"There's no need." Hakkai carefully peels the bloody handkerchief away from his wrist, checks the bleeding -- slowed enough not to worry about -- and knots the handkerchief awkwardly one-handed over the wound before he straightens up.

"If he asks, you can tell him anything you like, but I... would assume I'd be an inmate already if I were going to be demoted for this." And it had been self-defense. Although he should have been able to defend himself more effectively without killing.

That's a matter to discuss with Xie Lian, though, later. He glances at the blanket-covered corpse.

"Shall I move them to the bed?"