Storm of Gods

Chapter 43 Cologne (Third Update, Seeking Monthly Tickets)

At noon, Li Xin was summoned back to the night patrol and met Luo Jin, who had a serious expression. "You know what happened. Yesterday morning, a child from the Divine Grace Class went missing. There were witnesses who saw strange fog. The murderer has gone completely mad. The higher-ups have issued an ultimatum. Tell me whatever ideas you have!"

Casey gave a brief update on the recent case developments. Li Xin listened attentively and thought for a while. "This addict's predecessor must have been a master, familiar with the situation in the city and the underground city. Not only that, he has counter-surveillance methods, and may even know a lot about the patrol habits in the city."

From the time the incident occurred until it was discovered, the other party perfectly evaded the patrolling city guards. It was too much of a coincidence. Recently, due to the investigation of the murderer, the city guards' patrol arrangements had been changed.

"You mean the user is an insider?" Luo Jin frowned.

“It’s possible. Of course, the other party could have scouted the area and gathered information, but given how long the operation has lasted, it’s more likely that they are professionals,” Li Xin said. “Can we go to the crime scene and take a look?”

A day had passed, and Luo Jin didn't think he could find anything, but there was no other way. Luo Jin set off with Li Xin and Casey. Kurt from the Fifth Squad near the crime scene was also investigating, but the witnesses only saw fog and then nothing else, and no trace was left behind.

When Li Xin and Luo Jin arrived at their destination, they circled the streets where the mist had appeared, but even with their Eyes of Insight, they couldn't find any useful clues. "Have any suspicious people appeared, like onlookers?"

Fan Jia scratched his head. "There were a lot of people watching the excitement yesterday, but nothing special."

"Do you think the murderer will return to the scene?" Luo Jin asked.

“Yes, the guy we ran into is very clever, and he thinks he’s successfully outmaneuvered us. People with that kind of personality are very likely to come back to the scene, partly to watch the spectacle and satisfy their perverted desires, and partly to see if they’ve left any clues,” Li Xin said.

Fan Jia's expression changed. "Damn it, what do we do? How can we judge with so many people around?"

“It’s too late to say all this now,” Casey said. “Ah-Xin, is there any other way?”

"Was anything left at the crime scene?" Li Xin asked. "He can't possibly leave no trace every time he commits a crime, can he?"

“Yes, the missing child’s schoolbag,” Van Gaal said. “But we checked it and there were no traces.”

"Where's your schoolbag?"

Not long after, a sealed bag was brought over, which relieved Li Xin. The night patrolmen were very careful about evidence.

Li Xin opened it with gloves on. It was a typical schoolbag from the Divine Grace Class. The contents were normal. The bag was a little dirty, but there was no blood.

There's no fingerprint detection here, and even if there were, it might not be useful; the trail has gone cold again...

Just as Li Xin was about to speak, a strong premonition suddenly welled up in his mind. The dice were shaking. What did that mean?
"Uncle Luo, I need to use the restroom."

Fan Jia was both amused and exasperated. The kid was probably nervous. He then pointed Li Xin in the right direction and said, "You can't see it from there, just make do with this."

Li Xin jogged to a secluded corner of the street, stretched out his hand, and the dice appeared.

Determination: There are clues about the murderer in the schoolbag.

The dice spun and quickly stopped rolling. Li Xin's eyes were sharp. The number was 7, a valid result!

In other words, there are clues above. In his experience, these clues cannot be directly confirmed, but they can provide significant help.

Li Xin immediately returned to the scene and learned that Luo Jin had arrived and Kurt had returned, and was reporting the latest investigation findings to Luo Jin.

“We’ve checked everyone around here and haven’t seen anyone suspicious. The area around the Divine Grace Class is usually very safe, and we’ve even increased patrols recently. We haven’t found anyone with the Pale Eyes, and no one is lying.”

