Chapter 28: A Major Case
Qingjiang Provincial Police Department.
At precisely 8 a.m. in the most secluded office on the fifth floor of the Technical Department's Behavioral Analysis Division, a man in a blue shirt clocked in on time.
Though this was a designated division within the provincial department, it only housed two staff members. Even with a relatively small office space, it felt vast and empty. In contrast to other sections within the Technical Department, it was notably quiet here. The sign hanging outside that read "Behavioral Analysis Division" might've been relatively new, but it was covered in a thin layer of dust.
One of the duo was a man in his thirties, lounging leisurely in his chair, fiddling with a tea set on his desk. The steam rose from the tea, its aroma wafting throughout the room. At the same time, he wore headphones, humming along to the melody.
His colleague, much younger, appeared fresh out of school. He was busily organizing documents on his desk and continuously entering data into his computer.
"Comrade Xiao Lin, being so busy this early isn't good for your work stamina. Come, take a break and have some tea. The key is to balance work and rest," the older man remarked, removing his headphones and raising his tea cup with a smile.
"Just starting work and already resting hardly sounds like balancing work and rest, Chief," the younger one replied. Even though he addressed him as "Chief", there wasn't an ounce of reverence in his eyes, his focus never leaving his computer.
"Oh, never mind that," the Chief replied with a chuckle, sipping his tea. "Ah, excellent."
Pouring another cup of fresh tea, he placed it in front of the younger man.
"Here, I poured you some tea. It's a new batch from Qing Lake. Give it a taste."
Resignedly, the younger man stopped typing and accepted the tea, "Thank you, Chief."
"Oh, don't be so formal. We're just a two-man team in this Behavioral Analysis Division. It's just the two of us, blue shirts and all – no need for titles!"
"Besides, our division is practically invisible within this vast police building. The title 'Chief' seems so unnecessary," the middle-aged man added, pointing to their matching blue shirts and laughing heartily.
The younger man could only cradle his tea cup and give a wry smile.
His name was Lin Heng, a recent graduate from the Capital Police University, with a master's in Criminal Psychology.
The middle-aged man was Huang Yuan Guang, the Chief of the Behavioral Analysis Division.
Upon graduation, Lin Heng was assigned to Qingjiang's newly established Behavioral Analysis Division, the first of its kind in the country. Lin had imagined that this would be the platform where he'd apply his expertise, becoming a detective straight out of TV shows, using his profound knowledge of criminal psychology to pinpoint criminals with precision.
But reality hit hard. Once he joined, he found that this new division was neither cherished nor prioritized. In front of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, responsible for all investigations, they had no authority to intervene in cases.
The investigative team at the main department viewed the Behavioral Analysis Division with indifference and disdain. They felt that the so-called "criminal profiling" was worthless compared to the seasoned judgment of veteran detectives. Modern investigative technology and big data models had also outshone behavioral analysis, rendering it akin to a craftsman relying solely on his "artisan spirit."
As such, months into his service, Lin Heng had yet to participate in an actual case. His daily tasks were limited to record-keeping and data entry – tasks a mere assistant could handle.
Against this backdrop of disdain and indifference from the detectives, Lin felt isolated and frustrated. Yet, he had to accept a bitter truth: his colleagues' beliefs were probably right.
In an era where investigative technology was rapidly advancing, data models maturing, and surveillance camera resolutions improving, no criminal could evade detection. Profiling became less pivotal as the majority of cases could be solved through technological breakthroughs. Thus, the diminishing relevance of criminal psychology was justified.
Huang Yuan Guang, the division chief in question, had seemingly accepted this reality. He seemed to operate daily with a laid-back attitude, epitomizing the idiom of "working just for the sake of leaving work."
Yet Lin refused to become complacent. He was ambitious and wanted to be a beacon of justice, a warrior against the dark forces. Hence, he diligently completed his tasks, even when overshadowed by Huang's nonchalance. Fortunately, Huang was amiable and often overlooked Lin's occasional transgressions.
"Record-keeping is never-ending," Huang said, pacing the office with his tea. "Finish a hundred today, and they'll hand you two hundred tomorrow."
Lin worked hard, trying not to let Huang's passive aura influence him.
"You need to learn more, Lin. Always remember–"
Huang's voice was cut off by the shrill ring of a phone. He put down his tea and picked up the receiver. From the conversation, Lin could tell that Huang's tone had taken a rare turn for the serious.
Once Huang hung up, Lin promptly asked, "Chief, what was that call about?"
Huang, with a hint of mischief, clapped Lin on the shoulder. "Get up. We're headed to the first-floor conference room."
"...The conference room?"
"The department's calling an emergency meeting. Not just us misfits – the Tech Division, the Criminal Investigation Bureau, the Economic Crime Investigation Bureau, the Public Security Bureau, the SWAT... Every single department is attending."
"Excited, kid? Haven't you always wanted to be involved in a major case? Now's your chance!"
...
"Recently, a villa on the outskirts of the city was razed by a massive fire. The body of the estate owner, Wang Changming, was found amidst the charred remains. The police are still investigating the case's details..."
Outside the Qingxia City train station, amidst the bustling crowd, Yang Luo stood with a backpack slung over his shoulders. He watched the news broadcast on a supermarket television, expressionless. After downing his drink, he tossed the empty can into a nearby trash bin.
"They haven't reported the specifics of the body, nor have they mentioned the dozens of other corpses in the mansion... As expected, they've kept the details of the case hidden," he mused.
With his backpack in tow, Yang Luo made his way slowly towards the train station's main hall.
For some reason, there was a palpable tension both inside and outside the train station. Every so often, sturdy figures in plain clothes would blend into the crowd. Their sharp, piercing eyes didn't resemble those of regular passengers.
These covert agents would give Yang Luo a fleeting glance. Dressed in a sportswear top and carrying a small backpack, he appeared nonchalant and didn't draw any suspicions.
"As I suspected—this case must have alarmed not just the city police. It wouldn't surprise me if they've assembled a special task force from across the country, deploying tens of thousands of undercover officers for a manhunt. However, it's a pity. If they're still confined to their conventional thinking, they will never find me. After all, who would believe that an expansive ten-acre mansion could be annihilated by a single individual and not by an entire well-trained and fully-armed squad?
"While they're still relying on traditional methods like surveillance, data analysis, and eyewitness statements, I've already left the city with billions in assets and returned to my hometown."
Remembering the billions in cryptocurrency now stored in his laptop and the parcels he'd dispatched earlier, Yang Luo's face lit up with a subtle smile.
"In a world where deities have yet to descend, extraordinary powers reign supreme. Against such power, human regulations seem so fragile."
Yang Luo approached the ticket gate, fearlessly swiping his ID.
"Beep. Please proceed."
Smiling, he briskly moved through the gates, pausing just before leaving to glance back one last time.
"Goodbye, Qingxia City."
He exhaled softly. From the depths of his spirit, the "Malevolent Flames" birthed from his spiritual transformation radiated intense heat, further uplifting his spirits.
"Spirit Transformation..."
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