Storm of Gods

Chapter 113 Epitaph

A few minutes later, Li Xin arrived at the archbishop's residence and found it empty. On the ground were only a pile of what appeared to be Matthew's remains, and Hao Ye's head, which was still slowly oozing pus, lying dead. There was also a soiled handkerchief on the ground...

Dark clouds filled the sky, lightning flashed and thunder roared, and a once-in-decades torrential rainstorm struck Tianjing City. However, the big news in the city was far more sensational than the rain.

Archbishop Matthew, Earl Zhao Xun, and Grand Disciplinary Officer Luo Jin are dead!
This was a major earthquake in Tianjing. The outcome of the Four Nations Tournament was no longer important. The Knights, the City Guard, and the Night Patrol were all mobilized. The entire city of Tianjing was under martial law. The basement of the arena, the Archbishop's manor, Zhao Xun's residence, and Luo Jin's residence were all sealed off by the church. The atmosphere was tense, and the whole city was filled with fear.

In Luo Jin's office, the night patrolman.

Li Xin looked at Casey and returned to the Night Watch. Casey, who had just heard the news, had been sitting there without any expression of pain or venting. She just sat quietly, as if she had lost her soul.

Li Xin stayed by his side without saying a word.

After a long silence, Casey looked at Li Xin and said, "I'm fine. Actually, Lao Luo knew this day would come sooner or later, and so did I."

Li Xin didn't know what to say. He couldn't understand Casey's feelings for Luo Jin. In both his past and present lives, Luo Jin was the first person to shock him, someone who could do such a thing for the sake of justice.

"Uncle Luo hopes you can be happy and joyful," Li Xin said.

Casey took a deep breath. "I will. I will live well. I'm not that fragile."

Casey seemed to be speaking to Li Xin, herself, and Luo Jin all at the same time.

Li Xin took out the original embryo left behind by Luo Jin. "This is Uncle Luo's original embryo. Sister Casey, I think it should be given to you."

Casey took the embryo, her eyes softening. This was Luo Jin's life force. "Thank you, Ashin. I want to be alone for a while."

“Sister Casey, I’m at home. You can come to me if you need anything,” Li Xin said.

“Yes, I will come to see you. You must also be careful. The church is complicated. Don’t trust anyone, and don’t mention this to anyone again,” Casey instructed.

The divine relic actually came from an abyssal worm. Could its power be related to the abyss?
This must be a secret of the church, and both she and Li Xin must keep it a secret.

After Li Xin left, Casey opened Luo Jin's drawer. Inside was a bare ring. Its owner was very poor and couldn't even afford a gemstone. The ring was shiny, and it was clear that its owner often touched it. Unfortunately, he never had the courage to give the ring away. What its owner didn't know was that whenever he wasn't around, its real owner would secretly wear it.

She can wear it now.

Casey's eyes were red, but she wouldn't let the tears fall, because Luo Jin would be unhappy.

The shimmering divine relic embryo merged seamlessly into Casey's heart, as if it existed solely for her.

From that moment on, she was Mrs. Luo.

We will never be apart again.

An archbishop and a count, a member of the upper council—this was no longer just a matter for Tianjing. The news spread to Longjing, causing an upheaval. The Vatican and the Cabinet had dispatched special envoys who were already on their way to Tianjing. This was a huge upheaval for both the Church and the nobility, and it would trigger a series of events.

Li Xin stayed at home obediently, watching over Lin Fei and Xue Yin. When he told Lin Fei about Luo Jin's revenge for the Lin family, Lin Fei hugged Xue Yin and wept uncontrollably. The blood feud she had never dared to hope for had actually been avenged, by someone who was completely unrelated to her.

There are truly people in this world who will uphold justice, even at the cost of their lives.

Earl Locknnan and Earl Granfield are currently the highest authorities in Tianjing. They are aware of the actual situation, but they need to make arrangements before the envoy arrives to figure out how to defend Tianjing. If the invasion of foreign forces is not handled properly, the internal strife in Tianjing will cause even greater damage.

On the evening of the third day, the news came out: Count Zhao Xun was the mastermind behind the Fallen Ones incident in recent years, Mondlier was an accomplice, and the instigator of the massacre of the Lin family and other cases. The report in the Hexbird newspaper some time ago was also a slander by Zhao Xun.

Archbishop Matthew and Night Watchman Luo Jin, upholding their faith and withstanding immense pressure, discovered Zhao Xun's worm altar and ultimately defeated Zhao Xun and his son Zhao Qing. However, the Archbishop and the Grand Disciplinarian also sacrificed their lives.

