Zhou Huan knew Dongzi had sharp eyes, so he specifically asked Dongzi to take another look at the deceased’s neck. Although the victim’s face was unrecognizable, the skin color revealed itself clearly after being frozen.

Dongzi leaned closer to the corpse, fighting back the terror churning in his gut, his eyes darting nervously: "Brother, it’s just a scratch. Nothing else."

Zhou Huan reached out and gently lifted the victim’s head: "Look again. That scratch was probably made when the body was moved and hit the edge of the sink. The real cause of death is the handprint behind that scratch."

Hearing Zhou Huan, Dongzi took a closer look at the body. Indeed, behind the wound on the neck, there were several distinct finger impressions. Though the bruises weren't perfectly clear, they were enough to show the killer's technique was vicious, possessing a strength far beyond that of an ordinary person.

"Dongzi, remember this spot. The forensic report will likely mention it later," Zhou Huan analyzed, then released the head, gently laying the deceased back down. He pulled a silk handkerchief from his bag, wiped his hands clean, and headed toward the door: "Old He, lock up. Report any unusual occurrences immediately over the next couple of days. Be extremely cautious here tonight; these deceased are not to be trifled with!"

"Cough, cough! Yes, yes!" Old He didn't fear the dead, but the divide between the living and the spectral left him thoroughly unnerved.

Zhou Huan and Dongzi hurried out of the funeral home. Zhou Huan's mind kept replaying Old Sun’s dejected return. If Old Sun had killed this person, it defied logic, as Old Sun’s soul hadn't even fully emerged from the Yin Realm; even with some residual ability, it shouldn't be enough to commit murder. If it was human intervention, then who? What was the victim’s background, and who exactly was he? These questions tangled into a knot in Zhou Huan’s mind.

"Brother, where are we going? What's wrong? You’ve been standing here for over ten minutes!" Dongzi called out to the deep-thinking Zhou Huan.

Zhou Huan responded hastily, "Nothing, just thinking about what just happened. Let’s go. It’s still early; we’ll head over to Xiao He’s office."

With that, Zhou Huan started the car and drove straight toward Xiao He’s office.

The moment they entered, they saw a forensic examiner briefing Xiao He. Zhou Huan didn't interrupt, sitting aside with Dongzi to wait. Dongzi habitually lit a cigarette.

"Sister Wang, the victim's identity is still unconfirmed. Here is the report on the cause of death!" the examiner said, handing Xiao He a document: "He was strangled and then moved to the sink. Time of death was around 3:00 AM today. The scratch on the neck was caused by the sink edge. There is also a large handprint on his neck, but we haven't determined what severed his hand—it looks like it was forcibly torn off."

"Got it. You can go now!" Xiao He dismissed the examiner and then handed the forensic report to Zhou Huan: "Take a look at the findings."

"No need. We just saw the body at the funeral home; my observations matched his. But I have a feeling this isn't simple. Right now, I can’t tell if it’s supernatural or human involvement, but there’s likely some murky connection between the two." Zhou Huan voiced his thoughts.

Xiao He mulled it over, nodding silently: "Now that you mention it, I feel a slight connection, but something crucial seems missing to tie it all together."

"Exactly. We’re missing a solid piece of evidence. Speaking of severed hands—the one from the tomb hasn't found its owner yet, but when I saw the corpse, Old Sun’s spirit was clinging to it."

Hearing this, Xiao He immediately questioned Zhou Huan, "Are you saying Old Sun is behind this?"

"No. He’s still in the Middle Yin Realm; he lacks the power to kill right now. Even if he wanted to, he’d have to wait until after the seventh day."

Dongzi flicked away his cigarette and took over: "Sister Xiao He, what exactly are we even doing here? Old Sun’s grave was dug up, now someone else is dead, and you say there’s a link. Explain that!"

Zhou Huan looked at Dongzi, but this time he felt no inclination to scold him: "You’re right. That’s the thread we need right now—the one that can weave this whole mess together."

"How about this? Let’s go out for a while and relax, stop thinking about this for a bit. Little Li is organizing the information on the severed hand. We’ll grab some food, and when we get back, he should have finished compiling it. Then we can see if there’s anything useful," Xiao He said, putting on her police jacket.

Zhou Huan didn't object. He and Dongzi went with Xiao He to a nearby eatery, ordered a couple of side dishes and some drinks, and started making small talk.

As the three were chatting, a man entered the eatery, carrying a backpack. He was dressed simply, but his eyes seemed burdened by something, observing everyone with caution. He picked a quiet spot, ordered a bowl of wontons, and began to eat.

