Drapeau fantôme

Chapitre 2

So when he withdrew his gaze, it pierced through the hair on Curly and the others like a nail, and he squeezed out four words through gritted teeth: "Unforgivable!"

The three young men, stung by the sharp gaze, instinctively flinched back. Wu Yinwu, with a pained expression, tried to reason with them again, "This matter... isn't that serious. They... they were just joking with me. I'm their teacher. If you have any thoughts, you can... you can tell me first."

The teacher, who had been bullied, spoke up for them at this moment, and Curly and the others looked on with hope as if they had seen a savior.

"Teacher? Now you know you're a teacher? When these students were misbehaving, why didn't you think of yourself as a teacher?" The man's gaze shifted to the old man, but it didn't soften. After a pause, he pressed on, "Do you even know what a teacher is?"

Wu Yinwu remained silent, as if he didn't know how to answer.

“A teacher is supposed to impart knowledge, teach skills, and resolve doubts… Look at your students, what knowledge have you imparted? What skills have you taught? What doubts have you resolved?” The man fired off a series of questions. “You also bear an unshirkable responsibility for this disgraceful and shameful incident. I invited you here today so that you could see with your own eyes the consequences of your blatant indulgence and cowardice towards your students.”

The man's words struck a nerve with Wu Yinwu, who lowered his head in shame, speechless for a moment. The hopes of several students were dashed. However, Curly Hair showed a kind of courage that came from being forced into a corner: he reached down to his lower back and found a small axe in his hand.

Influenced by gangster movies, many students who like to "hang out" outside often carry weapons like axes and machetes. These weapons are mostly just for show and rarely actually serve any purpose. But today seems different; after Curly gripped the axe in his hand, his courage did indeed grow considerably.

"Are you going to move aside or not?" he pointed his axe at the man. "If you don't move aside, I won't be polite!"

"Come here." The man's tone remained as indifferent as before; even a hundred more axes like this wouldn't be a threat to him.

Curly gritted his teeth, and this time he really charged towards the other person.

The man calmly stood up, extended his left hand, and twisted Curly's right wrist, which was holding the axe, away. The man tightened his grip slightly, and Curly winced in pain. He cried out, "Ouch, ouch!" as his body spun halfway around, now facing away from the man. The man extended his right hand, his index and middle fingers together, and gently stroked Curly's neck. With that stroke, Curly's cries of pain ceased; his eyes widened as if he were experiencing the most terrifying thing in the world.

The other onlookers quickly realized what the horrific sight was: a deep, long gash had opened in Curly's neck and throat, gushing blood that splattered onto the luxurious carpet in the living room. Seemingly unwilling to be stained by the blood, the man gently released Curly with his left hand, causing him to immediately hunch over and collapse, writhing and struggling for a few moments before becoming still.

The girl's scream rang out, almost piercing everyone else's eardrums. But the man wasn't worried: he chose such a high-end suite precisely because of its excellent soundproofing.

Although he had a premonition of something ominous, the bloody scene was still too terrifying and too sudden. Wu Yinwu was stunned for a long time before he cried out as if waking from a dream: "You killed someone! How could you kill someone? Why did you kill someone?" His voice was choked with sobs, making him sound even more helpless and cowardly.

As the girl retreated towards the corner, Yellow Earring seized the opportunity and rushed towards the door. However, his movements were clearly too slow for the man. The latter casually stretched out his left arm, and the fugitive was firmly gripped to his chest, like a helpless chick.

"Stop killing people, please, please stop killing people!" Seeing the man's right hand about to rise again, Wu Yinwu knelt down with a thud and kowtowed to him.

The man's right hand froze in mid-air: "Don't you want me to punish him?"

Yellow Earring's body trembled violently, and a warm, wet liquid seeped from between his legs. The man noticed this detail and gave a disdainful sneer.

Wu Yinwu knelt on the ground and crawled forward two steps, choking back tears as he said, "Please don't punish my students anymore. It's all my fault... I failed in my duty as a teacher!" Tears streamed down his face. As a man of weak character, all the humiliation he had suffered over the years and the resentment he had suppressed for so long seemed to erupt at this moment.

