Chapter 136

"Is this definitely the killer's blood?" Hou Xiaoyong had already taken off his gloves and pulled out his phone.

The team leader isn't worth waking up over something like the order of on-site inspection—but if we find the killer's blood and don't notify him, we'll be the ones getting scolded.

Jiang Yuan glanced sideways at Hou Xiaoyong and demoted him again.

An on-site technician at lv0. actually said something so unprofessional—he was vastly overestimated; it's unfair to all other technicians in Longli County.

Jiang Yuan isn't some vampire forensic pathologist who can lick a bloodstain and instantly read out the killer's ID number, blood type, hobbies, sexual orientation…

In fact, even vampire forensic pathologists can't do that, because Europeans don't have ID numbers.

Jiang Yuan admitted:

"All I can say is, this bloodstain is unusual—it's likely the killer's or a witness's blood, but it could also be victim Zhang Hong's. We'll know for sure after a DNA test. Bloodstain DNA should come back quickly."

Regular DNA tests might take several hours, but using bloodstains or clots for DNA allows direct amplification—the results can be ready in three or four hours.

Hou Xiaoyong, the lv0. on-site technician, slapped his forehead and said, "You're right," then immediately called the team leader.

"Let's keep going." Jiang Yuan had no interest in the Longli County criminal investigation team leader.

He was just a borrowed beast of burden from the neighboring county, never fed premium fodder, never massaged to music—just do what a beast of burden should do.

Flattering the production team leaders? Not a beast's job.

Of course, the local beasts of Longli County still cared deeply about the production team leaders—they became enthusiastic and actively participated in the work.

"We'll scan this area now." Jiang Yuan continued operating according to the crime scene reconstruction method.

A single bloodstain isn't reliable enough. And theoretically, if there's one bloodstain, the probability of finding another belonging to the killer is still relatively high—Jiang Yuan internally believed the one just found was the killer's blood.

There were no signs of a third party at the scene, so any bloodstain not belonging to the victim was likely the perpetrator's.

As for the origin of the perpetrator's blood, Jiang Yuan first guessed it was probably from the killer using his fists.

Striking someone with one's own limbs is a more visceral expression of rage than using a weapon.

It's just a bit hard on the hands.

In movies, unbroken fists belong to handsome guys; those who aren't good-looking tend to break their skin when they punch.

"Fists are harder than cheeks" refers to hand bones, not the skin of the hand.

Jiang Yuan examined in waves, recorded in waves.

At this point, the Longli County technicians began to feel unsatisfied.

It was Hou Xiaoyong, elected by the group, who suggested: "Forensic Jiang, now that we've found another person's blood, shouldn't we examine more carefully from now on?"

"Alright." Jiang Yuan agreed.

Then, when picking up another item, Jiang Yuan still recorded quickly and waved to move on to the next batch.

Hou Xiaoyong reminded him: "Shouldn't we take another look?"

"Look at… what?" Jiang Yuan asked Hou Xiaoyong.

Hou Xiaoyong spoke cautiously: "I was just thinking… in my personal understanding, if we spend more time looking, we might spot more."

"That's not wrong." Jiang Yuan gave the lv0. on-site technician a long look. "Come with me."

Hou Xiaoyong glanced behind him; the technicians who had egged him on had all turned their heads away.

Hou Xiaoyong cursed silently, "Unreliable," then followed Jiang Yuan to the recently uncovered pile of items.

"What can we deduce from this spatter pattern?" Jiang Yuan asked Hou Xiaoyong.

Hou Xiaoyong blinked, then muttered: "Didn't we already discuss this just now…?"

"We said it might be caused by a blunt instrument, right?" Jiang Yuan prompted gently.

Hou Xiaoyong nodded.

Jiang Yuan continued: "Besides being caused by a blunt instrument, what else could it be?"

Hou Xiaoyong didn't answer. Jiang Yuan waited patiently.

For a beast of the production team, a little rest isn't bad.

Hou Xiaoyong was waiting for the team leader to arrive and see them working hard, so he racked his brain: "We can also tell the force."

"And?" Jiang Yuan smiled.

"This… I can't quite remember."

"We can determine left or right," Jiang Yuan said softly.

"Yes, yes, yes! So the killer is right-handed!" Hou Xiaoyong nodded rapidly, even used a technical term, and sighed in relief.

"Right. Now, looking at these bloodstain shapes—what else can you see?" Jiang Yuan pressed on.

Hou Xiaoyong froze again, like a crashed computer.

What could he see? Everything he'd learned had been returned to his teacher. Do I really have to answer?

Jiang Yuan then explained carefully:

"First, pay attention to the size of the blood droplets—blood of different weights spatters at different distances…"

"Second—and this is why I specifically focus on spatter patterns—is that the perpetrator's blood is more likely to appear in spatter patterns. Can you guess why?"

"Yes, because if the perpetrator's hand is bleeding, movement makes it easier to form Shuaixue —this is why I told you to pay attention to the shape…"

As Jiang Yuan spoke, Hou Xiaoyong's eyes gradually glazed over.

