Captain Yang quickly shared the new case clues with Captain Geng, who had arrived at the scene earlier, then assigned tasks to the rest of the team as they arrived.
As external support personnel, Guan Xia and Xu Nian were treated with full respect by Captain Yang. He first asked for their opinions before making further arrangements.
Naturally, after Captain Yang finished consulting Xu Nian, Xu Nian immediately turned to Guan Xia.
"Do you want to observe the preliminary on-site autopsy?" Xu Nian glanced at the forensic team already working and subtly shifted her body to block Guan Xia’s view before adding, "Or would you rather join us in searching the vicinity for potential signs of a struggle?"
Guan Xia hesitated for only half a second before answering honestly, "Let’s look for clues nearby. The autopsy results will be in the report later anyway."
She was curious, but given how gruesome the scene was, Guan Xia knew she’d end up vomiting. To preserve the dignity of the Yongquan City Police Department, she decided it was best not to embarrass herself by staying.
Pang Le seemed to share the same sentiment. Aside from an instinctive glance at the corpse upon arrival, he spent the rest of the time scanning the surroundings. Zhong Xiaoyu, however, remained unfazed, even studying the scene with fascination.
Before splitting up to search, Guan Xia couldn’t help but ask, "What were you looking at earlier? Did you notice something on the body?"
Zhong Xiaoyu tilted her head, thinking for a couple of seconds before replying, "No, I was just marveling at how clean the wounds were compared to my uncle’s corpse. The difference in technique is like a professional surgeon versus an amateur. I was speculating about the first killer’s occupation—maybe a doctor? But given how he tracked the second killer for so long and still managed to fight him in the woods—you saw how physically imposing the second killer was—if the first one really is a doctor, he’d have to be incredibly strong. That would make him easy to identify."
Xu Nian and the others, who had been about to leave, paused and quickly followed Zhong Xiaoyu’s reasoning. Xu Nian added, "He could also be a veterinarian or a slaughterhouse worker. I’ve seen photos from the first victim’s case—the wounds were precise from the start, no signs of hesitation. That suggests the killer is highly skilled, not too young, and has been working in this field for a while. Combined with his ability to track and overpower the second killer, we can estimate the first killer’s age to be between 35 and 50."
"And he’s tall," Jiang Yingyao interjected. "I took a look at the fatal wound on the latest victim—a clean slash across the throat, right-handed, left to right. The killer must have restrained the victim from behind before delivering the cut. That means he had the height and strength to completely overpower the second killer. Judging by the second killer’s build, I’d guess the first one is close to 6’3”."
"What a giant," Pang Le remarked. "With such distinctive traits, the follow-up investigation shouldn’t have much trouble narrowing him down."
While the others talked, Wang Yu had been searching something on her phone. She now looked up and said, "I checked—Jianyang City has plenty of veterinary clinics, but only a few registered slaughterhouses. Though we can’t rule out small, unlicensed operations, like village butchers who slaughter pigs for sale or seasonal slaughtering. A full-scale search might still miss something."
Guan Xia suddenly remembered something and glanced around. "Speaking of which, the fourth victim killed by the second killer was found in the suburbs of Jianyang City. What’s further beyond that area? Could the first killer have been caught on surveillance cameras if he left that way?"
If there was one thing Guan Xia excelled at since joining the force, it was reviewing surveillance footage.
Wang Yu swiped through her phone again before answering, "According to the map, southeast of those abandoned villas are several scattered villages. No idea about the population—we can ask Captain Yang later. As for cameras, there are highways, provincial roads, national roads, and even unnamed trails. There’ll definitely be cameras, but whether they caught the suspect is another matter."
Guan Xia immediately knew her idea was a long shot. Given the first killer’s cunning, he’d avoid leaving traces, whether traveling by vehicle or on foot. He’d likely stick to remote, unmonitored paths. Their best hope still lay in the crime scene.
After a few more exchanges, the group dispersed.
Since Guan Xia and Pang Le lacked experience, they weren’t paired together. Instead, Guan Xia followed Xu Nian, while Pang Le went with Ji An. Zhong Xiaoyu teamed up with Wang Yu.
Guan Xia checked her flashlight, ensuring it was at maximum brightness, before trailing behind Xu Nian. She moved carefully, scrutinizing every detail of their surroundings.
The teams weren’t far apart—Guan Xia could clearly hear conversations from either side. Combined with the reassuring sight of Xu Nian’s back in her peripheral vision, she felt safe even in this desolate wilderness.
