"Usually, it's a case of death,"
He Ao put down the fried chicken in his hand, "So you are investigating a closed case? Investigating privately? Why?"
"Well... you might not believe it if you tell me,"
Yin Xiya smiled and slowly stirred the cup of coffee in the cup with the plastic board used to stir the sugar packets. "I think there is something hidden about this thing."
"Why?"
He Ao asked again in a low voice.
"About three years ago,"
Yin Xiya lowered her head and glanced at the coffee stirred into a chaotic whirlpool in the cup.
"Nighthawk once went to Twilight City for official duties. I had a brief contact with him. During that brief contact, I had a basic understanding of his character."
She paused slightly, seeming to be lost in memories, "He is a very persistent person and has great hatred for pollution monsters. He has been working hard to eliminate all pollution monsters. For such a person, I still believe him if he says he defected. But saying that he is raising pollution monsters makes me find it a bit hard to believe.
"But the investigation team came up with conclusive evidence. They found many living pollution monsters in the factory rented by Nighthawk, and also found a large number of relics left by missing people near the warehouse, and found Nighthawk 'kidnapped' homeless people and lone people in Nancheng.
"All clues point to the truth that Nighthawk kidnapped ordinary people and raised pollution monsters in private."
"What about Nighthawk himself," Howe said softly, "didn't he express anything about these?"
Regardless of whether the truth is that, the person involved should be able to explain his behavior.
"No,"
Yin Xiya shook her head,
“He disappeared, probably over a month ago.
"According to the investigation team, they had a clue that Nighthawk secretly raised pollution monsters very early on, but when they tried to capture Nighthawk, Nighthawk discovered their intention and injured the investigation team's The members later fled in fear of crime.
"From that time on, until the director took action to kill him, he never appeared again, nor did he leave any words or clues."
"Is this a one-sided 'conviction' without any 'suspect' testimony?"
He Ao concluded slowly.
"Yes,"
Yin Xiya nodded, "And after Nighthawk absconded in fear of crime, the investigation team seized his residence, burned all his personal belongings, and completely destroyed the warehouse where Nighthawk 'raised' pollution monsters.
"The reason given by the investigation team for these actions is that Nighthawk is conducting an evil and highly contaminated experiment, and everything he left behind must be destroyed.
"In addition, apart from a simple report explaining the ins and outs, most of the evidence about the nightjar eucalyptus has been completely sealed or destroyed."
"If he is indeed conducting an experiment involving a high-ranking being,"
He Ao glanced at the dark street outside the window and said, "This is the right thing to do. After all, any leakage of information or knowledge about high-ranking existences will lead to terrible consequences."
"Um,"
Yin Xiya nodded slightly and agreed with He Ao's words, "In fact, there are no logical loopholes in the investigation report given by the investigation team, but..."
"But there is an important part missing from this investigation report, and that is the confession from Nighthawk himself,"
He Ao took over her words, "There was neither confession nor defense. It was as if he had been keeping silent, or someone needed him to 'keep silent'."
"Yes!"
Yin Xiya looked at He Ao, the old lights in the restaurant reflected in her brown eyes, exuding a sparkling light.
"And I have always felt that Nighthawk would never do anything like raising pollution monsters to perform evil rituals. There must be another hidden agenda in this case."
"So you launched an investigation into this case privately?"
He Ao looked at her.
"Um,"
The continuously stirred coffee in Yin Xiya's cup gradually returned to normal calm, and her body also sat up slightly,
"Although I cannot access information related to nightjars, I can start from the margins of this incident. In the final investigation report, the investigation team showed that some deliverymen were also killed by nightjars.
"Although the report does not say where the delivery person is from which company, there are not many delivery companies in St. Jon. I will start looking near the warehouse and investigate one by one, and I can always find some clues."
】
"What did you find?"
Ho asked.
"There is not much information that I have investigated so far, but I found that there are actually very few missing food delivery people in St. John City. According to the situations of several food delivery companies I visited, when Nighthawk was still there, There are almost no cases of missing food delivery people in St. Jon.
"Most of the new cases of missing persons occurred after Nighthawks absconded in fear of crime,"
Yin Xiya said slowly, "There are fewer cases, which means it is easier to investigate the disappearance of the deliveryman related to Nighthawk mentioned in the report. Then I visited the St. John City Police Department and asked for it from them." I received some reporting information from when Nighthawk was still there, but before I had time to sort out the information, I encountered what happened last night."
"This proves that your investigation is in the right direction. Only if you go the right way will you be killed."
He Ao said softly, and then he looked at Yin Xiya, "If you stop now before you find out anything, it may still be too late. Those former subordinates of Nighthawk may not even think about complaining for him.
"And now that Nighthawk is dead, as someone who was transferred from other places and only had brief contact with Nighthawk, is it worth doing this?"
"Someone has to reveal the hidden truth,"
Yin Xiya returned the same gaze to He Ao, "The distorted facts will not return to their original appearance just because the matter has passed."
