Many cases had clear leads, but were forcibly suppressed due to ambiguous jurisdiction or backroom deals, turning them into cold cases that could never be solved.
The situation was even murkier than he had imagined.
Suddenly, Chu Bai’s fingers stilled.
His gaze landed on a case file that wasn’t particularly thick. On its cover, the word "Trivial" was written in bright red cinnabar, with a small note next to it: "Processed. Awaiting closure."
"The Liu Family Village Fox Demon Disturbance Case."
Chu Bai raised an eyebrow, pulled out the file, and began to read it carefully.
The case was not complicated:
Half a month ago, a villager from Liu Family Village, west of the city, filed a report. They claimed a Fox Demon often appeared at night to steal poultry, and a villager had been scratched while trying to drive it away.
In Anping County, where demon infestations were common, this was truly a trivial matter.
A Little Demon that only stole poultry could hardly be considered a true demon infestation. At most, it was a nuisance.
But what caught Chu Bai’s attention was the processing record at the back of the file.
"Processing Record 1: Third day of the sixth month. Report received. Deputy Captain Wang Sanshui of Evil Suppression Team Three led a unit to the scene.
Investigation revealed faint traces of residual Demon Qi, but the creature was cunning and had already fled into the deep mountains. To prevent its return, one Exorcism Array was deployed, consuming five Spirit Stones as materials."
"Processing Record 2: Tenth day of the sixth month. Villagers reported again. Wang Sanshui led another unit to the scene. Encountered the demon, but it possessed a strange Body Technique and could not be captured.
During the pursuit, they were attacked by a demonic wind, and multiple team members’ Inner Armor was damaged.
Reimbursement request: Five Spirit Stones for Array maintenance, thirty taels of silver for equipment repair (Inner Armor)."
"Conclusion: Demon Qi has dissipated, tracking is impossible. Recommend closing the case."
Reading these lines, a sardonic smile played on Chu Bai’s lips.
’So this is what they call a trivial matter?’
’A Little Demon that only steals chickens, one that only scratched a villager instead of killing them, actually managed to escape an Evil Suppression Department squad’s encirclement twice, completely unscathed?’
’And the expenses were even more outrageous.’
Although Chu Bai had just joined, he had done his homework.
’That so-called "Exorcism Array" was nothing more than a few Low-Tier Talismans and some cinnabar. How could they possibly claim Spirit Stones as materials for it? Then there was the equipment damage. They’d claimed thirty taels for repairs after just two patrols.’
The Evil Suppression Guard’s Standard Inner Armor was woven from Refined Iron Wire and Demon Beast Fur. It was exceptionally tough and resistant to ordinary blades.
’A chicken-stealing fox could damage several sets of Inner Armor?’
’Were its claws made of Divine Weapons or something?’
’This is practically daylight robbery.’
Chu Bai’s gaze moved down, landing on the flamboyant signature at the end of the file.
"Deputy Captain of Evil Suppression Team Three: Wang Sanshui."
The name reeked of a veteran slacker.
’Team Three...’
Chu Bai closed the file, his fingers gently rubbing the rough surface of the paper.
He remembered Hu Hao saying that Team Three was a dumping ground, filled with the old, weak, and infirm, as well as veteran slackers.
It seemed there was no exaggeration in that statement.
And this Wang Sanshui was clearly a prime example.
The case didn’t seem significant. No one had died, and it hadn’t caused a major disturbance, so no one had ever bothered to investigate it deeply.
But the corruption involved was a textbook case.
It was either a case of "nurturing a threat to inflate one’s own importance."
They were deliberately leaving the Fox Demon at large, making a show of visiting every so often just to repeatedly apply for funding, treating the fox like a goose that laid golden eggs.
Or, there was no Fox Demon at all. It was all just fraudulent claims, padding the payroll, and embezzling funds.
Whatever the case, they had their hands in the Evil Suppression Department’s pockets, undermining the very foundation of this new government office.
’Perfect.’
Chu Bai’s mind was made up.
As a newly appointed Patrol Banner Inspector, he had been looking for the right entry point to make his mark.
Investigating major cases that involved the Noble Races and had deep-seated connections was too risky. His own position wasn’t yet secure, and he could easily alert his true targets or even get himself caught in the crossfire.
But this kind of "minor case," which concerned discipline at the ground level and likely had a relatively simple chain of evidence, was the perfect whetstone.
If there really was a demon, then he would be Slaying a demon and earning Merit.
If it was a man-made disaster, then investigating and dealing with these corrupt slackers would be a credit to his role as an Inspector. More importantly, it would allow him to establish his authority within the Department and show everyone that he, the Patrol Banner Inspector, was no mere figurehead.
’Starting here is the best option right now.’
"Wang De."
Chu Bai called out.
The old Official, who had been shrinking behind the counter and furtively watching him, jumped in fright and hurried over. "Here! What are your orders, Sir?"
"I’m taking this case file."
Chu Bai said, holding up the document.
Wang De craned his neck to look. Seeing it was that notorious, dead-end Fox Demon case, he felt a flicker of surprise but didn’t dare ask questions. He just bowed obsequiously. "No problem! I’ll register it for you right away. This case has been on the books for ages. If you can close it, Sir, you’ll be helping us clear out our backlog."
After completing the registration, Chu Bai tucked the file into his robes and turned, walking out of the gloomy records room.
The sunlight outside was bright, making him squint.
Chu Bai stood on the steps, narrowing his eyes as he glanced in the direction of the western part of the city.
’Wang Sanshui... I hope you have a few surprises for me.’
He decided against launching a high-profile investigation with a full team. Instead, he would first go to Liu Family Village alone to scope things out.
After all, something like Divine Thought was sometimes more effective than a confession.
...
After leaving the Evil Suppression Department, Chu Bai didn’t rush out of the city. He first stopped by a general store to purchase some common supplies like Tinder Sticks and realgar powder.
Even though he had a Dharma Artifact, he believed in taking every task seriously, just as a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit. The necessary preparations could not be skipped.

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