Chapter Forty-Eight: Releasing the Tiger Back into the Mountains

Night had already fallen. Lin Zhi lounged idly on the bed, her face covered with cucumber slices. Lu Xiang entered, restless and preoccupied, and quietly lay down beside her.

Lin Zhi’s eyes flew open. “What’s wrong? You’ve been ill at ease since you got home today. Don’t tell me you’ve gotten yourself tangled up with another woman again?”

“Oh, come on, stop making wild guesses,” Lu Xiang replied, annoyed, grabbing the newspaper by the bed.

“Then say something! If you don’t, I can only guess,” Lin Zhi pressed, relentless.

Lu Xiang sighed. “Bao Kang has ordered He Huan to arrest Long Zhentian.”

“Long Zhentian?” Lin Zhi considered the name. “That sounds familiar. Who is he?”

“He’s the madman who’s been committing murders across several provinces in Jiangnan. So far, eleven people are confirmed dead!” Lu Xiang answered with a hint of resentment.

At this, Lin Zhi sat bolt upright, cucumber slices scattering from her face. “I’ve read about that maniac in the papers. He’s not right in the head—he only kills men, and even cuts them in half! Isn’t it dangerous for He Huan to go after him?”

“That’s exactly what worries me,” Lu Xiang nodded gravely.

Lin Zhi, upset, vented her anger on Lu Xiang. “Then what good are you? Why didn’t you stop him?”

Lu Xiang shot her an exasperated look. “Blame your blockheaded son. I tried signaling him, but he asked if I had sand in my eye. I can’t deal with him!”

“You know our son is straightforward. You’re the deputy director, aren’t you? Just order him not to go.”

“You remember I’m deputy director, but don’t forget I still answer to Bao Kang!”

Ignoring Lu Xiang, Lin Zhi stormed out of bed, furious. “I’m going to find Bao Kang!”

Lu Xiang blocked her way, looking troubled. “Please, what are you going to say? He’s just assigning duties as usual.”

“I don’t care. If it comes to it, we’ll quit. I won’t let my son take such risks,” Lin Zhi insisted stubbornly.

In desperation, Lu Xiang shouted, “Everyone on the force has parents! If your son doesn’t take risks, whose son should?”

Lin Zhi faltered, her eyes reddening as she looked at him. “Nothing will happen to our son, will it?”

Lu Xiang took her hand, his tone softening. “He Huan studied abroad. He may be blunt, but he can think on his feet in dangerous situations.”

Lin Zhi sighed, folding her hands in prayer, her voice trembling. “Heavens, please watch over He Huan.”

Outside the Ruyi Inn, the lanterns glimmered softly. Bai Yulou leaned wearily against the wall beyond the guest room, stifling yawn after yawn.

Inside, Bai Lian accepted a cup of water in her left hand while her right hand, unseen, slipped a dagger from her waist, eyes fixed intently on Liu Rushuang.

Liu Rushuang paced back and forth in front of Bai Lian, thinking, “She hesitated when I handed her the water earlier. Did she notice I tampered with it?”

Bai Lian set down the cup, gripping her dagger, thinking, “This silly woman is acting odd. Did she figure out who I am?”

With that, Bai Lian seized an opportunity to stab at Liu Rushuang’s back—but at that moment, Liu Rushuang abruptly turned and walked the other way, forcing Bai Lian to hide the dagger again.

Liu Rushuang looked at Bai Lian and probed, “Did you see something just now?”

“No, nothing at all. Did you see something?” Bai Lian asked, somewhat guiltily.

Liu Rushuang’s confidence faltered. “I didn’t see anything either.”

Bai Lian glanced away, uneasily.

Liu Rushuang eyed her suspiciously, continuing to pace, thinking, “If this witch really reports me to Xi-ge, he’ll definitely be furious…”

Meanwhile, Bai Lian stared unblinking at Liu Rushuang, thinking, “She must have discovered something. She’s plotting her next move—I need to act first…”

With that thought, Bai Lian raised her dagger once more to stab Liu Rushuang, but Liu Rushuang again turned away just in time. Bai Lian had no choice but to conceal the dagger once more.

Liu Rushuang glanced at the water cup Bai Lian had set aside. “Why aren’t you drinking your water?”

