Chapter 590: Chapter 182: Worm Implantation

Li Xin’s fingers began to burn with Spiritual Ability, slowly reaching toward Qi Badao’s chest. Qi Badao suddenly screamed, and his chest abruptly bulged. Then, a gray worm burst out of his chest, lunging at Li Xin.

Li Xin quickly withdrew his hand to avoid the attack, while Justin jumped back in fright, distancing himself.

The ugly worm hissed for a while, realizing it could not reach Li Xin, and then retracted back into Qi Badao’s body. Throughout the ordeal, Qi Badao remained motionless, terrified by the monster within him. He looked up at Li Xin, ready to cry without tears, "Brother Li, I’ve long since turned over a new leaf, I’m innocent!"

This must be a modified worm, possibly related to the Little Skinner case. The Hundred Martial Hall is either secretly creating Original Embryos or perhaps has other objectives.

"This is indeed a worm, but it’s been modified. If used properly, it can significantly enhance your strength," Li Xin said. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Qi Badao stared dumbfounded at Li Xin, "Not lying to me?"

"Lying to you my ass, but after being implanted with the worm, you might develop a bloodthirsty desire, so remember, you must resist. Once you eat a person or devour another’s Spiritual Ability, you’ll mutate and become a complete monster, and then no one will be able to save you," Li Xin said.

"Then what should I do, I don’t even know if I can control it," Qi Badao said, not pretending to be brave at all.

"Then why don’t you sleep for a bit first," Li Xin thought for a moment and said.

"Huh?" Qi Badao didn’t think he could fall asleep now.

Bang!

Qi Badao collapsed at the sound, as Li Xin’s Spiritual Lock Chain bound him tightly. This restraint would last for a few hours without any issue, and he needed to make a trip back to the Shadow Owl.

"Justin, keep watch here. When he wakes up, come find me," Li Xin said.

Justin looked reluctant; he didn’t want to stay with a monster, but he glanced at the pitiable Qi Badao and could only suppress his urge to run away.

Li Xin left and called for a carriage to the Shadow Owl. Regarding the Little Skinner case, he initially wanted to wait and see if there were any other variables, also to see Jiang Wu’s stance. But now there’s no choice, as he knows very little about the worms and suspects the Night Patrol knows how to deal with them.

With some added money, the carriage sped all the way to the Shadow Owl. Li Xin jumped off, and the gatekeeper Meng Po immediately smiled upon seeing him, "Li Yinxiao."

"Sister Meng, is the captain here?"

"The captain is here."

"Sister Meng, come along, there’s a new development in the case," Li Xin said.

Meng Po didn’t hesitate and followed Li Xin upstairs, where Jiang Wu was leisurely watering his mandrake flowers. Seeing Li Xin, he also smiled, "Isn’t this the famous Li Yinxiao from the Canon Law School."

"Captain, there’s a new development in the Little Skinner case," Li Xin got straight to the point. He wasn’t clear about Jiang Wu’s background, but there wasn’t much time to worry about that now.

"Go on," Jiang Wu got serious at the mention of the case.

"I have an informant named Qi Badao who’s been undercover at the Hundred Martial Hall. Yesterday, he was implanted with a worm," Li Xin said.

In the room, both Jiang Wu and Meng Po’s expressions immediately turned serious, "Where is he now?"

"He’s in a safe house, being very careful and shutting himself in. Nothing’s happened so far. This man is my friend," Li Xin said.

He had to say this, as the Night Patrol’s methods might lead Qi Badao to being treated as a test subject.

Jiang Wu nodded, "Bring him here first, the first three days after being implanted with a worm are critical. Meng Po, have Snake Skin accompany Li Yinxiao."

"Yes, Captain."

Li Xin, along with Snake Skin, took the secret passageway from the rooftop to the South Fourth District, saving half the time, and quietly brought Qi Badao back to the Shadow Owl.

Qi Badao awoke to find himself in a morgue, his whole body instantly cold. Seeing Li Xin only eased him a little. Surrounded by unfamiliar Shadow Owls, despite having worked for the Night Patrol for some time, he still felt like a mouse encountering a cat.

Old Tuo unbuttoned Qi Badao’s clothing, touching his chest. The cold touch instantly covered Qi Badao with goosebumps. As Old Tuo’s chilly Spiritual Ability appeared, Qi Badao’s chest fluctuated, and the worm emerged. Meng Po deftly intervened, and with a flash of Spirit Ointment, the worm was restrained, causing pain to flash across Qi Badao’s face.

"Endure it," Jiang Wu said.

Old Tuo, wearing black gloves of some unknown material, grabbed the worm, which surprisingly ceased struggling. Old Tuo stroked the worm, opened its mouthpiece, then followed the worm down to its base.

"Modified."

Jiang Wu nodded, and Meng Po released the restraint. The worm quickly burrowed back into Qi Badao.

"Let him sleep a while," Jiang Wu said.

"No, don’t hit, I’ll behave myself and stay still," Qi Badao quickly said.

"You’re now in the adaptation phase, uncontrollable." Without further ado, they knocked Qi Badao, who tilted his head and lay down.

Jiang Wu looked at Li Xin, "It’s the worm type from the Little Skinner case."

"Captain, do you mean there are many types of modified worms?" Li Xin asked.

"Yes, Li Yinxiao, the methods of all major Churches are different. This modified worm is not a Church method, but the same as the worm implanted into Little Skinner case victims," Meng Po explained. "His implantation happened at the Hundred Martial Hall, there’s no way they’re not involved."

Old Tuo nodded in agreement.

"Li Yinxiao, why don’t we have a chat," Jiang Wu smiled. "Meng Po will take care of him. The first three days, he must overcome his bloodthirsty desire, and afterwards, he’ll be taught how to control the worm, but it’s a long and painful process."

Seeing Jiang Wu’s calm demeanor, Li Xin could guess that for the Shadow Owls, this wasn’t anything new. Just as he thought, the Little Skinner case runs deep.

Leaving the cold basement and returning to Jiang Wu’s captain’s room, Jiang Wu poured Li Xin a cup of tea, "This is his fate, but it might also be an opportunity."

Jiang Wu said calmly, though he didn’t believe Qi Badao had much hope. This kind of ordeal is a long process, if it were so easy, the Church would have unified the world by now.

"The Little Skinner case involves a lot, but the Night Patrol’s duty is only to catch the criminal. The Hundred Martial Hall is not something we can investigate," Jiang Wu said.

"The Hundred Martial Hall using worms, isn’t that something that concerns the Night Patrol?"

"No, such matters fall under the Church’s jurisdiction, which has a Judicial Court," Jiang Wu sipped his tea. "By rule, Qi Badao should be handed over to the Church for disposal, but one person more or less doesn’t make a difference."

If handed over to the Church’s judges, Qi Badao’s fate would be sealed. Li Xin didn’t want to cause trouble for Kathy, keeping the matter within the Shadow Owl was best.

"Thank you, Captain."

Jiang Wu smiled and waved his hand, "We’re all on the same side. Qi Badao is your man, so he’s our Night Patrol brother. But you must keep an eye on him. If something happens in the future, it’ll implicate you. How do you plan to handle him?"