Having gathered some information from Qi Badao, Luo Jin went back, not planning to get involved with the gang matters. With this unexpected turn of events, the trail of the Licker was lost, and the matter still required careful consideration; dealing with a cult is never easy.
Luo Jin also learned about Li Xin's situation from Qi Badao. Of course, he only listened to the other party's words. The Night Patrol members would take care of the aftermath. Further investigation into Li Xin was needed. Such a powerful Awakened, and so young, definitely warranted attention. If the investigation showed that he wasn't deeply connected with the gangs, he could be nurtured a bit.
Just as he returned to the Night Patrol Headquarters, a woman with a very... mature appearance, with short hair, a knee-length short skirt, and white aristocratic long socks, walked over with a tap, tap, tap. "Captain, the Chief Bishop has summoned you. If there's nothing urgent for you, head over first."
Luo Jin waved his hand helplessly, "The Chief Bishop treats me like an iron man, huh. Kathy, I need a raise."
Kathy smiled gently, her initial mature charm becoming even more pronounced. In fact, she hadn't married yet, just happened to have a flirtatious face and figure, possibly because of the uniform as well. "Even if you got a raise, you wouldn't have anywhere to spend it. It would be just right to cut down on the drinking."
Hmm?
Luo Jin didn't delay and immediately headed to the church. It was likely about the Licker matter. He arrived at the spacious and bright Great Cathedral. The Celestial Capital is Moon God Church's territory, undoubtedly, Moon God's church is the biggest. Its architectural style is very luxurious. The ancient church is as wealthy as a nation. The Chief Bishop was in prayer.
The Chief Bishop is the senior of bishops, half a rank higher than ordinary bishops. Their Night Patrol was under the night authority of the Moon Goddess "Diana," of the Main God level. Because of historical reasons, Night Patrols everywhere are technically under municipal government but are generally directly managed by the Church.
"Chief Bishop, the Licker is dead. There was a small incident, had to clean it up, and the trail went cold," Luo Jin said.
The black-robed bishop didn't turn around. "No need to regret it. The battle with the Abyss is long-term. Since it actively provoked, there must be follow-up. But recently, you'll need to transition with the Canon Law School's work, prepare in advance, and don't let yourself lose face by knowing nothing by then."
"Is the situation at the Islamic Canon Law School that bad?" Luo Jin said in a deep voice.
The bishop, Matthew, looked over seventy years old, with graying hair but black eyebrows. His complexion was rosy, and his spirit was high; gentle yet authoritative. He was the chief bishop of the Celestial Capital, Moon God's Court's territory, where the other Church's power is relatively weaker.
"The Church feels faith is thinning, which means the situation inside the Canon Law School will only worsen. The Archbishop is very dissatisfied, thinking that the side of Celestial Capital has been living on old capital, no longer reflecting the original intention of Governor Luthor when establishing the Canon Law School."
"This is not just our problem," Luo Jin said. He himself came from the Canon Law School. Due to his personality, after graduating he wandered around and finally became a Night Patrol. More than ten years passed, never thought he'd return to the Canon Law School someday.
"We can't manage others. The Celestial Capital is an important pillar of our Moon God's Court, also deeply rooted as a brand in the Li Long United Kingdom. Your trip is to change this situation. Remember to solve problems, not intensify contradictions," Matthew said, involving nobles can't be forced.
Luo Jin was a bit overwhelmed. He knew the waters ran deep, yet he couldn't go at it hard. He found the back-and-forth in-fighting most irritating. "Can we get someone else?"
The Chief Bishop glared, "Shall I go for you?"
Luo Jin thought it would be great, but it was just a thought; he left sheepishly. This time, he could enter the Canon Law School as the Grand Wind Discipline Officer, simultaneously joining the school committee, inherently giving him a strong voice. However, the committee had seven members, quite different from having the final say as in the Night Patrol.
The Canon Law School was Governor Luthor's achievement, still widely discussed today. Simply put, it used the faith of the Li Long Kingdom as bait, making the major mainstream churches willingly spend big on preaching. Preaching was indeed real, strengthening Li Long's national strength was also real, cultivating a lot of talent, bringing about the current glory of the Li Long United Kingdom. During Governor Luthor's era, many capable new classes emerged due to the prevalence of Hex-Tech. "God loves all, all are equal," using mutual checks between the church and old noble power, greatly promoting new classes and offering opportunities and welfare to civilians.
But after the Grand Governor's death, some things went sour.
The battle between royal power and divine power will never cease. Compared to muddying these waters, Luo Jin preferred real combat with monsters.
However, orders are orders. As the Chief Bishop said, the Canon Law School is not the Night Patrol; frequent fights can easily lead to passivity, even dragging the Church down. Yet, if a tough person doesn't go, the scene can't be controlled at all.
Though Luo Jin is seasoned with countless battles, encountering such issues still gave him a headache. When in doubt, solve it with a drink.
If one drink doesn't solve it, have a few more.
When Night Patrols are off duty, it's either women or drinking, to release the pressure from death and mysterious events. Essentially, Luo Jin felt he was already making a profit by living this long; addicted to cigars and spirits. No one in the taverns dared provoke him, knowing the habits of this big figure in the Night Patrol. Drinking alone, even if someone blind approached, they quickly regained sight.
If something is worth doing, it should be thoroughly considered. The Grand Wind Discipline Officer has considerable authority in the Canon Law School, but it's also a thankless job. The previous discipline officers all faded into dust; otherwise, it wouldn't be his turn. If he handled it nicely, perhaps the one doing all the dirty and tiring work might truly make it ashore.
Luo Jin took another drink. If it were his younger self, he might rashly charge in with three bursts of fervor. But having matured from over a decade of grinding, he knew better now: observe first, either refrain or cut to the artery when the time is right.
On the other side of the Underground City, propping themselves with a straighter stick, Qi Badao limped and, after much time, returned to his lair. Looking at his meticulously maintained base now in ruins and his subordinates looking like they've lost their leader, a wave of sadness washed over him. Being a leader ending up like this was truly...
Pah pah, staying alive is good enough.
Adjusting his mentality, he wiped some blood off his leg and smeared it on his face, Qi Badao returned to his proud, fierce leader mode. Even his limp became an acting tool. When the subordinates saw the leader return, they quickly gathered around.
Qi Badao sat grandly, beginning to boast dramatically about how he took out the monster, wanting to elevate the spirits of his brothers with a mental victory method. The team couldn't disperse. Soon, upon learning how the monster was cleverly taken down by the leader, their spirits soared, and the morale returned quickly. Not only that, but the cohesion felt stronger. The look in Qi Badao's eyes carried more admiration, making him a little giddy.
...This batch of subordinates probably wouldn't think of topple the leader.