Chapter 731 - 323: Assassination

Chapter 731: Chapter 323: Assassination

The election investigation results caused a stir throughout Dragon Capital, and the Hex Bird Report quickly followed up with coverage. As the staunchest supporter of Chen Rutang, the Freedom Daily once again stole the spotlight. The Justice Daily and Flying Bird Daily remained neutral, not offending either side. Since Jina and Lin Fei left, the Citizen Daily has completely taken a stand with Nalan Jingguo. In its promotion, Chen Rutang couldn’t even sit at the same table as Nalan Jingguo, with various slanders, but the actual result was a continuous decline in the Citizen Daily’s influence.

Since Lin Fei and Jina left, Yan Hongxu became the new president, and the Yan Family no longer pretended, completely siding with the liberals, losing the support of the Celestial Principle School. Even with a beauty contest, the Citizen Daily made headlines. In terms of business philosophy, Yan Hongxu was not as capable as the old president. He replaced the staff of the Citizen Daily with his own people in a short time, dismissing some old editors and elite reporters, acting imperiously. Of course, he knew who his master was and stood firmly with Nalan Jingguo. However, the circulation of the Citizen Daily has already been surpassed by the Freedom Daily.

The Freedom Daily was also filled with cheers. Lin Fei, Jina, and Wusu are the three giants of the newspaper now. Especially with the addition of Wusu, a senior old editor with rich experience, who is also a Night Patrol member, filling the gap in the secretive aspect, making the Freedom Daily more comprehensive. With diverse business philosophies and holding the Celestial Principle School and events like the Utopia Mountain Vendetta as powerful tools, perfectly coinciding with the critical stage of the election, it was hard for the Freedom Daily not to stand out.

With Chen Rutang leading, the Freedom Daily also significantly improved its credibility. Its current circulation has surpassed the Citizen Daily, approaching Justice Daily and Flying Bird Daily, and it’s far ahead among the Canon Law School group compared to the other three newspapers.

Wusu was doing his work extremely joyfully. Jina and Lin Fei trusted him greatly, providing him with a considerable amount of authority and space to perform. The audience of the Night Patrol section he was responsible for is growing larger. The Night Patrol has done many things for the citizens to know, so that the citizens will, in turn, support the Night Patrol.

Because the Night Patrol already has decades of reputation and foundation, when the paper speaks of these things, it naturally contains various stories, capturing some of Flying Bird’s audience. After all, Flying Bird mainly made up content, while the Night Patrol dealt with genuine cases, who would look at fabricated stories?

Meanwhile, the security guarantee of the Freedom Daily is also improving. Wusu, still identified as a Night Patrol member, has been promoted to deputy captain of the Flame Dragon Squad. The Freedom Daily will be an important channel for the voice of the Night Patrol, which people like Long Ji have only recently realized as advantageous.

People crave recognition, especially the Night Patrol who have done a lot. Previously, they didn’t care because they didn’t feel it, but since the Freedom Newspaper voiced for them, they’ve clearly noticed a change in the surrounding perception. The change in the team members is more pronounced, with the gloomy aura lessening, becoming more confident and proud. Combined with the series of guarantees from the chief captain, it gives the Night Patrol immense motivation.

Shadow Owl.

The exterior of the building hasn’t changed much, but the interior layout was redesigned. After all, this is the location of the Night Patrol Headquarters. Though expenses need to be saved, not everything is saved. Making big things happen with small money, other squad captains also have to come here for meetings.

Neither Meng Po nor Lu Shuimo ever dreamed they could see the peak state of Shadow Owl.

At the morning meeting, Long Ji and others had already arrived early, waiting for Li Xin to arrive.

In the basement, Long Ji and others respectively reported the recent situation.

"The Nun was previously hidden in Ye Shidao’s manor, but our people are unable to get close. With her abilities, it’s impossible to trace her current location," Long Ji said.

"We got some information from the Adventurer Association that the Nun might be from Withered Wood Monastery, one of the Five Great Sanctuaries," Hong Ye said. "If true, that person is even more difficult to deal with."

"It is true, the Nun is the personal disciple of the Abbot of Withered Wood Monastery," Li Xin said.

Everyone in the conference room felt a sinking feeling; this was already beyond what the Night Patrol could handle.

An important means for the Church Court and the Cabinet to control the Night Patrol is that the main cadre of the Night Patrol can only be up to Four Lives. Once they become Angels, they will only stay with the Night Patrol under extremely special circumstances, and under normal circumstances, they all enter the Church Court. Thus, when encountering powerful enemies, Night Patrol members in various regions can only seek help from the Church Court, forcing them to rely on it.

