I Have a Dice Left by a God

Chapter 682 - 274: High-Profile Assassination

The morning in Dragon Capital was exceptionally cold, another foggy day, and just as dawn broke, the sound of the Hex train pierced through the city’s skies."Extra, extra, earth-shattering event, justice faction leader Hong Yan has been assassinated!"

"Extra, extra, the sky has fallen, Grand Governor candidate Hong Yan has been assassinated and killed!"

...

Countless newsboys surged into the streets, shouting hoarsely, knowing today would definitely be a harvest day; everyone’s efforts were tied to whether they’d go hungry.

At this moment, all the captains of the Night Patrol squads were gathered at the Great Cathedral of Lei Qinglu, whose already stern face was now dark as ink.

Li Xin, Dragon Spine, Hong Ye, Qin Donglai, Wen Xingtai, Mo Zilu, Fu Yu, Mao Feng, and interim captain of Red Jiao, Hu Tong.

"Hong Yan is dead," Lei Qinglu said. Rumors can be false, newspapers can have errors, but when it comes from Lei Qinglu’s mouth, it’s different.

Li Xin and the others also realized the severity of the situation. The Hong Family is a top-notch prestigious family among the Beijing people, Hong Yan is a member of the Upper Council, the justice faction’s chosen candidate for Grand Governor, a major figure in Lirong with all sorts of buffs stacked. How could he be assassinated at such a sensitive time?

"Hong Yan himself was a Four-Life Knight; aside from the Hong Family’s own defense, the Church Court also sent Angels and a secret team of twelve to protect him," Lei Qinglu said in a heavy tone.

Such words made everyone’s scalp tingle; this wasn’t just disturbing the hornet’s nest — the assassination wasn’t just aimed at an individual, but a vast force, and it must have been planned long ago.

"Right now, the Church Court’s enforcement team and Knight Order are on site, and later, the Night Patrol will surely be needed to cooperate in the investigation. Li Xin, you’re skilled in solving cases; this case is yours to take up. Dragon Spine and the rest, given your experience, assist Li Xin in the investigation," Lei Qinglu said.

Dragon Spine and the others remained unchanged in expression, "Yes, Lord Metropolitan."

Li Xin looked at Lei Qinglu, "What’s the number of assassins, the time, location, the current state of the culprits, and can we go to the site?"

"The information I received is that there were several hundred people involved, all the culprits are dead — currently known that all assassins were puppet masters wearing sleeves, location being Hong Yan’s vacation villa in the eastern suburbs."

"You’re saying the Angels and protectors from the Church Court were unharmed?" Li Xin asked.

Lei Qinglu nodded, "The protectors from the Church Court have no major issues; the enforcement team has detained all of them."

Everyone exchanged glances; the situation was more complex than imagined. They thought, if there was secret Angel protection, how could they easily kill a Four-Life Knight, and Hong Yan wasn’t foolish. Given the sensitive stage, how could he neglect his own safety? Though he’s a Four-Life Knight, he’s not a Great Angel — not reckless to that extent.

"Doesn’t this mean Nangong Jingguo benefits the most?" Qin Donglai asked.

"With such an obvious motive, Nangong Jingguo shouldn’t be so foolish, right? If a competitor has issues, suspicion will naturally fall on him."

"What if he’s thinking contrarily?"

"That’s a possibility. Currently, the justice faction can truly only compete with Hong Yan. Without evidence, we can’t pin anything on Nangong Jingguo, and just because Hong Yan died, we can’t frame him. The justice faction, as quick as it needs, can’t find another to match him in a short time, and election time isn’t far away," Hong Ye said.

Lei Qinglu looked at everyone and waved his hand, "Currently, this case still falls under the Church Court and Cabinet’s jurisdiction; it’s not yet our concern, we just need to wait."

Li Xin recalled the prophecy about Dragon Capital’s destruction, sensing something was amiss. Multiple singers of the Song of Hell have arrived in Dragon Capital, with the Slave Master hidden for years; Hong Yan’s death might very well be linked to the Song of Hell.

An equally puzzling question: who informed him of the singers’ arrival? Clearly, someone opposed to the Song of Hell was involved — yet didn’t confront directly, instead contacting him?

He’s merely a Night Patrolman; what was meant by giving such information to him?

Everyone’s thoughts were unknown, Lei Qinglu looked at Li Xin, "The decision made by the Church Hall’s Secretary’s meeting to restore Shadow Owl’s leadership over the Night Patrol. Li Xin, even though you’re young, you’ve handled many major cases from Celestial Capital to Hedan, then back to Dragon Capital, and consistently held faith and maintained justice, so this special case was approved as an opportunity to prove your capabilities," then looked at Dragon Spine and the others, "You’re veteran Night Patrolmen, your experience surely surpasses Li Xin’s — support him abundantly."

Dragon Spine and others had long received the message, naturally without opposition, "Yes, sir. Li Xin is young and promising, has the spirit of Night Patrol in him. Despite our age, we’ll surely execute Captain Li Xin’s orders diligently."

Lei Qinglu was a bit surprised, not expecting Dragon Spine and the others, notoriously rebellious and close-knit, to agree so readily. It took considerable effort when Jiang Wu entered Shadow Owl; he personally felt there was room for negotiation on the higher-up’s decision, or perhaps Dragon Spine and company saw Li Xin as easier to handle?

Lei Qinglu’s face remained unchanged as he assessed everyone without much speech, continuing to observe.

"I heard you’ve taken control of the Black Market, replacing Hundred Martial Hall’s management rights?" Lei Qinglu said indifferently.

Li Xin knew this wasn’t a question, promptly bowing, "Yes, sir, there are still some loose ends, intended to report after everything was sorted."

Lei Qinglu looked at Li Xin and nodded, "The process was relatively calm and fair, Night Patrol may enforce, but Hundred Martial Hall isn’t the enemy."

"Understood, sir. The distribution and usage of ongoing management fees will include accounts, reported to you," Li Xin said, realizing he overlooked a crucial element: accumulating so much money, yet forgetting to relay a share to the Church Court, fearing Lord Metropolitan’s discontent.

Dragon Spine and others also realized, prominently due to their dire need for money, having forgotten to remind.

Lei Qinglu naturally sensed the gaze upon him, with some understanding of why Dragon Spine and others smoothly accepted Li Xin - serving as Metropolitan, he’s aware of Night Patrol’s predicament, and though not upright, wouldn’t greedily grasp Night Patrol’s share.

Lei Qinglu waved his hand, "There’s no need; Night Patrol can digest internally, just ensure the Black Market doesn’t have problems."

Li Xin and others were relieved, plans all set — if Lord Metropolitan took the majority, every idea would vanish. Luckily, Lord Metropolitan wasn’t interested.

"Thank you for your empathy, sir."

Everyone responded with gratitude, evidently, Lei Qinglu, as Metropolitan, had seen great wealth before, and given Secret Castle’s existence, taking little was meaningless, taking much could cause troubles.

Given the money, the Church Court must focus on the Immortal’s abnormality, representing Secret Castle’s stance, also the reason Li Xin successfully restored Shadow Owl status. Even Moon God’s Court wouldn’t unnecessarily offend the top of the Five Great Sanctuaries, Secret Castle; conversely, maintaining good relations would be beneficial.

The Immortal’s mere presence inadvertently resolved numerous issues and troubles for Li Xin — even during the Secretary’s meeting, Kathy barely exerted effort before it passed.

When absolute power speaks, authority yields.