Chapter 84: Woman and Sword
Chapter 84: Woman and Sword
Li Zian felt quite surprised. He wasn’t familiar with the badges on police officers’ shoulders, but he knew Liu Jun’s badge was different from regular officers—he was a police officer. When they met earlier at the hospital, due to Liu Jun’s very young age and the fact that he was taking Kang Xin’s statement late at night, Li Zian thought he was a recent graduate from the police academy, assigned to a grassroots unit as a trainee officer. He never expected him to be the captain of the criminal investigation team.
In Huaguo, the captain of a criminal investigation team was at least at the rank of police superintendent, equivalent to a section-level official—pretty impressive.
Liu Jun nodded and followed the other officer.
Li Zian trailed behind Liu Jun; he also wanted to see what had been discovered.
After only a few steps, Liu Jun turned to look at Li Zian. “Why are you following?”
Li Zian said, “Didn’t you say something was found? I want to take a look too.”
Liu Jun said, “Are you a police officer?”
Li Zian paused slightly. He understood Liu Jun’s meaning—to these officers, he was just a civilian. When the police were handling a case, what business did a civilian have getting involved? But he really wanted to see, especially since this matter somewhat started because of him.
Still, he had decent thick skin and found an excuse. “No, Officer Liu, Uncle Ma died because of that symbol, and that symbol came from me. I’m worried I might be the killer’s next target. So please let me go take a look. If there’s any suspect, I can be on guard. Maybe we can even have police-civilian cooperation to catch the criminal.”
Liu Jun remained silent for a moment before saying, “That’s against the rules. You two wait downstairs. I still have some questions for you.”
Li Zian felt a bit disappointed but couldn’t press further. He and Kang Haichuan went downstairs and stood in the open area cordoned off by police tape, waiting.
Kang Haichuan was in low spirits, standing dazed in the open space, tears glistening in his old eyes. He was probably thinking of Ma Fuquan again.
Li Zian comforted him, “Professor Kang, don’t be too sad. If you make yourself sick, Kang Xin will be very upset.”
Kang Haichuan sighed. “You tell me, how could someone kill Old Ma, such a kind person?”
“During this time, you and Kang Xin need to be careful too. You, me, and Kang Xin—the three of us are very likely to be the killer’s next targets,” Li Zian said.
He didn’t want to pressure Kang Haichuan at such a time, but it was a matter of life and death, so he had to speak up. Bearing some pressure was better than losing their lives.
Sure enough, as soon as he said this, Kang Haichuan became nervous, his hands trembling as he took out his phone. “I—I’ll call Kang Xin right now and tell her to be careful.”
Li Zian didn’t stop Kang Haichuan from making the call. Even if he hadn’t called, Li Zian would have called Kang Xin to warn her.
While Kang Haichuan called Kang Xin, Li Zian stood by, lost in thought, feeling somewhat guilty and sorrowful.
He truly hadn’t expected that a symbol and one visit would lead to the death of an innocent old man.
What was worse, that mysterious White-clad Woman had appeared twice near Gaochen Yipin. It was very likely that he was her next target. If she came for him, that would be somewhat better—at least he had the strength to fight back. But if her target was Kang Xin or Kang Haichuan—one an elderly intellectual with no strength to resist, the other a female student—wouldn’t they be like fish on a chopping board, completely at her mercy?
Curiosity really did kill the cat.
If he had known this would happen, he would never have gone to find Kang Xin or given her a symbol to pass to Kang Haichuan.
“I told Kang Xin to be careful. She asked about you, Mr. Li. I told her we’re here,” Kang Haichuan said.
Li Zian collected his thoughts. “Professor Kang, just call me Xiao Li. We’re in the same boat now. We need to work together to find the killer and uncover the truth.”
Kang Haichuan nodded. “Alright, then don’t call me Professor Kang either. Call me Old Kang or Uncle Kang.”
“Uncle Kang, when you spoke on the phone with Uncle Ma, did he discover anything? Did he mention anything on the phone?” Li Zian asked.
Kang Haichuan shook his head.
“He didn’t mention anything at all? Try to think more carefully.” Li Zian still held a sliver of hope.
Kang Haichuan raised a hand to his forehead, thinking for almost a minute before speaking. “Old Ma said it wasn’t convenient to talk over the phone and asked to meet at my house tonight. He really didn’t say what he found, but he did say one strange thing…”
Li Zian grew anxious. “What did he say?”
“He said… it turns out we were all wrong,” Kang Haichuan said.
“It turns out we were all wrong?”
Kang Haichuan said, “Yes, that’s what he said. I didn’t pay much attention at the time and didn’t ask him where we went wrong. Thinking back now, that sentence seems a bit odd.”
Li Zian carefully pondered the words.
It turns out we were wrong.
Did that mean the direction of deciphering the symbol was wrong?
Or that they shouldn’t have tried to decipher that mysterious symbol at all?
Or maybe it was related to Huang Bo’s disappearance?
Beep-beep.
A WeChat message notification sounded from his pocket.
Li Zian took out his Mobile Phone and glanced at it. It was a message from Kang Xin.
Caramel Macchiato: Uncle, my dad just called me. Is what he said true?
Li Zian replied: It’s true. Uncle Ma is dead.
Caramel Macchiato: Oh my god! Is that killer coming to kill us?
Li Zian: Don’t be scared. The police will protect us, and I will protect you and your dad too. I won’t let the killer hurt you or your dad.
Caramel Macchiato: How are you going to protect me? 24/7 close protection?
Li Zian didn’t know how to reply to that. He had to take care of Li Xiaomei and Lin Shengnan. Yu Meilin occasionally had issues too, and he needed to help her. There was also Mu Chuntao and his Studio—who knew when another client might need attention. How could he provide 24/7 close protection for her?