He Ao stared at Yin Xiya in front of him, staring at her firm eyes.
He vaguely saw familiar shadows on Yin Xiya.
There are always some people in this world who are persistent in their beliefs and practice them.
The entire table fell into a brief silence, leaving only the crisp sound of Jia Xi crunching the fried chicken.
"Feel sorry······"
Yin Xiya seemed to realize that she was a little too excited just now. She stooped down and opened her mouth slightly, ready to end the topic.
But at this time, He Ao spoke slowly, and a calm and old voice sounded in Yin Xiya's ears, "I have met many people like you."
"How are they doing now?"
Yin Xiya couldn't help but ask.
"Although the road is difficult, fortunately, they still persist in the direction they have chosen."
He Ao said slowly, word by word.
"Thanks."
Yin Xiya's already stooped figure slowly straightened up again.
She knew that He Ao was confirming her choice.
Even in the deepest and darkest night, there will always be someone lighting a torch, and someone will lift up their clothes to block the weak flame from the cold wind of the night.
After this conversation, unconsciously, the unfamiliar barrier between the two gradually disappeared under the dim light.
Yin Xiya picked up the coffee in the cup and drank the remaining coffee in one gulp. Milk foam floated on her lips. She looked at He Ao and finally asked the question she had always wondered.
"Old sir, why did you go to see Werther last night?"
In a world without He Ao, Yin Xiya's flame and life will forever be extinguished in the deep night last night.
"You should have heard some of the conversation between Werther and I last night,"
He Ao looked at Yin Xiya's embarrassed face and said with a smile, "The reason why I went to see Weite was very simple. He set fire to my son's house and almost burned me and my granddaughter to death in the house. Then I went to him to ask questions." Asking why my son’s home was burned down.”
"ah?"
Yin Xiya didn't react for a moment under He Ao's concise and clear narrative method, but she quickly figured out the logic. After a brief thought, she asked softly, "Did you get any clues there?"
"The clue I have so far is that he accepted a 'mission' from the black market,"
He Ao said slowly, "The mission content is to burn down my son's home, but my investigation is stuck at this step because I don't have a black market account."
"A black market account?"
Yin Xiya was stunned for a moment. She was no stranger to the black market. She thought and said, "The black market account can only contact 'Drawer' and buy the registration code from him. I don't have the contact information of Drawer here, but,"
She raised her head and looked at He Ao, "I got a two-level black market account from a lone traveler in Twilight City. I don't know if it is useful."
Then she realized something seemed wrong about her statement, and she further explained,
"I feel that our meeting last night is not necessarily a complete coincidence. It is unlikely that Werther will be doing two unrelated tasks at the same time, so the 'incidents' targeting both of us may come from the same 'client'."
At this moment, she gradually came to realize that the old man in front of her was not only a 'confidant' who could affirm her beliefs, but also someone who might have a common goal with her in some sense.
She looked at He Ao and continued, "But I didn't bring the device with the black market account bound to it, so I can only bring it to you the next time we meet."
She was in a good mood.
In the process of communicating with He Ao, she gradually felt a sudden enlightenment. She gradually found some clues about things that she had no clue about at first through He Ao's suggestions and conversations.
He Ao looked at her excited face and finally nodded gently, "Okay."
"correct,"
At this time, Yin Xiya seemed to have thought of something. She glanced at He Ao and said, "Old sir, you just mentioned that your son's home was burned. Are you living with your son now? Is it convenient to stay now?"
"I live with my granddaughter and I have my own little house over there in the northwest."
He Ao shook his head.
"Then does your son find a place to live on his own?"
Yin Xiya was a little confused.
"No,"
He Ao shook his head, and after a brief pause, he picked up the suitcase that had been leaning on the chair just now, "They are here, my son and daughter-in-law."
Yin Xiya was stunned again and didn't react for a short time.
She looked at the suitcase, the star pattern on the suitcase, and the funeral home's logo branded on the suitcase, and gradually realized something.
She lowered her head and looked at He Ao, "Sorry..."
"fine,"
He Ao shook his head, "You didn't know beforehand, and it was out of good intentions."
"Is it the fire last night?"
Yin Xiya asked tentatively in a low voice.
"It was a car accident, before the fire,"
He Ao looked at her and said, "Speaking of which, I also have something to ask you."
"Just say it."
Yin Xiya straightened up.
"My son's remains were discovered by scavengers, and some of his remains were sealed as evidence in the St. Jon police station."
He Ao spoke slowly.
"I can borrow these exhibits," Yin Xiya carefully considered her words, "but I can't always 'borrow' them, they still have to be returned."
"No, I don't want those relics,"
He Ao shook his head, "Normally, the police station should have photos of these relics, as well as the autopsy report that the forensic doctor made for my son and daughter-in-law. Can you 'copy' it for me?"
"That's no problem."
Yin Xiya nodded, "Do you suspect there was something wrong with that car accident?"
