Chapter 723 - 315: Win-Win Cooperation

Chapter 723: Chapter 315: Win-Win Cooperation

Chris haughtily raised her head, while Keli waved her paw discontentedly. Estella quickly patted Keli’s head, "Alright, alright, our Keli is also very powerful."

"Chris and Keli, these Divine Beasts, are very restrained against Puppet Masters, and I feel more confident," Li Xin said. It wasn’t the first time he had faced Angels, especially with the battle against the Divine Angel, which had given him experience. When confronting Puppet Masters, the main focus is on identifying their true forms. As for the other abilities of a Puppet Master, they find it hard to break through his Nine Words Mantra, which is his fundamental way of surviving in the Dao Yuan Continent.

As a last resort, if an accident occurs, let him taste the Holy Judgment from the Earth Pope. With the Inheritance Record, he can better control it when using scrolls.

After sending Estella back, Li Xin had to head to work. Yesterday’s Council battle might have seemed like he was merely a secondary player, but its impact on the Night Patrol was significant.

The carriage arrived at the Shadow Owl. Meng Po had not been knitting at the door for quite some time; instead, Night Patrol members in uniforms were on duty, their spirit reflecting the organization’s vibe. Since Li Xin mentioned it, Meng Po immediately grasped the essence.

Upon seeing Li Xin, the Night Patrol members at the door saluted instantly, "Commander!"

Li Xin returned the fingertip salute, "Thank you for your hard work."

The two young Night Patrol members were excited; they didn’t expect the Commander would respond to them. Lu Shuimo, behind them, smiled.

At the morning meeting, all Copper Owls were present, no longer lazy as before. Everyone dressed in neat Night Patrol uniforms appeared refreshed as Qi Badao returned after recovering from injuries. Wearing the Night Patrol uniform did add a slight roguish charm.

The Night Patrol often deals with covert events, carrying a bit of a fierce aura; attire adds to it.

"Commander!"

When Li Xin entered, everyone stood up, while Lu Shuimo returned to his seat.

Actually, Meng Po and others were also quite emotional. With such prospects, who wouldn’t want to live a more spirited life? They no longer wished to endure the hopeless, depressing days. The Night Patrol fears neither hardship nor death; they only fear lacking direction and goals.

"Sit down, Meng Silver Owl, briefly go over today’s agenda," Li Xin said.

In official settings, Li Xin adjusted his address. Typically, a Night Patrol team is equipped with two Silver Owls, acting as vice-captains. Currently, the Shadow Owl is led by Meng Po and Qi Badao, with brothers who had once fought alongside Qi Badao now members of the Night Patrol.

"Yes, Commander," Meng Po spoke crisply, "Firstly, the Shadow Owl closed nineteen cases last week, with two major ones; Secondly, adding twenty-eight new Shadow Owl members, fifteen from the Canon Law School and thirteen from the Celestial Principle School; Thirdly, recently, dozens of organizations want to fund the Night Patrol, with many inquiries; Fourthly, other eight brigades’ key task briefings; Fifthly, budget balance."

Li Xin naturally hoped for concise meetings, but there were indeed many issues, taking over two hours even when swiftly handled.

"Seeing our strength rise sharply, those organizations and families wish to curry favor. Commander, should we refuse them?" Meng Po asked.

"Don’t refuse; let them register first, as well as the amount of their pledges, and investigate," Li Xin replied.

"Commander, wouldn’t malicious parties exploit this to attack you?" Meng Po said worriedly.

Li Xin smiled, "If attacking me could bring the Night Patrol necessary funds, I’m open to it. Remember, don’t rush to collect funds, look at their intentions first. Let the bullets fly for a bit. The Black Market funds are just the beginning, giving a breath to the Dragon Capital’s Night Patrol, but it’s far from enough."

"Commander, an unexpected benefit is the income from the Black Water Bar, which surpasses our management fees. No wonder the Hundred Martial Hall is desperate to compete with us," Yan Bei said.

Li Xin had considered it but didn’t expect such an amount. It seems the ticket sales, though not much per person, accumulate with many visitors daily. Besides vendors, many more are guests, which is the main revenue. The Hundred Martial Hall is also profiting greatly, and if not for Hua Qianzhan’s sudden ’disappearance’, causing panic among them and other organizations, they wouldn’t have calmed down.

One can’t be liked by everyone, but can be feared by opponents.

As the Night Patrol was gradually marginalized, Li Xin shone at the Upper Council. Not only did the Hong Family agree to an autopsy, but he also dared to point a sword at the Royal Butler, unimaginable before. Crucially, he faced no repercussion, greatly boosting the Night Patrol’s prestige, making case handling much easier. The Night Patrol’s methods are numerous, mostly covert abilities. Most cases aren’t that complex; they mainly involve certain people and forces. The Night Patrol, prohibited from investigating directly and met with non-cooperation, hesitated to exert measures, making investigations difficult. Now even the Royal Family can be investigated. Any lower rung agents thinking of jumping must weigh if their necks are harder than Hua Qianzhan’s or backgrounds bigger than Ji Sheng’s.

"Commander, we’ve selected several related cases to submit to the Freedom Daily for publication."

"Fine, let Editor-in-chief Lin choose specifically. Don’t be afraid of good deeds being known; it greatly aids us in future cases," Li Xin said.

This is also an important step. The Night Patrol is very honor-bound; having cases reported helps enhance their cohesion and dignity. It also allows more people to realize it’s the Night Patrol safeguarding covert security, not some other group.

The most fragrant wine also fears obscurity. Some recognize the Night Patrol, but many engage less with media, being misled or misunderstanding the Night Patrol. Other three major Hex Bird Reports are unwilling for company, and the Night Patrol needs a platform for their voice.

Funds, power, public opinion, and talent need to circulate to allow the Night Patrol’s continual development. While not entirely issue-free internally, from Celestial Capital through Hedan to Dragon Capital, Night Patrol is the organization closest to his former world’s paths on Dao Yuan roads.

If anyone objects, he wouldn’t mind using an Immortal’s awe once more.

Latterly, Li Xin met with Jian Lezhi at her Moonlight Bar.

"Commander Li, gracing us with your presence, what advice might you offer?" Jian Lezhi arranged a private room, her words carrying no hostility, even a hint of teasing.

"What do you think I’m here for, Hall Master Jian?"

"How could a woman guess? Surely Commander Li isn’t here to bully a weak lady like me?"

"If Hall Master Jian is a weak lady, I might as well retire," Li Xin chuckled, twirling the wine in his glass, "Yesterday at the Council, we still failed, what a pity."

Jian Lezhi’s eyes twinkled, animatedly, "Oh? I feel Commander Li has already achieved your purpose. The Night Patrol now isn’t what it was; our Hundred Martial Hall has to keep a low profile."

Li Xin reassessed Jian Lezhi and the Hundred Martial Hall’s Inner Hall, "This wasn’t what Hall Master Jian sought to see. It seems I’ve been unknowingly used by Hall Master Jian."

"Commander Li, using is too strong; we should say we share common goals and align in purpose. The earlier phase was our adjustment period," Jian Lezhi smiled.

This woman was consistently graceful, exuding an intellectual charm, extremely patient, and emotionally stable. The level difference between the Hundred Martial Hall’s Inner and Outer Halls was substantial.

"Oh, how so? I’d love to hear more." Li Xin smiled.

So much transpired, and they were actually bitter enemies with the Hundred Martial Hall, sparred over such vast interests. The Hundred Martial Hall wouldn’t spare him or the Night Patrol, yet the Inner Hall played some role in instigating, big things were forthcoming, and he wanted to ascertain the Inner Hall’s stance. While total trust wasn’t possible, in many matters, collaboration could be achieved.