Ke-style law enforcement officers

Chapter 46 Yaden Village

"By the way, where's your hat?"

Milo followed behind old Theon all the way from the criminal investigation team to the law enforcement hall on the first floor.

He discovered that this guy was a real veteran, not wearing any badges, hats, or masks.

"hat?"

Old Theon slowed his pace slightly, scratching his buzz-cut head as if he were genuinely thinking, but he mumbled something incoherently:

"It seems to have been lost somewhere."

“The pleasure house?” Milo reflexively recalled the story Yan had told him about the enforcer’s hat and the pleasure house.

Old Theon stopped and stared at Milo for three seconds with a look of surprise on his face.

Then, without saying anything, he continued walking forward.

Milo realized that he was most likely right.

……

Perhaps to quickly change the subject, old Theon quickened his pace. When the two arrived at the Enforcement Hall, other young enforcers were already there, fully prepared.

There were five people in total. Judging from their brand-new trench coats and perfectly wrinkle-free hats, they should be new employees who joined the company today, just like Milo. However, they were all wearing masks that covered the lower half of their faces, so no one could recognize anyone else.

It seems that the law enforcement office does indeed operate with swift and decisive efficiency.

This is only my first day at the company.

The swearing-in ceremony just ended early this morning, and now that they've received their equipment and uniforms, they're immediately assigned to duty. Goodness, they're not given any time to adjust at all.

……

"We got to know each other."

Old Theon gestured for the newcomers to meet.

But as soon as someone opened their mouth to speak, old Theon turned and walked out:

"No need to tell me the name, just remember what he looks like."

The people behind him exchanged bewildered glances, none of them able to fathom what their eccentric boss was thinking.

At old Theon's call, everyone went to the backyard and each led out a horse, gathering in the yard to await further instructions.

The other law enforcement officers in the office seemed to be used to this scene, and everyone looked at Milo and his group of six with a hint of schadenfreude.

Clearly, this is not the first time Theon has reprimanded a newcomer. Given his seniority, he has probably reprimanded everyone in the law enforcement agency.

……

"Let me briefly explain the steps of the operation."

Old Theon stood in the center of the six men, his thumbs resting on the pouches at his waist, revealing the entire operation plan:
"I've seen your overall exam scores. Among this batch of new recruits, you are relatively more suitable for frontline work. At least you know how to handle a gun. So today's mission is simple: capture someone."

Old Theon pulled a crumpled portrait from his trench coat and waved it around in front of everyone's faces:
"This man's nickname is Crocodile. I've forgotten his real name, but it doesn't matter. We've received intelligence that he'll be at a casino in a village about 40 kilometers from the city's outskirts today, carrying a large amount of cash. We need to bring him back before dark."

"The casino has sentries around the village. If we openly try to arrest people, they'll hide the casino and all the gamblers before we even enter the village. So the plan is this: we need one person to disguise themselves as a gambler, enter the casino, find the crocodile, and only after we've confirmed that the crocodile has been found can the rest of us enter the village and begin the arrest. Understand?"

The plan sounds very simple and conventional.

Everyone nodded.

"Then I'll make the arrangements directly."

Old Theon lifted the brim of Milo's hat and squinted at him for a moment:
“Your eyes are bloodshot, your skin is ashen, you don’t even have a proper hairstyle, you look like a gambling addict. You’re the one. Leave your trench coat and gun with me for now, sneak in and find the crocodile for me, and keep a close watch on it.”

"No weapons are allowed inside the village casino. Everything except money will be confiscated at the entrance, so there's no way we can have a signal gun. We can only agree on a time, 30 minutes from when you enter the casino. We'll enter the village 30 minutes later. Before we arrive, your job is to keep a close eye on the crocodile and prevent him from escaping in the chaos, understand?"

"understood."

Milo took off his hat, trench coat, and all his gear.

Old Theon was pleased with Milo's nimble hands and feet. He looked up and glanced at the others: "Any other questions?"

"Have."

The first person to ask a question was still Milo.

"explain."

"I have no money to gamble."

Milo honestly pointed out the problem.

His question stumped even old Theon.

Old Theon stared blankly for two seconds, then beckoned everyone closer. After a long pause, he finally uttered:
"Let's pool our money together, keep good records, and report any losses later for reimbursement."

……

So, including Theon, the six colleagues pooled together 1000 runes for Milo's wager. Theon contributed 500 runes, while the other newcomers and Milo were practically penniless, barely managing to scrape together 500 runes.

With this huge sum of money in his pocket, Milo felt a surge of security seeing the pained expressions on his colleagues' faces. After all, if something happened at the casino, they would have to rush to his aid because of this money, right?

"Oh, by the way, just a heads-up."

Before setting off, old Theon said to everyone with a forced smile, "The village where the casino is located is not as simple as you think. In short, be smart and don't make a mistake on your first day."

These words immediately put immense pressure on the rookie law enforcement officers on their first day of duty.

What, do those people dare to lay a hand on law enforcement officers?
Although they were not entirely convinced, judging from Old Theon's expression, he was not taking it lightly at all. Everyone's nerves immediately tightened, and they all became extremely alert, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

……

Of course, when old Theon said those words, someone had already set off with a huge sum of money. He had no idea what kind of place that casino was, and was still wondering why his eyes were still so bloodshot even though his sleep quality had improved...

……

Yaden Village.

Located in the southern suburbs of Nanwei City.

This is a village that has always been in a gray area. In the last era, it was a den of bandits, a gathering place for exiled criminals and homeless refugees. They engaged in highway robbery and had the mentality of ruling the mountains. However, there are actually no high mountains in the territory of Nanwei City, so that band of bandits was wiped out as soon as the law enforcement system was established.

However, over the years, Yaden Village has never been able to escape the shadow of the past. After the criminal gangs were dealt with, Yaden Village began to engage in some gray and marginal industries, mainly in the "service industry".

Every three to five years, Yaden Village would be rectified, but after the basic rectification was over, it would spring up again the following year, like wildfire that could not be extinguished. The leaders of those places would be arrested and imprisoned, but new people would soon take their place and develop new downlines.

Of course, the law enforcement system sees all of this. The reason it can't be eradicated is because the "root" has already bound something deep in the earth's crust that law enforcement can't touch.

Those who understand this will understand.

In layman's terms, this is a very complicated situation.

Old Theon's decision to bring the new recruits to Arden Village on their first day of service was bold, even reckless.

Milo had never set foot in this village.

However, having lived in Nanwei City for several years, I have heard others talk about the story of Yaden Village, which can be summarized in two words: casino and brothel.

Upon entering Arden Village, Milo understood why old Theon had chosen him as the undercover agent after observing the demeanor of the people coming and going.

The people here practically have the words "excessive indulgence, alcoholism, and gambling" written all over their faces.

Milo just doesn't understand. He hasn't been drinking or smoking lately, but he still looks just like these scoundrels.

Is this the calamity the Red Witch spoke of?

That’s outrageous…

……

"What are you staring at? Put your hands up!"

The guards at the casino entrance quickly searched Milo, even taking out the 1000 dollars from his pocket and snatching one without a word. Their actions were incredibly practiced and blatant.

Milo reluctantly accepted the nine banknotes handed back to him.
"Hey... since you've already taken the money, why don't you do me a favor and tell me if my hairstyle is really that bad? Everyone says it looks like a bird's nest, but there's nothing I can do about it, my hair is just really stiff..."

"If you're not going to play, then get out!" The gatekeeper's spittle almost landed on Milo's face.

Milo snatched the money and dashed into the casino, without getting his face spit on.

……

The casino is very large. It should have been a large warehouse, as the interior height is at least seven or eight meters, and there are still sacks piled up in the four corners. However, now the central area of ​​the casino is full of gambling tables, and there are quite a lot of people.

There were shouts and curses from both men and women. The gamblers, clutching banknotes, surrounded the gambling table, their faces flushed.

Milo held nine 100-dollar bills in his hand, watching the bustling crowd.

"Where the hell are we going to find someone like this?"

The gambling dens were packed with people, and everyone, regardless of gender, was smoking. The lighting was dim, and the place was filled with smoke. Under these circumstances, it would be extremely difficult to find the guy nicknamed Crocodile.

“Catch him!!!”

Milo was still thinking about how to find the crocodile, and even considered whether to stand on the gambling table and shout.

Then I saw a short man being lifted up by the casino's bodyguards.

The bodyguards were swearing and cursing:
"He dares to gamble even though he has no money! Chop off two of his fingers!"

……

The short man was lifted up and hung in front of Milo.

Milo took the opportunity to examine the man's face and almost burst out laughing.

"What a coincidence."

The people who were arrested were crocodiles.

Milo raised his hand to stop the two cursing bodyguards: "Hey, gentlemen, what did he do wrong?"

"He owes you money! What do you mean?! You want to pay it back for him?" The bodyguard glanced at the crumpled banknotes in Milo's hand and roared at him menacingly.

Milo waved his hands repeatedly: "Hey, don't talk nonsense. I'm not with him. He owes me money too. I just wanted to ask if I could join you guys. After you cut his finger, I want to beat him up. Or I can help you two cut it."

The crocodile man was dumbfounded:

"Clam?"

(End of this chapter)