Chapter 54:Criminal Investigation World (4)

“Logical deduction? Easy for you to say…” The system poured cold water on him at first but then realized that discouraging Lin Yuetian probably wouldn’t have much effect. It got back on topic. “How do you plan to find the location? You’re not a parasite living inside the killer’s stomach. It’s like searching for a needle in a haystack—where exactly do you think you’re going to find it?”

Lin Yuetian smiled. “This city isn’t particularly large, and the police force is limited. When setting up surveillance, the police will naturally prioritize locations where a crime would have the most severe impact, or areas with dense populations that would greatly affect public safety. That’s understandable. But as a professional, if you think from the perspective of someone about to take action… the aftermath and public security concerns are irrelevant. The only thing that truly matters is whether the location is suitable for committing the crime.”

The system was starting to follow his logic. “So, the first step is to rule out all the places that are definitely under surveillance?”

“Unless the killer is an absolute idiot—a real idiot,” Lin Yuetian continued, “or a psycho deliberately trying to cause public chaos and self-destruct, he wouldn’t choose a location that’s obviously under heavy scrutiny. It’s a strategic game between law enforcement and criminals. Criminals know the key locations will be watched, so they naturally avoid them. Police, on the other hand, are aware that criminals might not target those locations, but they can’t afford to take the risk. If, by chance, the criminal defies logic and strikes in an unguarded area, the consequences would be disastrous.”

“So you’re planning to be an unexpected variable in the game?” the system asked. “That seems a bit overconfident, don’t you think?”

“He’s just an ordinary person,” Lin Yuetian said, “and I am an elite in my field.”

He tapped his pen lightly on the map and continued analyzing. “This killer is unusually bold, always committing crimes on rainy days. Generally, people avoid going out in the rain, right? Even schools and some companies let people off early on rainy days. That means the only people likely to be out alone in the rain are those who must be—such as workers changing shifts, employees in companies that offer high overtime pay, or groups predominantly composed of adult men who are less sensitive to danger and work late hours. Based on these criteria, I just need to narrow down locations without surveillance.”

The system responded sincerely, “Good luck with that.”

Lin Yuetian spent the entire afternoon searching through the map. By evening, he had finally found a location that fit the criteria—a dirt road on the outskirts of the city.

The city outskirts were an industrial area, home to a textile factory where most of the female workers were rural migrants. Since buying property in the city was difficult for them, their housing options were either factory dormitories or shared rentals in a few remaining old houses nearby. Lin Yuetian discovered that the textile factory operated on a two-shift system—night shifts ran from midnight to noon the next day. Between the factory and the rental houses, there was only one dirt road. It wasn’t long, which was why there were no surveillance cameras, but Lin Yuetian noticed that tall weeds and discarded factory waste lined both sides of the road. With low visibility at night, these provided excellent cover.

“This should be the place. The conditions are perfect…” Lin Yuetian mused. Then, reconsidering, he adjusted his statement cautiously. “If not, I’ll just try again next time.”

“And you still claim you’re not a psycho?” the system complained. “You understand a psycho’s thought process so well. You’re really ruthless toward your own kind.”

Lin Yuetian looked confused. “I’m a hitman. He’s a deranged serial killer. I charge a fee; he works for free. How exactly are we the same?”

“…Aren’t hitmen and serial killers the same thing?” The system was genuinely puzzled.

Lin Yuetian, for once, seemed displeased. His tone turned sharp. “You’re the type who thinks opera and musical theater are the same thing, aren’t you?”

“You’re the one who said I’m not a person,” the system shot back immediately.

“You really aren’t a person,” Lin Yuetian concluded. “I’m not arguing with you anymore. You have no common sense.”

“And who exactly is lacking common sense here? Look who’s calling the kettle black!”

Lin Yuetian completely ignored the system, practically wearing a sign that said I’m sulking. This was the first time Lin Yuetian had ever shown anything close to irritation. The system was both confused about what triggered him and a little relieved—having emotions is better than having none at all. As a peace offering, the system pulled out one of its cherished variety shows that night.

“Come on, don’t be mad. Let’s watch this together?”

Lin Yuetian said, “You need to respect my profession from now on.”

The system silently wondered if such a profession even warranted this much professional pride. But on the surface, it said nothing and simply watched the show with Lin Yuetian, restoring their usual camaraderie. In that sense, Lin Yuetian was pretty easy to appease.

Now that Saturday was set as the showdown with the killer, Lin Yuetian’s activities became much more deliberate. Every day, he spammed his social media account with countless old photos of himself and Huo Chengye. His captions ranged from “He looked so handsome that day. The wind that day was so gentle.” to “I don’t understand why people drift apart as they walk through life. I feel like crying. I look up at the sky, hoping my tears will disappear…”

Complete with the dramatic “…” at the end.

Even the system felt nauseated watching it and admitted that it no longer understood him.

Huo Chengye, naturally, was furious. He called multiple times, ordering Lin Yuetian to stop damaging his reputation. But was Lin Yuetian the type to be intimidated by such impotent rage? Absolutely not. He righteously argued that the photos he posted were neither private nor fabricated. He was merely expressing his sorrow, which had absolutely nothing to do with Huo Chengye. “You have no right to control what I post.”

“If you want to control me, then start by paying back the money you owe me,” Lin Yuetian added.

Huo Chengye was left speechless, hanging up the phone in frustration.

And just like that, time passed in a most fulfilling manner.

On Saturday, the rain began falling in the afternoon, draping the entire city in an atmosphere of unease. No one knew whether the Rainy Night Striker would appear again or who would become the sixth victim.

Lin Yuetian, however, had already put on a camouflage raincoat and taken a taxi to the dirt road on the outskirts. He didn’t bring a gun, but he did carry a grooved dagger—something he was qualified to use as a consulting detective.

“A grooved dagger is more lethal,” Lin Yuetian remarked. “The wound is deeper and harder to stop the bleeding.”

His detached tone sent a chill down the system’s metaphorical spine. Fortunately, Lin Yuetian didn’t elaborate further, sparing it from developing psychological trauma.

The original body wasn’t skilled in combat, but Lin Yuetian was different. Some skills and mindsets didn’t fade just because the body changed.

“I just realized—I never asked why you didn’t inform the police?” The system watched as Lin Yuetian stood on the dirt road, looking up at the sky. Then, with fluid agility, he dropped into the knee-high grass, blending into the shadows. “At the very least, you could’ve reported it or gotten backup. It’d be safer… Damn, I actually thought you were starting to follow the law. What a waste of excitement.”

“I have my own plan. Anyway—”

The system cut him off with a spell. “I don’t want to hear those words, bro.”