Ji Chenjiao said, “It’s already night.”

Jin Liuyun smiled amiably. “In Country O, the nights aren’t this lively. People don’t like to go out on the streets.”

Ji Chenjiao asked, “Is Country O chaotic at night?”

“With guns allowed in circulation, how peaceful can it be?” Jin Liuyun said. “The days are alright, but at night, if you don’t have to go out, you don’t.”

Ji Chenjiao said, “But those who went there early could make money in Country O.”

Jin Liuyun replied, “That is true. Wealth is found amidst danger, after all. Now that I’m older, I just want to live a more stable life.”

Ji Chenjiao remarked, “There are many places like Country O. The situation in Country L, further to the west, is quite similar.”

Jin Liuyun stopped walking and gazed calmly at Ji Chenjiao.

Ji Chenjiao also turned halfway around to meet his gaze.

After a moment, Jin Liuyun laughed. “Officer Ji, aren’t you paying a bit too much attention to me? It seems like nothing counts until you’ve investigated every single thing about me.”

Ji Chenjiao said, “Is that so? I don’t know why I have that feeling either. Perhaps it’s because you expressed interest in me first?”

Jin Liuyun’s smile faded slightly, exuding an aura of indifference and self-possessed authority.

“When we met in line that day, I didn’t know you were a police officer. I just thought the image of you all standing together looked very harmonious, so I couldn’t help but take a few extra photos. That’s all.”

Ji Chenjiao showed a bit more aggression than their last meeting at the hotel. “Mr. Jin, I checked the surveillance footage. After entering the Artificial Starry Sky, your camera never left us. I’ve thought about it over and over, and I still find the disappearance of my solo photo very suspicious.”

He didn’t ask a direct question, but he threw the issue back to Jin Liuyun.

On the fitness equipment nearby, several elderly people were discussing the falling death case. Although the public didn’t have concrete leads like the police, their enthusiasm for solving the case was high. In just a few minutes, they had already analyzed three possibilities.

Jin Liuyun looked into the distance and laughed, “You think I hid the photo. But we don’t know each other; what reason would I have to hide a stranger’s photo?”

Ji Chenjiao said, “That is also what I can’t figure out. That’s why I can’t help but pay attention to you.”

Jin Liuyun shook his head. “It’s just a photo. Officer Ji, perhaps it is because of your profession that you cannot let this photo go?”

Ji Chenjiao said, “Perhaps. If I didn’t suspect anything, I couldn’t be a criminal investigator. A photo appears and then disappears; it’s not with me, and it’s not with you, so where could it have gone?”

Jin Liuyun said helplessly, “If we discuss this further, the topic might enter the realm of philosophy.”

The two walked together along the trail. More and more streetlights lit up, and the number of pedestrians remained high, almost no different from the daytime.

Ji Chenjiao repeated his question, “Have you been to Country L?”

Jin Liuyun said, “That place is even more chaotic than Country O. I don’t have that kind of courage.”

“But Country L is more profitable than Country O.”

“You have to be alive to enjoy it.”

They walked for a while longer before Ji Chenjiao stopped asking questions. “The man who fell from the building was practically half a fellow townsman of yours. He had been to Country L and was a member of a very famous gang there. But for some unknown reason, he fled back from Country L many years ago.”

As he spoke, Ji Chenjiao observed Jin Liuyun’s reaction. His expression remained very placid.

“We deduced many reasons for this man’s murder. Recently, we finally discovered one that might be closest to the truth. When he fled Country L… in Country L, a very important woman died.”

Jin Liuyun suddenly let out a sharp, short breath.

Ji Chenjiao turned his face sideways. “Are you unwell?”

The wrinkles at the corners of Jin Liuyun’s eyes trembled slightly. In Ji Chenjiao’s impression, this seemed to be the first time he had revealed uncontrolled emotion.

“I’m fine, just caught a bit of cold wind.” Jin Liuyun’s expression returned to normal. “Let’s finish this lap and head back.”

They were far from the park gate, so they indeed had to finish the loop to get out.

Ji Chenjiao nodded. “You wanted to come back to the country to do business; have you studied the business ecology of Xiarong City?”

