Chapter 397: One Missing, One Extra

At the far edge of the sky, still damp from the recent autumn rain, a soft, misty fog coiled and lingered. The security staff quietly closed the umbrella and stepped aside.

‘I’ve fallen…’

Xiao Yu withdrew his gaze from the distant horizon.

Have you forgotten your original goal? Keep falling like this, and you’ll no longer be worthy of being a cop.

But he also knew there was no avoiding it.

With every promotion came better treatment.

Now that he was the head of National Security’s Tenth Group, he had personal protection for his outings. Someone to hold an umbrella on rainy days.

And that wasn’t something you could simply refuse by saying, “No need.”

Because of the sensitive nature of their identities, people like Wang Dong, other group heads would often have one or two personal bodyguards on duty around the clock. Their roles no longer represented individuals. Even the smallest incident involving a group leader could become a national issue.

Technically, Xiao Yu should’ve had the same treatment.

But because his identity was kept confidential and he was still officially listed as a “police officer,” the protection detail had been rerouted to Mu Qingwu instead.

Did you really think someone like Bai Ting was assigned just to guard a businesswoman?

When it came to the “big boss” being cared for, Xiao Yu had enough self-awareness to know the truth.

“No leads yet.” Wang Dong, cigarette between his lips, walked up beside Xiao Yu. “We’ve checked the victims’ classmates, roommates, everyone they’ve interacted with. None of them are likely suspects.”

Not just anyone can commit murder.

Even fewer people can kill six in a row.

That takes physical strength, skill, and more than anything, mental fortitude.

To kill six people one after another? The cruelty and psychological stability required are terrifying.

“Not surprising.” Xiao Yu nodded. “Whoever could use the plate spirit game to commit murder, disguise a serial killing as a supernatural event, and nearly fool us. They’ve already proven their intelligence and cunning far surpass the average person. If it were that easy to find them, that would be the real ghost story.”

But one thing was certain.

The perpetrator was very familiar with the victims. Enough to be involved in filming the plate spirit short video.

Otherwise, they never would’ve gotten so close.

“After comparing the victims’ clothing in the video with their actual outfits,” Wang Dong flicked away his cigarette. “Turns out you were right. One of them was switched.”

It was a case of shell-shedding—confirmed and easy to spot.

In the video, all six players were clearly present.

Although two of them had their backs to the camera and their faces weren’t visible, people could be switched, and clothes could not be replicated exactly.

There were differences in body shape, hairstyle, and posture.

Even though the footage was a little blurry and dimly lit, a careful analysis still revealed inconsistencies.

No one enjoys playing detective against thin air.

But when the killer is this clever, this cunning, the only way to catch them is through deduction, analysis, and sometimes, pure mental reconstruction.

Just like how Xiao Yu had reenacted the entire scene the day before.

That was him playing against the air. And winning.

“Then track down the person who was switched in.” Xiao Yu’s lips curled with a faint sneer. “The killer may have run, but the victims’ corpses didn’t. Right?”

“What do you mean?”

Wang Dong was already feeling his IQ slipping again.

“Why have someone take your place?” Xiao Yu’s eyes narrowed. “To plan a plate spirit murder like this, to kill six people in one go, to execute a clean shell-shedding—there’s no way that was a spur-of-the-moment decision.”

“You mean…” Wang Dong’s face darkened.

“The killer forgot one thing. Filming a video takes time. There has to be prep work. A pre-production phase. That means… time.” Xiao Yu sneered. “Judging from the footage, they were already at the end of the shoot. Which means the pre-filming period had already gone on for quite a while. Three days? A week? Maybe longer?

“During that time, the six people were always seen together, right? Lots of people would’ve noticed them moving around as a group. So if someone was suddenly replaced toward the end—someone who wasn’t part of the group from the beginning—it wouldn’t add up. There has to be a discrepancy.

“Start investigating. Find out who the original six were. Anyone who saw them early on—people will remember. Someone will have a clear impression. If we can get them to name all six, and the list doesn’t match the official victims? If one person’s missing—and someone else is extra—it’ll be crystal clear.”

“Fucking brilliant!” Wang Dong gave him a thumbs up.

Never had he felt the word “monster” hit so hard.

This little brother’s brain? Wang Dong officially gave up trying to keep up.

“Family is family, but business is business.” Flattery was useless. Xiao Yu squinted at him. “This case is your Group Two’s responsibility. I’m just here helping out. If it gets solved, don’t forget, one case of exclusive reserve. No less.”

“What reserve?” Wang Dong blinked, acting innocent. “Did I ever say anything like that?”

“Trust between men is like a thin piece of paper.” Xiao Yu smiled. “Let’s forget each other in the rivers and lakes. I’m going home to see my wife. Later, loser.”

“Wait, wait!”

Wang Dong panicked instantly, smiling so hard it looked painful. It wasn’t just enthusiasm. It was like reuniting with a long-lost brother. He grabbed Xiao Yu by the shoulder.

“I just remembered! There is a case of reserve stock. You know how it is. Getting old, memory’s going…”

Shamelessness wasn’t the same as incompetence.

If you’re going to grovel, go all in. When you throw away your pride, the world is yours.

“Impressive.” Xiao Yu looked at him like he was witnessing a miracle. “Know what I admire most about you?”

“What’s that?” Wang Dong asked, still grinning.

“You’ve got shamelessness down to an art.” Xiao Yu sighed, completely convinced. “No one else comes close.”

“Aw, you flatter me!” 

Wang Dong laughed heartily.

‘This kid’s still too green. What era do you think this is? If you don’t have a bit of rogue in you, how can you survive out here?’

***

Group Two launched a new wave of investigation.

They focused on the victims’ recent movements and contacts, not only by questioning students and roommates, but also by reviewing campus surveillance for signs of them walking or eating together.

It took only one day for Group Two to identify a target.

Xiong Shaoyan, Male, 21 years old, senior at XX University, native of L City…

The odd thing was that he hadn’t been particularly close with the six victims before. But two months ago, he suddenly started appearing with them, walking to and from campus, hanging out, eating at the cafeteria.

Inside an empty classroom, Xiao Yu stood staring at the blackboard.

Xiong Shaoyan was brought in by Group Two members and placed before him.

The young man turned to face him.

Xiao Yu took one look and frowned.

‘No… that’s not him.’