Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Sudden Enlightenment!

Guo Zhengchang grew more excited the more he thought about it.

He was already imagining how many murderers there would be if it was indeed a sacrifice.

Two or three?

Or a whole village, or even more?

If that were the case, how exactly should he avenge his granddaughter?

Guo Zhengchang was becoming even more anxious, and Chen Xiao frowned, speaking in a low voice: “Sir, you’re overthinking it!”

“Mr. Xiaochen, just tell me, how likely is it?”

“The likelihood is very low because this is merely a guess, with no evidence. Moreover, any clue that emerges can have both positive and negative sides.”

“A clue is just a clue. Where’s the negative side?”

Chen Xiao held his temper and replied: “For example, with the Five Elements Sacrifice you mentioned, the positive clue for us is that the murderer’s motive for the crime was to sacrifice. But the negative side of this clue is, is this exactly what the murderer wants us to think?”

“You mean this clue could be intentional by the murderer?”

“Yes, because the names of the five individuals have existed for a long time. If not with ulterior motives, who would decipher their names? In criminal cases, any murderer with an anti-detection mindset will certainly engage in behavior that interferes with police investigations.”

“Their purpose is nothing but to prevent the police from ever verifying the truth.”

Upon hearing this, Guo Zhengchang was able to relax a bit.

Clearly, he didn’t want to see his granddaughter die from being sacrificed!

Chen Xiao glanced around and added, “I admit that some backward areas may have bizarre occurrences, but I believe most people from Yu Gui’s place are aware of his situation. His parents should also have spread the word about your help.”

“I think no matter how ignorant people are, deep down they should fear those with wealth and power. Besides, my discovery is not much different from the investigation of local villagers by the task force. I also believe the task force wasn’t just going through the motions; they definitely poured all their efforts into the investigation. However, they were unable to dig deeper due to matters within their respective units afterward.”

With Chen Xiao’s explanation, Guo Zhengchang regained his calm and rationality.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Xiaochen. I was too emotional earlier.”

Chen Xiao shook his head, indicating that it was alright. Then, after thinking for a moment, he said to Guo Zhengchang: “Sir, let’s end our discussion here. May I borrow your study for a while?”

Guo Zhengchang understood and nodded: “Okay, I won’t disturb you.”

With that, Guo Zhengchang left the study and closed the door.

Chen Xiao sat alone in the study, staring at the names written on the paper as if in deep meditation.

However, no one knew that Chen Xiao’s mind was in a storm of ideas.

“The task force, including Zhang Xian, has confirmed three investigation directions, almost encompassing all possibilities!”

“There’s suspicion that Guo Family members killed for profit, suspicion that two missing students are responsible, suspicion that village sacrifice is involved, and suspicion of close ties between the murderer and Yu Gui.”

“But none of the directions yielded results. Can I assume that all those directions by the task force were wrong?”

“If they were all wrong, then what kind of exaggerated murderer am I facing? Dongzhou, Hongzhou, West City, all their local police authorities were defeated by the same location.”

Chen Xiao shook his head while thinking.

“It seems I need to find their mistakes. Those who plant trees earlier allow those who come after to enjoy the shade; the comfort I have comes from their failed experiences.”

“Just what direction was overlooked?”

“If the sacrificial element suggested by the multi-victim case is merely a surface, it means the murderer is extremely familiar with Guo Ning and the others, and knows their schedules.”

“Setting aside the possibility that the Guo Family is innocent, why must Guo Ning and the others die? Did they collectively provoke something they shouldn’t have, or did they know secrets they shouldn’t have known?”

“It’s definitely not for money, because if it were, kidnapping them would be more beneficial than killing them.”

“Enough, thinking too much is useless. I’d better wait. Once I get there, I’ll follow the so-called Five Elements Sacrifice to search for Qin Zhao and Jin Meng. Jin Meng might be hard to find, but if Qin Zhao is really related to money, it shouldn’t be difficult!”

After clearing his thoughts, Chen Xiao quickly relaxed.

Opening the study door, Guo Zhengchang was no longer waiting at the door.

As soon as he reached the stairs, a maid came to remind him: “Mr. Chen, Elder Guo instructed me to accompany you, saying you might want to explore, and I would be at your side to introduce things. Of course, if you don’t want me to follow, just let me know. Elder Guo said you don’t need to feel restrained here.”

“Alright, then I’ll trouble you to be my guide.”

The maid smiled and nodded, following behind him.

As Chen Xiao walked, he observed his surroundings and, after circling around, surprisingly didn’t see Guo Qing or his elders.

It seems, after the previous lesson, Guo Zhengchang is genuinely cautious this time.

At this moment, Guo Qing and the others are likely praying that Chen Xiao solves the case quickly, allowing them to regain freedom.

But of course, that’s only if none of them are the real murderer.

Soon, Chen Xiao turned back to the entrance of another villa.

When he passed by earlier, he noticed all villas except this one had people entering and leaving, implying it hasn’t been occupied for a long time.

The maid seemed to understand Chen Xiao’s intention and said, “Mr. Chen, this was once where the young master and madam lived.”

So it turned out to be the residence of Guo Ning’s parents when they were alive!

Chen Xiao nodded silently, preparing to leave, when he suddenly stopped.

“Elder Guo said I can walk anywhere freely; may I go inside and have a look?”

The maid was surprised but smiled: “I need to ask Elder Guo because I can’t open the door. But it’s already vacated; I remember the year the young master and madam had an accident, Elder Guo had the villa emptied, fearing Miss Sun would get upset seeing it.”

“If that’s the case, then I won’t go in. There’s nothing to see in an empty villa.”

“Alright.”

Chen Xiao smiled and glanced at the sky; it was already nearing evening.

Thinking about Lin Xi, she likely was getting off work soon; currently, he had to stay in the Provincial City, not rushing to Yu Gui’s hometown, so wandering here was less productive than lying on a bed and chatting over the phone with his wife.

Just as he took two steps, the maid suddenly couldn’t keep up.

Chen Xiao turned back to see her clutching her chest and panting heavily.

Chen Xiao’s expression changed slightly, stepping forward to support her: “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing… I’m fine, Mr. Chen, it’s just chest pain… an old problem!”

“Have you seen a doctor?” Chen Xiao asked.

The maid shook her head, a bit nervously: “It’s fine. I have my work every day, missing one day means losing a day’s wages. My husband is paralyzed, both in-laws and a pair of children at home all rely on me, so please don’t tell the master!”

Chen Xiao frowned deeply: “Elder Guo surely isn’t the kind of employer who would deduct your wages for seeking medical help?”

“Of course, the master isn’t like that; he gives very good wages. But if I miss work one day, then that day’s wages are lost, and I can’t afford that!”

Chen Xiao carefully observed the maid’s complexion, feeling something was wrong.

Chest pain can be an indication of serious problems, like a heart attack.

“Sister, I think you won’t be able to hide it much longer. If Elder Guo spots you like this, the consequences will be serious. You know, wealthy employers especially dislike their employees falling ill. We can’t risk losing the job over a day’s wages, right?”

With that, Chen Xiao held the maid’s hand: “It seems there’s a doctor on this mountain, and your breathing is getting heavier; I doubt you can wait until you get down the mountain.”

The maid heard his words and clutched Chen Xiao tightly: “No, Mr. Chen! Everyone on this mountain serves the master and the young master and ladies of the Guo Family, and we…!”

Chen Xiao gradually forgot listening to the maid’s words; his mind was filled with the phrase “everyone here serves the young master and ladies of the Guo Family!”

Can he reinterpret this phrase?

The entire case investigation, isn’t it solely for Guo Ning?

Upon this realization, Chen Xiao felt as if he opened a window in a chaotic space, revealing bright sunshine outside.

“Sister, you’ve helped me tremendously today, so get this illness treated on the mountain. If the Guo Family blames, then I really won’t offer assistance here!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep