The whole way back after dinner, Old Fang didn't bring up the idea of living off a woman again, but instead advised Li Xin to be proactive. A real man shouldn't feel embarrassed about anything; rejection is no big deal.
However, Old Fang didn't know that Li Xin wasn't picky, and he had already tried living off Christie. But since he had a proper degree, even in Wattan, it was better to earn his keep than to rely on soone else.
He had actually always wanted to give Christie a gift but didn't know what to give. Flowers were too cliché and not appropriate for the Bird Society; he felt Christie didn't want their relationship exposed, unlike romances at his past company.
He genuinely couldn't afford expensive clothes and didn't understand fashion trends. His boss was too stingy, never giving extra to the workers. Although the perfu was expensive, it was within his budget. Thinking about it, he realized he was stingy, always enjoying the service and not really expressing anything to Christie.
In the morning, Li Xin habitually stood by the window, enjoying the scenery, stretching his back. A night owl dropped from the sky, leaving a letter with a whoosh before flying away, leaving behind so dust at the window.
Li Xin's stretching was interrupted halfway, suddenly missing the slow-paced owl. After breakfast, he called for a carriage to head to the Funeral Man Base and et Travis.
"Where are Simmons and Celestia?" Li Xin asked curiously, as they were always more eager than him.
"They probably can't make it," Travis replied with a wry smile. "Sothing happened at the Royal Palace yesterday. Duke Nasser went to 'complain,' and I heard the second Prince was severely reprimanded by the King."
For the Canon Law School and Knight Academy, the most important task was the upcoming Battle of Glory. Simmons and Celestia needed to focus on training. Although this investigation was crucial, the Battle of Glory was more important for them. After all, that's their main business.
"In the morning, Count George's side also sent a ssage that Simmons and Celestia have to prepare for the Battle of Glory and will not be participating in the subsequent investigation."
Travis was not surprised by the situation; he was an old Funeral Man. Many cases' issues lay not in the cases themselves but rather in the lack of unified opinions from above. Most standards depend on one's position.
Li Xin nodded, "Then what do we do today?"
"On account of what happened last ti, the Cardinal Hall is very upset and has ordered the Church Court to take charge. All the records have been transferred," Travis said, with a hint of relief on his face. Even the Funeral Man would struggle with soone who could storm the Great Cathedral to slay the Judgent Team. "We're responsible for Number One. Let's first find the murderer."
"Any leads or ideas?"
"Since the Anthony incident, the other side has made no moves. Recently, there have been several missing person cases, but they were all gang-related. I've had it checked; no problems found. I plan to investigate the victims' families; so strange phenona have appeared lately," Travis said. "So families, once very noisy, have gone silent."
"The murderer made a move?" Li Xin's eyes lit up.
Travis nodded, "Definitely. They were always filing complaints. City Hall was annoyed and managed to stop so of them, but a few families never ceased. After Anthony was beheaded, they should've continued seeing hope. But now they suddenly stopped. When investigating Number Two a few days ago, I had the Funeral Man check it out, but found nothing unusual."
"Should we take a look?" Li Xin sensed potential leads.
"It's all arranged," Travis nodded.
This operation involved only the two of them. More people would end up putting too much pressure on them.
The carriage traveled for over an hour to reach a residential area in St. Claramal outside the city, inhabited by Hedan people. Naturally, the economic situation here was rather dire, with a dense population. The carriage halted in front of a shabby, earthen house.
Travis knocked on the door for quite a while before soone answered. It was a woman who appeared in poor conditions but had neat attire. "Lady Anlah, sorry to bother you again. I'm Travis from the Funeral Attendant. We need to ask so questions."
The woman paused slightly, "Didn't you just co by a few days ago? I've made it clear; I'm not going to sue anymore. You don't have to worry; this ti it's true."
Li Xin smiled faintly, "Lady Anlah, this is our squad leader, the highest-ranking officer, here to understand the situation. We won't take much of your ti. May we co in and sit?"
Seeing the young and friendly Li Xin, Lady Anlah seed to see her son, "Co in, then."
The room was extrely simple, almost barren, although, despite being shabby, now looked very orderly.
Li Xin and Travis exchanged a glance, "Your house is really clean."
Lady Anlah smiled slightly, "Please take a seat, gentlen. I don't have much to offer, so I won't be entertaining you."
"Lady Anlah, under Your Majesty's attention, the Inner Demon case is progressing continuously. Anthony was only part of it; we are still pursuing it. Why did you suddenly stop pressing charges?" Li Xin asked gently, noticing Lady Anlah's favorable impression of him.
A hint of sorrow flashed in her eyes as she clasped her hands on her chest, "It's not that I've stopped pursuing it; I've just made peace with it. It was my child's fate, the end in this life, but also the beginning of a new one. The Mother Goddess will have him reincarnate into a better family, leading a good life. As a mother, I should be happy for him, not hold him back."
"Lady Anlah, who shared this joyful news with you?" Li Xin inquired.
Her expression unchanged, Lady Anlah said, "No one told anything. You don't have to worry about being coerced. No one has threatened , and I'm not afraid of any threats now."
"Lady Anlah, you've misunderstood. That's not what we ant."
"Then what do you an? Aren't you the Funeral n? Why not catch the culprit instead of watching ? Are you trying to harm ?" Lady Anlah suddenly shouted, "I tell you, no one will stop my child's bright future."
"Lady Anlah, we're here to help, to find out the truth..."
"Get out, all of you, get out!" As soon as the word 'truth' was ntioned, Lady Anlah's emotions suddenly beca extrely agitated. She forcibly pushed the two out, "If you dare to bother again, I'll report you to City Hall and the Church!"
Bang...
The old door slamd shut, the latch clicking into place. Li Xin and Travis exchanged looks.
Is this normal?
At the street corner, Travis handed Li Xin a thin cigarette; Travis had a large smoking habit, "I rember Lady Anlah. She used to be disheveled and hysterical. Now she looks very neat. But she's definitely not being coerced."
"Hidden Power?" Li Xin didn't feel anything, at least nothing particularly unusual about the house or Lady Anlah.
"It must be, and it's a very special Hidden Power," Travis frowned, as his experience couldn't help in identifying it, and they couldn't arrest her based on suspicion alone.
"Just leave it like this?"
Travis nodded, "There are a few more families who were the most vocal. I think checking them all might yield so results."
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