When psychic energy is cultivated to a certain level, it reaches an advanced state, resulting in the awakening of a new power: the Eye of Insight. Common types include crimson eyes, pale eyes, ghostly eyes, and dark gold eyes. Among them, the ability of the pale eyes is to perceive and track, capturing extremely subtle psychic energy clues. This is something night patrollers excel at. The situation in the dungeon is bad enough, but finding no clues in the city is indeed rare. Li Xin rummaged through his bag again. Kurt, seeing Li Xin, his temporary teammate, wondered why the kid was here too. "Hey, you didn't become a great detective after just a few days of classes at the Faculty of Law, did you? Be careful, don't ruin the evidence."

The clues are there, they must be there. If it's not psychic energy, it's something that can be seen with the eyes, so what else could it be?
Li Xin's nose twitched a few times; there seemed to be a very faint fragrance. "Do any of you wear perfume?"

Everyone was taken aback; how could a group of rough, tough men use perfume?

"Who uses that thing?" Then everyone looked at Casey.

Casey waved her hand. "I used to like it, but the captain doesn't, so I don't use it anymore. What's wrong?"

“It seems to be on this backpack,” Li Xin said.

Luo Jin and the others' expressions changed, and they all crowded around, but they couldn't smell anything even after sniffing. It was Casey who pushed everyone aside, her little nose twitching, "Langka Eternal No. 6, a blend of special lavender, the obsession of an old noble family, elegant and long-lasting."

The room fell silent for a moment. Casey nodded. "It's definitely true. This cologne is a bit light, but it lasts a long time and has a calming effect. It's expensive."

Now that this was the young heiress's area of ​​expertise, Luo Jin asked, "Has anyone handled this backpack?"

“There were only a few people on the night patrol, but our men certainly wouldn’t use something like this.” Kurt’s eyes lit up. “The killer’s?”

“Very likely,” Li Xin said. “The murderer is of high status. In the recent crime scene investigation, have any high-ranking individuals appeared?”

Luo Jin and Kurt fell into deep thought. Suddenly, they looked at each other and their expressions became serious. Li Xin and Casey noticed it too.

"Mondliel!" they both exclaimed in unison. "How could this be!"

"Who is Mondlil?" Li Xin asked, noticing the two's huge reactions.

“One of the three captains of the city guard, Viscount Mondlier,” Casey covered her mouth in surprise. If the Licker was him, then things were really serious. But it suddenly made sense. As a member of the city guard, Mondlier had the city defense map and was also a psionic expert. It was no secret to him that he was inside or outside the city.

Luo Jin also recalled, "After the incident, did he come into contact with this?"

“I don’t recall him being there. He just showed up at the scene to ask about the situation and then left,” Kurt said. “The city guards were just assisting with the case. Now that you mention it, he really does smell nice.”

"Kurt, send someone immediately—no, you go and keep an eye on him yourself. Don't alert him. He's a skilled fighter, so be careful. He's the prime suspect right now!"

There was no room for hesitation. Although evidence was still lacking, Luo Jin was already 90% certain. The next step was to verify that the other party was not only a nobleman, but also a nobleman with real power. He couldn't just be arrested at will.

"Understood, boss, I'll go right away!" Kurt was excited. Damn it, a big fish! This bastard has turned Tianjing upside down.

“Li Xin, go back to the Order House and act like nothing happened. Casey, go back to the Night Watch and stand by. We might need your help later,” Luo Jin said, his stern face finally relaxing. “Also, don’t tell anyone about Li Xin’s discovery.”

Kurt and Casey were both surprised. If successful, it would be a great achievement. Why let him leave now? Everyone knew that Luo Jin valued this kid unusually highly.

"Okay, Uncle Luo, I'll head back now. Call me if you need anything." Li Xin didn't seem to mind.

“I’ll take Li Xin back,” Casey said. Luo Jin and Kurt quickly left. Kurt went to keep watch, while Luo Jin went to the cathedral to discuss with the chief bishop. To deal with someone like him, it wasn’t enough for the night patrols to just come knocking on the door.

(Dear readers, this is the third update. This is my first attempt at writing a suspenseful crime-solving story, so there may be shortcomings, but I will definitely do my best. Please support me with a monthly ticket, thank you!)
(End of this chapter)