Chapter 323: Fully Taking Over the Investigation

Feng Xiuyun could no longer speak. Her face was drenched in tears. There was no more coldness, no strength, no arrogance on her face. With her mask torn away, she was just a woman.

A pair of handcuffs clicked open.

Xiao Yu removed them from Feng Xiuyun’s wrists.

“I know you won’t run. At least, not until that bastard is caught.”

Pocketing the handcuffs, Xiao Yu stared coldly at Feng Xiuyun.

“And as long as you stay in my sight, you won’t have the chance to run. You’re different from other criminals. I do sympathize with you. I do pity you. And I do understand what you want to do. But that doesn’t mean I’ve overlooked what you’ve done in the past.” I’m giving you a chance. I’ll let you follow me as we investigate this case. I’ll let you see that bastard get caught with your own eyes. But this time, it won’t be you doing it. Do you understand?”

“You…”

Feng Xiuyun lifted her tear-filled eyes, looking at Xiao Yu in disbelief.

“You’re… helping me?”

“Wrong. I’m not helping you.” Xiao Yu shook his head. “I’m a police officer. This is what I’m supposed to do.”

With that, he turned to the silent He Li.

“Sis He, you’ll be running around with me for a while.”

“Sure.” He Li nodded. “I’m a forensic doctor, but I’m also a police officer. It’s been a long time since I personally worked a case.”

Was a forensic doctor a police officer?

Yes.

Forensic examiners working in the forensic department were usually police officers. It was just that their work environments were different. Most forensic experts worked as full-time forensic examiners in judicial agencies and independent forensic institutions.

Some were university forensic science professors hired or commissioned by judicial authorities, while others were medical doctors with forensic expertise.

So, forensic experts fell into two categories. Ninety percent were police officers. Ten percent were special recruits.

He Li, however, was a fully ranked and commissioned forensic police officer.

Second-Class Superintended. Section Chief Officer.

With her watching over Feng Xiuyun 24/7, even without handcuffs, there was no real risk. Even ten Feng Xiuyuns wouldn’t be a match for He Li in terms of skill and capability

Could Xiao Yu just assign a forensic expert at will?

With his current standing in Bincheng City it was one phone call away.

If he revealed his identity as the leader of National Security’s Tenth Group, forget Bincheng City, he could mobilize police forces across the entire L Province.

But that was a nuclear option.

Xiao Yu wasn’t going to use it.

And this case didn’t warrant involving National Security authority. Now, the question was—how to proceed with the investigation.

【Ding! Case successfully triggered.】

【Police God Case Sign-in activated.】

【Would the host like to sign in?】

‘System, your sister is doing well, I assume?’

Xiao Yu felt an entire rant stuck in his throat. He had assumed the system wasn’t even interested in this case. He didn’t even get a mission prompt. And now, out of nowhere, the system jumped in just to save face.

He wasn’t trying to freeload.

Xiao Yu wasn’t that kind of person. But since the system was being so considerate.

‘Sign in!’

【Ding! Congratulations, host! Case sign-in successful.】

【System reward: Ability—Security Expert.】

【New system mission issued: Solve the Serial Psychopath Crime Case.】

【Time limit: 15 days.】

【If the host completes the mission within the time limit, an additional system skill will be awarded: Lyrebird’s Voice.】

【If the host fails to complete the mission within the time limit, the system ability granted will be revoked.】

【Countdown begins…】

Like a tidal wave crashing into his mind, an endless surge of knowledge, instincts, and combat techniques flooded Xiao Yu’s consciousness.

What exactly was a Security Expert?

To put it simply, it was the knowledge to detect danger, defend against danger, and eliminate danger. It was a bodyguard’s skillset.

‘But… what’s the point? I’m a cop.’

Xiao Yu sighed, feeling a headache coming on. He pulled out his phone, curious about this so-called Lyrebird’s Voice.

In the past, the system’s skills—like Rhino’s Defense and Mongoose’s Stomach—were pretty self-explanatory.

A rhino’s defense? Top-tier.

A mongoose’s digestive system? Practically invincible.

But a lyrebird?

Xiao Yu searched it up and was shocked.

This bird could mimic the calls of all kinds of birds. Not only that, but it could imitate human sounds. It could change its voice at will.

***

Municipal Bureau, Criminal Investigation Section.

Xiao Yu sat at his desk, reviewing a five-year-old case on his computer before retrieving the full records.

What was the Criminal Investigation Section?

A unit within the Municipal Bureau, similar to a Criminal Investigation Detachment, but ranked half a level lower. It had fewer personnel than a detachment, functioning like a miniature version of a provincial Major Crimes Division.

Its main responsibilities were tracking criminal activity, collecting, reporting, and sharing case information, and developing crime prevention and enforcement strategies.

Why was Xiao Yu here?

Because five years ago, the Criminal Investigation Section handled the serial rape and assault case. It was the case that left Feng Xiuyun’s sister in a vegetative state.

And now, after five years of silence, the perpetrator had resurfaced.

Another rape and assault case. Same method. Same brutality.

First stop: Municipal Bureau Chief Yun Xiangguo.

Xiao Yu took full control of the case.

Yun Xiangguo didn’t waste words.

Did he really need to question this kid’s investigative skills?

Second stop: Criminal Investigation Section.

Xiao Yu retrieved the five-year-old case files and left without delay, heading straight back to the Criminal Investigation Brigade.

***

Five years ago, on the night of March 14th, a woman went missing on her way home. Her family reported it, and the police launched an investigation.

Three nights later, a passerby found her in an isolated area—naked, covered in bruises and wounds. The police were called immediately.

Fortunately, she was rescued in time, and her life was not in danger.

However, forensic examination revealed clear signs of repeated sexual assault, abuse, and torture. She suffered severe soft tissue damage, multiple fractures, and a ruptured Achilles tendon.

On the night of May 28th, it happened again.

Another woman, leaving a bar late at night, thought she could walk home since it was nearby.

But she never made it back.

She was found days later—assaulted, brutalized, and discarded. The injuries were eerily similar to the first case.

Then came September 19th.

The victim this time was Feng Yue’e.

That night, she had simply gone out to buy daily necessities. Her younger sister, Feng Xiuyun, had just graduated college and unexpectedly started her period. There were no sanitary pads at home, so as an older sister, Feng Yue’e went to buy some for her.

She never returned.

September 21st— the police received a report. When they found Feng Yue’e, she was barely recognizable.

She was rushed to the hospital, but her injuries were too severe.

She became a vegetative patient.

Forensic analysis confirmed the same findings—multiple instances of sexual assault, extreme physical abuse, and torture.

Three cases.

All within the same year.

Bincheng City’s police force treated it as a top priority. Every major investigative unit was involved, with the Municipal Bureau’s Criminal Investigation Section leading the case. Yet, after extensive investigations, they found nothing.

No suspects. No clues.

Why?

From the moment the perpetrator took his victims to the moment he discarded them, not a single trace was caught on surveillance. Not a single witness.

How was that possible?

How did he do it?

Xiao Yu sat in silence, deep in thought.