Chapter 320: Cats Have Their Ways, Mice Have Their Ways

The lights were bright, and the stainless steel bars reflected a bleak light.

Ma Shan's eyelids drooped slightly, his eyes staring straight at the table. Opposite him, it was still Yan Wenjing, the Clerk, and Lin Sicheng.

No one spoke; the interrogation room was eerily quiet. Lin Sicheng tapped the table rhythmically; the force was light, yet the sound was very crisp.

This continued for several minutes, and the atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive.

Wang Qi Zhi stared at the screen: "Why isn't he asking anything?"

"Psychological tactics. This is an old hand, he won't open his mouth so easily. Little Lin is applying pressure on him!" The interrogation Expert's eyes gleamed. "Professor Wang, your student is quite savvy, isn't he?"

Once could be a coincidence, but could it be a coincidence twice?

Last time, he had watched with his own eyes as Lin Sicheng bluffed Ma Shan into a daze. Just moments ago, the Branch Captain had vividly recounted the process of Lin Sicheng posing as a Yin-Yang master. To be honest, the several Experts were more than just curious about Lin Sicheng.

Wang Qi Zhi was noncommittal, lifting his chin: "So, can he get a confession today?"

"Probably very difficult!"

The Expert shook his head. "The case is too big; if he talks, it's a death sentence. Furthermore, having been fooled once, Ma Shan already has psychological defenses!"

Wang Qi Zhi sighed: That really is the case!

If he had only killed one person, even if Ma Shan had done it himself, as long as he informed on enough others, his life might not necessarily be lost.

But the problem is, five human lives?

Stop dreaming, go wash up and go to sleep.

If he hadn't slipped up last time, the Police couldn't have investigated so quickly. Having suffered such a huge loss, even an idiot would learn a lesson. Not to mention, this guy is a tough nut, an old slicker?

Therefore, from the moment he was brought in until now, even knowing Lin Sicheng was sitting opposite him, Ma Shan didn't even lift his head.

After another long silence, Lin Sicheng suddenly spoke: "Jianzuo Ma, can we strike a deal?"

Ma Shan froze for a moment, then let out a "Heh."

He just sneered, without any further physical movement.

Yan Wenjing's heart sank: Something's wrong... did this son of a bitch guess it?

How is this still supposed to be a bluff?

Just as he was secretly pondering, Lin Sicheng smiled: "Aren't you curious?"

Ma Shan squinted, glancing at him sideways.

Curious about what? Curious why, after only one day, they dragged him out again?

The Police aren't that idle; it can only mean the Mu Mausoleum case has been exposed.

But only one day later?

It's not like he hasn't committed crimes or served time before; no matter how professional the Beijing Police are, or how high their efficiency is, it couldn't possibly be to this extent.

Unless there were external factors.

Subconsciously, Ma Shan recalled the scene from the day before yesterday: Cai Ziyuan, the Needle-tip work...

He suddenly gritted his teeth, his pupils shrinking to pinpricks, staring fixedly at Lin Sicheng: What kind of monster is this?

Seeing him not speak, Lin Sicheng stood up and walked over.

"Jianzuo Ma, we aren't asking about the case today; let's make a trade. Rest assured, it will definitely be to your benefit!"

Ma Shan let out a cold snort, as if asking: What could you possibly trade with me?

Lin Sicheng was concise: "That woman. If it weren't for her, you wouldn't have ended up in this state today. Don't you hate her? How about this: you turn her in, and I'll have the Police help you get your revenge."

Go to hell, do you think I'm an idiot who doesn't even know who his enemy is?

I wish I could kill you.

Cursing inwardly, Ma Shan remained silent.

Yan Wenjing was stunned for a moment, and the few in the monitoring room were also stunned.

Only then did they realize that Lin Sicheng's goal wasn't to make Ma Shan confess, but that woman.

It felt a bit like going in the wrong direction, avoiding the important to focus on the trivial: Police resources are limited; they should at least clear up Ma Shan's grave-robbing and murder cases first.

But standing from Lin Sicheng's perspective, it actually seemed quite reasonable?

Ma Shan is already a dead man walking; as long as the charge of participating in the murders is confirmed, he could be executed three times over.

The boss behind the scenes can't be dug out for the time being, so he might as well turn the guns and investigate that woman.

They are all enemies anyway; Ma Shan ranks first, so that woman ranks second.

But no one made a sound, including the Branch Captain; they just stared at the screen.

