Mo Hai did not head inside right away.
He stood in the courtyard, his fingers lightly brushing across a flower that emitted a soft blue glow in the night.
Cool to the touch, it carried a subtle pulse of energy.
Jinhsi’s taste had not changed at all.
He took an unhurried lap around the courtyard, observing the positioning of every guard.
After a quick analysis, it was clear Jinhsi had stationed quite a few people hidden around him.
Mo Hai gave a bitter smile.
Was she really that afraid he would run off?
Just as he was about to push open the door and plan his next move, a clear, rhythmic set of footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.
The sound did not belong to Sanhua, nor did it match any guard he had heard before.
Steady and firm, each step was spaced as precisely as if measured with a ruler, exuding an unapproachable authority.
Mo Hai paused and turned to face the gate.
The door pushed open.
A woman wearing silver-white standard light armor stepped inside.
She was tall, with a straight and athletic posture.
Her neat, long black hair was tied high, exposing a smooth forehead and a pair of razor-sharp phoenix eyes.
Her features were remarkably delicate, yet wrapped in an icy aura that warned others to keep their distance.
At her waist hung an elegantly crafted long blade, while her left arm bore a badge engraved with a balance scale and a sword.
“Are you Mr.
Mo Hai?” She spoke in a cool, clear voice, tinged with a faint trace of surprise.
Mo Hai gave a subtle nod before asking in return, “And who are you?” A microscopic flicker of astonishment flashed through the woman’s eyes.
“Linggong He, Public Security Commissioner of Jinzhou,” she stated, every word falling with heavy authority.
Relevant information immediately surfaced in Mo Hai’s mind.
This was a department established by Jinhsi in the late stages of the simulation, based on his advice.
Independent of the Midnight Rangers and the city garrison, it was tasked specifically with urban law enforcement, criminal investigation, and internal oversight.
Essentially the equivalent of internal affairs and the police force combined from his past life.
And Linggong He was the leader of this organization.
“Mo Hai, Chief Advisor,” Mo Hai presented his new identity in an even tone.
Linggong He’s gaze lingered on him for a full dozen seconds.
Because Mo Hai really was rather handsome—not the pretty-boy type, but possessing a distinct, raw masculinity she could not quite put into words.
She tried to read something from the man’s eyes, but instead of uncovering any secrets, she felt her own cheeks grow slightly warm.
“Chief Advisor…” She chewed on the title, curiosity lacing her tone.
“An hour ago, the Magistrate’s Office issued the decree, sending the entire city into an uproar.
Everyone wants to know what kind of sacred figure could compel the Magistrate to break protocol just to promote him.” “So, did you come to behold this ‘sacred figure’?” Mo Hai smiled faintly.
“No.” Linggong He shook her head with crisp efficiency.
“I am here to request your help.” She stepped forward, drew out a dossier sealed in a special material from her coat, and held it out to Mo Hai.
“What’s this?” Mo Hai did not take it.
“Everyone wants to see what makes this mysterious advisor so extraordinary.” After all, as much as people respected Jinhsi, some still found her actions puzzling.
Did this enigmatic advisor truly possess some kind of magic?
She placed the dossier on the nearby stone table.
“In the west of the city, at the Blackstone Quarry.
Over the past three months, seventeen miners have vanished one after another deep inside the shaft—no living bodies found, no corpses recovered.
I sent three squads of elite Patrol Guards inside to investigate, and all came back empty-handed.
“The Midnight Rangers went as well, but they claimed they detected no Tacet Discord energy fluctuations whatsoever.
“This matter can no longer be contained.
Panic is spreading through the city, with people claiming it’s the work of a ‘mine spectre’ taking lives.” Linggong He looked at Mo Hai, speaking with genuine curiosity.
“Now, this case belongs to you, Advisor Mo Hai.
“You have the authority to mobilize resources from any department except the Magistrate’s personal guard.
I give you…
three days.
“If you cannot produce an answer for everyone after three days, those factions will petition the Magistrate to transfer you somewhere where you can enjoy a bit more ‘leisure.'” Mo Hai smiled.
This was precisely the opportunity he had been waiting for.
By taking advantage of their probing, he might just be able to change his situation.
He could finally push for a bit of freedom, meow.
“No need for three days.” Mo Hai finally reached out and picked up the cold dossier.
“One day is enough.” Linggong He’s pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
Was this…
utter confidence?
“Furthermore,” Mo Hai weighed the dossier in his hand and looked at her, putting forward his first request, “I need two people right now.” “Who?” “The two Midnight Rangers who brought me into the city today.” A calculating glint flashed in Mo Hai’s eyes.
“Chixia and Yangyang.” “And bring along that person named Rover as well,” Mo Hai added as he remembered something.
“Rover is the Magistrate’s honored guest,” Linggong He said, shaking her head to indicate that this would be tricky to arrange.
“Just go ask them; they’ll agree.” “They?”