<h4>Chapter 501</h4>


    The envelope the de Master sent contained a murder case that happened twenty years ago recorded in detail!


    In Liangchuan, Gansu Province, a small county town in northwest China, nine brutal rape-murders ured in the 1990s. The victims were all young women aged twenty to thirty, their bodiespletely mutted—nipples and skin torn off as well as genitals sliced off by sharp weapons. So far, the murderer remained on the loose.


    I previously heard about this unsolved case, but I didn’t quite understand the de Master’s purpose


    After perusing the files, I noticed two names on thest page–Sun Tiger and Song Zhaolin, dated 2002. It turned out that Grandpa had personally investigated this case and it was one of his failures.


    There was nothing else in the envelope except for the file.


    I couldn’t believe it—I didn’t want to. After carefully examining the envelope, I found a note written within: Song Yang, this case will exin why I had to kill your grandfather!


    It was like taking a bat to the head. Hatred, anger, confusion, and all sorts of emotions surged up within me. Fuming, I threw the files on the ground and shouted, "A reason for murdering Grandpa?!"


    "Why the sudden anger?" Xiaotao had previously looked over my shoulder at the files. It was only now that she noticed the words on the envelope. Arching an eyebrow, she said, "This guy’s bold. It’s clear he’s trying to provoke you. Don’t believe his nonsense."


    I picked up the file. "I’d like to resume this investigation."


    "Song Yang, must you take it so seriously?” sighed Xiaotao. “It’s been almost 20 years. It’s going to be difficult to find anything. You can’t go all the way to the northwest just because of some envelope the de Master sent you!"


    "We are a special team, free from any agency," I replied.


    "I understand this, but can you really trust what this man says? What if it’s a trap?"


    Upon further discussion, Xiaotao suggested I ask Sun Tiger. After all, he was one of the parties involved. Thus, I phoned him at once. As soon as the call connected, Sun Tiger’s voice came from the other end of the line. “Kiddo, I just received a call from the director of Jiangling City Bureau, informing me that you’ve solved the case, winning us yet another victory!"


    "Thank you, Uncle Sun. I have something to ask you. Do you know Case GL75047?"


    At the mention of the case number, Sun Tiger showed quite a reaction. Taking a deep breath, he said, "How did you hear about this?" It seemed that he hadn’t forgotten about the case.


    "I’d like to keep this to myself. I just want to know why Grandpa failed at the time."


    "s... It’s better if we speak in person. Why don’t youe back?" Sun Tiger sighed.


    "Now?" I asked.


    "Is it convenient? I’ll wait for you in my office," Sun Tiger replied.


    Upon hanging up, I repeated Sun Tiger’s words to Xiaotao.


    "You’re too impulsive. Can’t you wait till tomorrow?"


    Right now, all I could think about was the case. "If I wait till tomorrow, I won’t be able to sleep tonight," I anxiously cried.


    Xiaotao searched online and found a train leaving for Nanjiang County in half an hour. After booking two tickets, she left a note in the room, informing the others that we would be backter.


    As soon as we were seated on the train, Xiaotao asked, "Do you think the de Master was in the hotel?"


    By this point, I had regainedposure. "I don’t know, but I’m sure of one thing — he’s let me off more than once, which suggests that he’s never intended to take my life from the start. Although this man is a criminal, he has his own principles."


    I paused after saying that, contemting the words that the de Master left on the wall each time: "Jiangbei Daggers, protect the people, condemn the corrupt." He imed to only kill the guilty. Then, ording to his rationale, Grandpa must havemitted a heinous crime?


    The Dog Trainer previously hinted that someone in the Song family joined the Jiangbei Daggers. Could it be...


    I didn’t dare descend into the rabbit hole, for fear of touching upon the truth that I shouldn’t know. But at the same time, I had to know the truth, even if I ended up regretting my decision!


    Xiaotao and I had a rare moment to ourselves. The past couple of days left her exhausted. In the quiet carriage, Xiaotao leaned against me with soothing music ying in the background. I looked at our reflection in the window, wishing this moment couldst forever.


    Of course, this was an extravagant wish. An hourter, we returned to Nanjiang County and took a cab to the station. At this hour, the officers had already left work, and only Sun Tiger’s office was still brightly lit.


    When we entered the room, Sun Tiger had on a coat as he was reviewing some documents. There was a cup of oolong tea on his desk and a lit cigarette in his hand.


    "If we snap a photo of the director hard at work, the other officers would be ashamed of themselves!" joked Xiaotao.


    Sun Tiger waved his hand with a smile, "Oh, I just like working in the evening. Close the door and take a seat!" As soon as we were seated, Sun Tiger’s smile faded. "Kiddo, who told you about Case GL75047?"


    "That’s not important!"


    "How can that be? Because the social impact of the case was too great at the time, the investigations were all conducted in secret. Only one written file was stored in the city bureau. The fact that you know the case number makes you a suspect of stealing state secrets," Sun Tiger warned.


    "Is that so?" I pulled out the file. "Is this it?"


    Sun Tiger was so shocked he couldn’t speak, staring at me with eyes wide as saucers. "I swear I haven’t been to the archives,” I said. “I’ve been in Jiangling City the past few days. Would I have been able to steal this while I was away?"


    Flipping through the file, Sun Tiger nodded, "This is the one. It’s recorder Xiao Wang’s handwriting. I remember it clearly, especially since I took these photos. How did you get this?"


    Since I wanted information, I had toe clean about the envelope the de Master sent me. Upon listening to my story, a deep frown appeared on Sun Tiger’s face. He stood up and paced back and forth. He looked at me, then sighed, "I was nning on taking this secret to the grave."


    "Why?" My heart sank.


    "Your grandfather solved countless crimes throughout his life. He’s a legend in the public security system, but this case is his biggest failure! Halfway through the investigation, right when we locked in on a suspect, an ident happened. The room where we stored the evidence caught fire, so all the important material evidence was burned. The next day, your grandfather announced his withdrawal from the case and released the suspect. At the time, I was merely a small captain with little authority. Although I disagreed, your grandfather’s stance on the matter was extremely firm, leaving me no room for rebuttal. I could only do as he said. As a result, this case has remained unsolved for twenty years, weighing heavily upon my heart."


    "Did someone cause the fire?" I asked.


    Sun Tiger’s eyes dimmed, "Song Yang, my next words might be a let down to your grandfather, but I saw him light that fire in the evidence room with my own eyes!"