Chapter 39: A Minor Case

【Ding, congratulations to the host for cracking a major murder and dismemberment case.】

【Reward: Skill – The Nose of King Butterfly!】

Stepping out of the sports car, Xiao Yu halted abruptly.

“What’s wrong?” Mu Qingwu, who had driven Xiao Yu to work, asked.

“It’s nothing,” Xiao Yu regained his composure and gestured towards Mu Qingwu inside the car, “Sister, I’m off to work.”

“Alright.” Mu Qingwu nodded, puzzled, “Be careful.”

“The Nose of King Butterfly?”

Watching the sports car drive away, Xiao Yu tested his new ability, still able to distinctly catch Mu Qingwu’s scent. It was as if this scent formed an invisible chain, tracing a line through the air.

At this moment, his nose was also picking up a myriad of other unusual scents in the air.

Shutting off the ‘Nose of King Butterfly’, he couldn’t help but be both amused and exasperated.

Wan’t this essentially a hound’s nose?

Xiao Yu’s brow furrowed, but something was amiss. He had solved the grisly case of dismemberment just two days ago and had been eagerly anticipating the system’s reward. Yet, instead of issuing it immediately, it was only awarded today.

Could it be that the case was considered solved only now?

As he entered the Criminal Investigation Division, Xiao Yu exchanged greetings with his colleagues. He had barely settled down to acquaint himself with his new desk when his phone rang, displaying an unfamiliar number.

“Xiao Yu, make your way to the city bureau,” Niu Peng’s voice came through the phone, “There’s been a development with the case.”

Xiao Yu’s expression turned grave. After notifying his team, he hailed a taxi directly to the city bureau.

On the ride over, he pondered what sort of development could have arisen with the case. Since the system had already issued the reward, it likely wasn’t anything significant.

Once reaching the city bureau, Xiao Yu was ushered into the large conference room, greeted by a gathering of leaders. Their demeanor was casual, each offering a smile and nod of recognition upon seeing Xiao Yu.

Respect was something one had to earn, while status was acquired through demonstrated ability.

Take, for instance, Niu Peng, the esteemed captain of the Criminal Investigation Division’s first team. He seated earnestly in the conference room, adopting the demeanor of a respectful junior.

“The case has taken a turn,” announced the chief of the municipal bureau, addressing Xiao Yu. “He Xiao has agreed to confess to his crimes, with one condition.”

“What?” Xiao Yu asked, taken aback.

“He’s requesting to be executed by firing squad as soon as possible.” The chief gave Xiao Yu an odd look. “We’re all quite intrigued, what exactly did you say to him that frightened him to this extent?”

Xiao Yu let out a sigh of relief. So, this was the matter. He had feared a new twist in the case.

Without concealing anything, Xiao Yu recounted everything he had said to He Xiao. Upon hearing that criminals diagnosed with mental illnesses would be “specially treated,” everyone in the room had an epiphany.

That explained why the suspect was desperate to die. He had been terrified. 

Indeed, the conditions of that particular detention facility amounted to nothing less than torture, both physically and mentally. However, no one felt sympathy for a murderer. What were you thinking when you slaughtered an entire family?

You only fear retribution when it arrives. What were you doing before that? 

“In addition to discussing the case, there’s another reason I called you here,” the chief said with a warm smile. “You may need to take a trip to the provincial office in the next few days.”

Xiao Yu was puzzled.

‘Why would I need to go to the province without any particular reason?’

“The higher-ups have decided to award you a second-class merit. This will be officially announced within the provincial system,” the chief explained. “Our city doesn’t have the authority to grant a second-class merit, so you’ll need to personally go to the province capital to receive it.”

‘Ah, that had slipped my mind,’ Xiao Yu realized suddenly.

Indeed, the Municipal Bureau could only confer third-class merits. For a second-class merit, it was necessary to go to the provincial level. And for first-class merits, one had to go to the capital city.

Leaving the city bureau, Xiao Yu’s feelings were mixed. Apart from attending the police academy, he hadn’t traveled much in this life.

It was time to venture out and become more acquainted with the world.

Upon returning to the brigade, Xiao Yu sought out the brigade commander to request leave, reporting his upcoming trip to the provincial capital next week.

Zhao Changshan was generous, granting him two days off.

Finally having the chance to get acquainted with his own desk, Xiao Yu found himself gazing blankly at the new computer atop it. Not just anyone in the case-handling unit was privileged enough to have a computer.

And here he was, just a junior officer. 

Was it due to the captain’s grace? Or perhaps someone else’s influence?

Xiao Yu had an epiphany. Regardless of whether it was his past life or the present, the intricacies of human relations were inescapable.

It was all about connections.

After booting up the computer, accessing the brigade’s internal system, and setting his password, Xiao Yu headed to the archive room to request access rights. Having the necessary permissions was essential to view certain case files.

With some time to spare, Xiao Yu began browsing through some old, unresolved cases.

“Huh?”

Xiao Yu opened a case file with a click of his mouse, intrigued because this case seemed particularly interesting.

Unsolved for over four years?

【Ding, case activation successful…】

Xiao Yu: …

Even a minor case can trigger a system task?