Captain Li Kun

Chen Bin glanced over casually. This Old Ghoul was surprisingly nice.

Wasn't he just? Not only had he gnawed on Bao Hong's neck, he'd chewed Bao Hong's face until it was a bloody mess, leaving him unrecognizable.

Chen Bin didn't answer. His expression calm, he simply pointed toward the headless corpse lying not far away.

Old Ghoul understood at once. He crawled toward the corpse on all fours, and as soon as he reached it, he sprawled beside it and began to feast.

The biting was just as quick this time.

Old Ghoul was beaming with joy, ready to present the corpse as a gift once more.

"Bang!" A deafening crash came from outside—the sound of the wooden door collapsing.

Right after it, an authoritative shout pierced the night sky above Spring Breeze Tower. "The Demon Suppression Division is on the case! All uninvolved persons, leave at once!"

Then came a commotion of voices and hurried footsteps, surging toward the small courtyard like a rising tide.

The moment Old Ghoul heard that the Demon Suppression Division had arrived, he panicked. His terror was plain on his face.

He had just opened his mouth to beg Master Chen for help when a flash of cold light swept past, and a pitch-black blade chopped into his forehead.

"You..."

Old Ghoul managed only half a cry.

"Zzz... Ah..."

The Demon Suppression Blade sliced through Old Ghoul's head with ease.

In an instant, black demonic mist billowed up like steam from boiling water, carrying a shrill scream, then vanished into the air.

[Killed Old Ghoul, Merit +8, remaining Merit: 19]

Chen Bin glanced expressionlessly at the split-open head. It was hollow inside, with nothing in it.

A pool of black water seeped into the floorboards.

Ghost Servant.

According to the records, beyond the Mountain Lord's sphere of control, their minds were free.

"No wonder he was so easy to fool. There's nothing left in that head of his!" Chen Bin murmured.

Then he spun around.

At that very moment, "Bang!" A tremendous force slammed the door open, sending splinters flying in every direction like hidden weapons.

Chen Bin raised a hand to shield his face, lest the splinters injure his handsome features.

"The Demon Suppression Division is on the case!" With a sharp shout, three figures charged into the room like arrows, wooden splinters swirling around them. In an instant, they surrounded Chen Bin.

Their black blades gleamed dully, but the drawn edges were chillingly sharp, all aimed at Chen Bin, who stood amid blood and corpses.

Clutching the blade in his hand, Chen Bin didn't dare so much as breathe loudly. He stood stock-still, not daring to move an inch.

The three officers swiftly surveyed the room. It was a complete wreck.

The Fox Demon's corpse lay sprawled on the floor, its blood staining the ground red. Beside it was the empty skin of the Ghost Servant, with black water spread all around. And there was the Demon Suppression Division officer's corpse, chewed beyond recognition—a sight too gruesome to look at.

The officer nearest the door was quick to assess the room. After confirming there were no hidden threats, he turned sharply and called out toward the doorway, "Captain Li, two demons are dead inside. It's safe!"

Wanbao County lay close to a major ferry crossing and was a large county in its own right.

The Demon Suppression Division's yamen had one General Banner, who commanded six Small Banners. Each Small Banner, in turn, oversaw six Demon Suppression Captains.

Each Demon Suppression Captain commanded six full-time officers, and each full-time officer had four auxiliary officers under him.

There were also Labor Officers who performed corvée duty whenever called upon.

In practice, however, these ranks were rarely filled. The death rate was simply too high, and buying a position cost money. New recruits couldn't keep up with the vacancies.

Chen Bin had secured his official officer's post only by paying Tian Jie.

When Chen Bin heard the words "Captain Li," his heart, which had been in his throat, finally settled.

He was privately relieved. At least it wasn't his strict direct superior, Tian Jie.

Soon, clear, steady footsteps approached.

A captain in uniform strode in with two subordinates.

One hand rested on the long blade at his waist, the other gripped a Demon Sensing Plate. His gaze was keen as he quickly surveyed the three corpses in the room, then settled on Chen Bin.

Chen Bin didn't dare slack off. He immediately clasped his blade in both hands, bowed respectfully, and loudly reported his identity. "I'm Chen Bin, a full-time officer under Captain Tian Jie. Greetings, Captain Li Kun."

"Did you kill them?" Li Kun fixed Chen Bin with a hawk's stare.

Chen Bin hurriedly shook his head. "No!"

Li Kun glanced at the corpses on the floor again. His brows furrowed, and displeasure appeared on his face.

Seeing this, Chen Bin hurried to explain. "This fellow officer was Bao Hong. I didn't kill him."

"Tell me what happened."

Chen Bin quickly replied, "I became a full-time officer today, so my fellow officer Bao Hong and I came here for drinks.

"Partway through, Bao Hong said he wanted to have some fun here. After finishing my drinks, I thought I should come tell him.

"I never expected that when I reached the courtyard, I'd hear Bao Hong screaming.

"I drew my blade and rushed into the room, and saw the Ghost Servant biting Bao Hong's neck.

"I tried to save Bao Hong, but the Fox Demon blocked my way.

"I had no choice but to kill the Fox Demon first, then the Ghost Servant.

"But Bao Hong's neck had been bitten through. There was nothing I could do for him."

"I see." Li Kun glanced down at the Demon Sensing Plate in his hand. After confirming there was no remaining demonic energy, he stepped forward, strode past Chen Bin, and bent over to examine the corpses.

The Fox Demon's skull had been split open with a single slash, its brains and blood scattered across the floor. Strands of flesh and bone still clung to Old Ghoul's claws and teeth. His head, too, had been split open, and the demonic energy and soul trapped in his body had already dissipated.

As for Bao Hong, he was already beyond recognition, no longer even human in appearance—and his head was gone.

Li Kun was used to such bloody scenes. He casually kicked the blade at Bao Hong's waist. The blade slid sideways, half drawn from its scabbard.

Its snow-white surface gleamed like a mirror, clearly kept in excellent condition.

But it was just an ordinary blade, not the Demon Suppression Blade issued to full-time officers.

After checking everything and confirming there were no more abnormalities, Li Kun slowly raised a hand.

The three officers beside Chen Bin sheathed their blades.

Then Li Kun walked over to Chen Bin and said, "Well done. These..."

Chen Bin hurriedly said, "I only discovered the Fox Demon and Old Ghoul. They were both killed by you and your fellow officers, Captain Li."

Li Kun was taken aback, then laughed.

But in the next instant, his expression turned cold, and he barked, "Fool!"

Chen Bin froze. He immediately fixed his gaze straight ahead, not daring to look around.

Li Kun's eyes were cold as he stared into Chen Bin's. "You're not even trying to claim the credit. What are you trying to hide?"

Chen Bin looked troubled and answered honestly, "Bao Hong's older sister is Captain Tian Jie's concubine. I..."

Li Kun understood at once. He raised a hand and waved it dismissively. "Do you take me, Li Kun, for one of those petty men who scrabble for credit?"

Chen Bin was delighted. He hadn't expected this captain to be so broad-minded. He quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Captain Li."

"However," Li Kun continued, changing his tune, "since you've given up the credit, we'll do as you said. You may leave."

Chen Bin didn't dare say anything more. He hurriedly replied, "Thank you, Captain Li, for your generosity."

After bowing, he hurried away.