Jin Liuyun said, “I haven’t done my homework very well.”

“It’s fine, on-site visits are the most important.” Ji Chenjiao looked at the glittering hotel outside the park. “The Yurong Yongge Hotel you are staying at is a property of the Yu Group. If it weren’t for the incident this year, the Yu Group would count as one of the key enterprises in Xiarong City. Do you know why it’s called Yurong Yongge?”

Jin Liuyun was silent. The cold wind blew a bit sharper than before.

“Because the only daughter of the Yu family, Yu Qin, had a son. His name was Yu Ge. The ‘Ge’ (spear) from ‘Jin Ge Tie Ma’ (Armored horses and golden spears—meaning war). ‘Yu’ sounds like ‘Jade’ (peace/gentleness), but ‘Ge’ is a halberd of war. When I hear this name, I think of the idiom ‘turning weapons of war into gifts of jade and silk’ (turning hostility into friendship).” Ji Chenjiao looked into Jin Liuyun’s eyes. “I don’t know who named him, but they really knew how to pick a name.”

Jin Liuyun’s voice was a bit dry. “Is that so? You think they were good at naming?”

“Otherwise, why would the Yu Group use the two characters ‘Yu Ge’ to name their subsidiary properties? Yurong Yongge Hotel, Yurong Tange Villa… these are the two I know of. There might be more that I don’t know.”

When they reached the park gate, Jin Liuyun turned back to bid Ji Chenjiao farewell. “It is a good name. A parent’s blessing for a child is nothing more than hoping they stay away from conflict and live in peace and happiness.”

---

“Boss, the handwriting analysis results are out.” Xi Wan walked quickly into the Serious Crimes Unit office holding a stack of reports and sighed. “The handwriting has a certain degree of similarity, but it cannot completely prove that it belongs to the same person.”

Ji Chenjiao took the report and flipped to the last page.

This appraisal was completed in cooperation between the municipal bureau and handwriting experts, so the result carried considerable authority.

Xi Wan pulled out a chair and sat down. “But this report also makes it hard to sever the link between the two handwriting samples—I mean, from an investigative perspective.”

Ji Chenjiao lifted his eyelids. “Habit changes caused by time?”

Xi Wan nodded. “The time interval between these two samples is too long. The same person’s writing habits changing, or deliberately adjusting their writing style, could both cause the handwriting to differ. The inability to confirm just means it can’t be used as key evidence; it doesn’t mean the direction of the investigation has to change.”

Ji Chenjiao closed the report and smiled. “I think so too.” As he spoke, he took a small evidence bag from his drawer. Inside lay a cigarette butt.

Xi Wan raised an eyebrow. “This is?”

Ji Chenjiao said, “This is also something that cannot be used as evidence, but Ms. Xi, in a private capacity, I would like to ask you to analyze it.”

Xi Wan was surprised. “Boss, why are you following Ling Xian… following Ling Lie in calling me that?”

“Because I realized that’s how you should be addressed. His good points are worth promoting.”

Xi Wan didn’t poke holes in it and laughed. “What is this?”

Ji Chenjiao lowered his voice. “Jin Liuyun’s.”

“Comparison? Or just DNA extraction?”

“Comparison.”

“With whom?”

“Me.”

Xi Wan’s eyes widened, and after a few seconds, she frowned. “Captain!”

“The result won’t be evidence, but it will be an important clue for my subsequent judgment.” Ji Chenjiao said solemnly, “Ms. Xi, both Ling Lie and I need to know if there is a blood relationship between Jin Liuyun and me.”

Xi Wan felt a bit chaotic inside, suddenly thinking of the time Ji Chenjiao and Ling Lie were investigated by the Inspectorate. Ji Chenjiao had done a similar test back then.

“What if there is a blood relationship?” Xi Wan said anxiously. “Boss, you will face trouble again. Your identity…”

“My identity is the biggest trouble. Once, twice, this is the third time.” Ji Chenjiao said calmly. “The first time, I panicked and let Captain Xie wipe my ass for me. The second time wasn’t much calmer, I just had a slightly more balanced mindset. This third time, I should plan ahead. If the suspect Jin Liuyun is indeed related to me, I will immediately inform Captain Xie and withdraw from the investigation.”

