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墨書 Inktalez
"You Bisheng, born in 196*, got into trouble even before the Cultural Revolution ended. He was detained for stealing iron molds from a steel factory; it was chaotic back then, and he was released in just a few days. Before the severe crackdown in '82, he was arrested again for theft and hooliganism. This guy had a knack for dodging the crackdown."
"In the early nineties, he was out for only a few years before being sentenced to four years in prison for trafficking women and organizing prostitution. He was released early."
"In 2000, he committed a more serious crime—intentional injury—and received an eight-year sentence. He served just over two years before being released... The last incident happened two years ago."
Xu Fei, the Criminal Police Captain from the West District's Ten Squad, walked while introducing the case. He glanced back at the three individuals following him and, seeing no objections, added, "That's the general situation. To sum it up simply, this guy has committed every crime imaginable. Currently, he's involved with the Black Society organization and two related homicide cases. It's not that we haven't put in the effort to investigate; there are just too many people involved. The core members of this gang number over forty, and some are still at large. When they were at their peak, they engaged in lending, debt collection, theft, robbery, organized prostitution, extortion, and causing disturbances. I can't even count how many police officers have fallen victim to them... When we took down this gang, we had to deploy armed police—two squads."
This was old news—the once sensational You Bisheng and Black Society case that had made headlines across the country. Many local officials and police officers lost their positions because of it. This reflects a peculiar aspect of society: one or two petty criminals may not attract much attention, but a group of thugs can often achieve significant notoriety.
The three individuals trailing behind exchanged awkward smiles but did not ask further questions. They felt embarrassed about their own involvement in this matter. Captain Xu Fei, however, remained composed and lowered his voice as he continued, "This person is indeed very sensitive right now because he’s linked to several old cases. Two retired officers from our district have already been implicated... What do you want to investigate with him?"
"Oh... it's about Wang Zihua and Kang Zhuang's cases," Shen Lingchen replied.
"I know about that case," Xu Fei said.
"You do?" Shen Lingchen was puzzled; confidentiality within the police force was indeed an issue.
"Weren't two leaders' homes robbed? They reported it at the time but later suppressed the case, claiming nothing was stolen... Now that they've fallen from grace and can't account for the stolen items, they're saying things were lost," Xu Fei explained.
"Alright then, we're just looking to understand the situation in Binhai; it doesn't involve your ongoing case," Shen Lingchen shifted the topic and asked, "By the way, Captain Xu, how does such a character manage to evade punishment repeatedly?"
"That's exactly what I wanted to address. Back in the nineties, there were significant loopholes in prison management. He had two instances of reduced sentences due to good behavior; now that it's being investigated, it turns out those were fabricated—he colluded with prison guards... During that serious injury case in 2000, no one dared to touch him. He found ways to manipulate things; while in detention, he gave himself scabies that turned into festering sores all over his body. He was released early after only a short time in labor reform because no one wanted to take him on—who would want to risk an outbreak?" Xu Fei said with a frown as he recounted this peculiar individual’s antics. As they approached the final door, he added, "But this time he shouldn't get out; the government really needs to take care of him."
"He must be in his fifties now? How can he still be so tough?" Guo Wei asked curiously.
"In this hellhole, there are rapists in their seventies and teenage murderers aplenty. Some have nowhere else to go; they commit crimes just to eat government rations. Even sentences of three or four years feel too light for them—they come out with nothing," Xu Fei replied.
Guan Yiqing chuckled at this remark; she thought Captain Xu was far more amusing than Shen Lingchen. The captain smiled brightly as well and said, "I'm not joking; those bizarre suspects can really leave you speechless."
"With population growth comes negative effects from that growth; Captain Xu, you'll need to make a trip yourself," Shen Lingchen said lightly as he led everyone back into the heavily guarded building behind high walls.
A heavy clang echoed as a man with thick facial hair and a fierce gaze emerged from the iron door, shackles in hand, escorted by a prison guard. He shuffled forward step by step, dragging the iron cuffs that clinked loudly with each movement. The orange prison uniform stretched tightly over his frame; he towered a full head above the guard. Despite his slow pace, he stood tall and straight, muscles rippling beneath the fabric, exuding an intimidating presence. Even the guards, who usually reprimanded other inmates harshly, kept their distance from him, merely pointing him in the right direction.
The treatment of serious offenders was notably high-standard. If sentenced to death, these shackles would remain until the execution site. Even if not facing such a fate, they would not be removed before sentencing.
