Chapter 381: The Dead Are Gone

Afternoon.

During the time of strongest sunlight, Jiang Yuan arrived at the Lu Yang Funeral Home.

The two-story forensic building, exposed to the light, stretched out its entire form as if emitting cold energy.

Mei Fang wore a white lab coat, leaning against the door, waiting for Jiang Yuan; if he were a woman, he'd make a decent photo subject.

But now he was a male forensic doctor with a belly, a beard, and messy hair—just looking at him was slightly unsettling.

Mei Fang, however, was very enthusiastic, smiling as he stepped forward: "Captain Jiang, my five corpses and I have been waiting for you. I thought you'd come this morning."

"I was at Tian Xiang's house yesterday, inspecting until late at night." Jiang Yuan conducted the on-site investigation in his capacity as an on-site examiner or trace evidence specialist. Since Tian Xiang's home had no corpse or deceased person, pure forensic doctors like Mei Fang didn't need to go.

Mei Fang murmured two words of sympathy and asked: "How did the interrogation go?"

"Chen Youdi has recovered enough to start talking. Zhang Hai, the one who ran away, was caught too—he used a fake ID, but he was so panicked he got spotted by railway police, and a few questions exposed him." Jiang Yuan shook his head; these two had the psychological state of ordinary adults, yet they were capable of cruelty beyond what normal people could do.

Mu Zhiyang, who had followed Jiang Yuan, added: "That railway cop got lucky—just picked up a third-class merit."

"Railway police have always been the easiest to catch fugitives—they do this for a living," Mei Fang glanced at Mu Zhiyang, then added: "Like the rumors going around—that Jiang Yuan's cold case unit has someone who specifically gets shot at."

Mu Zhiyang, back when he was first injured, had spent time scrolling through groups reading comments about himself; now he was calm: "I get it—afraid your brother's suffering, afraid your brother's getting a third-class merit."

Mei Fang chuckled: "I'm going to post this in the group."

"Then I won't admit it," Mu Zhiyang replied with a grin—he wasn't stupid. Mei Fang looked slightly disappointed but still praised: "No wonder they call you the Shield of Ningtai." Mu Zhiyang thought about it, and a faint smile crept onto his lips.

Autopsy room.

Mei Fang rolled over one corpse and explained: "I've already processed No. 5. The other bodies' remains are just being sorted." Mei Fang smiled cheerfully.

The fifth corpse was found in Chen Youdi's home, and only parts of it—where the rest is buried remains unknown for now.

After inspecting Chen Youdi's house, Jiang Yuan immediately rushed to Tian Xiang's home; there was no time to perform an autopsy on No. 5, Wang Leqin—the name was given by Chen Youdi. After seeing the murder weapon and photos of Tian Xiang in the interrogation room, Chen Youdi's emotions collapsed into another extreme; the part he recovered slightly only made the interrogation easier.

"Age around thirty. Height about 175 centimeters, weight roughly 100 jin—unusual height-to-weight ratio. Could the dumping site have been chosen differently?" Jiang Yuan measured the data himself while Mu Zhiyang recorded it, making guesses.

No. 5 Wang Leqin's corpse mainly had its upper body discarded; it was even hard to determine whether the killers used a dumping method for this part—both arms were left behind, so only the spine and sternum were problematic to handle. But compared to long bones, the spine and sternum could still be processed using household tools and machinery.

In this regard, the killers didn't even need to read books—during dismemberment, chopping once would reveal bone hardness. Fresh thigh bones, for example, couldn't be cut with ordinary household knives, but sternums and similar bones weren't so tough.

Of course, there were time and physical costs. For years, the three killers had dismembered bodies in Chen Youdi's barn, accumulating considerable experience; the barn's location and environment perfectly suited prolonged dismemberment. As the at least fifth victim, No. 5's corpse gave them ample opportunity to refine their skills.

Tian Xiang might even have researched and developed techniques in this area.

In Jiang Yuan's view, Tian Xiang was the initiator and mastermind of this trio—he specifically targeted two weak, greedy, lustful old men, likely chosen from among his clients.

Zhang Hai, because he worked at an office and looked respectable, handled selecting and luring fallen girls, and burying the bodies. Chen Youdi, mainly because he owned a house with a yard and was an elderly widower, served as the jailer. Tian Xiang himself likely suffered from significant psychological illness—he handled the killings and dismemberment, probably also planned the crimes; Tian Xiang clearly had intense needs for both killing and sex.

Overall, this was a primitive prototype of a criminal gang—they had no experience, no blueprint, just wild growth and self-training.