Xi Wan shook her head. “It shouldn’t be like this…”

“It’s fine, let’s solve it once and for all this time.” Ji Chenjiao said, “Ms. Xi, please.”

After a good while, Xi Wan helplessly took the evidence bag, stood up, and gave a rare, standard salute. “Captain Ji, I will get you the results as soon as possible.”

Ji Chenjiao said softly, “Thanks.”

Zoning out for a moment, Ji Chenjiao wanted to call Ling Lie, but it was deep in the night in Country L. After hesitating, he abandoned the idea and walked toward the Technical Investigation office area.

Jin Liuyun’s identity was real, and his entry records were real, but the Serious Crimes Unit had not given up on potential loopholes. Two days ago, Ji Chenjiao had assigned Shen Qi a new task, which Shen Qi had been executing.

The scent of coffee permeated the tech area. Shen Qi was wearing headphones, a string of code flashing across his screen.

While taking a sip of coffee, Shen Qi glimpsed Ji Chenjiao out of the corner of his eye and shouted with his raspy voice, “Bro!”

Ji Chenjiao walked over. “What’s wrong with your voice?”

“Nothing, nothing, just forgot to drink water and got a dry mouth, hehe.” Shen Qi said, “I was just about to go find you later. I found something.”

“Hmm?”

“Jin Liuyun claims to have developed his career in Country O, having moved there with his family in his teens. Stuff from decades ago is hard to check, but his business projects in Country O in recent years should be easy to find. I found that he does indeed have companies under his name, but these companies have absolutely no concrete business.”

Ji Chenjiao said, “Like a shell used to deceive people?”

Shen Qi nodded. “In Country O, he definitely can’t deceive anyone, after all, there are various regulatory agencies watching. But outside of Country O, where it’s hard for others to go in and investigate, he can pretend to be a tycoon with countless industries. Without hacking methods, you can’t discover that his companies are fake. And hacking itself isn’t a legal method. Bro, it’s a good thing we found this guy, otherwise, if he were allowed to bluff around, who knows how much of the common people’s money would go down the drain.”

Ji Chenjiao narrowed his eyes. “No, his goal isn’t to solicit investment, but to hide from the police using the identity of a Country O businessman. Check his entry records again and see if there are any traces of tampering via technical means.”

Shen Qi immediately perked up. “Yes!”

---

Country L, Alice Hotel.

“You’re not going to move bricks today?” Zhao Fan woke up early to find Ling Lie up even earlier than him, dressed up to the nines, looking like the son of a wealthy tycoon.

Ling Lie undid two buttons of his shirt. “It’s rare to go abroad; I’m going to do some shopping too.”

Zhao Fan: “Is that necessary? Who are you trying to impress with this dashing look here?”

Among the consumption venues already open in Salingauke City, besides the mall Ling Lie had already visited and the hotel they were staying in, there was an even more luxurious place with “Alice” in its name: The Alice Crown Carnival. It was on the edge of the city, occupying a vast area.

Hearing the name, Zhao Fan’s face scrunched up like a pancake. “What’s the difference between this and a foot massage parlor in a village?”

Ling Lie said, “Do you really treat Salingauke as a city?”

Zhao Fan pondered for a moment. “It really is just a village, a village where the villagers have guns and cannons.”

Today was a rest day in Country L. The Alice Crown Carnival was very lively. Rows of modified luxury cars were parked in the parking lot, and cheerful music could be heard from a kilometer away.

The Carnival was located to the south of Salingauke City, resting against the mountains. There was an area at the foot of the mountain and another area halfway up. It didn’t just contain a hotel; there were shopping malls, casinos, artificial hot springs, discos, and other entertainment venues. It even provided special services for both men and women.

In short, as long as the money was there, there was nothing you couldn’t buy here.

Ling Lie and Zhao Fan used their prepared fake identities to sneak in. Initially, they could only move around the area at the foot of the mountain.

“The mountain area is probably only accessible to those with more money or power,” Zhao Fan said, looking at a map.

The map detailed the locations of entertainment facilities in the lower area, which was enough for an ordinary rich person to play for two or three days. Ling Lie looked at the small road leading up the mountain; there was a group of armed guards patrolling the entrance.

