S.C.I Mystery Series Volume 2 Chapter 118

Love Murderer 24 – Self-defeating

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Bai Yutang was deeply touched by the story that Zhan Zhao told him, and inexplicably asked, “Is there such a thing?”

“Well, there is no history that can verify it.” Zhan Zhao shrugged, “However, the Middle Ages was a dark century in human history, it was a period when the nobles held power and the army was inevitably dark. At that time, the land, people, and serfs belonged to nobility. Therefore, the nobles had the right to execute people within the scope of their jurisdiction. What’s more, Bathory had such a prominent position, so it seems that there is something hidden. Of course, it has something to do with the later Protestant reforms. However, a considerable number of scholars believe that this is simply a fabricated story, mainly because the royal family at that time coveted Bathory’s property.”

“Then what’s the matter of immortality?” Bai Yutang asked.

Zhan Zhao thought for a while, “It doesn’t mean immortality, but rather eternal youth… The difference between the two is really unclear. According to legends, when Countess Bathory was in her forties, she looked like she was only in her twenties, youthful and beautiful.”

“Then Zhao Jue is more reliable than her.” Bai Yutang said, “In his fifties, he looks like he is in his thirties… well, he doesn’t seem to be reliable either.”

“Hmm…” Zhan Zhao touched his chin, “Indeed.”

“What happened then?” Bai Yutang rubbed Zhan Zhao’s side, then stretched his finger out and lightly poked the little lion’s butt.

The little lion shook his butt twice, rubbed it with his paw, adjusted his posture, and continued to sleep.

“You mean with Count Bathory?” Zhan Zhao asked.

“En.”

“He invented a set of tools in order to suck the blood of living people.” Zhan Zhao blinked mysteriously.

“Oh…” Bai Yutang understood clearly, “Is that the set of tools used by the vampires? No wonder it is his glory…”

“Count Bathory cleverly used a cover-up technique.” Zhan Zhao said, “At the time, many people were hunting down the Bathory family, and the whereabouts of almost all of the family members had been ascertained. The only one that was not found was the youngest daughter of the Bathory family, Paris Bathory. Later, people found a clue in a letter from Bathory to a friend, ‘In early spring, in May, when the spring blossoms, I lost my favourite daughter, she left me. Three days later, I personally buried my glory, let her wear the cross crest that symbolizes the dignity of the Bathory family, leave this disgusting world and go to another, broader and full of life.’”

“Hmm…” Bai Yutang pondered for a moment, “He only said that he buried his glory with his own hands, but he didn’t say that he buried his daughter with his own hands! Leaving and losing does not mean that the daughter is dead.”

“Correct.” Zhan Zhao nodded, “Guess, where does the ‘broader and fuller of life’ refer to?”

“Areas outside the European continent.” Bai Yutang said.

“En.” Zhan Zhao nodded, “Later, Count Bathory was hunted down and he fled. He was caught shortly afterwards and burned. In the following years, Count Bathory’s family began to appear, and the descendants were captured and executed. The last descendent of the Bathory family who was executed for consecutive crimes died in 1913.”

Bai Yutang frowned slightly, and spoke with a smile, “But World War I began in 1914, and the pursuit of the Bathory family must not have continued to be carried out, so the Bathory family may not be extinct.”

“En.” Zhan Zhao nodded, “This is where I digress, as it is very interesting.”

“What is?” Bai Yutang asked.

“That period was a period of wars. In the early twentieth century, that is, after the end of World War I, there were reports of vampires hunting people in local newspapers across North and South America, and there were records saying a young man wearing a mask was attacking other humans. Everyone regarded his as a devil and burned him to death. The name of that man was… Bathory.”

“He went all the way to South America?” Bai Yutang raised an eyebrow, “He ran far enough.”

“That is not the case. The most recent record was in Germany in 1938.” Zhan Zhao said, “But…”

“En.” Bai Yutang nodded, “World War II broke out in 1939.”

“The author wrote that if World War II did not break out, then 1938 would have had a bloodier history than 1888.” Zhan Zhao smiled, “How is it?”

Bai Yutang touched his chin, “You mean, he would have been an even more cruel murderer than Jack the Ripper?”

“En.” Zhan Zhao moved deeper under the blanket, and the little lion in his arms was pulled under the blanket with him. It seemed a little stuffy. After crawling up a few times, he finally exposed his nose outside the blanket, and continued to sleep, not opening his eyes during the entire process.

Zhan Zhao thought it was cute and stretched his hand out to pinch its ear.

“Oh, he was probably part of the Nazis during World War II.” Bai Yutang thought for a while, “Then he moved to China… However, the two young people rescued from the mountain by the villagers… were Chinese.”

“Oh, don’t forget that Count Bathory’s wife was oriental, so their family has an oriental ancestry.”

“That’s true.” Bai Yutang nodded, a little curious, “The Bathory family seems to be a little obsessed with Eastern women.”