Xiao He kept her eyes fixed on the man. Noticing her gaze, he tried repeatedly to look away, his expression showing distinct nervousness.

Xiao He leaned close to Zhou Huan’s ear: "Watch my signal. I’m going to grab this guy. I’m sure he’s no good."

Zhou Huan tried to stop her to observe more, but it was too late; Xiao He was already standing and moving toward the man. When she reached him, she suddenly seized him. Zhou Huan and Dongzi rushed forward immediately to help subdue him. Xiao He then pulled out handcuffs and secured him before dragging him to the precinct.

On the way back, the captured man didn't speak a word, only sweating profusely and trembling.

"Kid, first time getting caught, huh? Tonight, this auntie gets to interrogate you. Things have been too frustrating lately," Xiao He said, giving the man a slight shove: "Move!"

Once inside the interrogation room, Zhou Huan asked first, "What are you so afraid of?"

The man stammered, "You’ve arrested me, of course I’m scared! I’m naturally timid!" His voice cracked, sounding on the verge of tears.

"Enough chatter. Tell us about yourself: occupation, age, where you live, and what you were just doing. Speak!" Xiao He demanded sternly.

The man replied, "My name is Dong Ergun. Unemployed, about thirty years old, the world is my home. Just now... just now..." At this point, Ergun’s eyes took on a strange look, as if he really did have something significant hidden.

"If you cooperate fully, we might consider easing your sentence."

"Police Big Sister, Big Brother, I truly didn’t do anything major! I just… I just hit a woman a little while ago. If you must punish me, punish me for that. I’ll give you all the money I have." Ergun’s tone seemed quite sincere.

Zhou Huan observed him closely. He quietly moved behind the man and gently pressed the backpack strapped to his back. Suddenly, Zhou Huan felt a sensation—so familiar, the texture unmistakable. He shot a significant look to Xiao He.

Xiao He understood the look instantly: "Dong Ergun, what are you carrying in that bag? Open it for me!"

Before Xiao He could finish, Dong Ergun opened the bag. Inside, something shone with a brilliant golden light: a basin.

At this sight, both Xiao He and Zhou Huan chuckled. After all that searching, they had finally found a lead.

"Alright, confess everything you’ve done. If you cooperate, we’ll consider a lighter sentence. Start talking!"

Ergun sighed deeply: "Alas, they say one shouldn’t be too wicked in life; retribution follows. I used to be a hoodlum, involved in fights and trouble for a long time. Now that I’m older, I’ve washed my hands clean. I have no prior record. I just argued with an old lady over a seat just now, and I slapped her—pretty hard. Did she report me?"

Xiao He grew increasingly confused. This wasn't what she expected. Seeing the man holding the glittering basin while spinning a tale made her anxious: "It’s come to this, and you’re still not telling the truth! Where did you get that golden basin in your hand?"

"The golden basin? Oh, the basin. I used it to wash my hands. I kept it as a memento. It’s not illegal to keep something, is it?" Ergun looked at Xiao He with earnest eyes.

Zhou Huan heard the sincerity in his voice. He quietly touched the basin in Ergun’s hand—it was indeed not gold. He exchanged another glance with Xiao He, then interrupted her line of questioning: "Forget it. Since he’s admitted to hitting someone, let him go."

Xiao He didn't fully grasp Zhou Huan's meaning, but hearing him, she paused, glanced at the basin Zhou Huan indicated, and seemed to understand something. She then told Ergun, "Fine. On Master Zhou’s account, I’ll let you off this once. But you assaulted someone, and the victim hasn’t pressed charges yet. If she does, you must report whenever summoned. And second, you are forbidden from doing bad things from now on; you must do good deeds and serve the country!"

"Yes, yes, I’ll remember that! Serve the country! Thank you for the Party's leniency!" Ergun repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

"Alright, register your departure details, and you can go," Xiao He instructed, unlocking Ergun’s handcuffs. Ergun left. Dongzi had already fallen asleep beside them, snoring loudly.

"Brother Huan, about that basin...?" Xiao He asked Zhou Huan.

Zhou Huan looked down: "That basin is copper, not gold, so it has nothing to do with Old Sun."

"Not gold?" Xiao He was slightly disappointed, but she forced herself to rally, walking ahead of Zhou Huan toward her office.

Zhou Huan knew the woman he loved had been utterly exhausted lately, so he followed her quietly into the office. They sat separately in silence, each grappling with their own problems, when suddenly, both their phones rang simultaneously, electrifying them both with excitement.