North Canal.
A fast boat on the river had snapped cleanly in two and was gurgling as it sank.
The bodies of seven or eight Profound Yin Hall guards floated on the surface, rising and falling with the waves.
On the still-intact stern, Xu Jin sat.
Wen Liang knelt at his feet.
The once high-spirited branch helm master now had disheveled hair and a brocade robe soaked through. Not a trace of his former bearing remained; all that was left was a face full of wretchedness.
From catching up to finishing the job, less than an incense stick's time had passed.
In truth, finding him had never been difficult.
There was only one water route north.
"Do you know why I kept you alive until now?"
Wen Liang knelt in the pooled water, lips pressed tight, saying nothing.
Xu Jin did not beat around the bush.
"Red Temper has already gone on ahead."
Wen Liang's pupils suddenly contracted.
"Seeing as you're a helm master, you get one more privilege than they did." Xu Jin lifted his eyelids. "Leave some last words."
Wen Liang slowly raised his head, his voice hoarse.
"Inspector Xu, this is the northern stretch of Yong Province. We've long since left Green-Mud Ferry's jurisdiction. You have no warrant to arrest someone across the border. If you truly kill me, even the Demon Suppression Bureau's rules will not tolerate you."
"Oh? You're talking rules with me?"
Xu Jin counted them off on his fingers.
"You set up an array in Reed-Blossom Marsh to intercept and kill a patrol inspector. The crime scene was within my Green-Mud Ferry jurisdiction—this case was mine to begin with. Pursuing a criminal and making an arrest, with events unfolding suddenly, I acted as circumstances required. I'll just submit an additional report when I