The Same Fate Awaits All Sins Chapter 64

Final Part – 05

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Xia County sub-bureau

The meeting room was shrouded in a depressing and solemn atmosphere. Seated at the head of the table, Jiang Ziyu's face was ashen. It was the first time the members of the Xia County criminal investigation team had seen their usually approachable new captain looking so stern. As a result, everyone held their breath, and the meeting room was silent.

On the way here, Gu Yanta had not only gone over the case analysis with Jiang Ziyu but also taught him various methods for managing his subordinates. Despite Gu Yanta's usual easygoing and playful demeanour in the team, no one ever disobeyed his command when he got serious about work. Jiang Ziyu, however, was different. He was a person who won people over with virtue, and it was difficult for him to intimidate others. While his attentiveness and care for his subordinates were commendable, he often struggled with a lack of authority. In the past, he had always followed and assisted Gu Yanta, but now that he was solely in charge, it was clear that he was struggling to keep up.

It had only been a month since he arrived in Xia County, yet he was already overwhelmed. The major case involving the murder of the previous captain remained unsolved, and other public security incidents still needed handling. His subordinates were difficult to command, and his unfamiliarity with the local situation made his work an uphill battle.

Chang Le was a straightforward man and had been the closest to the late Captain Li. Driven by a strong desire for revenge, he remained relatively respectful towards the new captain Jiang Ziyu. Xu Jia was different. He was smooth and tactful, and as a strong contender for the captain's position, he had expected to take over after Captain Li's sudden death. However, Jiang Ziyu had seemingly fallen from the sky into the role instead. This new captain was kind and accommodating but lacked decisiveness, and Xu Jia had no intention of following Jiang Ziyu's command.

After gaining a thorough understanding of the situation, Gu Yanta suggested that Jiang Ziyu first address the team's work discipline. Only by uniting the whole team could they proceed effectively with the investigation.

"Team Leader Xu!" Jiang Ziyu called out Xu Jia's name sharply. "Why were you late to such an important situation today?"

Seeing that he couldn't avoid it, Xu Jia said awkwardly. "Well... Captain Jiang... Natural and man-made disasters are inevitable. If I say I was stuck in traffic and you don't believe me, there's really nothing I can do about it..."

"Enough with the excuses!" Jiang Ziyu declared sternly. "Effective immediately, you are suspended for a month! The technical team's work will be temporarily taken over by Chen Chen, the expert from Yuchuan!"

"I..." Xu Jia still wanted to argue, but seeing Jiang Ziyu was determined to enforce discipline, he had no choice but to obediently shut his mouth. Frustrated, he slumped into his chair, clearly displeased.

"Team Leader Chang!" Jiang Ziyu proceeded to call on Chang Le.

"Here!" Chang Le responded loudly and clearly. Though he had never fully accepted the new captain in his heart, he had always maintained a respectful attitude on the surface, he wouldn't deliberately make things difficult for him.

"You did well to notify Captain Gu promptly when you couldn't reach me immediately after the incident," Jiang Ziyu said. "However, next time, make sure to coordinate with the fire department, traffic police, and SWAT team instead of just burying yourself in work."

"Understood!" Chang Le replied.

With Gu Yanta's guidance, Jiang Ziyu was determined to reform the team's work ethic. His clear stance on rewards and punishments earned him a degree of respect among the officers of Xia County's police force. Though he had yet to fully establish his authority, he had at least significantly curbed the unhealthy culture of passive resistance.

"Now, let's proceed with the case analysis meeting."

The team systematically sorted out the ins and outs of the case. So far, they had yet to identify a suspect in the gas station case, with their strongest lead pointing to Ma Xiangrong.

However, Ma Xiangrong has not been seen in public since April this year. His whereabouts were unknown, and whether he was alive or dead remained uncertain. The only clues hinting at his movements came from a new compound found in several bombing cases.

"Do you think there's a possibility..." Gu Yanta analysed, "that Ma Xiangrong isn't actually on the run but has been captured by Xia County's crime syndicate?"

"That makes sense!" Jiang Ziyu nodded. "At the end of the day, their relationship is purely one of interest. The crime syndicate only needs his technical expertise and a mouth that won't open."

"The last confirmed sighting of Ma Xiangrong was at Yuchuan's second port. If he didn't escape abroad by illegal means, then there's only one possible route, leading straight to Xia County's cargo docks." Gu Yanta continued.

Between Yuchuan and Xia County, both land and waterways were used for freight transport. However, the cargo docks had been abandoned for years and were now controlled by local tyrants, making it a highly unregulated area.

"From our previous investigations, the area around the cargo docks is likely home to a drug manufacturing facility, many narcotics traced back to that location." Jiang Ziyu added

Noticing Gu Yanta's doubtful expression, Chang Le, who was more familiar with the local situation, immediately explained, "Captain Gu, you might not be aware, but back when Captain Li was in charge, he had an undercover agent in the crime syndicate. His codename was 'Wedge.' He was close to locating the actual factory site, but during a secret rendezvous, the drug cartel leader discovered his identity, and he was killed soon after."

