Translator: CinderTL
The Train No. 5 Disappearance Case occurred three years ago, yet this body appeared remarkably fresh, with a time of death no more than three days prior.
"Train No. 5 has returned," Director Qiao said, his voice hoarse as he looked up.
The corpse was that of a man, seemingly in his early thirties. There were no visible injuries on his body, only the unsettling, grotesque smile that made everyone uneasy.
The abnormality of the smile defied description. Huai Yi racked his brain, unable to fathom what the man had seen in his final moments.
He seemed to have died in extreme pleasure, yet the exaggerated expression also suggested he had been tense, even slightly afraid.
The mixture of pleasure, fear, and tension made the case incredibly complex.
However, one thing was certain: the man had been killed by a Ghost.
Even without Director Qiao's earlier explanation, it was clear to everyone present. There were no newcomers among them.
They could faintly detect a chilling aura emanating from the corpse, distinct from the coldness of the room.
It was the residue left behind by those things.
Jiang Cheng reached out, took a pair of gloves from a nearby shelf, put them on, and began examining the body.
The body lay on a wooden board supported by thick logs.
Ice blocks were packed into the gaps between the logs.
Despite this preservation method, a faint stench of decay still permeated the room. After prolonged exposure, it made one's head ache.
"What was the man's identity?" Jiang Cheng removed his gloves and tossed them aside, turning to Director Qiao.
As predicted, the body showed no external injuries except for occasional patches of Cadaveric Lividity.
"Feng Delin, Master Feng's son," Director Qiao said solemnly. "Master Feng is a prominent figure in Grey Stone Town, with deep roots and extensive connections in both military and political circles. He has influence in both sectors, and even I wouldn't dare to offend him lightly."
"No wonder you're jumping through hoops to solve this case and gave us only seven days," Pi Ruan mocked, sensing Director Qiao's vulnerability. "Did Master Feng pressure you to set a deadline? Threatening to strip you of your position if you don't find his son's killer?"
Director Qiao didn't deny it. He simply stared into Pi Ruan's eyes coldly. "If we fail to solve this case within seven days, I will resign. But before I do, I can guarantee you'll witness your own brains spilling out."
Pi Ruan, who had been on the offensive, immediately deflated at these words.
"There must be other victims," Jiang Cheng said, turning to Director Qiao. "You wouldn't immediately think of the May Train with just one death."
Director Qiao gestured to the young officer who had just entered. The officer immediately went to the side wall and fiddled with something. Suddenly, lights flickered on in the room.
With the light, everyone realized the room was much larger than they had previously thought. A white screen stood several meters away.
No, it wasn't a screen. It was a curtain made of white sheets sewn together, serving as a divider. They had mistaken it for a wall before.
As the young officer slowly pulled back the curtain, the scene behind it stunned everyone.
Neatly arranged behind the curtain were over a dozen white sheets.
Each sheet covered a corpse.
"They're all members of the Feng Family. Including Feng Delin, there are thirteen bodies," Director Qiao said after a moment. "If we don't solve this within a week, the entire Feng Family will be wiped out."
"My God, what kind of heinous crimes did they commit to deserve such a brutal end?" Fatty stared at the sheet-covered corpses, feeling the Ghost's malevolence was overwhelming.
Jiang Cheng showed no reaction. He turned to Director Qiao and asked, "Were they all killed in the same way?"
"Yes, all of them. All the same," Director Qiao said, his face grim as he recalled the eerie grins on the victims' faces.
"Were all the victims members of the Feng Family?" Luo He asked, his gaze fixed on the corpse's face, his voice calm.
"Yes," Director Qiao replied.
"Then it seems the killer was targeting the Feng Family, determined to wipe them out," Jiang Cheng said, avoiding the word "ghost" to avoid complications.
"Director Qiao, you mentioned the May Train Disappearance Case earlier. Now, the Feng Family members' deaths resemble the deaths of the disaster victims in the last car of that train. Don't you find that suspicious?" Jiang Cheng asked a question any ordinary person would have thought of.
"I understand what you mean. The Feng Family was indeed involved in that incident to some extent," Director Qiao admitted without hesitation. "The Feng Family funded the transportation of the disaster victims, and they were also the ones who arranged for Train No. 5."
As soon as he finished speaking, hurried footsteps echoed from outside.
The iron gate swung open, and a disheveled police officer rushed in, his face pale with panic. He was about to speak when he saw Jiang Cheng and the others staring at him, and he immediately fell silent.
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Director Qiao seemed to understand something. Frowning, he said, "There are no outsiders here. Speak freely."
With permission granted, the officer immediately blurted out in a panic, "Director Qiao, it's bad! News just came from Feng Manor—another death this morning!"
"Who is it this time?" Director Qiao asked urgently.
"It's the Taoist Master Master Feng hired to exorcise the Ghost. He died in the ancestral hall set up by the Qiao Family. He was supposed to be performing a vigil and ritual to drive away the Ghost, but when they went to check this morning, he was already cold." After speaking, the officer glanced fearfully at the dozen or so grave-like mounds of corpses inside and whispered, "It's the same... the same expression."
"How is Master Feng?" Director Qiao asked, his face etched with annoyance.
"Master Feng has fallen ill and is currently under medical care, but I hear his condition is critical," the officer added.
Director Qiao turned to Jiang Cheng and the others. "Go there now. Wu Ergou will fill you in on the details."
"Remember, you have only seven days," Director Qiao said. "Don't even think about running. I have people all over Grey Stone Town. You won't escape my grasp."
With that, Director Qiao left with another young officer.
It was clear he was in a terrible mood. Anyone would be upset after going through something like this.
He couldn't afford to offend the Feng Family, and he certainly couldn't afford to offend a Ghost.
That's why he'd sought out Jiang Cheng and his crew.
It seemed Director Qiao himself didn't have much hope of resolving the matter. Hiring Jiang Cheng's team was more about finding a scapegoat.
Following Wu Ergou out of the police station, they turned left and right, eventually arriving at a bustling street lined with shops.
Food vendors hawked their wares at the top of their lungs, while at the corner, a straw mat was spread out, covered with stalls selling various trinkets.
Brothers, Happy National Day! I'm adding an extra chapter today. (The monthly ticket bonus has doubled, but I'm not trying to imply anything by mentioning it.)
(End of the Chapter)
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