"So next step, I plan to have them contact the local traffic police brigade to retrieve the traffic accident records from the past year for that stretch of road."

Zhou Yong slapped his thigh fiercely, suddenly realizing, "I understand now! If there's no accident record for that stretch, it means the accident wasn't reported at that time?"

His voice rose slightly due to excitement.

Wang Yang nodded, lightly tapping the window frame with his fingers, "If it's indeed related to this case, I bet the perpetrator definitely wouldn't report it." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Conversely, if there is a record, then we can rule it out."

His tone carried the unique sharp intuition of a detective.

Zhou Yong took a deep breath, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, "That's indeed a good idea."

Just as he finished speaking, Wang Yang had already pulled out his phone and quickly dialed a number.

"Hello, Mr Jiang."

Wang Yang's voice became cheerful.

A hearty laugh came from the other end of the line, "Hey, Mr Wan, long time no see!"

"I want to ask you for a favor!"

Wang Yang got straight to the point, "Help me check if there have been any traffic accidents near Purple Mountain in the past year? Especially if..."

"Got it, got it," Mr Jiang interrupted, "I'll check right away, and I'll notify you as soon as there's any news."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Yong took out a crumpled pack of cigarettes from the drawer and handed one to Wang Yang.

The two lit their cigarettes in tacit agreement, and the corridor was immediately filled with smoke.

They were both waiting, waiting for that phone call which could change the direction of the case.

Time passed by slowly, minute by minute.

Ten minutes later, the piercing ring of the phone broke the silence.

Wang Yang glanced at the caller ID, gave Zhou Yong a look, pressed the answer button, and activated the speakerphone, "Hello, Mr Jiang."

The sound of flipping paper came from the other end, "Mr Wan, I checked the traffic accident ledger carefully."

Mr Jiang's voice suddenly took on a serious tone, "In the past year, there hasn't been any accident record at the location you mentioned, not even the slightest scratch."

Wang Yang's pupils slightly contracted, and his hand holding the phone unconsciously tightened.

He took a deep breath, "Thanks for the help, old classmate, I understand."

After hanging up, he exchanged a meaningful glance with Zhou Yong.

The atmosphere in the corridor suddenly turned heavy.

Both understood what this result meant—if the preliminary reconnaissance confirmed it was low-chassis vehicle tracks, and there were no accident records in the past year, then those collision marks were likely the key evidence to solve the case.

Silence enveloped the two once again.

Wang Yang lit another cigarette, inhaling deeply, his expression particularly profound within the smoke.

Five minutes later, he extinguished the cigarette butt, speaking in a low and resolute voice, "Release them. Those two...should be unrelated to this case."

Zhou Yong nodded slowly, his eyes showing fatigue, "That's all we can do."

He rubbed his temples, feeling the exhaustion from these few days suddenly surge up.

Wang Yang smiled wryly, "Didn't expect that after all our running around, we'd end up back at square one."

Zhou Yong walked over and patted his shoulder, "Mr Wang, don't be too discouraged."

"At least we've now determined the vehicle's characteristics."

His tone gradually strengthened, "That vehicle not reporting, that itself indicates a problem."

"Plus the act of dumping the body from a distance further validates our judgment."

Wang Yang straightened up, a fighting spirit rekindled in his eyes, "You're right. However..."

He looked out at the gradually darkening sky, "This task is still very daunting."

After a long while, Wang Yang suddenly turned, his voice low and resolute, "Seems like we have to return to the village where the body was discovered."

"I don't believe the body would appear there without reason."

Zhou Yong leaned closer to the map, his brow furrowed, "Are you saying...starting from the vehicle?"

"That's right," Wang Yang's eyes flashed with the sharp brilliance characteristic of detectives, "That's currently our most promising breakthrough. As long as we find that vehicle, the case will make significant progress."

"Alright," Zhou Yong grabbed his coat, "I'll go with you."