Mentioning Old Luo, Li Xin's expression became solemn as he said seriously, "President, rest assured, I won't do anything to betray the Night Patrol."

"Haha, it's not that serious. Let's get down to business. I've received some information that the murderer, the Funeral Attendant, hasn't been fully exposed and executed by burning. There's a big fish still detained in the Funeral Attendant's prison." Ma Zhe took a puff of his cigar as he spoke, ready to strike back.

"Oh, is it someone formidable that even the Funeral Attendant fears?" Li Xin was a bit curious. The King's orders should not be disregarded.

"Heh heh, that's right, Viscount Anthony. This is quite a character—Anthony Nasser. The Nasser Clan is one of the prominent noble families in Moncalleta, and Duke Nasser is currently a key power figure. Anthony is one of the direct descendants of the family. His title of Viscount wasn't inherited; he earned it on the battlefield," Ma Zhe said. "The border between Moncalleta and Blackfall has long been a hotspot of minor skirmishes. Anthony is a Centurion of the Vanguard Army and the former Captain of the Knight Academy. A few months ago, he returned to the capital to report on his duties, with a boundless future ahead. Yet, just a few days ago, after drinking, he raped a woman and accidentally applied too much force, thrusting his hand into her chest cavity. It happened right during the Funeral Attendant's large-scale investigation, so they captured him. In Hedan's nobility, this would typically be overlooked, but it happened at the worst possible time. The Funeral Attendant is in a dilemma—an awkward hot potato to handle."

"Are you planning to report it?"

"Indeed. The Zheng Family and the Nasser Clan both have stakes in the Hedan Daily, so they definitely won't report it. I suspect they might even be hiding it from the King. If we counteract, we can definitely bring the Newspaper back to prominence!" Ma Zhe put down his cigar. "So I need you to verify it."

Li Xin quickly thought it through. Ma Zhe had received this news and decided to venture into this dangerous territory, having clearly calculated the risks. At this moment, he wasn't looking for Li Xin's opinions.

"President, I'll get some information from Simmons."

"Yes, I'm telling you all this to make you aware of the situation. Handle your interactions with Simmons carefully. I've already confirmed the basic information from multiple sources. An extra layer of security is safer. This is our opportunity to turn things around; strike precisely at the weak spot!" Ma Zhe extinguished his cigar, revealing the fierce side of the Night Patrol.

Li Xin left the President's office. From beginning to end, the President never mentioned salary or novel manuscript fees, leaving Li Xin feeling somewhat resentful. But seeing Ma Zhe's excitement, bringing it up now seemed a bit out of place.

As a working man, asking for a salary is only right. If he couldn't mention it to the President, he could at least bring it up with our sexy and charming Sister Christie.

Li Xin knocked on Christie's office door.

"Come in."

It seemed Christie knew Li Xin would come. She was grinding coffee beans, the aroma filling the air. "Try the dark roast flavor; these are new beans."

"Drinking good stuff like this every day, what am I going to do in the future?" Li Xin touched his nose, knowing his tastes were slowly becoming more refined.

"That's life for you; enjoy the moment," Christie smiled. "The President gave you an assignment?"

"Yes, to counter the Hedan Daily affair and have me investigate Anthony's situation."

Christie nodded, placing the ground coffee into the filter and starting to brew.

"Ahem, Sister, how's the reception of 'Utopia Mountain Grudge'?"

Christie burst out laughing. "I thought you could hold it in. From the current information, it's quite positive. At least the feedback from the editorial department suggests you can continue the series. Also, the idea of advertising in the newspaper is being planned, but we'll do it big, on the day we counteract."

"Ah, does this mean I can have a manuscript fee?" Li Xin deliberately said casually.

"Manuscript fee? What's that?" Christie asked in surprise, seeing Li Xin's odd expression. "Aren't you part of the Newspaper, working for the Newspaper isn't it your duty?"

???

Flabbergasted, he wondered how such an explanation was possible?

Seeing Li Xin's dumbfounded look, Christie laughed heartily. "Just teasing you. Here, it's 600 Lira for this month, plus your manuscript fee of 100 Lira."

Li Xin didn't know whether to be happy or to cry. Was it really this pitiful, losing billions of brain cells over several nights for just 100 Lira?

"Why, isn't it enough?"

"Ahem, no, I heard Hedan is a place that especially values art." Li Xin was speechless. He was counting on making a fortune, thinking if the Hedan people accepted this style, he'd become rich. But he underestimated the nature of capitalists.

"Little brother, getting anxious, huh? This is the Newspaper's basic standard. Currently, there isn't enough feedback from sales and reputation. If I immediately raise your fee, how would that look to others?" Christie smiled, giving Li Xin a gentle, playful glance.

Those mature eyes, steady emotions, and subtle charm made Li Xin's heart beat a little faster. Since coming to Dao Yuan, Christie was the closest he'd felt to past life interactions.

"Sister, I don't have many strengths, but courage is one of them." Li Xin emphasized "courage," puffing out his chest.

Christie chuckled, "You're all talk. Back to the topic, did you find anything at the Funeral Attendant's place? Travis isn't easy to deal with either."

"They are quite conflicted, wanting to use us but fearing we'll steal the spotlight. I think they must be internally investigating Isaac's affair. The Organ Harvester, to be exact, part of the Organ Harvester is indeed trying to create Artificial Humans." Li Xin provided Christie's judgment from the dice.

Christie frowned, "Artificial Humans?"

