8: Chapter 8 The Death of the Captain, the Famous Detective of the Capital!

Winter in the 30th year of Xuanhe of the Great Wei.

Morning in the capital, a cold mist filled the air.

West City, a secluded alleyway entrance that was usually deserted, was now packed to the brim.

"Have you heard? Someone died! And it's an official!"

"His head was smashed to pieces. Tsk tsk, that scene..."

Muffled discussions came from the crowd. Everyone's face was filled with terror, yet they couldn't hide a morbid curiosity for blood and death.

Several Six Doors constables in black-and-red uniforms, holding lictor's staves, struggled to maintain order.

Just then, the rapid sound of galloping hooves broke through the clamor.

A date-red steed burst through the morning mist, galloping forward. The rider on its back pulled the reins and dismounted with swift, practiced movements.

This was a young woman with a tall figure, wearing a Body Integration tailored Crimson Martial Attire of the Six Doors, with a wide Brocade Belt cinched at her waist, outlining her slender yet powerful frame. A sheathed longsword hung diagonally at her side, exuding a murderous aura.

Her face was exquisitely beautiful, with brows like distant mountains and eyes like cold stars. But at this moment, those eyes held a coldness that warned others to stay away.

It was none other than the Famous Constable of the Six Doors' younger generation, Lin Wan.

"Boss, you're here."

An old constable with graying hair hurried to meet her, his expression grim.

"The victim's identity has been confirmed. He was a Captain of the Cell Block D in the Heavenly Jail under the Demon Suppression Division, named Wang Hu. He was at the Peak of Rank Nine."

Lin Wan nodded slightly and walked straight into the depths of the alley.

Beneath a mottled blue-brick wall, a headless corpse lay quietly in a pool of blood. Red and white matter was splattered everywhere, frozen into icy bits in the cold morning wind.

Lin Wan crouched down expressionless, put on deerskin gloves, and carefully examined the body.

Her gaze fell upon the corpse's chest. The clothes there were torn, revealing the bruised skin beneath. A clear palm print was struck right in the center of the chest, deeply sunken.

Lin Wan extended her slender fingers and lightly pressed against the edge of the palm print.

"A single palm strike shattered the heart meridians, cutting off all life. The residual force surged upward, directly smashing the skull."

Lin Wan's voice was clear and pleasant, yet it carried no trace of emotion.

She stood up and looked around. Aside from the shocking pool of blood around the body, there weren't many signs of a struggle nearby.

"There was no intense fighting. The victim was killed in a very short time. One could even say he was crushed."

The old constable pointed to a nearby wall. "Boss, look over there."

There was a large hole in the wall, blasted through by the force of a palm strike. Rubble was scattered about, and the edges were clean.

Lin Wan walked to the wall and reached out to touch the edge of the hole. Under the force of that palm, the hard blue bricks had become as brittle as tofu.

"Fierce and overbearing, yet it carries a subtle, soft aftershock."

Lin Wan took a deep breath, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.

"This is... the Red Lotus Demonic Cult's Cloud-Turning Palm!"

At the mention of the "Red Lotus Demonic Cult," the faces of the constables nearby instantly changed. That was a major threat to the imperial court, remnants of the previous dynasty!

"Boss, are you sure?" the old constable's voice trembled slightly.

"Most likely," Lin Wan said coldly. "Aside from those in the demonic cult, I can't think of anyone else who would use this palm technique."

"But... why would the demonic cult kill a lowly Captain?" the old constable asked, bewildered. "Could it be to rescue the Red Lotus Witch who was captured a few days ago?"

"If it were to rescue someone, they should have raided the prison directly." Lin Wan's brow furrowed. "Unless this Wang Hu possessed some secret or was standing in someone's way."

"Boss, what do we do now? Should we report this?"

"Of course. This is a murder case, and the victim is an imperial official. No matter who the killer is, we must get to the bottom of it."

Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted at the alley entrance.

"Make way! Everyone move! Demon Suppression Division business!"

Shouts rang out, followed by the rhythmic clanking of iron armor.

