Insights Chapter 113: Espionage

Chapter 113: Espionage

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

In a dark room in Penang’s black market. A small corner of the darkness in those cities has finally been revealed.

Liao Qing continued to speak incessantly, “Many of the men who play these games are not short of money. Peeping satisfies their desires, but how satisfying is it just to watch videos? They call themselves hunters. They infiltrate into the lives of these girls to pursue and harass them. The top hunters are people with certain status. They will spend enough money and as soon as they set their sights on a girl, she will be brought to their bed by someone else. Usually, at this stage, they will take bed photos of the girl as a threat and also spend money and intimidate to keep her quiet.”

Gu Yanchen frowned deeper. Shen Junci also remained silent on the side. These girls don’t even dare to report to the police. These men treat innocent girls as their prey and the whole city as their dark forest.

Liao Qing clicked his tongue and said, “This thing, it’s all about excitement.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Yanchen sorted out the entire case. Those hunters, driven by their animal instincts, were deeply immersed in their fantasies and had people kidnap those girls. Xia Tian’en most likely died at the hands of someone wealthy. And the company behind it needs to go to great lengths to cover up the truth, even to the extent of arranging for someone to dispose of the corpse. Room by room, like transparent fish tanks, the girls lived inside. Just the thought of those girls being watched by men through computer screens made one very uncomfortable.

Shen Junci asked, “It seems like this app has quite a few users. Where do their members come from?”

After weighing it for a moment, Liao Qing spoke, “I also despise those people. Let me give you a hint. There are ‘paths’ to get in. These paths are invisible to us ordinary people and the girls, but those men can find their way. Those people are very patient. They post countless ‘entrances’ on male-dominated forums. Initially, it may just be a not-so-out-of-place post, some posed photos of sexy models, even if ordinary people see it, they won’t think much of it, they’ll just scroll past, it’s like a website marked with upskirt photos. These small steps, one by one, are like steps.

“When you register as a user, start paying, stay on their webpage for a long enough time, start searching for the keywords they set, log in continuously for over a month, you meet their conditions, they will send you a private message, inviting you to start entering. The initial entrances are broad, and those who go up have passed the selection. When people pay a high price to enter the VIP, there will be some sneak shots, keywords like upskirts, etc. The content will gradually shift from images to videos. The perverted ones follow the steps arranged by those people step by step, and they will receive more guidance on paths, spending more and more money, spending more time, entering more and more private places, gradually entering their world. Until the end, it’s downloading their app, 24/7, live peeping.”

The exposed content seems normal, but it can lead people deeper step by step. Conditions such as searching, time spent, etc., all must be met, and real-name authentication is required. Even the police would find it difficult to infiltrate for evidence gathering.

Gu Yanchen asked Liao Qing, “Do you know who’s behind this?”

Liao Qing shook his head like a tambourine, “I don’t know about this, and I dare not ask. But there shouldn’t be many bosses in Penang who have such financial resources and power.”

Gu Yanchen fell silent, tapping his fingers on the table. If the people cleaning up the scene were cleaners, then most likely this case would be related to the Hetu Trading Association again. Gu Yanchen knew Liao Qing was often not in Penang. It was purely luck to find him this time, and who knew when the next time would be. He tried to ask all the questions, “How can we trace the source of this surveillance?”

Liao Qing said, “Well… I can’t do that with my technology here. To achieve data tracking, you need to find an interface to hack into, and you need high-level skills. As far as I know, there aren’t many in Penang.” He paused and said, “Doesn’t your police force have security experts? You can consult them.”

Shen Junci pondered for a moment, “Although it’s a bit difficult, it’s not impossible to trace. The transmission of information is nothing more than the transfer of data packets. Even if it’s encrypted, it’s basically dismantling data. If you can find the other party’s data packet, you may discover something.”

Simply put, it’s like sending confidential parcels from a secret factory. There are a dozen or so packages in total. They’re broken up here, packaged separately, sent around the world, and then assembled at another location. If marks are made on some parcels or tracking devices are mixed in, you can trace these parcels and eventually find the other party’s secret factory.

Talking to this point, Liao Qing nervously licked his lips, “Um, Officer, I’ve said what I should say. You won’t arrest me, will you? I’m just doing some small business, selling civilian surveillance. These are all household surveillance cameras, and they’re also sold online. I don’t get involved in those messy things…”

Gu Yanchen stood up, “Be more discreet. Penang needs a crackdown. If your shop is found to be involved in illegal activities, I won’t turn a blind eye.”

Nowadays, surveillance devices are getting smaller and more sophisticated. Some can be installed in phones, some can stick to vases, some can be placed in bathrooms, showers, and are virtually undetectable. Gu Yanchen didn’t think that all the cameras sold here by Liao Qing would be used for theft prevention. But it’s illegal to use civilian surveillance cameras for illegal activities. This area of judicial control is still quite blank.

“Alright, Captain Gu, I’ll definitely be more vigilant from now on and make sure my customers don’t engage in any illegal activities.” Liao Qing said, his chubby face drooping.

“Oh, by the way, get me a surveillance camera,” Gu Yanchen suddenly remembered, “the safest and hardest to decrypt.”

