Chapter 3

Wen Xiao crossed her arms, glancing between the two men.
“So,” she said, “what exactly are we going to do with him?”
Zhou Yi Chen didn’t hesitate.
“Lock him up.”
Zhao Yuanzhou, who had been standing far too comfortably for a prisoner, let out a quiet chuckle.
“You really haven’t changed.”
Zhou Yi Chen shot him a sharp look. “Stop talking like you know me.”
Zhao Yuanzhou ignored the warning completely.
Instead, his gaze drifted toward the sword in Zhou Yi Chen’s hand.
“You’re a descendant of the Bing Yi Tribe, aren’t you?” he said lightly. “And that sword… Yun Guangjian—it can kill any demon.”
Zhou Yi Chen’s expression tightened.
“…You talk too much.”
Zhao Yuanzhou’s smile didn’t fade.
“It can kill any demon,” he repeated softly, “if used correctly.”
That made Zhou Yi Chen pause.
His grip on the sword shifted slightly.
“What do you mean… correctly?”
Zhao Yuanzhou met his eyes.
For a moment, something unreadable passed between them.
Then he said calmly,
“I know how to use it.”
Zhou Yi Chen stepped forward instantly.
“Then tell me.”
Zhao Yuanzhou tilted his head, as if considering it.
“I will,” he said.
A pause.
“But only if you accompany me on the investigation.”
Silence.
Then—
“Isn’t that inappropriate, Zhu Yan?” Zhou Yi Chen snapped. “You idiot.”
Wen Xiao blinked.
Zhao Yuanzhou, however, looked completely unbothered.
“Inappropriate?” he echoed, almost amused. “All I want is to help rebuild your Demon Investigation Bureau.”
His gaze lingered on Zhou Yi Chen.
“But you… aren’t very cooperative.”
Zhou Yi Chen’s jaw clenched. “I don’t cooperate with demons.”
“Pity,” Zhao Yuanzhou murmured.
Wen Xiao suddenly clapped her hands once.
“Okay.”
Both men turned to look at her.
Zhou Yi Chen stared. “…What?”
“I said okay,” Wen Xiao repeated, completely calm.
Zhou Yi Chen looked like he’d been struck.
“Wen Xiao.”
“Yes?”
“You cannot be serious.”
She shrugged.
“It’s better this way.”
Zhou Yi Chen’s voice rose. “Better? How is this better?!”
Wen Xiao gestured toward Zhao Yuanzhou casually.
“If he deviates,” she said, “you can kill him on the spot.”
A beat.
“That’s literally your specialty.”
Zhou Yi Chen went silent.
Zhao Yuanzhou let out a soft laugh.
“I like her,” he said.
“No one asked you,” Zhou Yi Chen snapped immediately.
Zhao Yuanzhou leaned slightly closer, voice dropping just enough for only Zhou Yi Chen to hear—
“Besides… if anyone’s going to kill me…”
His eyes held Zhou Yi Chen’s.
“I’d prefer it to be you.”
Zhou Yi Chen froze for half a second.
Then scowled deeply and turned away.
“Fine,” he said coldly. “But don’t slow me down.”
Zhao Yuanzhou smiled.
Something about that answer clearly pleased him.

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Fan Xing placed the report on the table.
“The request has been approved,” he said. “A new demon-slaying team will be formed.”
Zhou Yi Chen didn’t look up. “And?”
Fan Xing continued, “The chancellor personally selected the members.”
That made Zhou Yi Chen pause.
“…Of course he did.”

The underground chambers were quiet.
Chains clinked softly as Zhou Yi Chen stepped inside, an official token in his hand.

Zhao Yuanzhou was exactly where he had been left—leaning lazily against the wall, looking more like a guest than a prisoner.

When he saw Zhou Yi Chen, his eyes lit up slightly.
“Well,” Zhao Yuanzhou said, smiling, “you came to see me personally?”
Zhou Yi Chen’s expression immediately darkened.
“Don’t start.”

Zhao Yuanzhou pushed himself off the wall and walked closer, completely ignoring the tension in the air.
“I was wondering when you’d come,” he continued, voice low and teasing. “Couldn’t stay away?”
“Shut that bad mouth of yours, old man,” Zhou Yi Chen snapped.

Zhao Yuanzhou paused.Then laughed softly.

“Old man?” he repeated. “That’s a bit cruel.”
He stepped closer—too close.

“But if I’m old…” his gaze lingered on Zhou Yi Chen’s face, “why are you the one getting flustered?”

“I’m not flustered,” Zhou Yi Chen shot back immediately.
“Mm,” Zhao Yuanzhou hummed. “Your ears say otherwise.”

Zhou Yi Chen’s grip on the token tightened.
“I didn’t come here to argue,” he said coldly. “You’re being temporarily released.”
He held up the token.
“You’ll work with the Demon Investigation Bureau.”

Zhao Yuanzhou glanced at it… then back at him.
“So you agreed.”

“I didn’t,” Zhou Yi Chen replied flatly. “Wen Xiao did.”

“I like her more and more.”
“Take the token and stop talking.”

Zhao Yuanzhou finally reached out, but instead of taking it immediately, his fingers brushed lightly against Zhou Yi Chen’s hand.

Just for a second.

Zhou Yi Chen froze.

Then pulled his hand back sharply.
“…Take it properly.”

Zhao Yuanzhou chuckled.
“As you wish.”

Later, Zhou Yi Chen stood in the bureau hall, holding three tokens.
Fan Xing’s voice echoed in his mind:
“The selected members: Zhou Yi Chen, Pei Sijing… and Bai Jiu.”

Zhou Yi Chen frowned slightly.
“A strange combination…..”

Wen Xiao entered, carrying a tray of refreshments…
She looked completely at ease.
Too at ease.

Zhou Yi Chen’s eyes dropped to her waist.
A token.
He frowned.

“Why are you wearing that?”
Wen Xiao set the tray down casually.
“Because I’m joining.”
Zhou Yi Chen stared at her.
“You’re what?”

“The demon-slaying team,” she said simply.
Zhou Yi Chen’s expression hardened.
“This isn’t a game, Wen Xiao.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you so determined to join?”

For once, Wen Xiao didn’t joke.

“…Because finding the Baize Decree has been my lifelong wish.”

Silence fell between them.

Zhou Yi Chen studied her face carefully.
“You think this team will help you find it?”
Wen Xiao nodded.
“Yes.”

Then she added lightly,
“Besides, with you around… I probably won’t die.”
Zhou Yi Chen scoffed.
“Don’t rely on me.”

From the doorway, a familiar voice drifted in—
“You should,” Zhao Yuanzhou said lazily. “He’s quite reliable.”

Zhou Yi Chen didn’t even turn around.

“Why are you here already?”
Zhao Yuanzhou leaned against the doorframe, smiling.

“I couldn’t stay away.”

Zhou Yi Chen closed his eyes briefly.
“…I regret everything.”

Wen Xiao grinned.
“This is going to be fun.”

Zhou Yi Chen muttered under his breath—
“This is going to be a disaster.”
Zhao Yuanzhou’s smile only deepened.

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The atmosphere in the bureau had barely settled—
When the doors opened again…
A tall woman stepped inside.
Pei Sijing.
Wen Xiao brightened immediately. “You’re here! Perfect timing—”
Pei Sijing raised a hand, cutting her off…

“I’m not joining,” she said flatly. “I came to return the token.”

She glanced toward Zhao Yuanzhou, her gaze cold…

“I don’t trust demons. Especially not one like him.”

Zhao Yuanzhou leaned lazily against a pillar, completely unbothered…

“That hurts,” he murmured. “I haven’t even done anything yet.”

Zhou Yi Chen didn’t react.
Pei Sijing turned to leave.
But before she could take another step—A voice rang out from the entrance.

