Chapter 58: Chapter 53: Sword God Silences the Weeping

The inhaler harming the citizens was caught, finally allowing the besieged Night Patrol a gasp of relief. Under Luo Jin’s leadership, the Celestial Capital Night Patrol has always been efficient and reputable, handling various mysterious incidents timely; otherwise, Luo Jin couldn’t possibly hold a concurrent position as the Grand Wind Discipline Officer at the Canon Law School.

Prestige can sometimes be a hollow thing, but at certain times it truly is very useful, reflecting the people’s support.

The level of the inhaler, especially involving a captain from the Knight Order, is markedly different from the Licker, greatly impacting the upper echelons of the Celestial Capital, once again elevating Luo Jin’s prestige. Some of the initial dissenting voices gradually faded, but there remained a significant trouble — Viscount Montreal.

The real inhaler caught was nominally a captain of the Knight Order, his adopted son. But in the noble circles, it’s commonly known he is his illegitimate child, an unavoidable connection.

The past two days, Montreal indeed hadn’t shown any issues, with the Church applying some measures. To their disappointment, Montreal neither transformed nor exhibited any inhuman behavior. The City Hall personnel were present as well, with multifaceted supervision, ruling out any manipulation. However, this is where the difficulty lies; the Church has some more potent methods to force the Fallen to reveal their true form, such as certain secret magic potions. Of course, these magic potions also have significant side effects. If it were an ordinary suspect, such methods would be applied directly. However, dealing with a noble was simply impossible. Even if they wanted to push hard, the City Hall wouldn’t allow it.

Today it might be Viscount Montreal, and next time it might be oneself?

They say this magic potion reveals the true form, but who knows if it transforms it as well.

The divergence between the noble class and the Church often lies here; nobody wants to place their fortune and life in others’ hands. Now that the inhaler has been caught, although an illegitimate child, he can’t reach the stage, nor could they kill Montreal over it. Releasing Montreal becomes a solution both parties can justify since it can’t be said to have no relation at all. Even if Montreal is locked up, he isn’t wronged, and this can’t be used against the Night Patrol in the future.

Everyone should be given some dignity.

But the issue is that Viscount Montreal hasn’t been released. Luo Jin’s stance is very firm. Although the inhaler was caught, some doubts remain unresolved, and Viscount Montreal’s suspicion hasn’t been completely eliminated, necessitating him to continue cooperating for other clues to emerge.

Luo Jin is quite certain there are big issues with Montreal, and he can’t let it go. Don’t think releasing Montreal now will end it. Not hitting where it hurts will have even greater consequences. Throughout many years in the Night Patrol, he holds no more expectations. If truly wronged, Luo Jin wouldn’t mind since he never planned to climb higher anyway. But evidently, Montreal has major issues.

At the Night Patrol base, Kathy was re-bandaging Luo Jin, tears of heartache almost falling. After catching the culprit, he still had to argue with a bunch of people.

“This case could be concluded. Why involve yourself further? You’re just a Night Patrol captain. Being too firm can scare the nobles,”

Kathy couldn’t help but say. After catching the inhaler, it was a significant merit. Releasing Montreal at this moment would make everyone happy. Over the years, Luo Jin was always like this, uncompromising and disdainful of worldly wisdom, turning himself into a lone wolf.

Even if Montreal had problems, frankly, it didn’t concern the Night Patrol anymore. That was an issue for later on. Keeping him detained, the noble side started to stir again. Though outwardly no opposition continued, it was clear they were biding their time. Should Luo Jin make any mistake, these people would pounce like rabid dogs.

Luo Jin smiled without arguing, “I secured five more days. For an inhaler, this time is excruciating. He is bound to slip up. Tomorrow I’ll talk to him with Philmy. It won’t take long for him to reveal his true colors.”

Previously, Montreal held up, believing everything was under control. But now with Philmy captured and detention extended, psychological flaws will appear. Coupled with unclear external information, he will overthink. At such times, controlling oneself entirely becomes immensely challenging.

Luo Jin has considerable insight in dealing with monsters for years.

Kathy knew trying to persuade him was futile. “If Montreal is also an inhaler, then that’s truly a big catch. An inhaler hidden within vital departments, it’s too terrifying. This time we owe it to Ah Xin, otherwise, you’d be doomed.”

Luo Jin nodded, “This kid is very capable. I’ve never doubted that.”

“I feel he suits the Night Patrol well. It’s rare to see someone his age fearless, with the ability to clear up a case, make bold guesses while verifying cautiously, and also adept at mobilizing the people around him.”

“The larger the case, the more often a neglected minor figure will shift the entire situation.” Luo Jin also acknowledged that Qi Badao’s maneuver enlivened the entire case. Fortunately, the Licker didn’t kill him back then.

“Don’t you feel it’s a pity?” Kathy asked.

Luo Jin shook his head, “Let’s let it go this time. Don’t let him get involved with the case anymore. He should continue his studies at the Canon Law School. When there’s an opportunity, I need to get him out of the Night Patrol.”

Kathy’s hand paused, observing Luo Jin, whose expression turned a bit stiff.

“Is he truly not your illegitimate son?” Kathy asked skeptically. He seemed too good to Li Xin.

“Nonsense, I was way more handsome when I was young!” Luo Jin’s beard bristled.

Kathy chuckled softly. It’s rare to break Luo Jin’s defenses, fully agreeing with Luo Jin’s decision from the heart.

The Canon Law School, from any perspective, is more suitable for Li Xin’s development than the Night Patrol. Kathy even hoped that Luo Jin could detach from the Night Patrol. However, deep down, she knew this was unrealistic. Without the Night Patrol, Luo Jin might no longer be Luo Jin. It was a dilemma she felt deeply conflicted about.