The city's residents were shocked and deeply saddened and regretful for Archbishop Matthew and Captain Rogin of the Night Watch.

The rain poured down, but the alleyway tavern remained open. Business had been slow ever since a new "Dog Tail" tavern opened in the East City; many of its regulars had left, and in this weather, it was practically deserted. Casey, dressed in all black and wearing a black veil, sat quietly in her seat, occasionally glancing tenderly at the empty seat beside her, amidst the flashes of lightning and thunder.

A glass of wine was placed in front of her. In the past, Casey would definitely have tasted it and commented on it, because then Luo Jin would say a few words to her. Now that the person who was supposed to talk to her was gone, she drank it all down in one gulp. It was nothing but spicy.

The case was concluded by Grenfell, Locknan, and Mayor Ambolat. Casey and the Night Watch's opinions were rejected, perhaps because they were never important to them. The higher-ups believed that only in this way could the stability of Tianjing be maintained; otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable, and angering the Church was something Tianjing could not afford.

Lao Luo, is life always this helpless?
Before she knew it, a second glass of wine was placed in front of Casey.

Casey stared blankly at the wine glass; the rain was pouring down...

. . .

Luo Jin was buried in the Night Watchers' cemetery. Casey, Li Xin, and the Night Watchers' captains were among those who came to see him off. Luo Jin had once told Casey that if he died, she should not make a fuss and should just bury him simply. He didn't like crowds when he was alive, and he needed even less of that when he died.

Several empty wine bottles were placed in front of the grave, the wine already spilled on the soil. These were all wines that Luo Jin liked to drink. People greeted each other, some saying nothing, others muttering a few words. These were all Luo Jin's best friends and comrades-in-arms, and they all knew Luo Jin's temperament, so there was no hesitation or awkwardness.

Some people are dead, but they still live on.

Casey will become the new captain of the Night Watch. Although many forces covet the position, she has the support of the Earl above and the entire Night Watch below, so no one is qualified to compete with her.

The tombstone was carved by Li Xin. He had always felt that he would eventually return, and that everything he had experienced here was an illusion, not to be taken too seriously. Perhaps one day he would wake up and realize that it was all a dream.

Lin Fei and Xiao Xueyin made his life feel real, while Luo Jin kept him in reality.

Cassie, who had always seemed like a girl who never grew up, felt like she had lived through more than ten years in just a few days. Cassie looked at Li Xin and said, "Xin, let's go and leave Tianjing."

Li Xin looked at Casey, "Are there any potential problems after this?"

"The Church's messengers investigated and discovered that another force was manipulating the entire case. They have reported it to the Vatican, and the Cardinal is coming to Tianjing soon. Matthew's original divine relic embryo has been taken away," Casey said. "Every path comes with a price. Preachers are implanted with worms, which are the containers through which the Church cultivates divine relics. Usually, this comes at the cost of their lives. Matthew is not among them. With his cultivation, he has no need to take the crooked path. Elizabeth has a serious problem. If I'm not mistaken, she must have seduced Matthew into corruption and taken his embryo."

Li Xin finally understood the expression on Matthew's face when he talked about the road. Preachers are undoubtedly the most glamorous and powerful, but they also pay a heavy price.

“Eliza? The owner of the handkerchief? The one who killed Hao Ye?” Li Xin asked.

Casey nodded. "The Apostles of Hellsong, a mysterious group that dares to oppose the kingdom. The Church attaches great importance to them. Moreover, the Church's messengers discovered that someone else killed Matthew, and that the other party used special powers."

There are countless capable people within the Papacy, and it is difficult to hide from the Great Power. Leaving is the best option.

"Just in case, leave temporarily and come back when everything has calmed down. I will take care of Lin Fei and Xueyin, so don't worry. I've already spoken to Lin Fei. As for Xueyin, please reassure her and find a suitable reason."

Li Xin nodded. "Sister Casey, Qi Badao from the Spade Group is a reliable person."

“Have him come to me. He can also see Luo Xue when he has time. She helped with these things,” Casey said.

Li Xin thought for a moment, "Let's talk about it later, we're even now."

Casey smiled, trying to pretend that everything was fine.

...The carriage clattered along towards Tianjing City, and the cemetery returned to silence. Lying here were the night patrolmen who guarded the safety of Tianjing. A gust of wind blew, and a wine bottle was blown over, gurgling and falling to the side, lying quietly next to the tombstone.

The tombstone is inscribed with:

A night watchman sleeps here.

　The characters are now available for review and definition; experts are welcome to comment. They are: Li Xin, Lin Fei, Luo Jin, and Casey.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)