Chapter 933: The Showdown Approaches

The bullet had passed through Nguyen Hui’s shoulder. After emergency treatment at the hospital, the police immediately brought her back for interrogation.

Facing the interrogators, Nguyen Hui appeared pitiful and even shed tears, but she refused to divulge any information.

“Another one like this,” Chen Shi said, frustrated. “These professional criminals are tough as nails.”

Lin Dongxue comforted him, “My brother said this happens often during interrogations. These people know they’re doomed whether they talk or not, so they might as well keep their mouths shut. Some even prefer to talk in prison for better treatment, giving the credit to the prison officers.”

At that moment, the monitor showed Nguyen Hui speaking. The interrogator took notes and picked up the phone.

Chen Shi’s phone rang. The interrogator said, “Captain, she’s disclosed the locations where they dumped the bodies. They are…”

Chen Shi felt a mix of excitement and disappointment. Excitement at finally getting some results, but disappointment that they hadn’t saved any more victims. “In the end, we didn’t save anyone.”

“We did save one, although he’s now without a stomach.”

“I’ll arrange for the bodies to be retrieved. Let’s give everyone the night off after these busy days…” Chen Shi turned to leave.

“Captain, it’s almost five. Shouldn’t we be…” Lin Dongxue started.

Chen Shi smacked his forehead, “You go notify everyone, I’ll go change in my office.”

In his office, Chen Shi changed out of his police uniform into casual clothes. Just as he was about to turn off the lights, he noticed a piece of paper on his desk. Picking it up, his eyes widened, and he quickly ran to the information department to have them check someone.

Seeing the results on the screen, Chen Shi muttered, “So that’s it! That’s it!”

“Captain, captain,” Lin Dongxue’s voice echoed from the hallway.

“I’m here,” Chen Shi stepped out.

“Why didn’t you say anything before leaving your office? Let’s go!”

“Look at this.” Chen Shi handed her the DNA test results.

“No way!” Lin Dongxue’s shock was palpable. “KK’s shoe blood really came from one of the victims. Liao Chunhuang is the mastermind. He has the money, the connections, and knowledge of the ritual. But… what’s the motive?”

“What’s the point of reviving someone for just one day?”

“Stop being cryptic.”

“Reviving someone for one day could be significant legally. For instance, if I killed someone and they revived, even for just a minute, my murder charge would be invalidated.”

“Does Liao Chunhuang want to revive the person his wife killed? Her brother?”

“Exactly. Xu Rongrong’s brother, Xu Song, was born on February 19, 1973. We should have realized this earlier. It was right in front of us, but we took so long to connect the dots. If KK hadn’t stepped on that blood, we’d still be clueless!” The realization brought a sense of clarity and relief. Chen Shi thought perhaps his stint in detention had dulled his thinking, taking him this long to figure it out.

“Everyone’s still here. I’ll gather them for the arrest!”

“No, no…” Chen Shi considered. “That blood on KK’s shoe isn’t conclusive proof yet. Tonight, when we go, we’ll search carefully and find solid evidence. You go get some swabs and test kits from Old Peng… Let’s allow everyone to enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival. Calling them back after saying they could leave would make them hate me.”

Lin Dongxue laughed, “Should we bring guns?”

“No need. Liao Chunhuang doesn’t know we’re onto him yet. There shouldn’t be any risk tonight.”

“For safety, I’ll bring mine.”

“Alright.”

That night, the Mid-Autumn Festival was in full swing. People from all walks of life were heading home for reunions. The full moon cast a silvery glow over the crowded streets. The traffic was as slow as a writer’s blocked inspiration. KK called five or six times, nearly going mad with impatience. Chen Shi was equally frustrated, wishing he could fly there. He kept tapping the steering wheel in frustration.

Lin Dongxue took out her phone and scrolled through her social media feed. “Xiaodong is already home eating mooncakes… Damn, my brother’s out with someone again. Another blind date?… If I ever see Captain Peng post on social media, the sun will rise in the west.”

“He has posted before!”

“Really?”

“I remember in 2015, he posted something like, ‘If I lack a true answer, it’s because I still don’t know what to ask.’ Like a madman. Turns out he was facing a work dilemma.”

“That was when you were still Song Lang.”

“Yes, it’s hard to believe four years later, I’d be sitting in the same car with the most beautiful woman in the world.”

They shared a smile, then a kiss, deepening until Lin Dongxue whispered, “Take off your clothes.”

“Are you serious?”

Just then, a car horn blared behind them. Chen Shi quickly resumed driving, and Lin Dongxue laughed, “It worked! The traffic’s moving!”

“Using driving to speed up driving?”

“Dummy, it’s Murphy’s Law. Take a shower, and your package arrives; plan a day out, and work calls; start a game at work, and the boss appears. It never fails.”

“Got it, noted!”

After much struggle, they finally reached the hotel. KK was so anxious he nearly wore out the floor pacing. “What took you so long? Hurry up!”

“Is this what you’re waiting for?” Chen Shi held up a newspaper.

“Upstairs, now!”

They reached the floor where Old Master Lu was waiting with a scowl, leaning on his cane. Beside him sat Liao Chunhuang, with two “sons” standing behind them. Seeing Chen Shi, Lu’s cane hit the floor with a thud. “Song Lang, are you doing this on purpose? You were told to come early. Can you take responsibility if we miss the auspicious time?”

“Sorry,” Chen Shi apologized, “Traffic was terrible.”

Glancing out at the line of cars, Old Master Lu’s anger lessened slightly, though he still grumbled, “Damn poor people, taking vacations and ruining our Mid-Autumn Festival.”

“Yeah, the world would be great if all the poor people died and only the rich were left,” KK quipped.

Old Master Lu shot KK a look. “You brought a pet?”

“I…” KK was about to retort when Chen Shi stopped him. “We have a plan tonight.”

Handing the “Zhou Xiao’s murder weapon” to Old Master Lu, he inspected it, raising his sparse eyebrows suspiciously. “This broken knife?”

“Let me see,” Liao Chunhuang took it, suddenly gasping and performing a ritual. “This object is filled with malevolent energy. Seventy-three souls cry out from it. This must be a weapon used by the demonic cult!”

Old Master Lu nodded in satisfaction. “Pay him and get him out of here!”

“No, I don’t want money. I’d like to observe Liao Zhenren’s ritual. I’ve never seen a true immortal.”

“Ho ho ho ha ha ha!” Liao Chunhuang’s laughter was theatrical. “This mortal doubts my abilities? Let him observe. But I must correct you, I am no half-immortal. Address me with respect, or I’ll destroy your police station with a wave of my hand.”

“My apologies!” Chen Shi clasped his hands, watching the soon-to-be-arrested man act like a fool.

Old Master Lu raised a finger. “Song Lang, you can watch, but cause any trouble, and I’ll end you!”