Liao Qing hurried to fetch the item.

Shen Junci asked, “What for?”

Gu Yanchen explained, “Didn’t we release Snowy now? Putting one at home also prevents it from wrecking the place.”

All things seem to be double-edged swords, convenient for people but also bringing dangers, depending on how people use them.

Liao Qing brought the camera and said he would give it to Gu Yanchen. Captain Gu insisted on paying according to the price. Then Liao Qing carefully escorted the two police officers out. Gu Yanchen and Shen Junci left Liao Qing’s shop and walked outside, only to find that the city was now lit up with streetlights.

The city plunged into darkness was completely different from daytime. All the shops were lit up, emitting a bright white light. At this time, the entire black market seemed to have awakened, with the flow of people gradually increasing, and heavily made-up women enticing people to buy liquor.

They walked towards their car, and Shen Junci asked softly, “Those people have enough money to do this, why don’t they find willing partners? Isn’t consensual better? Why spend money on illegal activities?”

Gu Yanchen replied, “Everyone has their preferences. Some like children, some like mature women, and those people like to invade privacy, enjoy watching those unfamiliar girls gradually fall into their trap under their surveillance.” As he said this, he thought carefully for a moment, “I think, for the masterminds behind the scenes, this is a process of gradual immersion. Using a theory understandable to normal people, it’s called conditioning. Long-term surveillance will make those people fall into a state of infatuation, after watching for three months continuously, they develop feelings for those girls. By then, any girl, no matter how beautiful, can’t compare to those girls they’ve been spying on for so long.”

Shen Junci followed him until they got into the car, then whispered, “You make a lot of sense.”

The unknown darkness in the city, who knows how much there is.

After a busy day, the two returned home. To help Snowy adapt to life here, they had let the cat out in the morning when they left. Now returning home in the evening, Gu Yanchen opened the door and felt like he was in a messy battlefield.

The kitten seemed not to mind, but rather, it had adapted too well. Trash bags were torn open, paper rolls scattered on the floor, and cat litter spilled everywhere. The kitten was about to climb onto the table through the cat tree. Its legs were still short, its jumping power insufficient. Wuliang stood nearby, looking at Snowy with indulgent eyes, then nudged the kitten’s soft belly with its nose. With the help, Snowy finally made it up, jumped onto the table, and then lay down on the keyboard, looking up at the two returning owners.

“Meow, meow, meow…” The kitten’s expression was excited, as if seeking praise.

Shen Junci sighed heavily. Suddenly, he thought Gu Yanchen’s idea of buying a camera made sense. This cat needed to be monitored, or should they buy a cat mansion? Or rearrange the guest bedroom for it?

Gu Yanchen picked up the kitten from the keyboard. It was soft and fluffy, lying in the palm of his hand. Although it was a troublemaker, it also healed his tired mood.

Clearly about to face the mess, Gu Yanchen’s mood improved. Everything in this world is relative. Where there is darkness, there is also light; where there is beauty, there is ugliness; where there is cold, there is warmth; where there is shadow, there is also sunlight. Having seen too much darkness, one increasingly wants to fill their emptiness with warmth and love.

The two were busy until late at night before they had time to eat, bathe, and tidy up. After everything was done, it was time to sleep.

Shen Junci suggested helping Gu Yanchen change his bandages and check the condition of his wounds.

As Gu Yanchen was about to undress, Shen Junci said, “Let me do it.”

He lowered his head and, with slender fingers, slowly unbuttoned each button, revealing a tight expanse of skin beneath the clothes. A living person is completely different from a corpse; a living person’s chest gently rises and falls with breath, their skin radiating warmth, their abdominal muscles clearly defined.

The body before him was even more perfect than he had imagined, with muscles covering the bones, broad shoulders, a slender waist, and long legs. The various scars added some imperfections to it. Instead, it felt like a book worth reading, with small regrets, but it made one irresistibly eager to explore further.

Shen Junci looked down at Gu Yanchen and then opened the gauze covering the wound. The wound had completely healed, albeit with a slightly lighter color.

Gu Yanchen breathed softly. He looked at the way Shen Junci examined his body, his expression solemn, giving him a sense of reverence. It was as if a prince were inspecting his territory.

After a moment, Shen Junci said, “It seems to be healing faster than I expected.”

Gu Yanchen replied, “Yeah, I don’t feel much anymore.”

Nevertheless, Shen Junci still helped Gu Yanchen change his medication. After everything was done, medical examiner Shen hugged Gu Yanchen, and then his slightly cool lips touched Gu Yanchen’s. Like a bird pecking lightly, and then, when Gu Yanchen wasn’t paying attention, he bit him with his incisors.

After planting a kiss, Shen Junci said, “When your injuries are fully healed, I’ll give you a comprehensive physical examination.”

Gu Yanchen asked, “What do you want to check?”

Shen Junci replied, “Measurements, temperature, familiarity frequency, complete human sublimation, and learning process.”

Gu Yanchen pressed him down, his breath becoming somewhat erratic. “No need to wait, you can check anytime. I can fully cooperate, comprehensively understand, ensure time and quality.”