“I’m not thirsty,” Bai Lian replied with a shake of her head.

Liu Rushuang watched her, thinking, “She must be pretending nothing happened, but once Xi-ge is back, she’ll burst into tears and play the victim…”

Bai Lian, in turn, thought, “That foolish woman must have caught on. No, I have to strike first…”

She finally spoke. “Why are you staring at me?”

Liu Rushuang cleared her throat and put on a stern face. “Bai Lian, let’s be frank. If you’ve noticed something, let’s talk it out. No stabbing in the back.”

Bai Lian froze, thinking her plot had been exposed, and instinctively hid the dagger behind her.

Liu Rushuang decided to retreat to advance. Awkwardly, she explained, “I admit, I was going to add something to your water just now, but it was only some digestive supplements, nothing else.”

“Oh.” Bai Lian pretended not to care.

Liu Rushuang came closer, picked up the water cup. “Forget it, if you don’t trust me, I’ll pour you a new one.”

She walked to the table, dumped the water on the floor, and as she refilled the cup, she muttered, “Watch closely. I’m not adding anything this time.”

Seeing Liu Rushuang’s back turned, Bai Lian quietly stood, dagger in hand, and crept toward her.

Outside the room, Bai Yulou leaned against the wall, yawning.

Suddenly, a commotion arose in the corridor. Bai Yulou looked up to see Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi hurrying over.

Lu Hehuan was surprised to see Bai Yulou alone outside the door. “Bai Yulou, where’s Miss Liu?”

“Sister Shuang is in the room with Bai Lian,” Bai Yulou replied carelessly.

“Then why are you out here?” Ying Xi asked, anxious.

“Sister Shuang told me to keep watch at the door.”

“This is bad!” Ying Xi cried.

“What’s wrong?” Bai Yulou asked, bewildered.

“Bai Lian is the killer, Long Zhentian!” Lu Hehuan said, his face grave.

“What!” Bai Yulou was stunned. “No, I have to save Sister Shuang!”

Bai Yulou lost control and was about to charge into the room, but Lu Hehuan, quick on his feet, grabbed him.

“Calm down!” Lu Hehuan cautioned, afraid Bai Yulou would alert the killer.

“Sister Shuang is in there with the maniac!” Bai Yulou sobbed.

“Listen, if you want to save Miss Liu, do as I say,” Lu Hehuan soothed.

Bai Yulou nodded tearfully.

Lu Hehuan released him and looked at Ying Xi. “Let’s go in.”

He signaled Ying Xi to hide by the door, while he readied his gun to break in.

Inside, the teapot poured water into a cup, forming a swirling vortex as the cup filled.

Liu Rushuang set down the pot and picked up the cup with both hands. Bai Lian stood behind her, dagger poised at her neck.

Just as Liu Rushuang turned with the cup, Bai Lian’s eyes flashed and she prepared to strike.

At that critical moment, with a bang, Lu Hehuan burst in, gun drawn.

“Long Zhentian! You’re surrounded. Drop the dagger!” Lu Hehuan commanded sternly.

Seeing her plot exposed, Long Zhentian pressed the dagger to Liu Rushuang’s throat, threatening Lu Hehuan arrogantly, “Don’t move! Any closer and I’ll kill her!”

Liu Rushuang, terrified and bewildered, dropped the cup, which shattered on the floor. She glared at Long Zhentian, both angry and confused. “What are you trying to do, you witch?”

Long Zhentian’s ferocity showed as she struck Liu Rushuang. “Keep still!”

“Ow! What are you doing?” Liu Rushuang cried.

Lu Hehuan saw Long Zhentian attempting to take a hostage and escape. He frowned but remained calm. “Let’s see whose hand is faster, your dagger or my gun.”

Long Zhentian eyed the pistol aimed at her, growing nervous but pretending to be composed. “Throw me your gun, or I’ll kill her!”

Lu Hehuan did not lower his weapon, his eyes on her hand. “This Browning has an effective range of thirty meters. We’re three meters apart. If I pull the trigger, it’ll take less than half a second to blow your head off.”

Long Zhentian’s dagger hand trembled.

Outside, Ying Xi waited by the door, gun in hand. Bai Yulou, eyes red, listened nervously.

Lu Hehuan’s voice came through the door. “So, don’t you think I’m the one who should be telling you to drop the dagger?”

Bai Yulou guessed Liu Rushuang had likely been taken hostage. He muttered, “No, I have to save Sister Shuang!” and rushed into the room.

Ying Xi tried to stop him but missed, regretting it instantly.

Inside, as Long Zhentian and Lu Hehuan faced off, Bai Yulou burst in, crying and shouting.

“Sister Shuang! Lu Hehuan, give him your gun! Do whatever he says!”

Long Zhentian grew bolder and roared at Lu Hehuan, “Throw the gun over!”

“What’s going on? Bai Bai, who is this witch?” Liu Rushuang was still in the dark, not knowing why Bai Lian wanted her dead.

Bai Yulou choked out, “She’s the mad killer, Long Zhentian!”

Liu Rushuang was shocked, her body going limp, her voice trembling. “Long… Zhentian?”

Realizing she was a hostage to a murderer, Liu Rushuang burst into tears. “I’ve done nothing to you. Please don’t kill me! Let me go!”

Long Zhentian’s ears rang with the noise, and she snapped, “Shut up! If you don’t throw over the gun, I’ll do it!” She pressed the dagger harder against Liu Rushuang’s neck, drawing blood.

“It hurts! Let me go!” Liu Rushuang sobbed.

Suddenly, Bai Yulou dropped to his knees, crying, “Long Zhentian, please, let Sister Shuang go. Take me as your hostage instead!”

“Bai Bai…” Liu Rushuang was deeply moved.

“All of you, shut up!” Long Zhentian yelled, exasperated.

“Let me go! Let me—” Liu Rushuang struggled, ignoring the danger.

Long Zhentian, at her limit, grew more murderous. Seeing this, Lu Hehuan worried she’d lose control and quickly intervened.

“Miss Liu, stop. Listen to me. Trust Xi-ge…”

“Xi-ge?” Liu Rushuang quieted, looking at Lu Hehuan.

He nodded. “Stay calm, trust me.”

Understanding the hint, Liu Rushuang stopped crying.

Lu Hehuan looked at Long Zhentian. “I’ll give you the gun. Don’t do anything you’ll regret.” He slowly approached and tossed his gun aside.

The moment the gun clattered to the floor, Long Zhentian’s attention shifted. At that instant, Ying Xi burst in from outside.

Ying Xi fired, the gunshot echoing. Caught off guard, Long Zhentian was hit in the left leg, her dagger falling to the ground.

Bai Yulou rushed over, shielding Liu Rushuang with his body as Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi seized Long Zhentian.

Long Zhentian, gritting her teeth through the pain, snatched up the dagger and lunged at Ying Xi. Lu Hehuan jumped in front of him, but Ying Xi shoved Lu Hehuan aside, taking a wound to his arm.

Seeing Ying Xi hurt, Lu Hehuan was alarmed. Long Zhentian used the chaos to leap out the window and escape.

Lu Hehuan ran to the window and followed.

Night had deepened, and the alley behind Ruyi Inn was pitch black. Lu Hehuan landed outside but saw no trace of Long Zhentian. Glancing down, he noticed a trail of blood.

He followed the bloodstains a few steps, but they abruptly vanished. Looking around, there was still no sign of Long Zhentian.

Disheartened, Lu Hehuan turned back to the inn, nimbly climbing in through the window.

Inside, chaos reigned. Ying Xi sat on the floor, clutching his wound, while Liu Rushuang and Bai Yulou stood stunned.

“She got away again!” Lu Hehuan sighed, frustrated.

Ying Xi echoed his sigh.

Having survived, Liu Rushuang was moved to tears seeing Ying Xi wounded in her defense. She pushed Bai Yulou aside and ran to Ying Xi, voice trembling. “Xi-ge, are you alright?”

Ying Xi turned away irritably. “I’m not dead, so why are you crying? It’s just a scratch.”

Bai Yulou, left out, pouted in disappointment as he watched them.

Lu Hehuan strode over and tore off a strip of cloth to bind Ying Xi’s wound.

Liu Rushuang looked at the injury, tears streaming. “Xi-ge, even though you’re usually cold to me and often yell at me, when my life was on the line, you risked everything to protect me. I’m truly touched.”

Ying Xi grimaced. “Don’t get all sentimental. I wasn’t saving you, just the hostage. Don’t overthink it.”