In a place like Country L, if anyone dared to trespass, the people with guns would actually shoot.

But this couldn’t stop two elites of the Special Action Team.

Ling Lie wasn’t in a hurry. “Since we’re here, let’s have some fun first.”

The two blended into the casino, weaving through the crowd. In the lower area, the casino was undoubtedly the place with the most ruthless and wealthy people. There was no law and order here; people gambled away their family fortunes, and chopping off a hand was just a minor case—people shooting themselves happened from time to time.

The air was heavy with the smell of alcohol and blood, and people were brazenly peddling “illicit drugs” and handsome men and beautiful women. Ling Lie observed his surroundings keenly—this kind of filthy place was where clues were most easily obtained.

The casino had three floors, with different games being played in every corner, but there was a big game in the center where many eyes were focused. While listening in all directions, Ling Lie moved closer to the center. Various strange accents fought in his ears. He deduced that the person gambling in the center was a big shot from another major gang, “The Royal Court,” who had brought a truckload of cash to play. He was having fun with everyone down here now, but he would be going to the villa on the mountain at night.

Envy leaked from people’s tones, as if the trees on the mountain were carved from gold and the streams flowed with honey.

Ling Lie squeezed forward discreetly, getting closer to the central gambling table.

The big shot, built like a small mountain, was in high spirits. He had tattoos even on his neck and face and was already drunk. The one placing the bets was actually his lover whom he had brought along, while he was loudly recounting what he had seen on the mountain, shouting the name “Wonder.” He said Wonder had built a palace up there, keeping many rare and exotic beasts, and the armory collected countless individual soldier equipment.

“You’ve seen the Goddess statues, right? Those are all too small. The one on the mountain, now that is exquisite, that is magnificent!”

His subordinate reminded him to talk less, as this was, after all, “Jasmine Tea’s” territory. He waved his hand nonchalantly. “We laid down our grievances with ‘Jasmine Tea’ long ago; we stay out of each other’s way! My old man and Wonder are brothers! Wonder is my uncle!”

There was another burst of cheering from the surroundings.

This cheap “nephew” of Wonder then said that the most magical thing on the mountain was a snow field, which also had hot springs inside. That magnificent Goddess statue was right in the snow field—so holy, tsk tsk tsk…

Hearing this, Ling Lie felt something was wrong.

Country L simply wouldn’t have snow, not even on the mountain. How could there be a snow field? As for hot springs, the geographical conditions here made natural hot springs impossible.

The nephew sighed with emotion, “The mountain is truly a wonderland! If you have the chance, everyone should go up and take a look!”

This was too boastful. The applause was scattered—was the mountain a place just anyone could go up to?

Before long, the nephew lost everything and left happily, as if spreading wealth. Ling Lie followed him from a distance and found that he had a large entourage. Some of the bodyguards wore black clothes with their faces covered.

Approaching mealtime, the nephew arrived at a luxuriously decorated hotel. The booked banquet hall was filled with delicacies. He not only enjoyed them himself but also invited his entourage and other guests to join in. Some bodyguards took off their headgear to eat. Ling Lie observed for a moment, looking for an opportunity to strike.

People came and went in the banquet hall, and occasionally, entourages left in groups. Ling Lie had already noticed that apart from the people right next to the nephew, the others didn’t need to communicate directly with him.

Soon, a bodyguard left his seat alone and walked toward the washroom outside the banquet hall. Ling Lie followed closely. The moment the man entered a stall but hadn’t locked it yet, Ling Lie rushed in. Before the bodyguard could cry for help, he was chopped unconscious by Ling Lie.

Ling Lie quickly stripped off the man’s clothes and changed into them himself. Considering the man might wake up soon, he gave him a shot of the knockout drug he had bought in the casino and used strips of cloth to secure him to the toilet.

Having done all this, Ling Lie took advantage of the silence outside to leave quickly, using a needle to lock the latch from the outside.

There were many masked bodyguards in the banquet hall. He blended in among them. When others cast glances at him, he looked back calmly. No one noticed that one of the bodyguards had already been swapped out.