Insights Chapter 125: Dogs Biting Dogs

Chapter 125: Dogs Biting Dogs

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

Ten o’clock in the morning, at Mansion 13, having found the suspected crime scene, Qi Yi’an hurried to inform the other forensic evidence personnel and Gu Yanchen. Soon, other staff members rushed over.

Gu Yanchen asked Shen Junci, “Any discoveries?”

Shen Junci replied, “Currently, we suspect this room, but it’s unusually clean here. Let’s search first to see if we can find any clues.”

The traces left by luminol can help him determine if this is the scene of the crime, but they cannot serve as actual evidence. Only fingerprints, footprints, bloodstains, and hair are legally recognized evidence. This time, several forensic experts came, led by Chen Mian, and there was also a senior forensic officer named Guan Haiyi. The two of them began a routine inspection of the bedroom, paying extremely careful attention to the floor, walls, and other areas.

After a while, Chen Mian straightened up and tapped his lower back, saying, “This room is too clean.”

Shen Junci also noticed that there were no traces of normal human activity here. Some soft furnishings should have been replaced after the scene was handled by the cleaners, and after the replacement, there had been one or even several ordinary cleanings, leaving everything spotless.

Shen Junci stood for a while, feeling a slight throbbing pain in his lower abdomen, making it difficult for him to concentrate. His brows furrowed imperceptibly. Shen Junci calmed himself down, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. He tried hard to recall the traces and features on the corpse, combined with the scene described to him by Yan Chi before.

Shen Junci seemed to go back to the night of the crime, with the body of Xia Tian’en lying in the room. The girl was strangled, with some struggle marks on her body, leaving some bloodstains in the room.

It was early in the morning, with dim lights in the room, very messy. Shen Junci tried to put himself in the shoes of a cleaner who arrived at the scene, thinking about how they should operate. The process should start with dealing with the corpse.

The cleaner would carry the female corpse to a convenient location, carefully observe, erase traces, pull out teeth, and finally dismember.Naturally, the place for handling the corpse couldn’t be in the bedroom, as bloodstains could easily seep into cracks and flow under the floor, so it must be somewhere easy to clean.

Shen Junci opened his eyes and judged that the specific location should be in the bathroom. Thinking of this, Shen Junci walked into the bathroom. The bathroom in the mansion’s room was spacious, without a bathtub, featuring a shower room, a washbasin cabinet, and a toilet. There was a huge mirror on the wall, wiped clean without leaving a single fingerprint.

Chen Mian had also just inspected here; he sprayed Luminol on the floor again and then shone a UV light on it. The floor was clean, with nothing found. Shen Junci pondered with his head lowered. During dismemberment, there would definitely be some splattered blood, and plastic sheets would be laid on the floor, but there might be blind spots.

Thinking of this, Shen Junci squatted down with effort. This was usually an easy movement for him, but now his wound ached. Sweat beaded on Shen Junci’s forehead as he used one hand to press against his lower abdomen wound and the other, gloved hand, to support himself against the shower glass nearby.

The throbbing pain from the wound persisted, and Shen Junci bit his lip, only stabilizing himself when kneeling on the ground, inadvertently wrinkling the folds of his medical examiner’s coat. After enduring for a while, he began to search with his head lowered. Where could those bloodstains be?

The shower room wasn’t large enough, and it wasn’t convenient for handling the corpse. Dismemberment likely occurred on the ground near the washbasin. Shen Junci’s gaze halted. The toilet in the room was the highest-grade type, hanging, suspended in the bathroom, with a height of ten centimeters from the ground.

Underneath, it formed a difficult-to-clean, inconspicuous blind spot. Though those people were crazed enough to clean the scene thoroughly, they hadn’t reached the level of madness to pry up and renovate all the tiled toilets.

Shen Junci bent down with effort, carefully searching. Sure enough, under the toilet, on the wall, he discovered two small dark red marks. Shen Junci looked up and called out to the forensic team, “There are suspected bloodstains in the bathroom.”

“Found anything?” Chen Mian, upon hearing this news, turned around excitedly.

Guan Haiyi immediately rushed over to observe, with Chen Mian following suit and crouching down. Shen Junci pointed out the marks to them.

Guan Haiyi observed through a magnifying glass and quickly took a photo, “It looks very similar from the shape.”

Gu Yanchen also walked in, and the bathroom was suddenly crowded with people.

According to the analysis of the shape, it could be two splattered blood stains. The shapes of the blood stains were one large and one small, with the small one only about two millimeters in size, and the large one only about five millimeters long, both shaped like shuttles. If it weren’t for Shen Junci’s carefulness, it would have been difficult to find them at all.

That little dark red carried the hopes of everyone. But there was too little blood. First, it needed to be confirmed whether it was indeed blood, and then enough blood samples needed to be extracted and sent for testing.

The physical evidence team discussed the suspected blood spots. Guan Haiyi dipped and took the smaller one, carefully conducting a benzidine test.

Watching the test paper turn blue, Guan Haiyi immediately exclaimed, “It’s blood!”

Two forensic experts quickly began to extract, carefully placing them in the reagent box.

Gu Yanchen said, “Send someone to the municipal bureau immediately to have the blood sent for testing. Report back as soon as the results are out.”

Guan Haiyi said, “Captain Gu, I’ll go right away. The Municipal Bureau’s testing department has purchased new equipment, and the comparison results can be available by this afternoon.”

Although it was only a small amount of blood, its discovery was of great significance. After finding this trace, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Shen Junci also relaxed and tried to stand up. He had injuries, and kneeling down was quite difficult for him. After kneeling for a while, as soon as he stood up, he saw golden lights flashing before his eyes. Gu Yanchen had noticed Shen Junci’s pale face when he was kneeling on the ground. He was about to help him up when he saw Shen Junci standing up on his own, swaying a bit. He quickly reached out and grabbed his arm.

Shen Junci’s vision went black for a few seconds, unable to see anything, but he felt it; it should be Gu Yanchen who held him. He reached back and grabbed Gu Yanchen’s hand. After a few seconds, everything in front of him became clear again. After recovering a bit, Shen Junci explained, “I knelt for a bit too long; my legs went numb.”

Gu Yanchen was concerned about his body. “Qi Yi’an is still around. Why don’t you take a rest in the car first? If it doesn’t work, go to the hospital. You still need to get intravenous fluids tonight.”

After briefing Qi Yi’an on the work, Shen Junci didn’t force it. He went back to the police car first, holding his phone to keep an eye on the work group and the messages on the network.

The officers in the room continued with other investigations. Later, with the collaborative efforts of the physical evidence team and the forensic team, they found a strand of a woman’s long hair in the room’s drain. An hour and a half later, a detective with a police dog found a small package of new drugs under a fake rock in the yard.

At noon, the officers ordered takeout and ate quickly without taking a break, then continued to work busily.

Finally, Guan Haiyi sent out a joyful message in the work group, “Captain Gu, through urgent comparison in the laboratory, the blood stains in the room match completely with Xia Tian’en’s!”

The evidence indicated that this place was very likely the first scene where Xia Tian’en was murdered and dismembered. These pieces of evidence also indicated that Mansion 13 was indeed, as reported by Yan Chi, engaged in illegal activities.

Gu Yanchen immediately reported to Director Ding and received the order for arrest.

A team of officers returned to the hall where Gao Shixuan and Li Yiyang were. Gao Shixuan sat on the sofa, his face pale, and when he saw the officers approaching, he felt a tremor in his heart.

Li Yiyang pretended to be calm and asked, “Officers, have you found anything?”

Gu Yanchen didn’t explain much and said, “The police have received orders from superiors to arrest you and seal off Mansion 13.”

