After dinner, Travis gave Li Xin a set of cigars, feeling that Li Xin needed them. Li Xin didn’t refuse, realizing this was a genuine hope for the Night Patrol to intervene. However, he overestimated his influence; the current progress was due to the Night Patrol’s own needs. As for Achilles, Li Xin still couldn’t grasp the real motive of this prince, but since the situation benefitted him, he accepted it. The token had not been used yet.

He always felt that it wasn’t something good; it might become a burden. Caution was necessary.

At the fifth branch of the Hex Bird Society, the workers had left for the day. A carriage stopped, and Li Xin looked around outside, observing the lock. Christie should have left too. Instead of leaving, Li Xin walked across the street.

Across the road from the Hex Bird Society was Mahler Street, at 88-109, a more upscale apartment community in the mid-upper range of the Holy Grace District, where Christie lived.

The key had long been in his possession, but Christie said to come only in emergencies. There hadn’t been one lately, but finally, an opportunity presented itself.

At the door, Li Xin had just finished knocking when he suddenly slapped his forehead. Damn, visiting for the first time and he should have brought a gift. The only presentable item in his bracelet was the box of cigars Travis had just given him.

The door opened, and Christie, in casual clothes, saw a somewhat awkward Li Xin and smiled slightly, “Why are you standing foolishly at the door? Come in.”

Li Xin stepped inside. The apartment had a small yard, though it was bare, with some worn-out boxes stacked in the open space.

“Do I need to change shoes?” Li Xin looked around. It was a two-story apartment. The living room was spacious and simple, organized neatly, but felt less like a home and more like another office, with categorized newspapers and neatly stacked toolboxes on the floor, like a small warehouse.

“No need. This also serves as a meeting place for the Night Patrol. Upstairs is where I live; it’s quite simple. Not much like a woman’s home, is it?” Christie laughed, “Coffee?”

Such a stimulant at this late hour?

“Alright, a cup, please.”

Christie smiled sweetly, “Sit down for a bit. It’s your first time here; you should’ve told me so I could prepare.”

“Just got back from the Funeral Attendant, quite rushed. Forgot to buy a gift, but I’ll make up for it next time.”

Christie nodded gently, “I thought you didn’t want to come.”

Li Xin was taken aback. What did she mean by not wanting to come? Didn’t she suggest notifying her in advance if visiting, implying not to come unless necessary?

Realizing Li Xin’s misunderstanding, Christie rolled her eyes at him, “I meant, if you plan to come, I can prepare, and also avoid clashing with work meetings. I don’t want people saying an old cow is grazing on young grass.”

Li Xin touched his nose speechlessly, “Where am I old?”

Christie chuckled at Li Xin’s words; that’s probably his charm, always offering a unique perspective.

Each with a cup of coffee, Christie sat back comfortably: “So, any important discoveries?”

“Indeed, spent the whole day with Travis…” Li Xin recounted his day’s experiences and Travis’s needs.

Christie sipped coffee slowly, “He even gave you a box of cigars?”

Li Xin flipped his hand to show the box of cigars. Christie looked at it, “He’s a bit stingy, offering so little for such a significant matter. Do you know what the Mother Goddess School is about?”

“You mean it’s a place not to be trifled with?” Li Xin remarked, sipping his coffee, feeling grateful for his good health, able to drink coffee at night without concern.

“More than just troublesome; it’s a place no one wants to touch. Marquis William handles the school’s affairs, with a quarter royal blood, an old noble of Hedan, responsible for royal household matters, essentially the royal steward.

The true founder of the Mother Goddess School is none other than the current King, so since its inception, it’s been prominent and influential. Many have donated to it; it has helped many in Hedan, wielding great influence among the populace, sparking a nationwide charity wave. It’s said this was also the idea of the Hierarchy faction, alleviating public opinion crises during the King’s difficult early reign. Now, saying it’s related to Inner Demons, even if true, imagine the backlash.”

Li Xin frowned. The king was the founder, and it’s part of his reputation. If found out that the Inner Demon was nurtured by the king, this just king would suffer a major embarrassment.

