At noon, Li Xin got his meal in the cafeteria and continued to read the files in the archive room while eating. Meng Po also delivered his salary, which totaled 1,600 Lira including the bonus from the F785 case. The compensation was quite good, but compared to his previous life in the Underground City, it was like wealth falling from the sky. Just thinking about how an Immortal could earn more by casually delivering two packages made it seem less exciting.

Of course, as a Night Patrol with ideals and a sense of Justice, he regarded money like dirt.

In the afternoon, the Drunk arrived, carrying a strong scent of alcohol. He rubbed his bald head, "Li Yinxiao."

"Old Yan, sit down. Let’s skip the meeting room and have a simple chat."

"Alright, Meng Po told me. I’m good at tracking. Snake Skin and Broken Gong are amateurs, using the alcohol scent to lock down—it’s my unique skill," said the Drunk.

Li Xin nodded. The rest will be quickly understood during the next case investigation. "I’m involved in the Little Flayer case. I’ve read quite a few files these days. After tracking for so long, do you have any insights on this case?"

The Drunk thought for a moment, "Li Yinxiao, it’s not about our skills being insufficient. It’s about the killer being too cunning. Once, the killer was locked onto by my alcohol scent, but he suddenly vanished while being chased. Very strange."

"Vanished?"

"Yes, that was a few years ago. The killer frequently acted within my responsible area. During the crime, he was locked by my alcohol scent. We judged it was a gang involved, so I didn’t rush to act but followed secretly. But suddenly he vanished while being followed." At this, the Drunk couldn’t help but slap his forehead in frustration.

"Did you see the killer?"

"No, it was foggy that day. You know the impact Hex-Tech has on our environment—there’s often fog. My ability blends in with the fog. It’s also my unique feature; although I couldn’t stop him from committing the crime, I managed to follow him. The strange thing was that shortly after following him, the scent disappeared. My ability can only be severed if the killer died," said the Drunk.

"Is it possible that the killer discovered it and then used a method you’re unaware of to sever the tracking?" Li Xin asked.

The Drunk opened his mouth and sighed, "Boss Jiang said the same. Maybe I was too arrogant. The killer committed again after some time, and there hasn’t been another foggy day since then."

In Li Xin’s mind, previous files flashed like a slideshow. Dragon Capital had many foggy days; earlier, the killer often committed crimes in fog. Since a certain time point, he stopped during foggy days. Coincidence?

Li Xin didn’t believe it.

"Can I know why you are certain the other party died? You should know all Hidden Powers have methods of breaking?" Li Xin stared at the Drunk and asked.

The Drunk touched his smooth head, "Li Yinxiao, I am really confident in this. My tracking ability is somewhat similar to a Gourmet’s skills. Alcohol scent and Spiritual Ability fuse upon contact. This isn’t a Spell, rather unique. It can’t be dispelled with spells and doesn’t belong to negative energy. Secret Items cannot shield it. The Secret Peeping Eye isn’t within this range. Of course, I don’t know if Angels have solutions, but under normal circumstances, it only slowly dissipates over time. Short-term disappearance can only happen through Spiritual Ability collapsing, which would make the alcohol scent collapse with it. Or the other party is a superior Gourmet with unknown immediate solutions. This is just my speculation."

"Isn’t there a Gourmet Association in the Black Market? Haven’t you asked them?" Li Xin inquired.

The Drunk chuckled bitterly, "Li Yinxiao, you must be kidding. Nobody from here can enter the Gourmet Association. This isn’t something ordinary Gourmets can answer. Regular Gourmets are just practitioners on narrow paths, while those who reach great heights are rarely seen."

The killer couldn’t predict the Drunk’s ability in advance, yet could immediately react under pressure. One must ask the Gourmet Association. If the opposite party excels in Gourmet Association’s powers, Ma Liu’s side should provide ample intelligence. If not, it’s possible to investigate from another angle.

"Try using your ability on me," Li Xin suggested.

The Drunk was taken aback, "Is it convenient?"

"Nothing inconvenient about it. Let me test it to evaluate properly and see if you’re bluffing," Li Xin said. He wanted to experience it himself because solely relying on the Drunk’s words could lead to bad decisions—spending hard-earned salary recklessly.

Upon hearing this, the Drunk’s temper flared up; after all, it was the bread-and-butter skill. His face quickly turned red, his head resembling a cooked crab. Shortly afterward, vapor steamed, the room’s alcohol scent vanished, yet Li Xin knew a colorless and shapeless mysterious force adhered to him. It was just a feeling.

Li Xin activated the Secret Peeping Eye, altering the eye color attempting to find the tracking mark on him by the Drunk. However, neither the Pale Eye nor the Dark Gold Eye could detect it. His ability didn’t pose harms. If not for his own keen perception, he wouldn’t have sensed it.

The Drunk’s expression became serious too. Everyone cooperated so well because Li Yinxiao actually found the precious material capable of treating grain pastries. Whether he’s here to burnish his reputation or not, they’re in his favor. Therefore, even matters requiring confidential abilities were open for sharing. Regarding Li Yinxiao’s actual level, deep down, they didn’t really regard it too much. However, the instant the adhesive ability was exerted, he perceived Li Xin’s awareness—not due to prior information but the opponent’s body instinctive reactions. It was partly due to his prior notice, but even told, many couldn’t feel it. Moreover, instantaneously altering the Secret Peeping Eye, unprecedented.

This Silver Owl might be genuinely competent. The little hint of dissatisfaction in his heart dissipated.

Li Xin also found it remarkable. Hidden Powers are peculiar, and the Drunk’s trick takes an unconventional path. He tried dispersing it with ability but couldn’t. It was invisible, noticeable only to exceptionally perceptive people. Without the Drunk’s advance notice, he might not have cared much. This killer had a sharp instinct.

"Old Yan, this trick is powerful and extremely helpful for the case. I will find a way to affirm it," Li Xin smiled. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Li Yinxiao, you’re flattering me. Mine is just a minor skill. It will automatically dissipate in about half an hour. If you need my help later, don’t hesitate to ask," said the Drunk, with a slight sense of pride.

"Good. Has Old Tuo arrived?" Li Xin asked.

"Old Tuo hasn’t yet; he usually sleeps during the day, so might come later," said the Drunk.

"Good, when he arrives, tell him to find me in the archive. By the way, what’s his real name?"

"Yan Tuo," said the Drunk. "That guy keeps dealing with corpses, making himself look like a corpse too. Not very smiley."

Li Xin chuckled, "I know, every Shadow Owl has unique skills."

Unique skills? That word is quite novel.

After the Drunk left, Li Xin extended his right hand, and his fingers suddenly turned red. Faint aura spread out, just lacking distinctive traits like the alcohol scent, making it hard to mark, but the function was similar.