Chapter 233: Simulating the Criminal’s Mindset

“It’s not them!”

Wang Dong crouched beside one of the corpses, his lips twitching slightly. The body in front of him had a collapsed shoulder and a sunken chest, like something you’d expect from a car crash.

Wang Dong had seen plenty of dead bodies in his time. But someone being beaten to death like that—and in such a miserable way—was a first for him.

But these weren’t the main targets: Second Brother and Third Brother.

“No kidding.” Xiao Yu, clearly annoyed, snapped back, “Do you think I don’t know that?”

“At least one of them is still alive.”

Unfazed, Wang Dong grinned and turned his gaze to the man lying on the ground, groaning in pain.

“Let’s see if this is the place first.”

Xiao Yu took a step forward, heading down the dark, underground passage. The stench of decay wafted through the air, and the passage was pitch-black. He pulled out his phone, switched on the flashlight, and soon enough, a cell appeared in the beam of light.

And then… he saw three corpses. Bodies so decayed they had turned to skeletons.

Xiao Yu sighed.

They’d found the second crime den.

Suspect Peng Junlong had mentioned that three people were imprisoned here.

Peng Junlong was forced to kill one of the women. But as for the other two victims—they were already long dead.

During the interrogation, it was revealed that the muscular guy and the two other men were the ones left in charge of guarding this place. They were part of the criminal gang.

But the question remained—why didn’t they run?

Because they hadn’t been in touch with Second Brother and Third Brother for six months, they had no idea that something had already gone wrong on the island. They didn’t even know about the existence of the underground basement on the island. 

What’s even more baffling was that Second Brother and Third Brother only gave each of the three men a million yuan. And that was all it took for them to follow along, committing murders and broadcasting the entire crime live on the dark web.

“One million?” Xiao Yu’s expression darkened. “So, a human life really is that cheap?”

“Well, that’s why they deserve to die,” Wang Dong’s face was grim, and he gritted his teeth. “Shall we head to the next hideout?”

According to Peng Junlong’s confession, Second Brother and Third Brother had a total of three hideouts. 

So far, they’d found two. 

From Wang Dong’s perspective, the two were probably hiding in the third.

“It’s no use. Even if we find the place, they won’t be there.”

Xiao Yu pulled out a pack of cigarettes, offered one to Wang Dong, and lit one up for himself, taking a slow drag. 

“Looking for the hideout is just a shot in the dark. It’s clear now that they’re more cunning than we thought. There’s definitely more than three hideouts.”

One could tell from the criminal den in front of them. Second Brother and Third Brother could abandon it without a second thought—they didn’t care at all.  Back then, they’d brought Peng Junlong here to play, showing no fear of exposing these hideouts. 

After all, who in their right mind would show someone else their crime scene? 

But how do we find them now?

Xiao Yu wasn’t about to waste time. He shot Wang Dong a knowing look.

“Huh?” 

Wang Dong was startled but waved his subordinates out of the room. Once the small building was cleared, only the two of them were left.

“If… I were Second Brother or Third Brother!”

Xiao Yu’s expression slowly turned cold, the sharpness in his eyes fading away.

“Uh…”

Wang Dong instinctively took a step back, watching his younger brother cautiously. He’d seen Xiao Yu like this once before—back during the arrest of the main culprit in the body smuggling case at a villa.

At that moment, Xiao Yu had given him the feeling that he had transformed from a man into a monster—a monster who could take reasoning and analysis to terrifying extremes.

“If I were Second Brother or Third Brother and did all this because of psychological issues, because of twisted desires, or for money?”

Xiao Yu muttered to himself, head down, “Was it for the thrill of cruelty, for the rush of twisted pleasure, or maybe to rake in a fortune from the dark web?”

Wang Dong watched him with a wary expression but didn’t interrupt. He wasn’t sure what this state meant.

But he knew it felt dangerous.

The flashes of murderous intent and inexplicable agitation coming off Xiao Yu made Wang Dong’s skin crawl.

For about twenty minutes, this strange state lingered.

Suddenly.

Wang Dong, whose scalp felt like it was on fire, saw Xiao Yu’s eyes slowly regain their sharpness. The cold, distant look on his face faded, and he returned to his usual self.

“Head back to Bencheng.” Xiao Yu glanced at Wang Dong, “They’re likely in Bencheng.”

“What was that just now?”

Wang Dong was no longer focused on the criminals. His curiosity about Xiao Yu’s earlier state was through the roof.

“Simulating the criminal’s psychology.” Xiao Yu headed for the door, “It’s a psychological technique, requires using the brain to simulate and analyze.”

“Simulating the criminal’s psychology?” Wang Dong frowned, “You mean, a person can imitate someone else’s mindset?”

He understood recreating a crime scene, but simulating someone else’s thoughts? 

That sounded a little out there.

“It’s a kind of self-hypnosis I came up with.” Thinking back to his previous life, where he was called a monster, Xiao Yu smiled bitterly. “Sometimes, it helps with solving cases.”

“Stop messing around.”

The two got into the police car, and Wang Dong wore an expression that said, ‘Don’t treat me like a kid.’

“I’m not kidding.” Leaning back in his seat, Xiao Yu closed his eyes. “This state is more like a guiding method that allows my mind to enter a simulation mode. But first, I need to understand the criminal’s past actions. Through their crimes, I can infer their psychology, and from there, try to empathize. By understanding their motives, I project myself into their mindset, immersing myself in their inner world to experience their thoughts and emotions.”

Wang Dong, “…”

‘Can you speak some normal language? Talking psychology to a guy like me—are you sure I’ll get it?’

“To put it simply.” Xiao Yu opened his eyes and gave Wang Dong a sly grin. “I simulate their mindset during the crime. I get into their headspace, feeling their emotions, intentions, and state of mind in real-time.”

Wang Dong’s hair stood on end as he stared at Xiao Yu. “So, in that state, are you them? Do you end up thinking like them?”

“Do you want the truth or a lie?” Xiao Yu grinned wickedly.

Wang Dong, “…”

He felt like his little brother’s smile was straight out of a devil’s playbook.

“It’s just a mental simulation, a way to make reasoned guesses that are closer to reality.” Xiao Yu shook his head. “I’m not some all-knowing being. Brother Wang, do you have some misunderstanding about what simulation means?”

Simulation?

Wang Dong’s eyes lit up as he smacked his forehead.

‘Oh, simulation—so it’s basically imitation, a rough copy, fake.’

Right, how could anyone actually see into another person’s mind?

If someone could, they’d be a real monster. 

Seeing the look of ‘I get it now’ on Wang Dong’s face, Xiao Yu’s eyes flickered with amusement. Soon enough, that amusement turned cold.

“Let’s go catch those bastards.”