Chapter 511 - 244: My Partner Might Be Able to Help (Part 2)

Chapter 511: Chapter 244: My Partner Might Be Able to Help (Part 2)

The crow in the cage was also relaxed. It tilted its head to look at Yang Qi, its little black bean-like eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of affinity.

"CAW~"

The crow let out a hoarse but not unpleasant caw and hopped twice.

’What kind of Two-legged Beast are you?’

’You’re different from the others.’

"I’m here to help you, and I also want to help those little Two-legged Beasts."

Yang Qi responded using the Basic Spirit Communication Technique, simultaneously taking out a small handful of chopped nuts, a favorite of crows.

’Can I get out?’

The crow looked at Yang Qi, its eyes filled with longing.

’This cage is too small.’

"Not right now."

Yang Qi offered it a piece of nut. "Be good, and you’ll get treats."

The crow quickly pecked at the treat and let out a satisfied caw.

’They don’t listen, so they don’t get to eat. I’ll listen.’

’Is it talking about the other birds that wouldn’t cooperate with training, or the disobedient children?’

"That’s right. Be good, and you’ll get treats."

Yang Qi played along, getting straight to the point. "If you tell me where those little Two-legged Beasts were taken, I’ll give you more treats. I can even help you get out of this cage and go somewhere safe."

CAW?

The crow tilted its head, seemingly struggling to understand, then shook its head.

’Don’t know where.’

’I’ll be good. Give me food.’

It clearly had no spatial concept of "where" and was only focused on the immediate reward.

Yang Qi remained patient. He gave it another piece of nut, thought for a moment, and then tried a different angle. "Do you know if any of the little Two-legged Beasts died? Stopped moving?"

CAW!

The crow visibly froze. Its little black eyes blinked as it seemed to recall something, and then it nodded.

’Yes.’

’Really?’

Yang Qi’s heart sank. He immediately pressed for details. "When did it happen? How many died? Why did they stop moving?"

The crow lowered its head and preened its feathers, as if trying to organize its limited memories and vocabulary.

’Don’t remember.’

’One died.’

’The Two-legged Beast said it froze to death.’

’One of them froze to death?’

Yang Qi’s gaze sharpened.

’It doesn’t remember when, but one died, and the cause was freezing?’

’The crime syndicate abducts these children to sell their organs. According to the client order form, each successfully matched child is worth a lot—at least a million.’

’How could they just let one of them freeze to death?’

’Especially since Handong Province is in the south. The winters are damp and cold, but it’s rarely cold enough to freeze someone to death. Unless...’

A thought flashed through Yang Qi’s mind like a bolt of lightning.

’The transportation process!’

’If they’re using refrigerated trucks to move the children, disguised as shipments of frozen meat, the temperature inside the trailer would be extremely low. If there isn’t proper insulation, or if a child’s bodily functions slow down after being drugged, they could really freeze to death during a long haul!’

’Could that be what the crow meant by "froze to death"?’

Yang Qi suppressed his excitement, maintained the Basic Spirit Communication Technique, and continued asking, "Have you seen a refrigerated truck? One of those big trucks that lets out cold air and is used to transport frozen meat?"

The crow looked at Yang Qi in confusion, a muffled sound rumbling in its throat.

’What’s a refrigerated truck?’

’And what’s cold air?’

"..."

Yang Qi took a deep breath and stopped using the Spirit Communication Technique. He began speaking aloud, testing one phrase after another.

"Cold air? Frozen meat? Pork? Beef? Lamb?"

The crow couldn’t understand the specific meanings, but if it had heard people say the words and remembered the sounds, it might recall them.

Sure enough, after Yang Qi repeated the words twice, a glimmer of recognition flashed in the crow’s little black eyes. It flapped its wings and let out a somewhat excited, hoarse cry.

"Fwo-zen meat! Movin’ meat!"

Then it switched to its own cawing language.

’Iron box... hums...’

’Frozen meat... lots of moving meat...’

’...put inside... went away...’

Yang Qi’s eyes lit up.

’This crow really has seen a refrigerated truck!’

’And it mentioned "put inside" and "went away." That most likely means the children were hidden in the refrigerated truck and transported away.’

’The missing children were hidden inside the carcasses of pigs and cattle, mixed in with other frozen meat, and transported in refrigerated trucks that use low temperatures for preservation!’

’This method is so stealthy that a routine inspection would have a hard time finding anything unusual.’

’As for the crow’s claims that "one died" and "froze to death"...’

’It’s highly likely that an accident happened during transport due to improper temperature control or a child’s frail condition.’

’The information is grim, but it indirectly confirms my theory about the transportation method!’

SNAP!

At this thought, Yang Qi clapped his hands and shot to his feet.

With no time to talk to the crow any further, he tossed the rest of the nuts into the cage, spun around, and hurried out of the room.

He had to tell Yao Zhenwei about this crucial lead immediately!

Arriving outside Yao Zhenwei’s office, Yang Qi ignored the secretary’s attempt to block him and pushed the door right open.

Inside the office, Yao Zhenwei was in a meeting with several senior police officers. Their eyes were bloodshot, a clear sign they hadn’t slept all night.

They were all stunned to see Yang Qi barge in so abruptly.

"Director Yao, I’ve found something important!"

Before they could ask, Yang Qi cut in, speaking rapidly. "I know how the children are being transported out of the city!"

"What?"

Yao Zhenwei shot up from his chair, his eyes locked on Yang Qi. "Advisor Yang, what did you just say? Are you sure?"

The other officers also stared intently at Yang Qi.

Yang Qi remained calm and concisely explained his communication with the crow. He emphasized its references to "cold," "iron box," "hums," and "movin’ meat"/"frozen meat," as well as his own deduction about them being transported hidden in a refrigerated truck.

He didn’t mention that the crow had said "one died." That information couldn’t be verified yet, and it was too grim, liable to cloud their judgment.

"Refrigerated trucks? Disguised as a shipment of frozen meat?"