[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner":3,"chapter-the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-chapter-199":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Nation's Forensic Medical Examiner",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2326894,4551,"Chapter 199: Reflection","the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-chapter-199",199,"\u003Cp>Funeral parlor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The autopsy room was as silent as a final exam classroom. Two corpses emitted a chilling cold, like stern proctors closely watching the forensic examiner as he moved them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan took out a plastic box and placed it on the autopsy table, examining each bone one by one before carefully placing them back inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Wang Guoshan’s arrest, the July 24 Qinghe Mass Murder Case was officially solved. The focus of the investigation would now shift to prosecution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For unidentified bodies, such as Body No. 6, conclusions had already been reached through interrogation; all that remained was verification, eliminating the need for further costly and manpower-intensive investigations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A newly discovered half-body, however, required a separate autopsy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Wang Guoshan had confessed, the autopsy was still essential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint blue glowing orb landed in Jiang Yuan’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Hongyan’s Legacy — Local Mountain Produce Identification (LV2): Walking forest trails, tasting every kind of mountain product, was both a hobby and a responsibility. Had she not been bound by family and friends, or burdened by so many life obligations and comparisons, Ma Hongyan would have preferred to give her time to the woods…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan gathered Ma Hongyan’s remains, covered them with a large plastic lid, and as he labeled them, said: “Ma Hongyan was killed by Wang Guoshan because she hired him to transport goods?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Something like that. Wang Guoshan had a small truck and rarely found work. When he finally landed Ma Hongyan as a major client, he wanted to make extra money. He promised to unload the goods himself, but after unloading a bit, he complained of exhaustion and invented an excuse to make Ma Hongyan pay again for extra labor — at prices higher than market rate. She refused, so he killed her…” Wang Lan had communicated with the prosecutor and had the most up-to-date information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan was surprised. “Did Wang Guoshan actually say that? No attempt at explanation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary people always whitewash their mistakes—how much more so would a murderer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dead are gone; the killer is free to fabricate any reason, even the most irrational personal emotions, all framed from his own perspective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wang Lan’s expression turned strange. “When Wang Guoshan entered the interrogation room, he began confessing. He converted to religion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shouldn’t someone who converts to religion confess to a priest? He’s been killing people nonstop…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The priest who absorbed his confessions listened twice — then wanted to report him. He was killed. After that, Wang Guoshan had nowhere left to confess.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several forensic examiners in the room heard this story for the first time and murmured in astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which one was the priest?” Niu Dong pointed at the corpse thawing on the table, curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Lan’s expression grew calm. “Burned to ashes long ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So… including the priest, that’s nine lives.” Niu Dong’s composure cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan then said: “What about the first corpse? Ma Hongyan disappeared eight years ago — she wasn’t his first victim. Body No. 3, Yu Jun, disappeared ten years ago — but he wasn’t the first either, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Lan shook his head. “He refuses to say who the first one was.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then it’s ten.” Niu Dong counted aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The autopsy room grew even quieter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long pause, Wang Lan said: “It’s normal. Many serial killers are reluctant to describe their first murder — too much personal emotion. Most don’t want police to find them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some actually want police to find them,” Niu Dong corrected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other forensic examiners began chiming in with their own opinions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan finished labeling Body No. 1, then moved to Body No. 2, Zhu Jin, and asked Wang Lan: “Why was No. 2 killed? Six years ago — had Wang Guoshan started renting farm machinery?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’d just begun renting. According to Wang Guoshan’s confession, when working for Zhu Jin, Zhu criticized his work and tried to withhold payment. Wang didn’t react then, but held a grudge. A few days later, he ambushed Zhu Jin on the roadside while he was out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan glanced at the label. “No. 2 spent his whole life farming — he must have been strong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Wang Guoshan described the ambush and killing in detail. This guy was clearly trained.