Round Table Conference.

Li Xin met Simmons. He, Miss Aries, Simmons, and Batty, along with Cantona, had agreed on a touching scheme to determine who was calling.

"Is Celestia coming?"

"Yes, the main thing is to take over the Zheng Family’s network in Dragon Capital, both the obvious and the hidden ones. The obvious ones are fine, but I’m worried the hidden ones will cause problems, so I want to ask Brother Li to help take care of them." Simmons said.

"The hidden ones?"

"Right. Every time we come to Dragon Capital for procurement, it’s a substantial amount. The profits inside are unimaginable. Hex-Tech in Dragon Capital and various specialties are very popular in Moncalleta. The resources from Moncalleta can also make up for some shortages in Dragon Capital, like Hex-Tech, which is traded with the Cabinet, but the hidden ones are through the Hundred Martial Hall, and this part is not less than Hex-Tech." Simmons said.

"What are you worried about?" Li Xin asked.

"Previously, it was the Zheng Family in charge, but now that they’ve fallen, I’m worried there will be variables. The Zheng Family’s style and ours are completely different, and the Zheng Family’s ancestors originated from Dragon Capital, having their own networks, so simply taking over might not be realistic." Simmons said somewhat worriedly.

"Then why did you still let Celestia come?" Li Xin felt that Simmons’ concern was reasonable, and this should require a seasoned person to handle such complicated relationships.

"Negotiations are handled by professionals, but we need someone influential from the George Family to appear. I was supposed to go myself, but His Majesty intends for me to be a pioneer and go ahead to the Netherworld Sea, leaving me unable to do both. Celestia says that talent is the core of power realization. She thinks that if I want to take over family power, I need to keep core resources in our hands. She is the best candidate." Simmons said.

"She just wants to play, right?" Li Xin couldn’t help but say.

"Haha, ninety percent is play."

"Alright, I understand. Dragon Capital is currently a place of trouble, and it really requires caution. Also, help me find Old Fang and ask if he knows the former Chief Red-robed Archbishop." Li Xin said.

"Old Fang? That fortune-teller, right? Not sure if he’s still around. As long as he’s in Hedan, I can definitely find him. Who is the former Chief Red-robed Archbishop?" Simmons recalled, this is the fortune-teller from the Lirong Inn, a very interesting old man, maybe not just an ordinary old man?

"Yes, the Moon God’s Court, the former Chief Red-robed Archbishop Cai Zongzhang, who is now dead. Ask him if he knows any inside story."

Simmons instinctively nodded, his heart pounding wildly. He knew, Brother Li was getting more and more outrageous...

Dragon Capital has indeed been unsettled lately, the horrifying "Little Skinner" has appeared again. Citizen Daily, Justice Daily, and Flying Bird Daily all reported on it. Of course, all three newspapers unanimously believe this is a criminal’s clumsy imitation, urging the Night Patrol to quickly find the culprit and maintain public order.

Shadow Owl.

In front of Li Xin were three latest Hex Bird Reports, Meng Po was slightly worried, "Captain, this is too dangerous for you."

As a knowledgeable person, Meng Po naturally knew this was definitely Li Xin’s doing, wanting to lure out the culprit in this way.

Li Xin waved his hand with a smile, "I have a plan. This culprit is very deeply hidden. Without alerting him, he won’t come out."

Meng Po didn’t say much, "Do you need me to inform the newspapers? Their reporting like this will put a lot of pressure on us."

"No need, let them report." Li Xin waved his hand, "Has the black market statistics come out?"

"They are mostly done. Although we, Shadow Owl, didn’t oversee much in the past, the entry records of the black market were kept with us. I got them from the Church and prepared three tiers based on the current situation." Meng Po said, handing a file to Li Xin.

Li Xin opened it, detailing the conditions of the Silver Market and Copper Market, with small notes on each organization’s status.

Gold Market was set at 18 gold coins per month, five houses totaling 90 gold. Silver Market altogether had 18 houses: Hundred Martial Hall, Adventurer Association, Wanbao Pavilion, Gourmet Association, Magic Potion Association etc., 10 gold per month. Copper Market had 89 organizations of various sizes, each month ranging from 1 to 2 gold, but itinerant stall vendors were not charged. However, they have a ticket for entering the black market, which although not counted, is also not a small amount.

Meng Po’s eyes were somewhat heated. If they succeeded in collecting these, it would mean a baseline income of around 400 gold per month. Even if the other eight teams shared it, Shadow Owl could still receive around 50 gold per month. Currently, Shadow Owl has seven Copper Owls, nearly a hundred enlisted Night Patrol members, and some outside staff. If this income supplement were available, everyone’s work and life would greatly improve.

Such a large amount, and collected monthly, is this feasible?

Li Xin seriously looked at the calculations Meng Po provided. They ignored the Gold Market, unified the Silver Market, because regardless of differences in size, they’re either international organizations or local tycoons, neither caring about trifling matters, balance is good. Copper Market was adjusted based on actual circumstances, which was still very necessary.

"Captain, are we really going to do this? Should we inform Lord Metropolitan?" Meng Po asked.

Li Xin thought for a moment, "I will go."

This matter would not be easy without notifying Lord Metropolitan. He stirred up the black market, but no movement has happened in the past two days, clearly they haven’t taken his words seriously. It makes sense; these years, Night Patrolers have long lost their former image of being decisive, reduced to being mere tools driven by anyone. He himself was still just a small acting captain.

These past two days, he’s been thinking of snatching chestnuts from the fire but overlooked the main point. Although he has other captains’ support, if Lord Metropolitan pulls the rug from under him, he would still be a laughingstock, his current prestige not yet qualifying to challenge him frontally.

Meng Po left, Li Xin quietly looked out the window, a faint curve forming on his lips. If there’s difficulty, face it. If there’s high difficulty, still face it. Wanting to accomplish things will bring various obstacles; this is nothing. Since being in this position, better to work than to do nothing.

Understanding this makes decision-making easy.

At the entrance, Li Xin called for a carriage to head towards the Metropolitan’s Long Yue Cathedral, only through actual work can one truly see a person.

Li Xin didn’t wait long before meeting Lei Qinglu in the hall.

Lord Metropolitan had just finished praying. Seeing Li Xin, a hint of a smile appeared on his serious face, "Captain Li, an uncommon guest."

"Greetings, Lord Metropolitan," Li Xin performed the folded-finger salute, "Sir, Shadow Owl has recently been brewing a plan, specifically coming to seek your advice." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Oh, do tell." Lei Qinglu said with a peaceful expression.

"I recently learned about Shadow Owl’s financial state, long-term deficits, currently over ten thousand Lira in debt, always robbing Peter to pay Paul. Given Dragon Capital’s current population, we’re clearly understaffed, and existing team members’ living conditions are very poor. Plus, when injured or slain, it’s difficult for them to receive compensation."

Lei Qinglu collected his expression, gently nodded, "I’m aware of this situation. Due to subordination issues, the Church’s allocation in this regard isn’t much. You just took over and encountered this mess, which is indeed quite challenging. If you really can’t keep going, I can lend you a part first."

Jiang Wu used to do this, other captains did too, borrowing first, repaying or borrowing again when resources allowed.