Chapter 123: Chapter 112: Epitaph

A few minutes later, Li Xin arrived at the Archbishop’s residence to find it deserted, with only a pile of what seemed to be Matthew’s remains on the floor, and Hao Ye lying dead with pus still seeping slowly from his head. On the ground was a filthy handkerchief…

The sky was overcast, thunder and lightning flashed, and a once-in-decades torrential rain fell over Celestial City. However, the big news within the city was far more sensational than the rain.

The Archbishop Matthew, Count Zhao Xun, and Grand Wind Discipline Officer Luo Jin are dead!

This was an earthquake in Celestial City. The outcome of the four-nation contest was now insignificant. The Knight Order, City Guard, and Night Patrol were all deployed, the entire city went into lockdown, and the arenas’ basement and the estates of Archbishop and Zhao Xun, as well as Luo Jin’s residence, were sealed by the Church. The atmosphere was tense, and for a moment, everyone in the city was on edge.

In Luo Jin’s office amongst the Night Patrol.

Li Xin looked at Kathy, who had returned to the Night Patrol. After learning the news, Kathy just sat there, with no expression of grief on her face, no venting, just quietly sitting as if she had lost her soul.

Li Xin stayed by her side in silence.

After a long pause, Kathy looked at Li Xin and said, “I’m okay, actually Old Luo knew this day would come sooner or later, and I knew it too.”

Li Xin didn’t know what to say. The feelings Kathy had for Luo Jin were something he could not comprehend. In this life and the last, Luo Jin was the first person who gave him a shock for being able to do this for the sake of justice in his heart.

“Uncle Luo hoped you could be happy and joyful,” Li Xin said.

Kathy took a deep breath, “I will, I will live well. I’m not that fragile.”

It seemed like Kathy was speaking to Li Xin, and also to herself, as well as to Luo Jin.

Li Xin took out the Original Embryo left by Luo Jin, “This is Uncle Luo’s Original Embryo, Sister Casey, I think it should be yours.”

Kathy took the Original Embryo, her gaze turning gentle. This was condensed by Luo Jin’s life, “Thank you, Ah Xin. I’d like to be alone for a while.”

“Sister Casey, I’ll be at home. You can find me for anything,” Li Xin said.

“Mm, I will come to see you. You also have to be careful. The Church is very complicated, don’t trust anyone, and don’t mention this to anyone else,” Kathy advised.

The Divine Relic actually came from the Abyssal Worm, could its power relate to the abyss?

This was surely a secret of the Church, both she and Li Xin had to keep it to themselves.

After Li Xin left, Kathy opened Luo Jin’s drawer. Inside was a plain ring. Its owner was very poor, unable to afford even a gem. The ring was shiny, showing that its owner often touched it, but unfortunately never had the courage to give it. But what the owner didn’t know was that as soon as he was gone, its true owner would secretly wear it.

Now she could wear it.

Kathy’s eyes were red, but she wouldn’t let the tears fall, because it would make Luo Jin unhappy.

The shiny Original Embryo of the Divine Relic merged seamlessly with Kathy’s heart, as if it was meant for her.

From then on, she became Mrs. Luo.

We will never part again.

With an Archbishop and a member of the upper Council, this was no longer just about Celestial City. The news reaching Dragon Capital also caused an earthquake. The Church Court and the Cabinet have sent special envoys on their way to Celestial City. It was a significant change for both the Church and the noble class, leading to a series of subsequent events.

Li Xin stayed obediently at home, watching over Lin Fei and Xueyin. When he told Lin Fei about Luo Jin’s vengeance for the Lin Family, Lin Fei held Xueyin and sobbed uncontrollably. She never dared to dream that her deep grudge would be avenged by someone completely unrelated to her.

In this world, there truly are people who will uphold justice, even at the cost of their lives.

Count Locknan and Count Granfield are the current highest power holders in Celestial City. They understood the actual situation but needed to arrange matters before the envoys arrived. How to safeguard Celestial City and handle external forces to avoid greater destruction from internal chaos.

Until the evening of the third day, the news broke—Count Zhao Xun was the mastermind behind the recent years’ Fallen events. Montreal was an accomplice, the instigator of the slaughter of the Lin Family, and other incidents. The earlier Hex Bird Report’s coverage was Zhao Xun’s slander.

Archbishop Matthew and Night Patrol Luo Jin upheld their faith, withstanding immense pressure, discovering Zhao Xun’s Worm Altar, and ultimately defeating Zhao Xun and Zhao Qing father and son, but the Archbishop and Grand Wind Discipline Officer sacrificed their lives.