"When did this happen?" Gu Yanta asked.

"Wedge was killed at the end of last year. Before that, Xia County's crime syndicate had been lying low, but at the beginning of last year, they suddenly resurfaced, flooding other cities and even provinces with drugs. Now we know it was because of Ma Xiangrong joining them. Back then, we had no idea why, so we sent Wedge in as an undercover agent." Chang Le replied. "But before Wedge could get close enough to uncover the truth, he..."

At this point, Chang Le's voice choked up, his eyes reddening slightly. His teeth clenched so tightly they almost ground together. He must have had a connection with Wedge, a fallen comrade lost in the line of duty, while the criminals who caused it still roamed free. Chang Le's hatred for the crime syndicate entrenched in Xia County ran deep.

"So, the drug manufacturing facility is likely located near Xia County's cargo docks..." Gu Yanta asked. "Is this information reliable? Can we confirm it?"

"Yes!" Chang Le took a moment to compose himself before answering truthfully. "These criminals sometimes secretly 'dispose' of people by dumping them into the sea, what they call 'feeding the fish.' Wedge's body was also found in that very stretch of water."

"But it won't be easy for us to get close to that area," Jiang Ziyu frowned. "Without knowing the exact location, we could be walking straight into an ambush. They have their own armed forces, if we don't organise our approach meticulously, we risk severe casualties! That's why we haven't dared to act rashly."

Gu Yanta was silent. This was indeed a major dilemma. A single misstep could lead to devastating losses within law enforcement. He couldn't allow another incident like Huang Chufeng's to unfold in Xia County.

"I have an acquaintance here," Lu Zheng suddenly spoke. "An old friend of my father's, he's well-connected in this area and might have useful intel, I can pay him a visit."

"Who?" Chang Le asked. "Xia County isn't that big, tell us who it is."

"Chen Qinglong."

"Ah..." Chang Le was surprised. "So, it's President Chen of Longsheng Group. He's one of Xia County's wealthiest figures, with connections in all sorts of circles. He indeed might have access to some inside information."

Lu Zheng was not someone who spoke easily, but whenever he did, it was always something shocking. This revelation surprised Chang Le, making him reevaluate the young expert he had initially dismissed as just a greenhorn. He hadn't expected an outsider like Lu Zheng to have ties to Xia County's elite.

"Mhmm." Lu Zheng gave a slight nod.

"Then let's head out now!" The impatient Chang Le immediately stood up.

"Wait." Lu Zheng calmly said. "I need to contact him first, after all, Uncle Chen isn't someone with time to spare, and he doesn't meet with just anyone. Only Captain Gu can come with me..."

"Oh..." Chang Le sat down somewhat awkwardly.

Meanwhile, Gu Yanta was secretly thrilled. He doesn't meet with outsiders, but he wants me to go with him? Lu Xiaozheng, you really know how to hand out dog food anytime, anywhere! That's right, let these single dogs feel jealous and bitter!

The locals from Xia County didn't catch the underlying meaning, only Chen Chen was force-fed a mouthful of dog food and couldn't help but feel a little envious...

After wrapping up the case analysis, the victims' families arrived at the police station to identify the bodies. But in reality, there were no intact bodies to identify. The four victims had been reduced to mere fragments, so much so that even their limbs were indistinguishable.

The hallway was soon filled with heart-wrenching cries. The female officers stepped in to comfort the grieving families, while Jiang Ziyu, as team captain, pounded his chest and vowed to the families that the culprits would be brought to justice as soon as possible and be severely punished.

The brutal nature of this case was unprecedented. It was no longer just a matter of public safety for Xia County, it had drawn attention from the entire province and even the nation. Gu Yanta had barely finished consoling the families when his phone rang. It was Director Wu.

After enduring Director Wu's storm of reprimands, Gu Yanta's resolve to capture the perpetrators and uncover the crime syndicate behind them only grew stronger.

Meanwhile, Lu Zheng took this time to contact Chen Qinglong, who said he would be available to meet after dinner.

Jiang Ziyu led the detective team to handle some follow-up work at the crime scene. Seeing Chen Chen lingering in the middle of Gu Yanta and Lu Zheng, he found an excuse about a technical issue at the scene and conveniently dragged him away.

And just like that, Gu Yanta and Lu Zheng were temporarily free.

Gu Yanta glanced at his watch, it was already lunchtime. With no one else around, he suddenly threw an arm over Lu Zheng's shoulders and, in a deliberately exaggerated voice, said, "Darling, what are we having for lunch today?"

Lu Zheng got goosebumps all over his body, and he quickly shook off Gu Yanta's arm. "Can you talk properly?!"

"Sure!" Gu Yanta clapped his hands, laughing, before wrapping an arm around Lu Zheng's waist. "You already said I'm not an outsider, which means I must be your insider, so what's wrong with a more intimate address?"

"......" Lu Zheng's face darkened. "Hurry up, let's go eat!"

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

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Translator Notes

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

Translated: February 18, 2025 by Angel

Edited: February 26, 2025 by Angel