler spoke, he lowered his voice and whispered in David Sutton's ear, "This is something strange and supernatural, not something we can meddle in. We can barely handle the affairs of the living, let alone those of the uncanny."

Hearing this, David Sutton fell silent.

"It's just a pity for Mr. Lewis, not only was he possessed by something strange, but now he has to bear the blame for colluding with thieves and stealing palace property."

"Yeah, truly unlucky."

Brian Chandler gave a bitter smile and nodded, supporting David Sutton as they walked out of the Da'an Ward gate.

Dong dong dong dong, the sound of the street drums rang out again.

The gates of Chang'an began to close one by one.

"So... are we still going to investigate those stolen items?"

"With something supernatural involved, what's the point?"

"That's... really a shame!"

"What's there to regret? When you encounter the uncanny, just surviving is enough. We shouldn't try to be heroes. Have you forgotten that accident last year, when you nearly lost your life? Cherish your life, stay away from the supernatural... Next time, you might not be so lucky."

The slanting rays of the setting sun stretched the shadows of the two men longer and longer.

Chapter Five: Magical Great Tang

Darkness shrouded Chang'an.

Under the night, the city of Chang'an was calm and peaceful.

The Jinwu Guards patrolled the streets, and the gates of all one hundred and eight wards were tightly shut.

The flags along the streets had all been taken down, but many taverns and shops still hung lanterns above their doors to show they were open for business.

There are always countermeasures for every policy, as it has always been.

The night curfew was an unbreakable law for ordinary people.

But for some, the coming of night was the perfect time for pleasure and revelry.

As long as you didn't leave the ward gates or walk on the main streets. Within the ward, as long as you took care of the ward watchmen and constables, you could sleep easy.

This sort of thing—you know it, I know it, and the authorities probably know it too.

As long as everyone keeps the peace, and no trouble is caused.

Otherwise, those constables and ward watchmen would immediately turn hostile, becoming fierce and merciless, showing no favor to anyone.

David Sutton was in plain clothes, having dinner with Miss Lane, and now sat in the living room talking.

"Amy Chandler, there's something I need to tell you."

David Sutton immediately put down the saber he was polishing, looked up at Miss Lane, and showed a puzzled expression.

"Mother, what is it?"

"I've rented out the two side rooms."

"Rented them out?" David Sutton's expression changed slightly, and he said softly, "Didn't we agree not to rent them out?"

"After the Lantern Festival, prices have gone up again."

"Oh?"

"The price of grain has risen by twenty percent, oil by ten percent, almost everything has gone up.

And, I don't want you going out on night patrols anymore, in case... Anyway, we need money for everything, and I have no other choice."

"Alright, rent them out if you must, Mother, you don't need to worry about me."