The prosperity of the Black Market is astonishing, and the accumulation of wealth from the secretive world is another shock, giving an impenetrable feeling. This is one reason why Li Xin decided to take action against the Black Market. As for the consequences, he can’t consider them too much.

The reason to set the time at the end of the month is to let things ferment a bit. It’s best to bring out all the bouncing ones and solve it in one go; otherwise, they’d be more annoying doing little tricks one by one. Currently, it seems most secret organizations are just observing and following the trend.

Additionally, the fees collected from the Silver Market and Copper Market must be assessed. The Five Great Sanctuaries have already been settled; whether reasonable or not, it can’t be changed. But the situation in the Silver and Copper Markets is more complicated, each being different.

"We’re not trying to make trouble. Collecting reasonable fees for secretive public order management is necessary, so we need to set a fair price. Whether based on area or turnover, it requires professional assessment, or a combination of both. The main thing is not to cause operational issues. I want this delivered to the Black Market a week before the end of the month," Li Xin said after touring with Lu Shuimo for most of the day.

Lu Shuimo gave a wry smile, "Captain, that’s easy to say. After all, we have templates; we can directly take them or slightly modify them."

It sounds reasonable, but if reasoning were useful, the world would have been peaceful long ago.

Li Xin shook his head, "This is important, and it can’t be sloppy."

"Captain, you don’t need to worry about this. In the Black Market, street vendors are unstable, but those qualified to station there are easy to check. However, they have substantial power, and realistically, if you set the price, it will definitely be low," Lu Shuimo said. Since the leader decided, he only had to execute.

"We’re not just grabbing the autumn wind; collecting what’s due is enough. Their security will also require us to organize manpower to maintain. We take money to do business; if it’s too much, it won’t be ours," Li Xin said.

This matter must be done grandly yet within the rules, which is his basis for confrontation.

"That should be about right. Meng Po is quite knowledgeable in this area. How about asking other captains?"

Li Xin shook his head, "We’ll decide."

Doing things needs decisiveness; with everyone having an opinion, nothing would get done. Although the other captains had a sense of camaraderie due to Luo Jin, each had different styles in handling matters. They are willing to support him not because they think it will work but out of subjective support. Actually, during that dinner, he didn’t think anyone believed it could be done, maybe wanting him to learn by hitting walls in this matter.

It was already late at night when he got home. Li Xin asked Lu Shuimo to notify Meng Po to come up with a plan. He also knew this money meant little to the Black Market people, just that they’ve been arrogant for so long and don’t take Night Patrol seriously.

The Gold Market is the hardest, but with the help of the Immortal, it’s actually the easiest to solve. There had been some grievance about the Secret Castle back then, but it’s been fading... Hopefully, the Immortal is reliable. Otherwise, he will really be embarrassed. Without the Gold Market as a model, applying pressure to the Silver and Copper Markets would be somewhat awkward.

For the rest, we have to tackle them. If it’s necessary to take action, it will likely be required. These people won’t bow down so easily.

Taking action isn’t about slaughter; it has no meaning. There must be sufficient deterrence to solve the problem once and for all. Coincidentally, he does have something at hand—Vladimir gave him a scroll, which seals the Holy Judgment Power of the Earth Pope. Other than the Gold Market, it’s enough to handle the rest. However, it’s one-time use, which Vladimir gave him as a life-saving measure.

Alas, having too few things with nuclear power is still a problem. It’s best to have something that everyone knows can’t be self-explained.

Thinking about it, Li Xin took out the rattle-drum. In the light, the rattle-drum emitted a demonic red glow. This secret item, useful for controlling and skinning the Fallen, was beneficial but had uncertain backlash effects.

The former chief gave the rattle-drum to Jiang Wu, instructing him to hide his identity and eliminate the Fallen. Then the former chief died. The cause of death is unknown, real or fake death, within the Church Court, the Song of Hell, or involving external forces—all are possible. Li Xin doesn’t want to satisfy curiosity or play the hero. The other party could easily crush a Great Angel like an ant. He just feels that there’s an important truth hidden behind this event which might help him break through the situation.

The one who killed Jiang Wu was the Slave Master, also the Song of Hell, which means the Song of Hell and the former chief were opposing.

The former chief and Moon God’s Court were opposing, does that mean Moon God’s Court and Song of Hell were cooperating?

Whether the former chief’s stance was right or wrong, it’s hard to instinctively say he was good because of Jiang Wu’s connection. Mainly, the former chief having Jiang Wu clear the Fallen was a positive act. We can assume the former chief was right.

Then can we infer that the Slave Master is continuously creating the Fallen?

Before Jiang Wu played Little Flayer, there was already one who truly flayed. What was his purpose?

The direct purpose was making skins. Following this thought, why would he make so many skins?

Li Xin had a vague feeling that he might be onto another possibility... Watching the Hex Lamp’s glow, an idea suddenly occurred.

Is it possible that the Slave Master is the Little Flayer? His attack on Jiang Wu wasn’t about the Fallen but to prevent the Little Flayer incident from resurfacing?

Li Xin cast the dice: The Slave Master of the Song of Hell is the real culprit of the Little Flayer.

The dice spun, giving an effective determination: Nine.

That confirms it; the Slave Master is the Little Flayer, which means he didn’t kill Jiang Wu due to the Fallen but to prevent others from revisiting the Little Flayer case.

So, this has nothing to do with the former chief again.

What does the Slave Master intend to do with so many skins?

There are two possibilities: either he hasn’t found the desired skin, or he simply needs many skins.

And he can’t buy them.

This indicates he plans to do something big, and with the temperament of the Song of Hell, it’s surely nothing good. It might be related to the prophecy of the Destruction Dragon City.

In fact, there is a way to draw out the Slave Master, a simple and direct one, Li Xin thought, staring at the rattle-drum.

If he played the new Little Flayer, shaking the Slave Master’s nerves, nine out of ten times, this guy would act again. But this would also lead to a series of problems. The primary task now is to settle the Black Market; he shouldn’t act recklessly...