At this moment, a mountain of files was piled up in front of Luo Jin, and he still had several cases on hand that needed to be addressed. The one weighing most heavily on his mind was the Abyssal Worm case. The chance of an Abyssal Worm appearing in the Dao Yuan world was very low, but Celestial Capital had been troubled by them continuously in recent years, leading to several tragic incidents. Many of his brothers had died because of this, and Luo Jin suspected these worms were not coincidental but possibly man-made chaos. However, after all these years, it remained a complete mystery.
Da da da~ da da da.
The sound of little leather shoes echoed. The lace-edged socks were particularly ladylike. When Luo Jin looked up, Kathy had already entered, carrying a faint fresh scent with lips that were very rosy. "Captain, I knocked."
Luo Jin nodded helplessly, gesturing to the materials in front of him. "Do I really have to finish reading all this?"
"Yes, these are core documents from the Canon Law School and some issues the Discipline Institute needs to deal with. The Chief Bishop specifically instructed that starting with these matters would help you crack the case open." Kathy smiled slightly, "By the way, there's someone outside... said you invited him."
Luo Jin was taken aback, "Who? What's with that look on your face?"
Night Patrol members usually didn't have many friends. They spent their days dealing with monsters or various supernatural events. Ordinary people seemed friendly but were eager to keep their distance. No one wanted to be caught up in any mysterious incident.
Kathy hesitated before speaking, and Luo Jin's eyes widened, "Just say what's on your mind, is there something you can't say?"
"There's a young man, who claims to be your great-nephew, that one called Li Xin. Captain, he's not your illegitimate son, is he?" Kathy blinked her big eyes as if she wanted to see through Luo Jin.
Luo Jin's mouth twisted in anger. He had lived his life walking on eggshells, and now he only had so little reputation left. "An illegitimate son, my ghost of a great-nephew can come in. He's young, but very cunning."
Luo Jin didn't think much of it. It was most likely that the people outside wouldn't let him in, so the kid made up an excuse of being a nephew. Fortunately, he hadn't claimed to be an illegitimate son, or it truly would have been an awkward mess.
Soon, Li Xin came in carrying smoked meat, immediately bowing with a smile all over his face, "Captain Luo, delighted to see you. I'm here to register."
Luo Jin looked at Li Xin indifferently, "Oh, let me see just how delighted you are?"
Seeing Luo Jin's cold expression, Li Xin felt a bit embarrassed, "Ahem, this is some game Aunt Fei asked me to bring."
"You've taken a week, you really are efficient. Someone not in the know might think you're coming to take the throne." Luo Jin snorted coldly.
Li Xin looked aggrieved, "Captain Luo, I'm wronged. I originally wanted to come immediately, but since you saved my life, I couldn't come empty-handed. I'm broke, so I thought to go to the mountains and hunt some decent game, but my luck was awful, got lost and fell into a ravine. All my gear was lost, and I was fortunate Moon God saved me."
Seeing the new scars on Li Xin's face and neck, and also on his arms and legs, Luo Jin could tell with his sharp eyes that it was new damage. Generally, only by encountering danger in the forest would one end up scratched like this. Even for his age, Luo Jin felt a bit embarrassed with bickering with a kid.
"I'll accept it then, have a seat," Luo Jin said. He initially didn't want to take it, but now he had no choice.
Just at that moment, Kathy came in from the door with a cup of tea, silently observing Li Xin, her eyes becoming sharp. For someone who could get Old Luo to accept gifts and claim no relation, hmm, best to investigate further later!
"Thank you, sister. You're so elegant," Li Xin said sincerely, taking the tea.
If it were someone else, Kathy would be annoyed. She'd heard it so many times, but faced with an earnest young man, she immediately pursed her lips and smiled. Today she was dressed elegantly in a delicate gauze dress, black shoes paired with white socks, a gentle hairstyle, with a beautiful blue sapphire pendant against her white neck. It took at least an hour to get ready.
All morning, finally someone praised her. Some people's eyes, who knows how they work.
"Talk to your uncle nicely if you have any issues. He's got a tough mouth but a soft heart, just likes to scare people." Kathy hinted.
"Thank you, sister. I know my uncle's just not good at expressing himself. He's a good person." Li Xin said, "This time, I only brought one gift. I'll bring more for sister next time. They're not worth much, just homemade game."
"Then thank you in advance." Kathy couldn't help but pat Li Xin on the head.
Luo Jin watched Li Xin's performance with an amused smirk. This kid was young, yet he had quite a few tricks.
"Li Xin, I see you have great potential. Do you want to join the Night Patrol? You must know the path for an Awakened is limited. Either you serve the authorities or eventually meet a tragic end on the streets." Luo Jin said. With most people, he'd just use a trick or two, but he had high hopes for Li Xin and wanted to develop him well.
"Sure!" Li Xin replied straightforwardly.
"Huh?" Luo Jin was stunned. He was expecting the other party to haggle a bit, say they were preparing a gift for him, feeling like this kid was resisting the Night Patrol. Of course, many ordinary people felt the same way, often being misunderstood.
"I'm willing to join the Night Patrol. I didn't really resist in the first place. Mainly, I was considering family circumstances. Captain Luo, you might already know my situation. I wonder if the Night Patrol can help bring my Aunt Fei and Xueyin to the city. If I am on a mission, it's not safe for them to remain in Blackwater, and my sister is at the age of needing to join the Grace Class. Besides, if one day I were to sacrifice, at least they'd have some security in life." Li Xin directly said without beating around the bush.
