Chapter 384: Investigation

Jing Yi, like his companion, was a tall, brawny man. His cultivation level was about the same, though he hadn’t stepped into the Dark Force stage; he had reached the peak of Bright Force. With his strength, he could snap an iron chain with confidence, let alone break free from someone’s grip.

Yet, Lin Xiao’s hands didn’t budge in the slightest.

A cold smile curled at the corner of Lin Xiao’s lips. After grabbing Jing Yi’s hands, he didn’t launch an immediate attack. Instead, he took his time, tilting his head to stare at the face beneath Jing Yi’s cloak. His gaze, sharp as a blade, looked as though it could pierce through Jing Yi’s body.

Deep in his pupils, a biting killing intent was laid bare without concealment.

“Impossible!”

Jing Yi’s expression turned to horror. His eyes flew wide open, and his breathing grew rapid.

He knew he was now in a dangerous situation. The killing intent emanating from Lin Xiao made the corners of his eyes twitch and his hair stand on end.

His instincts screamed. He had to break free from Lin Xiao’s grip immediately, or the consequences would be unimaginable.

The face hidden beneath Jing Yi’s cloak twisted. A vicious glint flashed in his eyes. He gave up the futile attempt to break free from Lin Xiao’s hands and instead forced his palm to turn, trying to control the scalpel with his fingers and slash at Lin Xiao’s wrist.

“It’s over!”

But before he could act, Lin Xiao’s eyes suddenly turned ice-cold. His hands exerted a sudden burst of force, yanking Jing Yi’s arms in opposite directions.

A skin-crawling, tearing sound echoed. Lin Xiao had ripped both of Jing Yi’s arms clean off his body. Blood spurted from the jagged wounds like a fountain!

“Aaahhh!”

A non-human scream tore from Jing Yi’s throat as he stumbled backward, only to trip over a corpse on the ground and fall hard onto the floor. Blood gushed from his severed arms, dyeing the ground crimson.

His body writhed like a live fish, but without his arms to support him, he couldn’t get up. He could only lie on the floor, staring up at Lin Xiao, eyes full of unwillingness and venom.

Lin Xiao casually tossed the severed arms aside and slowly walked toward him.

Jing Yi knew he was doomed. With blood draining rapidly from his wounds, even if Lin Xiao didn’t kill him right away, he wouldn’t survive long.

But Jing Yi’s will was far more tenacious and vicious than his companion’. He didn’t beg for mercy. Instead, he gritted his teeth through the agony and forced out each word, “Tell me your name… so I’ll know who I died to!”

“Just die ignorant.”

Lin Xiao stepped up beside him and, without expression, stomped down. Jing Yi’s ribcage shattered, his internal organs turning to pulp. “On your way to the Yellow Springs, repent to the family you killed.”

Jing Yi’s eyes bulged, his throat issuing grotesque gurgles. A gush of blood frothed from his mouth.

“You… you… killed me… The Purifiers… won’t… let you go…”

Jing Yi’s eyes locked onto Lin Xiao as if trying to drag his image into hell. His mouth spilled fragmented, venomous curses. “I… ‘ll wait… in hell… and so will your…”

“Annoying.”

Lin Xiao’s brow twitched. A surge of Dark Force burst from his foot, shattering the last trace of life within Jing Yi and cutting off his final words.

Though he had killed Jing Yi, Lin Xiao’s face showed no trace of joy. His gaze swept over the three other corpses, and he let out a quiet sigh. “I’ve avenged you. Rest in peace.”

With that sigh, Lin Xiao’s figure flickered and disappeared from the room like a shadow.

A few minutes later.

A loud sound suddenly startled the other residents on the same floor. A balding middle-aged man in shorts appeared at the door, cautiously peeking his upper body inside.

The intense stench of rot forced him to cover his nose.

Due to the dim lighting inside, it took him about half a minute of squinting before he vaguely made out the scene within.

Instantly, he shuddered all over and collapsed onto the floor, screaming in terror, “Dead… someone’s dead…!”

***

City Center District, outside Fang Yuan’s villa.

Several police cars had the house surrounded.

Su Mengjia sat stern-faced in the living room with several officers, speaking with Fang Yuan’s parents. Li Yunxi, Fang Yuan, and her two other friends were also present.

Elsewhere in the villa, officers were carefully examining the scene, while others questioned the bodyguards.

“Mr. Fang, you said a killer broke into your villa and was about to attack you, but was stopped by a young man who suddenly appeared?” Su Mengjia asked with a frown.

“Yes.” Fang Yuan’s father had regained his composure. Hearing her question, he responded with a trace of displeasure, “If not for that young man, my wife and I would be dead right now. Su Mengjia, why are you questioning our savior instead of the assassin?”

A moderately well-known businessman in Jinghai City, Fang Yuan’s father was sharp. He quickly sensed something off in Su Mengjia’s line of questioning.

“Because the assailant who targeted you has already been found dead. His body was discovered by police dogs just a few kilometers away, in a small park.”

Su Mengjia rubbed her chin, her expression unreadable. “Mr. Fang, can you tell me what that young man looked like? Or what his name was?”

“He’s dead?”

Joy immediately spread across Fang Yuan’s face. She exchanged glances with her friends, a deep, indescribable gratitude blooming in her heart toward Lin Xiao.

Li Yunxi’s eyes sparkled. A teasing smile played on her lips as she thought, ‘Lin Xiao really is something… took care of the problem this fast. All the kindness I showed him wasn’t wasted. I’ll have to be even nicer to him in the future.’

Fang Yuan’s parents were also filled with surprise and relief. The tension in their bodies eased as if a great weight had been lifted.

Fang Yuan’s father put on a thoughtful act, then regretfully shook his head. “Sorry, I only saw his back and heard his voice. I don’t know what he looks like or what his name is.”

Su Mengjia gave Mr. Fang a meaningful look. “Mr. Fang, are you sure you didn’t get a better look?”

“Of course. Captain Su, are you implying you don’t believe me?” Mr. Fang’s face darkened. “Captain Su, please leave. We’ve just experienced a traumatic event. We’re not feeling well and won’t be seeing you out.”

Though she’d clearly been shown the door, Su Mengjia’s expression didn’t change. Only the sharpness in her eyes betrayed her thoughts.

Her instincts told her this case ran deep. But now wasn’t the time to push—Fang Yuan’s family had status and were victims in this matter. She couldn’t be too forceful.

“If Mr. Fang isn’t feeling well, then we’ll come back another time.” Su Mengjia stood, signaled to the other officers, and left the villa.

“Captain, the serial killer’s dead. Should we still keep investigating?” an officer asked cautiously. “Judging by the photos from the scene, it looks like he was in a fight before he died… even tortured…”

“Investigate! We must get to the bottom of this,” Su Mengjia said decisively, her eyes fierce. “Send more officers to canvas the area thoroughly. I’m going to request backup from headquarters. This case must be solved.”

“Yes, Captain!”