Benefactor, You Can Cross-dress

Tang Luo did not hear the conversation between those people.

But he could clearly sense the anxiety of Scotland Yard, or rather, their desperation to grasp at straws and their inability to suppress the urge to use underhanded methods.

First of all, as an outsider detective with absolutely nothing to his name and no way to prove his identity.

Scotland Yard did not dig into the bottom of things at all; they accepted Tang Luo's identity with ease.

Furthermore, they provided Tang Luo with a document that allowed him to act with discretion.

With this document, Tang Luo was effectively granted the status of a "special constable."

He could even enter residents' homes to conduct searches—provided he presented this document.

Carrying a firearm was also not an issue at all.

In addition, Scotland Yard provided Tang Luo with relatively confidential internal files, handing over the results of their investigation all at once.

This even included a list of suspects that, by any measure, should not have been handed over.

The detective who received Tang Luo gave heavy hints after providing the suspect list, suggesting that Jack the Ripper was definitely one of these people, or perhaps even all of them.

It was just that there was no evidence.

Scotland Yard found it difficult to act, so they hoped this outsider detective from afar, "Xuanzang," could find the evidence.

Once the true culprit was caught, there would be a generous reward immediately.

They placed special emphasis on the words "caught" and "reward."

Tang Luo simply nodded, not showing whether he understood the hints from Scotland Yard, and left with the documents and files.

The implication was actually quite simple.

It was to have Tang Luo catch someone by any means necessary, even if it wasn't the real culprit.

At the very least, they needed to provide an explanation.

Because of Tang Luo's status as an outsider, he could just pack up and leave once the matter was settled.

Even if the Ripper committed more crimes later, Scotland Yard could just claim it was a copycat.

If it happened a few more times.

Then they could push the responsibility onto Tang Luo, the outsider.

Thinking even more darkly, they could even arrest Tang Luo and throw him out when necessary to appease public anger.

In short, the focus needed to be shifted.

The panic and anger of the public needed an outlet.

Using an outsider as toilet paper to wipe their mess was the most suitable option.

Scotland Yard didn't care if he was a real detective or not.

Of course, the best outcome would be if this outsider detective actually caught Jack the Ripper.

Then everyone would be happy.

Tang Luo did not take Scotland Yard's schemes to heart.

Without the "cooperation" of Scotland Yard, how could he have so easily obtained the documents and transformed into an authorized detective?

Approaching noon, Tang Luo returned to the hotel, bringing back a few sets of clothes in addition to the files and documents.

He told Xiao Chu and the others to change into them.

Their original clothes, especially Xiao Chu's pink pajamas, were quite out of place.

Li Liang's clothes were also stained with blood, so it was natural to change if the conditions allowed.

It was better to do as the locals do.

The group gathered in Tang Luo and Li Liang's room, flipping through the files.

Each of them looked incredibly serious, their brows furrowed and their expressions somewhat grim.

The photos of the victims in the files had a significant impact on them.

And these were still somewhat blurry black-and-white photos.

If they had been color photos, the impact would likely have been even greater.

Tang Luo did not participate, rolling the Merit Jade Lotus between his fingers.

A sliver of merit power had accumulated within it once more.

It came from the punishment of the Ripper Gang members.

Besides promoting good, punishing evil could also earn merit power.

"Master, are we going to the crime scenes next, or should we visit the victims' families?" Xiao Chu asked.

"That works. You all go ahead, take the copies, and leave the originals here for now," Tang Luo said, hanging the Merit Jade Lotus back around his neck.

Because Tang Luo had indicated that he had assistants, he suggested they might split up to act.

The documents provided by Scotland Yard came in triplicate: one original and two copies.

"Master, are you not going?" Xiao Chu asked.

Tang Luo shook his head. "I am not. My identity as a detective is a fabrication; I am merely capable of fighting. I am not even as useful as a Watson who could spot blind spots. Going would be a waste of time and energy. You all should go."

"I won't be going either."

Li Liang spoke up as well.

Given his weak tone and pale complexion, the others did not feel right about dragging him along.

In truth, they were not particularly keen on traveling with Li Liang anyway.

Who knew if this guy had any issues?

It was better to keep him at a respectful distance.

Only Tang Luo, with his high level of skill and bold heart, remained completely unbothered.

The remaining four—two men and two women—discussed it and decided to go together. Even though they were not detectives, what if they discovered something?

"Right, do any of you know how to shoot a pistol?"

Just as the four were about to leave, Tang Luo suddenly asked.

The group looked at each other, and the atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

Even if you are a monk, Master Xuanzang, asking such a question is going too far!

Besides, there was a young woman present whose appearance was becoming increasingly haggard due to the lack of makeup; how were they supposed to answer that?

Xiao Chu and the high school student Xiao Zhou clearly did not have thick enough skin to puff out their chests and admit it, nor could they bring themselves to lie and deny it.

"Whoever knows how, take this revolver. It can be used for self-defense."

Tang Luo produced the Palm Thunder revolver, which was more compact than a standard handgun.

"..."

Master, do you know that you are liable to get beaten to death talking like that?

Xiao Chu and the others certainly could not beat Tang Luo, so in the end, Xiao Chu, who looked the most reliable, took the revolver.

