Chapter 26: The Death Shack

The work of sketching was tedious and dull, unlike what ordinary people might imagine—instantly picturing the entire culprit in their mind and then simply drawing it out. This was the creation of something from nothing.

Ye Sansan first had to sketch the outline of the perpetrator’s head as seen on the blurry surveillance footage, partially obscured by a hat, and then the contours of the face hidden beneath a mask.

This required a deep understanding of human skeletons and musculature. As she drew, Ye Sansan constantly supplemented her knowledge.

Moreover, she had other matters to attend to.

For example, the rented apartment. The eccentric killer dared not go himself, fearing he might encounter yet another horrifying scene. So, he had to entrust someone else to guide them there.

They wanted nothing more than just an address, but the location encompassed many buildings and a labyrinthine layout. In this era, there were few commercial housing complexes; nearly all were self-built homes with no planning, densely packed.

Winding alleys and twists made it nearly impossible for anyone unfamiliar to find the place quickly. Going directly was a huge waste of time.

Although the eccentric killer was timid and stubborn, he was reliable when it came to handling tasks.

After picking up that person, Ye Sansan and the others followed as they crossed South Street, entered an alley, passed through three narrow lanes, cut across someone’s courtyard, and finally arrived at a small building.

They couldn’t help but marvel—without a guide, it would have been nearly impossible to find.

The reason Qin Jiang involved such people and preferred to use them as informants was likely because it was truly convenient.

Yet Ye Sansan harbored a lingering question: Why was Qin Jiang so determined to find Zhao Tianman alone?

If Zhao Tianman was indeed the culprit, how could Qin Jiang, an experienced detective, make such a rookie mistake—confronting him directly and ending up both wounded?

From what she knew of Qin Jiang, he was sharp and clever.

Or rather, anyone capable of being a detective wouldn’t be foolish when it came to cases.

She might only find the answer when Qin Jiang woke up or the case was solved.

“This is the spot,” the guide said.

Ye Sansan, Zheng He, Gu Ling, and the eccentric killer’s friend looked up at the small building. Calling it a small building was generous—it was really just a modest, two-room bungalow.

The three exchanged glances, put on prepared gloves and gear, and readied themselves to enter.

Because they were prepared, the scene inside didn’t shock them completely.

One room was relatively normal, but the other was terrifying.

In the center stood an iron bed. Beside it was a table laden with various knives.

Slicing, chopping, dissecting—if not for the scattered bones, blood, and flesh all belonging to one person, along with nearby tableware and seasonings, this might have been a crude family kitchen.

Zheng He, accustomed to grim scenes, still couldn’t help but rush outside to the edge of the courtyard to vomit.

Gu Ling’s reaction was similar.

She had tried to hold back, but after stepping closer and smelling the stench, she fled outside.

On the gas stove sat a pot of stew, covered in grayish-green mold, with recognizable human tissues floating inside. The cutting board was stained with vivid blood, splattered meat, and gore, all telling the story of a hellish scene.

Above the iron bed hung a black iron hook.

The hook gleamed coldly in black, its edges mottled and terrifying with dried, darkened blood.

It was hard to imagine how the blood stains came to be there.

Blood flowed and splattered on the floor and ceiling, narrating the victim’s cruel and agonizing death.

Beside the iron bed lay blood-stained hemp ropes tossed about carelessly.

Countless mosquitoes swarmed the room, while the thick stench of decay assaulted both body and mind, inflicting double torment.

Scenes of cannibalism are a source of horror that many recoil from in dread.

Ye Sansan stood still, wiping tears triggered by the overwhelming stench.

[Ahhh, the whole screen is pixelated—this familiar mosaic of censorship.]

[The two colleagues ran out, but Sister Sansan hasn’t left yet—she’s really strong.]

[Police officers truly walk the line between grey areas and malice; pity and respect for them.]

The live stream viewers were unaware that the case involved cannibalism, only knowing the room’s scene was terrifying.

They had no idea Ye Sansan was far stronger than they imagined.

She stood silently for a few seconds, confirming her suspicion: the culprit was cruel enough to resort to cannibalism.

Moreover, it was clear that the perpetrator took some pleasure in this act.

She glanced down, frowning slightly at the foul odor.

“The forensic colleagues have a hard time ahead,” Ye Sansan said with some sympathy.

Zheng He came in, overheard this, and after contemplating the scene, sighed in agreement.

“This case will truly torment the forensic team. The brutality here could qualify as a major case.”

“Let’s get to work and call for backup,” Gu Ling said.

The man who had guided them was now outside, clutching his chest, gasping for fresh air.

Even without stepping inside, the overwhelming stench had already assaulted him.

The forensic team arrived, followed by the crime scene investigators. After photographing, they began collecting the victim’s remains.