“En.” Zhan Zhao laughed, “Probably because of their black hair and dark eyes. The colour close to the darkness should be attractive to the Bathory family, who think they are descendants of vampires. It is very likely that after a few generations, they already look very much like the Chinese.”

“That said, I can basically understand the origins of their identities with half guesses and half speculations, but what does it have to do with Zhang Ying and Xu Tian? Why was Zhang Ying attacked when she had this family pendent… She does not grow old, which is a characteristic of the Bathory family. Does that mean that she is also a descendent of the Bathory family?” Bai Yutang raised his eyebrows, “Damn, I don’t want to think about it, it’s really troublesome.”

As they talked, they heard the ‘dang dang dang’ of the bells ringing from the large wall clock in the living room downstairs, indicating that it was twelve o’clock.

“Let’s go to bed early. We can ask Zhao Jue tomorrow, and then go back to the police station,” Zhan Zhao said, “there is still the list that Zhang Ying left us to investigate.”

“Oh…” Bai Yutang thought about it, then said, “Li Hao… Cat, do you think that Brother might know some details about him?”

“Can’t you ask him later?” Zhan Zhao asked.

“Let’s ask now.” Bai Yutang reached for his phone.

“Hey, if you call him now and he is woken up, he will curse you.” Zhan Zhao whispered, “Be careful of being beaten!”

“So you call him.” Bai Yutang handed the phone to Zhan Zhao.

Zhan Zhao took the phone and wrinkled his nose, “Call him yourself, why are you asking me to call?”

Bai Yutang laughed, “He won’t kill you, and you can also help me hypnotize him, ask him if he knows a person who looks exactly like me. But having said that, I also look like Brother, so if I wasn’t born to my father, he definitely wouldn’t be either.”

The corner of Zhan Zhao’s mouth twitched and he still didn’t want to call, but Bai Yutang simply dialed the phone and threw it at Zhan Zhao. Zhan Zhao caught it, dumbfounded, and sighed.

The phone rang for a long time, and no one answered. Zhan Zhao looked at Bai Yutang – He’s not answering, he’s determined to sleep.

Bai Yutang smirked, “It’s okay if he’s sleeping. If he is having sex with Gongsun, we’re done.”

Zhan Zhao glared at him, “Knowing that, you still made me call him? I won’t call anymore.” After that, he wanted to hang up.

However, at that moment, the other end of the call connected, and a slightly attractive but lazy voice came through, “Hello?”

Zhan Zhao blinked at Bai Yutang – Brother’s voice is so sexy!

Bai Yutang fiercely glared at him – His hiccups are sexier, do you want to hear them?

Zhan Zhao flattened his mouth and said, “Brother.”

Bai Jintang went to pick Gongsun up today but was told that he was working overtime. He wanted to kidnap him, but he saw Gongsun standing in front of the forensic room with excitement. He walked over to take a look… and saw two intact graves in the forensic room, as well as a pile of N corpses piled up, their necks long and thin. Bai Jintang almost asked, “Where is the roast duck from and why is it so big?”

Gongsun and Ma Xin had looks of perverted murderous excitement and were preparing for an over-night autopsy. Everyone in the police station was so scared that they did not dare to get within three steps of them. Bai Jintang felt that making him wait any longer might affect the quality of his sleep and sex in the future, so he simply left the twins, who were equally excited and had volunteered to help, and went home. After returning home, Bai Jintang drank a cup of vodka and went to bed.

Finally, he was able to drive away the scurrying roast duck and entered dreamland, hugging Gongsun. He began to warm up when suddenly his phone rang. Bai Jintang frowned – Ignoring it.

After ten rings, Bai Jintang gritted his teeth – Let’s see how long you can ring!

After ten more rings, Bai Jintang suddenly thought that it could be Gongsun, so he picked up the phone, and looked at the called ID – Brother

Bai Jintang listened to the ringing with a grievance, saying in his heart that if he saw Bai Yutang tomorrow, he would beat him up. It could be Zhan Zhao or Bai Chi… but it shouldn’t be Bai Chi. He doesn’t have the guts to call, and even if he did, he would be instigated by the other two!

After saying hello, Bai Jintang found out that much to his regret, the call was from Zhan Zhao.

Bai Jintang lost his anger, turned around, and asked him in a more sexy and lazy voice, “What’s the matter?”

Zhan Zhao pressed the hands-free button, and blinked at Bai Yutang – It’s really sexy

Bai Yutang gritted his teeth.

“Brother, do you know Li Hao?” Zhan Zhao asked.

“…” Bai Jintang seemed to be stunned for a while, then he woke up a bit and asked, “What happened to Li Hao?”

“Do you know him?” Zhan Zhao asked.

“I know him.” Bai Jintang nodded. He sat up, held the phone to his ear with his shoulder, reached out to grab a cigarette from the bedside table, and grabbed the lighter, “What’s wrong with him?”

“We have a case, and some clues about him.” Zhan Zhao then asked, “How is this person?”

Bai Jintang exhaled the smoke from his mouth and sneered, “Heh.”