Lin Wan's expression darkened. She gripped her sword hilt and turned around.

A group of guards dressed in black armor with Spring-Embroidered Sabers at their waists pushed through the crowd and entered.

Leading them was a man in his thirties with a sinister face. He wore the Flying Fish Robe unique to the Demon Suppression Division and a black Cloak, looking quite imposing.

Centurion Zhao Wuji of the Demon Suppression Division.

"Centurion Zhao?" Lin Wan stepped forward, blocking the path. "This is a Six Doors case. What are you doing here?"

Zhao Wuji stopped and looked Lin Wan up and down. Instead of his usual arrogance, he cupped his hands in a surprisingly polite gesture.

"Constable Lin, a word in private."

Lin Wan frowned but nodded nonetheless.

The two stepped aside. Zhao Wuji lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness.

"Constable Lin, can this case be handed over to our Demon Suppression Division?"

"Why?" Lin Wan was puzzled. "This is a murder case in the capital. By law, it should be investigated by the Six Doors first."

"I know." Zhao Wuji sighed. "But the deceased is one of our Demon Suppression Division's men, and it involves the Red Lotus Demonic Cult. The higher-ups take this very seriously and have specifically ordered us to take the body back and investigate thoroughly."

He paused, glanced at Lin Wan, and said meaningfully:

"Constable Lin, the water in this case is very deep. You are of noble birth and have a bright future; there's no need to wade into these muddy waters for a dead man."

Lin Wan's heart stirred.

Although Zhao Wuji's words were subtle, the meaning was clear. There was big trouble behind this case, and he didn't want Lin Wan to get involved.

Although she disliked the Demon Suppression Division's way of doing things, since Zhao Wuji had put it that way and his attitude was sincere, she couldn't stubbornly block him.

After all, while the Six Doors and the Demon Suppression Division occasionally clashed, they hadn't reached the point of an open fallout.

"Since it's the will of the higher-ups, I won't stand in your way."

Lin Wan pondered for a moment and slowly released her grip on the sword.

"However, Centurion Zhao, this case did occur in my jurisdiction. If you need any cooperation in the future, don't hesitate to ask."

"Naturally." Zhao Wuji smiled and cupped his hands. "Thank you for your understanding, Constable Lin. I'll treat you to tea another day."

With that, he waved his hand.

"Men, take the body away!"

Several black-armored guards quickly stepped forward and lifted Wang Hu's corpse.

Watching the Demon Suppression Division's departure, Lin Wan stood in place, deep in thought.

"Boss, are we just going to let it go like this?" a young constable asked, somewhat unwillingly.

"Let it go?"

Lin Wan turned around, looking at the blood stains on the ground, a spark of curiosity flashing in her eyes.

"Zhao Wuji is usually arrogant, yet today he was so polite, even going so far as to bring up the higher-ups to pressure me."

"This shows that they are in a hurry, and they are afraid."

"Afraid of what?" the old constable asked.

"Afraid that we'll find something we shouldn't."

A faint, cold smile curled at the corner of Lin Wan's mouth.

"Pass down the order: secretly investigate Wang Hu's social circle. Remember, do it in secret. Don't let the Demon Suppression Division find out."

"Also, send someone to watch the Heavenly Jail. Wang Hu was from there; there must be clues."

"Yes!" the constables responded in unison.

Lin Wan took a deep breath, suppressing the doubts in her heart.

"If she couldn't investigate openly, she would do it in secret! She wanted to see exactly what the Demon Suppression Division is hiding!"

...

At the same time.

Heavenly Jail, Cell Block D.

The storms outside didn't seem to affect the deathly silence here. Heavy stone walls blocked out the sunlight and the noise.

There was only eternal darkness, and the smell of rot and blood permeating the air.

Chen Ran continued to live his dull and tedious life as a jailer.

"Time to eat."

Chen Ran carried the food bucket, skillfully tapped the bars, and handed a bowl of spoiled rice into the cell.

Inside the cell, a prisoner with disheveled hair crawled over like a dog and wolfed down the food.

Chen Ran watched the scene expressionlessly, his eyes as calm as water.