Chapter 28: The Major Case

Qingjiang Province Police Department.

At eight o’clock in the morning, in the Behavior Analysis Section under the Technical Department, a man in a blue shirt arrived punctually at the office tucked away in the farthest corner on the fifth floor.

Though this was a designated section within the provincial department, it consisted of only two people. The office, small as it was, appeared empty and desolate. Compared to other sections in the technical department, this place was quiet and cold. The “Behavior Analysis Section” sign hanging at the door, though newly made, already bore a considerable layer of dust.

Of the two occupants, one was a man in his thirties, lounging lazily in his chair, fiddling with the tea set on his desk. The aroma of tea rose and curled, filling the air with its fragrance.

At the same time, he wore headphones, humming along to a song as he brewed his tea.

The other appeared much younger, with the fresh-faced look of someone recently graduated. He was solemnly organizing the files on his desk and continuously entering data into his computer.

“Comrade Lin, rushing about so early isn’t good for your work state for the whole day. Come, have some tea and take a break. Balance in work and rest is the true way.”

The middle-aged man took off his headphones, raised his teacup to the young man and spoke with a cheerful smile.

“Resting as soon as work begins hardly counts as balance, Chief.”

Despite addressing him as “Chief,” the young man’s face betrayed no trace of respect, his eyes remained fixed on the screen as he tapped away at the keyboard.

“Oh, what does it matter?”

The section chief sipped his tea with a genial grin.

“Hmm, not bad.”

As he spoke, he poured another cup of fresh tea and placed it before the young man.

“Here, a cup of tea from your leader. This is the latest Qinghu Maojian, give it a try.”

Seeing his superior personally pour him tea, the young man set down his keyboard with resignation and took the cup.

“Thank you, Chief.”

“No need to be so formal. Our Behavior Analysis Section is so small—it’s just the two of us, black cat and white cat—oh no, two blue cats. Why bother with titles?”

“Besides, in this police department building, our section is barely noticed, calling me ‘Chief’ feels quite pointless, haha—”

The middle-aged man pointed at both their blue shirts and laughed heartily.

All the young man could do was cradle his teacup and smile wryly.

His name was Lin Heng—a graduate student from the Capital Police University, specializing in criminal psychology.

The middle-aged man was the section chief of Behavior Analysis, named Huang Yuanguang.

After graduation, Lin Heng was assigned to the Qingjiang Provincial Behavior Analysis Section, a newly established department within the technical branch, pioneering the nation.

Lin Heng had thought that, being in the provincial department and within a section modeled after international best practices, this would be his opportunity to shine. Like the detectives from TV dramas, he would use his deep knowledge of criminal psychology to profile suspects and solve cases with flair.

He had never imagined that upon entering, he would find the department utterly neglected. Compared to the Criminal Investigation Division, which handled all investigative work, he had no authority to intervene in cases.

The investigators regarded the Behavior Analysis Section with indifference and disdain, believing “criminal profiling” was worthless compared to the rich experience of seasoned detectives. The latest investigative technologies and big data models made behavioral analysis seem like mere handicraft.

Thus, since becoming a police officer, Lin Heng had not participated in any actual case investigations. His work consisted of writing files and entering data—a mere assistant at best.

Facing his colleagues’ lofty, cold, and distant attitudes, Lin Heng felt deeply lonely, yet powerless.

—For he had to admit, their views might well be justified.

In a society where investigative technology leaps forward, data models grow ever more sophisticated, and surveillance cameras sharpen, no matter how heinous the crime, it would rarely escape the trifecta of “relationship screening,” “data tracking,” and “trace analysis.”

And if even cutting-edge technology and diligent detective work failed to crack a case, criminal psychology would scarcely fare better.

In such circumstances, the role of criminal psychology in solving cases grew less and less, and marginalization was inevitable.

Chief Huang Yuanguang, it seemed, had long accepted this reality, now living each day as a seasoned, indifferent veteran, working only for the sake of clocking out.

But Lin Heng refused to become such a veteran; he still harbored ambitions to uphold justice and banish darkness, so even under Huang’s languid aura, he diligently completed his tasks.

Fortunately, though the chief was apathetic, he was kind and easygoing, never bothered by Lin Heng’s occasional minor irreverence—a small blessing amid misfortune.

“Files are endless—finish a hundred today, and tomorrow you’ll get two hundred more. Take it slow…”

Huang Yuanguang paced the office, tea in hand, his aura of indolence palpable.

Lin Heng did his best not to be influenced, laboring away.

“Lin, you really ought to learn from me—”

His words were interrupted by the sudden ring of the telephone. Setting down his cup, Huang approached the internal line, the source of the sound.

“…All right… I understand… We’ll be right there…”

Lin Heng pricked up his ears, noting that Huang’s expression remained unchanged, but his voice carried an unfamiliar gravity.

After he hung up, Lin Heng immediately asked,

“Chief, that call…”

With a squinting smile, Huang walked over and patted his shoulder.

“Get up. We're going to the main conference room on the first floor.”

“…The main conference room?”

“The provincial department is convening an emergency meeting—not just us oddballs. Technical Department, Criminal Investigation Division, Economic Crimes, Public Security, Special Police—almost every section is required to attend.

“Kid, aren’t you excited? Haven’t you always wanted to be part of a major case? Here’s your chance!”

…

“Recently, a villa estate in the suburbs of this city was consumed by fire, and the owner, Wang Changming, was found dead in the ruins. Police are investigating further details…”

Outside Qingxia City train station, crowds flowed by as Yang Luo, backpack slung over his shoulder, gazed at the supermarket TV broadcasting the latest news. He tossed the empty drink can into a nearby trash bin, expressionless.

“They didn’t report any details about the body, nor mention the dozens of other corpses in the estate… As expected, the case details are being concealed.”

Shouldering his backpack, Yang Luo slowly entered the train station hall.

For some reason, the atmosphere inside and outside the station felt tense. Occasionally, agile figures with sharp eyes, dressed in plain clothes, mingled among the crowd, yet they looked nothing like ordinary travelers.

Their eyes swept over Yang Luo, who, clad in a tracksuit and carrying a small backpack, appeared calm and unremarkable, arousing no suspicion.

“As I thought—this case must have alarmed more than just the local police. Even if a nationwide task force was deployed, with thousands of officers searching everywhere, I wouldn’t be surprised.

“…But, it’s a pity. If they’re still trapped in conventional thinking, they’ll never find me. After all, who would believe that a ten-acre villa estate was destroyed by a single person, and not by a well-trained, heavily armed squad?

“While they cling to old methods—monitoring, data, witness statements—I’ve already left the city with billions in assets, returning home.”

Recalling the notebook in his backpack, loaded with billions in digital currency recently transferred locally, and parcels already dispatched, Yang Luo’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“In this world where gods have not yet descended, extraordinary power is decisive. In the face of such power, human rules are so fragile.”

He entered the ticket gate, fearlessly swiping his ID at the entrance.

“Ding. Please proceed.”

He smiled, striding past the gate, and before leaving, glanced back.

“Farewell, Qingxia City.”

He exhaled softly; in his spirit, a burning surge of “Malignant Flame” spawned by his transformation brought him greater excitement.

“Transformation…”