I Have a Dice Left by a God-Chapter 467 - 59: The Secret Chamber
Not only Li Xin, but all branches of the Night Patrol are facing similar situations. Recently, the higher-ups have been paying close attention to grassroots experience. This is true not only for the Night Patrol but also for the Knight Order and the City Guard. Of course, not everyone is dissatisfied; some see it as a chance to climb the social ladder.
However, the purpose of the Night Patrol is that under the night moon, justice always prevails. This is the last line of defense for ordinary people against hidden harm, and people like Jiang Wu and Tang Chendan make up the majority.
"It seems our Li Yinxiao is quite serious and actually wants to make some achievements," Jiang Wu chuckled.
"It’s normal to want the spotlight. That’s better than those dandies who only like to boast the moment they step up," Tang Chendan said blandly. "Why not give him a nudge and make him leave sooner?"
The other Shadow Owls were holding back laughter, as Tang Yinxiao was known for not being afraid of offending people.
"Don’t be prejudiced. I heard he’s quite talented and has been involved in several major cases. He’s just young and has potential, though the Night Patrol might be too small for him," Jiang Wu said. Tang Chendan was young, and others were seasoned veterans. As long as Li Xin didn’t mess around, he was happy to do him a favor, "When is Old Tuo coming back?"
"At most half an hour. The body is with the City Guard. The entire human skin was peeled clean, and the method is identical to that of the Little Skinned One," Tang Chendan said, his eyes carrying a chilling killing intent. "Someone heard the sound of a rattle drum."
Hearing this, everyone’s expressions turned grim. The sound of the rattle drum had almost become the nightmare of the Night Patrol. Every so often, the drumbeat echoed, and the Little Skinned One would appear, slapping the Night Patrol in the face.
"We must not let him go this time. Other squads have stated that whichever squad captures the Little Skinned One will be chief!" Jiang Wu said in a deep voice. The half-truth explanation he gave Li Xin about the Shadow Owl’s decline was that the skinning case dealt the fatal blow. In the last encirclement of the Little Skinned One, the previous commander of Shadow Owl made a major mistake, resulting in significant casualties for the Night Patrol, and he also died in battle.
They went up to the third floor, turned at the end of the corridor, and walked to a two-meter corner. Jiang Wu’s eyes turned pale, and an eerie vortex appeared in his pale pupils, spinning clockwise. A counterclockwise-spinning rune array appeared on the wall, expanding to cover it entirely. Jiang Wu nodded and stepped into the wall, merging as if entering water, and the rest, including Tang Chendan, followed. Soon, they all vanished into the wall.
Li Xin was still flipping through the files in the archives. He carefully reviewed them again and found some questionable points. The victims were either shriveled or skeletal when discovered, with uncertain time frames. Perhaps it had been a long time for some, but there were eyewitnesses for others. The shortest time from incident to the Night Patrol’s arrival was half an hour, with the longest a few hours. Why did these corpses appear to have been dead for a long time?
Curse? Sacrifice?
This case was clearly not just a simple murder. He skimmed through the cases, which were either minor incidents involving nobles or had countless unsolvable mysteries. He chose one that seemed to have more straightforward clues.
Were these bodies fake, an elaborate decoy?
The bodies were real. Perhaps these victims accumulated time rapidly? Involving time-related hidden powers?
Given Li Xin’s understanding of hidden powers, he couldn’t rule out the possibility of time abilities. According to the hierarchy of hidden laws, not even an Angel could possibly wield such power, which implied a Demigod level. Why would a Demigod do this?
Plausible, but unlikely, so Li Xin temporarily dismissed it.
If someone purposefully created this, what was the motive?
If not intentional, what force caused such thorough death shortly after?
Conventionally speaking, intentional was more likely. Finding hidden powers with such effects would provide clues to the case.
It probably wasn’t the Fallen; they consume for survival, with no such thorough effect. Perhaps a new species with such ability has emerged.
Li Xin planned to start by investigating abilities that could produce such hidden effects, methodically eliminating possibilities. He would first mobilize the forces around him; even if no one knew, there was always Mr. Cancer, a trump card. If he was being haughty, he’d send Miss Aries to provoke him.
At night, he still needed to meet with Qi Badao, hoping Qi had made any discoveries. Though not a strong fighter, Qi Badao had a quick mind and paid close attention to detail.
Checking the time, Li Xin prepared to leave work. "Sister Meng, I’m heading out now. I heard someone came by this afternoon, was it Jiang Yinxiao’s group?"
"Yes, the captain and his team dropped by and then left again," Meng Po put down her knitting, smiling warmly at Li Xin. "Li Yinxiao is really serious, huh."
Li Xin smiled back. "With your experience, Sister Meng, have you heard of any hidden powers that can cause rapid decay, turning into mummies or skeletal remains, like long-preserved specimens?"
"I know of those cases, as I even organized them. Ah, all poor souls," Meng Po continued her knitting, "That effect is beyond the Fallen. In my experience, it’s more like a curse from the Evil God, but regrettably, the Night Patrol found no trace of a curse in their investigations. The files also record this. As for other abilities, I may be ignorant, so I’m not sure."
A curse seemed most likely, but with no trace, if one case could be missed, it’s improbable for all victims, especially timely discovered ones, to show no signs.
Neither the Fallen nor a curse seemed involved. Could it be a Sacrifice?
"Could it be related to cult sacrifices?" Li Xin asked.
Meng Po bared her yellow teeth. "Dragon Capital may lack many things, but not faiths. This is very possible. Li Yinxiao, you’re wise and discerning."
Meng Po’s flattery was not subtle. If there were such church activities, the Night Patrol would not be completely unaware, considering their deep-rooted presence over the years. They wouldn’t allow minions to brazenly do such things unchecked.
"Thank you, Sister Meng. I guess I need to think it over more." Li Xin said goodbye to Meng Po and called a carriage to head to the rendezvous with Qi Badao.
In a regular little restaurant in South Second District, Qi Badao was dressed more ordinarily, his sharpness hidden, waiting for Li Xin’s arrival.
Old Dao was a cautious man. After coming to Dragon Capital, with a Lower House position and surface-level businesses, he still mainly mingled in the underworld, knowing well what Master Kathy required.
If he were made a full-time Night Patrol, he wouldn’t want it; it limited him too much. Of course, he respected the Night Patrol. Part-time allowed for an extra layer of identity protection and some accumulated karma.
"Brother Li, the brothers tried their best, but you know, once you enter the Underground City, a person isn’t worth more than a dog. Death is commonplace, and all related people have disappeared; two died, but not murder, rather starvation," Qi Badao said.
Even if hundreds died, it wouldn’t cause a ripple.