He'd never been a good student, and this time Jiang Yuan dumped so much information at once—it was too much.

Finally, Jiang Yuan paused, picked up water, and moistened his throat.

Then Jiang Yuan looked at the nautilus on his hand and said: "We've spent this long examining this bloodstain—surely that counts as thorough."

"Thorough, thorough!" Hou Xiaoyong nodded quickly, then shuffled away, muttering: "I'll go check if the team leader's arrived…"

He finally understood—he'd spoken out of turn and got a lecture from Forensic Jiang, and now he could only passively accept it.

He couldn't outmatch Jiang Yuan, so he had to endure it.

Better than being praised by the team leader, reading was far too terrifying—forget it.

Dawn was breaking.

Hou Lejia, the Longli County criminal investigation team leader, had just arrived.

"Sorry, sorry," Hou Lejia didn't enter the crime scene—he stood outside, shaking Jiang Yuan's hand repeatedly, chatting warmly.

Jiang Yuan's hand was gently squeezed and shaken—not too hard, not too light—just enough to count as wrist exercise.

The formalities ended.

Hou Lejia added: "Forensic Jiang, the bloodstains you processed last night have been rushed to Qinghe City—they should have results soon. Why don't we grab something to eat while we wait?"

"Fine." Jiang Yuan didn't refuse.

Although the crime scene wasn't fully processed, it was too large—given current manpower, it would take a week to finish.

Police officers still need to live.

Hou Lejia and the others understood this—they'd previously treated Jiang Yuan as a borrowed beast, expendable. Now that they realized how unusually useful he was, Hou Lejia had moved beyond his initial narrow mindset of "use once and return."

"Tell the boss to send over a few portions of pig intestine, pig stomach, and chicken stew," Hou Lejia called Hou Xiaoyong over and gave him detailed instructions.

Hou Xiaoyong accepted the order and left, brimming with confidence. Everyone feels confident when doing what they're good at.

The pig intestine, pig stomach, and chicken stew arrived in a clay pot, still steaming hot.

The boss knew how to handle things—he'd ridden over on an electric tricycle, bringing folding tables, chairs, chopsticks, and spoons.

On the roadside, dozens of meters from the courtyard, seven or eight meters away from another fried rice cart, they set up the table and chairs, placing the clay pot of stew in the center and surrounding it with dipping sauces.

Pig stomach and chicken stew is already a famous dish—the pig stomach broth is incredibly fresh, the chicken broth is delicious, and with a generous sprinkle of black pepper, it balances flavors while delivering intense spiciness—compared to any single dish, it's more than capable.

As a standalone dish, the only drawback of pig stomach and chicken stew is its slightly inferior texture.

Adding pig intestine to it instantly resolved this flaw.

The lid was lifted.

A rich, savory aroma wafted out.

Everyone's stomachs growled.

Everyone removed their upper police uniforms, revealing gleaming, oily police pants, and gathered around the clay pot.

Hou Lejia raised a cup of tea and smiled: "Today's conditions are humble—I'll toast with tea to thank Forensic Jiang…"

Jiang Yuan stood, raised his cup, took a sip, then buried his head in his meal, acting exactly like a quiet, unassuming technician.

"Jian Lai"

Jiang Yuan knew his master Wu Jun had only managed a few meals from the bureau cafeteria—he shouldn't expect more; just do his job well.

But Hou Lejia showed his social finesse—he chuckled, boasted about his close ties with "Yellow Crocodile," shared amusing anecdotes between the two counties, and thanked Jiang Yuan for coming to help.

If there had been alcohol on the table, Hou Lejia could've completely charmed Jiang Yuan.

When Jiang Yuan finished eating, he brought up the case: "Team Leader Hou, I'll finish processing these bloodstains soon. After a rest, I'd like to go assist my master with the autopsy."

Hou Lejia was surprised: "You'll finish that quickly?"

"DNA from objects might take weeks, but I don't think it's meaningful," Jiang Yuan replied bluntly.

Hou Lejia understood—he was clearly picking his tasks. If this were his own technician…

Oh, right—he's not our technician.

Hou Lejia paused for a few seconds, deciding it wasn't a bad thing—after all, Jiang Yuan had already found a unique bloodstain.

Hou Lejia shifted perspective: "The autopsy should be complete with no issues, which is why we're focusing on the scene…"

"I'll check the autopsy results first—I need to report to my master," Jiang Yuan said, still eating pig intestine without looking up.

Everyone understood his meaning: If you try to micromanage, I won't work.

Hou Xiaoyong shifted his seat again, suddenly feeling a little happy—the team leader had been shut down too; being scolded himself now seemed reasonable, ordinary.

Hou Lejia sensed Jiang Yuan's dissatisfaction, then smacked his forehead hard: "Look at my memory! My head's full of useless thoughts—you haven't even done the autopsy with your master yet! I'll arrange it right away, right away!"