Chapter 283: The Terrifying Traditional Doctor

At the Forensics Department, Dissection Room.

Xiao Yu stared calmly at the nine metal trays arranged in front of him, each holding a piece of the body that sent shivers down his spine.  

A head, a pair of hands, two arms, two lower legs, and two thighs.  

They were neatly placed in the trays, yet the gruesome sight of the severed head, frozen in a grotesque smile—excited, joyful, euphoric, even blissful—sent a chill down Xiao Yu’s heart and body.  

Nearby, He Li worked methodically, extracting blood samples from the female corpse. She meticulously removed organ tissues for analysis. Her years of expertise were evident.  

As the most accomplished forensic pathologist in Bencheng, He Li’s nearly two decades of experience set her apart from others who might mechanically perform autopsies and file routine reports. Her pride stemmed from this skill and sharp intellect.  

Yet, just moments ago, this pride took a hit. Xiao Yu had pointed out something she had missed.  

Though the method of the crime, the dismemberment, and the stitching of the body matched the prior case, one key element stood out.

Congenital insensitivity to pain was a rare condition with less than forty known cases worldwide.  

People with this condition, also referred to as “no-pain syndrome,” are either born or develop an inability to feel pain. Even if their bodies suffer immense trauma, they can endure it without flinching. They could even sit and watch as their limbs were severed—completely pain-free.  

Fortunately, this condition was incredibly rare, with fewer than forty recorded cases worldwide.  

What were the odds of two individuals with such a condition appearing in Bencheng?  

In the previous case, the forensic investigation led Xiao Yu and He Li to deduce that the victim, Jiang Xiuran, had this condition.  

The absence of any residual sedatives in his system pointed to this conclusion.  

No other explanation could account for the bizarre, satisfied smile on his face after enduring live dismemberment.  

Now, the same haunting smile adorned the face of this female victim.  

Had she also suffered from congenital insensitivity to pain?  

Impossible.  

If not, then what was the explanation?  

***

Twenty minutes later.

“Datura!” He Li’s voice was low but firm, her expression grim. “The perpetrator is a terrifying practitioner of traditional medicine.”  

Xiao Yu’s expression darkened.  

Datura?  

For those unfamiliar with the term, perhaps “Devil’s Trumpet” or “Jimsonweed” rings a bell?  

In ancient times, it was a key ingredient in certain anesthetic recipes–for instance, Hua Tuo’s Ma Fei Powder, or Bian Que’s Sleeping Elixir.

Simply put, it’s a potent anesthetic.  

But why the elaborate explanation?  

Western anesthetics and traditional herbal anesthetics are fundamentally different, which is why He Li described the perpetrator as a terrifying practitioner of traditional medicine.

Why terrifying?  

Ninety-nine percent of modern practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine lacked the knowledge to create effective herbal anesthetics. Even among those who knew the formula, preparing it accurately was a lost art.  

In the modern world, Western anesthetics were widely available—simple, efficient, and reliable.  

Traditional herbal anesthetics, on the other hand, were outdated, cumbersome, and risky to use.  

So why would someone choose to prepare and use traditional anesthetics in this day and age?  

What did that suggest about their intentions?  

The answer was clear: criminal activity.

A person skilled in preparing such herbal concoctions was likely a traditional medicine practitioner. And if they chose this path to commit crimes, it made them dangerous.  

Using such an anesthetic to render a victim fully numb?  

Only then could someone dismember a living person without causing them physical pain.  

But…  

Xiao Yu shook his head.  

The victim’s facial expression—the bliss, euphoria, and exhilaration—suggested she wasn’t just physically numb. She had to be fully conscious during the ordeal for such emotions to be preserved on her face postmortem.  

He Li’s expression grew more complicated as she pointed to the victim’s lower body. “She appears to have been engaged in sexual activity during the dismemberment. There are clear signs on her body, but no trace of the perpetrator’s DNA.”  

Xiao Yu: (ー`′ー)  

He looked conflicted.  

‘Why are you telling me this?’ 

But He Li, a seasoned forensic expert in her forties, wasn’t fazed.  

Shaking off unnecessary thoughts, Xiao Yu frowned.  

A perpetrator who mutilated their victims during intercourse?  

Such a person’s psyche would be twisted to an extreme degree, even among other sadistic criminals.  

***

Having determined the killer’s method, Xiao Yu left the forensic department and headed straight to Yunwei Psychological Consulting.  

Sitting in the passenger seat of the police car, Xiao Yu analyzed and speculated. 

“Are they replicating their own crime?”

Two murders, two dismemberments, both identical in method and outcome.  

Both dump sites were meticulously chosen, far from surveillance cameras.  

No trace evidence was left at the scene.  

Perfect dismemberment.  

Perfect murders.  

Perfect body disposal.  

Finally, a perfect display of their… artwork.

‘Are you trying to force everyone to admire your masterpiece?’

***

Xiao Yu and Guo Qiang entered the Yunwei Psychological Consulting office building and walked up to the reception area. They were greeted by the same intern, Jiang Xin.  

“Hello… Oh, it’s you again?”  

Recognizing Xiao Yu, she smiled politely and nodded.  

“Yes, it’s me.” Xiao Yu’s eyes glimmered with a subtle sharpness as he smiled back. “By the way, where’s your receptionist today? Why are you covering for her?”  

“Oh, she took leave right after you left the other day,” Jiang Xin explained cheerfully. “She said she had to visit her hometown and wouldn’t be back for a week.”  

Leave?  

Xiao Yu frowned. Almost on instinct, he asked, “What about Dr. Liu? Is he in?”  

“Dr. Liu?” Jiang Xin shook her head. “He also left town two days ago. He said he’d be back in three days.”  

A chilling glint flashed in Xiao Yu’s eyes.  

‘What a coincidence.’