Chapter 379: The Murderer Appears

Upon meeting Li Yunxi, Su Mengjia dispensed with formalities and directly asked, “Miss Li, what brings you here?”

“Captain Su, I’ve brought a friend to report a crime.” Li Yunxi’s expression and tone were unusually serious as she pointed to Fang Yuan beside her. “This friend of mine witnessed a murder three days ago.”

“Three days ago?” Su Mengjia’s body tensed. She looked at the haggard Fang Yuan, her eyes gleaming with interest. “Miss, could you provide more details?”

Fang Yuan pressed her lips together and began to speak softly.

As Fang Yuan narrated her account, more officers gathered around, and Su Mengjia’s expression grew grave.

“Finally, a lead.”

***

In an old residential area.

The alleys were narrow and cramped, the ground uneven. The outer walls of the residential buildings on both sides had peeling paint, exposing the dark gray bricks beneath. Moss grew thickly at the corners.

Being in this area, one could always sense a heavy, decaying atmosphere, as if it belonged to a different world compared to the surrounding modernity.

In the process of urban development, such residential areas were not uncommon and had a specific term: urban villages.

Deep within this urban village, in a dimly lit room, a pale-faced man sat on the floor against the wall, his eyes slightly closed.

On the man’s knees lay a two-foot-long short blade. The blade was slender, about two fingers wide, covered in dark red patterns resembling human blood vessels.

The room was devoid of any furnishings except for a laptop. Displayed on the screen was a map of Jinghai City’s main urban area, with a small red dot flashing continuously.

After an indeterminate amount of time, the man opened his eyes, a flash of blood-red light flickering.

His gaze fell on the laptop screen. A cruel smile appeared on his pale cheeks as he extended a scarlet tongue to lick his lips.

“It seems my warning was ineffective. My beloved toy still chose to call the police. Very well, let her taste the pain of losing a loved one. Her screams will be all the more delightful.”

After speaking, without any visible movement, the man sprang up from his position as if propelled by a spring.

He lifted a foot and crushed the laptop into pieces. Then, placing the short blade into his coat, he left the room silently, like a ghost.

After his departure, the room’s bloody scent lingered for a long time.

***

Central District.

A burgundy Ferrari approached from a distance and parked by the roadside.

Not far ahead of the Ferrari stood a three-story villa with its main gate tightly shut. Several bodyguards in black suits stood at the entrance, their vigilant eyes scanning the surroundings.

Sitting in the car, Lin Xiao gazed at the villa ahead, his expression calm and unruffled.

This villa was Fang Yuan’s home.

Lin Xiao had obtained the address from Fang Yuan. They had decided to act separately. Li Yunxi would take Fang Yuan to report to the police to ensure her safety, while Lin Xiao came alone to the villa, planning to wait for the culprit to show up.

“It seems Fang Yuan’s parents are not entirely unprepared. However, this level of security is sufficient against ordinary people, but falls short against a skilled individual.” Lin Xiao did not get out of the car. After observing the villa for a while, he drove away.

Parking the car near the villa could easily attract attention. He needed to park farther away.

“If I were that murderer, upon knowing the target reported to the police, I would come immediately to kill her parents. The longer the delay, the more disadvantageous it is.”

Lin Xiao parked the Ferrari several hundred meters away from the villa, gripping the steering wheel, his eyes flickering with a dim light. “But acting during the day carries high risks, especially with bodyguards present. How would he approach the target?

“The simplest and most effective method would be to disguise himself as a bodyguard. With the murderer’s skills, disguising as a bodyguard wouldn’t be too difficult.

“If he disguises as a bodyguard, it would be troublesome for me to act against him. Other bodyguards might misunderstand. Well, I’ll sneak into the villa first. Once the murderer reveals his true nature, I’ll make my move.”

Lin Xiao quickly made a decision. He exited the Ferrari, glanced around, and with a swift movement, his figure blurred and vanished from the spot.

Ten minutes later.

A black sedan approached from a distance and stopped outside the villa’s main gate. The car door opened, and a man in a black suit and sunglasses stepped out.

The bodyguards at the door seemed to recognize the man. After exchanging a few words, they allowed him into the villa.

As he entered the villa, the man’s lips moved slightly, silently mouthing, “Fools!”

Lin Xiao’s guess was correct. The murderer had indeed disguised himself as a bodyguard. When he targeted Fang Yuan, he had already investigated her family background and prepared thoroughly.

No one would suspect that a cold-blooded murderer would pose as a bodyguard.

After entering the villa, the disguised murderer saw a middle-aged man sitting on the sofa in the living room, looking tired and worried, his brows furrowed deeply.

Opposite the middle-aged man sat a beautiful woman, equally distressed.

“Why did this have to happen to our Yuan Yuan?”

The woman sighed deeply, her eyes full of concern. “Honey, do you think Yuan Yuan is in danger now?”

The middle-aged man shook his head, trying to muster some spirit to comfort her. “She said she was going to find someone capable to help. Yuan Yuan wouldn’t lie to us about this. So let’s be patient, perhaps a turnaround is coming.”

Hearing the couple’s conversation, the disguised murderer grinned, revealing white teeth. He slowly removed his sunglasses, his eyes gleaming with bloodthirsty ferocity.

He reached into his coat, drew out the short blade hidden at his waist, and walked leisurely toward the couple.

“Who are you?”

The middle-aged man sensed something was wrong and became alert, reaching for the gun on the table.

But the murderer was faster. Before the man could reach it, the murderer flicked the gun away with the short blade and swiftly sliced it in half.

The murderer tilted his head, grinning at the middle-aged man. “Mr. Fang, you should know who I am. This is our second meeting. How’s the wound on your face?”

At these words, the man’s face changed dramatically, his voice trembling. “You… it’s you…”

The woman beside him turned pale, looking at the man in terror.

“Mr. Fang, Mrs. Fang, I hadn’t planned to kill you so soon.” The murderer swung the short blade, making a slashing motion. His gaze at the couple was like that of a predator eyeing prey. “But your dear daughter didn’t listen, so I have no choice. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to torment you thoroughly, so your deaths will be extremely miserable.”

A dark aura emanated from the murderer. Under his cold, cruel, and violent gaze, the middle-aged man couldn’t utter a sound.

“Well, enough chit-chat. Time is precious, let’s begin.”

The murderer licked his lips, a fierce aura bursting forth. He raised the short blade and slashed toward the man’s chest.