However, one should not feel sympathy for him; he did not need it. For suspects with antisocial personality traits, harsher restraints and punishments only highlighted their uniqueness. Placing them among ordinary suspects would be an insult and could provoke unpredictable reactions.
The journey from the holding cell to the interrogation room took over ten minutes. Upon entering, he sat down behind a partition secured with restraints, separated from the interrogating officers by another set of iron bars. The security was exceptionally stringent, with two guards standing closely behind him.
Upon seeing Xu Fei, a familiar face, You Bisheng sneered and wrinkled his nose as if catching a scent. Xu Fei bluntly remarked, "No cigarettes; stop giving me that look."
"Virtue? Who the hell asked you for cigarettes? I smell a woman... oh wow, it smells so good," You Bisheng savored the air while his gaze fixated on Guan Yiqing. His predatory stare made her uncomfortable, leaving her unsure of how to react.
"Behave yourself; do you even know who's here?" Xu Fei scolded.
"How would I know if you didn't introduce me? What case are you trying to pin on me? Don't take your frustrations out on me; Binhai is vast, and I'm just a speck—what can I possibly do?" You Bisheng retorted without any regard for the police.
He had no obligation to show respect anyway; given his situation, what more could they do to him?
Xu Fei seemed accustomed to this back-and-forth and slammed his hand on the table, shouting, "What kind of attitude is that? How much privilege have you received? Can't you speak properly?"
"Look at you threatening me again... Discipline! Did you see that? He's threatening me! Just so you know, don't push me into doing something stupid like banging my head against the wall or biting my wrist to commit suicide; you'll be held fully responsible," You Bisheng matched Xu Fei's intensity. The two guards behind him exchanged glances filled with concern, silently advising Captain Xu not to provoke such a troublesome individual.
Indeed, being stuck in prison was already bad enough; could there be a worse outcome? A quick death would almost be considered mercy.
After some time, Shen Lingchen quietly intervened. He gestured for Guo Wei to show You Bisheng the missing valuable items related to Wang Zihua's case. You Bisheng had grown accustomed to this routine; as Guo Wei flipped through the tablet, he glanced over but quickly lost interest and shifted his gaze back to Guan Yiqing's face.
"Have you seen her before?" Shen Lingchen asked.
"I've never seen it," You Bisheng said calmly.
"What are your thoughts on it? Share with me," Shen Lingchen asked.
The question felt strange. You Bisheng looked up, pondering, as if wary of a trap. This person was indeed formidable, with wild hair and stubble, resembling a wild man just emerged from the forest. Especially when he glared, it was unnerving.
After a long silence, Shen Lingchen expressed his disappointment, "It seems Master You is just a name without substance. Such a significant event happening around you, and you haven't heard a thing."
You Bisheng chuckled, a sly glint in his eyes as he asked, "Trying to trick me? Haha, is this your game? You're a bit too inexperienced for that."
"Then what kind of game does Master You prefer?" Shen Lingchen asked politely, surprised.
"The kind you can't manage. How about a sauna? Let me relax my bones and clean up; maybe then I can think of something," You Bisheng replied with a smile, his expression more like that of a resourceful big shot than a hardened criminal.
"This is the work of an expert far beyond your level. If he were in front of you, you'd probably be on your knees," Shen Lingchen remarked nonchalantly.
You Bisheng scoffed, "Nonsense. There are eighteen paths in the underworld; being a thief is just one of them. No matter how skilled someone is, they’re still just a thief."
The implication was Zhang Quan; he was Master You of the eighteen paths. Even if he faced severe punishment, his reputation wouldn't diminish. Xu Fei interjected, "Oh, Master You of the eighteen heroes, is this really your situation?"
"Well, it's not bad at all. Surviving to my age is already considered longevity," You Bisheng replied seriously, showing no concern for his predicament.
After a while, it became amusing; one shouldn't expect any remorse from such a person; ultimately, he would have to face judgment.
Shen Lingchen seemed unhurried. He leisurely lit a cigarette and took a puff. The smoke danced like a spirit between his fingers, moving gracefully up and down without any hindrance. This small gesture spoke volumes more than a thousand words. You Bisheng chuckled and said, "Oh, you can do that too? Not bad; you've been at it for some time."
"I can do many things," Shen Lingchen replied as he moved his hand to hold the cigarette in his mouth. Then it seemed to vanish in an instant; moments later, with another motion of his mouth, it reappeared as if it had never left. The dazzling display left the surrounding officers in awe while You Bisheng watched with great interest and said, "Heh heh, if we weren't meeting here, I'd consider you one of my own... By the way, how should I address you?"
