Chapter 307 - 172: Lock On! Arrest

Xu Huo’s expression was impassive as he continued to speak.

He scanned their surroundings, thought for a moment, and said,

"Besides, some leads really are beyond what the police can investigate."

"Sima Kong. He’s suspected of having contact with overseas powers, specializing in trafficking children from the Eastern Country."

Hearing this, Zhang Liang’s brow furrowed, his gaze darkening.

’So highly specific...’

"Experiments?"

Zhang Liang asked tentatively.

"I don’t know. But the current leads do point to experiments. As for what kind, we have no idea."

Xu Huo shook his head.

There are many kinds of experiments, and what Zhang Liang was referring to... was the genetic sort.

Overseas buyers, purchasing bodies—the clients are rarely ordinary organizations. Their identities are a mystery.

"Alright."

Zhang Liang took a deep breath, accepting the hot potato.

"I’ll arrange for someone to investigate."

With that, he waved his hand, signaling for Zhao Gang, who had accompanied him, to get to it. Zhao Gang pouted but said nothing.

「A moment later.」

Once all the evidence from the abandoned steel mill had been collected, Zhang Liang looked at Xu Huo.

"What now?"

"Wait."

Xu Huo said one word.

"Still waiting?" Zhang Liang frowned.

Xu Huo was about to explain, but in the next second, Li Jianye, who had just left, reappeared before them.

"Found them. It’s these guys, just as we deduced."

At his side stood a few men in construction hard hats, looking nervous and uneasy.

"There were others, but we couldn’t get them. They’ve probably gone home for the New Year."

Li Jianye shook his head as he spoke.

’Who are these people?’

’The johns!’

The scene had the lingering smell of Heather, an odor very similar to human bodily fluids.

A more detailed search had then uncovered several white stains around a bed.

"They were really paying for it here!?"

Just then, Zhao Shui, who had been fading into the background, couldn’t help but stare at the construction workers with a bewildered expression.

An image of Hei Gou flashed through his mind...

Xu Huo ignored him, found a chair, and sat down. He looked at the men before him, scanned them, and then spoke slowly.

"Don’t be nervous. This has nothing to do with you. As long as you cooperate, you can leave in an hour."

The anxious construction workers nodded.

"Have any of you seen a man playing a xiao?"

Xu Huo asked.

"A ’xiao’? What’s a ’xiao’?" one man asked, confused.

"It’s a type of flute... Have you seen a man holding a wooden stick about the size of his forearm?"

"Oh, yeah, a flute! I know what that is. The one with the holes."

Xu Huo paused. This confirmed that the prostitution was linked to the murderer, tying the two together.

"Do you remember what he looked like?"

"Tell me."

The construction workers thought for a moment. "He was in his forties, with a bad leg. Walked with a limp."

"Something was wrong with his fingers..."

As one man spoke, the others immediately chimed in.

"Yeah, one hand was missing a thumb, and the other was missing a pinky."

"His eyes seemed to have a problem too... Like he couldn’t see clearly?"

"Right, couldn’t see clearly, not couldn’t see at all."

"As for his face... he had a high nose bridge, a pretty big forehead, long, narrow eyes, and very rough skin. He had a knife scar on his face, was missing an ear, and part of his nose was gone too..."

As they spoke, a three-dimensional image of the man gradually formed in Xu Huo’s mind.

Xu Huo also asked if they had seen anyone else with him.

That question yielded nothing. They said the man was alone. He guessed the others had likely dispersed or gone to the basement.

「A moment later.」

"A few last questions."

"How many times did you come here? How much did it cost? What did the woman look like? And... have you seen a monkey?"

After speaking, Xu Huo narrowed his eyes, staring intently at them.

"I only came twice. It was cheap, you know? Ten yuan a pop."

The man spoke timidly. "Her looks... not good. Ugly."

"What did she look like?"

"Forgot... It was pitch black. Once the lights were out, you couldn’t see a thing... I think she was blind."

"What about the monkey?"

"Yeah, I saw it!"

one man responded. "One time, I saw a monkey climb over the wall. It was holding a bunch of wallets and had several watches on its arm."

"Wallets and watches?"

The police officers paused, exchanged a look, and then pressed,

"Are you sure?"

"I’m sure. I got a good look. A monkey’s a rare sight, after all. I stared at it for a while," the man said.

"Yeah, I saw it too. Wallets all over the place. Probably stolen from somewhere."

"Same here."

A few more men chimed in to agree.

’A monkey... stealing wallets!?’

"Alright, you’re done here. You can leave now. Just make sure to keep your phones on 24/7 so the police can contact you."

The construction workers immediately scattered.

After everyone was gone, Zhang Liang finally spoke.

"They lied."

Zhang Liang stared at Xu Huo. "They lied about what the prostitute looked like."

"I know."

Xu Huo nodded.

When he had asked about the woman’s appearance, their eyes had clearly darted away, looking up and to the right.

’However...’

"It doesn’t matter. Her appearance isn’t important. What’s important is what their leader looks like."

Xu Huo said slowly.

"And..."

"That monkey!"

’A monkey that steals money...’

"Captain Li, notify the desk. Have them check for any reports of lost or stolen money in this area within the last month."

"Right."

Li Jianye nodded, took out his phone, and started making arrangements.

A moment later, he had an exact number.