Medical examiner Shen asked, “Then won’t I be unable to get out of bed tomorrow morning?”

He was joking, but when he heard this, Gu Yanchen calmed down and checked his phone. It was now 11:45 at night. He had a meeting to discuss the case tomorrow morning. They had reached a critical moment in the investigation. He couldn’t exhaust the medical examiner.

Gu Yanchen sensibly said, “I’ll let you off today and get some rest early.”

Shen Junci felt a bit regretful as he lay flat on the bed.

Gu Yanchen remembered some gossip, “I heard today that Dr. Liu has been staying in the medical examiner’s rest area these days?”

Shen Junci nodded. He had also heard some gossip. “Qi Yi’an heard him talking on the phone. It seems he had a fight with his girlfriend over food. His girlfriend bought a watermelon, and he ate the first bite without telling her? His girlfriend wasn’t happy.”

Gu Yanchen said, “I’ll definitely save you the watermelon core, the salted duck egg yolk, and the roasted sweet potato skin.”

Medical examiner Shen thought about it carefully. It must be true love. He fell asleep contentedly.

.

Early the next morning, several members of the Special Criminal Division began to compile the progress of the investigation. Lu Ying had visited the residential area yesterday and obtained surveillance footage from the property management. The footage showed that on the evening of the incident, Xia Tian’en went downstairs alone. She was wearing pajamas and took the elevator downstairs, disappearing from sight thereafter.

Xia Tian’en definitely didn’t expect that she wouldn’t be able to come back once she left.

Gu Yanchen said, “Since she was wearing pajamas, she might have gone to see someone she knew or went to buy something nearby.” He then asked, “Are there any call records on her phone?”

Bai Meng shook her head. “The phone is very clean, as if it has been wiped.”

Gu Yanchen thought to himself, it was probably the work of a cleaner. Those people not only cleaned up her corpse and the place she lived, but also hacked into the system and wiped her phone.

Yu Shen said, “I have made some progress here. In the evening we found the corpse, several dozen cars suddenly left from several locations in Penang. I’ve marked the movement trajectories of these vehicles.”

This was a clue obtained based on police big data.

The current surveillance system could automatically identify license plate numbers, allowing the drawing of route maps based on the movement of vehicles. By aggregating the movement routes of many vehicles during the same period, a driving trajectory could be formed. Although the lines on the map were chaotic, there were two points that caught Gu Yanchen’s attention.

Clearly, many vehicles had left from these two points.

Lu Ying was familiar with the terrain of Penang. “One of them is… Brother Security Company. And there’s another place I’ll check…” He compared it with the map and took a screenshot of a place name – “Mansion 13.”

Shen Junci and Gu Yanchen exchanged glances. They had been intending to investigate Mansion 13 before, but they hadn’t expected this case to be linked to the former.

Yu Shen continued, “Moreover, I reviewed the surveillance videos near Mansion 13 on the night of the victim’s death.”

He quickly played it. Vehicles were coming and going, but most of them were single cars. Around three in the morning, three cars suddenly lined up and left the mansion’s gate. Then they split up and headed in different directions.

At three in the morning, most people were asleep, so such an occurrence was obviously unusual. The clues gradually became clear.

Shen Junci said, “Those three cars may have been used to dispose of the corpse.”

The remains they had found so far might have come from them.

Lu Ying rubbed his hands together. “Can we search the mansion?”

Gu Yanchen shook his head, rejecting the suggestion. “We still don’t have enough evidence at hand. Mansion 13 has a background, involving many people. Some children of officials also go there to play. Acting rashly will alert the enemy. Let’s look at other clues.”

Bai Meng said, “I received a lead from Deng Anlu yesterday, which is the note saying ‘Leave here’. Physical evidence examination revealed a fingerprint on this piece of evidence, which did not belong to either Xia Tian’en or Deng Anlu.”

Paper is relatively easy to leave clear fingerprint traces on, and with technological advancements, obtaining fingerprints from paper has become easier. The forensic department recently acquired a laser imaging device that could capture fingerprints and palm prints that were difficult to discern with the naked eye. Last night, forensic personnel worked overtime and had already conducted comparisons, confirming the information of a third person.

Bai Meng projected it onto the screen. “The fingerprint that appeared belongs to a girl named Xie Yuna.”

The photo on her ID showed that she was 22 years old, a young woman with a pure appearance.

“A girl?” Lu Ying questioned directly. “The one who knocked on someone’s door in the middle of the night and left a note isn’t some creepy guy, but a girl?”

Bai Meng said, “I found her contact information and called her. She quit her job three months ago and is currently freelancing, contributing to a self-media outlet. When I asked about the note, she initially didn’t say anything. Later, I mentioned that the police had video evidence proving she was in the hallway, and she changed her story, claiming that she lost a game of Truth or Dare with friends, so she was asked to leave the note.”

That note didn’t seem like a prank; it seemed more like a warning.

Such an explanation definitely raised suspicions. Combined with what they learned yesterday, Gu Yanchen decisively said, “Let’s call her into the City Bureau for questioning. She might be either a previous victim or someone with information.”