In the blink of an eye, Yang Wenqing had been with the Major Crimes Unit for three days. After reactivating Third Squad's communication device during those three days, he had been reviewing old case files to familiarize himself with the Major Crimes Unit's methods.
Over those three days, he had also met the captains of the other two squads. One of them was Wang Jianchao, whom Xiao Liang had mentioned before. That man was incredibly busy and could hardly be seen all day. The captain of Second Squad was a female Police Sergeant named Liu Xin, equally capable and decisive. After briefly meeting Yang Wenqing, she had hurried off with her squad to work a case.
This left Yang Wenqing feeling somewhat uncomfortable staying in the office. Other than reading case files these past two days, he had been going to the archives to look through the records of seasoned guards, hoping to add bricks and tiles to Third Squad. He had also secretly observed two people, but rejected them both.
He had actually taken a liking to Li Ming, but Li Ming's wife had just given birth, and he did not want to join the Major Crimes Unit. The other was his classmate, Liu Rong, but he was still recovering from his injuries.
At the same time, he had not neglected his cultivation over these three days. After all, his goal had never been merely the Qi Refining Stage. Though some slackness in his heart was unavoidable after his recent advancement, especially when facing the full nine refinements of further cultivation in the Qi Refining Stage.
Still, he forced himself to set Fifth Refinement as his goal. Once he reached Fifth Refinement, he could take the examination to advance to Police Commissioner, and his records could be transferred directly to the city. There would be more opportunities in the future as well.
That day, Yang Wenqing was once again studying case files when Liu Qin, who was stationed beside the Communication Formation, suddenly received a message. She hurried over to Yang Wenqing's desk and said somewhat nervously, "A message from the Case Information Center. A box containing a rotting corpse was found beneath a public pier at West City Harbor. It is suspected to have been used for an evil ritual."
Wu Yan, who had been boredly meditating nearby, immediately rose from his seat upon hearing this. He picked up the maintained pistol on the desk and slid it into his holster. Yang Wenqing's expression likewise turned grave as he picked up the newly issued Type-1 Military Pistol. This pistol held twelve rounds and had an effective range of nearly fifty meters.
"Let's go take a look!"
Yang Wenqing had read so many case files these past few days that he also wanted some real combat experience. With that, he put his pistol into its holster. He was dressed in plain clothes now, with the holster beneath his armpit, and like Wu Yan, he wore a leather-armored coat for warmth.
Third Squad had a Flying Shuttle, an older Windrunner-III model. The two rushed to the garage at top speed. Wu Yan pulled open the door and got in first, while Yang Wenqing followed close behind and took the front passenger seat.
Bzzz—
With a low hum, the Flying Shuttle steadily rose half a meter off the ground, then glided silently out of the garage and onto the street.
About twenty minutes later, the Flying Shuttle left the bustling city district at a speed of sixty kilometers per hour. As the salty, damp scent of sea wind gradually thickened, the two saw a busy harbor through the windows.
West City Harbor had been built around a naturally formed crescent-shaped bay. A massive breakwater stretched into the sea like an outstretched arm, keeping the winds and waves of the open ocean at bay.
Within the harbor, the water was relatively calm, with vessels of all sizes moored there. There were old cargo ships powered by sails and simple spiritual energy formations, as well as enormous new steel freighters covered in runes, emitting faint steam and spiritual light.
The dock area was built from sturdy timber and concrete. Shipping containers piled like mountains could be seen everywhere, along with enormous loading crane arms, busy dockworkers, and sailors wearing uniforms of every color.
The Flying Shuttle was stopped at the harbor entrance by two port guards. After Wu Yan showed the Major Crimes Unit badge, they were allowed through. He drove the Flying Shuttle slowly along the dock area's main road, eventually stopping beside a relatively secluded public pier near the base of the breakwater.
A cordon had already been set up here. Several guards from the Port Security Office were maintaining order, while curious dockworkers and sailors gathered outside the line, pointing and whispering.
Yang Wenqing and Wu Yan got out of the Flying Shuttle. A heavier stench of fish, mixed with an indescribable rotten odor, rushed straight at them. Wu Yan did not even furrow his brow, clearly long accustomed to it.
Yang Wenqing secretly circulated his spiritual energy, slightly blocking out the overly harsh smell.
A Police Sergeant from the Port Security Office strode over. After confirming Yang Wenqing's identity, he said with a smile, "I've long heard that the Major Crimes Unit had transferred in a young captain. Captain Yang, hello. I'm Yan Kuan, captain of the Port Security Office's First Patrol Squad."
"Hello, Captain Yan!"
Wu Yan asked quietly from the side, "What exactly is the situation here?"
Yan Kuan glanced at Wu Yan, then turned to Yang Wenqing and explained, "An hour ago, a diving enthusiast found the wooden box. He thought it was something valuable, so several people carried it ashore and opened it, only to discover a corpse inside. They were scared out of their wits and called the police. We initially thought it was an ordinary murder case, but during the investigation, we discovered traces of a Sacrificial Formation on the seabed where the box had been placed. We immediately contacted the Police Alert Center."
Yang Wenqing had excellent eyesight and had already spotted the wooden box. A senior guard was watching over it nearby, so he asked, "Where are the statements from those diving enthusiasts?"
"They're all here!"
Yan Kuan opened the folder he carried with him and took out a document.
Yang Wenqing did not read it immediately. After taking it, he casually handed it to Wu Yan, then followed Yan Kuan to the wooden box. The corpse inside had already bloated beyond recognition, or rather, it had turned into a heap of rotten flesh.
He extended his left hand and lightly tapped it, forming the seal of a Tracking Technique. He recorded the bloodline imprint remaining on the corpse, which would help identify the victim.
Then his gaze fell upon the wooden box. Clear rune patterns covered the pried-open half of the box, and distinct rune traces could also be seen inside.
"This looks very much like the Five Elements Life-Draining Formation!"
Wu Yan was experienced and had clearly encountered similar cases before.
Yan Kuan nodded. "That's highly likely, so you need to solve this case quickly. Otherwise, once the real culprit succeeds, a mad monster might suddenly appear in the county."
Yang Wenqing nodded silently. He knew of the Five Elements Life-Draining Formation. It was the final madness of people on the brink of dying from old age, an attempt to seize the lifespans of others. Yet in most cases, they would turn into twisted monsters.
At that moment, the Major Crimes Unit's forensic team arrived as well. Yang Wenqing already knew the elderly man leading them. His name was Ding Lang. He ignored the corpse and merely instructed his subordinates to collect various samples from it. After carefully examining the runes on the wooden box and learning the details, he asked, "Let's take a look at the seabed where the box was placed."
After speaking, he turned to Yang Wenqing. "Captain Yang, you know the Water-Repelling Charm, right?"
Yang Wenqing nodded. He had learned quite a few spells over the past three days. He knew what Ding Lang had in mind, and he had planned to do the same. However, he first looked at Yan Kuan and said, "The victim should be someone from near the harbor. I'll have to trouble Captain Yan to check for people who have recently gone missing around the port."
Yan Kuan replied with a smile, "Don't worry. This counts as one of our cases too. I'll give you the results by tomorrow morning at the latest."
Before you continue