The man was silent for a moment: "Then are you willing to make amends for your mistake?"

"Yes, yes! As long as you release my student," Wu Yinwu replied eagerly. Huang Erhuan, who had been filled with despair, saw a glimmer of hope again.

With a flick of his toe, the man kicked the axe that Curly Hair had dropped to the ground in front of Wu Yinwu, and then said coldly, "Chop off your left hand."

"What?" Wu Yinwu looked up in astonishment.

“Cut off your left hand,” the man repeated, “that way I can let them go.”

Wu Yinwu was clearly terrified by this horrifying demand. He stammered, "This...this..."

"Make your choice, I won't force you," the man said, extending his right index and middle fingers.

Huang Erhuan clearly saw the gleaming blade protruding between the two fingers. He twisted in vain, looking at Wu Yinwu with pleading eyes. Because he was being held so tightly, he could only manage to utter a few words: "Teacher..."

"Please wait a moment..." Wu Yinwu stopped the man's actions again, and then he gritted his teeth and picked up the sharp axe.

A hint of anticipation flickered in the man's eyes.

As if trying to muster his courage, Wu Yinwu screamed "Ah—!" With that scream, he raised the axe high, the blade aimed at his left wrist, which lay flat on the floor. Unfortunately, his courage never quite materialized. When the scream ended, the axe didn't fall; instead, it slumped to the ground.

The man shook his head in disappointment, his right hand tracing the neck of the man with the yellow earring, who helplessly suffered the same fate as the curly-haired man. As his body fell to the ground, his bulging eyes fixed on Wu Yinwu. The poor old man felt as if he had been struck on the head; he slumped helplessly onto the carpet, his expression dazed.

A moment later, the girl's scream jolted Wu Yinwu out of his daze. He saw the man approaching the only remaining student in the corner, while the girl curled up in a ball, burying her head in her arms, futilely trying to escape the overwhelming fear like an ostrich.

The man reached out his left hand, grabbed the girl's red hair, and lifted her up. The girl didn't even have the courage to struggle; she sobbed uncontrollably, pleading, "Teacher...save me, teacher..."

Wu Yinwu roared again, this time like a madman, raising his axe and bringing it down without hesitation. The blow was ruthless and precise, and his left hand was immediately severed from his body at the wrist.

The girl was stunned, and she stopped crying. A moment later, she desperately lunged towards the teacher, and the man released her grip at the right moment, silently stepping aside.

Wu Yinwu gripped his severed wrist tightly to stop the blood from flowing out too quickly. He hissed softly, enduring the excruciating pain, his eyes fixed on the man, a resolute look he had never shown before.

"Teacher, teacher..." The girl cried out again, but this time the fear was replaced by sadness. She picked up the old man's severed hand and hugged it tightly to her chest.

Wu Yinwu experienced a feeling he had never felt before, and a smile even appeared on his face.

“I have completed my punishment. Girl, you have died once, and from now on you will rediscover the meaning of life. And you, you are finally able to shoulder the courage and responsibility that a teacher should have.”

These were the last words Wu Yinwu heard. Subsequently, the intense pain and immense mental strain finally caused the nearly sixty-year-old man to faint.

7:35 PM.

Provincial capital railway station.

It was peak passenger flow time, and the waiting room at the train station was bustling with people of all kinds.

This should be an environment that Luo Fei really enjoys. He can observe all sorts of people, analyze their professions and hometowns, feel their joys and sorrows, predict their upcoming actions... and so on, which he finds endlessly fascinating.

However, Luo Fei wasn't in the mood for that at the moment, because he was watching a news report on TV. Since the TV was suspended in mid-air, Luo Fei had to tilt his head up at a 45-degree angle, and with his focused expression, he looked somewhat silly.

The footage on the television screen showed the explosion site of the Bifangyuan Hotel. A forensic doctor walked past the camera carrying a heavy black plastic bag, and Luo Fei knew exactly what was in the bag.

However, he was more concerned about the host's voice-over.