Lin Sicheng spoke as if to himself, "I haven't witnessed how high Jianzuo Ma's eye for talent is, so I don't know yet. But your ruthlessness and decisiveness in action are staggering. I imagine that person also knows how formidable you are, otherwise she wouldn't have set a trap to use me as a scapegoat to help her stall for time."

"From this, she must know the consequences of offending you. But even so, she dared to cut in on your deal, so she certainly isn't an ordinary person."

"And since she sets traps and schemes with such ease, leaving no traces, she must be a habitual thief. Therefore, she should also be a big shot who holds down a territory and has wide connections..."

Pausing slightly, Lin Sicheng stared into Ma Shan's eyes: "Are you both peers and enemies?"

Ma Shan remained expressionless.

Lin Sicheng didn't mind, resting his chin on his hand as he thought: "Cutting off someone's path to wealth is like killing their parents. To intercept goods worth millions just like that? It seems the grudge between you is not small. Did you steal her goods, or perhaps, did you steal her tomb?"

Ma Shan paused and averted his gaze.

It was very clear on the monitor: Ma Shan's emotions fluctuated slightly; it was obvious Lin Sicheng had guessed correctly.

But to be honest, it felt like it wouldn't be of much use.

In the antique business, it's either digging graves or trafficking Cultural Relics. If a grudge is formed, it surely wouldn't fall outside this scope.

Lin Sicheng continued to talk to himself: "The timing was chosen so well; she happened to intercept the goods while you were away? And she ran so cleanly; on your own turf, you actually couldn't intercept her? I imagine someone must have tipped her off?"

Ma Shan froze for a moment, his eyeballs spinning rapidly twice, then returning to normal.

The process was very short, flashing by in an instant, but what does Lin Sicheng do? To be honest, at least half of his skills lie in his eyes.

He let out a "Ha": "It seems Jianzuo Ma didn't expect that either?"

"That's right, at the time you were single-mindedly trying to catch me, thinking I was that woman's accomplice. Later, the people you sent were wiped out, and then you learned the Police were searching all over Beijing for you; you were only concerned with saving your own life, so you had no time to think it through."

Lin Sicheng said decisively: "Captain Yan, interrogate Ma Shan's subordinates; there is definitely an inside man for that woman!"

Ma Shan was stunned for a moment, then sneered: "Interrogate what, you bastard?"

"Can't get anything out of them... Why? Huh, they ran away?"

Lin Sicheng nodded, "Captain Yan, stop the interrogation; they aren't among those caught, check the ones who escaped."

Ma Shan was so angry he spat blood: "Fuck your mother..."

With a "Clap," Lin Sicheng clapped his hands, "Looks like I guessed right. Captain Yan, just check those who ran away..."

Ma Shan hated him so much his teeth were nearly crushed.

He discovered that he simply couldn't open his mouth; no matter what he said, Lin Sicheng could grab onto the loopholes and trick one or two pieces of key Information out of him.

The problem was, just not speaking was far from enough; this son of a bitch seemed to be able to read minds. If your eyes went Floating, or your pupils contracted, he could guess something from it.

However, today not only were his hands and feet locked, but there was also a collar clamped around his neck; he couldn't even lower his head.

No... can't I just close my eyes?

Ma Shan closed his eyes and kept his mouth tightly shut.

But Lin Sicheng didn't care; he had never expected to make Ma Shan talk. If he could trick something out, great; if not, it didn't matter.

He pondered for a moment and spoke slowly: "Since you are enemies, and Ma Jianzuo is an old hand in the underworld, it's impossible for you to have had no defenses. Yet she was still able to bribe your subordinates? I imagine your past entanglements run deep, and you aren't natural-born enemies..."

"Let me think..." Lin Sicheng started tapping the table again, "Collaborated before?"

Ma Shan kept his eyes closed, not moving a muscle.

"Hmm, there must have been business dealings, for example, moving goods together, or perhaps even Grave-robbing together..."

After a brief pause, Lin Sicheng had a sudden inspiration: "More likely, you were accomplices to begin with?"

Ma Shan didn't move, but he felt as if a tension had tightened inside his body.

Never mind Lin Sicheng and the Experts in the monitoring room, even Yan Wenjing and the Clerk could see it.

Had Lin Sicheng guessed right again?

Otherwise, Ma Shan wouldn't be this nervous.