If they hadn't been caught this time, Jiang Yuan estimated, in another one or two years they'd start retrieving the bodies. Zhang Hai would dig up the bodies the same way he buried them, reprocess them, and the chance of discovery would drop dramatically. The fact they never dumped the heads proves it.

If we don't catch them this time, Jiang Yuan estimated that in another one or two years, they would come back to retrieve the bodies. Just as Zhang Hai originally buried them, they would now dig them up, reprocess them, and the chance of discovery would drop dramatically—this was evident from the fact that they never discarded the heads.

But plans never match changes—that's the norm for criminals.

Every criminal, when deciding to commit a crime—especially a heinous one—even those who forget their keys buying vegetables, will craft what they believe is a meticulous plan.

As for execution, that's another matter entirely.

Just look at the college entrance exam—you see those late, forgetting their admission tickets, going to the wrong venue, not bringing stationery, collapsing in the exam hall, or panicking and failing to perform at their training level—basically none of them are suited for murder. The college exam at least gives three years of preparation, yet results are still inadequate; if you fail at murder, the consequence is death.

Jiang Yuan examined the entire corpse, then said: "The internal organs are mostly gone, but fortunately, the head remains—we can still see the chopping marks... consistent with the murder weapon..."

Jiang Yuan examined the entire body, then said: "The internal organs are mostly gone, but at least the head is still here—we can still see the chop marks... and they match the weapon..."

The external examination was quickly completed. Mei Fang moved the head slightly, used an electric saw to open the skull, removed the brain, inspected it, then sliced it.

The external examination was quickly finished. Mei Fang moved the head slightly, used an electric saw to cut open the skull, removed the brain, inspected it first, then sliced it.

Just as it was nearly finished, a blue dumpling rolled into Jiang Yuan's hand.

Wang Leqin's Legacy—Yoga (Lv2): Wang Leqin was the most beautiful girl in her group since childhood—proud and independent, she worked hard for a better life and to see a more dazzling world. During her most beautiful years, the world showed her its most splendid and gentle face. But as her exquisite beauty faded, the doors once open began closing one by one. Wang Leqin learned makeup, tried plastic surgery, and started yoga—all efforts failed to restore the world's gentleness. Clients grew cold and petty; the tolerance and kindness she once took for granted vanished from around her. In the end, only the moments spent doing yoga brought Wang Leqin lasting peace.

Wang Leqin's Legacy—Yoga (Lv2): From childhood, Wang Leqin was the most beautiful girl among her peers, proud and independent. She worked hard for a better life, to see a more dazzling world; during her most beautiful years, the world showed her its most splendid and gentle face. But as the luster of her refined beauty faded, the doors once open to her began slowly closing. Wang Leqin learned makeup, tried plastic surgery, and began practicing yoga. All her efforts failed to bring back the world's gentleness. Customers grew cold and stingy; the tolerance and kindness she once took for granted vanished from around her. In the end, only in the moments of yoga could Wang Leqin feel unchanging peace.

"Wait a moment—I'll check the other bodies." Jiang Yuan removed his gloves, changed to a new pair, and pulled open the ice coffin containing the other corpses.

Only inside No. 4's ice coffin did a blue dumpling flow into Jiang Yuan's palm.

Cai Yan's Legacy—Infant Communication (Lv1): After accidentally giving birth, Cai Yan could only give the child to her sister for raising. Her sister worked far away, struggling financially and disapproving of Cai Yan's profession, yet still took on the burden of raising the child. Cai Yan traveled across the country, returning only after long intervals—but the child still called out "Mama, Mama" nonstop. Cai Yan began learning infant communication skills, planning to save enough money to move to her sister's city and raise the child properly, living a normal life.

Jiang Yuan pushed the ice coffin back, thought for a moment, then said to Mu Zhiyang: "Compile the victims' backgrounds. Contact their families—see if any children or parents need care or support."

Jiang Yuan pushed the ice coffin back, thought for a moment, and said to Mu Zhiyang: "Compile the details of these victims. Contact their families and see if there are any children or parents who need care and support."

Mei Fang, thinking too much, whispered: "That... Captain Jiang, this work could be handled by our Lu Yang Criminal Investigation Brigade."

"Then you handle it," Jiang Yuan waved his hand: "Two days later, coordinate with Mu Zhiyang and send me a copy of the data. Now, collect the samples."

Free to read.

Two days from now, coordinate with Mu Zhiyang and send me a copy of the data." Jiang Yuan waved his hand: "Collect the samples."

Free to read.