Chapter 307: A Dog

The two leaders finally understood. They also realized why, even after Fang Shuoxin had been placed under national security custody, certain incidents still occurred.

Even without him writing, the crimes continued. Afterward, Fang Shuoxin could describe some details of those crimes in his novels.

There was nothing supernatural about it. His novels weren’t coming to life.

Whether the novel or the crimes, everything had been predetermined by someone else.

“That line… ‘Why don’t you guess?’” Wang Dong’s face turned ice-cold. “What’s going on with that?”

“They knew we’d find Fang Shuoxin,” Xiao Yu said, his eyes flashing with a hint of disdain. “They wanted us to believe Fang Shuoxin was possessed and led him to say that line. It’s pure theatrics.”

Wang Dong and Shen Zhengyang exchanged glances. For a few seconds, they processed what Xiao Yu was saying. A wave of absurdity and dread washed over them.

If it weren’t for this kid…

‘We might’ve believed the nonsense about the novel turning into reality.’

Was their intelligence just stomped into the ground by a criminal?

For some reason, they felt a sour, humiliating sensation rise in their chests.

“But…” The two turned back to Xiao Yu. “How do we prove it’s mind control?”

“That’s simple.” Xiao Yu grinned, pointing at himself. “I can hypnotize him.”

Wang Dong, “…”

Shen Zhengyang, “…”

It had been a while since they’d seen someone boast so casually in front of them. But, this kid did have the credentials to back it up.

Fine. Respect given.

Fang Shuoxin was cooperative. Incredibly so. He was terrified, thinking he was possessed.

An hour later, Xiao Yu successfully hypnotized him.

“Why did you write this novel?” Xiao Yu asked, staring at Fang Shuoxin, who sat with his eyes closed.

“I… I just felt compelled to write it,” Fang Shuoxin replied, his expression vacant.

“How did you come up with the content of the novel?” Xiao Yu continued.

“It… just appeared in my mind,” Fang Shuoxin answered slowly.

“Why does it take seven days to think of each plot development?”

“Because… the scenes appear by themselves.”

“What’s the next plot development?” Xiao Yu asked abruptly.

“I…” Fang Shuoxin paused for a long moment, then shook his head. “I don’t know.”

“Listen,” Xiao Yu’s voice carried a subtle suggestion as he spoke. “Time is passing quickly now. A day has gone by… two days… three days… What are you thinking about? What is your mind focused on? What do you want most?”

Fang Shuoxin’s expression grew increasingly dazed. 

He muttered, “Time… is passing quickly… a day, two days… seven days.”

Suddenly, his body began to tremble. His face contorted, as though he were fighting to wake up from the hypnotic state.

Xiao Yu’s face darkened. His sharp eyes locked onto Fang Shuoxin’s shifting expressions.

Until an indescribable fanaticism appeared on Fang Shuoxin’s face. 

“I… I need to write the novel. There’s a scene in my mind. I must write it. I have to!”

“What’s happening in that scene?” Xiao Yu asked quickly.

“The spy protagonist… and his girlfriend… Dark Dragon has a breakdown.” Fang Shuoxin’s expression twisted from fanaticism into ferocity. “Dark Dragon’s… post-traumatic stress disorder… has erupted.”

Post-traumatic stress disorder?

Xiao Yu froze for a moment before his expression darkened.

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It’s not limited to war; it can result from abuse, violence, accidents, or sudden loss of a loved one. It refers to the psychological aftermath following major stress.

Symptoms include nightmares, emotional numbing, insomnia, avoidance of trauma-related triggers, and, in severe cases, aggression, hypervigilance, memory loss, or extreme fear.

In extreme instances, it can lead to violent and destructive tendencies, such as harming others or even killing.

‘This is bad.’

Xiao Yu stood abruptly. He didn’t need to guess what the plot in Fang Shuoxin’s mind entailed.

The protagonist suffered from PTSD. The girlfriend was by his side. And then…

“Dark Dragon kills little Yu?” Xiao Yu asked coldly.

“Dark Dragon doesn’t kill Little Yu.” Still hypnotized, Fang Shuoxin shook his head. “He tortures her… for seven days. Slowly, bit by bit, he kills little Yu. By the end, he regains clarity, is consumed by grief, and destroys the entire city… including himself.”

“Where are Dark Dragon and Little Yu now?” Xiao Yu shouted.

“I… I don’t know. The scene doesn’t specify,” Fang Shuoxin replied, shaking his head.

“Think. Try to remember! Recall the subway station where Little Yu and Dark Dragon met. Think of where they ate, where they went, and the guide dog… Wait, the guide dog’s name is… Wangwang?”

Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up.

The detail about the guide dog, named Wangwang, sparked an idea.

A guide dog was professionally trained and registered. Every dog had identification, often tracked via city canine management systems.

Walking out of the interrogation room, Xiao Yu turned to Wang Dong.

“Find a guide dog named Wangwang. Its owner is a blind woman.”

Wang Dong, “???”

What nonsense was this? Investigate a dog?

“That dog will lead us to the suspect,” Xiao Yu said firmly. “He intends to kill the blind girl and destroy an entire city.”

“Shit!”

Cursing, Wang Dong bolted into action.

Half an hour later.

A fully armed helicopter departed from the capital, heading straight for a specific city. Onboard, Xiao Yu leaned back with his eyes half-closed.

Why seven days?

Why torment someone for seven days?

Was it a cycle?

Every crime followed a seven-day cycle.

Could it be connected?

If Little Yu dies… And it’s another seven days… Would he really destroy a city? What is the ultimate goal?