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang looked at each other – He was a bad guy!

“Does he do improper business?” Zhan Zhao asked.

With the cigarette in his mouth, Bai Jintang sneered, “When has be done legitimate business?”

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang looked at each other again – That bad?!

“Didn’t he open an art gallery?” Zhan Zhao asked.

“That’s for money laundering.” Bai Jintang said, “That art is all pure hype, it’s all profiteering.”

“Does he sell drugs?” Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang asked at the same time, thinking about the large amount of heroin found in Su Mao’s house.

“You two caught him for drug trafficking?” Bai Jintang laughed, “Then shoot him quickly.”

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang were speechless, then asked, “Then is a drug dealer?”

“There are three main forces in the drug trafficking in S City, he is the second child.” Bai Jintang said, “He doesn’t use his hands. Before, Shen Qian did most of the work, but the he died. In addition, he handled a lot of cultural relics and artworks, as well as real estate.”

“Then what do you do Brother?” Zhan Zhao asked curiously.

Bai Jintang smiled, “I am a legitimate businessman.”

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang both squinted – Cunning! He didn’t answer.

“What else are you asking?” Bai Jintang flicked the ash from the cigarette, “Li Hao still has a few buddies.”

“Give us their names.” Zhan Zhao said.

“I will try to remember” Bai Jintang said, “If you want their information, I will ask the twins to get you a detailed copy tomorrow. They usually like to inquire about these kinds of things, and will even make sure that you know what size of shoes their uncle’s mistress wears.”

“That would be good.” Zhan Zhao smiled, “Brother, does Li Hao have a grudge against you? You’re so enthusiastic.”

Bai Jintang laughed dryly, “Aren’t they all from S City? If you take them all out, I will be the only one left and it will be easier to do business.”

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang looked at each other, “So you came to be an informant.”

Bai Jintang exhaled the smoke in his lungs, “The informant can’t do it in vain, you have to pay the informant.”

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang replied with shy words, “No money.”

The corner of Bai Jintang’s mouth twitched, “Then give Gongsun a month off.”

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang continued to answer shyly, “We don’t have the power.”

Bai Jintang’s mouth twitched again, “Then what can I have the two of you do? What is the value of you two?”

This time it was Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang’s turn to twitch their mouth, and Bai Yutang said, “Three days is okay, my power is enough for three days.”

“Well, let’s not call you Captain Bai anymore, but rather Bai Santian.” Bai Jintang teased. (Angel: San tian, 三天, translates into three days.)

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang’s eyes widened – Brother is actually joking, and he is in a good mood. Could it be that he had just been with Gongsun? Or is it because Li Hao was about to be pulled off of his high horse, so he is in a good mood?

“Is there anything else?” Bai Jintang asked.

“Uh…” The two hesitated at the same time. Bai Yutang poked Zhan Zhao – You ask.

Zhan Zhao shook his head – Ask this kind of thig yourself

Bai Yutang’s eyes stared at him – Ask, if you don’t ask, I won’t feed you!

Zhan Zhao gave him a sideways glance, but he depended on his food, so Zhan Zhao had no choice but to ask in a low voice, “Well, Brother, was Yutang born to Uncle Bai?”

Bai Jintang was stunned for a long time before he realized what Zhan Zhao was asking, “What?”

“Um… you don’t know? Uncle Bai never mentioned to you that Yutang is his own?” Zhan Zhao asked.

Bai Jintang touched his nose and said, “It’s better to ask my mother about this matter, see if she has any man other than my dad.”

“Heh…” Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang gasped at the same time; he would definitely be beaten if he asked.

“Forget… forget it.” Zhan Zhao said.

“Wait.’ Bai Jintang said, “Why ask this? Did you meet an adulterer who came to confess to his relatives?”

“No!” Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang said in unison.

“Dreamt about it!” Zhan Zhao said

“Just asking casually!” Bai Yutang said.

The two looked at each other and said:

“Just asking casually!”

“Dreamt about it!”

Bai Jintang was silent for a long tome, then concluded that – they had met an adulterer.

“It’s okay, I will ask for you.” Bai Jintang said, “What does the adulterer look like? Does he look like me? I’ll ask if I was born to him too.”

Holding the phone, Zhan Zhao’s mouth hung open and he was speechless. Bai Yutang put his arm around the pillow and wanted to cry without tears – What are the nerves of this man?! His nervous system is completely different from ordinary humans!

Finally, Bai Jintang couldn’t wait for Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao to speak, so he hung up and called Mother Bai.

… That night …

Bai Yutang was nestled into the blanket listening to his mother on the phone. Mother Bai first cried, then made trouble, and finally hung and scolded Bai Yutang badly. Zhan Zhao plugged his ears with a tissue and slept with the little lion in his arms.

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

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Translator Notes

Poor Mother Bai 😭

Please feel free to comment any mistakes I made so I can improve and do better as I go through the book.

Translated: June 10, 2021