Old Tuo still looked at Li Xin with a blank expression, although his gaze clearly wavered; controlling facial expressions is easy, but his heart must have slight turbulence.
"What?"
"Old Tuo, Captain Jiang’s death is closely related to what he left behind. To find the murderer, that item is crucial, and I think our goals are aligned," said Li Xin.
Old Tuo remained silent.
"Did he leave a worm behind? Currently, only I can find the murderer. I believe you understand the Church Court’s situation better than I do," Li Xin continued, "The captain’s explosive death was ant to prevent the murderer from getting it. It’s not safe at your place."
Li Xin glanced towards the corner of Old Tuo’s bedroom, suspecting the item was there. On his last visit, Old Tuo was very wary of anyone getting close. He thought it was just a coroner’s peculiarity, but now it seed there might be a hidden secret.
Old Tuo noticed Li Xin’s gaze, "Why do you think it’s with ?"
"Captain Jiang was on an extrely dangerous secret mission. Such a dangerous task required backup. Leaving it at ho was less secure than with the Shadow Owl," said Li Xin, "He disguised as Little Flayer, easiest for a coroner to detect. It’s explained well externally, but internally, with your expertise, you never questioned him; sothing’s not right unless you’re also in the know."
Old Tuo stood up, "Follow ."
Li Xin followed Old Tuo to the innermost bedroom. Old Tuo knocked on the wall and opened a hidden compartnt, revealing a copper cauldron inside.
"After the previous Chief died, Captain Jiang found and entrusted it to ," Old Tuo handed it to Li Xin, "He said if one day he dies, I should destroy it."
Li Xin took the small copper cauldron and imdiately sensed the abyssal aura inside.
"Captain Li, I want revenge," Old Tuo said deeply.
Li Xin nodded, "What about the rattle?"
Suddenly, Li Xin looked outside as footsteps stopped, and ng Po appeared, "Captain Li, the rattle is with ."
Li Xin didn’t know whether to be angry or amused. Such important matters were not ntioned earlier by any of them.
ng Po sighed helplessly, "Captain Li, we didn’t hide it, but Old Tuo and I truly didn’t know whether to hand it over to you or destroy it. So we decided that if you found us, we’d give it to you; otherwise, we’d let it be, going with fate and leaving them with Captain Jiang."
Jiang Wu’s strength turned out unable to resist, and the Church was all bluster, Li Xin wouldn’t be much better off either. Giving it to Li Xin is as if harming him, and they weren’t sure if Li Xin truly wanted to handle it.
"Give it to , matters concerning the Night Patrol, we’ll handle ourselves, never intended to rely on others," said Li Xin.
ng Po took out the rattle, extrely exquisite, giving the sa feeling as the Immortal’s copper bell; such ancient secret items hold a strong allure. As soon as Li Xin held it, he wanted to shake it.
"It causes the holder to want to shake it, but don’t use it. I, a Life Master, knew the severe consequences and held back. It has unpredictable side effects. Captain Jiang’s body deformation was due to this, seemingly enhancing spiritual ability, but actually overdrawing potential," ng Po explained.
Li Xin nodded, putting the rattle and the worm-filled cauldron into Yazama Karashi, "Do you know the origin of this rattle?"
ng Po shook her head, "Captain Jiang once ntioned it briefly; it was given to him by the previous Chief Red-robed Archbishop."
"This isn’t the style of the Moon God’s Court," Li Xin comnted.
"Yes, the rattle has strong Beijing features, but the Moon God’s Court has been in Rilong for a long ti; they might have collected it," said ng Po.
Li Xin shook his head, "Most likely not. If it ca from the Court, it would have a serial number. Such a powerful secret item disappearing, the Court would know about it. Yet over a year since the previous Chief’s death, the Court didn’t seem aware of the rattle during the Little Flayer incident."
ng Po didn’t expect Li Xin’s thought process to be so deep, she smiled wryly, "I don’t know about that, actually Captain Jiang rarely ntioned it; he just asked us to keep it."
"Does the worm need feeding?" Li Xin asked Old Tuo.
"This copper cauldron is specifically for storing worms. A newborn worm dies quickly, but one that has consud living things has a more resilient life force. Feeding it so flesh can sustain its life, but over ti it will still die," Old Tuo said, "Once a week to my place is sufficient."
"Who else knows about this?"