Lin Sicheng nodded again:

"If that's the case, it shouldn't be hard to investigate: Ma Jianzuo certainly never thought he would be brought in so quickly. Even if he was careful and cautious, he wouldn't have hidden his enemy's Information so tightly. So it doesn't matter if we can't catch the inside man; interrogating the subordinates who have already been caught will still yield some Information..."

"Furthermore, since you collaborated before, and were even earlier accomplices, there must have been business dealings. Check the flow of funds, ask around among the underworld peers, and we can find out quite a bit..."

Ma Shan could no longer hold back; he opened his eyes abruptly. Then he opened his mouth: "Heh... ptooey..."

Lin Sicheng tilted his head, and a glob of thick phlegm flew past his ear.

He narrowed his eyes, a trace of suspicion showing in his pupils: "You only suspected I was her accomplice, yet you dared to hack people in the street and kidnap them. And with your methods and ruthlessness, if you could have gotten rid of her, you would have done it long ago; you wouldn't have waited for her to come and intercept your goods."

"Then why didn't you get rid of her? Was it a lack of strength, unable to beat her?"

"And she intercepted millions of your goods—such a great grudge, yet not only do you not kill her before you die to vent your hatred, you actually cover for her? This is truly baffling..."

Lin Sicheng talked to himself; Ma Shan closed his eyes again, but he felt his body tense up even more than before.

It wasn't that his psychological fortitude wasn't good enough; a man who dared to kill, and killed as easily as slaughtering a chick, one could imagine his temperament.

It wasn't that Ma Shan didn't want to endure it, but he had to be able to: this son of a bitch was like a ghost, his eyes could see into a person's heart.

Just like last time: his expression had only changed for a moment, and he guessed that he had killed someone and buried them in the pit.

Just like just now: he hadn't even realized there was an inside man among his subordinates, yet he guessed it right away?

And then, just because of one inside man, he guessed that he and Wang Yaozi had not only collaborated, but were accomplices even earlier.

And from beginning to end, he hadn't let out a single word. He relied entirely on bluffing, entirely on guessing, and he guessed it all right, didn't he?

How could he endure this?

"Ma Jianzuo, don't be nervous... The question is, why are you nervous, or even a little afraid?"

Lin Sicheng muttered to himself: "It seems you aren't unable to beat that woman, but that you don't dare to. But why don't you dare?"

Suddenly, a light flashed in his mind, and Lin Sicheng stood up abruptly: "Because you and she... are under the same boss?"

"Haha... that way, everything makes sense!"

"The whole thing started because of her; as soon as the Police investigate that woman, the boss behind you will know. And he will absolutely conclude at the first opportunity that it was you who confessed... so it's no longer a question of whether you die, but that your whole family has to die with you... is that why you're afraid?"

Ma Shan's eyes were splitting, he struggled like a madman, and the shackles rattled with a "Clang, clang..."

"I'll kill you... I'll kill you..."

"Yan Wenjing, I'll fuck your mother, if you let me see him again, I'll bash my brains out here..."

If this were before, Yan Wenjing would have gone up and slapped him twice. But at this moment, he was like he had been frozen, his eyes staring straight at Lin Sicheng.

As were the several Experts in the monitoring room, and the Branch Captain.

Who was it that said they were going in the wrong direction and avoiding the main issue just now?

And who said that police resources were limited and investigating that woman was useless?

Come, take a look, was it useless?

What surprised them even more was: Lin Sicheng had already used the same method once before. Ma Shan had already fallen for the same trick once before.

Yet it was still this effective?

Especially the several Experts, who really wanted to cheer for Lin Sicheng.

They understood the principle, of course, even more professionally than Lin Sicheng: they guessed that the Grave-robbing case at Mu Mausoleum had been dug up, and even the corpses had been unearthed. Knowing he couldn't escape death, Ma Shan was not just normally nervous now, but nervous to the extreme.

Just like a fully drawn bow, the bowstring stretched to the limit; never mind plucking it with a finger, even a gust of Wind would make it tremble. Lin Sicheng was using the frequency of that trembling to verify his own deductions.

His goal was very simple, and his methods were not complicated: he didn't need Ma Shan to speak, he only needed to verify "yes" or "no."

If it was "no," Ma Shan would naturally remain indifferent; if it was "yes," his emotions, like that taut string, would give some reaction, more or less.

As a result, the more it trembled, the more violent it became, the frequency higher and higher, and the occurrences more and more frequent. Now, it was not far from snapping.