"It's about assembling a person using different organs," Li Xin said. "But I'm unclear why anyone other than a madman like Isaac would attempt this."

Touch the authority of god? Maybe it's possible, but Li Xin doesn't think the power of god can be usurped in this way; that would make the gods too weak.

Christie looked at Li Xin, "Where did you get this information?"

"I went with Simmons, and on our way back during a casual chat, he mentioned it."

Dear Master Simmons is truly multi-functional; the bond between brothers needs no explanation.

Christie frowned slightly, coming from the George Family, one of the two great intelligence families in Moncalleta; it's obviously not baseless, Artificial Humans?

"This intelligence is very important, it really is an unexpected gain. Maintain a good relationship with Simmons; his goal should also be clear, which is the performance of Saint Grace Canon Law School. You can leverage this to gather more intelligence." Christie said, "I will follow up on this, Anthony's matter is more urgent, we must complete it as soon as possible. We need to fight back!"

Li Xin nodded, looking at Christie, Christie also realized it, "What's that look?"

"Sister, you look a little too beautiful when you're serious!"

Already sexy and mature, the seriousness that Christie unknowingly showed had quite an impact on Li Xin.

Christie smiled charmingly, surprised a bit, "What is the little rascal saying, daring to flirt with sister."

"Sister, I just got paid. I've been well taken care of by you ever since coming to the Bird Society. I'll treat you to a drink tonight." Somehow, Li Xin blurted out, only realizing impulsively after he'd said it...

Christie looked at Li Xin, her gaze flickering, "Little brother, just got paid and already want to squander it, but coincidentally, I'm free."

Li Xin thought he would be rejected, "Blue Bird Bar, No. 18, Clem Street, George District."

Leaving the Bird Society, fiddling with the paycheck in his hand, David said this bar is considered the best in the George District, the boss doesn't put much water in the drinks.

Li Xin called for a convertible carriage directly to the Canon Law School. Anthony's matter should be dealt with sooner rather than later, as any delay could bring changes. At noon, he grabbed a meal with Simmons, who was overjoyed to see Li Xin; yesterday, that wasn't a flash of lightning, it was Simmons' beacon of hope.

During the meal, Simmons also mentioned a change to Li Xin, "Brother Li, do you think if I continue like this, there's a chance I could awaken Thunder Power?"

"Whether you can awaken Thunder Power, I don't know, but your endurance will certainly improve." Li Xin laughed, "Do you know something?"

Li Xin shared the issue about Anthony Nasser, Simmons nodded, "It's not really a secret, in the past, it wouldn't be a big deal, but he happened to get caught up in it, so the Bird News wants to strike back?"

"Yes, will it cause trouble for your family?"

Simmons smiled, "Not sure what the higher-ups are planning, but since Grandfather has invested in Bird News, it's actually an indication of preparing for battle."

"Alright, I got it."

"Brother Li, actually, I'm quite curious, you don't seem like someone who would pay attention to such things."

"Oh, you're not very accurate in judging people. I am this kind of person, haha." Li Xin laughed while cleaning his plate, and in the afternoon, Li Xin and Simmons participated in the training at Saint Grace Canon Law School, where Simmons displayed his captain-like demeanor again.

At the distant Lighthouse No. 108 in Divpo City, the resurrected Batty was clearing the surroundings of the lighthouse. Yesterday, Lickers attacked the lighthouse again; the revived Batty was somewhat different from before, his eyes no longer rigid and stiff, with more vitality. These days, he has been pondering what the Black Saber in his hand truly is.

The Death and Life, Great Compassion and Great Mercy Heavenly Mother Blade, and the Life Star. What do they truly mean, and what is their connection with the mysterious starry room? He clearly stabbed it into his chest, yet he lives with nothing wrong.

The outside world, the Mist World, why do those people not care about his identity and even call him Mister, why in Divpo City are they born guilty, and why are they guilty?

The mark is black skin, the blacker the skin, the heavier the guilt, why is that?

Batty would never have questioned this in the past, but now the valve in his mind seemed to have opened, and questions kept surfacing uncontrollably. Maybe because he died once, he no longer resists thinking.

If, theoretically, there really is a peaceful and friendly world out there, could he take his sister out of here?

Once this thought appeared, it was unstoppable, but the kind of shaking he once anticipated did not occur, despite the turmoil in his heart, Batty faithfully performed his duties as a Lightkeeper, clearing the monsters.

However, during the process of clearing the periphery of the lighthouse, Batty discovered a strange phenomenon: his Black Saber could disperse the mist within a certain range. Driven by a burst of curiosity, Batty's bravery had significantly increased compared to before. He attempted to venture deeper into the mist. It was desolate there, but he didn't dare go too far, as the Black Saber's range was limited, he had to keep the lighthouse light within sight, or he would be completely lost in the mist.

Though dangerous, Batty found immense joy in such exploration and discovered that the world within the mist was different. In one direction, he found a dilapidated road, which was astonishing.

The Priest in Divpo City said the mist is a cursed land, a life forbidden zone, in truth, there's not only life, it can't really be called a forbidden zone. The mist and Lickers are the true threats.

It's quite tough when resting at night; the murmurs become stronger than before, sometimes it feels like they're drilling into his head with pain, even causing a bit of hallucination. Batty doesn't know why, is it because his soul questioned the Triad Gods, and the gods no longer protect him?

Batty cannot change anything; he can only endure it. He longs to see those people again, whether they are demons or whatever, he wishes for answers...

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