Chapter Sixty-Seven: Resolution

Upon entering, they saw Chief Inspector Huo Boru and several other squad captains present. On the ground, a corpse was covered with a white sheet, surrounded by traces of dried blood.

“Greetings, Chief Inspector!” Liu Chengzhi and Qin Yi saluted.

“Mmm.” Huo Boru nodded, then turned to them. “Your superior, Captain He, was found dead at home this morning. The manner of death was brutal. I’m sure you’ve seen the writing on the wall outside as well. Our first suspicion is a vendetta.”

“However, Captain He possessed seventh-level strength. There aren’t many in the city capable of killing him. Recall carefully—has he offended anyone recently, or had any conflicts with certain factions?” Huo Boru’s expression was grim.

A squad captain dying in his own home was a humiliating blow for the entire constabulary. This case demanded a thorough investigation.

“Well…” Qin Yi and Liu Chengzhi exchanged glances. To be honest, Qin Yi rarely interacted with He Xiongjian, except when missions were assigned. He truly had no idea who He Xiongjian’s enemies might be.

“Chief Inspector, I haven’t seen Captain He involved in any disputes with factions recently. As for who he might have offended, I really don’t know,” Liu Chengzhi answered after some thought.

“I’m also unaware of any grudges Captain He might have had,” Qin Yi said, bowing.

“Mmm.” Huo Boru nodded again and asked no further questions.

“Chief Inspector, could this be the work of the Scarlet Sect?” one of the squad captains speculated.

No one was certain whether members of the Scarlet Sect were still lurking within the city.

“It’s possible.” Huo Boru’s eyes narrowed.

“You two may leave for now. From here on, the eleventh and twelfth squads will be under my direct command.”

“Yes, sir.” The two saluted and withdrew.

Outside, they looked at each other and sighed.

“Damn, being a constable is getting harder and harder,” Liu Chengzhi cursed.

A year ago, this was a gratifying job. But ever since frequent skirmishes broke out in Dayong and remnants of the Scarlet Sect appeared in the city, the work had become increasingly perilous.

The mortality rate among constables had soared.

“Indeed.” Qin Yi nodded in agreement. He’d joined the force hoping to rise through the ranks and earn access to top-tier martial arts. But the current situation in Jiangning City had made him abandon that hope.

“I’m planning to retire next month! Brother Qin, you should start thinking about an exit strategy too. Though you became a squad leader at such a young age, the position of captain requires not only seventh-level strength but also connections. Without both, hard work alone won’t get you there,” Liu Chengzhi advised earnestly.

“Thank you for the warning, Brother Liu. I understand,” Qin Yi replied, bowing. Liu Chengzhi was, after all, a good-hearted veteran.

…

That night, Qin Yi practiced the Five Energies Returning to Origin Fist in his own courtyard. Though he had already mastered the form, he still found it beneficial to repeat it whenever he had time.

Far away, atop a tall building, Zhu Fengyin watched Qin Yi practicing in the courtyard.

“He’s the only survivor of the original twelfth squad. Luck really is on his side!”

Why hadn’t her own brother been so fortunate as to escape?

Murderous intent flashed in Zhu Fengyin’s eyes as she floated down and headed toward Qin Yi’s house. She appeared to walk, yet each step covered seven or eight meters. Within several breaths, she reached the courtyard gate.

“Who are you looking for?”

Suddenly, a voice rang out behind Zhu Fengyin, making her hair stand on end. She spun around abruptly.

A flexible sword flashed from her waist.

“Cold Light!”

The sword swept out like a bolt of lightning, aiming to slice the figure behind her in two.

In the next instant, the sword met nothing, and Zhu Fengyin’s scalp tingled—the enemy had vanished!

“To the right!”

Clang!

Sword and dagger collided, sending sparks flying.

Both fighters moved swiftly.

Clang, clang, clang, clang!

Their weapons blurred into afterimages, fiercely entwined in combat.

They exchanged blows at dizzying speed.

“Whale Swallow!”

A shower of silver light enveloped Zhu Fengyin.

“Sky Net!” she shouted, her flexible sword weaving a curtain that interlaced with the silver light.

Clang, clang, clang!

They separated as quickly as they clashed.

Finally, Zhu Fengyin realized that her opponent was the very man she’d seen in the courtyard moments before!

He was not inferior to her—in fact, his speed was astonishing. She’d used her movement technique, yet could barely keep pace with him. She’d thought she was just here tonight to kill an insignificant insect, but had run into a steel wall instead.

“Eighth-level!” Qin Yi narrowed his eyes. He hadn’t used any movement techniques, yet the opponent had, and only then barely matched his speed. That meant she was at the eighth level.

“You can die now!”

“Arrogant!” Zhu Fengyin snorted.

“Flash Step!”

In the blink of an eye, Qin Yi charged toward her. Zhu Fengyin’s pupils contracted as she raised her sword.

“Moon Step: Deep Carving!”

They passed each other.

A sharp pain seared Zhu Fengyin’s back—she’d missed with her strike, and as she turned, Qin Yi’s right claw was dripping with her blood.

“Ninth-level?” Zhu Fengyin was shocked and furious, already considering retreat. A ninth-level fighter hiding as a squad leader among the constables—what was his purpose?

“I’ll tell you once you’re dead!” Qin Yi grinned and lunged.

“Wait! It’s a misunderstanding—I mistook you for someone else!” Zhu Fengyin’s pupils contracted as he rushed at her.

Her sword missed again.

A fresh wound opened on her body.

“This is a misunderstanding! I apologize, all right?” Zhu Fengyin was now genuinely afraid.

Her opponent’s speed was clearly ninth-level!

“What does your mistake have to do with my desire to kill you?” Qin Yi sneered, once more darting forward like a phantom.

Another wound.

“Ah! You’re fighting unfairly—face me head-on!” Zhu Fengyin roared in frustration. She could see now that their strength was similar, and she might even have the upper hand in direct combat. But his speed far surpassed hers, and it had become her fatal weakness.

Another wound.

“Ahhh! Your dagger is poisoned!” Zhu Fengyin was nearly driven mad. Not only was she losing blood, she had been poisoned—her head was buzzing.

Without further hesitation, Zhu Fengyin turned and fled.

But Qin Yi followed her like a ghost, striking at intervals.

After a street’s distance, dizziness struck again, slowing Zhu Fengyin.

A dagger seized the opportunity and plunged into the back of her head.