Chapter 129: Step by Step

Xiao Yu went completely berserk.

It was the first time he had such a close encounter with death since his transmigration to this world. That scalp-numbing, ice-cold feeling was unbearable.

He could already be sure. The other party was not an ordinary person. Ordinary people didn’t understand unconventional killing methods and anti-reconnaissance tactics. Xiao Yu could see this, and so could Wang Dong. It was just that at first, no one thought in this direction.

“It’s not the methods of special forces or soldiers,” Wang Dong explained to the cold-faced Xiao Yu. “Although some troops have bows and crossbows, they rarely use them unless performing special missions. This can be ruled out.”

Xiao Yu nodded. 

Regular soldiers and special forces would just push forward directly. They wouldn’t play with bows and crossbows. If they weren’t performing special operations, a sniper rifle would let you know what cruelty was.

Eliminating the possibility of veterans gave Xiao Yu a headache. 

Retired police officers? 

That was even more unrealistic. Only special police were proficient in these methods. Special police had even fewer chances to come into contact with or be familiar with crossbows. Being able to shoot with a remotely controlled crossbow so accurately was something that ordinary special police couldn’t do.

“Mercenary?” Xiao Yu’s scalp tingled at the thought of this possibility.

“Have you watched too many novels and movies?” Wang Dong curled his lips in disdain. “Do you think our national security and special forces are dead?”

“Ugh!” Xiao Yu laughed awkwardly. 

Yeah, it was also because novels and movies exaggerated the mercenaries. The point was that people in this country basically had no chance to join mercenaries. If it was a foreigner, do you think national security was stupid and won’t investigate?

Not ex-soldiers, not ex-police, not mercenaries… so what could it be?

“Are we overthinking this?” Xiao Yu frowned and pondered.

“The devil knows.” Wang Dong was also very frustrated.

One thing was certain. The other party must have anticipated that they would come to check the locker storage. Or rather, it was not a calculation, but just a precaution?

“Whatever it is,” Xiao Yu smiled coldly, “Since he’s here, the simplest way is to find him.”

From a psychological perspective, a person like him wouldn’t easily leave his familiar territory and would be extremely cautious in everything he did. If he left, it should be to commit a crime or scout the area.

Since the police already traced things back to this place and discovered traps set by him, it suggested that he was indeed there. But why? 

This was similar to the psychology of beasts. They all had a territorial instinct. What did beasts do when an outsider invaded their territory? They seemed to hunt but were actually provoked into action.

If one thought rationally, facing the overwhelming power of the state, only a fool wouldn’t run and would instead stay behind. So, this was just normal thinking.

However, the suspect was not only smart but also understood how to analyze the minds of ordinary people. The police knew that you’d run, so they’d definitely investigate all potential suspects. Running would only expose oneself more easily. The best strategy would be to hide even deeper.

Or there’s another possibility, and it was the most likely one. This wasn’t his territory at all. It was just the place where he received his goods. If that was the case, this place was still undoubtedly connected to him.

Over the course of two days, Xiao Yu used his Monarch Butterfly’s nose ability to scan the area. As expected, he wasn’t there, and no residential building had any lingering scent. 

Was the clue cut off? Not entirely. There was still one fatal clue left by the suspect.

Although there were no cameras near the locker storage, there were still cameras at the gate of the community. It was enough to check the people who entered the community nine months ago, eight months ago, and five months ago. Xiao Yu didn’t believe that no matter how much the suspect planned and schemed, he wouldn’t personally fetch his own things. Would he send someone else to collect them?

If that was the case, it only meant that the suspect had accomplices.

For an entire day, Xiao Yu watched the community surveillance footage. He observed the people entering the community during three specific time periods, who were suspected of heading toward the lockers. 

There were too many people to check individually. So, how should he investigate?

Of course, he should check those who entered the community, picked up their packages, and then left. By examining the size of the packages, he could infer who picked them up.

How to determine the package size? 

Most merchants used standardized shipping boxes, making it easy to identify. And most importantly, someone picked up packages during all three time periods—nine months ago, eight months ago, and five months ago.

How many people would appear during these three time periods?

Did the answer reveal itself?

It did, but it left Xiao Yu momentarily stunned.

Sun Lian, female, 28 years old, unemployed, local resident.

An accomplice?

Then, a question arose. Why did Sun Lian come to this community to pick up packages?

Because this community was indeed her residence, although she usually didn’t live there.

Where did she live?

Her boyfriend’s house!

National Security and SWAT teams immediately surrounded the residence of Sun Lian and her boyfriend.

Boom!

The door was smashed open by the SWAT team’s battering ram, and Xiao Yu stepped inside.

Screams erupted. There was only one woman in the hall, screaming and retreating.

It was Sun Lian.

The SWAT team rushed over and roughly pinned Sun Lian to the ground.

Sniffing twice, Xiao Yu’s face broke into a cold smile.

Target confirmed.

He walked towards a room. Upon opening it, he found a study, but it was empty.

Frowning, Xiao Yu sneered. He scanned the study and noticed many familiar items. All kinds of large and small flying devices, like a showroom for an aircraft collector.

Xiao Yu casually picked up a photo frame from the bookshelf and looked at the couple in the picture.

A tall man with his arm around Sun Lian, wearing sunglasses, seemingly smiling with a cold expression.

Soon, a file on the man was laid out in front of Xiao Yu.

Wu Yuanxin, male, 30 years old, local resident, dropped out of high school and went abroad, life abroad unknown, returned to the country last year.

‘Just returned last year? What have you been doing for the past decade abroad?’

“So, did you learn all your skills abroad?” Muttering to himself, Xiao Yu mocked, “Arrest him!”

National Security took action. Within half a day, although they didn’t catch the person, they found a place. A residence under Wu Yuanxin’s name.

The moment the door was knocked open, a strange stench wafted out.

The house was pitch black inside. Two SWAT officers rushed in. Xiao Yu and Wang Dong followed closely behind.

Suddenly.

“Fall back!” Xiao Yu shouted.

But it was too late.

A massive black shadow, roaring like a beast, lunged at one of the SWAT officers.

With the speed of a leopard, the strength of a bear, and the agility of a civet cat, Xiao Yu, having activated three system skills, appeared beside the SWAT officer like a flash of lightning.

His leg swung like a battle axe.

Bang~ Crack!

A dull thud and the sound of bones breaking, mixed with the beast’s wail.

Xiao Yu kicked the massive figure away. With a loud crash, it slammed into a wall. And then slid down.