As long as it is cut off, whatever you ask, Ma Jianzuo will say.

Suddenly, whether it was the Branch Captain or the several Experts, their spirits were all roused.

In the surveillance, Lin Sicheng turned around: "Fine, if you won't see them, then you won't!"

Having walked to the door, he paused again, looked back, and said: "Death is death either way; dying by a bullet is death, and dying by crashing here is also death. Ma Jianzuo naturally won't be afraid. But, are his wife and child afraid?"

"There are so many clues, it won't be hard to find that woman. But as soon as the Police investigate, the boss behind you will definitely know. When that time comes, what will happen to your family?"

"So I think Ma Jianzuo had better consider it: at the very least, shouldn't you tell the Police where your wife is and where your child is, so they can help you protect them..."

Before he had even finished speaking, Yan Wenjing's eyes lit up with a "ping": That's right, it's not like we're asking you to confess right now?

It's fine if you don't confess; the people's Police serve the people. The criminal committed a crime, but did his family members commit a crime?

But to tell the truth: death is death either way. As long as Ma Jianzuo's worries are removed, he won't be far from confessing about the "boss."

Otherwise what?

There's no need to even guess: if the boss escapes, as soon as the Wind blows over, the first ones to suffer will definitely be Ma Jianzuo's family.

Thinking this over secretly, the Experts and the Branch Captain stared intently at the screen.

Ma Jianzuo moved his lips, trembling, as if the next moment, he would say the boss's name.

But unfortunately: "Heh—ptui..."

Watching the thick phlegm land on the ground, still a full meter away from him, Lin Sicheng sighed: "Hopeless!"

"Heh heh... Does a guy like me need you to save me? F*** your mother..."

Suddenly, the faces of the several Experts, plus the Branch Captain, plus Wang Qi Zhi, all fell: not worth pitying even in death!

Lin Sicheng shook his head and left the interrogation room.

The surveillance room was right next door, door to door. Lin Sicheng had just entered: "Clap clap clap clap clap..."

Immediately, a pair of hands reached straight out: "Teacher Lin, my surname is Wen. Leave a phone number, let's communicate more in the future."

Lin Sicheng was startled.

As introduced before, this person was no ordinary individual: a nationally renowned interrogation Expert who frequently went to the Ministry to give lectures.

He hurriedly shook hands: "Showing off before an Expert, I'm embarrassed!"

The Expert didn't speak, just smiled: whether he was showing off or not, didn't he know better than anyone?

There is a specialty in every trade; if it came to professional ability and relevant knowledge reserves, Lin Sicheng would definitely be much worse.

But his strength lay in knowing a little bit about everything, especially the modus operandi, organizational structure, and even the behavioral styles of Grave-robbing elements and Cultural Relics Smuggling elements.

The key was that he could adapt to circumstances: just like taking a multiple-choice test, if this answer is wrong, he could immediately switch to the next one. If that's still wrong, switch to another.

It doesn't matter if he gets ten wrong in a row; as long as he guesses one right, it could cost the criminal his life.

Sighing inwardly, he shook Lin Sicheng's hand: "If Teacher Lin is interested, I'll help you find some materials!"

That would be great.

As the saying goes, having many skills is no burden. If this is learned well, in the future when hunting for goods at the antique market, there will be no need to look at the authenticity of the items; just looking at the boss's expression will be enough.

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Thank you, Expert Wen!"

The Branch Captain expressed heavy thanks, Lin Sicheng was polite for a moment, then looked at the surveillance again: in the interrogation room, the police officer opened the shackles, put on handcuffs, and escorted Ma Jianzuo out.

Just before leaving the door, he glanced at the surveillance, pulled his mouth into a cold sneer, and spat on the ground again.

The Branch Captain snorted coldly: "Deserving of death!"

Wang Qi Zhi took a look and sighed again: "What a pity, it felt like just a moment ago, he was almost about to spill it!"

Lin Sicheng didn't speak: it was definitely more than just a moment away.

Decisive and ruthless, how could such a character break down so easily?

If you were to say before, there was still a slight possibility. But now... five human lives?

Ma Jianzuo would only go down one road to the end: resist to the bitter end.

After tossing about for another day, seeing that it was getting late and there was no use staying here, Lin Sicheng proposed to leave.

The Branch Captain thanked him profusely again, sent a car, and personally saw them to the door.

