Identity of the Deceased

After Yang Wenqing arrived at the precinct, he first went to the forensic lab, where he nearly bumped into Ding Lang, who was just heading out.

"You came at the right time. The preliminary autopsy results are out."

Ding Lang took out the examination report and said to Yang Wenqing, "Based on the state of decomposition, the analysis of the stomach contents, and deductions from the residual consciousness in his brain, the victim likely died around seven days ago, with a margin of error of no more than one day. There were ligature marks on the deceased's neck, but the true cause of death was his heart being pierced by a sharp weapon with a yin-cold attribute. That matches the residual spiritual energy found in the wooden box."

"Also, the deceased's final lingering consciousness was filled with regret and despair. Ninety percent of the spiritual essence in his flesh and blood was stripped away through a sacrificial formation." He paused before continuing, "What I'm about to say is only my personal speculation. You'll have to judge for yourself whether it's correct."

Handing the document to Yang Wenqing, he said, "You studied at the Security Academy. You should have heard of the organization called Yellow Springs Guide, right? They particularly enjoy collecting memories containing abundant consciousness."

Yang Wenqing frowned slightly. Of course he knew of Yellow Springs Guide. No one could determine how long it had existed. They were keen on tempting all kinds of people into carrying out evil sacrifices. A wealthy man nearing the end of his life could very well fall under their influence, and both sides would get what they wanted.

But Yang Wenqing did not want to treat that as a lead in the case, because his strength did not permit it. After carefully reading the examination report Ding Lang had handed him, he said, "Thanks for your hard work, Forensic Doctor Ding."

With that, he took the report and headed for the Third Squad's office.

After he left, a young forensic doctor walked up to Ding Lang and asked softly, "Looks like this new captain is a smart man too."

Ding Lang chuckled. "A person should know his own limits. Only by seeing yourself clearly can you go further. Compared with Captain Yang, you're far behind. For starters, you have no self-awareness at all!"

Meanwhile.

The moment Yang Wenqing returned to the office, he used his badge to connect to Yan Kuan at the Port Public Security Office. "Captain Yan, this is Yang Wenqing. The forensic department has just confirmed that yesterday's victim died seven days ago. I think we can mobilize the militia and investigate whether there were any witnesses during that period."

"No problem. I'll arrange it right away."

After agreeing, Yan Kuan said with a chuckle, "I was just about to contact you. We've made progress on the victim's identity. We compared his bloodline aura against missing-person records and have preliminarily identified him as a fisherman from Seaside Village named Chen Dayong. Forty-two years old, married, with one son. Do you want to come over and question his wife together?"

"Alright, we'll be there right away!" Yang Wenqing immediately agreed.

He cut off the communication formation's signal and instructed Wu Yan and Liu Qin, who had already reported for duty, "Old Wu, come with me to Seaside Village. Little Qin, stay here and keep an eye on the forensic department's examination reports."

"Yes!" the two replied in unison.

Yang Wenqing and Wu Yan boarded that old Windrunner-III flying shuttle again and sped toward Seaside Village on the western side of the port district.

Before long, a fishing village built against a small hillside came into view.

This was Seaside Village.

The village was not large. Most of its houses were built from piled stone, their roofs covered with thick seaweed to keep out the wind and rain. The air was heavy with the smell of fish. Its roads were narrow and muddy, with fishing nets laid out to dry in many places. Quite a few villagers looked up curiously at the flying shuttle passing overhead.

The shuttle landed in the gathering square at the center of the village, where Yan Kuan was already waiting with two security officers.

"Captain Yang, this way."

Yan Kuan came forward. Without exchanging too many pleasantries, he led them into the village.

They walked along a stone path uphill, eventually stopping before a secluded courtyard halfway up the slope. The courtyard was small, as was the house within it—probably only large enough for a family of three. Its gate was a crude wooden fence.

In the middle of the courtyard stood a young man who looked to be around twenty, with a pretty woman beside him. The two were arguing with a woman in her forties.

Yang Wenqing immediately used the Tracking Technique and quickly detected a bloodline aura matching the deceased, Chen Dayong. It was emanating from the young man.

Their bloodlines shared the same origin, and the resonance was one that only existed between father and son. Chen Dayong's identity could therefore be confirmed.

And Chen Dayong's biological son was arguing with that woman. Judging by the situation, she was most likely Chen Dayong's wife—the young man's mother.

"...I don't care. I'm making this clear: the money has to be ready by the eighth of next month. A-Li's family has already compromised. If you still can't come up with it, I'll jump from here. At least I won't keep causing you trouble!"

The young man said this with an especially vile attitude.

The fashionably dressed woman beside him also frowned, her voice shrill. "Auntie, we're not trying to force you. My parents need an explanation too. Your family agreed to this in the first place."

The woman—Chen Dayong's wife—twisted the corner of her apron tightly in both hands. Her face was gray, and her lips trembled. "There's... there's really nothing left at home. Your father has been missing for days. Can't you two just..."

"Wait for him? If he dies out there, does that mean we don't get the money?"

The young man cut her off recklessly.

The woman shuddered all over and raised her hand as if to strike him, only for it to fall weakly back down.

"Creak—"

Yan Kuan pushed open the wooden fence gate.

All three people in the courtyard turned around at once.

When Chen Xiaohai saw Yan Kuan's security uniform, his momentum abruptly faltered, and his words caught in his throat. A-Li instinctively shrank behind him.

When the woman saw Yan Kuan, as well as the cold-tempered Yang Wenqing and Wu Yan behind him, her pupils suddenly contracted. It was as though a tremendous panic had seized her. Her legs went weak, and she nearly lost her footing.

Yang Wenqing immediately noticed her reaction. It was highly abnormal. He looked at Wu Yan and instructed, "Take those two young people aside and question them."

Yan Kuan then said to the two security officers beside him, "You go too."

Wu Yan moved swiftly. A Clear Mind Spell talisman activated soundlessly, and gentle light enveloped the young man and the woman beside him. The agitation and irritation on their faces visibly subsided. Wu Yan and the two port security officers then led them to the corner of the courtyard for questioning.

The courtyard immediately fell quiet, leaving only the woman's muffled sobs.

Yang Wenqing stepped forward and took out a Clear Mind Spell talisman as well. With a slight release of spiritual power, the rune transformed into a cool breath that entered the woman's body. Her intense emotional turmoil eased somewhat.

Yan Kuan had plenty of experience with such matters. He softened his voice and said, "Sister-in-law Chen, calm yourself first. We came here this time because of Chen Dayong."

Upon hearing her husband's name, the woman suddenly looked up. Cloudy tears welled up uncontrollably again. She seemed to have already sensed something. She clutched Yan Kuan's sleeve tightly with both hands, her nails nearly digging into his flesh. "Dayong... Dayong, did he... did something happen to him?"

Yan Kuan nodded heavily. "We found his body at the port... He was murdered."

The woman abruptly raised her head. Her body swayed, and all color drained from her face in an instant. This was clearly far beyond what she had expected. After a long while, she managed to squeeze out a hoarse breath from her throat. "He's... gone?"

"My condolences," Yan Kuan said quietly.

The woman suddenly stretched out her hands and gripped Yan Kuan's sleeve tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force. Her hollow eyes stared straight at the ground, and her lips trembled. It was as though she were talking to herself, yet also questioning the cruel whims of fate:

"Gone... How could he be gone? When he left, he said that once he came back from this trip, he'd have enough money for Xiaohai to marry..." Her voice was hoarse, carrying a numbness that made one's heart tighten.

"He said... he said it was a big payment, enough to marry A-Li into the family properly and with honor. The girl's family was waiting. We couldn't delay any longer..."

Tears silently ran down her deeply lined cheeks, but she seemed unable to feel them.

"The family had truly been bled dry. The fishing boat was old and couldn't bring in much fish. Xiaohai was such a worry too, always pressing him, forcing his father..."

Her voice suddenly broke into a sob, mixed with endless remorse and despair:

"His father had no choice. He said... he said he'd taken some 'dirty work,' helping someone bring some shady goods ashore from a large ship. Not through the proper docks, without anyone knowing. Just this once, and then he'd never touch it again..."

She suddenly raised her head, her clouded eyes bloodshot.

"Did he... did he die because of that 'dirty work'? Which damned bastard killed him?"

At last, she broke down and cried loudly. Within those sobs was a woman's despair at losing the person she depended on, a mother's helplessness over her disappointing son, and an endless grief for the desperate path her husband had taken.