"...The explosion that occurred yesterday afternoon on Xingcheng Road in this city has been preliminarily identified: it was a vicious criminal case deliberately perpetrated by criminals. The explosion resulted in two deaths, with no other injuries. One of the deceased was Guo Meiran, the female owner of the Bifangyuan Restaurant where the explosion occurred, and the other was Yuan Zhibang, the perpetrator of the explosion. According to the police, Yuan Zhibang was also responsible for another explosion that occurred in this city eighteen years ago, which also resulted in two deaths. The police also believe that Yuan Zhibang is the serial killer codenamed Eumenides, who is responsible for numerous murders in the city, including the recent high-profile stabbing of a female BMW owner. Yuan Zhibang's death signifies that the shadow of a killer looming over the public can finally be dispelled."

Below is the personal information of the perpetrator, Yuan Zhibang, released by the police.

Yuan Zhibang, male, 41 years old, is from Wuzheng County, this province. Eighteen years ago, at the time of the incident, he was a graduating student at the provincial police academy and a trainee police officer at the municipal public security bureau. After the bombing eighteen years ago, Yuan Zhibang himself was seriously injured. He adopted the alias Huang Shaoping and, while keeping a low profile, continued to plot his next criminal activity. Recently, after committing another crime, his whereabouts were quickly discovered by the municipal police. With nowhere else to turn, Yuan Zhibang planned yesterday's suicide bombing, staging a final act of madness…”

As the host continued his narration, a photo of Yuan Zhibang from eighteen years ago appeared on the screen. The handsome young man in his police uniform, with his sunny smile, was truly hard to reconcile with a serial killer. Many onlookers around Luo Fei couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

Luo Fei was deeply moved. He knew he would never forget the moment he locked eyes with Yuan Zhibang; eighteen years of grudges were condensed into that single glance. His former best friend had finally walked alone towards hell after that one look.

Who exactly turned him into such a monster? Luo Fei spent the entire day agonizing over this question, and what was even more agonizing was that he couldn't find a definite answer.

After the news segment ended, Luo Fei shook his head and sighed softly. He squeezed through the crowd and headed towards the ticket gate—the train to Longzhou would depart in twenty minutes, and it was time to check tickets and enter the station.

Will leaving this city erase the painful memories? Luo Fei knew the answer was no, because he had been away for eighteen years. But when the past was brought up again, the pain was still just as heart-wrenching.

Moreover, sometimes fate doesn't let you leave easily.

Luo Fei had already reached the ticket gate, and just as he was about to hand his train ticket to the ticket inspector, a voice rang out not far behind him.

"Officer Luo, please wait."

The familiar female voice, gentle yet capable and sharp.

Luo Fei turned around and saw Mu Jianyun, the beautiful psychology lecturer. Beside the woman were two men in police uniforms: Zeng Rihua, with glasses and messy hair; and Yin Jian, a short man with a slightly scholarly air.

These were colleagues from the "418" task force, who came together to track down Eumenides.

Luo Fei smiled at the three of them. Although they had been suspicious of him, the past few days had still created many wonderful moments worth cherishing.

"Are they here to see me off?" Luo Fei wondered to himself, but his guess was inaccurate. When the three men reached Luo Fei, Mu Jianyun spoke again, "Officer Luo, you can't leave."

Luo Fei was slightly taken aback: "Why?"

“Because our mission isn’t over yet. Yuan Zhibang is dead, but the real Eumenides is still alive. You know that very well.” Zeng Rihua said, then winked and lowered his voice, “This bullshit news is full of nonsense. Let’s see how they cover it up when Eumenides’ next case is exposed.”

Luo Fei nodded first, then shook his head: "I know, but I have to go—my post is in Longzhou. I only took a week's leave this time, and there are still many things waiting for me to handle there."

Zeng Rihua chuckled and said, "That's no longer a problem."

Luo Fei raised an eyebrow in surprise, not understanding what the other party meant. But then he saw Mu Jianyun looking at him with a smile, and then she winked at Yin Jian beside her.

Yin Jian opened his handbag, took out a neatly folded square of paper, and solemnly handed it to Luo Fei.

Luo Fei unfolded the paper and saw two large black characters at the top: "Transfer Order." A thought struck him, and he quickly looked down more carefully.