At this moment, she remembered that Werther had burned down the home of He Ao's son, not He Ao's home.
"I don't know," He Ao shook his head and told the truth, "Maybe there will be some clues."
"I'll get it done as soon as possible."
Yin Xiya nodded slightly, then she raised her bracelet and said, "Old sir, let's leave our contact information. I will find the information and send it to you when the time comes."
"sorry to bother you."
He Ao raised his bracelet and exchanged information with Yin Xiya.
"If nothing else, you saved my life last night,"
Yin Xiya shook her head, "These are what I should do,"
As she said that, she looked at He Ao awkwardly, "I haven't asked your name yet..."
"Sito,"
He Ao replied softly, and then spelled out Xito's name. At this time, he also remembered something and asked in a low voice, "Have you seen that 'Nighthawk'? Do you have a picture of him?"
"No,"
Yin Xiya shook his head, "Nighthawk has always been wearing an iron mask, and he almost never shows his true face. According to what he said, he experienced a disaster when he was a child, which caused disfigurement, so he always wears a mask."
"OK."
He Ao nodded thoughtfully.
"Speaking of which, sir, have you never encountered a pollution monster or come into contact with a nighthawk in all your years in St. John City?"
Yin Xiya asked curiously while saving He Ao's electronic business card.
Judging from the strength shown by He Ao twice, this 'old gentleman' is considered a very strong existence even among C-level people. However, such a powerful extraordinary person has never been exposed to the pollution cleanup in St. John City. In front of Si, she was a little curious.
Hearing her question, He Ao raised his head and glanced at the empty streets outside the window, "If possible, I don't want to get involved in this dispute."
Yin Xiya's eyes fell on He Ao, and on the suitcase close to He Ao's body.
She looked at He Ao's old and desolate body and mottled white hair.
If possible, this old man can quietly enjoy his old age and live a peaceful and happy life with his son and granddaughter, instead of being here with conspiracies, monsters, and madness.
The restaurant fell into a dark silence. A diner opened the restaurant door and left. An unexpected wind broke into the old restaurant, disrupting the silence under the lights and rolling up the white hair on the temples of the old man.
At this moment, Jia Qian took off her plastic gloves and raised her hands high, "Grandpa, I've finished eating!"
The tender voice of a child broke the old wind.
He Ao turned his head, glanced at Jia Qian with a smile, reached out and rubbed her little head, "Are you full?"
"Uh-huh,"
Jia Qian nodded crazily, then she looked at Yin Xiya and said obediently, "Thank you, sister!"
The somewhat depressing and awkward atmosphere was resolved by the little girl's cute voice.
"Little sister, if you want to eat, my sister can bring you here often, and she can also take you to eat more delicious food!"
Yin Xiya bent down and looked at her with a smile.
"Sister, you look like the bad guy in the book who wants to kidnap children,"
Jia Xi blinked.
Yin Xiya's expression froze, and she laughed dumbly, "It's weird."
"My name is Jia Qian, not Gu Ling Jing Jing."
Jia Qian raised her little hand.
"Okay," He Ao rubbed Jia Qian's little head and looked at Yin Xiya, "Do you need anything else?"
"I'm done eating,"
Yin Xiya shook her head quickly.
"Then let's go out for a walk to refresh ourselves?"
He Ao asked softly.
"good."
Yin Xiya and Jia Qian nodded at the same time.
The three of them tidied the table a little, stood up and faced outside the restaurant.
At this moment, there were far fewer pedestrians on the street, and it seemed unusually empty. The afternoon sun had passed, and the entire street became darker and darker, as if the sun was setting at night.
The three of them walked slowly on the human-shaped trail. In the alleys next to the trail, it was already dark like night.
After leaving the restaurant, the atmosphere between the three of them became quiet, with only Jia Qian looking around from time to time.
Yin Xiya seemed to be thinking about something.
It wasn't until she was quite far out of the restaurant that she raised her head and looked at He Ao, "Mr...."
At this moment, He Ao suddenly raised the crutch in his hand.
boom--
The fierce impact brought with it huge smoke and strong wind, blowing Yin Xiya's long brown-blond hair.
When the smoke and dust dissipated, Yin Xiya could clearly see what was causing the strong wind.
It was a four- or five-meter-long four-legged monster with a pointed cone on its head and scales on its back. It rushed out from the deep alley behind it and suddenly attacked He Ao and the others.
However, its purpose was ultimately not realized.
At this moment, the sharp cone on the monster's head was caught by the crutch in He Ao's hand, and the impact of the entire body ended here, and the huge body could no longer move forward even half an inch.
But the terrifying and twisted sense of pressure still came from the monster's body.
C level!
This is a C-level pollution monster.
Yin Xiya stared at this scene blankly.
Why are there so many C-level monsters here?
"Hold on."
He Ao glanced at Yin Xiya, and the arm that blocked the monster suddenly exerted force, and the monster flying out of the darkness flew back into the shadow of the alley again.
