Detective

Bai Lang stepped on the gas pedal, driving the police car straight ahead.

The police car sped along, and within ten minutes, Bai Lang had brought Ryan back to the Gotham City Police Headquarters from the Iceberg Lounge.

"Bai Lang!"

As soon as he entered the police station, Director Gordon strode towards him.

As if due to yesterday's case, he had dark circles under his eyes that almost covered his entire eye sockets, and his brown hair, streaked with gray, lay flat on his forehead.

He seemed utterly exhausted, clearly worn out by the string of major cases recently.

"Every officer promoted to detective gets a brief ceremony, followed by a small press conference to announce to the entire city that our Gotham Headquarters has gained a few more detectives."

As he spoke, he led Bai Lang towards the grand hall where the press conference was to be held.

As for Ryan, he stood behind them, watching their retreating figures with a look of envy in his eyes.

The two arrived at the grand hall, where over a dozen reporters Gordon had arranged were already eagerly waiting.

On the stage stood three middle-aged men, who appeared to be the other individuals promoted to detective this time.

The ceremony was originally scheduled for another day, but since Bai Lang had agreed, Gordon had set the date for today.

Bai Lang stood among the group, and Gordon pinned the detective's medal, symbolizing their new status, onto his chest.

After a simple oath, the four of them were to head out to investigate cases.

The media, meanwhile, eagerly reported on Gotham's four newly appointed detectives, heralding a new era of order in the city's security.

By the time all this was done, it was already three in the afternoon. After eating, before Gordon could even assign officers to him, Bai Lang prepared to drive the police car with Ryan to the Iceberg Lounge.

He remembered being told he didn't have the qualifications to investigate this case. Now, having been promoted to detective, he wanted to see if he could investigate it!

Just then, a voice from the side interrupted Bai Lang's thoughts.

"Are you two still going to the Iceberg Lounge to investigate the 'Laughing Man' case?"

At the entrance of the temporary headquarters building, Bai Lang turned around and saw two white officers, Hunter and White, standing behind him.

"We can't just let the criminal run free, can we?" Bai Lang glanced at them and replied.

Seeing that they were still going out to investigate, Hunter couldn't help but ask.

"Didn't you run into the Joker this morning, or get kicked out by those three detectives, Ollie?"

"We got kicked out, so what?" Bai Lang raised an eyebrow and retorted.

"You two officers were kicked out this morning, and you're still going this afternoon? Aren't you afraid those three detectives will cause trouble for you?"

White's face showed a hint of timidity, as if recalling unpleasant memories.

Hunter nodded in agreement beside him. It was clear that they had gone out to investigate the case that morning and had no idea Bai Lang had been promoted to detective.

"Who said I'm still an officer?" Bai Lang shook his head and then got into the police car with Ryan.

Hunter watched the departing police car, his mind replaying Bai Lang's words.

"What did he mean by that?"

"If he's not an officer, did he get promoted to detective?"

"How is that possible?" White scoffed beside him. "He wasn't on the list that was released earlier."

However, as they turned around, they saw a screen on the television in the main hall displaying Bai Lang taking his oath, with Director Gordon pinning the detective's medal on him.

"Isn't that Bai Lang from just now?" Hunter looked at the image on the TV, then turned his head to look in the direction the police car had left.

"It... it must be..." White looked somewhat bewildered. The other person had only been a police officer for three years; how could he possibly become a detective now?

How could this be possible?

But the fact remained, the news of Bai Lang becoming a detective was being reported all over Gotham.

The police car sped down the road and soon arrived at the entrance of the Iceberg Lounge.

Second floor of the Iceberg Lounge.

The hall was bright and spacious, with smooth marble flooring reflecting soft light.

In the center stood a massive crystal chandelier, beneath which was a circle of exquisite leather sofas.

Around the sofas were several low coffee tables, laden with delicate porcelain tea sets and fruit platters.

Penguin Oswald was currently in discussion with three detectives.

"The three detectives have been cooperating with us for a long time. We hope you can look into the matter of our police officer who died at our establishment previously."

"That is our duty," replied the portly Black detective, sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed.

"Detectives, you cannot go in there!"

Suddenly, a panicked voice came from outside the door.

Penguin Oswald frowned and looked towards the entrance.

The room door slowly opened, revealing two figures – Bai Lang and Ryan.

"Officers, I recall making myself perfectly clear. You are not qualified to investigate this case."

The portly Detective Ollie stood up abruptly, his face a mask of reprimand.

"We are currently gathering detailed clues regarding the Joker's whereabouts with Oswald. If this causes any delays in the investigation, can the two of you bear the consequences?!"

Beside him, the other two detectives and six officers wore expressions of impatience.

"How could we not be qualified?"

Bai Lang walked forward slowly, his expressionless gaze sweeping over the surrounding police officers.

Seeing that a mere junior officer like Bai Lang dared to talk back to him, the Black Detective Ollie scoffed.

"Heh, didn't I explain it clearly to you this morning? This case is extremely dangerous. Unless you are a detective or are led by a detective, officers are not permitted to investigate the 'Laughing Man' case on their own!"

"Who said I wasn't a detective?" Bai Lang retorted.

"You!" Another White Detective was about to scold him, but upon seeing the detective badge on Bai Lang's black uniform, he immediately shut his mouth.

Meanwhile, Penguin Oswald had already noticed that Bai Lang's badge was the same as Ollie's – a detective's badge.

Therefore, he said nothing.

"Am I allowed to investigate this case now?" Bai Lang leaned in front of the Black Detective Ollie, looking down at him.

Ollie stared at him, his dark, weathered face almost turning red.

But he couldn't utter a single word.

"Gentlemen detectives, since we are all on equal footing, why must we be so confrontational?" It was Oswald who stepped in to mediate.

Bai Lang turned to look at him. As expected of the Penguin.

In most universes, the Penguin eventually ruled Gotham, precisely because he was a politician who changed Gotham from the roots.

Bai Lang sat down on the sofa, and a corner of the soft cushion immediately sagged.

"Where did those people who died in the abandoned factory frequent?"

Although the Joker's actions were often illogical, he was never careless when selecting his test subjects.

Therefore, these people must have had something in common, perhaps a place they often visited or a certain trait.

"They went camping together near the Gotham Reservoir before."

Great, looks like I have to go to the reservoir.

Bai Lang asked a few more questions, but Oswald didn't have clear answers to many of them.

Seeing that Oswald couldn't provide any more clues, Bai Lang got up and left with Ryan.

Oswald's gang was involved in various criminal activities in secret.

Furthermore, they had bribed many government officials and police officers.

If he could expose the criminal activities here in advance, he might gain a decent amount of Ability Points.

After Bai Lang and Ryan left, the Black Detective Ollie let out a cold snort.

"He's only just become a detective and he's already so arrogant. If he becomes a captain in the future, won't he disregard even the commissioner?!"

"Detective Ollie, please calm yourself. It's normal for young people to be spirited."

"If something were to happen during the investigation, an accident, and he were to die, it would truly be a case of heaven envying talent."

Oswald said from the side.

Hearing the hidden meaning in Oswald's words, Ollie's angry expression instantly turned into a sinister smile.