Zheng He was familiar with the forensic team. One of the seven renowned forensic experts in the province, with exceptional mental fortitude, he paused briefly before stepping in to work.

He picked up the scattered bones, examined them carefully, and concluded, “These should belong to the same person as the bones found earlier in the South Street noodle shop and the police station. No additional victims—fortunately, a small mercy.”

Zheng He looked toward Ye Sansan.

For some reason, he believed she was insightful and smart, so he wanted to ask if she had any opinions or breakthroughs.

Ye Sansan’s gaze fell on a cigarette butt at the scene. She picked it up and placed it into an evidence bag.

“This case just got more complicated.”

She vaguely felt all the evidence was like a vast net, eagerly closing in to trap something.

Gu Ling didn’t understand Ye Sansan’s words. Up until now, everything had seemed clearer—how could it suddenly become complicated?

“Shen Yu, based on your analysis, what do you think Zhao Tianman, the man behind this case, is really thinking?” Gu Ling couldn’t help but ask curiously.

In the previous case, Ye Sansan’s analysis matched the killer’s mindset exactly.

So her current analysis might also hold truth.

Others looked on as well. Ye Sansan replied reluctantly, “Maybe he’s seeking revenge…”

She spoke offhandedly, unsure even herself why.

After cleaning the scene, it was already afternoon. Ye Sansan, the others, and the forensic team all felt uneasy.

It was as if their entire bodies had been soaked in the stench.

Since Qin Jiang had no close family, the team had hired a caregiver to watch over him, but he still hadn’t woken.

Only then did Ye Sansan have some free time to continue sketching the facial composite.

Fingerprint comparison results were also being expedited.

Time seemed to slow, caught in a kind of suspended stasis, and Ye Sansan felt an uneasy tension in her heart.

Yet she quickly dispelled it and hastened her sketching.

Despite her limited experience, Ye Sansan worked quickly and had a solid foundation within two days.

She drew the outline, hair, and all facial features except the eyes.

Before she could finish the eyes, Zheng He came rushing in anxiously.

Ye Sansan and Gu Ling sat close at their desks, both working. Seeing Zheng He burst in, they looked up.

“The results… the results are in…” His voice trembled, carrying the despair of a shattered belief.

[He looks like he’s about to break.]

[What results?]

[Something bad’s coming…]

Viewers in the stream sensed something was wrong.

Gu Ling stood, smiling, “Isn’t that a good thing? You’re overreacting—it’s not your first case.”

Zheng He gave her a wry smile, more painful than tears. “I… I’m not excited.”

He opened his mouth several times but couldn’t speak.

“Let’s go outside and talk,” Ye Sansan stood, clutching her sketchpad, taking hold of Gu Ling and Zheng He’s arms as they walked out.

Seeing Zheng He’s expression, Ye Sansan already guessed what was wrong.

In the empty stairwell, Ye Sansan spoke first. “Say it.”

Zheng He tightened his jaw and straightened his back, as if bracing to support his shattered worldview.

Just as Gu Ling began to lose patience, he finally spoke the forensic team’s findings.

“The dagger—the knife we found in the sewer—remember the clear fingerprint on it? The results just came back…”

His chest heaved as he closed his eyes. “The fingerprint belongs to Qin Ge.”

Gu Ling instinctively took two steps back, as if unable to comprehend Zheng He’s words.

Ye Sansan looked at him. “Are you sure? You saw the results, right?”

Zheng He opened his eyes and slowly nodded.

“No way. It must be a mistake! Lin Xue couldn’t have been killed by Qin Ge—there’s no motive!” Gu Ling clearly didn’t believe it and rushed off to question the forensic team.

Ye Sansan reached out and embraced her waist gently. “Don’t be rash.”

“You and Qin Jiang are, at best, acquaintances. Of course you’re calm. I don’t believe it. Qin Ge is such a good man—he saved me once! If not for him, I would have died at the hands of robbers!” Tears welled in her eyes, anger flashing as she looked at Ye Sansan, unwilling to be restrained and demanding to be freed.

Zheng He reached out to help Ye Sansan hold Gu Ling back. “Don’t lose your temper! Right now, it’s just one fingerprint—we still have a chance!”

“I already told the forensic team it could be a setup, framing Qin Ge. If you cause a scene now, and Captain Chen finds out, the investigation will stall, and Qin Ge won’t be cleared!”

Zheng He’s voice was low, angry yet controlled.

He firmly believed Qin Jiang was being framed. Now they needed calm, to prevent this from escalating, and to prove Qin’s innocence in private.

At that moment, Ye Sansan picked up her sketchpad and quickly added a pair of eyes, then placed it in front of them.

[Ahhhh! It’s Qin Jiang!]

[Ah, the killer is among us.]