The Serial Murder Case

The next day, after seeing Zhang Wu off, Huo Xuan resumed his jadeite acquisition mission, returning once more to Jade City. Picking out the most valuable stones from piles of raw jadeite was initially fascinating, but the novelty wore off with repetition—unless he stumbled upon truly exceptional specimens.

Over the following fortnight, he systematically swept through Jade City's finest inventory. The market indeed harbored quality pieces, which he deliberately selected to impress Master Su Pingnan.

By the time he finished, he had secured three extraordinary jadeites—each unique, the kind of treasures money couldn't easily buy. Satisfied, he prepared to visit the master carver when Shen Rong called.

"I'm at a crime scene. Can you come?" Her voice was tense.

"What kind of case?"

"Four homicides in Lantian District this past year—all young, attractive female victims aged twenty to thirty-five. Causes vary: blunt force trauma, gas poisoning, two suffocated after being drugged."

Huo Xuan's pulse quickened. "Any connections between them?"

"Unconfirmed yet, but the geographic and temporal proximity raises red flags," Shen Rong said. "Today's victim died from a crushed occipital bone. Found in a residential greenbelt—body still warm."

"On my way." He hung up and sped to Yinghua Community, a 2,000-household complex now cordoned off by police. Forensic teams documented the scene.

Spotting Huo Xuan, Shen Rong hurried over. "Glad you're here. Take a look."

They ducked under the tape. The medical examiner—a drinking acquaintance—nodded briefly before resuming work.

"Victim identified," Shen Rong briefed. "Twenty-six, single, cosmetic sales rep renting here. Minimal social connections beyond coworkers."

Huo Xuan studied the corpse: face upturned, eyes closed, pallid skin. Even in death, her delicate features hinted at striking beauty.

Moreover, the deceased was dressed in fashionable attire, her makeup meticulously applied, even her nails carefully manicured—a stark contrast to the brutality of her demise.

As Huo Xuan studied the scene, his vision suddenly wavered. In that split second, a horrifying image flashed before his eyes: within the greenery, a stunning woman stood unaware as a gaunt, dark-complexioned man in his thirties loomed behind her. The man's face was cold and expressionless, yet his eyes burned with carnal hunger. In one swift motion, he raised a hammer and brought it down with vicious force on the back of her skull—killing her instantly.

The vision vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving Huo Xuan rooted in place, stunned. Could the Buddha's Eye allow me to witness past events?

Shen Rong, mistaking his shock for a reaction to the corpse, patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it."

Just then, a group of officers crossed the police tape. Leading them was a man in his late twenties, exuding an air of arrogance. Behind him followed Qin Huo and several other detectives, their expressions grim.

Upon reaching the scene, the young man waved dismissively. "Step aside. I'll take over from here."

The forensic team paused, exchanging glances before looking to Qin Huo for direction. Qin Huo's face darkened as he introduced through gritted teeth, "This is Detective Meng Han, an outside expert brought in by the bureau. Trained in the U.S. under the renowned criminologist Henry Lee, he'll be leading the Lantian District serial murder case. Everyone is to cooperate fully."

Xiao Zhao, a hotheaded investigator who had worked the case for over six months, immediately bristled. "Captain Qin, why? We've been on this for half a year—why hand it to an outsider?"

Meng Han smirked, his tone dripping with condescension. "Six months without solving it? Chinese police really are a bunch of incompetents. In the States, a case like this would've been closed in a month."

Xiao Zhao's face flushed with anger. "Oh? 'You Chinese'? What, are you not one of us?"

"Crude and uncivilized—typical of your kind," Meng Han sneered. "I became a U.S. citizen at ten. I'm American, not Chinese."

Xiao Zhao's fists clenched. A true Beijinger through and through, he spat on the ground and growled, "You little traitor bastard—who the hell do you think you are?" He rolled up his sleeves, ready to throw down.

Another officer quickly grabbed Xiao Zhao's arm. "Don't waste your breath on this fake foreigner. He's not worth it—disgusting bastard."

Meng Han sneered. "All you have is empty talk. When it comes to real expertise, I could leave you in the dust eighty times over."

Even Qin Huo couldn't hold back his anger anymore. His voice was low but sharp. "Detective Meng, watch your tone. If it weren't for the higher-ups forcing you onto us, our investigative team wouldn't need outsiders meddling in our work."

Meng Han replied coldly, "My mentor, Dr. Henry Lee, and I came here for academic research, not to solve cases. But your police commissioner happened to mention this case during the seminar, and my mentor took an interest—so he sent me to take a look."

He smirked, adding with deliberate condescension, "So understand this: I couldn't care less about being here. It was your commissioner who invited me. If you have a problem with that, take it up with him." His words were sharp, leaving Qin Huo with no room to retort.

Huo Xuan had been silently observing the exchange, his own anger simmering. As part of the investigative team, he couldn't stand by while the entire force—hell, the entire country's police—was insulted. If he didn't retaliate, he'd lose respect for himself.

With a dry chuckle, he stepped forward. "I don't give a damn if you studied under Henry Lee or Henry Stone. We don't need you here. Get lost—or I'll slap you so hard your ancestors will feel it."

Meng Han scoffed. "Pathetic. A bunch of incompetents, driven by jealousy, trying to chase away a real expert?"

Huo Xuan threw his head back and laughed, his gaze dripping with disdain. "Listen here, you little traitor. Today, I'll show you what a real expert looks like." He jabbed a finger at Meng Han. "I'll crack this case in six hours—right in front of your face."