S.C.I. (Volume I) - Case 1: Chapter 11

The Digital Killer 11: Doubts

After hearing Bai Yutang's words, everyone present grew anxious.

Although Zhan Zhao was a member of S.C.I., he was, after all, considered civilian staff. Moreover, this case was incredibly thorny. If that mysterious organization really had its sights on him, it would be extremely dangerous. However, everyone was also deeply perplexed: S.C.I. had only just taken over the case, meaning they hadn't even scratched the surface yet. How could the killer have already targeted Zhan Zhao?

Seeing the grim expressions on everyone's faces, Zhan Zhao, on the other hand, wasn't particularly nervous. He turned to Gongsun and asked, "By the way, Gongsun, aren't you finished yet?"

"Oh..." Gongsun snapped out of his daze and glanced at Bai Yutang.

Bai Yutang nodded, signaling for him to continue.

"There's also the numbers I checked behind Wu Hao's ear and the ears of those corpses. I finally figured out exactly what that thing is, which is why I said that guy is completely a pervert among perverts!"

Hearing this, everyone's attention instantly focused on Gongsun.

"Everyone has eaten pork before, right?" Gongsun asked out of nowhere, leaving everyone in the room looking at each other in confusion.

Bai Yutang nodded. "What do you mean?"

Gongsun continued, "Have you ever noticed that inspected pork always has some blue ink stamps on it that won't wash off no matter what?"

...!...

Upon hearing Gongsun's words, everyone showed a look of disgust.

Zhan Zhao frowned and said, "It couldn't be..."

"Exactly!" Gongsun said helplessly. "I've cross-checked it repeatedly, and they are completely identical! It's the ink stamp and edible pigment used for raw pork!"

"This guy is indeed a pervert. Does he think humans are pigs?" Bai Yutang's expression was a complex mix of emotions.

"Boss?" Wang Chao suddenly called out. "Could the killer be a butcher?!"

...

Zhang Long swallowed hard. "That... doesn't seem very likely..."

Zhan Zhao shook his head and said, "It's highly unlikely! Judging by this killer's behavior, he is someone with a certain degree of obsessive-compulsive disorder. He demands perfection, is extremely rigorous, and is a germaphobe."

Bai Yutang also nodded. "Makes sense! However, this can still be considered a lead. Zhang Long, tomorrow go check where this kind of stamp and pigment are sold. Wang Chao, go investigate the slaughterhouses and pig farms!"

"...Huh??" Wang Chao looked completely reluctant. "That's so unappealing..."

Bai Yutang glared at him. "That's exactly why I'm sending you! If you can prove he's a butcher, I'll buy you a car!"

"Really?? Boss! You better keep your word!" After saying that, Wang Chao ran off, overjoyed.

Zhan Zhao asked with a look of surprise, "White Mouse? Are you serious?"

Bai Yutang shrugged. "I never said it would be a real car."

...

After the meeting ended, everyone left one after another. Just as Zhan Zhao stood up, Bai Yutang tugged at him. "Let's go!"

"Where to?" Zhan Zhao looked at him in confusion.

"You'll know when you get there!"

The two entered the elevator, and Bai Yutang pressed the "-2" button.

Zhan Zhao frowned and said, "What are we going to the shooting range for?"

Bai Yutang didn't answer, only asking, "Did you bring your gun?"

"...No..." Zhan Zhao stuffed his hands into his pants pockets.

"What?" Bai Yutang stared at him. "The bureau issued you a sidearm so you would carry it with you!"

Zhan Zhao rolled his eyes at him. "I have a class to teach this afternoon. I can't exactly bring a gun to campus, can I?"

"It's precisely because you're going to campus that you should bring it. I told you a long time ago to stop teaching those classes."

"You! Teaching is my passion!!"

"It seems like the ones attending your classes are all girls. They aren't going there to listen to the lecture; they're going there to look at you!" Bai Yutang looked at him sideways.

"...Bai Yutang!" Zhan Zhao snapped angrily. "Starting right now, I'm not speaking to you for the next hour!" He turned his head away.

...

The elevator doors opened on the second basement floor. The two stepped out, and a visibly displeased Zhan Zhao was forcefully dragged into the shooting range by Bai Yutang.

Standing at the shooting station, wearing his headset, and holding the gun, Zhan Zhao fired a whole clip of bullets viciously at the target.

Standing behind him, Bai Yutang watched with a racing heart, feeling that Zhan Zhao was treating the target as if it were him.

Zhan Zhao was indeed treating the target as Bai Yutang because Bai Yutang had hit a sore spot.