Gao Shixuan’s face turned white. Even now, he still had a glimmer of hope, “What’s the situation now? What about your arrest warrant…”

“We have evidence proving that Xia Tian’en died at Mansion 13.” Lu Ying took out handcuffs and walked up to him. “Gao Shixuan, all our current work follows the procedure. Please cooperate with the police.”

When he heard that evidence had been found, Gao Shixuan didn’t resist the officers anymore and obediently put out his hands. Seeing this, Li Yiyang didn’t struggle either. With the main culprits successfully apprehended, the staff inside the mansion were also taken away for questioning as related persons. 

Shen Junci sat in the police car, watching as those people were taken away to other cars. Seeing Gu Yanchen approach, he rolled down the window, and asked, “Everything went smoothly?”

Gu Yanchen nodded. “It’s just that there are quite a few people, and we’re verifying their identities.” Leaning against the car, he asked, “And you, feeling better? Did you eat something just now?”

“I’ve eaten.” Shen Junci nodded. “I’m much better now.”

With the search completed, the officers took these related persons to the municipal bureau.

On the way, Gu Yanchen began to communicate about the process of arresting Sheng Qiancheng. Compared to Gao Shixuan, Sheng Qiancheng was a well-known tycoon in Penang, and also a public figure, so the process naturally would be slower. As soon as the detectives got out of the car, they saw a luxury car driving into the yard of the municipal bureau. A middle-aged man in his forties got out of the car and walked straight towards the police car. “Sheng Qiancheng is here,” Shen Junci whispered to Gu Yanchen. Gu Yanchen turned around to see, and indeed, it was Sheng Qiancheng who had just arrived.

Lu Ying said, “We haven’t gone to find him yet, and he’s here on his own initiative. Looks like he wants to surrender himself.”

Gu Yanchen got out of the car and said, “Since he’s here, let’s go meet him.”

Sheng Qiancheng, forty-five years old this year, had strands of white hair showing in his hair. Among the wealthy in Penang, Sheng Qiancheng could definitely rank in the top ten. This tycoon was in the construction materials business, and he had projects in many districts of Penang. Even the city leaders of Penang had dealt with Sheng Qiancheng.

Although Gu Yanchen was seeing Sheng Qiancheng for the first time in person, he had seen him in many reports before. Sheng Qiancheng walked up to the officers with a stern face. Before he could speak, he saw Gao Shixuan getting out of the police car with his hands cuffed.

Right in front of everyone, he gave Gao Shixuan a slap. The sound was loud, and Gao Shixuan’s face immediately swelled up. Gao Shixuan was stunned by the slap, trembling as he called out, “Uncle…”

Sheng Qiancheng was about to kick him again. Yu Shen quickly pulled Gao Shixuan back, narrowly avoiding the kick.

Gu Yanchen walked over and stood between Sheng Qiancheng and Gao Shixuan. “Mr. Sheng, please don’t obstruct the police in carrying out their duties.”

Sheng Qiancheng cursed, “Prodigal son! I handed Mansion 13 over to you to manage, and you did such a thing? Neglecting your duties, creating a video website, letting the people below run wild?!” The anger on Sheng Qiancheng’s face hadn’t subsided yet, and he turned to Li Yiyang. “You have the guts, confess honestly, is what was exposed online last night true?”

Li Yiyang had been working for Gao Shixuan and the Sheng family for many years, so they had long had an understanding. He lowered his head, tears streaming down his face, and said, “Mr. Sheng, I’m sorry.”

Sheng Qiancheng asked, “At this point, do you still want to protect a murderer? Who exactly is the murderer?”

Li Yiyang remained silent for two seconds, trembling as he lowered his head, and confessed the name, “It’s… Jiang Song…”

This person named Jiang Song was also on the previous VIP list. Bai Meng quickly searched for Jiang Song’s information. The young man in the photo had a black mole on his face, which matched Yan Chi’s previous confession.