"Only and Old Tuo, the drunkards don’t know. Last ti a drunk nearly traced it, fortunately, Captain Jiang was prepared," ng Po replied, "Old Tuo and I are near death, without attachnts; the drunkards are different, so we didn’t let them know."
"Is Tang Gao settled?" Li Xin asked.
ng Po’s expression eased sowhat at the ntion of Tang Gao, she nodded, "Settled. I selfishly want him to stay longer by my side, he’s long been able to leave this place of trouble. I have no more attachnts. Old Tuo and I follow the Captain’s orders; as long as we can avenge him, we’re willing to sacrifice our lives."
Old Tuo looked at Li Xin, nodding firmly.
"There will be places where I need your help, but not by brute force, the murderer is an Angel, brute force won’t win. Once we track him, soone capable of dealing with him will be ready," Li Xin stated.
"Captain Li, we’ll listen to you."
ng Po and Old Tuo weren’t surprised. To kill Jiang Wu with such bizarre thods, it seems only an Angel could.
Li Xin didn’t stay at the Shadow Owl. Last ti, at so unknown ti, he was placed under Tiss by the Enslaved Angels and later sohow cleared.
Such thods by Retro Angels are truly unguardable. Jiang Wu’s extensive experience should have detected it but unknowingly fell victim.
Although acting as interim Captain, the Shadow Owl already considers him the Captain, and Jiang Wu’s safe houses are now at Li Xin’s disposal, with one in the South District and another in the North District.
Li Xin used a dice for determination; the two safe houses are safe.
The dice spun fruitlessly, resulting in invalid judgnt.
He rolled the dice again: the murderer doesn’t know about the two safe houses.
The dice provided effective judgnt: nine points.
Li Xin called a carriage to the North District safe house. It indicates Jiang Wu likely fell victim when dealing with those two Divine Revelation Academy mbers with the Enslaved Tiss.
Compared to these deviant Angels, he prefers Battle Angels; clear cut, fight if you can, if not then flee. These retro lowly Angels lurking in the shadows are revolting.
Li Xin disembarked midway, walking the remaining few blocks on his own. This safe house is a regular residence in North Second District.
The room’s layout was simple and fresh, apparently Jiang Wu occasionally stayed here for a bit, scanning the room revealed not much useful.
Li Xin took out the Spirit Ointnt, set up a barrier, and took out the rattle. He’s quite intrigued by this secret item; potentially able to control the Fallen, he wouldn’t have been so troubled in Celestial Capital. A few turns during the Council would surely be spectacular.
Li Xin input a bit of spiritual ability and imdiately felt the joy of wanting to shake it. To be cautious, he pinched the Immovable Ming King Seal, Lin!
Thump thump thump thump...
A heart-enchanting sound arose; the rattle flickered red, seemingly attempting to invade Li Xin’s body, but was blocked by the Immovable Ming King Seal. This red backlash is likely the rattle’s side effect, but the discomfort vanished quickly with the Immovable Ming King Seal.
Li Xin ceased shaking, eyeing this secret item. He plans to test the actual effects at so point; dealing with the Fallen, this would be drastic and effective. Given by the previous Chief Red-robed Archbishop, regardless of its origins, there’s likely a grand sche behind it.
Li Xin put away the rattle, then took out the copper cauldron. Inside, the worm was nearly solid dark red, fortunately not having eaten, or else it’d likely be nauseating to the point of vomiting.
Li Xin stared at it for ages, unable to discern more particulars. Worms all looked the sa to him, rely degrees of ugliness. Whether this thing has ties to the Fake Embryo, perhaps expert worm analysis is needed.
Among those he knows, only Kathy has the capability and resources. However, given involvent with the Fake Embryo and previous Chief, he prefers not to entangle Kathy, better to resolve it himself.
Finding the murderer and handing them to the Church Court is the best outco currently.
Tracking the Puppet Master using Tiss requires powerful Prophets and Life Masters. The current problem is, the two Divine Revelation Academy students and Jiang Wu’s body are with the tropolitan, who won’t let Shadow Owl intervene overtly, how to find Prophets and Life Masters, that’s sothing ng Po might try.
Unfortunately, Old Fang isn’t around, otherwise he’d empty his pockets for assistance.
...The tropolitan won’t find it difficult to locate a Life Master or Prophet. Perhaps he’s already found leads?
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