Looking at Duke, Li Xin wasn’t particularly pleased. The Adventurer Association knew too much; such flattery held little meaning for him now and might even cause trouble at times.

Seeing Li Xin frown, Duke smiled and said, "Captain Li, this ranking is not disclosed to the public. I’m sure Chairman Lan and this Copper Owl Lu are both trustworthy people."

"Captain Duke sure knows a lot, a bit of flattery indeed. Do you know what I’m here for this time?" Li Xin said calmly.

Duke’s face remained unchanged, "I’ve heard a bit, but Captain Li’s idea of taking chestnuts out of the fire—rules are rules. Whoever breaks them will face backlash. Captain Li, I have no hostility towards you, and it’s fair to say this matter doesn’t concern me, but the Adventurer Association wants to form a good relationship with you."

Lan Yue smiled slightly, "Chairman Duke, what kind of riddles are you playing? I thought you were here to order a meal."

The Adventurer Association is also a major client of the Gourmet Association. In the Silver Market, the two top-level organizations are the Adventurer Association and Hundred Martial Hall, with all others lagging significantly in both scale and strength.

"I heard Captain Li wants to collect management fees in the Black Market." Duke smiled wryly, "If you’re short on funds, our Adventurer Association could sponsor a part of it."

Lan Yue was also stunned, glancing at Li Xin. She hadn’t expected such an unbelievable idea from him. Yet, being a clever woman, she said nothing more, just gazed at Li Xin intently.

Li Xin waved his hand, "I appreciate Chairman Duke’s kind offer. I’m not here to beg. The duty of the Night Patrol is to manage all Secret Organizations and personnel in Dragon Capital. The Black Market naturally falls under their jurisdiction. If it were just me, it would be simple. I’m sure Chairman Duke knows how easily I can earn money."

Duke was startled, then nodded with a smile of resignation, "Indeed."

"As Chairman Duke said, rules are rules. I represent the entire Night Patrol. If rules aren’t enforced, what’s the purpose of having them? I planned to visit each in turn, but since Chairman Duke is here, I’ll mention it all at once. Starting this month, all Secret Organizations in the Black Market must pay management fees according to their levels. I will personally collect them at the end of the month." Li Xin said, "Chairman Lan, we’re acquaintances, so I’m giving you a heads-up. Secret Organizations that don’t follow the rules will be unable to establish a base in Dragon Capital’s Black Market."

Lan Yue and Duke exchanged glances. If not for Li Xin’s status, Lan Yue would have likely mocked him outright.

"Captain Li, I can’t make the decision on this. The Black Market’s rules haven’t changed in hundreds of years. I need to report to headquarters before deciding." Lan Yue said.

Li Xin nodded. He could alert Ma Liu, but not everything should rely on connections. Furthermore, Lan Yue likely wouldn’t report this either; as a branch chairman, she could decide such matters, but it’s merely an excuse for delay.

Duke looked at Li Xin, a faint smile on his face, "Even if we agree, Hundred Martial Hall definitely won’t. The Black Market’s shares are fixed, with the Church taking the largest portion, followed by the largest local Secret Power, which in Dragon Capital is Hundred Martial Hall. Taking this step is like slapping Hundred Martial Hall’s face; the backlash will be immense."

Li Xin chuckled, "These are two different things. What you’re discussing is profit distribution. I’m talking about security management fees. They shouldn’t be confused; wrong rules should be changed."

Lu Shuimo’s palms were sweaty. Although he knew a bit about the mission’s purpose, he expected it was about "begging" and hadn’t imagined the captain was serious. The Chairman Lan in front had close ties with Dragon Capital’s nobility, well-connected in various directions. This Duke was an even more formidable character, a true Secret Organization leader, with the Adventurer Association’s influence spanning across Dao Yuan, maintaining a neutral stance. Anyone or any organization inevitably had to deal with the Adventurer Association.

Are they trying to collect protection fees from the Adventurer Association?

Lu Shuimo wanted to advise but didn’t know how to start.

Duke didn’t expect the young Li Xin to be so assertive, which didn’t align with the "low-key," "steady," "deeply hidden" persona from the association’s files. Based on past experience, did he have other motives?

Duke’s smile grew, "As they say in Beijing, heroes emerge among the young. Given Captain Li’s courage, I won’t chatter needlessly. The Night Patrol’s work is hectic. How about I spread the news to other associations to save you some time?"

"Then I thank Chairman Duke. This time, the management fee targets only the merchants in the Gold Market, Silver Market, and Copper Market. We’re not charging individual vendors for now. Gold Market demands 18 Gold monthly, Silver Market fees range from 1 to 18 Gold based on scale, and Copper Market between 1 and 5 Gold. Someone will assess specifically when that time comes. As for the Adventurer Association, naturally, it qualifies for the highest standard at 18 Gold." Li Xin said.

Duke and Lan Yue exchanged another glance, "Captain Li is indeed a young ox unafraid of tigers, very brave."

"Chairman Duke, you’re polite. I’m merely following protocol."

"Chairman Lan, I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now." Duke glanced at Li Xin as he stood up to leave.

Lan Yue escorted Duke to the door, then returned to the living room to find Li Xin still leisurely enjoying tea, and said with a wry smile, "Mr. Li, you’ve stirred quite the situation this time, affecting the association’s stance. I can’t give you a direct answer."