"My surname is Shen; my name is Shen Lingchen. I'm not from Binhai but have long heard of Master You's great reputation," Shen Lingchen said politely.
"Don't be so formal... Looking at you like this, you're quite talented. Why wear official attire? It's such a waste of your potential," You Bisheng lamented.
"People fear choosing the wrong path; over time, one becomes trapped in their circumstances. Isn't that true for you as well, Master You?" Shen Lingchen replied, momentarily feeling a sense of camaraderie with You Bisheng.
"That's true, but little brother, I really can't help you. This is definitely the work of a master, something I can't pull off, nor do I need to. We don't lack money out here," You Bisheng said.
"But Master You, these things are very valuable. An antique or a famous painting stored in such an insurance cabinet was worth tens of millions back then, and now it must be worth even more... The value of all the cases you've worked hard on over the years is about the same as this," Shen Lingchen said, exaggerating a bit.
"Damn, so Zhang Quan?" You Bisheng was finally surprised and muttered in frustration. It seemed that lacking education really had its downsides; if he had known that running this kind of place could earn so much money, he would have done it sooner.
This complaint amused everyone. Unexpectedly, at this moment, this guy could still crack a joke. Shen Lingchen smiled and said, "Indeed very Zhang Quan. We are at our wit's end, which is why we thought of coming to consult you... Here, light up."
He eagerly stood up and offered a cigarette. Unbeknownst to them, the tension was easing. You Bisheng's fondness for Shen Lingchen grew as he greedily took a puff. He stretched his neck and inhaled all the smoke back in before exhaling a large smoke ring. Shen Lingchen waited for him to play with it for two circles before cautiously asking, "Master You, where do you think we could pay our respects to such a master and possibly see their true face?"
"You think I know?" You Bisheng started to show his displeasure again. Shen Lingchen quickly changed his tone and said, "You are too modest; we believe there’s nothing you don’t know."
"But why should I tell you?" You Bisheng chuckled as he finished his cigarette; their friendship was limited to this.
"Because I will come to visit you occasionally, bringing you what you like to eat or smoke. My capabilities are limited to this small fry stuff; you won’t make things difficult for me, will you?" Shen Lingchen said very politely.
Flattering words can indeed be worth their weight in gold; such a tough character turned out to be quite easy to deal with. If you made him comfortable, he would be agreeable. After thinking for a while and glancing at Shen Lingchen from time to time, You Bisheng finally uncertainly replied, "I really don’t know; I can’t just say anything that might lead you on a wild goose chase."
"It’s fine; my legs are quick enough not to fear running around aimlessly. Besides, Master You, I will accompany Captain Xu more often to visit you and do what I can for you—within reason," Shen Lingchen said. His respectful tone carried a hint of warmth that made both new apprentices feel a bit jealous; even they didn’t receive such treatment.
Heh heh, You Bisheng smiled—a somewhat eerie smile.
Giggling, You Bisheng laughed maniacally; his grin combined with his fierce appearance sent chills down people's spines.
Ha ha ha! This guy was laughing wildly again, leaving everyone confused.
Shen Lingchen maintained a smiling demeanor while Guan Yiqing caught a glimpse of something else; it seemed like a form of communication between them—both were probing whether they could trust each other. But it was strange why such a notorious villain would need this kind of worthless trust? Even if he promised or repented, he still couldn't escape the law.
Unexpectedly, You Bisheng's smile faded as he spoke harshly: "Stop pretending; I'm not falling for that. Don’t make me out to be some great sinner. Back in the Ghost Market days with Mourning Hair and Widow Ma—didn’t they all become bosses? Who among them was clean? ... The conversation is over; I need my afternoon nap. Captain Xu, don’t bother me unless necessary; haven’t we covered everything? Let’s wrap this up quickly so I don’t keep having nightmares."
His manner truly exuded the aura of an underworld boss—his voice booming and expression fierce as he slammed the partition loudly. Xu Fei waved his hand, and the two prison guards promptly escorted him away.
Guo Wei and Guan Yiqing were still puzzled about how things had suddenly turned so grim. They looked at the two veterans; Xu Fei gave Shen Lingchen a thumbs up while Guo Wei asked curiously, "Captain Xu, what does this mean? Why is he acting like that?"
“Shen Commissioner has some skills, he already said it,” Xu Fei remarked.
“What did he say? Didn’t he just curse?” Guan Yiqing asked curiously.
“Haha, Tiger's Death doesn’t even fall down, and you expect him to speak nicely? It’s already impressive that he can say these things,” Captain Xu replied.
“Ghost Market, Mourning Hair, Widow Ma.” Shen Lingchen calmly stated three key terms. His gaze was deep, as if he were listening intently to the sound of You Bisheng’s shackles, then he thoughtfully added, “His mindset is very calm. Since it involves a channel for selling stolen goods, this clue should have some value.”
Guo Wei and Guan Yiqing were somewhat puzzled. Xu Fei explained that Ghost Market was a general term for underground trading channels, where the lucrative profits from contraband could foster illicit transactions anywhere, including weapons and drugs, of course also including stolen goods.
“Let’s go, we have work to do. Check who this Mourning Hair and Widow Ma are. Captain Xu, have you heard of this nickname?” Shen Lingchen asked. Xu Fei pursed his lips and shook his head, saying, “In this line of work, everyone has a stage name like those fallen women. Unless they have a criminal record, it’s really hard to find someone.”
Problems always stack upon one another. The four stood up to leave, and not far out the door, Guan Yiqing caught up with Captain Xu Fei, whispering, “Hey, Captain Xu, why did he speak up? Didn’t you say that people like him never talk?”
“When it comes to confessing their own issues, they certainly won’t speak. But when it’s about others, it’s different,” Xu Fei glanced at Shen Lingchen and smiled, saying, “If he can get something good out of it, maybe he’ll trade information for cigarettes or something else. For people like them who earn a living day by day, any bit of concern is a luxury. Don’t be fooled by how tough he seems; if he doesn’t wet his pants or lose his nerve at the execution ground, I’d really consider him a hero.”
“But he is indeed quite fierce. I knew about this big thug back in middle school; he was notorious for clashing with the police. They arrested him once, but he fought back to get away,” Guo Wei said.
“The more Zhang Quan they are, the closer they come to death. No matter how tough they are, they’ll eventually get shot. It’s simple: being against the people will lead to a bad end,” Xu Fei said. He paused for two steps and walked alongside Shen Lingchen, smiling as he asked, “Shen Commissioner, where did you learn those skills? How come even Old Yau respects you?”
“Those tricks I learned from performing on the streets in my early years. Once you play this hand well enough, they should know you’re one of their own. If not one of their own, then you must understand their habits very well. Do you get it?” Shen Lingchen replied while directing his question towards Guo Wei and Guan Yiqing.
The two looked at each other blankly, not understanding.
Xu Fei laughed as he explained: “What he means is that the person who understands them best knows their weaknesses. Rather than fighting against them and suffering for it, it’s better to cooperate; there might be some benefits in it. He’s an old hand; he knows what’s what.”
“Right, we can’t lose credibility; let’s give him some attention since he’s already at the end of his rope,” Shen Lingchen said lightly. His tone surprisingly carried more sympathy than disdain. However, Xu Fei was quite enthusiastic as he followed in step with Shen Lingchen, saying, “Looks like I need to consult you on this; you don’t know how difficult it is to interrogate this guy. No one dares touch such a serious criminal; he has become a kingpin of sorts—whether we can ask him anything depends on his mood.”
“Then show him some respect; it might yield results,” Shen Lingchen smiled.
“Respect? I’d rather just take him out,” Xu Fei replied.
“Then you won’t get anything… From a criminal perspective, scum like him spends a lifetime challenging the law; doesn’t that deserve some respect? Think about it from another angle: if you were him, would you prefer to rot away in prison unnoticed or carry infamy into an explosive execution?” Shen Lingchen asked with a smile.
"It seems I understand now; it should be more grandiose," Xu Fei said.
"Exactly, don't be so stingy. Compliment them a bit; it might give them a sense of achievement. Such a significant figure, if you treat them like a dog or cat, do you think they'll cooperate with you?" Shen Lingchen replied.
"Right, I need to try your approach... but it wouldn't sound good if this gets out. We can't just call him 'Master You' all the time, can we?" Xu Fei said.
Shen Lingchen impatiently responded, "Do you care about that? If we can get the suspect to confess, I could call them whatever I want."
The two had differing attitudes toward their profession as they walked and debated. Meanwhile, the two following behind couldn't help but chuckle, finding themselves unexpectedly in agreement with Shen Lingchen's method.
New targets: Ghost Market, Mourning Hair, Widow Ma.
From the police station to the Criminal Police Force, from the detention center to prison, from original files to the electronic crime database, they began searching for this suspected lead...
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