Tang Luo also cautioned them that if they encountered members of the so-called Ripper Gang, they must be sure to hide their knives and guns.

This was to avoid being discovered and retaliated against.

After learning how Tang Luo acquired his money through "alms-begging," it became even harder for the others to maintain their expressions.

Whether a ruthless man had become a monk, or a monk had become a ruthless man, was a question worth pondering.

Xiao Chu and the others departed.

Li Liang lay back down on the bed, groaning and moaning, looking half-dead.

"Master, you were too ruthless. I feel like I'm about to die," Li Liang said to Tang Luo.

"Amitabha. This Monk knows his own strength; far from dying, Benefactor, this does not even count as a minor injury," Tang Luo replied.

"But I feel like I'm not going to make it."

Li Liang said, "I feel like my body has been hollowed out..."

"Perhaps your body really has been hollowed out," Tang Luo said with a strange smile.

The smile caused Li Liang to "perk up" mentally, and he sat bolt upright. "What do you mean by that?"

"This Monk was merely speaking off the cuff; Benefactor need not take it to heart."

How could Li Liang not take it to heart?

Could it really be as Zhou Zhenguo said?

Had he been disemboweled in the restroom?

When did Jack the Ripper change his profession to become the God of War of the Restroom?

Li Liang reached out and felt all over his body, but apart from the wounds on the corner of his eye and his arm, he truly could not find any other injuries.

"Master, you don't think I'm already dead, do you?" Li Liang wondered aloud.

Tang Luo gave Li Liang a surprised look and said, "Usually, in settings where one is dead without realizing it, the moment they realize they are actually dead, they drop dead immediately."

Li Liang confirmed he had not dropped dead and breathed a slight sigh of relief, only for his anxiety to return immediately. "Then, could there be some kind of Ripper living inside me, like an Alien?"

"You certainly have a vivid imagination in this regard," Tang Luo complimented.

Li Liang stopped asking questions; he wouldn't get any sense out of this Master Xuanzang anyway.

Although everyone called him a Master, in reality, he was just a ferocious martial monk.

He was definitely capable of fighting, but as for other things...

Li Liang could only sit there, filled with worry and wild thoughts, his face full of misery, much like someone who starts writing their will after Googling their cold symptoms.

On the other side, Tang Luo closed his eyes to continue regulating his breath and recovering.

Even the smallest mosquito is still meat; with nothing better to do, every bit of recovery counts.

The sky gradually grew dark.

Xiao Chu and the others hurried back, dusty and travel-worn, their exhaustion impossible to hide.

After a quick wash, they sat down to begin discussing the case.

At first glance, it seemed as though they were making great progress.

Listen closely, however, and they were actually just spinning in circles within the framework of clues provided by Scotland Yard.

One does not simply "become" a Holmes after a few hours of investigative interviews.

After discussing for a while, everyone realized they were just repeating themselves, practically turning into broken records.

They stopped the discussion and looked toward Tang Luo, asking, "Master, do you have any thoughts?"

At the very least, this Xuanzang was the only "experienced adult" among them.

In one trip, he had "begged for alms" from gang members and even secured them identities that allowed for greater freedom of action.

He seemed very reliable.

It was decided: he was their new golden thigh to cling to!

"This Poor Monk does indeed have a bold idea," Tang Luo said.

In front of fellow players and God and Demon Walkers, Tang Luo did not intend to hide his identity as a monk.

"Tell us, Master."

"Since we cannot find Jack the Ripper, why not change our thinking and let him find us?" Tang Luo said, casting a glance at Li Liang.

It seemed he had been inspired by Li Liang.

"How do we make him come to us?" Xiao Chu asked.

Tang Luo took the files provided by Scotland Yard and flipped them open, saying, "The Ripper's victims span all walks of life, but they are still predominantly female."

Of the 25 victims, 15 were women.

"Furthermore, the crime scenes were all outdoors, and the incidents all occurred at night."

"It can basically be determined that the Ripper prioritizes targets who are lone women wandering outside late at night."

Li Liang recalled his own situation.

It seemed to fit quite well—he had gone outside to use the restroom at dawn and hadn't even closed the door.

Except for the fact that he wasn't a woman.

"I imagine that now, at night, there aren't many people who dare to wander outside alone," Tang Luo said. "So, we might as well give it a try; perhaps we can lure Jack the Ripper out."

Xiao Chu quipped, "Master, you're planning on fishing for lawbreakers, aren't you?"

"Correct," Tang Luo said. "Between the two female benefactors, I wonder who is willing to act as bait? This Poor Monk will do his utmost to protect your safety."

The room fell silent at once.

Bait—that was a dangerous job; one slip-up and you could die.

Who would be willing?

"Master, actually, we can take it slow. There's no need to be so aggressive," one of the girls said.

"Right, right, right."

The other nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

"Since the two of you are unwilling, then let us drop it." Tang Luo showed no sign of forcing them, causing both to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Benefactor Chu, how about you?"

Tang Luo then turned his head to look at Xiao Chu.

Xiao Chu froze for a moment and said, "Master, I'm a man."

"No matter. On a dark and windy night, Benefactor Chu, you could dress as a woman."

Friends, do you have any recommendation tickets?