"Leave the Nun aside for now; the angel of the seductive woman’s path cannot be killed with normal means. Once found, just stick to them, don’t act," Li Xin said, "Where’s Ji Sheng?"

"He’s been unusually low-key since appearing in court but being a Puppet Master; it’s possible his avatars are acting," Long Ji said. "There hasn’t been much change with the Dragon Fortune Association, but key personnel have become noticeably cautious. We can’t enter inside, so we are only doing surveillance outside."

"Commander, there have been many anomalies with external forces recently. The Moncalleta’s major intelligence family, the George Family’s direct daughter, is now in Dragon Capital. She is sorting out the former Zheng Family’s properties and has connections with the Hundred Martial Hall and the Royal Family," Qin Donglei from Wind Eagle said. "Moreover, several ships of the Black Meteor Empire have docked, with the personnel being slightly different, but our clearance doesn’t allow further investigation."

Even if it involves secret events, the Cabinet, Church Court, and City Guard all have relevant jurisdiction. Regarding foreign matters, the Night Patrol mainly provides support here, just that involving Song of Hell makes the Night Patrol particularly attentive.

"We don’t dare to monitor too closely, afraid of causing diplomatic disputes."

"Maintain the status quo; our target is Song of Hell," Li Xin thought for a moment and said.

The possibility of Song of Hell coming from Black Meteor and Moncalleta is low. Both countries are also very wary of Song of Hell.

"Commander, it seems the Church Court isn’t very concerned about the business with Song of Hell," Long Ji said gravely. "Even if we painstakingly find traces, I fear they won’t take action."

Long Ji is a veteran Night Patrol member, a stabilizing force in the Night Patrol, and the only one among the Night Patrol captains with Angel strength. He’s been concealing it just to avoid being conscripted by the Church Court.

Hong Ye and others looked at Li Xin. Their investigation of Song of Hell is to avenge Jiang Wu. Even knowing the identity of the Slave Master, they are still determined. However, they are veteran Night Patrol members and won’t act rashly. The Night Patrol aiming to tackle the Royal Family’s chief steward only ends in disaster, a situation they encountered often before, having to swallow the bitterness in silence.

"Commander Long, your primary task is to maintain the secret security of Dragon Capital. Regarding Song of Hell, it’s about tracing clues, don’t harbor other thoughts." Li Xin instructed.

Given the current state of the Night Patrol, it is a development phase. Any major moves arousing dissatisfaction of the Cabinet or Church Court are unbearable for them. He wishes to call out, stirring a crowd, best if the Church Court would step in and settle things for them, but that’s just a dream.

"Are we just going to watch them create chaos?" Mao Feng slammed the table, "They’re simply lawless. What’s the Church Court doing, not caring, no wonder faith keeps declining, it serves them right!"

"Mao Feng, you’re an adult, stop complaining here!" Fu Yu said.

"We are all part of the same team, doing this work feels stifling. We fight with all we have, and those above don’t treat us like humans."

"Commander Mao, what we need to do now is accumulate strength, wait for opportunities. The situation in Dragon Capital has somewhat improved, but Night Patrol members in other places still have a hard time," Li Xin said.

Nominally, he is not only the head captain of Dragon Capital’s Night Patrol; he is also the head captain of Li Long Night Patrol. However, in reality, Night Patrol members elsewhere are still just a department under the Church and City Hall, unable to achieve vertical governance. The black market’s income is not enough to support Li Long Night Patrol’s expenses, requiring much greater funds for full independence for all Night Patrol members.

"Any news from Li Chao’s side?" Li Xin asked.

"Yes, very important. A mysterious person hired the Hundred Martial Hall to assassinate Councillor Chen Rutang," Long Ji said.

"Who, did they agree?"

"Haven’t received further intel, but since they hired the Hundred Martial Hall, it’s possible they’ve also hired other secret organizations," Long Ji said.

Li Xin nodded, "Make sure Li Chao is careful, and refrain from contact unless there’s extremely important intel recently."

"Understood. Old Li seems rough but is quite meticulous. This undercover operation he’s on has been prepared for over seven years, not a sudden whim," Long Ji said.

This news is crucial. If used well, it could backfire on them silently," Li Xin observed.

"One more thing worth noting, an ancient church, the Blood Origin Cult, has recently revived," Fu Yu said.

"Blood Origin Cult? The cult responsible for killing Tang Gao’s parents?" Li Xin confirmed.