The main text is:

"Upon the recommendation of the provincial capital's public security bureau leadership and with the approval of the provincial public security department's organization department, Comrade Luo Fei, the former captain of the Longzhou City Criminal Police Team, is hereby urgently appointed as the acting captain of the provincial capital's criminal police team, to be in charge of all work of the 'April 18' special task force. The position of captain of the Longzhou City Criminal Police Team will be reassigned by the provincial department's organization department."

Below that is the signature and date from the Organization Department of the Provincial Public Security Bureau.

While Luo Fei was still in shock, Yin Jian gave a standard police salute: "Captain Luo!"

Luo Fei folded the transfer order again, then pinched his chin and exclaimed, "This...this is too sudden!"

“It is indeed somewhat sudden.” Mu Jianyun and Zeng Rihua exchanged a glance and said with a smile, “Our battle with Eumenides may only be beginning now.”

"The reason this transfer order was issued so quickly is mainly due to the strong recommendation of Director Song of the Municipal Bureau." Yin Jian, who knew the inside story best, explained to Luo Fei, "Director Song hopes you can contact him as soon as possible to discuss the next steps in the work plan."

"Director Song? Is that the one who spoke to Han Hao the night Captain Xiong was murdered?" Luo Fei recalled the situation at the time. Director Song had given Han Hao, who was emotionally unstable, great encouragement. That person certainly had the decisive demeanor of a leader.

Yin Jian nodded: "It's him." The young man looked embarrassed and ashamed as he spoke. That night, he had realized that Han Hao was inextricably linked to Xiong Yuan's murder, but he did not reveal the truth in time, which ultimately made Han Hao the most important pawn manipulated by Eumenides.

Luo Fei knew what Yin Jian was thinking, so he gently patted the other man's shoulder.

"Everyone makes mistakes... just don't make the same mistake twice," he comforted the young man. Then he looked at Mu Jianyun and Zeng Rihua, "Alright, let's go."

A transfer order swept away Luo Fei's previous desolate feeling. His blood began to boil with excitement.

Yes, the real battle is just beginning!

The Fate of the Death Sentence (02)

8:46 PM.

Interrogation room of the Criminal Investigation Detachment of the Municipal Public Security Bureau.

Yin Jian entered the interrogation room with extremely complex emotions. He was about to face a special suspect. To him, the suspect's crimes were so clear, yet this interrogation was undoubtedly the most difficult one of his criminal investigation careers.

This feeling wasn't unique to Yin Jian; all the other officers in the interrogation room felt the same way.

In fact, the interrogation of Han Hao had lasted all day, yet no valuable records had appeared in the interrogation transcript. In the eyes of the interrogating officers, Han Hao's imposing and unyielding image as a captain was deeply ingrained; even now, as a suspect behind iron bars, they couldn't adjust to the immense psychological difference. Han Hao thus received treatment far exceeding that of ordinary prisoners. Because he was behind iron bars, his handcuffs were even removed.

On the other hand, many of these lower-level police officers learned their interrogation skills from Han Hao, who taught them by example. Now, they want to use these skills on their "master," which is a ridiculous situation. Who can remain calm about it?

So when Yin Jian entered the room, Zhao Cheng, the police officer who was presiding over the interrogation, immediately stood up and whispered to Yin Jian, "You've finally arrived. Take over quickly, I really can't do this anymore."

"What's going on?" Yin Jian asked in a low voice.

"He didn't say anything, he just said he was waiting for you to come."

Yin Jian nodded: "I understand, you can leave now."

Zhao Cheng breathed a sigh of relief and left the room, while Yin Jian sat down in the empty seat he had vacated.

Han Hao, behind bars, stared silently at Yin Jian, his eyes bloodshot.

"Captain Han..." Yin Jian hesitated, unsure where to begin.

Han Hao scoffed coldly, "Why are you still calling me Captain Han? You should be calling me Suspect Han Hao now! How did I address you before? If you lose in terms of presence, you've already lost half the battle in the interrogation!"

"Captain Han... Captain Han..." Yin Jian tried for a moment, but still couldn't bring himself to say it. He simply lowered his pride completely and said in a pleading tone, "Please don't make things difficult for us, just tell us the truth!"