Chapter 18: The Scene of the First Case

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Upon hearing this, Tang Jianing probably understood why Hua Lao San was initially reluctant to tell the truth.

Entrapment schemes, organized prostitution, and the fact that this kid sometimes resorted to violence during these entrapments—if these were uncovered, he would likely face at least ten years behind bars.

Add to that other offenses; while not necessarily punishable by death, the sentence could be life without parole.

If no one had died, even if someone reported it, it would usually just result in a short detention as a scapegoat, and then things would blow over.

But under the principle that every homicide must be solved, his involvement was guaranteed to be thoroughly investigated.

Tang Jianing watched Hua Lao San fall silent for a moment, then rubbed her brow.

To be honest, the underworld in Mountain City had been relatively peaceful for many years.

Each gang leader had their own turf, some had gone legitimate, running proper businesses, while those still chasing money had at least some form of enterprise.

Tang Jianing didn’t want Hua Lao San to get into trouble; after all, though his dealings weren’t exactly lawful, he was at least disciplined.

The territory around the train station belonged to him, and he never dared to step beyond that boundary!

What pleased Tang Jianing was that he never forced anyone.

If a girl was willing, he found clients; if she wanted out, Hua Lao San would give her some money to start over in another city.

If Hua Lao San went down, and someone reckless took his place, who knew how many innocent girls would be ruined or victimized.

After a moment of contemplation, Tang Jianing finally spoke, offering a glimmer of hope to the sweating, nervous Hua Lao San.

“I’m not interested in your petty crimes. Tell me everything you know, and I’ll do my best to keep you safe.”

The attitude of the criminal investigation unit toward Hua Lao San was uncertain, but from experience, if someone intervened, they’d likely find an excuse to intimidate him without actually arresting him.

Compared to Tang Jianing, they needed people who maintained social stability far more!

“Thank you, Miss!” Hua Lao San nearly burst into tears upon hearing this.

He had thought the exposure meant his end, but unexpectedly, Tang Jianing was willing to protect him!

This was the heiress of the Great Tang Group—an empire that spanned both lawful and unlawful realms. If she intervened, it wouldn’t be simple to bring him down.

“After I saw that scene that time, I knew he was different from us. We’re out here just to make money, but he doesn’t want money—he wants lives!”

“I don’t know why he targets those girls, but I can’t afford to cross such a ruthless man.”

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“For safety’s sake, I just conducted a simple investigation over the years and gave the girls some security training.”

“But honestly, I don’t have the guts to confront such a ruthless man!”

...

As Hua Lao San spoke, Da Hu could no longer hold back and gave him another kick.

“Damn it, do you know if you’d reported this earlier, if this information had come out sooner, maybe they wouldn’t have died!”

“I-I know. But if that ruthless man targeted me, I wouldn’t survive either!”

Hua Lao San collapsed to the ground clutching his stomach, his eyes filled with terror of death.

Tang Jianing waved her hand, stopping Da Hu from continuing his assault.

Actually, Tang Wanwan found this situation quite normal. Hua Lao San was just a petty hustler, skirting the gray area to earn money with a guilty conscience.

Even if he used some violence in his entrapment schemes, it was only those controlled by their baser desires who brought trouble on themselves.

But the problem was, his actions couldn’t be made public. If reported, he’d face over a decade in prison.

On the other hand, there was a maniac who killed without remorse. For Hua Lao San, there were only two options:

Either go head-to-head with this madman and end up behind bars,

Or endure quietly to stay in a safer position.

The choice was obvious; Hua Lao San barely hesitated before choosing the latter.

Tang Jianing recorded the information Hua Lao San provided in her notebook, frowning at the complex clues.

Although his actions were infuriating, he was not without use.

At least he answered one of Tang Jianing’s questions: the connection between the victims and the killer.

Clients?

Tang Jianing frowned at the two words in her notebook, then added a question mark.

“Da Hu, go check out that alley.”

The place Hua Lao San first saw was likely the first crime scene. Though the exact spot was uncertain, the alley was small.

Perhaps searching there would reveal something useful.

Da Hu glanced at Hua Lao San with disdain, then turned and headed to the car.

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Tang Jianing’s steps paused briefly, her tone carrying a chill as she stopped.

“Until I find the killer, if anyone else disappears, you’ll join them.”

“Yes, I will absolutely protect those girls!”

Hearing Tang Jianing’s threat, Hua Lao San quickly promised.

The car drove along the road as Da Hu glanced at Tang Jianing’s expressionless face in the rearview mirror.

“Miss, should I have my men take Hua Lao San in...?”

“No need. He’s still useful. The current peace in Mountain City is just right.”

Though Tang Jianing didn’t hold Hua Lao San in high regard, with him controlling the train station area, no major trouble would arise.

Hearing her words, Da Hu nodded and pressed the accelerator, stopping the car near a small alley close to the school.

The darkness of night made the alley look eerie and forbidding, as if nothing could dispel the gloom.

Tang Jianing instructed Da Hu to shine the headlights into the alley, then stepped inside.

This was a city village, with a roughly one hundred-meter alley flanked by residents’ walls.

Trash was scattered around the area, and a pungent stench hung in the air.

After surveying the surroundings, Tang Jianing walked about seventy meters in.

She glanced at the iron gate blocking the path ahead, then fixed her gaze on the utility pole next to the wall.

According to Hua Lao San, he had parked his car just outside the alley.

He saw the tightly wrapped killer drag a suitcase into the trunk of a van.

Seventy meters was the maximum distance the human eye could see under this lighting.

Even if the moonlight was good that night, the residents’ walls would have blocked the alley completely.

As her finger touched the utility pole, a blue prompt box instantly appeared.

“Blood washed away by time; perhaps only specialized test reagents can reveal its original form.”

Fixing her gaze on the prompt, Tang Jianing’s fingers began to slide around the pole, searching the area.