Chapter 7: Chapter Seven: Sir, You Can Cross-dress

He didn't hear their conversation.

But he could clearly feel the urgency of Gelan Chang, or rather, desperate measures and almost uncontrollable dark tactics.

First, as an outsider detective who possesses nothing and cannot prove his identity.

Gelan Chang didn't bother to investigate and easily accepted Tang Luo's identity.

Moreover, they gave Tang Luo a document that allowed him to act as he pleased.

With this document, Tang Luo effectively had the status of an auxiliary police officer.

He could also enter residents' homes to search, as long as he showed the document.

Carrying a gun was no problem either.

Furthermore, Gelan Chang also gave Tang Luo relatively confidential internal data, along with their investigative findings, all handed over directly.

This even included a suspect list that should by no means have been given out.

The investigator who received Tang Luo, after giving the suspect list, frantically hinted that the Ripper was definitely one of these people, possibly even all of them.

Except that there was no evidence.

Gelan Chang found it hard to act themselves, hoping that this distant foreign detective, Xuanzang, could find the evidence.

Once the real culprit is caught, there will be a generous reward immediately.

They especially emphasized the words "caught" and "reward".

Tang Luo merely nodded, unsure whether he understood Gelan Chang's hint, and left with the documents and materials.

The hint was actually quite simple.

It was simply to have Tang Luo apprehend someone at any cost, even if they weren't the real culprit.

At least they wanted an explanation.

Because Tang Luo was an outsider, after settling the matter he could just pat his butt and leave.

Even if the Ripper later reappeared to commit crimes, Gelan Chang could claim they were copycats.

If it happened several more times.

Then they would push the blame onto Tang Luo, the outsider.

Thinking more darkly, they could even arrest Tang Luo and, when necessary, throw him out to appease public anger.

In short, the focus needed to be shifted.

The public's panic and anger needed an outlet.

Using outsiders as toilet paper to wipe their backsides was most fitting.

Whether he was really a detective or not, Gelan Chang didn't care.

Of course, the best outcome would be for this foreign detective to actually catch the Ripper, Jack.

Everyone would be happy.

Tang Luo didn't take Gelan Chang's scheming to heart.

Without Gelan Chang's cooperation, how could he so easily obtain the document and instantly become an authorized detective?

As noon approached, Tang Luo returned to the inn, bringing besides the documents a few sets of clothes.

He had Xiao Chu and the others change into them.

Their clothes, especially Xiao Chu's classmate's pink pajamas, were still quite out of place.

Li Liang's clothes were also stained with blood, and if possible they naturally needed to be changed.

To better blend in with local customs.

A group gathered in Tang Luo and Li Liang's room, examining the materials.

Each one was utterly serious, brows furrowed, faces somewhat grim.

The victim photos in the materials dealt them a considerable shock.

These were still somewhat blurry black-and-white photos.

If they were color photos, the impact would likely be greater.

Tang Luo didn't participate; the Merit Jade Lotus kept rolling between his fingers.

Inside it had accumulated a trace of merit power.

It came from punishing members of the Ripper Gang.

Besides promoting good, punishing evil likewise yields merit power.

"Master, should we go to the scene or visit the victims' families?" Xiao Chu asked.

"Sure, you go. Bring the copies, keep the original." Tang Luo said, rehanging the Merit Jade Lotus around his neck.

Because Tang Luo said he had an assistant, they might split up.

The document Gelan Chang gave was in triplicate: one original, two copies.

"Master, aren't you going?" Xiao Chu asked.

Tang Luo shook his head: "No, my detective identity is fake; I can only fight a bit, not even as good as Hua Sheng who spots blind spots—going would just waste time and effort, so you go."

"I'm not going either."

Li Liang spoke up as well.

With his weak tone and pale complexion, the others didn't feel right dragging him along.

Actually, they weren't too keen to accompany Li Liang either.

Who knows if this guy actually has any issues?

Better to keep a respectful distance.

Only Tang Luo, skillful and bold, didn't care at all.

The remaining four—two men and two women—discussed a bit and still decided to go together; although they weren't detectives, who knows what they might find?

"By the way, do you guys know how to shoot a pistol?"

"The four were about to leave when Tang Luo suddenly spoke up."

"Everyone looked at each other, and the atmosphere instantly became awkward."

"Even if Master Xuanzang you are a monk, asking like that is going too far!"

"And there's the girl whose looks are fading day by day because she doesn't wear makeup—how are we supposed to answer?"

"Xiao Chu and the high school student Xiao Zhou obviously aren't thick‑skinned enough to openly admit it or boldly lie to deny it."

"Whoever takes this revolver can use it for self‑defense."

"Tang Luo pulled out a palm‑thunder revolver that is a bit more compact than a standard revolver."

"……"

"Master, you know speaking like that could get you beaten to death, right?"

"Xiao Chu and the others surely couldn't beat Tang Luo, so in the end the most steady‑looking Xiao Chu took the revolver."

"Tang Luo also warned them that if they encountered any gang members of the so‑called 'Ripping Gang', they must hide their knives and guns."

"To avoid being discovered and retaliated against by the other side."