“Xi-ge, I know you’re tough on the outside but soft inside. No matter what you say, you’re the only one I’ll ever love. I’ll marry no one but you,” Liu Rushuang declared, sobbing and resolute.

Ying Xi scowled. “You’re hopeless.”

As they talked, Bai Yulou burst in, his face cold. “Sister Shuang, some people are so set on solving the case they’d put you in mortal danger. Best stay away from people with such ill intentions.”

Liu Rushuang knew Bai Yulou was hinting at Ying Xi, and rebuked him. “Bai Bai, I won’t let you talk about Xi-ge like that! Apologize to him now!”

“I’m just looking out for you. Didn’t you see I risked my life to save you, too?” Bai Yulou protested, aggrieved.

Liu Rushuang was unimpressed, frowning. “All I saw was you crying—not manly at all—and even kneeling to that murderer. No backbone!”

“I did it all for you!” Bai Yulou replied, deeply wronged.

“If you lose your dignity for me, who asked you to?” Liu Rushuang retorted.

“Sister Shuang…” Bai Yulou tried to protest.

Ying Xi, fed up with their bickering, snapped, “Enough! Let’s go. If you’re not annoyed, I am.”

“I’m not leaving. Xi-ge, you’re hurt. I want to stay and look after you,” Liu Rushuang pleaded.

Ying Xi waved her off. “Don’t trouble yourself. Not seeing you is the best care you can give me. Go on, now.”

Liu Rushuang pouted, aggrieved.

Lu Hehuan, worried things would escalate, consoled her. “Don’t worry, Miss Liu. I’ll take care of Inspector Ying.”

Liu Rushuang nodded. “Alright, then. Take good care of Xi-ge.”

Lu Hehuan nodded in return.

Bai Yulou quickly offered, “Sister Shuang, I’ll take you home.”

“Who needs you? Didn’t you hear Xi-ge say out of sight is out of mind?” she replied coldly.

“But Long Zhentian got away. What if you run into her on the way home?” Bai Yulou persisted.

At this, Liu Rushuang shuddered and grudgingly relented. “Fine, you can escort me. Having you around is annoying anyway, a little more won’t make a difference.”

With that, she turned to leave, and Bai Yulou happily followed.

Only Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi remained.

Lu Hehuan helped Ying Xi sit on the bed. “Shall we go back to the dormitory?”

“We already paid for the inn, might as well stay,” Ying Xi replied weakly.

Lu Hehuan scratched his head awkwardly. “It’s a bit strange for two men to share a room if it’s not the dormitory.”

Ying Xi lay down, unconcerned. “What’s strange about that? We’ve shared a bed plenty of times.”

“Well, that’s true…” Lu Hehuan was still hesitant.

“Just do it,” Ying Xi said casually, closing his eyes.

After a moment’s hesitation, Lu Hehuan lay down beside him.

The next morning, Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi arrived at the police morgue, standing across a table from Bao Rong. A thick stack of files lay between them.

Bao Rong said, “He Huan, these are the files on the eleven victims of the Long Zhentian serial murders.”

Lu Hehuan picked them up. “What kind of people were they?”

“All sorts, but all men,” Bao Rong replied.

Ying Xi suddenly slapped the table. “Long Zhentian hates men?”

Lu Hehuan and Bao Rong exchanged glances and nodded.

Lu Hehuan thought for a moment, then asked, “Any pattern in the times of death?”

“Yes,” Bao Rong nodded. “It’s always at night.”

“Anything else?” Lu Hehuan pressed.

Bao Rong considered. “Long Zhentian always attacks by surprise. The victims were all sliced in half with a single stroke—no sign of struggle.”

Ying Xi folded his arms in disdain. “So, an ambush? So much for being a big deal.”

“Or you could say the killer is extremely cautious,” Lu Hehuan observed.

Bao Rong added, “Long Zhentian has never failed. So far, you two are the only survivors.”

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi exchanged a look, both shaken.

As they spoke, Baldy rushed into the morgue. “Inspector Ying! Something’s happened!”

“What is it?” Ying Xi’s expression grew tense.

“There were two murders in the alley behind the Paramount last night.”

Lu Hehuan, Ying Xi, and Bao Rong were all taken aback.