The entire city’s residents were both shocked and deeply mournful for Archbishop Matthew and Night Patrol’s captain Luo Jin.

The rain poured relentlessly, but the Dark Alley Tavern remained open. Since East City opened a venue, named Dog Tail, its business has been poor, with many old customers gone. The weather made it feel even emptier.

Kathy, dressed in black attire and veil, sat quietly in her spot, occasionally gazing tenderly at the empty seat beside her as thunder and lightning raged.

A cup of wine was placed before her. In the past, Kathy would have certainly critiqued it, because that way Luo Jin would say a few words to her. Now that the person who spoke is gone, she drank it in one go, only feeling the spiciness.

The case’s conclusion was jointly made by Granfield, Locknan, and Mayor Ambolat. Kathy and the Night Patrol’s opinions were overruled. Perhaps they were not important from the start. The higher-ups believed that only this way could Celestial City’s stability be preserved, otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable. Angering the Church was not something Celestial City could afford.

Old Luo, is life always so helpless?

Unnoticed, a second cup was placed in front of Kathy.

Kathy stared blankly at the glass as the rain grew heavier…

…

Luo Jin was buried in the Night Patrol’s cemetery, farewelled by Kathy, Li Xin, and the captains of the Night Patrol. Luo Jin once told Kathy not to make a fuss if he died—just a simple burial. He hadn’t liked noise in life, much less in death.

Several empty wine bottles were placed in front of the grave, the wine already soaked into the soil. These were Luo Jin’s favorite drinks. Everyone paid their respect, with some saying nothing, others murmuring a few words. These were Luo Jin’s best friends and comrades in life, all of whom understood his temperament and didn’t stand on ceremony.

Some people may have died, but they continue to live on.

Kathy was to become the new captain of the Night Patrol. Although many forces coveted the position, with the support of both a Count backing her, and the entire Night Patrol below, no one dared challenge her.

The tombstone was carved by Li Xin. He always felt that he would eventually return, that everything experienced here was an illusion, not needing to be taken seriously. Perhaps, after waking from sleep one day, this would all be a dream.

Lin Fei and little Xueyin made his life feel real, and Luo Jin kept him in reality.

Always like a girl who never grew up, within a few days, Kathy seemed to have lived through a decade. Kathy looked at Li Xin, “Ah Xin, let’s go, leave Celestial City.”

Li Xin gazed at Kathy, “Is there any aftermath to the situation?”

“The Church’s envoys conducted an investigation, discovering another force behind the incident, reported to the Church Court. The Red-robed Archbishop is coming to Celestial City, and Matthew’s Divine Relic Original Embryo was taken,” Kathy stated. “Every path requires sacrifices. Preachers will have worms implanted, serving as containers for cultivating Divine Relics, generally requiring life sacrifices. But Matthew wasn’t supposed to be in this. With his cultivation level, he didn’t need such crooked paths. Eliza had significant issues, likely luring Matthew into corruption and taking his Original Embryo.”

Li Xin finally understood Matthew’s expression when he spoke of the path. The Preacher undeniably appeared the most glorious and powerful, but the price was equally great.

“Eliza? The owner of the handkerchief? The one who killed Hao Ye?” Li Xin asked.

Kathy nodded, “The Apostle of the Song of Hell, a mysterious travel group daring to oppose the Kingdom. The Church holds it in high regard, and the Church’s envoys discovered someone else killed Matthew, using extraordinary power.”

The Church Court is filled with capable people. In the face of great power, hiding is difficult, and leaving is the best choice.

“To be safe, leave for now, return when everything calms down. I’ll take care of Lin Fei and Xueyin. Don’t worry. I’ve talked with Lin Fei, and you should find a suitable reason to reassure Xueyin.”

Li Xin nodded, “Sister Casey, Qi Badao from the Spade Group is a reliable person.”

“Let him find me. Whenever possible, meet with Luo Xue. She assisted in these matters too,” Kathy said.

Li Xin pondered, “Let’s call it even.”

Kathy smiled, trying to show that everything was fine.

…The horse-drawn carriage trotted towards Celestial City’s front, and the cemetery returned to silence. Here lay Night Patrolmen guarding Celestial City’s safety. The wind blew over, toppling the wine bottles, rolling them to the side, resting quietly beside the tombstone.

The tombstone was inscribed:

A Night Patrolman rests here.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep