Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1271 - 419: Xiang Liang’s Ambitions, the Dire Situation at Hongmen, and the Decapitation Ruse with the Big Heist_4

Even counting the two months since the port's opening in July, Hongmen's homicides are conservatively pegged to top 1500 cases.

With that in mind, those 239 unsolved cases barely seem excessive.

"Across the eight towns, suspicious figures, fugitives, and criminals from every direction flock in, along with dreamers of overnight riches who shun proper purchases from the Treasure Tower with coin, craving instead to plunder by force... these types swarm like oxen, outsiders blending seamlessly into the throngs, utterly undetectable, turning case-solving into a grueling ordeal."

Hearing Bai Shanning's explanation, Xiang Liang remembered the scrolls from yesterday and declared gravely, "It's not only humans; deceitful monster techniques are cropping up too, like last month's string of decapitations, the life-stealing sound incident, and the cat demon robberies—none of which look like ordinary human deeds."

Bai Shanning nodded promptly, replying with gravity, "I went through the Hongmen Scroll too. Those three cases do smack of deceitful monster involvement. Lately, Hongmen City has hauled in plenty of solidified fire oil from Xia City, no doubt to tackle these monsters, though it's unclear if they've got leads yet."

"Deceitful monster suspicions extend far beyond those three cases. Hongmen's massive populace lacks a lord's divine shield like Xia City's, letting monsters slip inside unseen with ease. Pinpointing them amid twenty to thirty thousand souls, however, proves fiendishly tough."

After Xiang Liang wrapped up, he tilted his head upward slightly. Coal furnaces dangled from both street sides, bathing it in light, yet after a moment's thought, he fished out a lump of solidified fire oil from his pack and gripped it for any sudden threats.

At the sight, Bai Shanning swiftly drew a piece of solidified fire oil from his bosom, intoning somberly, "To stave off panic, Hongmen Prison Department has clamped down hard on case details. It held at first, but with piling crises and murders everywhere, the reality leaked out. Hongmen folk are gripped by fear, crippling trade at the Treasure Tower and South City stores. If it drags on, a mass flight could erupt soon."

"They likely summoned us two as fire-quenchers, to crack a handful of big cases fast and steady the city's nerves."

Xiang Liang nodded at once, "A hundred prison envoys wouldn't cut it; they must bolster numbers nonstop. The crisis is dire—we've got to smash some cases quick, nab the true villains, and deliver justice."

Determination flickered in both men's eyes. Cracking cases stands as their prime duty, crucial for climbing to Golden Order Prison Warden and future ascents. They approach it with utmost gravity, naturally.

"Pick up the pace! I'm raring to dive into the probe!"

No sooner had Xiang Liang spoken than he bolted ahead.

Bai Shanning chuckled and hastened after him.

......

The ninth year of Great Xia, February 20, late night

Hongmen, South City street

Pedestrians stream back and forth, merchants' hawking cries ring without cease, the scene pulses with fervor.

Coal furnaces dot the street in abundance, joined by glows from flanking houses, rendering South City's main artery aglow like midday sun.

Vendors, hawkers, wanderers, locals, children threading alleys, armored sentries on rounds... beneath the blaze, their shadows weave distinctive patterns on the ground, crafting a vivid portrait brimming with life's raw energy.

"Brother Zhu, Brother Li, another day... another day... I'll foot the bill, us three... gotta... drink our fill, yeah?"

"Deal, Brother Zheng, get some rest!"

"I ain't drunk much, not much... just a jin or so... huh?"

"Brother Zheng, city's been rough lately—let us see you home!"

"Nah... nah... you've been in Hongmen five days, you're the guests—guests don't escort hosts! Go on, back to the inn, I'll hit you up tomorrow night."

"Fine... alright! Brother Zheng's place ain't far anyway."

"Yeah, yeah, quit frettin', you guys scram quick."

Near a South City restaurant's alley mouth, three middle-aged fellows jostled amiably, one slurring his words from heavy drinking.

Still, he waved off help stubbornly, shooing the other two away, eyed the lively street, fixed his homeward path, and staggered into the alley astern.

Hongmen's South City boasts a single main drag, two kilometers long and fifteen meters broad, crammed with all shops and stalls—including the Treasure Tower—along its edges.

Eastern and western rear zones count as living quarters.

The population boom slamming Hongmen prompted Civil Affairs to carve up residential spots strictly:

North City for Great Xia natives, barring shopkeeps and Treasure Tower staff—no exceptions;

South City for outlanders; homes here rent monthly or sell outright. Renting's a breeze and cheap; buying demands first snagging Hongmen permanent residency via Civil Affairs or swearing fealty to Great Xia, granting purchase rights.

The sloshed Zheng fellow veering residential-ward clearly dwells in South City.

The alley kicked off bright from shop lamps, rivaling the main street, but deeper in, lights faded, leaving just house fires on either side, dimming sight sharply.