Caramel Macchiato: See? A man’s words are a lying devil. I’ll trust the police instead.
Li Zian: …
Caramel Macchiato: Uncle, should I still translate that audio? I’m so scared now. Will I be killed like Uncle Ma?
Li Zian: If you’re scared, then don’t translate it. I’ve already given that audio file to the police. I believe they’ll find experts to handle it. It’ll be safer if they deal with it.
Caramel Macchiato: But I’m also really curious and want to know what that person said. What should I do?
Li Zian felt a headache coming on.
Personally, he wanted Kang Xin to translate that audio file so he could know what the person said. But if he asked her to continue translating and something happened to her, if she came to harm, it would be like he caused her death. He would never be at peace for the rest of his life.
Caramel Macchiato: Forget it, I’ll decide for myself.
Li Zian: Let’s wait a bit, no rush. We’ll see how the police investigation goes first.
Caramel Macchiato: Mm, you’re quite a warm guy.
Li Zian couldn’t help but force a bitter smile. At a time like this, she still had the mood to say such things?
Just then, Liu Jun and two other officers came through the alley entrance.
Li Zian looked past the three officers and immediately spotted a familiar figure.
Kun Li actually followed him here.
Li Zian couldn’t help but give a wry smile. “Damn, did she plant a tracker on me?”
Kun Li also saw Li Zian. She entered the alley as well but didn’t say anything, merely stood among the onlookers watching.
Liu Jun approached Li Zian and Kang Haichuan, holding out his phone to Li Zian. “Mr. Li, take a look at this.”
On the phone screen was a paused video, dark and blurry.
Liu Jun tapped the play button.
The video brightened slightly; it was surveillance footage from outside the alley.
About ten seconds later, a white figure appeared in the surveillance footage.
Seeing that white figure, Li Zian froze.
The white figure was the same White-clad Woman he had seen before coming here. She had white gauze wrapped around her head, covering her face, and wore white ancient-style clothing. Even her shoes were white. As she passed under a streetlight, her eyes emitted a faint blue glow, giving the impression of a female ghost wandering at night.
The White-clad Woman in the video also held a sheathed sword. The scabbard had some kind of gem embedded in it, reflecting the streetlight, sparkling lavishly, giving the impression of an ancient Famous Sword.
Li Zian’s gaze fixed on the scabbard, where he vaguely saw a strange pattern. His heart stirred, and he quickly reached out to tap the pause button.
The video froze, somewhat blurry.
Liu Jun stared intently at Li Zian. “Did you discover something?”
Li Zian didn’t answer. He took the phone from Liu Jun, then used two fingers to pinch and zoom in on the image of the sword.
The image was still a bit fuzzy, but the pattern on the scabbard was barely visible.
Li Zian’s eyes locked onto that pattern and became fixed, unable to look away.
That pattern was identical to one of the patterns on the Great Sluggish Cauldron.
“I asked you a question. Did you discover something?” Liu Jun repeated.
Li Zian returned the phone to Liu Jun, then shook his head. “I thought it was a symbol, but it turned out to be a pattern. It looks like a cluster of flames. Could it be some religious totem?”
Liu Jun shot him an annoyed look. “Are you going to say it’s from the Bright Peak Ming Cult?”
Li Zian put on a surprised expression. “Yes, yes, the Bright Peak Ming Cult. That’s exactly what I was about to say.”
Liu Jun said impatiently, “And I’m the Green-winged Bat King. Stop talking nonsense and be serious!”
Li Zian fell silent.
Kang Haichuan said, “Officer Liu, this White-clad Woman is holding a sword. Could she be the one who killed Old Ma?”
Liu Jun said, “This was captured by a surveillance camera from a small shop outside the alley. Based on the clues Mr. Li provided earlier, this woman is a major suspect. Our next step is to use the Skynet System to locate her. Before we catch her, you need to be careful. It’s best not to go out unless necessary, especially at night.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Officer Liu,” Li Zian said.
Liu Jun looked at Li Zian, his expression serious. “Especially you, Mr. Li. You said you saw this woman outside your residential area, which suggests you are very likely her next target. You need to be extra cautious. Keep your phone on 24/7 from now on. I’ll contact you at any time, and if you notice anything, contact me immediately too.”
He handed Li Zian a business card.
Li Zian took the card and asked, “Officer Liu, will you assign someone to protect me?”
Liu Jun said, “That will require a meeting and discussion before we can decide. You may go now.”
Li Zian and Kang Haichuan ducked under the cordon and walked together toward the alley exit.
Kun Li caught up. “What trouble did you get into?”
Li Zian said, “Let’s talk back at the place. First, let’s take Uncle Kang home.”
Kang Haichuan said, “I’m going to the school. No need to take me. The school isn’t far from here. I’ll walk. It’s broad daylight; nothing will happen.”
Li Zian reminded him, “Then be careful. If anything happens, call me.”
“Okay, goodbye.” Kang Haichuan waved and left alone.
Li Zian watched Kang Haichuan leave, feeling inexplicably worried about him. But after all, he wasn’t a police officer, and there wasn’t much he could do about it.
Kun Li stopped beside Li Zian and didn’t speak.
“Um, did you plant a tracker on me?” Li Zian had wanted to ask this question for a while and wasn’t afraid of her getting angry.
Kun Li nodded straightforwardly. “Mhm, I did.”
“Damn, you really planted a tracker on me? Where did you put it?” Li Zian’s emotions suddenly surged.
Kun Li said calmly, “In your ass.”
Li Zian instantly turned to stone.
Instinctively, he clenched his buttocks.