The capture of the Inhaler was a reassuring event for the city, causing a small stir in the Underground City. Of course, the residents of the Underground City didn’t really care about such things; they were preoccupied with surviving day to day. Monsters were not their concern. It was primarily the major gang organizations, who were actually pleased to see the Inhaler stirring up trouble in the city. This group was living too comfortably. Of course, they didn’t want to face the Inhaler themselves, yet there was one person who was very unique.

Qi Badao of the Black Water Region came from what was originally an unremarkable little organization, the Spades Group. In the Underground City, gang replacements occurred almost daily—either the boss was killed by his own people, or someone else did it. It’s generally considered a high-risk occupation, so one had to be either ruthless or sly to develop; yet, Qi Badao emerged as such a freak.

This guy actually implemented the city’s system in the Underground City and even managed to bring order to the Black Water Region. To say the least, in terms of security, the Black Water Region was the best in the Underground City. As a result, residents from surrounding areas began migrating to the Black Water Region, leading to its steadily increasing population.

Population is also a resource, which naturally aroused the dissatisfaction of surrounding gangs. However, years had passed, and anyone who broke into the Black Water Region to cause trouble never left alive. This also caught the attention of some large gang factions. The major gang organizations were very cautious and did not hastily act in large scale, but probing was unavoidable. Yet not even bounty hunters who entered the Black Water Region came out alive, which added to Qi Badao’s mystique.

Fortunately, Qi Badao did not expand and chose to enjoy his corner in peace, gradually being accepted by the major gangs of the Underground City and was admitted into the Underground Council.

The setup imitating the city’s Council was essentially a loose organization of a dozen or so gang leaders. It wasn’t very binding but somewhat facilitated discussions among them.

The few times Qi Badao participated in meetings, he remained low-key. As long as it didn’t involve Black Water, he didn’t meddle, and everyone coexists peacefully. Yet, some found it intriguing, questioning whether Qi Badao wasn’t as formidable as imagined. However, lately, Qi Badao had been the subject of intense discussion in the Dark Council, with some gang leaders beginning frequent contacts. Defeating a mere Licker might be understandable, as gangs of this caliber were not weak. But proactively hunting Inhalers, well…

Frankly, without sufficient strength and courage, one would need a shot to the head to dare such actions. Yet at a time when others avoided it like the plague, Qi Badao went on the offensive, even offering rewards to other gangs for information; which was kind of badass.

Many were also watching for the spectacle, thinking that if Qi Badao fell, the Black Water District would be a ripe piece of meat.

Yet, within days the news was out. Qi Badao dueled the Inhaler, severely injuring it, prompting the Inhaler to flee back to the city. Because of the gang protocol of “not entering the city,” it allowed Night Patrol’s big boss Luo Jin to pick up an easy target and capture the Inhaler.

Already in the limelight, this move by Qi Badao made him truly famous. It was rumored that Luo Jin actually had no choice but to ask for his help, since Luo Jin only controlled the city; in the Underground City, the Night Patrol also had to rely on Qi Badao.

At the gang council’s monthly meeting, the gang leaders usually weren’t very present, but this time they all showed up. With the Inhaler caught, the Underground City had contributed. The Night Patrol offered bounties, and while they didn’t get along with the Night Patrol, the counterpart did supervise and didn’t renege. Luo Jin, although ruthless, kept his word.

During the Inhaler’s pursuit, gangs had more or less contributed. Of the eighteen seats, almost all were filled. The hall was bustling, and then suddenly fell silent.

Qi Badao arrived, followed by two members of the Night Patrol. A group of underlings stood proudly at the entrance.

The two Night Patrol members didn’t even glance at other gang members and handed a bag of bounty to Qi Badao, “Mr. Qi, our handover is complete. Thank you once again.”

As they spoke, the two Night Patrol members saluted formally, a gesture only reserved for their own or those they respect, causing the surrounding gang members’ eyes to nearly pop out.

Qi Badao smiled and clasped his hands, “No need to mention it.”

The two Night Patrol members, Wu Gang and Fan Jia from Group 5, had exacted revenge for their captain during this hunt for the Inhaler. Qi Badao was crucial in the effort. Without him, both Luo Jin and they might have ended up detained. They also learned from Li Xin that this man was different from other gangs, so their expressions carried gratitude and respect.

However, in the eyes of the gangs, it appeared as if the two Night Patrol members were flattering Qi Badao obsequiously.

Wu Gang and Fan Jia didn’t linger, as the work wasn’t finished. The next task didn’t concern the Underground City. Now was the time to get Philmy to talk and expose Montreal’s true nature.

Qi Badao weighed the Lira within the bag, judging by feel and sound—two thousand Lira, what a tightwad. The fee for his information alone would exceed this. What a loss.

As he glanced at the others, everyone immediately stood up, their expressions turning obsequious, “Mighty Sword God!”

The hall erupted with applause, “The Sword God takes the seat of honor!”

“Brother Dao has truly brought honor to our Underground City. What the Night Patrol couldn’t handle, we in the Underground City manage. So what if it’s an Inhaler? One comes, we’ll kill one; two come, we’ll kill them both!”

…

The boasting was rife with exaggeration, yet the intimidation was real. To dare chase down the Inhaler alone, severely wounding it and forcing it into a frantic escape, and to make the Night Patrol bow and scrape, was truly…

…unfathomable!

In the Underground City, Qi Badao’s name was growing louder, no longer confined to just Black Water. Rumor had it, no one could withstand his Eight Blades. Facing a Licker required a single blade, and facing an Inhaler required only one and a half blades, forcing the Inhaler to flee in a frenzied panic.

The Sword God’s name could silence a crying infant in the Underground City.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep