Chapter 99: Chapter 99: His Trap!

Yu Gui’s departure was sudden, yet it was something everyone had expected.

He managed to hold on until now by the resolve he had written in blood: the words “to live.”

As the sun shone on Xiaofeng Village, the men gathered to comfort Yu Gui’s father, while the women tried to console Mrs. Yu, who had fainted from grief several times.

Chen Xiao stood aside, composing a message to Guo Zhengchang.

But Guo Zhengchang hadn’t replied; Chen Xiao knew that upon receiving the news, Guo Zhengchang would also be unable to calm his emotions for a long time.

At that moment, Ye Xiu approached Chen Xiao with a photo frame in her hand.

The frame contained a group photo of Yu Gui, Guo Ning, and the other four members.

Ye Xiu was visibly upset, her eyes swollen from crying. She asked, “Brother Chen Xiao, why do you think such things happened to them?”

Chen Xiao shook his head, and Ye Xiu continued, “If they put aside their family backgrounds, they were just students who hadn’t truly entered society yet.”

Still silent, Chen Xiao offered no words.

Ye Xiu wiped away her tears and said again, “Yesterday evening, it seemed like Brother Yu Gui sensed something was coming. After dinner, he kept talking to Mr. and Mrs. Yu, saying he was no longer a child and they should arrange something after he leaves. He wanted the villagers to be hosted for a meal since the family owed many favors.”

“Yes, I’m sure his family will carry out his last wishes,” responded Chen Xiao.

Ye Xiu pursed her lips, “But it’s such a shame he left without seeing the truth revealed.”

At those words, Ye Xiu’s emotions broke down once more.

Chen Xiao didn’t know how to console her, and Luo Dali came over quickly to comfort her with a few words.

Seeing Luo Dali lead Ye Xiu away, Chen Xiao exhaled deeply before turning to lean against a large tree outside the house.

He closed his eyes, recalling the image of that mottled wall in his mind.

It was a new day.

Chen Xiao knew what day it was, certain that the calendar would appear, but the events overnight left him overwhelmed and unable to focus.

[August 13, 200 years]

[Year of Bingxu, month of Bingshen, day of Jiaxu, lunar July 20.]

[Suitable for: Sculpting, Blessings, Planting, Herding… .]

[Avoid: Burial, Groundbreaking, Moving, Marrying… .]

[Extinguishing Day, the Five Elements come to an end here, an utterly ominous spirit!]

Looking at the calendar’s recommendations and warnings, Chen Xiao couldn’t help but feel a tad worried.

Yesterday was the day where heaven and earth vied for supremacy, and what he received was “killing.”

Today, the Extinguishing Day, the calendar’s recommendations and warnings didn’t particularly stand out in any way.

As he contemplated, the words “sculpting and painting” appeared incredibly clear on the calendar, while the rest of the text faded.

“The Power of Sculpting and Painting!”

This was the reward for the Extinguishing Day!

However, in the old calendar, it meant that this day was suitable for sculpting and painting deities or portraits.

Thus, it was a skill that would enhance Chen Xiao’s abilities in sculpting and painting.

As a detective, Chen Xiao was uncertain about how this skill could benefit him.

Moreover, the calendar offered no specific explanation, leaving Chen Xiao more puzzled.

As Chen Xiao stood lost in thought, a voice suddenly called out to him: “Chen Xiao, why are you standing here alone?”

It was Lou Xiaodong!

Chen Xiao smiled and replied, “There are too many people inside, and I was worried I’d be in the way. How did you get here so quickly?”

“I came as soon as I got the message and gave Old Yu a call. He said that before passing, Yu Gui expressed wishes for something to be arranged. It just so happens that my son Xiaoyang is in this line of work.”

Chen Xiao was taken aback: “Which line?”

Lou Xiaodong seemed a bit embarrassed, “If it were under normal circumstances and you asked, I might not be able to say it. But today, I won’t hide it—he’s a Daoist, the kind we call Mr. here, specializing in white matters.”

Chen Xiao was stunned, involuntarily recalling Hu Yue’s comment about things being “hard to speak of.”

No doubt about it, Lou Xiaodong was once the captain of the Qingxi City Bureau’s Criminal Police Team.

But now, his son had become a Daoist, which definitely wasn’t something to discuss with outsiders.

Without waiting for Chen Xiao to respond, Lou Xiaodong sighed, “I was very much against him doing this job. He decided not to continue last night and said he would work on home appliances with you. But now that this matter came up, I thought to let him handle Yu Gui’s funeral as his last task.”

Chen Xiao nodded, “That works. Since they’re all acquaintances, he’ll certainly see to it that the ceremony is handled well.”

Lou Xiaodong didn’t say much else, only sighed repeatedly.

Chen Xiao glanced at him, asking, “Aren’t you going inside to comfort Yu Gui’s father?”

Lou Xiaodong shook his head, “No, at this point, more consolation doesn’t make a difference. Maybe Old Yu and his wife even feel a bit relieved; Yu Gui’s prolonged suffering was hard for them, too. But Yu Gui left with regrets, unresolved.”

Chen Xiao nodded slightly, and after a pause, Lou Xiaodong changed the subject:

“By the way, Chen Xiao, do you think you can solve the case?”

Chen Xiao shook his head, and Lou Xiaodong replied apologetically, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked that question.”

“It’s not that. I mean, I’m not certain either. Though you’ve been in prison for a few years, your professional skills shouldn’t be rusty, and you should be aware of the challenges this case presents.”

“Indeed, we can’t find any connected individuals, nor do we understand the motives behind these crimes. The limited social connections don’t hint at any involvement. It’s… just too difficult. The criminal is either a natural detective or a born evildoer.”

Chen Xiao was a bit surprised, “Why would you use the term ’natural’?”

“Hmm? Don’t you see it? Why is the criminal so swift and decisive, cutting through with a sharp blade?” Lou Xiaodong asked in return.

After pondering briefly, Chen Xiao understood Lou Xiaodong’s meaning.

“I see, you’re saying that he aims for speed and precision in his crimes, right?”

“Exactly! But consider further, how did you feel about the handling of the bodies of those he killed?”

Chen Xiao focused his gaze, replying, “He executed the actions efficiently and cleanly, but in reality, he was quite careless when it came to handling the bodies.”

“That’s right; however, there’s one thing he did exceptionally!”

“You’re referring to the handling of Jin Meng and Qin Zhao’s bodies, aren’t you?”

“Indeed. While searching for those individuals, police dogs were dispatched. The efforts to find Guo Ning, Ye Wei, and Song Zhen were largely credited to the dogs. But why were Jin Meng and Qin Zhao never found?”

“Because their scents were completely concealed by their surroundings,” Chen Xiao answered.

Lou Xiaodong nodded, “That’s the place where I say he acted exceptionally, but the true brilliance… lies in his thinking. He handled the bodies separately, employing two completely different methods. This wasn’t simply to trip up the police, but to set a trap. And yet, we have no choice but to step right into it.”

“For instance, the first trap—Qin Zhao and Jin Meng vanished, living or dead, and who can be a hundred percent sure they weren’t involved? Then there’s the other trap—who can definitively assure that Guo Ning, Ye Wei, and Song Zhen weren’t connected to superstitious sacrifices?”

Lou Xiaodong indeed had deep experience, hitting the nail on the head with every point.

Contemplating his words, Chen Xiao couldn’t help but say, “Could it be that I’ve fallen into his trap too? Was Qin Zhao’s death deliberate?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep