194: Cross-domain crime

Standing before Gu Changfeng was Lingnan City's "Conan," the Incarnation of Death, the first person at any murder scene, Shen Bei!

The other was his elementary school classmate, Old Zhang.

The three met.

Old Zhang's expression was a bit strange: "Changfeng, you know him? This is the temporary worker I hired."

Gu Changfeng rubbed his temples: "I'd recognize him even if he were ash."

"That must be tough on you," Shen Bei said seriously, stroking his chin. "To be so certain about something that won't happen. Very pragmatic, indeed."

Gu Changfeng: ...

What did he mean?

Was he calling him superficial and full of empty words?

Gu Changfeng didn't back down, asking tentatively, "How about you try turning into ash, and see if I can recognize you?"

Shen Bei spread his hands: "We'll see if there's an opportunity."

Gu Changfeng scoffed, then suddenly remembered something, his face filled with horror: "Old Zhang, no murder happened here, did it?"

Old Zhang let out a confused "Ah?": "No, everything's normal. The customers just left."

Shen Bei was a bit displeased: "This is a bit much. Are you planning to switch to doing funerals?"

Gu Changfeng twitched the corner of his mouth: "Who told you to be the first person at a murder scene?"

Damn it.

Shen Bei almost coughed up blood from anger.

Old Zhang didn't understand what the two of them were bickering about, so he changed the subject: "Changfeng, what are you looking for me for? Is the Patrol Bureau having a group event? Let me say this first, your ticket prices will definitely be higher, but I'll give you a rebate that's absolutely fair."

Shen Bei gave a thumbs up. Old Zhang knew how to do business with official entities.

Different customer groups, different prices.

For the common people, the focus was on affordability.

Officials... if you're not expensive, they won't even respect you.

Gu Changfeng waved his hand: "How could we have time for activities! My biggest wish is to eat braised pork tomorrow."

"Now, to business."

Gu Changfeng's expression instantly turned solemn, his gaze extremely grim: "Do you have an employee named Li Wei here?"

Old Zhang nodded undeniably: "Yes, what's wrong? Did that guy commit a crime?"

"He's dead."

"Dead?"

"That's right, dead!"

Old Zhang's brows furrowed, his face clouded over: "He didn't come to work today, and I couldn't reach him. I just mentioned this to Shen Bei. If he had come to work, I wouldn't have hired a temporary worker."

Shen Bei nodded.

Gu Changfeng took a deep breath: "I just received a report. After inspecting the scene, Li Wei had a bullet wound to his forehead, and the back of his head was blown open. He's been dead for over 10 hours."

"This is..." Old Zhang sighed bitterly: "Too tragic. Li Wei was alone, no children, no parents. Alas, a broken rope always picks the thinnest spot; bad luck always favors the unfortunate."

"Wait for me a moment, I'll go get dressed and withdraw some money. I'll handle the funeral arrangements."

Gu Changfeng nodded.

His purpose in coming this time was also for this.

Li Wei was alone, someone had to collect his body.

Naturally, it fell to Old Zhang.

From Old Zhang's perspective as an ordinary person, Li Wei's death was a big deal.

After all, he was his employee.

He was somewhat saddened by it.

But from Shen Bei's perspective, Gu Changfeng seemed to be having some kind of stress reaction.

To be frank.

Although the Patrol Bureau managed the public order of ordinary people, it also got involved in the public order of Martial Artists.

The death of an ordinary person, even if it was murder.

Gu Changfeng didn't need to react so strongly, even personally coming to the swimming pool to question Old Zhang.

In reality, he could have just left it to his subordinates to take statements and then hastily concluded the case.

If they could solve it, they solved it; if not, so be it.

This was the reality of the Martial Artist world.

For ordinary people, it was still the same saying: don't provoke Martial Artists; just live within your own means.

But now, Shen Bei couldn't quite understand Gu Changfeng's actions.

Shen Bei asked in a low voice: "No, it can't be that serious..."

Gu Changfeng naturally knew what Shen Bei was thinking.

He also whispered, lowering his tone: "Usually, I wouldn't bother with cases like this; I'd leave them to my subordinates. But this time is different."

"How is it different?"

"There have already been over a hundred similar deaths to Li Wei."

Shen Bei's pupils contracted.

Over a hundred cases...

That's quite a lot.

And, they were similar cases?

This indicated that the killer was targeting specific individuals for hunting?

This was a major case, one that could cause huge social upheaval and panic.

If ordinary people panicked, the social foundation would not be stable.

"How are they similar? Why haven't I heard of such a heinous case in Lingnan City?" Shen Bei asked.

Gu Changfeng gritted his teeth, his face filled with indignation: "First, about the second point, not many of these hundred-plus murder cases happened in our Lingnan City. The provincial capital had the most, and there were some in other surrounding counties."

Shen Bei said "Oh," realizing it was still a cross-regional crime.

"Now, I'll test you. Can you try to deduce the similarities among the victims?"

Gu Changfeng asked, with an expression that was testing Shen Bei.

Shen Bei replied almost without thinking: "Single, no parents above, no children below."

"Correct. It seems you're good material for a Patrol Bureau officer."

Shen Bei's face was full of an ill-intentioned smile as he slowly said: "I'm sorry, but I'm not used to eating plain cabbage."

Gu Changfeng: ...

Damn it.

He had to bring that up!

So annoying!

"We're eating braised pork tomorrow!" Gu Changfeng said through gritted teeth.

Is that something to be proud of...? Shen Bei was speechless.

"You need to be careful," Gu Changfeng calmed his anger and earnestly advised.

Shen Bei stroked his chin. With that reminder, Shen Bei suddenly remembered.

He was immensely powerful.

He perfectly fit the killer's target profile.

But Shen Bei didn't care in the slightest: "It's not a Martial Artist, what am I afraid of?"

"Who said it wasn't a Martial Artist?"

"You just said the victim had a bullet wound to the forehead, but Martial Artists rarely use firearms."

Gu Changfeng corrected Shen Bei's idea: "I said 'bullet wound,' not 'bullet'!"

Shen Bei slowly raised his head, his gaze profound: "Martial Skill or True Qi externalization?"

"Exactly!"

Gu Changfeng said seriously: "Otherwise, how could so many people be killed so silently? Now, the provincial capital and local authorities have already merged to investigate this case. Aside from Martial Artists, ordinary people wouldn't have this ability."

Shen Bei said "Oh."

He felt that Gu Changfeng must be very stressed right now.

A Martial Artist who leaves no clues after killing.

Like a ghost, still committing crimes everywhere, it was indeed a chilling matter.

"Were there any Martial Artist deaths among them?"

"Yes."

"What Rank?"

"Four-Rank."

Good heavens.

Shen Bei clicked his tongue.

Even a Four-Rank Martial Artist orphan was killed.

And, seemingly without any resistance, a single strike to eliminate the target.

It seemed this killer was quite formidable and decisive.

Shen Bei could also guess that this killer must possess long-range attacks.

"Alright, I've told you everything I can. You need to pay attention to your safety."

After seeing Old Zhang return, Gu Changfeng reiterated with absolute certainty: "I expect to eat braised pork tomorrow!"

With that, he directly took Old Zhang and left the swimming pool.

Shen Bei: ...

Which was more important, solving the case or braised pork?

And he could still eat, what a big heart.

Before leaving, Old Zhang hung a "Closed" sign on the swimming pool.

He also called another employee named Zhou Poshan, telling him to rest well and not come to work for the next few days.

...

On the dimly lit streets, moonlight cast a silvery-gray glow, interweaving with the colorful neon lights.

Shen Bei missed the last bus and slowly walked home.

The glass curtain walls of the buildings reflected the myriad lights of homes, gathering into a flowing tapestry of light and shadow.

His figure, long and short under the dim streetlights, cast a shadow on the pavement like a loyal companion, silently accompanying him.

Warm yellow light and a faint aroma of coffee spilled from a passing cafe.

Shen Bei merely glanced at the cafe.

He suddenly stopped.

He saw a stranger, somewhat familiar.

Zhou Poshan, an employee of the swimming pool.

This was the first time Shen Bei had seen him in person.

He had seen a photo of him on the employee board at the swimming pool during the day.

Zhou Poshan was about the same age as Shen Bei, with a sallow complexion, skin so pale it was almost white. Unlike a vibrant young person, he indeed looked somewhat sickly.

He sat alone by the window, slowly stirring his coffee.

The light from the streetlamp slanted in, outlining the half-bright, half-dark contours of his face.

Just then, Zhou Poshan seemed to sense a gaze from outside the window.

He looked up and met Shen Bei's eyes.

Shen Bei showed a mouthful of white teeth.

Sick and still drinking coffee, was that really okay?

Shen Bei didn't quite understand.

Zhou Poshan, however, nodded slightly.

He continued to lower his head, gently blowing away the steam from the cup, then took a small sip.

He then seemed to fall into deep thought.

Shen Bei did not linger.

Just an ordinary passerby, not worth another glance or a moment of concern from Shen Bei.

...

Lingnan City Martial Arts University.

As soon as Shen Bei returned to his dorm.

Professor Gu Xinrou followed closely behind him.

Her expression was extremely exaggerated, her charming eyes filled with a smile: "What a surprise!"

Shen Bei's brow furrowed slightly: "Surprise?"

Professor Gu Xinrou slapped a book onto the table.

"The translation is finished."

Shen Bei's mouth opened slightly, his hands trembling a bit as he grabbed the book and asked: "Is it exciting?"

"Exciting?" Professor Gu Xinrou's eyes rolled: "Hmm, quite exciting."

"How's the writing style?"

"Writing style? Uh... this doesn't need a writing style, does it?"

"Is it explicit or subtle?"

"Ah? Does it also need writing skill?"

Shen Bei said seriously: "Of course it does. This kind of literary creation has several genres. Some are deeply romantic. Some are direct and explicit, real combat. Some are tantalizing."

"What are you talking about?" Professor Gu Xinrou was completely bewildered.

Shen Bei said: "Isn't this a yellow novel from the Catacombs?"

Professor Gu Xinrou: ...

"Yellow novel, my foot!"

Professor Gu Xinrou somewhat exasperatedly twisted Shen Bei's ear: "So, you thought I was translating a novel for you? What, are you very keen on yellow novels from the Catacombs?"

"Learning is boundless, ah."

Shen Bei yelped a few times, then continued: "So, if it's not a yellow novel, what is it?"

Professor Gu Xinrou snorted, her beautiful eyes wide open: "This is a Martial Skill! It's called the Absorbing Skill!"

Ab...

sorb...

ing...

Skill...