Putting himself in the king’s shoes, even if the incident were harshly dealt with, he wouldn’t appreciate the person or group revealing it. Humans have emotions and preferences, which is why Travis is so wary, focusing on what’s crucial here.

“It’s not exactly Travis’s fault. He’s genuinely doing his job within the Funeral Attendants; otherwise, such a thankless task wouldn’t fall to him. Finding discrepancies among so many clues is challenging. However, the Funeral Attendants wouldn’t dare touch this matter, and even if he wanted to, his subordinates wouldn’t manage it. If any word leaked, he’d be finished,” Christie explained, sipping coffee, her eyes bright and sharp. “But for us, the Night Patrol, it’s an opportunity.”

Seeing Christie’s excited expression, Li Xin knew she wasn’t scared in the slightest; in fact, she was even more intrigued.

“You want to handle this matter; aren’t you worried it might bankrupt the Bird Society?”

Christie smiled slightly, tossing her hair gently, “Care for a tour of upstairs?”

“Can I?”

Christie rolled her eyes at Li Xin’s pretense, “Carry me up.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Li Xin had already picked up Christie, their eyes meeting with intense passion. Christie leaned towards Li Xin’s ear, giving it a playful bite, “Tonight, let’s work overtime and sort this case out. I feel we’re getting closer to the truth.”

Li Xin was used to Christie’s peculiar hobbies; the more important something was, the crazier she got…

…(This part isn’t suitable to watch)

Christie’s bedroom was very tidy, the bed large and soft, carrying a woman’s unique scent, but not decorated with the usual warmth of a woman’s touch. He felt it was suitable for a fight, ready to jump out the window if problems arose.

“Based on your discoveries today, there’s something wrong with the Mother Goddess School.” Christie’s beautiful eyes gleamed brightly, her long lashes adding a vague beauty under the moonlight.

Li Xin held Christie, playing with her silky smooth skin. So comfortable, “Actually, investigating their orphanages, sponsored Grace Classes, Canon Law School, and the missing persons connection might yield even bigger findings.”

“You also suspect?”

“Not just suspect; I believe among Hedan’s nobility, some hold onto principles and goodness. But in this era, achieving such extreme purity is inhuman, quite a terrifying thing.” Li Xin reflected on past cases from another life, of a nun celebrated worldwide as the embodiment of kindness, later discovered conducting human trafficking in secret, reminiscent of a certain island.

“Isn’t that a bit hasty?” Christie remarked, living long in Hedan as leader of the Night Patrol, she had considerable Hedan intelligence. “To my knowledge, the Mother Goddess School has indeed done much good for many people.”

“I’m not denying those deeds; I simply believe no one is perfect. Now that clues point this way, we should remain skeptical. Of course, nothing should be falsely accused without evidence. Travis also needs evidence; without it, he’s powerless,” Li Xin stated, knowing Achilles wanted the same.

“With the case at this stage, someone has to act, or else the trail breaks again. We’d wait for new leads to emerge. Funeral Attendants are casting nets in every district, working overtime; surrounding cities are under investigation, having gang informants watch entrances, security loose outside but tight within. Our king is quite a stickler,” Christie licked her lips lightly.

Li Xin admired this point too. Handling Anthony’s situation added, with a saying that princes and commoners are equal under the law, it already gained much credit for the king, and to seriously investigate the case speaks well of him.

“Let’s chew on this tough nut,” Christie licked her lips again, as if seeing prey.

“Are you sure?” Li Xin hadn’t realized Christie’s firm determination towards this case.

Christie’s slender, fair fingers lightly traced Li Xin’s chest, tapping it, “Young man, aren’t you supposed to be brave? With such timidity, are you even capable?”

He thought, what’s bearable and what’s unbearable? He must correct Christie’s love for verbal defiance; this temptress was indeed skillful.

Deep in the night, Li Xin slept soundly. In the darkness, Christie opened her eyes, gently removing the arm resting on her…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep