A Night Watch grabbed Stirling's badge, looked it over, and then handed it to another one. The other person glanced at the badge and didn't take it. Instead, he pulled a yellow bead from his pocket and walked around the room with it. Without findings, the two men reunited. The one holding the bead subtly shook his head at the other.
"I heard William recommended you here. So, are you familiar with him?" At this moment, one of them has asked.
"Not quite; a chance encounter." Stirling thought on the double before speaking.
"Well, things have been going on in the Three Rivers District lately. If you see anything unusual, please report it to the Night Watch immediately." The two men nodded, then said something and left.
Seeing them off, Stirling paced for a bit. Then he locked the door and hurried to the dojo. After Stirling left, two figures emerged from the corner of the street nearby. They were two Night Watch members from earlier.
"What do you think?" one asked, looking at Stirling's back.
"The divination bead didn't react. Not him."
"Few people from out-of-state make it here alive. So, how to leave so much money behind? You know William, the guy. If he were a fat sheep, William wouldn't let him go without a fuss." Another said reluctantly.
"William either made a mistake or wasn't sure he could hold this guy back then. So, to settle for less, he gave him a recommendation and accepted the referral fee."
"Go to the Kim Dojo at noon to check. If there's no problem, keep an eye. This Pathos man has been getting more active lately. The higher-ups told us to investigate house by house, but what can we find?" one person said, a hint of impatience on his face.
"Guard your tongue. I heard the Yearning Palace already knows about this and has sent a special envoy." Another low tone.
"Special envoy? Why would an envoy from Yearning Palace come to this damn place? Patrol Shaman doesn't care?"
"Don't spread the word. It's confidential yet. I have a good friend at Patrol Shaman, and I've found out."
"This is interesting. Do you know who the special envoy is this time?"
"Have no idea. Things are getting weirder and weirder. We must be careful recently."
"Sure."
...
Stirling walked down the street looking calm. But indeed, he was furious. If he hadn't buried some sensitive items in the ground inside the house, it could have been dangerous.
At this moment, Stirling was extremely grateful to have joined the dojo. He reminded himself that in this chaotic world, he must full use all valuable resources to survive. Force, strategy and network are all indispensable.
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A quarter of an hour later, Stirling arrived at the dojo's door. After patting the dust off the clothes, Stirling walked in. Then Stirling noticed a stranger standing there when he arrived in the backyard.
The man wore a cyan Flying Cloud suit. Above the clouds on the hem was an eagle. This showed he had a higher status than the two men who questioned him. Stirling's footsteps caught the man's ear for a moment. But when he saw Stirling's strange look, he lost interest and kept talking to Figo.
"Luis, hurry, come here!" Julio waved to Stirling and whispered.
Seeing this, Stirling hurried over and stood with Julio.
"From Night Watch?" Stirling asked.
"Yes, and he is also our third senior brother, Pillnar," Julio said.
"Nice!" A flicker of surprise crossed Stirling's face, and then he asked, "Is he back to visit the dojo?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen Senior Brother Pillnar much, but it seems he isn't back to see the Master," Julio murmured.
"Hey, hey, hey, what are you talking about?" Joe Mosley leaned over and asked the two.
"What else can I say? Just senior brother Pillnar." Unlike the cautious Stirling, Julio spoke with a carefree attitude.
"Keep your voice down. If a Bone Forging Realm Samurai has his ear bones opened, his ears will not miss any movements of a mosquito within a radius of fifty meters. Aren't you afraid of getting so up close?" Joe Mosley chuckled.
"Huh?" Julio, unknowing of this secret, looked panicked.
Stirling shook his head and continued to ask Julio, "When did he arrive?"
"Just now," Julio said.
"Hmm, the timing matches. Looks like it's about the Pathos mouse," Stirling muttered.
"What, the Pathos?" Julio was astonished.
Joe Mosley, who was standing nearby, immediately understood. He said to Julio, "It seems it's something about the recent Pathos malice incident in the Three Rivers District. Luis lives there."
Julio paused for a moment; then he caught the point.
Pillnar left the area and walked out of the courtyard. He seemed to have a lot on his mind.
Figo, meanwhile, saw Pillnar off. He gave everyone instructions before going to the backyard wing. He was looking for the Master.
"Luis, the outer city is unsafe now. Come and live with us," Julio said, noticing Figo's hurried look.
"No need, I can take care of myself." Stirling nodded to thank Julio for his concern.
After Figo left, everyone continued practicing as usual.
However, this time, Figo and the Master arrived shortly after they had.
"Master!"
"Master!"
Everyone bowed in greeting.
"Hmm." The Master extended his palm toward the crowd, pressing gently. He then said, "Everyone, stop for a moment. I have got something to say."
"Lately, things have been turbulent in the Outer City. The Pathos worshippers may lurk within. You must be careful."
"Your senior brother Pillnar came by and gave me a few Malice-Breaking Orbs. You'll each receive one from Julio later. It will serve as a safeguard."
"Also, Night Watch may have been active lately. If you encounter them, tell them you're from the Kim Dojo, and they won't trouble you."
Once Master Kim finished speaking, everyone in the courtyard glanced at each other. This big event still surprised them.
External Malice invasions—how many years have we not seen these?
The Master came out to speak in person, showing he took the matter seriously. It seemed as if the situation here was definitely not simple.
And Stirling, observing this scene, had a new understanding. The superiority of the dojo organization is clear at this moment.
As a top leader, he was the first to comfort the apprentices when the crisis arose. He also revealed the dojo's network. This not only reassured the apprentices but also generated significant publicity. Once this external malice matter continues fermentation, the reputation of the Kim dojo will soar to the skies. Just picture this: with the Kim dojo badge, you can face the Night Watch's interrogation with ease. Others would envy that from the bottom of their hearts!
Stirling, looking at Master Kim, can't help but have this idea.