Gu Yanchen stood aside. They had repeatedly questioned Li Yiyang and Gao Shixuan, but they had stubbornly refused to disclose who the murderer was. But now, with just a few words from Sheng Qiancheng, they revealed the murderer. 

By distancing himself from Gao Shixuan and making Li Yiyang confess the real culprit, Sheng Qiancheng seemed to be treating this as his confession to the police. Sheng Qiancheng’s performance reached this point, and he sighed, then turned to Gu Yanchen and said, “Officer, although Gao Shixuan is my nephew, I will never shield him for such actions. You can take him away. You must find out the truth and punish the guilty. In addition, I am here to surrender myself. With things developing to this point, I cannot escape blame. After seeing the news online last night, I feel extremely regretful for my negligence. I will cooperate with your work and make sure the police understand the whole situation.”

Gu Yanchen took out handcuffs. “Mr. Sheng, then I’ll trouble you to come with us.”

Sheng Qiancheng obediently stretched out his hands. This was a strategy he had decided on long ago. He didn’t resist or refuse the police investigation; instead, he took the initiative to surrender, pretending to cooperate. Later, he planned to push everything onto Gao Shixuan and Li Yiyang, who were actually managing the operation. He had planned this a few days ago, plus after seeing the scene online yesterday, Sheng Qiancheng felt that the situation was even worse than he had imagined. He had already contacted those people he used to know, but either they avoided him or claimed they couldn’t help.

Sheng Qiancheng felt like he had reached a dead end. Before he came over just now, he had been continuously calling the president of the Trading Association, but he never expected that the other party wouldn’t pick up at all. Helpless, he dialed Huo Lei’s phone again. Huo Lei leisurely told him, “The president hasn’t been feeling well recently, and he probably doesn’t have time to deal with your matters. I’ll convey your message for you.”

Sheng Qiancheng gritted his teeth in anger. “Huo Lei, if something happens to me, don’t think you’ll get away with it!”

Huo Lei chuckled lightly. “I haven’t done anything.” She paused for a moment and then said, “Also, I remind you not to do or say anything recklessly, just admit to it and everything will be fine. Look, Han Qingyi passed away not long ago.”

Rejected when seeking help and then threatened, Sheng Qiancheng angrily hung up the phone. He, who had been rebuffed outside, was completely disappointed. His heart grew increasingly anxious and hateful. But Huo Lei’s words reminded him that there were rumors within the Trading Association that Han Qingyi died because he fired a gun that night, leaving traces and causing the matter to escalate. He couldn’t go down that road again. Since those bigwigs and the Trading Association had abandoned him, he had to figure something out on his own.

Surrendering himself was his move. Sheng Qiancheng was a cautious and conservative person. Although the police didn’t have direct evidence of his illegal activities yet, it was only a matter of time before they would find something. By surrendering himself, he was taking control of the situation. He could apply for leniency in sentencing, hire a good lawyer, and perhaps minimize the consequences. The more he tried to distance himself, the more he revealed his true intentions.

Gao Shixuan, holding his face, looked at his uncle with cold eyes and noticed a hint of satisfaction in his expression. He had already guessed that Sheng Qiancheng would shift the blame onto them and might even make them confess to the murderer to protect himself. However, he didn’t expect Sheng Qiancheng to act so ruthlessly and shamelessly, slapping him in public and immediately trying to distance himself without any mercy.

Listening to his uncle’s desperate attempts to shift blame, Gao Shixuan remembered what his ex-girlfriend had warned him about. He was thoroughly enraged. “Uncle, your words sound so noble and righteous. You used to tell me that the police were useless, and with all your connections, you’d be able to protect me. But now that trouble has arisen, you’re completely throwing me under the bus?!” Then he spoke up, “Officers, I also want to surrender. Everything I’ve done over the years was at the request of my uncle…”

Sheng Qiancheng frowned. “Shixuan, what nonsense are you talking about? I’ll hire the best lawyer for you…”

He was hinting to Gao Shixuan that only if he ensured his own safety in this earthquake could he possibly protect him. If it weren’t for the police holding him back, he would have almost rushed forward to shut Gao Shixuan’s mouth. 

