The man handed over a few more photos, all of which were from the crime scenes.
Gu Shen only took a glance before hurriedly putting them away. The scenes were too gruesome, enough to cause physical discomfort.
The wounds of each victim were eerily similar, clean and precise yet deep to the bone. Their necks seemed to have been sliced by a large knife but weren’t completely severed. The heads remained attached to the torsos by a thin layer of bloody skin.
The method of the out-of-control individual was extremely cruel.
“This person’s modus operandi is extremely savage. Moreover, they are incredibly cautious and elusive. Deep Sea didn’t capture any images until three days ago,” Hu Danian whispered. “I don’t know why he came to the bustling part of the River Shoal, but his entire body was wrapped up tightly, and we only managed to capture a blurry image.”
The last photo.
It was a screenshot from the bar’s surveillance camera. In the crowd, a man’s figure hastily passing by was circled with a marker. He was tightly wrapped up, with a black hat and black mask obscuring his facial features. He was tall, thin, and hunchbacked, looking frail and sickly.
Upon closer inspection, Gu Shen could see something hidden in his arms.
“Is this the out-of-control individual with the sculpture?” Gu Shen narrowed his eyes. “It was here that he came into contact with Jiang Wan.”
“That’s right. After that, he disappeared again. Using Deep Sea’s authority, we could accurately locate the victims affected by the Solemn Stone Sculpture and determine his movements. He’s been moving around Lipu Street and River Shoal. Unfortunately, this method is always one step behind.”
Hu Danian said in a deep voice, “That’s all the information I’ve found so far, but there’s something worth mentioning. I found this guy’s logic very peculiar. If he’s a serial killer randomly selecting his victims, why doesn’t he wantonly unleash the power of the Solemn Stone Sculpture?
Gu Shen fell into deep thought.
Hu Danian had said only twenty-four people had been affected by the statue so far… This number seemed low.
For the past few days, if the perpetrator wanted to create chaos, the sculpture could affect hundreds or even thousands of people in a day.
“Depriving ordinary people of their dreams isn’t his intention,” Gu Shen murmured. “These people are not his goal… He’s searching for prey.”
Hu Danian’s eyes brightened.
“This person has never left Lipu Street and River Shoal, which means that his prey is in this area,” Gu Shen whispered. “Perhaps he’s not randomly selecting victims but hunting with a specific target in mind. I have a question about the characteristics of the Solemn Stone Sculpture. You said that as long as there’s physical contact, the sealed object’s characteristics will be triggered. What about the carrier?”
“It used to be a sealed object locked away in a deep safe because even with gloves and no skin contact, the characteristics of the Solemn Stone Sculpture will still be triggered.” Hu Danian frowned. “The triggering condition of the Solemn Stone Sculpture is not so much direct contact and more about satisfying a certain distance…”
At this point, he understood the purpose behind Gu Shen’s question. “You mean, the carrier’s dream… was also deprived?”
“That’s right,” Gu Shen said solemnly. “Look at this photo. Does he look weak? I suspect he’s been wandering around the River Shoal with the Solemn Stone Sculpture for so long that his sleep has been completely deprived.”
Hu Danian muttered, “Makes sense… But… what difference does that make? You don’t have to worry about that.”
“You mentioned early that Deep Sea can find those affected by the Solemn Stone Sculpture, right?” Gu Shen said softly. “Send those who are still suffering from insomnia and need treatment to 18 Lipu Street. I’ll treat them.”
Hu Danian was taken aback.
His mission was only to act as a liaison and transmit messages. He had only seen the photo of the contact and didn’t know any other information. According to his habits, after he explained the details, there was nothing else to say, and the liaison mission was completed.
But this time, for the first time, he seriously sized up the young man beside him.
He had been carrying out missions for more than a decade and had seen all kinds of people.
His old friends and acquaintances had more or less changed after awakening transcendence. Perhaps because they were accustomed to seeing life and death, or perhaps because they had seen the fragility of ordinary lives before transcendental power, gradually, in their missions, protecting the lives of ordinary people was no longer the top priority.
They would save people if possible.
But if not, they wouldn’t bother.
This young man’s eyes were as clear and clean as a tranquil lake.
“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I doubt you,” Gu Shen said calmly. “I just feel that… with your style of doing things, the priority of the victims will be very low, and there might be unnecessary casualties. Of course, I’m aware of my own abilities, and I don’t see myself as a savior. But if it’s just removing the mental infection of the Solemn Stone Sculpture, I can handle it, and I’m willing to take it over.”
Apart from this, he had another consideration.
When he cured Jiang Wan, his Blazing Fire had strengthened.
Although it was just slightly, almost negligible, it was a fact that it had strengthened!
Gu Shen guessed that the increase in his Blazing Fire was related to removing the nightmare. In the mental imprint given by the Solemn Stone Sculpture to ordinary people, there was a trace of transcendental essence hidden.
No matter how small a mosquito leg was, it was still meat.
At this stage, Gu Shen didn’t want to give up any opportunity to strengthen himself.
“Alright,” Hu Danian said calmly. “I will convey your wishes to Mr. Cui. Since you are willing to take over, we will save ourselves a lot of trouble.”
Gu Shen smiled.
The conversation about the case ended here. He was still interested in the identity of this hoodie-wearing man.
“Pardon me for asking, but is we’re referring to…” Gu Shen rolled up his sleeves and pointed at his forearm. “A gang?”
Hu Danian frowned. He didn’t hide it and slowly rolled up his sleeves so that Gu Shen could see more clearly. It was a dazzling tattoo with black patterns encircling a broken heart.
It was a striking and eerie flower blooming around the heart.
“Haven’t you seen this tattoo before?”
Hu Danian looked at Gu Shen’s confused expression and suddenly laughed. He gave the latter a firm pat on the shoulder, drew closer, and whispered, “You brat, you’ve really just arrived in Dadu, huh? I could tell just by looking at your eyes that you were as innocent as a sheep stepping into a wolf’s den. But haven’t you heard of the Sincere Society?
Gu Shen shook his head.
The black hibiscus… sacred yet eerie.
“Stay away from this organization. You can’t afford to offend it.” Hu Danian took a tall glass from the bar counter and said leisurely, “Here, your drink is here… Have a taste of the metropolitan.”
Gu Shen took a sip.
He frowned.
“How is it?” Hu Danian spread his hands, leaned against the bar counter, and watched neon lights ripple across the dance floor.
Gu Shen put down his glass and replied honestly, “It’s very sweet… and strong.”