Chapter 986: Master

The next morning.

Arriving just as work hours began, Zhang Xiaoya came to the Criminal Investigation Brigade.

The officer who led her in walked a bit too fast, bringing her right to Director You, who was packing up his military cot.

Zhang Xiaoya looked surprised: “Director You, how are you… you slept here overnight?”

“Too late to go back and forth,” Director You chuckled good-naturedly. “Besides, my wife and kid are asleep—I’d just wake them up coming and going.”

Zhang Xiaoya felt even more embarrassed: “This… this really… I never expected you to come yourself, let alone stay up so late—ah, let me thank you on behalf of my younger brother.”

“No need to thank me. This is what we’re supposed to do.” Director You waved it off with a smile, then continued packing the cot.

He hadn’t slept on a military cot in years, but the skills from his early training still remained; after a brief adjustment, he quickly got it organized.

Dressed in professional attire, Zhang Xiaoya couldn’t very well step forward to help, so she pulled out her phone and took a few photos.

The hard mattress no longer hurt Director You’s shoulders or waist.

At that moment, Jiang Yuan entered with several others, carrying a PAD and other items.

“Jiang Yuan!” Zhang Xiaoya called out his name directly.

“Director Zhang,” Jiang Yuan replied with tact—something that came as a bonus from his clear morning mind.

But at this moment, Zhang Xiaoya lacked tact.

The instant she saw Jiang Yuan, her vision blurred as if veiled in fog.

“Jiang Yuan…” Zhang Xiaoya’s lips trembled, her voice quivering twice before she whispered: “Thank you.”

This time, facing Jiang Yuan, Zhang Xiaoya behaved exactly like an ordinary victim’s family member.

The Zhang Xiaoya who had just been chatting freely with Director You now felt as if her throat were stuffed full—she couldn’t utter another word.

For Zhang Xiaoya, hunting down the killer of her own brother had been a twenty-year mission. She had once believed this task would stretch endlessly to the end of her life, even that it would evolve into a massive event, ultimately becoming a terrifying black hole.

Yet in less than a week, Jiang Yuan had caught the killer.

Though it was only the killer’s remains, for Zhang Xiaoya, the lifelong regret she had carried had already lifted by half. At least right now, she felt that even if the mastermind behind it all couldn’t be caught, stopping here was acceptable.

“Jiang Yuan, tell Director Zhang what we’ve found,” Director You said, watching Zhang Xiaoya regain her composure before stepping forward. “I couldn’t stay up last night—I slept a bit. Jiang Yuan and his team kept working.”

Zhang Xiaoya nodded vigorously.

Jiang Yuan cleared his throat twice, but before he could speak, his phone rang.

“I’ll take this—it’s an officer on the field,” Jiang Yuan said, answering the call.

“Captain Jiang, we found Li Dianzhong’s master. His mother said it was his maternal uncle, Shen Peng. He served three years in prison for intentional injury and lost a thumb on his right hand,” came the voice on the other end—Miao Liyuan, once a tech-savvy detective, now reduced to basic labor since his skills weren’t needed.

Jiang Yuan’s eyelid twitched. The thumb was the most vital finger; losing it crippled half the hand’s function. This level of disability fit the profile of an old thief perfectly.

“What did Shen Peng say?” Jiang Yuan pressed, his voice rising slightly, drawing attention from Zhang Xiaoya and others.

“He talked a lot,” Miao Liyuan said excitedly, unaware of the scene. “When he heard we were police, he volunteered everything. First, he confirmed Li Dianzhong learned flying claws and body techniques from him. But Shen Peng never taught Li Dianzhong lock-picking, and constantly warned him not to steal or commit petty crimes—just pass on the skills, for there’d be a day they’d be useful.”

Miao Liyuan sighed. “Shen Peng himself lost his thumb because of theft, so he didn’t want Li Dianzhong to follow his path.”

Miao Liyuan: “Also, Li Dianzhong mentioned Zhang Xiaoming to Shen Peng—he said Zhang was pushing for layoffs, and Li feared he’d be laid off, something like that.”

“I understand,” Jiang Yuan nodded slowly, lowering his head to think.

If layoffs were the motive, the Jianmen Academy case was essentially solved. Li Dianzhong had completed his training, and with the wave of layoffs slashing his income, he had quietly begun part-time criminal activity.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaoming began pushing layoffs within the factory. As a non-regular employee, Li Dianzhong felt he couldn’t escape it. Likely motivated by both anger and the desire to make money, he decided to steal from Zhang Xiaoming and hired Wang Futing to help with lock-picking…

Jiang Yuan shook his head as he thought of this.

Five hundred yuan for Wang Futing’s services was too much. And just to vent anger—breaking into his own workplace—was far too bold.

Given the density of housing at Jianmen Academy, how did Li Dianzhong move in and out without drawing attention?

Back then, people still greeted each other on sight. Even with flying claws, Li Dianzhong couldn’t have avoided witnesses.

Ding ding.

Jiang Yuan’s phone buzzed twice—he saw a WeChat message from Miao Liyuan.

Miao Liyuan: [Before Li Dianzhong died, he mailed a box to Shen Peng to hold for him. I’m sending you photos.]

Immediately followed by a string of images.

Shen Peng received a leather suitcase, neatly packed with numerous items.

Mostly daily necessities: books, scattered objects.

Miao Liyuan and his team had already photographed and collected evidence, sending only the key photos to Jiang Yuan.

“Any new updates?” Director You asked after Jiang Yuan hung up, waiting a moment before speaking.

Jiang Yuan nodded: “We found Li Dianzhong’s master, and some items he mailed… just a moment.”

Hearing the familiar phrase “just a moment,” Director You froze instantly, making not a sound, as if afraid to disturb Jiang Yuan’s work.

Jiang Yuan called Miao Liyuan back: “Do you have the items with you?”

“In the car,” Miao Liyuan replied.

“Take a few people, secure the evidence, then pull out the notebook from the seventh photo. Send me live video,” Jiang Yuan ordered.

“Understood,” Miao Liyuan said without a word, immediately moving.

Soon, they connected via video call, and Miao Liyuan unfolded the notebook Jiang Yuan requested.

Jiang Yuan had him flip through a few pages, then said: “Secure the evidence. Stay put and rest. I’ll send someone to pick you up.”

Jiang Yuan gave two more instructions before hanging up.

Everyone present turned to look at Jiang Yuan.

Tao Lu asked: “What did you find?”

Jiang Yuan hesitated for several seconds, then said slowly: “I think it’s a codebook.”