Killing intent flickered in the old innkeeper’s eyes as he watched Xu Qing leaving. However, he didn’t make a single move, and eventually, Xu Qing disappeared around a distant street corner. Only then did the killing intent gradually dissipate. At that point, the head of a huge anaconda dropped down from the rafters, making cooing sounds that made it seem like it was speaking.

“Why didn’t I kill him?” The old man rolled his eyes. “The young fellow fights dirty. Plus he seems dangerous. I have the feeling that unless I used a trump card—“

“Coo. Coooo.”

“You’re the piece of trash!” the old man snapped. “Your whole family is trash! Eat, eat, eat. All you freaking do is eat! Fine. Go ahead and eat.”

The anaconda struck, its jaws clamping onto the corpse of Daoist Rat. Swallowing the body, the snake slowly retreated into the rafters.

Meanwhile, Xu Qing headed through the night back to the Violent Crimes Division. After turning in Daoist Rat’s head, he pocketed the 15 spirit stone bounty, then headed through the dawn light toward a little shop run by some common citizens. There, he had a bowl of soymilk and some...