This case was bizarre, and Guan Xia’s mind buzzed with theories. After a few minutes of silent observation, she couldn’t resist asking Xu Nian, "Do you think there’s a connection between the two killers? Both vanished for five years before suddenly resurfacing. Ever since seeing the body, I’ve wondered—what if the first killer discovered the second killer’s trail five years ago and tried to kill him? The second killer went into hiding, thinking he’d escaped, only to resurface now and immediately get caught again."
Guan Xia’s imagination ran wild, vividly picturing a deadly cat-and-mouse game where the second killer ultimately lost.
Xu Nian moved slowly, her voice low as she replied, "Given the second killer’s erratic pattern, his five-year disappearance doesn’t seem voluntary. I suspect he was forced into hiding to evade the first killer."
Recalling Captain Yang’s briefing on the first killer’s past crimes, Guan Xia mused, "Compared to the second killer, the first is far more calculated and cunning. I can’t help but wonder—was killing the second killer just a side mission? Does he have another target?"
Xu Nian couldn’t answer that question. After a moment of silence, she said, "I hope his reappearance is only to kill the second murderer. Otherwise, it won’t be long before Captain Yang receives another call about a new victim."
Hearing this, Guan Xia felt a weight settle in her chest and immediately lost the desire to continue the discussion, focusing instead on searching for any traces the suspect might have left behind.
They walked for what felt like ages, until Guan Xia’s phone buzzed with a low battery warning. Just then, Jiang Yingyao’s voice faintly came from the right front: "Found something here."
Almost simultaneously, Ji An’s voice echoed from a slightly farther distance: "I’ve got something here too."
Guan Xia and Xu Nian exchanged a glance before hurrying toward the direction of the voices.
With flashlight beams serving as guides, they cut straight through the terrain. Though the path was rough—littered with thorny shrubs—they at least didn’t risk getting lost.
Brushing off the leaves and debris clinging to her clothes, Guan Xia barely registered the minor scratches as she rushed to where the others had gathered.
Before she could get close, Xu Nian’s voice warned, "Careful, don’t step on the blood."
Xu Nian swept her flashlight across the ground, the shrubs, and nearby tree trunks, revealing splatters of blood everywhere—some pooled on the ground, others sprayed violently across the foliage and bark.
Guan Xia studied the scene, then glanced back the way they’d come, frowning. "Why would there be so much blood so far from the crime scene? Is it from the first killer or the second? If it’s the first killer’s, could we follow the trail to track his escape route?"
"Probably not," Xu Nian crouched, examining the stains closely. "Given the volume and the spray patterns on the shrubs and trees, this wasn’t a minor wound. I suspect a major artery was hit—that’s the only way this much blood would’ve been expelled."
"Major artery?" Even Pang Le understood the implication, her voice tinged with shock. "Are you saying this is the actual crime scene, and the body we saw earlier was moved here? But why? Most killers try to hide evidence—why would the first killer go out of his way to draw attention?"
She paused, then answered her own question before anyone else could. "Right, I forgot. This killer isn’t like others. He prefers dumping bodies in conspicuous places. So he must’ve slit the second killer’s throat here, then transported the body to the dumping site to make sure it was found."
"That doesn’t quite fit," Guan Xia hesitated, shaking her head. "Based on his past patterns, the first killer chose crowded public spaces and significant dates—both to intimidate and to taunt the police. But this time feels different. Forget the date—just the location alone, near a hiking trail exit, is way more low-key compared to his usual spots. My gut says something’s off."
Ji An suddenly spoke up. "He might’ve done it on purpose."
Almost in unison, Xu Nian and Ji An said, "A diversion."
Guan Xia and Pang Le froze for a second, then locked eyes, their expressions mirroring the same mix of horror and realization.
Xu Nian and Ji An were suggesting that the first killer had deliberately left the second killer’s body in a semi-hidden spot to lure the police’s attention—freeing him up for whatever came next.
The moment the pieces clicked, Xu Nian yanked out her phone, but before she could dial, it rang first.
Guan Xia, standing opposite her, caught the caller’s name instantly: Captain Yang. A sinking feeling gripped her.
Sure enough, Xu Nian’s face turned grim the second she answered. After a clipped exchange, she hung up and met Guan Xia’s gaze. "Captain Yang just called. Another body’s been found."
Even with the warning, Guan Xia’s jaw dropped. They hadn’t even spent two hours at the latest crime scene before a new victim turned up?
Was the first killer, realizing he’d slipped up, deciding to go all out and eliminate all his targets in one go?
Pang Le was too stunned to speak. After a beat of silence, Guan Xia asked, "Do we keep searching here, or join Captain Yang at the new scene?"
Xu Nian checked the time, then glanced back the way they’d come. "We’ve gone pretty far. By now, Captain Yang’s probably already on his way with the team. Since we’ve found something here, we might as well finish the search."
