Li Xin was startled, "Aunt Fei, don't go matchmaking recklessly. Luo Xue is very outstanding, but she has nothing to do with me!"

"Oh, is she dating Lu Shuai?" Lin Fei asked curiously, "Fei Ruolin is also good, just that this child's development…"

Li Xin helplessly covered his forehead, "No, ahem, we handle our own matters. Everyone is good friends, and it can become quite awkward if we're not careful."

"Mom, don't meddle in young people's affairs. With Ah Xin's silver tongue, finding a girlfriend shouldn't be difficult!" Xueyin chimed in supportively from the side.

"Thank you very much!" Li Xin glared fiercely at the provocative Xueyin.

"Alright, hurry up, the time left for you is not much." Lin Fei said smilingly.

This look made Li Xin feel like he was back in the Underground City, where Aunt Fei would always make things serious.

"I am, I'm always diligently looking, strictly adhering to Chief Editor Lin's requirements."

Finally finished with dinner, Li Xin hurriedly took Justin to his room, "Send a message to Qi Badao to pick me up tomorrow morning to go to the Black Market."

Then he opened the window and tossed the resentful Justin out. Justin, with an elegant aerial stride, landed on the wall, shook his tail, thinking what a troublesome and ugly human Dog-xin is, while he still has a date at night.

Under the moonlight, Justin gracefully leapt from one wall to another. That old chap Qi Badao was quite generous, which wasn't a bad thing.

The next morning, Qi Badao waited outside, and Li Xin finished breakfast and got into the carriage.

On the way, Li Xin talked to Qi Badao about the Little Skinners case. From the files, there are a few crime scenes he wanted to inspect.

"Have you heard of Little Skinners?"

Qi Badao shook his head, "I really haven't heard about it; if it's such a major case, that's unusual."

"To avoid causing panic, it was suppressed, only one case surfaced recently." Li Xin said, although there wouldn't probably be any gains, he still wanted to take a look.

"The murderer used a 'Rattle Drum,' causing victims to have strong hallucinations, or maybe was paralyzed by a potent Magic Potion."

"Rattle Drum, the thing children love to play with?" Qi Badao asked.

"Yes, Celestial Capital has them."

"No wonder I didn't see them around here much; I thought they weren't popular in Dragon Capital."

"Are Rattle Drums part of ancient Secret Items?"

"I really don't know that, Brother Li. My power doesn't stand out much, but I feel the form of Secret Items isn't important. The makers can make them based on their preferences, even on a whim. There are plenty in the Black Market who can make Secret Items, perhaps someone knows about it."

"We'll first eliminate a few suspects during the day and go to the Black Market at night." Li Xin said, "How's it going on your side?"

"Alright, though big development is difficult, I've currently secured a foothold. Dragon Capital is large and opportunities are indeed abundant."

Li Xin knew that Qi Badao is steady by nature, especially in recent years, so he wasn't worried.

The two arrived at the site of the most recent murder, in a narrow alley in East Fourth District. There are many such alleys in Dragon Capital; at night, the moonlight doesn't reach, leaving them dim, rarely attracting attention. It was morning, the alley was deserted, with no traces left on the ground, as if nothing had happened, with occasional passersby paying little focus. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Brother Li, places like this are prone to incidents; with the murderer's strong power, committing a crime is effortless." Qi Badao squatted on the ground, carefully examined for a while, then helplessly shook his head.

"You should also inquire at Hundred Martial Hall; some victims were disciples or apprentices there."

"Alright." Qi Badao nodded. He still has some connections at Hundred Martial Hall.

Li Xin opened the Eye of Mystery Inquiry, with no results. Crimes with Hidden Power are easy but tracing them is tough. According to the files, victims ranged from novice Awakened to Three Lives Spiritual Ability Awakened, all subdued, indicating the suspect may possess the power of Four Lives.

The two observed continuously for over an hour, circling the vicinity, with no suspicious findings. After the incident, the city guards conducted a routine search around; the perpetrator most likely wouldn't linger nearby. Dragon City is vast, with millions of people; manpower is inadequate.

Li Xin didn't dwell here; he had several past crime scenes to review, all within the last two years; even with a carriage, traversing the four districts was quite taxing. At noon, they bought flatbread from a stall for a quick bite on the go, as neither of them was picky eaters.

In one day, they covered one in the East District, two in the West District, four in the South District, but didn't manage to visit the North District. After reviewing the four in the South District, they found a place for dinner, conveniently heading to Black Water Lane at night.

"Brother Li, the murder locations seem to be easily enclosed areas each time." Qi Badao remarked, "This meat bun tastes good."

Li Xin nodded while gulping down food, "Dragon Capital has too many alleys—ideal for committing crimes. The first contact between the murderer and victim may not be in the alley, but it's easy to drag someone into an appropriate alley, particularly at night."

"Yes, the crime sites are scattered, occurring across the districts, even East First District had one case. However, the victim's identities are quite complex." Li Xin continued, "It's inferred that a retro Mask Maker is crafting masks, possibly some kind of Sacrifice ceremony."

"Such things are common; our Kingdom is a free Kingdom, Dragon Capital is the city of freedom, with intricate hidden forces. Many cases naturally vanish over time." Qi Badao said.

Li Xin understood that once Hidden Powers fulfill their demands, they halt or depart. Their pursuit is strength, not self-destructive tendencies. Usually, they don't drive themselves to the edge. Little Skinners, if not reported by the paper back then, would likely not be as concerned. It's not that Night Patrol isn't responsible, but limited capability prevents thorough investigation.

After dinner, Li Xin and Qi Badao arrived at Three-Eared Bar in Black Water Lane. Pushing the door opened onto a noisy atmosphere, business was booming.

"Hey, young brother, long time no see." Sister Yan's eyes lit up seeing Li Xin, enthusiastically greeted him.

"Sister Yan looks splendid, seems good things have been happening lately." Li Xin smiled.

"Sweet talker." Sister Yan laughed, "No good things for elder sister, just the usual daily hustle."

"Sister Yan, you and I are old pals." Qi Badao moved closer with a smile.

"Phooey, who's an old pal with you? I have standards, alright?" Sister Yan hastily waved her hands, with a strong fragrance wafting in.

Qi Badao took a few deep breaths with an apt expression, "Sister Yan, two glasses of Moon in the Well."

Sister Yan promptly prepared two glasses of Moon in the Well with a smile. Li Xin leaned against the bar, "Sister Yan, I want to buy a good item, any familiar recommendations?"