Chapter 524: Chapter 116: Names Like Main Characters

The risk of indirect judgment is much lower. So far, the effect seems to be effective. The credibility of a multiple-perpetrator judgment is quite high. If it’s multiple people, the investigation direction should be more toward a Secret Organization rather than random individuals.

However, Li Xin finds it a bit strange. Even though he hasn’t been using the dice as frequently lately, it’s not like he’s never used it. But there haven’t been any side effects. Could it be an unexpected delight beneath the mist?

After waiting for a while, there was a knock on the door. Snake Skin pushed the door open and came in, “Li Yinxiao.”

“Snake Skin, sit down. Sister Meng must have mentioned it to you. I want to learn about the ’Little Skinner’ case.”

“Haha, of course, of course. Li Yinxiao can ask whatever he wants to know. I have no secrets here,” Snake Skin said very enthusiastically.

Li Xin smiled, “Lao Lu, I heard you’re a Puppet Master, responsible for reconnaissance?”

“Yes, narrow paths can’t compare to esteemed gentlemen like you. I’m skilled in the puppet techniques of us Beijing people, mainly responsible for tracking,” Snake Skin said.

“Puppet techniques?”

“Yes, in the Old Era, Puppet Masters were called Jhin, worshipping the Trickster King, taking pleasure in controlling others’ bodies to create comedies and tragedies. By the Sixth Epoch, they evolved into Puppet Masters, primarily controlling dead objects or biological corpses. I’m adept at controlling origami,” Snake Skin said, as a paper crane appeared in his palm. After infusing it with Spiritual Ability, the paper crane flapped its wings and flew around, then landed back in Snake Skin’s hand.

Li Xin nodded. This skill is indeed quite useful for reconnaissance and tracking, with high safety.

“Lao Lu, what’s your take on the ’Little Skinner’ case?” Li Xin asked.

Snake Skin laughed, “Li Yinxiao, this case is a stubborn ailment. Whatever Big Jiang orders me to do, I do. Once we were indeed very close to catching him. My puppet had already marked him, but he suddenly ducked into the sewers. The terrain is complex, and the trail was lost in a flash.”

“Are you saying the perpetrator is very familiar with the underground system?”

“I don’t know if you’d call it familiar. The perpetrator’s methods are very similar every time, but there’s always something that feels off. It could be multiple perpetrators, but if they’re all Mask Makers, that seems unlikely. Mask Makers also follow retro paths, similar to Puppet Masters, mostly solitary. Even if organized, such a planned collective action feels odd,” Snake Skin said, “Hidden paths have their habits, like communal living being communal, and solitary living being solitary. Once the ecosystem changes, it feels extraordinarily awkward.”

Snake Skin’s explanation was detailed; Li Xin understood every secret practitioner, once they identify their path, sticks to it. Occasionally some walk alone, but a group together feels odd.

“Could it be something other than a Mask Maker, perhaps some other hidden demand?”

“The perpetrator peels skin every time, and the method is skillful. It’s certainly a Mask Maker’s ability. If it’s not a Mask Maker, other Hidden Powers have no such demand. And in terms of the corresponding deity’s preferences, only the Trickster King would have such needs. To please a deity, you must cater to their tastes; otherwise, it’s sacrilege,” Snake Skin shook his head.

“Is there anything else you think is noteworthy?”

“Actually, all hidden cases aren’t much different. I think there’s no problem with the approach; it’s just that we haven’t caught this guy. Whether it’s one person or a group, as long as we catch one, it’ll be manageable,” Snake Skin said.

“Alright, let Pot Gong in after ten minutes,” Li Xin said, “By the way, what’s Pot Gong’s real name?”

“Haha, his real name is Xie Yutang. The Xie family used to be a large household, but they didn’t keep up with the times and declined. His head even went bald,” Snake Skin laughed, “I’ll take my leave now.”

Li Xin nodded, watching Snake Skin leave. This perpetrator doesn’t always escape perfectly; there have been multiple witnesses. The Night Patrols have caught up with him a few times, too.

Underground City… how should I put it? It’s not an absolute standard. All sorts of criminals use the Underground City as a backup plan to evade pursuit. The complex tunnels and smells truly make it hard to track. Escaping the Night Patrol’s pursuit, his skill and familiarity are quite extraordinary.

The ’Little Skinner’ case has been known for at least ten years, and the longest interval between crimes is a year and a half. From another perspective, what need could accommodate such a time span?

Sacrifice to the Trickster King?

Li Xin instinctively wanted to make a judgment but immediately clapped his hands and restrained himself.

There was a knock at the door; Pot Gong, with a shiny top of his head and a face full of smiles, nodded and bowed as he came in, “Li Yinxiao, good morning.”

“Old Xie, sit down. Snake Skin must have told you. Let’s get familiar with each other and understand the ’Little Skinner’ case,” Li Xin smiled, “Would you like some water? Help yourself, don’t be shy.”

“Li Yinxiao, I’m an old member of the Silver Owl, always working at the Shadow Owl. I’m adept at interrogation and tracking and the like. You can tell if a Curse Master is professional by their hair,” Pot Gong laughed.

“What’s your interrogation specialty?”

“I’m good at confusion, entering dreams, and soul searching,” Pot Gong said proudly.

“Why do people call you Pot Gong?” Li Xin asked curiously. Curse Masters use spells, arrays, and sometimes assist with magic potions to wield power.

Upon hearing this, Pot Gong helplessly waved his hand, “They’re just jealous. I have an ancient bronze gong that aids me in performing spells. It’s clearly a high-quality treasure, but these bastards insist on calling it Pot Gong. Over time, it’s become Pot Gong.”

“So why is Lao Lu called Snake Skin?”

“His puppet technique is terrible. It can’t go far, and it’s not resistant to interference. It’s useless at many things but number one at boasting. He can’t track someone properly, but he’s good at running away, adept in dodging like a Snake Skin. Over time, that became his nickname. Critical clue tracking is left to me. Giving it to him would be a waste. Once, we had a net laid out and were about to catch the ’Little Skinner,’ and he let him slip through a gap,” Pot Gong explained.

“Oh? Tell me more,” Li Xin showed interest.

“Ahem, Li Yinxiao, I might’ve exaggerated a bit earlier. In fact, several departments worked together and did corner him, but no one expected the guy to have Bone Shrinking Skill. Just a gap, and he was in the sewers. Only Snake Skin’s puppet could get in, but the puppet feared fire. By the time we tracked the entry, it was too late.”

“Had you not considered sending people into the sewers back then?”

“We considered it, just lacked the manpower. The city guards are responsible for the sewers, and those guys dropped the ball at the critical moment. They even had the gall to claim they were only meant to assist and that they acted too slow, accusing us,” Pot Gong said with a resentful face.

Li Xin nodded. These things wouldn’t be found in the files. Sabotaging is nothing surprising. Back then, other departments were eager for the Shadow Owl to lose face.

“Anything else?”

“Not much else. We have other cases besides the ’Little Skinner,’ but just this many people. Only with leads can we demand cooperation from other departments. Obtaining solid leads isn’t easy, either,” Pot Gong said.

“Okay, Old Xie, what you’ve said has been very helpful. What’s Drunkard’s real name?”

“Him? Yanbei, he must drink. Alcohol is his source of power, but he never messes up,” Pot Gong said.

“Does everyone have a nickname? What about Captain Jiang and Tang Yinxiao?”

“No, only Copper Owls have nicknames. We wouldn’t give our leaders nicknames,” Pot Gong waved his hand.

Li Xin looked at the sincere face of Pot Gong with disbelief.

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