Chapter 705: Assigned in a Crisis

Chen Xiao didn’t bother with the rest of the video, his finger instinctively pressing the pause button.

His eyes were fixed intently on the masked face.

Even though the face was completely covered.

Yet Chen Xiao could vaguely determine from the exposed hands and hair that it was a young person.

His Power of Sculpting and Painting had not misjudged.

The perpetrator of this case was indeed a young person, or at most around twenty years old.

However, in Chen Xiao’s depiction, his head needed to be more full and round.

Currently in the video, the young person’s head appeared somewhat long and not round.

He was nearly about six feet tall, weighing around 150 pounds.

This height and weight meant he wasn’t slim nor bulky; he would also possess the strength expected of a man.

After Chen Xiao memorized his figure, he resumed the video.

After arrogantly explaining to Dou Zhihai his reason for last night’s murder, the killer finally began to interrogate Dou Zhihai.

"So tell me, Officer Dou, to what extent has the task force pieced together my crimes?"

"Heh, haven’t you already figured that out? Why waste your breath asking me?"

"I’ve only figured out some things, but I don’t know exactly what leads the task force has. That Cao Xiuyuan is very cautious; he’s playing mind games with me. Also, your task force should have a couple of new members."

"One is Qin Fei from Shencheng City, and another from Jiang Province, named Chen Xiao, right?"

"It’s said that Chen Xiao is indeed a remarkable detective. I’ve looked up some news about him, and the outside world holds him in high regard. No criminal ever escapes the net once Chen Xiao is on their trail."

"Officer Dou, do you think... I can evade capture once Chen Xiao starts hunting me?"

Dou Zhihai continued to sneer.

The masked youth was unfazed by his reaction and casually picked up a pair of pliers.

"Officer Dou, if you’re a smart man, I hope you’ll answer my questions honestly. Whether or not I know your answers is my business. Whether you speak or not, is yours."

"I have a flaw, which is that I love seeing the police surrender. The arrogance and righteousness on your faces are the most detestable things in the world, so I hope you don’t make the wrong choice."

Dou Zhihai still coldly faced him with a sneer.

Without wasting words, the killer used the pliers to yank out Dou Zhihai’s right thumb nail.

The blood-stained scene in the video made Cao Xiuyuan smash his fist onto the table, gritting his teeth.

But Dou Zhihai held his jaw tight, not letting out even a grunt.

It was clear that Dou Zhihai initially was indeed a tough guy.

But one’s endurance has its limits.

Perhaps only an old cop who had faced countless dangers or pain could withstand the killer’s torment from body to mind.

By the eighth nail, Dou Zhihai could endure no more.

He began answering the killer’s questions.

Whatever was asked, he answered.

Saying everything he knew about the task force’s progress.

He tried to sprinkle in some false information, but the cunning killer recognized it immediately, resulting in Dou Zhihai receiving another beating.

Finally, Dou Zhihai fainted from the pain.

At this moment, the killer lost interest in further tormenting him and turned the camera to his masked face.

"Officers of the task force, you must be very angry about what I did, right?"

"But being angry is useless; what’s done is done, and I will carry things through to the end!"

"If you have the skills, you’re always welcome to catch me!"

Provocation!

Blatant provocation!

Even the eyes beneath the mask revealed deep disdain and loathing.

He truly despised the police!

The tone and the look made Cao Xiuyuan’s jaw clench audibly.

As if, were the killer in front of him, he could tear him apart alive.

But now is not the time for anger.

Cao Xiuyuan quickly regained his composure from the rage.

Taking several deep breaths, he turned to Chen Xiao, "After watching the video, I’ve outlined a few pieces of information for you to help analyze."

Chen Xiao nodded, and Cao Xiuyuan continued:

"1: The killer’s age should be around twenty."

"Correct."

"2: He harbors a deep loathing for the police, suggesting he might have a criminal record."

At this, Chen Xiao didn’t answer immediately but after two seconds of thought said, "Pending."

"3: He knows a lot about our task force; he is also deeply knowledgeable about criminal investigation."

"Agreed."

"4: He’s from Xiaozhuang South Town; although he tries to use standard Mandarin, his accent is clearly from the town."

"Agreed."

While Chen Xiao and Cao Xiuyuan talked, Sun Zhou’s voice came from behind:

"5: We must work together now. If we keep going like before, I dread to think who the next victim will be!"

Listening to Sun Zhou’s words.

Chen Xiao sighed silently in his heart.

Why must it take a lesson to understand?

And such a bloody lesson is too brutal.

Despite his thoughts, Chen Xiao exchanged a look with Cao Xiuyuan, and they both spoke in unison:

"Agreed."

Sun Zhou walked up to them, finally fixing his gaze on Cao Xiuyuan:

"Old Cao, you’re the head of the task force, and I’m like a deputy. But Xiaohai’s death... we both bear responsibility. Besides, you told me last night that Chen Xiao seemed to have sensed the killer’s next murder plan, right?"

"We’ve been investigating for so many days, and in terms of time, Chen Xiao has been involved the shortest, meaning that his abilities surpass ours in this regard."

"So, I have a suggestion: from now on, let Chen Xiao lead the case investigation, what do you think?"

Chen Xiao was startled and was about to speak when he heard Cao Xiuyuan respond without hesitation:

"I second that."

Sun Zhou then looked at Chen Xiao, his eyes filled with guilt as he said:

"Chen Xiao, I hope you can take on this burden. I apologize for my selfishness before, and after the case is closed, I’ll apologize to everyone."

"Only for Xiaohai... I can never make it up to him."

As he said the last sentence, Sun Zhou’s bloodshot eyes turned red again.

Chen Xiao understood his feelings and felt that Cao Xiuyuan and Sun Zhou’s previous actions were really shitty.

He even thought if he were the leader and knew they behaved this way, he’d have removed them on the spot.

But saying these things now is meaningless; if not using Cao Xiuyuan, not using Sun Zhou, then who else could they use?

Chen Xiao took a deep breath, "You can take my opinions more into consideration, and I’m willing to serve the task force. However, you all know I’m here to assist Captain Qin."

"Then let’s follow Qin Fei’s lead!" Sun Zhou and Cao Xiuyuan replied without hesitation.