Those were bloodshot eyes, veins bulging everywhere, filled with an unending malevolence, rolling around as if wherever they looked, they were fixed upon you.
Xie Chuchu almost jumped up in fright. I stared intently at the eyes, and after a moment, realized it was merely the effect of the light. This tattoo was different from what we usually saw; it was as if the killer had intentionally done something to the eyes of the azure dragon.
As I voiced my observation, Liu Yuning leaned closer and said, "Could it be that the killer deliberately wanted to scare us?"
Before I could reply, Gao Mingqiang stepped back a few paces, frightened. "Those eyes look like they're alive! This is too terrifying!"
"Don't be scared, it's just a visual effect. Do you feel like it's staring at you? It's all part of the illusion!" I analyzed.
"Everyone, don't be nervous. We know what we're doing, let's not be easily startled!" Liu Yuning reprimanded everyone sternly.
I covered the eyes with a white cloth, then examined the victim's wrists and other areas. This time, I found no needle marks. The killer hadn't tortured the victim this time but had killed them quickly, hung them up in this peculiar manner, and left.
Clearly, the killer's only goal was to complete the ritual, with no intention of further mutilating the corpse. Why was this the case? Had the killer simply grown tired of it?
As I pondered, Liu Yuning suddenly exclaimed, "His goal wasn't to kill at all, but to complete that Qiankun Bagua formation! Killing was merely a part of the ritual for him!"
"I feel the same. It's only you who can bring such a fresh perspective to my thoughts at a time like this."
"What's there to it? Advisor He, even if we know, what can we do? We can't stop the killer from committing another crime!"
"Investigate whether there's any surveillance in this house, and also thoroughly check everywhere Yu Weiyi has been recently, and everyone he knew!" Seeing my silence, Liu Yuning issued the order.
I, however, said, "That would take too much time. By the time we finish investigating, the killer might have already killed everyone else!"
"Then what do you suggest we do?" kanshu5.net
"I believe we should mobilize police resources and pinpoint the southern location. Because the south corresponds to the Vermilion Bird, we should look for any representative buildings there. We can stake it out and wait for an opportunity to catch the killer in the act. That would be the best course of action!"
Hearing me speak, Liu Yuning fell silent for a moment. "What's your confidence level in this method?"
I was truly speechless. It's impossible for anything to be absolutely successful, but to encourage everyone, I said, "Eighty percent. Isn't that much better than your pointless door-to-door inquiries?"
"Alright, I believe you this time! If the case is solved, I'll definitely treat you to a big meal!"
"You mentioned Haidilao, right? I don't really care about that, I just can't stand the killer harming people everywhere."
As we spoke, the forensic team had already surveyed the entire mountain villa with their equipment but found no suspicious traces. At this point, I left the body and walked down a corridor in the main house, intending to go upstairs.
Upon reaching the second floor, I walked a few steps forcefully along the path until I reached the end. I found a window there that offered a view of a patch of grassland opposite. From this angle, this spot should be suitable for hiding.
I called for someone to come up and pointed in that direction. Liu Yuning quickly understood my intention. She followed me, bringing a few people, and we headed towards the grassland. Along the way, we found some bloodstains on the dirt. My nose twitched, and I followed the blood trail, with several police officers close behind.
However, near a river, the smell of blood disappeared. Not far away, there seemed to be a small town. Since I had collected some blood samples, I asked a police officer to take them back for analysis.
Upon finding the town, Liu Yuning asked me, "Do you think the killer fled to this town?"
"There's a possibility, but we don't know whose blood it is. We can only tentatively inquire around the town!" I suggested.
Liu Yuning hesitated for a moment but finally agreed. We entered the town with two police officers. On the map, I was surprised to find that this place was not officially recorded at all.
How bizarre! Does such a town still exist in this world?
When Liu Yuning discovered this, she was also extremely surprised. "Could it be like in the movies, where we've arrived at some dead town?"
"Don't say that. Those are just from movies and TV shows. They don't exist in reality!" one of the police officers retorted.
"Right, let's investigate properly. Perhaps the killer really did come here!" another officer chimed in.
"Let's go, we'll ask around!" I said. Everyone fell silent and followed me into the town. It was too remote. Upon entering, we found no one. The police officer was now timid. "It seems you were right, Captain Liu, this really is a dead town. Not a soul in sight. Should we call for backup?"
"Let's not for now. If we don't find anything, won't that be a waste of police resources?" Liu Yuning chided.
"Let's search around first. Even if we don't find people, we might find some traces!" I said optimistically.
We began entering buildings one by one. However, the buildings in this town didn't look like they were meant for people to live in, but rather as if they had been used for many sacrifices. As we walked, we also discovered that this was a harbor town, surrounded by the sea, with a pier. Nearby stood a towering lighthouse, its light flickering. We didn't know if there was anyone in the lighthouse.
We continued our search, with weapons on our left wrists and flashlights held in our right hands. When we reached the lighthouse, we proceeded with caution. Liu Yuning led the officers in first, and I followed. Throughout the process, there was no sound.
It truly seemed like there was no one here. We had checked other houses earlier and found only dust and cobwebs.
This lighthouse, however, was different. On every floor, there were signs of recent use: some tableware, footprints on the floor, and even creased bedding.
When we reached the fourth floor of the lighthouse, we found traces of someone having boiled water, but no person was found.
We continued upstairs, and I lost track of which floor we were on. Suddenly, someone from upstairs shouted in fright, "Who are you?"
We all pointed our guns upwards. "Police! And you are?"
"I'm the administrator here. How did you find this place?" The other person's face was filled with surprise, not tension.
We went up to his side. Liu Yuning observed him and said, "Have you been to a mountain villa nearby recently?"