Chapter 198: The Human Skin Wax Figures

Criminal Investigation Unit, meeting room.

The room was pitch black, filled with the faint sound of breathing and the subtle smell of men’s sweat. Apart from these sensations, there was nothing else—only silence. The only light came from the screen at the front of the room. Even in a movie theater, the atmosphere would not be as quiet or as tense as it was now.

Suddenly, a voice broke the silence.

“Criminal psychology mentions a certain condition, where some individuals, due to both their innate environment and upbringing, develop a mindset that views ordinary people as insignificant, like ants. These people believe they exist on a higher level. They enjoy using their perceived superior insight, perspective, and deep thinking to judge and measure the common folk.

“On the surface, they seem polite to others. But when they hear the simple views of regular people, they feel nothing but disdain inside. Over time, they stop seeing ordinary people as their peers. To them, the average person is no different from livestock. Not only do they turn people into tools for their amusement, but they also treat them as… playthings.”

Standing by the screen, Xiao Yu shifted his gaze from the projected images on the wall and looked around the darkened room. As the light from the projector cut through the haze of cigarette smoke, he waved his hand.

The lights came on.

Seated around the table were Wang Dong, Zhao Changshan, Zhou Tinghu, Yun Xiangguo from the City Bureau, and even a senior officer from the Provincial Department.

Even with the lights on, they all remained eerily silent, as if frozen in place. Other than the sound of breathing and the occasional drag of a cigarette, there was nothing but stillness.

Perhaps the gruesome images projected on the screen moments before had stunned them into silence. 

The brutal and horrifying photos had left a deep impression, filling the room with shock and a cold dread. Yet, their eyes remained fixed on Xiao Yu.

“You’re probably wondering why I’m saying all this and how it connects to the case at hand,” Xiao Yu said.

He pulled out a box of special-issue cigarettes from his pocket. He lit one, took a slow drag, and exhaled a cloud of smoke. 

“Maybe you were too focused on the gruesome details of the victims and missed something important. The surroundings, the tools, and the attire of the one who committed these acts.”

As he joined the others in smoking, the smoke in the room thickened. It got even more suffocating than before. Yet, his words left a chill in the hearts of everyone present, stirring a sense of shame among them.

Indeed, they had focused solely on the victims in the photos, overlooking everything else. But this was understandable. When you see someone committing a murder in front of you, your attention is naturally drawn to the perpetrator and the victim. Who has the presence of mind to notice the surrounding environment?

“Now, I’ll categorize the nine victims, labeling them from 1 to 9,” Xiao Yu said, tapping the ash from his cigarette into the ashtray. “Starting with Victim 1, aside from the victims themselves. I noticed something peculiar about the environment.

“First, the floor is made of metal, and so are the walls. From what I can tell with the naked eye, the material appears to be a magnesium-aluminum alloy. It’s easy to conclude that the entire room is likely made from this alloy.

“Second, the metal bed the victim initially lay on is also made of the same magnesium-aluminum alloy. Even the special human suspension frames that held the victims were crafted from it. Keep in mind, these types of items are not readily available on the market. They’re usually custom-made, and custom-made items don’t come cheap.

“Third, the person committing the crimes wore a very distinctive surgical gown. It’s not something from our country, but a custom medical gown used by specialized surgeons abroad, and it’s quite expensive.

“Fourth, the murder weapons. The surgical knives, clamps, and various specialized tools—were all custom-made. Some of these instruments are highly specialized, costing anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands.

“Fifth, the way the perpetrator conducted the operation it’s clear this wasn’t their first time. They are highly skilled in surgery, showing a deep understanding of human anatomy. During the process of skinning the victims alive, their hands remained remarkably steady, indicating an extraordinary level of mental composure.”

Xiao Yu paused here, his gaze sweeping across the room. “You’re all experienced detectives. Based on these five observations, what do you notice?”

The room remained silent.

For a long time.

Wang Dong put down what was probably his umpteenth cigarette and said in a deep voice, “All the tools were custom-made, the person is skilled in medicine and very wealthy.”

“Custom supply channels, medical field connections, and a location where such things can be kept,” Zhao Changshan added coldly.

Others chimed in with their thoughts and observations as well.

“Ha!” Xiao Yu chuckled and shook his head. “Aren’t you all forgetting the most important detail?”

Everyone, “???”

“The filming!” Xiao Yu provided the answer. “From the camera angles, the sequence of the photos, and the way the crime was carried out, it’s clear the entire process was recorded. The photos are just screenshots from the video. So, here’s the question. Why did the perpetrator film their entire crime? What was the purpose behind recording it?”

“For personal viewing? Or selling the photos… No, not selling photos, that’s too risky,” Wang Dong shook his head. “Could it just be a twisted psychological thrill?”

Being more of a scholar, Zhou Tinghu had a different perspective. “The perpetrator sewed the skin onto a wax figure in the end. He’s making a human skin wax statue?”

“Which leads to the question,” the provincial official interjected, speaking in a low tone, “Why record the entire process of making a human skin wax statue?”

“I’ve got it!” Zhao Changshan suddenly exclaimed. “He’s taking the skin from live victims, then turning it into human skin wax statues. He’s showcasing the entire process. But to whom?”

“Exactly,” Xiao Yu nodded. “He’s likely creating these human skin statues as gifts, or selling them to certain ‘special’ individuals.”

At this point, Xiao Yu lowered his head and laughed softly, though his laughter was cold and sharp.

“He’s showcasing his craftsmanship. Or more precisely… his artwork.“​