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about the motorcycle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He sold it to a used vehicle dealer from the grasslands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan understood: “Since he disappeared, by the time police got involved, the scene was already cleared — the motorcycle had been sold…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Lan nodded. “I called Zhu Jin’s family. His wife remarried. The child stayed in the village and is now grown — might come back later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, a second glowing orb landed in Jiang Yuan’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Jin’s Legacy — Postpartum Pig Care (LV4): Four sows were the family’s sole source of income. Whether the sows gave birth to many healthy piglets, and the market price of pork, determined whether the family’s living standards rose or fell. Even while planting corn, Zhu Jin’s mind was always on how to care for them…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan quietly arranged Zhu Jin’s remains more neatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the name was unappealing, LV4 skill level was extremely rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And drawing from Dog Food’s experience, Jiang Yuan felt Postpartum Pig Care might still prove useful…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, he could try it on Mu Zhiyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After placing Body No. 2’s box aside, Jiang Yuan began organizing Body No. 3’s remains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, without Jiang Yuan asking, Wang Lan spoke up: “Body No. 3, Yu Jun, had been dead the longest. But Yu Jun was a coal miner — he shouldn’t have crossed paths with Wang Guoshan. The chance of conflict was minimal. But according to Wang Guoshan, he met Yu Jun in town, got into an argument, and later took revenge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did he give details?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He mentioned some, but little. He claims he can’t remember anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The earlier the body, the clearer the memory should be,” Jiang Yuan objected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief Liu thought the same,” Wang Lan said. “And Chief Liu’s speculation was bolder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief Liu speculated that Wang Guoshan might have been hiding a corpse at the mine when he met Yu Jun — and that the first corpse he hid might have been his first murder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan paused, stunned. That speculation was indeed bold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there was no evidence to support it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief Liu wanted to bring police dogs to the mine to check,” Wang Lan added, pausing. “But it was shut down. Now that the case is solved, the team leader says we should focus entirely on trial and prosecution.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Feihong’s suggestion wasn’t unreasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Investigating a case until every fact is clear — it’s nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only does investigation cost money, but facts themselves are limited. For police, finding the killer is the goal. Whether there are hidden details in the case? No one cares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many cases never even find the killer? Who has time to care about a minor detail in a solved case?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Liu Jinghui didn’t press Wang Guoshan on the identity of his first victim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When there’s zero corroboration and all clues come solely from the killer, it’s extremely dangerous. And China’s judicial system never deeply investigates the killer’s emotions or motives — the killer can think whatever he wants. Our confession institutions are located in the Eighteen Layers of Hell; we just send him there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bodies No. 3 and No. 4 yielded no legacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Body No. 5, Jiang Yuan received another glowing orb:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xiaoyun’s Legacy — Dance Posture (LV2): Zhang Xiaoyun’s greatest dream was to stand on stage, dancing a perfect routine under the admiring eyes of everyone. The dance didn’t need to be difficult or technically brilliant — but her body’s posture had to be beautiful…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan silently thanked her, then carefully packed up Bodies No. 5 and No. 6.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bodies No. 5 and No. 6 both lacked heads. From this point on, Wang Guoshan’s desires expanded, his vigilance weakened, and he grew increasingly accustomed to solving problems with violence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he raped No. 5, then murdered No. 6, a fellow farm machinery dealer…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No. 6 came from another province to rent out farm machinery and had mild competition with Wang Guoshan — nothing intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Wang Guoshan chose to kill him anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, were Wang Guoshan’s parents reservoir workers?” Niu Dong asked, not having attended the meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Lan grunted. “But they were only temporary workers at a small reservoir — just watching it. When it rained, they had to clear the channels — dangerous work. So they lived near the big reservoir, returning home once every one or two weeks. Later, a landslide killed the father. The mother remarried, taking Wang Guoshan’s older brother with her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We should’ve checked the reservoir employee lists further back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can’t be done. The small reservoir was privately owned. The boss had connections here, owned property, and just housed them there. And it’s too long ago. Wang Guoshan swam in the reservoir as a child — that was thirty years ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time’s power far exceeds imagination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Data from thirty years ago — even if it existed — was buried in the archives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even data from twenty years ago, due to database changes, often lost much of its content.\u003C\u002Fp>",1542,"2026-06-20T18:55:00.150Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","34f70cee1d412eb6da671cfd95c9996f0f90bb953eba3110e6f2603a2a846307","the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-chapter-200","the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-chapter-198",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-cover.jpg"]