Luo Jin was silent for a few seconds, then quietly sighed. He was unsure if bringing Li Xin into the Night Patrol was right or wrong. "The Night Patrol is dangerous, but for new members like you, we won't send you on missions too quickly. And even if there are missions, they'll be safer ones." He said, feeling slightly warm in the face, as his former captain had used the same lines to coerce him.
"All Night Patrol members in the city are entitled to a public rental housing unit. In the event of a sacrifice, the house will be given to your family. Alternatively, you can choose to receive a settlement fee. Besides that, your monthly salary is 5 silver lire, with bonuses calculated separately."
Five silver lire is definitely a high income—many families don't earn that much in a year. Lira is the general currency of the Dao Yuan Continent; 1 silver lira equals 100 lira, 1 golden lira equals 10 silver lire, and smaller denominations include Lido, which is used within the Li Long United Kingdom. 1 lira equals 10 Lido.
"Also, we are Night Patrol, not a suicide squad. Protecting your own safety is paramount." Luo Jin felt it was necessary to dispel some of his fears about the profession, realizing that without the motivation to improve family life, one might not want to join the Night Patrol.
Li Xin was momentarily stunned, with his eyes slowly sparkling like little stars, "Captain, how is the bonus calculated? If we do well, can we earn more?"
Luo Jin: ?
"Ahem, based on the difficulty of the tasks, Night Patrol members receive a portion; sometimes the Church also gives extra rewards, and occasionally, the City Hall does as well. Regular team members typically earn seven or eight silver lire annually."
Li Xin licked his lips, damn it, danger is nothing to him; he likes danger, no, he likes dedication. At this moment, Luo Jin's weathered old face became much more dignified and handsome in Li Xin's eyes.
He really nearly judged a gentleman's heart with a child's mind, almost missing out on this God of Wealth. He wasn't afraid of being in a suicide squad; he just didn't want to be cannon fodder like 007.
"Yes, Captain!" Li Xin immediately stood at attention, chest out, "I'm willing to join the Night Patrol, to fight for the security of the Celestial Capital, and to give my all until my dying breath!"
Luo Jin was both amused and moved; back in the day, they all joined the Night Patrol purely for faith, for justice under the moonlit night. This honest youngster is truly authentic.
"Alright, go find Kathy to familiarize yourself with the rules and collect your uniform. As for equipment, wait until you've settled in and passed the usage test. Oh, I'll also advance you one month's salary."
"Yes, Captain, thank you, Captain!" Li Xin grinned from ear to ear, thinking he was entering an underground organization, but it was exceptionally bright, and the Captain was so considerate.
"Go on." Luo Jin smiled; it had been a long time since he'd met such a spirited young man. As Li Xin exited, he suddenly poked his head back in, "Captain, you're really handsome!"
"This youngster." Luo Jin shook his head, deeming him worth training. Of course, he recruited Li Xin not just for the Night Patrol but to play a larger game. These days, he had reviewed many records and gained considerable understanding of the situation at the Canon Law School. The surface level was all glorious, with not much in terms of evident flaws. He needed genuine eyes, which his current circumstances couldn't provide.
Observation warranted.
When Li Xin went to find Kathy, Kathy was already waiting, "Sister, we meet again."
Kathy also liked this sweet-talking new member, "I'm Kathy, responsible for the logistics work for Night Patrol members, basically handling chores. You can come to me for anything."
"Sister Kathy is our housekeeper; please take care of me," Li Xin said. Although not officially, Kathy's role was similar. Kathy was pleased by this. "Are all Night Patrol members Awakened?"
"Yes, awakening is a basic requirement, although not everyone is combat type," Kathy said. "Captain Luo is straightforward, not as many rules as elsewhere. Oh, this is your advanced salary, come, I'll show you around."
Kathy took Li Xin to familiarize him with the Night Patrol headquarters. To the north was the prayer room, inside which was a plaque: Under the moonlit night, justice prevails.
"Li Xin, from today you are a member of the Night Patrol. We have only one tenet: uphold justice. This sentence was left to us by Grand Governor Luthor and is also our Night Patrol creed," Kathy said.
"Under the moonlit night, justice prevails." Li Xin recited.
Kathy smiled slightly, "Night Patrol greetings use a finger stacking gesture—right hand raised, middle finger over index finger. Come, recite it with me."
Kathy performed the finger stacking gesture: Under the moonlit night, justice prevails.
Li Xin followed suit, his fingers fumbling a few times before positioning correctly: Under the moonlit night, justice prevails.
Kathy's eyes widened, "Bring some emotion, be serious; this is your first time."
"Under the moonlit night, justice prevails!" Li Xin could only passionately reenact it."
"Alright, ceremony completed. Let's go, I'll show you to other places," Kathy said.
Next to the prayer room was the conference room; to the west was the training ground for familiarizing with firearms and combat techniques, and to the east was logistic equipment.
In the logistics department, there was a dedicated tailor. The old tailor squinted to measure Li Xin's data; the new uniform would take a few days. Li Xin first got a suit of nearly the right size to wear.
As a Night Patrol member, one can receive reliable cold weapons and be equipped with a Hex Demon-Sealing Spear, along with some special secret silver bullets. These are lethal to hidden creatures; however, weapons will be issued only after Li Xin passes training.