The Modern Martial Immortal-Chapter 10: Clues

Night had fallen by the time Lin Xiaowei returned home after a full day of work.

Although the Lin family in Tiannan was not particularly prestigious, Old Master Lin had built his wealth through grit and fearlessness, amassing assets worth several billions. Thanks to that, Lin Xiaowei had been able to purchase her own eighty-square-meter apartment even while working in Yunmeng.

She had originally handled major and critical cases at the police bureau, and life had once been relatively calm. But over the past one or two years, the number of such cases had risen sharply, especially missing-person cases, which now numbered thousands each month.

While more than half of those missing were eventually found, unresolved disappearances still averaged more than five hundred monthly.

Even though she was not directly responsible for those investigations, the workload drained the bureau’s manpower and indirectly slowed her own department’s work.

She had just stretched herself across the sofa, ready for a moment of rest, when her phone rang at the worst possible timing. She glanced at the caller ID.

"Zhang Qing? What is it?" she answered.

Zhang Qing’s voice came through, brisk and to the point. "The killer appeared again! Not in Yunmeng this time, but in Shanlong. Superintendent Zhao wants us to coordinate with the Shanlong Police Bureau so Advisor Xia can move immediately."

Lin Xiaowei, who had sunk deeply into the sofa, instantly sat upright. "I’m on my way!"

"I knew you would come. The car is almost downstairs," said Zhang Qing.

***

Five minutes later, Lin Xiaowei stepped into a police command vehicle. Several people were already inside: Zhang Qing, Xia Wuyuan, Ye Yuhe, and several elite officers temporarily assigned from the Yunmeng Police Bureau to assist Xia Wuyuan. Everyone was busy discussing and preparing.

When Lin Xiaowei entered, Xia Wuyuan only nodded before returning to his work.

"Same perpetrator?" she asked.

"Yes." Zhang Qing nodded. "After killing Lei Ao, he reportedly said something like 'Shanlong’s number one, nothing special.' That suggests this wasn’t revenge, but a martial artist’s fight to the death, which fits our theory about his motive."

"There was a witness?" Lin Xiaowei’s eyes lit up.

Zhang Qing frowned. "Too far away to see his face. They only heard the conversation. He is extremely vicious and rarely leaves survivors. Last time, Fang Qing lived, but her head was heavily injured, her mental state confused, and according to the diagnosis, a full recovery is unlikely. I even suspect..."

The veteran officer paused. "He deliberately leaves information for us every time."

"You mean..." Lin Xiaowei glanced at Xia Wuyuan and lowered her voice. "His goal behind hunting these renowned martial masters isn't the title of Tiannan’s number one?"

Zhang Qing shook his head. "I just can’t believe someone would commit something this deranged for a meaningless title."

Even if that truly were his goal, his behavior could only be described as madness.

"If not for that, then why does he kill? The victims have nothing in common except for being famous martial masters." Lin Xiaowei pressed.

However, Zhang Qing had no answer.

*** 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

The vehicle raced through the night, arriving at the crime scene one hour later, where the Shanlong Police Bureau had already secured the area. They entered the restricted area.

A large, broad-shouldered man in a well-fitted suit was berating a middle-aged chief inspector. Xia Wuyuan’s gaze settled on him at once. Almost immediately, the man sensed his attention and looked back.

The instant their eyes met, a cold shiver crawled along Xia Wuyuan’s spine. Feels like I'm being stared at by something monstrous.

But once the man noticed the badge on Xia Wuyuan’s chest, he quickly averted his gaze, exchanged a few more words with the chief inspector, and turned to walk toward a luxury car waiting nearby.

"Wait..." Xia Wuyuan stepped forward.

Two of the men escorting the suited figure immediately blocked his path. "Sir, please do not approach our boss. We do not want any misunderstandings."

"I need him to answer a few questions," Xia Wuyuan said.

The middle-aged officer who had been scolded earlier hurried forward. "Advisor Xia, Director You has absolutely nothing to do with this case. He is a major shareholder of Yulong International, and Director Lei also held shares in the company. That is why, after hearing about Director Lei’s death, he personally came to check on the situation..."

A major shareholder of Yulong International? Lin Xiaowei knew of many influential figures in and around Yunmeng. The man was known as You Long, and despite keeping a low profile in Shanlong, he was better known in Feiyu, as his business operations were headquartered there.

Yet, he was unquestionably the most terrifying predator in all of Shanlong.

The fact that Yulong International alone contributed twenty percent of Shanlong's annual tax revenue showed just how far his influence reached.

"A figure of his status would have no motive for murder, and it is impossible he has the time to become the Shadow Devil and run around Tiannan killing people," Lin Xiaowei said.

The middle-aged officer nodded repeatedly. Hearing this, Xia Wuyuan looked toward You Long, who was leaving under the protection of his bodyguards and assistants. He ultimately said nothing more and turned instead to examine Lei Ao’s corpse.

Ye Yuhe stared at Lei Ao’s body. It had been pierced clean through by one strike, which had crushed his heart, and a second strike had crushed his skull as well. She could not help but curse under her breath. "Too savage."

"We already compared it," said Zhang Qing after completing the formalities with Shanlong City's police chief. "Based on the wounds, it was the same weapon that killed Xia Li. So the killer is indeed the same person."

"Senior Brother, your deduction was correct," Ye Yuhe said immediately. "Four of the Ten Tigers of Tiannan have already died by his hand. His next target is almost certainly another member of the Ten Tigers. By defeating them one by one, he proves his strength. And given that he always chooses highly renowned figures, his next target is either T-Rex Wang Lie or Iron Fist Shan Zhen. We can focus manpower around them and even ask them to cooperate. We might catch him by lying in wait!"

"Lying in wait is passive, but until we find more clues, it is indeed all we can do," replied Xia Wuyuan.

Everyone discussed briefly, then continued processing the scene. They worked for several more hours, recording everything that needed to be recorded, before preparing to return.

On the way back, Lin Xiaowei scrolled through the collected information, when a newly added file caught her eye.

This entire district had recently been equipped with a Light System funded by Lei Ao. Through it, they had gathered all identity records of individuals who passed through the area before and after the killing.

There were thousands of entries, but one name immediately drew her attention: Su Yaoguang.

"Third Young Master Su? He came to Shanlong?" Lin Xiaowei was surprised.