Zhan Zhao loved teaching; he loved discussing academic issues with his students. However, he didn't know what was wrong with the students lately, especially the girls—they involuntarily reminded him of a certain creature that howled during a full moon. What was even more infuriating was that he noticed more and more girls in his classroom, and none of them were even psychology majors. Last time, someone had actually asked him if he had a boyfriend... It was infuriating!!

Bai Yutang pressed the button, and the target moved in front of them. Taking a look, he let out a sharp breath—six shots fired, but there were only three holes on the target...

"Zhan Kitten!!" Bai Yutang roared. "How on earth did you pass your shooting exam back then?!"

Zhan Zhao turned his face away, thinking to himself, I'm ignoring you for an hour!

Bai Yutang's nose practically went crooked from anger as he continued to yell, "I remember giving you special training before! You shot very accurately back then."

That's exactly why I passed the exam, Zhan Zhao continued to say in his mind.

...

Furious! Helplessly, he thrust his hand in front of Zhan Zhao and, right before his eyes, turned his watch back by one hour. "Speak!"

Zhan Zhao glanced at him and finally spoke, "I stopped practicing after that..."

Grinding his teeth, Bai Yutang said, "Do you have any idea that someone carrying a sidearm who can't shoot straight is just like a driver who doesn't hold the steering wheel? You'll get people killed!"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Zhan Zhao muttered softly, "That's why I don't carry it..."

"Whew..." Taking a few deep breaths, Bai Yutang pressed the button to return the target to its original position. He took the gun from Zhan Zhao's hand, placed it back on the table, then knelt down. He pulled a pocket pistol out of the ankle holster hidden beneath his pants and handed it over. "Use this one!"

Zhan Zhao took the gun, looked it over, and said in surprise, "A Remington M10?"

Bai Yutang was slightly caught off guard. "Your marksmanship is terrible, but you really know your firearms."

"Bai Yutang, you're illegally hoarding weapons!" Zhan Zhao said, pointing right at his nose.

"I have a government-issued firearm permit!!" Bai Yutang declared. "I'm a criminal investigator."

Holding up the gun, Zhan Zhao asked, "This gun isn't even available domestically! Did your brother give it to you again?"

Bai Yutang scratched his head. "Yeah!"

"Your brother makes so much money; he couldn't possibly be in the arms trade, could he?" Zhan Zhao asked in a low voice. "Or is your brother just a movie buff who wants to turn you into James Bond?"

Bai Yutang was absolutely infuriated. "Just hold it properly!"

After teasing him a bit, Zhan Zhao felt much better. He obediently raised the gun and took aim...

"Hold on!" Bai Yutang called a halt. He stepped behind Zhan Zhao, wrapping his hands around Zhan Zhao's from behind to help him aim. "Keep your eyes forward, steady the trigger, line up your eyes with the bullseye..."

For the next six rounds, every single one hit the target.

Zhan Zhao turned his head with a smug grin. "I really am a genius!"

Taking the gun from him, Bai Yutang detached the magazine to reload. "That's because the instructor's guidance was flawless!"

Zhan Zhao picked up his standard practice gun again. "Keep your eyes forward, steady the trigger, line up your eyes with the bullseye..."

After firing, there were four holes. Two rounds had completely missed...

"White Mouse!" Zhan Zhao said indignantly. "I get it now! You only shoot accurately because your gun is better!"

"Whether a shot is accurate or not has absolutely nothing to do with the gun, does it?"

"Of course it does! Yours is lighter!"

"That's because your fundamentals are too poor, and your arm strength is lacking! I told you a long time ago to practice more."

"It absolutely matters!"

"No, it doesn't!"

"Yes, it does!"

"No—!...!"

Just as the two were about to start their daily meaningless bickering, Bai Yutang suddenly stopped. It was as if he had thought of something, and he repeatedly muttered, "Matters... doesn't matter..."

"What's wrong with you?" Zhan Zhao waved a hand in front of his eyes to snap him out of it.

"Cat, I just thought of something." Bai Yutang put the gun down and sat on the table in front of the shooting station. "Think about it. That car was stolen nearly half a month ago. S.C.I. was established and took over this case only a few days ago. Could it be that the car was indeed targeted at you, but it has absolutely nothing to do with this current case?"

Zhan Zhao froze for a moment, thought it over, and said, "Indeed... that is a possibility."

Bai Yutang suddenly asked, "You have a class this afternoon, don't you?"

"Yeah."

"I'm coming with you."

"...? ...What are you going for?"

Bai Yutang stuffed the pocket Remington into his hand. "To do some investigating at your university!”