An autopsy might overlook something, and destroying the evidence so quickly... Seeing Yan Tuo's expression, Li Xin suddenly understood. They feared the victim's family might see the state of the body and suspect the Little Skinners. With many victims, the truth would be hard to conceal.

"What's the reason?" Li Xin asked. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"The body is contaminated by heretical forces and is infectious," Old Tuo replied.

"Is there not a single body left?" Li Xin said somewhat regretfully; the victim's body might hold vital clues.

Old Tuo hesitated for a moment. "There is one left in the base, no relatives. It will be destroyed after a while; the body cannot be preserved for long."

"Take me to see it," Li Xin said. This was an unexpected gain.

Yan Tuo stood up, and the two of them left the archive room. "Old Tuo, wait for me," Li Xin said.

Li Xin walked to the stairway entrance and remembered something, "Sister Meng, could you help me tidy up the files and put them back?"

"Got it, don't worry, I'll handle it," Meng Po said as she appeared at the stairway with a sweater in hand.

"Thank you," Li Xin said, then turned back. "Old Tuo, let's go."

Yan Tuo led the way. The two arrived at the corner of the third floor, entering the base together.

The second and third floors of the underground base are used to detain prisoners, bodies, and other important things like secret items. Li Xin followed Yan Tuo to the mortuary on the third floor.

As they went further down, it got colder. The stairs were long, and the lighting was dim. Winter in Dragon Capital was still very cold. The underground felt like a natural refrigerator, making him increasingly uncomfortable, while Old Tuo stood upright with ease.

The third floor was more spacious, and there was no one near the mortuary. Yan Tuo familiarly led Li Xin inside. It wasn't as chaotic as Li Xin imagined. Before him were rows of beds, with rows of compartments along the wall.

"Temporary bodies are placed here. Some important ones that need to be preserved for a long time are placed in the compartments," Yan Tuo explained.

Li Xin nodded, "Let me see that victim."

Yan Tuo went to a compartment, pulled it out. The body was inside a bag, and Yan Tuo unzipped it, revealing a huddled mass of flesh with no blood at all, turning completely into a lump of meat.

For a moment, his stomach churned, but his face revealed nothing.

"What happened to the body?"

"A thorough examination was done," Yan Tuo replied.

Li Xin looked at the shapeless body, "Did they find any Divine Relic or Original Embryo on him?"

"No."

Li Xin, not being a coroner, couldn't see anything special even with the Secret Sight open. He signaled Yan Tuo to put it back.

Yan Tuo skillfully zipped up the bag and pushed the compartment back into place. Li Xin looked at a slightly brighter light in the corner of the mortuary, "Old Tuo, do you usually live here?"

Yan Tuo nodded, "I'm a coroner. It's my job."

"It's tough. Not something an ordinary person can do."

Li Xin didn't even like looking at files down there, let alone living among corpses every day.

"Li Yinxiao, let's head up."

"Alright," Li Xin said decisively. He didn't want to stay a second longer in this place.

Yan Tuo led the way as the two walked up the stairs, in silence for a while.

On the ground floor, Yan Tuo stopped, "Li Yinxiao, I'll head back if there's nothing else."

"Alright," Li Xin said, and Yan Tuo turned to walk down.

Watching Yan Tuo's descending figure, Li Xin called out, "Oh, Old Tuo, one more thing. How are the bodies usually disposed of?"

Yan Tuo paused, "This case involves incineration. Other cases, either incineration or burial."

"Is it your responsibility?"

"Coroners from each department handle it. I'm responsible for Shadow Owl."

"Alright, that's all." Li Xin waved his hand, turning to head upstairs.

Yan Tuo stood on the staircase for a moment, slowly turned back, and step by step disappeared into the dim stairway.

Li Xin left Shadow Owl, not returning upstairs but exiting through the West District. It was closer to home this way. Usually, without assignments, Shadow Owl members don't take this route. Li Xin mainly wanted to familiarize himself with the environment first.

He had gained quite a lot today, feeling something off about Old Tuo. He seemed unwilling to let others go to the mortuary, showing reluctance if asked too much. It's not about having any prejudice against Old Tuo, but sensing that emotion was palpable.

He might be a loner, or he might be hiding something.

Today was just about inquiring about the case. Even if he disliked contact with others or disliked people going to the mortuary, it's still work. Surely someone would go. Today's matters were conveyed in advance through Meng Po. Everyone had clearly accepted him by gathering healing materials for the sugar cake, yet Yan Tuo's reaction was slightly off.

Perhaps he was overthinking, and Yan Tuo was just like that by nature. His behavior might've been unintentional, but today, when he came, Yan Tuo had already showered, even using some perfume to cover his body's scent. It showed he was quite detailed, not as rough as he seemed.

Li Xin rubbed his face. Many Night Patrols have peculiar quirks. Those who cultivate Hidden Power all have secrets. Probing into others' privacy is highly taboo, especially as he just arrived. Doubting an old Night Patrol like this was inappropriate; he needed more observation.

Better settle the Gourmet Association issue first.

Back home, Aunt Fei had dinner ready. Xueyin was especially cheerful, bouncing around at the sight of Li Xin, cheering, "Ah Xin, from tomorrow I don't have to go to school anymore, hooray!"

Lin Fei glanced at Xueyin, "Today's withdrawal procedures were done. Kathy and I discussed. Next Tuesday is an auspicious day suitable for apprenticeship. Gifts are ready. Grandmaster Philson hopes you can attend. Kathy, due to her status, won't be coming."

Li Xin thought for a moment and nodded, "No problem."

"Grandmaster Philson said to follow local customs, according to Dragon Capital's tradition," Lin Fei said with a smile. Seeing Xueyin full of anticipation, she seemed indifferent about where she was going. She just hoped the Celestial Principle School was more interesting.

"Are the apprenticeship gifts ready?"

"Kathy and I prepared them. You don't need to worry. Additionally, Kathy suggested we all take a break this weekend and visit the hot springs at a resort in the North Suburbs," Lin Fei said. "Invite Luo Xue, Lu Shuai, Huerta, and Fei Ruolin as well."

"Ah, do you have time?" Li Xin asked.

Lin Fei gave Li Xin a sideways glance, "You think I'm a workaholic? I just love my work. It's just a part of life. The beauty pageant is on track and will run for some time, not done in one go. I also need to rest to maintain inspiration and condition."

"True to form, Chief Editor Lin, with a sense of realization."

"Deputy editor!"

"Being chief editor is just a matter of time," Li Xin laughed. "Alright, then we'll have a Celestial Capital gathering this weekend, also preparing a barbecue stall, delicious."

"I want barbecue, Ah Xin, grill for me," Xueyin immediately raised her hand in agreement.

Lin Fei smiled, "Luo Xue is quite a good kid, you..."