Chapter 146 - 146 IV

Words : 1246 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

146: IV. The aftermath of the Asylum 146: IV. The aftermath of the Asylum Smoke rose from the dark red cigar tip, turning into a persistent, wispy fog against the ceiling. Blinds were drawn across the windows of the office area, dimming the yellow glow of an electric lamp. Behind the desk sat two silhouettes, one of whom stood up, discarded the cigar, and extended a hand to Lu Li. “Mr. Lu Li, good evening. I am Deputy Chief Valentine,” Valentine said, donning a duckbill cap and draped in a dark grey tweed coat, which made him look more like a great detective than a deputy chief. “The exorcist, Lu Li.” Lu Li removed his top hat and lightly touched hands with the other man. He had revealed his identity outside the asylum that night, so there was no need to hide it this time. His gaze lingered momentarily on the figure sitting beside Valentine before moving away. “First of all, I would like to thank you exorcists for the contributions you have made to Belfast,” Valentine said as he sat back down behind the desk, signaling Lu Li to also take a seat. His opening words were sincere. This was interesting—most of the residents behind the mountains considered themselves Belfast City residents, always identifying as Belfast people. “Vinson has already informed me of the situation, but we would like to know more details.” Lu Li did not speak, his eyes falling on the man sitting next to Valentine. “Let me introduce myself, Joel, Watchman.” Just as Lu Li did not hide his identity, the man in plain clothes did not conceal his either. “I’ve never seen you before. A new face.” Valentine’s smile stiffened slightly on his face, and he gestured to Joel not to be so rigid. Realizing the tone of his own voice, Joel waved his hand and said, “My apologies... If you understand the nature of our work, you would understand our suspicions.” This Watchman was surprisingly easy to talk to, and normal. Lu Li had expected that a person who directly faced the strange would become a bit neurotic. “I can understand now.” Lu Li, who had recently become aware of his own situation, empathized with their vigilant approach. “So, what would you like to ask?” Valentine continued, “About Richard, do you know anything about him?” Lu Li replied calmly, “I’ve told Officer Vinson all I knew that night. Apart from that evening, I had no other interactions with Richard. However, if you want to know about his character, I might be able to say something.” Joel took a draw from his cigar, but the end did not light up; neglected for too long, it had gone out. Too lazy to light it again, he tossed the cigar on the table and spread his hands, gesturing, “Please, go ahead.” “A madman with his own logic,” said Lu Li. Valentine waited for a while, then, seeing that Lu Li had nothing more to add, asked in puzzlement, “That’s it?” “That’s enough,” Joel interrupted Valentine’s query, furrowing his brow. “Does this mean we can’t reason out Richard’s purpose or his next move?” “Mm-hmm,” Lu Li nodded, sharply noting the sorrow deep in Valentine’s eyes. “Is something wrong?” Lu Li suddenly asked. Valentine and Joel exchanged looks, Valentine subtly nodding. “I—” “You can’t go in, Baron!” “Miss, you mustn’t—” The office door suddenly erupted with a raucous noise. As all three sets of eyes fell on the door, it banged open with a loud crash. Baron Joseph, who should have been outside undergoing an investigation, stormed into the office. Stepping elegantly, a pair of long, fair legs extended beneath her dark red luxurious gown, she walked up to Lu Li, enveloping him in the intense scent of her perfume. Baron Joseph’s fingertip lifted Lu Li’s chin, her hoarse voice spilling from her red lips, “Man, I like your eyes.” Lu Li’s gaze fell, staring at the woman with exaggerated makeup that imparted a startlingly dramatic beauty, “So you want to gouge them out and keep them?” A curious light danced in Baron Joseph’s eyes, intrigued by Lu Li’s bizarre response. Before she could speak, Valentine’s angry voice came from the side, “You two, get Baron Joseph out of my office!” The officers outside the door sprang into action, squeezing into the office to remove Baron Joseph, only to be stopped by the rush of a short butler with thick, round glasses. Baron Joseph’s eyes narrowed suddenly, releasing Lu Li momentarily to turn and coldly snap, “Back off, scoundrel! Do you really want to face a lawsuit for laying hands on a noble?” “Deal with your own troubles first, Baron Joseph,” Valentine scoffed. “We are discussing something very important. If you don’t leave now, the Watch Town Police Station will add assaulting an officer and intrusion into a private setting to the charges against you.” “Aren’t you afraid of being engulfed by my wrath?” Baron Joseph sneered coldly, but when turning towards Lu Li, she softened into that sweet, passionate demeanor again, casting seductive looks that could make hearts race. Although she liked to play with men, she wasn’t foolish. Trouble-ridden as she was, she knew not to invite new problems for the time being. “Wait for me, sweetheart.” Baron Joseph blew a kiss to Lu Li, her smile vanishing and her cheeks turning cold as she turned away and left the office. The officers crammed by the door hastily cleared a path for her exit. “Lulu.” Standing at the office door, Baron Joseph called out without turning back. “Baron,” the small butler closed the door and stood aside with his hands tied. “Within an hour, I want all the information on that man inside. Oh, and after finding his address, send a truckload of tulips to his house,” she ordered. ... “Mr. Luli, if I may presume to advise you...” Baron Joseph’s departure allowed Valentine to breathe a sigh of relief, clearly not as confident as he had appeared before. He gave a pained smile and looked at Lu Li, “...you might have caught her eye.” “How could she be here?” Lu Li countered. As someone who read several newspapers daily, he was not unfamiliar with Baron Joseph. Valentine spread his hands, exasperated, “If you’ve been keeping up with the news of late, you’d realize someone is suing Baron Joseph. Unfortunately, the one suing Baron Joseph is from Watch Town.” “Is Baron Joseph wealthy?” Lu Li mused. “Her wealth is enough to buy half of Watch Town, or even the whole town,” Valentine marveled, his tongue all but tied. Even as deputy chief at the police station, he couldn’t fathom the amount of wealth that could purchase half a town. “Alright, let’s pause the chat about this scandalous noble for a moment,” Joel interjected. Lu Li nodded and asked, “So what happened?” As his inquiry ended, Lu Li noticed that the brief moment of relief brought by Baron Joseph’s intrusion was fading away. “Do you remember Vinson and the officer from that night?” The tension and solemnity spread in the brightly lit office. A hint of pain shone deep in Valentine’s eyes as he spoke in a low tone. “They’ve all gone mad.”

Chapter 146 - 146 IV

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