Night, Black Alley, ceaseless conflict.
Roars, screams, gunshots, and cannon fire rose and fell without end.
At Old Du Lin's shop, a burly, tattooed man pushed open the door and squeezed inside.
He came to the counter, reached back, and dragged a chair behind him, bending it under his weight.
His massive frame instantly occupied most of the space, exuding a sense of oppression.
Old Du Lin raised an eyebrow, frowned, put down the half-repaired machine in his hand, and declared first:
"I don't want to get involved in your gang's disputes. If you have nothing, get out. Don't affect my business."
"Don't be like that, Big Brother."
The tattooed man leaned his arms on the counter and said,
"Weren't you also a snake and rat of Black Alley before? And... the biggest one at that."
"Heh..." Old Du Lin sneered, "Get to the point if you have something. There's no alcohol here, and it's not a place for reminiscing. Besides, I'm no longer your Big Brother."
The tattooed man didn't argue and stated directly:
"I want to post a commission."
"A commission? I don't take normal commissions here."
The tattooed man nodded and slowly said:
"I have several gambling dens under me; they are the main source of income for our Tie Shu Gang. But recently, we've encountered some particularly lucky customers who can win most of our gold pounds in one night. This is very abnormal."
"Lucky Gamblers?" Old Du Lin raised an eyebrow, "If they could win half, would you let them go?"
"Naturally not."
The tattooed man straightened slightly, the tattooed beast on his back glaring ferociously.
"But we put in a lot of effort and still couldn't catch him; there were always various coincidences stopping us. However... a few days later, we found his body in the sewer, a tragic death."
Old Du Lin frowned and pondered for a few seconds:
"You just said... 'some customers'?
"There's more than one such lucky person?"
"Yes."
The tattooed man said,
"Just yesterday, two more came.
"All the chips in the entire place gathered on them.
"But luckily, they went against each other, betting wildly.
"The one who won left safely; the one who lost was crushed to death by a loose signboard just as he walked out the door.
"So, I want to commission you to help me investigate this matter."
Old Du Lin's expression gradually became serious:
"It certainly seems like something from the mysterious side is causing it."
He pondered for a while and decided to accept the commission.
"Leave a deposit, and I'll contact you once I find someone willing to take it."
The large tattooed man nodded, stood up, and left the shop.
Outside, gunshots erupted.
Old Du Lin listened to the commotion, preparing to take a short nap, but not long after, the door opened again.
The newcomer was an enchanting lady with dark purple skin, a vibrant red dress accentuating her alluring charm.
Old Du Lin instantly jolted, leaping out from behind the counter with a plop, hurrying forward to greet her obsequiously:
"Oh~~ My dear, it must have been the Goddess of Luck blowing in the night wind that brought you here."
"Stop your glib talk, old dwarf."
The enchanting lady nudged Old Du Lin with her high heel, casually walked behind the counter, and casually lay down on Old Du Lin's own mechanical reclining chair.
Old Du Lin chuckled, pushed another stool over to elevate himself, and skillfully began massaging the lady's shoulders.
"My dear, what are you doing here?"
"Nothing, can't I come?"
"Oh, no, of course you can, I welcome you immensely." Old Du Lin was utterly fawning, standing on his tiptoes to press her shoulders hard.
The lady chuckled softly, naturally enjoying the old dwarf's service.
This person was none other than the 'landlady of this building' whom Old Du Lin had once mentioned to Andy.
The landlady crossed her legs, casually glanced at the commission the large tattooed man had just left, and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow:
"Old dwarf, didn't you say you wouldn't interfere in Black Alley's disputes anymore?"
Old Du Lin paused, his hand movements slightly slowing, his tone becoming somber:
"This commission is very likely to involve the mysterious side. I haven't violated our agreement."
The landlady smiled, with a hint of disdain:
"You haven't violated the agreement, but have you considered that this is a bait? A bait to drag you... or to drag me into trouble."
Old Du Lin immediately frowned.
The landlady uncrossed and recrossed her legs, continuing:
"Back then, you almost unified Black Alley. Some people above hated you to the core, and I was the one who saved you.
"Now, don't you think the situation outside is very similar to back then?
"There are new gangs rising, three gangs are in conflict, and the mysterious side is involved."
Old Du Lin didn't speak, but his expression gradually became solemn.
"Of course, this is just a possibility," the landlady said, "This commission can be investigated by someone, but not by an old-timer in the circle."
A young figure flashed through Old Du Lin's mind, and he said in a deep voice:
"I know what to do."
The landlady nodded, kicked off her high heels, and propped her slender, black-stockinged legs on the counter:
"I'm tired. Carry me to bed."
Old Du Lin's body stiffened, and he forced a rigid smile:
"My dear, have you been borrowing power from those things again recently? Ah, I'm not saying this to criticize, but those things have huge side effects and are very damaging to your body. You should retire with me behind the scenes."
"Heh, do you think I don't want to?"
The landlady scoffed,
"The matter of puppets replacing living people has already caused a huge stir, leading to a lot of mutual suspicion among people.
"The Empire will probably make new moves soon, but the governors of the various districts in New Continent are still two-faced, stabbing each other in the back.
"Still talking about independence? Heh heh... Do you want independence?"
Old Du Lin was stunned, then smiled fawningly:
"I don't need independence; I only need to rely on my dear."
The landlady smiled, pleased, and raised a hand to hook Old Du Lin's neck: "You, you're just a liar... So, can I sleep now?"
Old Du Lin's body stiffened:
"Look at me, I'm all sweaty. I'll go take a shower first!"
Then, under the landlady's playful gaze, he slipped into the cubicle.
Old Du Lin pulled out a bottle of pink potion, tenderly touched his waist, gritted his teeth, and chugged the potion in his hand.
For the rent for the second half of the year, he'd go all out!
...
Meanwhile, at the Mi Ling Detective Agency residence.
The weather was gradually turning to summer; the night wind was not cool.
Li Andy, after showering, sat on his bed in a T-shirt and shorts, observing his surroundings with his mystic mirror.
He discovered that the haunted house next door, which also hadn't sold, had actually been sold not long after he left that afternoon.
Just as he was about to observe who this mysterious person was, a small figure in a thin nightgown, barefoot and on tiptoes, quietly pushed open the door.
"Brother, are you asleep?"