"Chairman Lan, this management fee doesn’t target any specific party; it’s the Night Patrol’s duty and unified decision. Even if it’s a hot potato, it’s in my hands, so I must handle it well. Precisely because of our relationship, I came to explain first." Li Xin said.

Lan Yue looked at Li Xin, smiling and nodding, but found him harder to understand. What was he truly after? Why would someone seeking Hidden Power drag themselves into such a quagmire?

"The Gourmet Association doesn’t engage in disputes and complies with local laws."

"That’s for the best. Thank you, Chairman Lan, for the tea."

Li Xin and Lu Shuimo bid farewell and left, while Lan Yue remained enthusiastic, maintaining a professional demeanor.

"Captain, aren’t you being a bit too hard? I feel like they have good intentions. Maybe we can negotiate this matter?" Lu Shuimo said cautiously.

Li Xin shook his head, "There’s no room for negotiation, and no time to waste in pointless arguments. In the end, it might look like begging, and then we cut down anyone who stands out. Otherwise, life becomes unlivable for everyone. If the sky falls, I’ll hold it up."

He contemplated a lot about his approach and skills. In the past, prioritizing harmony was the norm, but when you genuinely want to get things done, conflicts of interest are inevitable. Always playing the peacemaker achieves nothing in the end.

Old Luo always having a stern face made sense.

Lu Shuimo followed behind Li Xin. In Copper Market, Li Xin chose Old Kuang. With the Adventurer Association spreading the word everywhere, it saved trouble. Even if they embellished a bit, it didn’t matter. This matter was inherently a tough confrontation, but yet there’s another place that required his personal visit. Old Kuang was from the Hundred Martial Hall; being the largest local organization, Li Xin had to personally speak.

Copper Street 5-129.

Old Kuang’s place was still dim. Li Xin and Lu Shuimo pushed the door open and entered.

Old Kuang looked up, his old face immediately breaking into a smile as he adjusted the candlelight, "Isn’t this Lord Li? It’s a great honor to have you here. What brings you by?"

"Old Kuang, you’re so good at predicting, guess why I’m here?" Li Xin sat down with a smile.

"Lord Li, you’re teasing me. I’m just a small businessman, how would I know the lord’s big matters?"

"Not so small, you’ve been involved in quite a few things," Li Xin smiled insinuatingly, "It’s simple. Starting this month, the Night Patrol will begin collecting a management fee from the Black Market. All vendors in the Black Market must pay. We’re old acquaintances, so I came specifically to inform you."

Old Kuang was momentarily stunned, "Lord, where is this rule coming from? The Black Market’s order has always been good. Each of the three markets has dedicated managers, and it seems unrelated to the Night Patrol, doesn’t it?"

"Well, others might not know, but you should. All external and private Secret Organizations are under the unified management of the Night Patrol. This rule has been around for many years, right?" Li Xin said calmly.

"There does seem to be such a saying, but what’s it got to do with the Black Market?"

"Isn’t the Black Market a Secret Organization? And isn’t it established in the Dragon Capital?" Li Xin asked.

"It is, and it isn’t," Old Kuang smiled wryly, "I can’t say anything about it to you."

"I’m not here to negotiate, just to inform you," Li Xin said with a smile. He wasn’t there to give Old Kuang a hard time, but to have him pass on a message.

"Ahem, Lord Li, we do have some fate with each other. I have to advise you, these waters run deep."

"I’ve been to the abyss. No matter how deep the water is, rules must be followed. Spread the word. On the last day of this month, I will collect the fee. Vendors who don’t pay won’t be allowed to exist in the Black Market."

"Why bother with this? There are many ways to make money," Old Kuang smiled wryly.

"If everyone thought this way, wouldn’t the city be in chaos?" Li Xin said.

After speaking, Li Xin and Lu Shuimo left. Old Kuang watched them leave, closed the door, and then went into the back room.

Li Xin and Lu Shuimo didn’t leave right away but wandered around the Copper Market.

"Captain, there are many vendors in Copper Market, most of whom are from the Dragon Capital or Li Long. There are always some connections behind those who can settle here. The Silver Market is almost entirely comprised of international Secret Organizations. The Gold Market, ahem, almost no one can get close to. What about us?" Lu Shuimo asked hesitantly, "Ahem, Captain, don’t blame me for speaking out. It’s not about having too few but about inequality. As long as the Gold Market doesn’t pay, no one else will either."

He wasn’t underestimating Li Xin’s determination or his sense of responsibility in solving the Night Patrol’s funding issues, but his actions would likely become a joke. And that joke could severely harm the Night Patrol, especially the Shadow Owl.

If an enforcement organization becomes a laughingstock and loses credibility, what law can it enforce?

"Old Lu, difficult or not, we have to give it a shot. No matter what market it is, on our turf, I’m going to break through!" Li Xin waved his hand.

If the operational costs of the Night Patrol can be properly resolved, then as a significant organization, the Night Patrol can form a force, rather than be a ball being kicked around by the Church Court and the Cabinet. With the scale of the Night Patrol, the Black Market is an extremely good approach.

Lu Shuimo looked at Li Xin, who seemed determined to fight hard. He hesitated to speak further. Charging head-on like this might not end well, but it felt overstepping to continue persuading.