Chapter 43 - 42: Laughing Like Chang Xiao (Third Update)

Chapter 43: Chapter 42: Laughing Like Chang Xiao (Third Update)

Under Xiao Yi’s sharp and deep black eyes, Xu Jing couldn’t help but cough lightly.

Oh no, she had been so engrossed in the discussion that she forgot to conceal it a bit.

However, she guessed she was already suspicious enough in this man’s mind, so she didn’t mind being a little more suspicious.

Thinking of this, her mood gradually calmed down, and she calmly said, "Didn’t I tell Vice Minister Xiao? I learned all these from miscellaneous books I read before. Vice Minister Xiao, who has read over ten thousand books, if you haven’t read these, it means you haven’t read as many books as I have. Vice Minister Xiao should reflect on this."

Xiao Yi: "..."

Even Chen Hu couldn’t help but choke, covering his mouth as he coughed for a while.

Vice Minister Xiao is a famous scholar of Great Chu! He passed the highest imperial examination at seventeen. Even Song the Scholar, the Sacrificial Officer of the Imperial College, praised him highly. How could Xu Jing have read more books than him!

Even Chen Hu noticed that Miss Xu seemed to enjoy teasing Vice Minister Xiao.

But between the lines, Vice Minister Xiao also seemed to often test Miss Xu.

Oh, could this be the legendary love-hate relationship?

Chen Hu’s eyes suddenly sparkled, he couldn’t help but glance at the handsome and upright Vice Minister Xiao, then at the beautiful and bright Miss Xu, and excitedly shouted in his heart—

Why did he just realize now that these two really suit each other! They suit each other incredibly well!

Even their current banter felt so enchanting!

Xu Jing had no idea the guy beside her was full of romantic notions. Seeing that she had left Xiao Yi speechless, she smiled with satisfaction and said, "Back to the main point, Vice Minister Xiao, how did you find out that the case in the Western Capital and the case in Anping County were done by the same person? Also, since there had been so many similar cases in the past in Anping County, why weren’t they taken seriously earlier?"

Xiao Yi couldn’t help but give her a chilly look. However, he didn’t continue probing and said, "After the case in the Western Capital happened, I went through the files of past cases in Anping County and found that, whether in terms of the locations of wounds on the victims or the shapes of the wounds, they were very similar to the cases in Anping County.

A murder can be imitated, but it’s difficult for the perpetrator to mimic even the precise locations of the wounds, let alone the size and depth of the wounds, which are very similar.

As for why these cases weren’t taken seriously earlier, in fact, they had garnered attention, but previous officials never found the criminal, so they could only treat them as unresolved cases.

Moreover, the previous cases didn’t happen frequently, usually only once or twice a year."

Xu Jing raised her eyebrows slightly, pondering, "So, the criminal’s behavior pattern has changed significantly in two ways. First, he left Anping County for the first time to kill in the Western Capital.

Second, the frequency of his crimes has significantly increased. Previously, they occurred only once or twice a year. However, now, including today’s victim, it’s already the fourth murder case in a month.

Why? Could something have happened that agitated him, causing him to have more murderous desires in a short time?"

Xiao Yi did not interrupt Xu Jing’s monologue, only watching her with deep eyes, his right index finger unconsciously tapping lightly on the small table beside him.

If she knew about serial killers from books, her now seemingly habitual case analysis definitely couldn’t have been learned from just reading.

This is a habit and acuity developed only by those long responsible for criminal cases.

In fact, Xiao Yi could say that many in the Ministry of Justice were far less capable and perceptive than this woman.

What exactly is this woman hiding?

Xiao Yi suppressed the doubts in his heart and interrupted Xu Jing with a calm voice, "I’ve already answered your questions. Now you can tell me why the criminal is targeting you."

Xu Jing snapped back to reality, looked up at Xiao Yi, and a somewhat cryptic smile appeared on her lips, "If I’m not mistaken, the victims in the previous cases were all placed in very conspicuous locations by the criminal."

Xiao Yi was slightly taken aback, seemingly realizing something as well, his eyes darkening, "What are you trying to say?"

So she guessed right.

Xu Jing let out a cold laugh and said, "I don’t know where the victims of the previous cases were found, but judging from the recent cases in Anping County, the criminal clearly doesn’t shy away from his crimes, rather, he wants others to notice them."

Show off?

Chen Hu couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

This was the first time he’d heard such a theory!

Typically, when mentioning the criminal, everyone assumes he’d want to hide his crimes, like a mouse that has stolen something.

It’s the first time he’s heard of a criminal wanting to boast about their crimes!

Xiao Yi also seemed slightly stunned, but soon he pondered, "You mean he deliberately placed the victims in conspicuous places, wanting others to discover his crimes?"

"Exactly. The first case that occurred during this period, the victim was found lying across the road. The second case, the victim was found hanging from a tree, which was right by the official road. If there was an intention to hide the body, why not hang it on a tree further inside?"

Xu Jing coldly said, "The criminal wants his crimes to be discovered as quickly and early as possible, relishing in the commotion his crimes cause. As he hides within the crowd and hears people around him discussing his cases and fearing what he’s done, he might secretly rejoice. To him, this incident brings unparalleled satisfaction!

Therefore, the reason for his provocation against me is clear..."

Xu Jing paused after speaking.

Chen Hu, who was intently listening, couldn’t help but show an anxious face.

What is the reason? Miss Xu, hurry and tell us!

He’s no longer curious about where Miss Xu learned all this.

Now, he just wants to worship Miss Xu!

Xiao Yi glanced at Xu Jing, took a deep breath, and continued her sentence, "Recently, the rumors about the divine lady doctor of Xinglin Hall have been spreading widely, even overshadowing the cases he committed, which led him to resent the divine doctor of Xinglin Hall and thus set this trap to provoke you."

Xu Jing couldn’t help but look at Xiao Yi with admiration and sincerely smiled, "No wonder Vice Minister Xiao is so talented. Yes, the criminal going to such lengths to provoke me can only be because—he hates me for stealing his spotlight.

Perhaps this is the first time in his many years of killing that he’s encountered such a situation.

He never intended to pin his crimes on me. Those crimes are equivalent to a general’s merits. Asking him to give up his crimes willingly is akin to taking his life away.

Anyone with any sense, upon seeing the wounds on the victims, would immediately understand their connection to those previous cases!"

Unintentionally, Xiao Yi met Xu Jing’s bright eyes full of misty smile, and strangely, a peculiar emotion rose in his heart, making him involuntarily avert his gaze, lowering his head to take a light sip from his teacup.

Strange.

It’s surely because this woman smiles so inexplicably, which made him feel uneasy.

She smiled as if Chang Xiao had seen his favorite candied hawthorn.

Watching the two cooperate so seamlessly, Chen Hu couldn’t help but become even more excited in his heart.

They match so well, really!

No wonder they’re the perfect match he’s rooting for!

Nevertheless, he couldn’t help but sigh, "That criminal is truly disgusting."

Not just anyone can turn their murderous crimes into something akin to military achievements.

Xu Jing calmly said, "This is a very common psychology among serial killers.

Speaking of which, since this case today is the same person’s doing as the previous ones, their cause of death must be the same. What is the cause of death?

Today’s victim wasn’t burned to death, and the scars on the body were posthumous injuries.

This indicates that there’s another cause of death.

However, as soon as Xu Jing finished speaking, both their expressions changed to something peculiar and eerie at a speed visible to the naked eye.