“Going somewhere?”

Zhen Mei stood at the gate, dressed in the dark uniform of Chongwu Camp, soldiers lined behind him.

His eyes swept across the hall, lingering on Zhao Yuanzhou… then Zhou Yi Chen.

“I’ve come to take over the Water Ghost Bride case.”

Zhou Yi Chen stepped forward, expression turning cold.

“This is Demon Investigation Bureau jurisdiction.”
Zhen Mei smirked.
“Is it?”
His gaze sharpened…

“Or is this what happens when an omega is put in charge?”

Then he added, voice dripping with mockery—
“Tell me… does the chancellor not know your limits?”
A pause.
“Or did you warm his bed to earn that position?”

The temperature in the room dropped instantly.
Zhou Yi Chen’s hand tightened around Yun Guangjian.
The killing intent in his eyes was unmistakable.
Zhao Yuanzhou’s smile faded.
Just slightly.
Zhen Mei continued, unfazed.

“Eight years ago, when Zhu Yan caused chaos, it was Chongwu Camp that cleaned up the mess.”
His voice grew sharper.

“And now you align yourselves with him?”
Wen Xiao stepped forward, eyes flashing.

“And what about you?” she shot back. “Selling demon hides on the black market? Killing anything that moves just to profit?”

The soldiers shifted.
Zhen Mei’s expression darkened.
“You dare—”
“Enough,” Zhou Yi Chen said coldly.

Zhen Mei’s lips curled.
“Burn it.”
The command was quiet.
But deadly.
Archers raised their bows.
Flaming arrows lit the air.
“Loose!”

Fire streaked toward the bureau.
In that instant—A surge of power exploded through the hall.
The flames halted mid-air.
Then—
Shifted.

Pointing back at Chongwu Camp…

Zhao Yuanzhou stood at the center of it all, robes barely moving, eyes calm—but no longer playful.
“Careful,” he said softly…

The soldiers froze…

Invisible pressure closed in around them.
“Encircle them.”

At his command, the very air seemed to obey.
Zhen Mei’s men were forced back, surrounded without a single step taken.
Zhen Mei’s expression finally changed.
Just slightly.
“…So it’s true,” he murmured.
Zhao Yuanzhou smiled faintly.
“You talk too much…”

For a moment, no one moved.
Then Zhen Mei exhaled sharply and waved his hand.
“Stand down.”
The arrows fell.
The pressure lifted.
But the tension remained.

Zhen Mei stepped forward again, voice colder now.
“I’ll let this go… for now.”
He pulled out a document and threw it forward.
“But you will take responsibility.”
Fan Xing caught it.
Zhen Mei continued,
“You will solve the Water Ghost Bride case.”

His gaze locked onto Zhou Yi Chen.
“And each of you will sign your names.”
“A pledge.”
A pause.
“Or I will personally request permission from the chancellor…”
His voice dropped.

“…to have every one of you executed.”

Silence.Heavy.Dangerous.

Zhou Yi Chen stepped forward slowly.
His anger was no longer hidden.
It burned in his eyes.
“You can try,” he said.
Zhen Mei smirked.
“I hope you’re worth the risk.”
He turned and left.
The soldiers followed.
The doors slammed shut behind them.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Then—Zhou Yi Chen slammed his sword back into its sheath.

The sound echoed through the hall.
“…Arrogant bastard.”
Zhao Yuanzhou glanced at him, amused again.
“You’re angry.”
Zhou Yi Chen shot him a glare.
“Don’t talk to me.”
Zhao Yuanzhou smiled slightly.
“But I think,” he said softly, “you look better like this.”
Zhou Yi Chen turned away sharply.
Wen Xiao sighed.
“Well,” she said, picking up the document, “looks like we’re officially in trouble.”
A pause.
Then she grinned.
“Let’s solve a case.”
Zhou Yi Chen muttered under his breath—
“…or die trying.”