Chapter 76: I

If they overlooked the matter of special services, they wouldn’t investigate why this place developed such a culture.

Precisely because of that.

They wouldn’t suspect their own colleagues of wrongdoing.

And to investigate in this area, they would definitely first visit the local police station to gather information.

They would also ask the local police officers to assist in the case.

They’re too far away; if an emergency arises, they won’t have time to contact the branch.

So the police station is their first choice.

The thought that they might have been sabotaged by a fellow officer sent a chill down Yu Dazhang’s spine.

It probably isn’t that bad… he tried to reassure himself.

At this moment, Zhang Sen had already changed into a new outfit and, from the side, looked very much like an elderly man.

But he was still applying makeup in front of the mirror.

He had smeared something on his face; his once healthy, glowing skin now looked dull.

Yu Dazhang glanced over and figured Zhang Sen wouldn’t finish anytime soon.

That was fine—while there was still time, he might as well go over the case details again.

Throughout this journey, he hadn’t taken a moment to analyze things carefully.

He shifted his body and settled into a more comfortable position against the headboard.

It still had to start with Zhou Zizhe.

How far could a five-year-old child walk in a day and night?

No one could say for sure, because there were too many variables.

So one could only estimate a rough distance.

First, take an adult as an example.

A normal adult walks at six to eight kilometers per hour; if pushing hard, up to ten kilometers per hour.

On that basis, halve the speed—and use the lowest end of that range.

That’s three kilometers per hour.

Considering prolonged walking exceeds human physical limits, especially for a five-year-old child.

So halve it again.

Now it’s one point five kilometers per hour.

Both father and son’s statements shared one detail: Zhou Zizhe collapsed at the construction site’s gate.

This suggests Zhou Zizhe didn’t rest much along the way, continuously exhausting his body.

Also, when Zhou Zizhe said “a day and night,” he didn’t mean twenty-four hours.

He slipped out at night, around one a.m.

Then collapsed at the gate the next afternoon, just as the site was shutting down—around six p.m.

That gives him roughly seventeen hours of walking time.

Multiply the two: twenty-five point five kilometers.

Earlier, Yu Dazhang had been staring at his phone’s map—not for navigation, but measuring straight-line distances.

Near the industrial park were three mountains.

The one to the west was fifty-two kilometers straight-line distance—too far.

Zhou Zizhe would never have made it that far, even if he died trying.

The one to the south was eight kilometers straight-line distance—too close.

At that distance, Zhou Zizhe wouldn’t have walked seventeen hours, let alone collapsed.

Process of elimination.

Only the mountain bordering Fenglinzhen fit: straight-line distance nineteen kilometers.

Accounting for detours along the way, with Zhou Zizhe’s walking speed, he could have reached the industrial park.

Why measure straight-line distance?

Simple—sixteen years ago, there were no roads connecting the two places.

The industrial park itself was just a construction site; imagine what Fenglinzhen was like.

Even the later-built highway took a huge detour; otherwise, Yu Dazhang and his team wouldn’t have driven for hours just to reach the town.

According to Zhou Zizhe’s recollection, he walked steadily in one direction.

Afraid of losing his way, he picked a landmark every so often as his target.

For a five-year-old child, thinking of this method already showed decent intelligence.

Without doubt, the two missing officers had calculated the same way.

And they were even more thorough—they even used reverse simulation. So Yu Dazhang was now certain: the two officers had definitely come to Fenglinzhen.

Now the scope narrowed significantly; only two locations remained where they could have gone missing.

One: Fenglinzhen.

Two: Shuishouyingzi Village.

And Shuishouyingzi Village was a subordinate village of Fenglinzhen—its scope was even smaller.

Someone must be wondering now.

If the scope is already narrowed to the town, why not bring in a large team to search?

Where’s the evidence!

All of the above are Yu Dazhang’s personal deductions.

Without evidence, what’s the point of talking?

If every detective in the branch operated like this—acting on speculation alone and demanding manpower—everything would fall apart.

If they found even one person or one gun, the branch could immediately mobilize all available forces for support.

Please… collect… 6…9…books…!

No trace at all—just words from a mouth—who’d believe it?

So next, they still needed to find evidence—and important evidence.

This case was too big; any slip-up was beyond what Yu Dazhang could bear.

All he could do now was gather evidence as quickly as possible.

It had been a full day since departure; the branch was nearly at its limit.

If they still couldn’t find anything, they’d have to report it to the municipal bureau.

Investigations proceed step by step, reports escalate step by step, finally reaching the provincial bureau.

If it truly reached that final stage, both the branch and the municipal bureau would be held accountable.

“Done.” Zhang Sen’s voice rang out.

Yu Dazhang snapped back to attention and looked over.

The original Zhang Sen was gone; now, in the room besides himself, stood an elderly woman with silver-white hair.

The old woman had a neat bun atop her head; her face was lined with the marks of time.

Even her neck and hands had been treated—glance at her and she looked like dried apple skin.

“Incredible, incredible—this is truly lifelike,” Yu Dazhang couldn’t help exclaiming.

Though he’d seen Zhang Sen disguise himself many times before, he’d never observed him this closely.

Every detail was perfect—no flaw could be found.

He stepped closer and examined again:

“Sen-ge, you’re wasting your talent as a cop.”

“Stop joking,” Zhang Sen glared at him:

“Get on with the case.”

That glare stunned Yu Dazhang—he’d just seen a hint of tenderness in Zhang Sen’s eyes.

Like an old grandmother scolding her grandson with her gaze.

Amazing!

Yu Dazhang had been worried about flaws; now he realized he’d been overthinking.

To refuse to admire a master is a sin!

The two discussed: if they left the inn together, the middle-aged woman at the front would surely suspect something.

They came in as two young men; now they were leaving as a man and a woman, an old woman and a child.

Such a bizarre combination would make her suspicious no matter what.

So they finally decided: Yu Dazhang would leave first, then Zhang Sen would exit five minutes later.

Even so, the middle-aged woman noticed.

When did that old woman come in? She left no impression at all.

And she came alone—no family with her at her age?

She stared at Zhang Sen’s hunched back, growing more and more confused.

This is impossible!

Outside the Fenglinzhen Police Station.

A fat man supported an elderly woman leaning on a single cane as they slowly approached.

The two of them walked slowly, pausing occasionally.

The old grandmother looked strained, her complexion poor, muttering to herself.

“Is it really necessary? You don’t even trust your own kind?”

“I’ve said it before: no matter who you meet, regardless of their status, never fully trust them.”

“But that doesn’t mean you have to test your own kind.”

Yu Dazhang lowered his head, feigning concern that Zhang Sen’s old woman disguise might fall, but actually avoiding the glances of those around him.

He spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear:

“Only someone from our own kind could have made those two officers reveal their identities voluntarily.”

(End of Chapter)