However, Gao Shixuan no longer listened to him. He was determined to drag someone down with him. He continued with a cold sneer, “My uncle made his fortune smuggling illegally in his early years, then bribing officials, and hiring hitmen. None of these were spared. When things went wrong at the mansion, he could find those body handlers to clean up the mess because of his connections. I’m fully aware of all the things my uncle has done, and I have evidence.” 

Gao Shixuan stabbed his uncle right there, and Sheng Qiancheng’s face turned from red to white, almost fainting at the end. His perfect plan fell apart, surrendering became a joke, and he looked like he was walking into a trap. Sheng Qiancheng’s blood pressure soared, and he became anxious. “You were the one who suggested making the app in the first place!”

Gao Shixuan retorted, “Didn’t you personally find Feng Ping? And had someone buy the office? Without you making arrangements, could so many things have been accomplished? Ninety percent of the profits from those websites went into your pocket!”

Sheng Qiancheng burned with rage. “You went too far, injuring that girl. Wasn’t it me who spent three million to help you out? If it weren’t for your mother’s sake, why would I help a heartless scoundrel like you?”

Gao Shixuan sneered, “Do you think my aunt doesn’t know about you sponsoring that minor celebrity? You laundered money through that minor celebrity’s contract and evaded taxes, right? You also have mistress number four, five, and six. Do you think my aunt doesn’t have evidence against you? She’s already told me, you’re just a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

These two tore each other apart on the spot, exposing each other’s crimes, and Gu Yanchen didn’t rush to take them away. The officers stood by, enjoying the gossip. After they had exchanged a few more insults, they couldn’t say anything new.

Gu Yanchen then pretended to intervene. “Rest assured, no one can escape this time. We will understand the situation, and now that you’re at the municipal bureau, just confess and strive for leniency.” Then he waved to Lu Ying beside him, “Take them all away.”

Shen Junci had been watching the drama through the car window and couldn’t resist the urge to applaud. Punishing evil and promoting good was always satisfying. These villains, who had been accustomed to doing evil deeds, never imagined they would face betrayal and mutual destruction one day.

Gao Shixuan, Li Yiyang, Sheng Qiancheng, and the mansion staff were all taken away. Soon after, Lu Ying and his team intercepted Jiang Song, who was attempting to flee the country.

After intense interrogation, Jiang Song quickly confessed to the murder of Xia Tian’en and revealed many insider details. Faced with overwhelming evidence, the staff coerced by Gao Shixuan in the mansion also began to confess. In order to obtain reduced sentences, they kept providing new cases and clues.

The entire criminal investigation team was busy with this major case. After two rounds of interrogation, two staff members confessed to the burial location of other parts of Xia Tian’en’s body. Finally, two bags of body parts were dug up and transported to the Penang Medical Examination Center.

In the forensic autopsy room, the cold white lights were quiet and silent. Qi Yi’an took out the previous head parts from storage. Shen Junci, with a solemn expression, opened the large black plastic bag, and together they pieced together the various parts of the body to complete the autopsy.

The bloody body parts lay quietly on the dissecting table, finally forming a complete corpse. After several days, the innocent girl, Xia Tian’en, who had been brutally murdered, finally saw the light of day. The murderer was brought to justice, the accomplice was arrested and brought to justice, and the criminal group behind them was exposed. All illegal activities would be punished.

Another successful case was solved. Mansion 13 was sealed by the police as a crime scene and an illegally operated venue. Perhaps before today, Mansion 13 was a symbol of luxury, debauchery, and power in the city. But from now on, Mansion 13 will cease to exist.