Shaking hands to say goodbye, just as they were getting into the car, a figure flashed from behind the main gate, as if waving. Wang Qi Zhi squinted his eyes: this girl again?

She probably didn't dare to come out because she saw the Branch Captain was there.

Wang Qi Zhi didn't make a sound until they were in the car, then he let out a "heh": "Did you see that?"

He had expected Lin Sicheng to quibble a bit, but after waiting for a long while, there was no movement at all.

Wang Qi Zhi turned his head and found Lin Sicheng frowning, looking like his soul had wandered away.

Haha, casting amorous glances at a blind man...

He poked him with his finger: "What are you thinking about?"

"Oh..." Lin Sicheng came back to his senses, "I'm thinking, did Ma Jianzuo have some kind of agreement with his boss? For example, an agreement about a certain thing; as long as it happens, the boss will know: he will bite his tongue and not say a word!"

Wang Qi Zhi realized something and nodded: even a tiger does not eat its cubs; no matter how cold-blooded Ma Jianzuo is, he should care a little about family affection.

He wouldn't be so afraid just from Lin Sicheng's bluff. But since he is afraid, why not even say where his family is? The Police aren't his boss; could they threaten him with his family?

Thinking about it, he must have made some preparations and was harboring a fluke mind.

"What could it be?"

"For example, some assets, or even some goods, but hidden quite secretly, so the Police can't find them for a while. But if they are found, or sealed, it would mean he confessed voluntarily. It would also be equivalent to giving the boss a secret signal..."

Huh, don't say that?

Wang Qi Zhi looked strange: "How did you think of that?"

"Teacher, it's acted out on TV: just like the underground party in spy dramas, that flower pot on the windowsill."

"Shouldn't we give a reminder?"

"No need, Captain Yu and Captain Yan have definitely already thought of it; I reckon they are investigating it right now..."

Wang Qi Zhi curled his lip: "It's possible for the detachment leader Yu, but as for Yan Wenjing... that guy is a total fraud."

"I just hope they're effective and find Ma Shan's boss sooner; the sooner they die, the sooner they can be reincarnated..."

Wang Qi Zhi pinched the bridge of his nose, "I just feel a bit uneasy!"

During the Zhang Anshi Tomb Robbery Case, Wang Qi Zhi had only heard others talk about it, so he didn't feel it that deeply. But today, he saw it with his own eyes:

Five human lives, perhaps not even dead yet, possibly still savable, were thrown alive into a tomb pit and then buried alive with cow dung.

Looking at that Ma Shan again: these five people were nine times out of ten killed by him, yet even knowing he was on a dead-end road, he remained so arrogant when facing the Police.

From this, one can see how brutal this gang is, and how sinister that so-called "boss" must be.

Wang Qi Zhi finally understood why Lin Sicheng had been so stubborn back then, refusing to listen to anyone's advice and insisting on helping the Police deal with Yu Dahai.

Having offended such people, who could sleep soundly?

Even if they can't be dug out, their claws and teeth must be severed.

"Oh, right..." Wang Qi Zhi suddenly remembered, "There's also that woman!"

Lin Sicheng nodded: he felt that woman might be even harder to deal with than Ma Shan.

Just as he was thinking this, his phone buzzed. Glancing at it, Lin Sicheng answered: "Senior Brother Zhao!"

"Junior Brother, I didn't fail your trust; I managed to inquire about some news. But whether it's accurate or not, I can't be certain for now!"

Lin Sicheng perked up: "Senior Brother, what is it?"

"It's a few loose pieces (damaged artifacts), said to be items from the mid-Qing Dynasty. I don't know if they are from the Daoguang or Xianfeng eras, but they are all Raw Pit Goods! The key is: they are all things that came out of the palace..."

"Senior Brother, where are the items?"

"At Liulichang; they've probably closed for the day by now. If you want to see them, it'll have to be tomorrow!"

Tomorrow it is.

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Hanging up the phone, Lin Sicheng let out a breath.

The Imperial Palace—how could so many items flow out, and all of them be Raw Pit Goods... how could there be such a coincidence?

If things go wrong, they might have been dug out from that tomb today.

Lin Sicheng lowered his head to calculate, while Wang Qi Zhi's eyes shifted slightly, secretly marveling: Zhao Xiuneng's speed is even faster than the Police's?

How does that saying go: cats have cat paths, and rats have rat paths.

(End of this chapter)