"After learning that Tang Luo's wealth came from begging in this way, the expressions of the several people became even harder to maintain."

"After all, is it a ruthless person who became a monk?"

"Or is it a monk who turned ruthless? This is a question worth pondering."

"Xiao Chu and the others left."

"Li Liang lay back on the bed again, groaning, looking half‑dead."

"'Master, you struck too hard—I feel like I'm about to die.' Li Liang said to Tang Luo."

"'Amitabha, the poor monk struck with just the right amount—don't even mention death; benefactor, this isn't even a light injury.' Tang Luo said."

"'But I feel like I can't go on.'"

"Li Liang said, 'I feel as if my body has been emptied out…'"

"'Maybe your body really has been emptied out.' Tang Luo gave a strange smile."

"The smile gave Li Liang a mental jolt, and he suddenly sat up: 'What do you mean by that?'"

"'The poor monk was just speaking casually; benefactor, you don't need to take it to heart.'"

"How could Li Liang possibly not care?"

"Could it really be the same as what Zhou Zhen'guo said?"

"Was he disemboweled in the toilet?"

"When did Jack the Ripper switch careers to become a toilet war god?"

"Li Liang kept feeling over his body, but aside from the wounds on the corner of his eye and his arm, he really couldn't find any other injuries."

"'Master, you say I won't—have I already died?' Li Liang suddenly wondered."

"Tang Luo looked at Li Liang in surprise and said, 'Normally, with a setting where one is dead but unaware, the moment one realizes they are actually dead, they will collapse instantly.'"

"Li Liang confirmed he hadn't collapsed, let out a slight sigh, then picked up the thread again: 'Then there's no chance something like a disemboweler is parasitizing inside me, like an Alien, right?'"

"'Your imagination in this area is quite rich.'"

"Tang Luo gave a word of praise."

"Li Liang stopped asking questions, since asking this Master Xuanzang wouldn't yield anything anyway."

"This guy, although everyone calls him Master, is actually just a fierce warrior monk."

"He's absolutely fine in a fight; as for other aspects…"

"Li Liang could only sit there worrying, his face full of anguish, like someone who, after catching a cold and looking it up on Baidu, immediately starts writing a will."

"Meanwhile, Tang Luo closed his eyes and continued to regulate his breath to recover."

"Even a mosquito, no matter how small, is still meat; when idle, recovering a little bit is better than nothing."

"The sky grew dark."

"Xiao Chu and the others came back dust‑laden and weary, their fatigue showing on their faces."

"They washed their faces a bit, sat down, and began to discuss the case."

"At first glance it seemed quite promising."

"On closer listening, however, they were just going round and round on the clue framework given by Gran Field."

"Sherlock Holmes isn't something you can 'cultivate' just by doing a half‑day of investigation."

"After a while of discussion, everyone realized they were just repeating the same old talk, almost turning into a parrot."

"So they stopped discussing, turned to Tang Luo and asked, 'Master, do you have any ideas?'"

"At least this Xuanzang is the only 'social person' among us."

"Going out once, he 'begged' from gang members and also got us convenient identities."

"He seems quite reliable."

"So we decided you're the new big thigh!"

"'The poor monk indeed has a bold idea.' Tang Luo said."

"Among fellow players, facing the Gods and Demons Walk, Tang Luo does not intend to hide his monk identity."

"'Master, go ahead and say it.'"

"'Since we can't find Jack the Ripper, why not change our thinking and let him come find us?' Tang Luo said, also glancing at Li Liang."

"It seemed to be inspired by Li Liang."

"'How do we make him come find us?' Xiao Chu asked."

"Tang Luo took the materials given by Gran Field, opened them, and said, 'Jack the Ripper's victims span all walks of life, but they are still mainly women.'"

There were 25 victims, 15 of whom were women.

"Moreover, the crime scenes were all outdoors, and the incidents all occurred at night."

"Basically, it can be confirmed that the Ripper's preferred targets are unmarried women who stay out late wandering outside."

Li Liang recalled his own situation.

It also fits quite well—running outside to use the toilet at dawn, and not even closing the door.

Except for the fact that he's not a woman.

"I think, nowadays not many people dare to wander outside alone at night." Tang Luo said, "So we might as well give it a try—who knows, we could lure out Jack the Ripper."

Xiao Chu chuckled and said, "Master, are you planning to enforce the law by fishing?"

"Yes." Tang Luo said, "Which of the two female donors would be willing to act as bait? The poor monk will do his utmost to protect your safety."

The room fell silent all at once.

Bait—that's a dangerous job; one slip and you'll die.

Who would volunteer?

"Master, actually we can take it slow; we don't need to be so aggressive," said one of the girls.

"Yes, yes, yes."

The other nodded like a pecking chick.

"Since neither of you wants to, let's drop it." Tang Luo, without any insistence, let both of them breathe a sigh of relief.

"Chu donor, how about you?"

Then Tang Luo turned his head to look at Xiao Chu.

Xiao Chu froze for a moment and said, "Master, I'm actually a guy."

"No problem, with the dark windy night, Chu donor, you can dress as a woman."