I Have a Dice Left by a God-Chapter 433 - 25: Vice Captain

Hehuan Street is located at the intersection of four districts in Dragon Capital. The crossroads are where the most complex mix of people gather, hence public security is of utmost importance. Many special organizations establish their bases in this special mid-district.

As guardians of the hidden world, Night Patrol has bases in every district. Compared to other departments with high profiles, Night Patrol is much more low-key. But compared to the Great Cathedral... well, better not make the comparison. Gazing at the building in front of him, Li Xin couldn’t really get excited. He’d had some expectations before coming here, after all, this was Moon God’s Court territory as well. It’s true, you shouldn’t set your expectations too high.

Poor working conditions at Official Family usually mean poor treatment as well. It seems Sister Kathy isn’t quite pulling her weight... But you can’t think like this. Maybe there’s more to it than meets the eye, perhaps there’s a world of difference inside.

At the entrance, there’s an old lady knitting a sweater, with a five or six-year-old child beside her playing with toys on the ground. The child plays very attentively, giggling from time to time, showing a gap in his teeth.

Can Night Patrol members bring their kids to work? This disguise is quite professional, but if it’s supposed to be a disguise, what does that big Night Patrol sign at the entrance mean?

"Big sister, I’m looking for Sergeant Jiang Wu, I’ve come to report." After speaking, Li Xin glanced behind him, confirming it was indeed Night Patrol.

The old lady’s knitting needles continued to move skillfully as she paused momentarily, adjusted her glasses, pointed inside to the left, and waved, indicating Li Xin to go in on his own.

Li Xin opened his mouth, feeling a bit dismissed, they didn’t even check his identity before letting him in... There’s something here, maybe the more secretive departments are the more laid-back and carefree; for all he knows, he’s already being watched by countless eyes.

The decor inside the building is quite plain as well. Li Xin looked at his hand. He had just touched the handrail and a piece crumbled off. Rubbing his hands, he dared not touch random things anymore, hoping it’s not poisoned.

As he turned the corner, Li Xin saw a noticeable sign: "Sergeant’s Office".

In the office, Li Xin met the Shadow Owl’s Sergeant Jiang Wu, a tall and robust man. His age was hard to guess, but he didn’t seem young, appearing to be around forty, very vibrant, lacking the gloom typical for people engaged in secret work for a long time. He exuded power and solidity, clearly a person of great capability.

"Report, Sergeant Jiang, Li Xin reporting for duty."

Seeing Li Xin, Jiang Wu stood up and scrutinized him, raising his right hand with index and middle fingers crossed, "Under the night moon, justice prevails!"

"Under the night moon, justice prevails!" Li Xin likewise raised his right hand to perform the finger-crossing salute.

"Li Xin, welcome!" After the salute, Jiang Wu beamed with delight, walked around the desk, and earnestly extended both hands to grasp Li Xin’s hand warmly, "Youngster, you’re capable, daring, willing to tackle challenges. It’s the fortune of Night Patrol to have reserves like you."

Li Xin was baffled, "Sergeant, you’re too kind."

Was Sister Kathy being too aggressive? It’s good to have a little backstage support when navigating the world, but it shouldn’t be too ostentatious.

"Not too kind. Have a seat. I’ve heard about you, courageous and fearless during missions in Celestial Capital and Hedan, achieving great accomplishments. With your merits, it should be enough to head a squad elsewhere. Yet you voluntarily gave up cushy positions to apply to our Shadow Owl squad, I apologize for the humble conditions here!" Jiang Wu gestured with his thumb, "This is true valor, daring to confront difficulties, just like you!"

Li Xin licked his lips, sensing something amiss, and awkwardly smiled, "Sergeant, cough cough, perhaps there’s some misunderstanding here. I heard our Shadow Owl is the elite within Night Patrol squads, the pillar of Night Patrol, specializing in handling cases others can’t solve?"

"You’re right, you’re absolutely right!" Jiang Wu laughed, "Basically, what others can’t handle gets handed to Shadow Owl. However, what others can’t solve, we can’t either... haha, it’s not a big deal."

Looking at the sergeant’s worn-down office and his relaxed attitude, Li Xin felt something was off, "Uh, Sergeant, can I go back and reconsider?"

Jiang Wu smilingly waved his finger, "No can do, Cardinal Hall has already approved, your dossier has been sent over. You don’t know, during the meeting, many sergeants were vying for you, but my luck was the best. No wonder a fortune teller said I’d have a happy event a couple days ago."

Li Xin was dumbfounded; the shenanigans were hidden right here. He was still wondering why the other party was being so forthright.

"Sergeant, aren’t we supposed to be on the same side? No need to test me, right? Is there some disguise? Where’s the entrance to the basement?" Li Xin inquired.

"Don’t be so formal, call me Old Jiang, Brother Jiang is fine. Once you step through this door, we’re family. Shadow Owl is a crew we put together," Jiang Wu said, "Come over, let me badge you up!"

With that, Jiang Wu eagerly fished out a silver, owl-shaped badge and pinned it on Li Xin, then gazed at him with appreciation, "Wearing this, we’re like family. Very fitting, handsome, it’s the emblem of Silver Owl. From now on, you’re the deputy sergeant of Shadow Owl. Our Shadow Owl is the most special among Night Patrols, a half-level higher in treatment compared to other comparable Night Patrols. The deputy sergeant receives 1200 Lira monthly."

Li Xin glanced at the lifelike Silver Owl badge on his chest and smiled wryly, "Brother Jiang, just be straightforward. What’s our current situation? Since I can’t leave now, just give it to me straight."

"Haha, buddy, no need for such despair. Come, sit, sit, let me introduce you to our basic situation," Jiang Wu said with a smile, "Night Patrol has nine squads in Dragon Capital, two in each of the four districts: Fire Dragon, White Dove, Black Spider, etc. Our Shadow Owl holds the central position. Shadow Owl used to be half a superego institution among other squads, quite glorious once. During Governor Luthor’s era, who didn’t know Shadow Owl? Our authority, reaching both nobility and commoners, could investigate in the name of justice, uphold justice, act on heaven’s decree, to boast a bit, under the moon, Night Patrol’s rules were the rules." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"And then?" Li Xin well knew this kind of story usually leads to a twist.

"Sigh, but now we’ve been egalitized. Once Governor Luthor left, we got targeted. The higher-ups thought Shadow Owl’s power was too great, many were envious, and we’d made plenty of enemies then. So the weakening started; what was once all-encompassing now requires nods from other districts. Numerous complex cases pressed down on us, talents departed, lacking support, even the best foundation was strained. By the time it was my shift, Shadow Owl had become what it is now. I apologize for the conditions, there’s little I can do," Jiang Wu shrugged.

"Brother Jiang, what’s our manpower situation now?" Li Xin asked, as hardware doesn’t matter much.