Emily Brooks's expression was icy cold: "My boyfriend and I went out for drinks and got robbed, even our car is gone. Is this how you maintain public order with taxpayers' money supporting you?"

Gavin Carter: "…"

The patrol officers' wary expressions turned into wry smiles. The captain said, "Miss Brooks, as you know, things have been a bit unsettled lately, especially this afternoon when the celestial phenomenon changed and the Azure Dragon appeared in the clouds. Who knows what those southern yokai will do…"

Gavin Carter's expression shifted slightly.

This afternoon, the Azure Dragon appeared in the sky… That must have been the sign of his emergence…

"The higher-ups are also worried that some domestic criminals might take advantage of the situation, so we've already stepped up our night patrols… We're very sorry for what happened to you, Miss Brooks, but please come with us to file a report…"

"Forget it, I don't want to recall it. Just consider it as sending them off to buy coffins." Emily Brooks's expression finally softened a bit. "Since everyone's on edge these days, let's not waste police resources on petty theft. Officer, just arrange for someone to escort my boyfriend and me home."

Southern yokai, domestic criminals—Gavin Carter felt every word was referring to Emily Brooks.

He also understood why Emily Brooks mentioned a boyfriend.

She was dressed in ancient attire, and he too looked like a man in period costume. With her holding his arm so intimately, they really did look like a couple. Going out at night with her "boyfriend" was the perfect cover for her; even if someone heard she was out late, they might not guess that the masked woman was her.

After all, how could you just happen to find a "couple's outfit" man to act with you on short notice?

But seeing the patrol officers' odd looks after hearing "boyfriend"… what a mess… It was clear that once a woman was involved, nothing ever went smoothly, just like in the old days.

Sitting in the back seat of the police car, Gavin Carter quietly watched the neon lights outside the window, saying nothing. The so-called boyfriend was just a cover; once they got somewhere private, he could properly ask her about the situation in this world. He was an Immortal Emperor, not a Demon Emperor—he wouldn't just grab people and search their souls for no reason. Having someone to communicate with was best.

As for the earlier misunderstandings, Emily Brooks was surely smart enough to have figured it out by now.

Emily Brooks had indeed figured it out…

Earlier, he said he was poisoned and she didn't believe him, but then she really went weak… She'd thought the pill was some kind of aphrodisiac or dubious drug, but after swallowing it, she quickly felt a gentle medicinal power nourishing her organs. The internal injuries from her fight with the bat-man had mostly healed in that short time, and the later numbness and weakness had also disappeared.

Clearly, the "poisoning" was real, and it was possible she could have been tracked because of it… but now it was resolved.

And though he had a thousand ways to take advantage, he hadn't done so at all, even though making her fall was infuriating…

She stole a glance at Gavin Carter's profile.

Was this man really just here to repay a favor? Because she helped him out at the coffee shop?

Thinking about the pill, Emily Brooks became even more convinced of her judgment—he really might be a rookie little yokai… After all, human medicine had long since moved away from the pill system. Although there were now some retro cultivation sects and pills, they were still rare; pills were more common among the native races.

But there were many native races. She herself was a fox, but she didn't know what he was—most likely a race with healing abilities. Otherwise, how could a newly emerged little yokai have such good pills?

A newly transformed, healing, not-lecherous, clueless little native yokai. How kind of cute…

"What are you doing?" Gavin Carter's voice came through gritted teeth by her ear.

Emily Brooks snapped back, realizing she'd subconsciously reached out to check if he had a tail while guessing his race… cough.

She wanted to pull away, but held back, whispering in his ear, "The police are driving, act the part."

Gavin Carter couldn't be bothered to argue—are the police driving or are you?

Emily Brooks's face was a little red.

Would he think she was being too forward?

But this seductive behavior wasn't intentional… She'd been a cold, aloof human woman for over twenty years, always hiding her fox nature. Who knew fate would twist things into this?

Oh right, she was even bringing him home. Was she really going to let him stay over? Would he think she actually wanted to be with him…

Emily Brooks's heart pounded like a deer, Gavin Carter remained expressionless, and the police officer watching in the rearview mirror felt like he was being force-fed dog food.

Even in the police car, you're blushing and leaning on a man's shoulder, hand who-knows-where… Tch, shameless couple, and you call yourself the cold CEO of Sanyu City? See a handsome guy and you're just as wild as anyone else.

In this strange atmosphere, the police car arrived at another suburban villa.

The "shameless couple" got out, the hover car's rear puffed a bit of smoke, and it sped off as if escaping, not even bothering with pleasantries.

Emily Brooks let out a sigh of relief—tonight's embarrassment was finally over.

Gavin Carter watched the police car leave and asked, "Judging by this, you seem pretty familiar with the authorities?"

"Authorities?" Emily Brooks couldn't help but laugh.

For some reason, even though she'd planned to return to her usual cold and aloof self, that one word made her want to tease him.

After all, in his eyes, she was already a demon.