Chapter 39: The Banquet at Hongmen

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: The Banquet at Hongmen ... The two deceased were none other than the brothers "Xiong Da" and "Xiong Er," who had robbed Luo Jianbi from head to toe last night! Yan Xiaobao glanced at the corpses and helped Han Ruobing analyze, "These two guys were beaten to death with blunt weapons and then thrown into the lake. They’ve been dead for four and a half hours." Constable Xing looked at Yan Xiaobao, secretly astonished. This guy merely took a glance and came to conclusions that matched his preliminary assessment, only Yan’s timing was even more precise—it was simply unbelievable. Han Ruobing, however, seemed as if she didn’t hear Yan Xiaobao’s words at all. She asked Constable Xing, "Has the forensic doctor arrived?" Constable Xing replied, "I’ve already notified the forensic doctor; they’re on their way. Detailed identification results should be available tonight." Han Ruobing continued asking, "Any findings at the scene?" "None," Constable Xing shook his head. "I speculate that this isn’t the murder scene nor the body-dumping site. Aside from footprints from three night anglers, there’s nothing else notable here." Han Ruobing pondered for a moment and then ordered, "Request Chief Zhang to deploy additional manpower and divide them into five teams. The first team will thoroughly search the lakeside. The second team will investigate all boats at Willow Leaf Lake and today’s sailing logs. The third will conduct a broad search to find witnesses. The fourth will investigate the victims’ identities and social connections. The fifth will collect surveillance footage from all road intersections around the lake. Leave no stone unturned; notify me immediately upon any discovery." "Understood!" Constable Xing promptly turned to execute the orders, internally admiring her. Han Ruobing’s orders were clear, systematic, airtight—she truly deserved her reputation as the Goddess Catcher with the highest case resolution rate in Binhai. After issuing the orders, Han Ruobing began waiting for updates from all directions, leaving her temporarily idle. Yan Xiaobao immediately seized the opportunity, saying, "Bingbing, I’m hungry. Come eat with me." Han Ruobing replied irritably, "Can’t you see I’m busy?" "Nope," Yan Xiaobao shook his head and continued, "This case is so simple. It’ll be solved soon. No need to rush—we can eat while waiting for updates." "Easy for you to say. Let’s see you solve the case," she retorted. As a professional patrol officer, Han Ruobing’s wealth of experience told her that seemingly simple cases were often surprisingly difficult to solve. Take this case, for instance. She preliminarily speculated that the two deceased were caught in worldly society vendettas. Although such cases appeared straightforward, they were notoriously tricky. Those involved in the case—whether suspicious or not—typically refused to cooperate with officers, making it exceedingly difficult to identify clear leads. Moreover, these types of cases attracted little social attention, meaning the Patrol Office didn’t prioritize them highly either, rarely allocating extended personnel and resources to crack them. It seemed there was an implicit social consensus—this type of gang member dies? Well, more of them dying might even make society more stable and harmonious. "Solving a case isn’t hard," Yan Xiaobao grinned nonchalantly. "I’ve already found your killer." Han Ruobing instinctively asked, "Who’s the killer?" Yan Xiaobao answered, "Old Blackface." "What’s Old Blackface?" "Just an old face that’s really black." "..." Han Ruobing took a deep breath, "Name! I’m asking for a name!" "Oh, he’s Luo Jianbi, a bad guy," Yan Xiaobao said. "You know him?" Han Ruobing asked suspiciously. Yan Xiaobao replied, "Yesterday, he cursed at my Rourou, so I sealed his acupuncture points, making him unable to move or speak for a whole day and night. Counting the hours... he should’ve regained mobility about five hours ago." "Yan Xiaobao!" Han Ruobing snapped, "Patrol officers are government personnel enforcing the law for the nation—they’re not tools for your personal vendettas!" "Huh? Why would I use patrol officers for revenge?" Yan Xiaobao looked genuinely puzzled. "If I’ve got grudges, I’ll settle them myself." "If you’re not seeking revenge, then why falsely accuse Luo Jianbi?" Han Ruobing rebuked sternly. "You yourself said Luo Jianbi just recovered and couldn’t possibly commit murder!" "I don’t know why he killed them, but..." Yan Xiaobao explained seriously, "These two men have an overwhelming presence of Luo Jianbi’s Qi—it’s undeniably strong." As Xiong Da and Xiong Er had robbed Luo Jianbi of his entire outfit and donned it themselves, they naturally carried his Qi. Even after soaking in the lake for two to three hours, this Qi would likely escape the noses of police dogs, but it couldn’t deceive Yan Xiaobao’s keen senses. Still, as a proper professional patrol officer, Han Ruobing placed zero trust in Yan Xiaobao’s "nonsense." And frankly, Han Ruobing didn’t care to waste words with the unserious Yan Xiaobao either. She drove him to a nearby KFC, bought a family bucket to fill his stomach, and simultaneously shut him up. ... Meanwhile, in the 8888 Supreme Private Room of the "Night Banquet" nightclub. ƒreewebɳovel.com Xia Rou pulled out the last silver needle and placed it back in the wooden box. Standing up, she said, "Done." Luo Jianbi sat up, stretching his arms and legs, laughing heartily, "You truly are the Miracle Needle. This acupuncture session worked—it feels like my legs have new strength." "Get a good night’s sleep, and you’ll be fine tomorrow." Xia Rou headed toward the room’s door. "I’ll be taking my leave now." Luo Jianbi stood with a sly grin, "Since you’re here, why the rush to leave?" "What do you mean, Luo Jianbi?" Xia Rou’s expression immediately darkened. "Our agreement was that I’d use acupuncture to heal your injuries, and our past grievances would be settled. Why are you stopping me now? Don’t tell me your words mean nothing!" "Of course my words mean something. You healed my injuries with acupuncture, and yes, our past issues are indeed resolved," Luo Jianbi said, lifting two glasses of wine, before shifting tone, "But now let’s leave yesterday behind and start anew. Come, let’s drink to that." "I don’t drink." Luo Jianbi’s wine wasn’t something to be rudely consumed—who knew what might be lurking within it? Xia Rou wasn’t foolish enough to drink with Luo Jianbi inside this private room. "What’s this? I’ve invited you sincerely to settle our differences, yet you won’t even drink a glass of wine? Are you disrespecting me?" Luo Jianbi’s tone carried a hint of menace. "I already followed through on our agreement to heal your injuries—how could that be disrespectful?" Faced with the growing tension, Xia Rou’s nerves frayed; she dared not provoke Luo Jianbi too firmly. "I really don’t drink, and it’s late—I need to leave." "It’s just one glass of wine, no big deal. Relax, I’m not trying to get you drunk. Just this one." Luo Jianbi pressed the wine glass closer to Xia Rou, "Drink this, and everything will start over between us." ... [Please support with favorites, recommendations, donations, and encouragement!] ... The most uptodate novels are published on free(w)ebnov(e)l.com