Fang Yingshan had no intention of introducing the two. In his eyes, someone of Bai Hongyuan’s status wasn’t worthy of knowing them.
He nodded and said to Bai Hongyuan in a heavy voice, “Lead the way.”
Bai Hongyuan showed great respect toward Fang Yingshan. Hearing this, he turned to lead them. “Follow me. The crime scene is at Warehouse 3. I’ll take you there.”
The group boarded Bai Hongyuan’s Mercedes business van and drove deeper into the facility along the factory’s dilapidated concrete roads.
Warehouse 3 was located at the very back of the factory grounds, surrounded by stretches of abandoned workshops and mountains of rusted machinery.
The warehouse itself was a steel-frame structure with mottled exterior walls and a corrugated iron roof that was damaged in several places.
A police cordon was also set up at the warehouse entrance, with two officers standing guard.
A police van was parked nearby with its lights on. Figures could be seen moving inside—criminal investigators on the night shift.
Bai Hongyuan led the three men out of the car and walked straight toward the warehouse entrance.
“Halt!” the guard officer shouted, immediately alert. He raised a hand to stop them. “This is a crime scene. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to approach.”
Bai Hongyuan took a deep breath, suppressing his inner anxiety. He stepped forward, his face contorted into an appropriately grief-stricken and earnest expression.
“Officers, I am Bai Ruochu’s grandfather. Such a terrible thing has happened to my granddaughter, and I just want to go in and see. I hope you can make an exception.”
The officers glanced at each other. One of them shook his head, his tone polite but firm.
“Mr. Bai, I understand how you feel.”
“However, this is the scene of a criminal case. According to regulations, no one is permitted to enter without approval from the investigating unit.”
“If you wish to learn more about the situation, you can do so through the investigating unit or your legal counsel...”
“Can’t I just go in for a single look?” Bai Hongyuan’s voice rose with a hint of agitation.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Bai, but those are the rules,” the officer said, still shaking his head.
“The scene investigation has concluded, but the area remains under lockdown. No one enters without superior approval. Please leave.”
While Bai Hongyuan negotiated with the officers, Liu Junnan stood not far behind him.
His gaze drifted past the police cordon, looking toward the pitch-black area deep inside the warehouse.
The distance from the warehouse entrance to the center of the crime scene was less than fifty meters.
That distance was more than enough.
He closed his eyes slightly, pushing his sensing ability to its limit. It spread silently into the depths of the warehouse, meticulously scanning every inch of the floor, every object, and every wisp of air.
However...
Minutes passed.
Liu Junnan’s brow gradually furrowed, and a surge of hostility rose within him from the sense of frustration.
Within the range of his perception, there was nothing except the normal atmosphere of the environment!
No residual fluctuations of special energy, no traces left by an Ability User—he couldn't even capture a single hint of an abnormal aura.
Not even a trace.
As time ticked by, his frown deepened, and the sense of failure gnawed at his nerves like a venomous snake.
He was Liu Junnan. Since childhood, when had he ever suffered such a setback?
He was a special existence within the organization.
Ordinary people were nothing but ants in his eyes—ants he could crush at will.
His sensing ability, which far exceeded that of normal people, made him the center of attention wherever he went. Those so-called experts and elites were all deferential in his presence.
But what about this trip to Jiangcheng?
First, he had lost his target.
There were clearly special energy fluctuations near that unfinished building, but by the time he arrived, the person had vanished without a trace, as if they had evaporated into thin air.
Within a single minute, that person had not only sensed his approach but had also run out of his sensing range. That kind of speed and perception was a direct slap to his face!
And now, it was happening again.
He was less than fifty meters from the crime scene. He had been sensing for over ten minutes, yet he couldn't find even a single suspicious trace!
Was that person so strong that the traces they left were naturally miniscule, and after ten hours, they had completely dissipated?
Or was it... that his sensing ability was simply inferior to that person’s?
The moment that thought surfaced, the hostility in Liu Junnan’s heart erupted like a volcano.
Why?!
Why was such a fellow hiding in Jiangcheng, making him lose face time and time again?!
Why did the sensing ability he took such pride in fail repeatedly here?!
He wanted to kill someone.
He wanted to use blood to calm the surging violence in his chest.
But he knew he couldn't.
“Truly, they all deserve to die!”
Liu Junnan slowly opened his eyes. Cold light swirled within his deep, dark pupils.
He didn’t look at the warehouse again, nor did he pay any mind to Bai Hongyuan, who was still arguing with the police. He didn't even spare a glance for Qin Zhong’an.
He turned and walked back the way he came with a sluggish pace, his aura screaming for everyone to stay away.
Once back in the car, he slumped into the back seat and closed his eyes, his face returning to its sickly, lethargic state.
Only he knew how fiercely the fire of hostility was burning in his chest.
Seeing Liu Junnan turn and leave, Bai Hongyuan’s heart sank. He knew things likely weren't going well.
He originally wanted to press the officers for a few more words, but seeing their unyielding attitude, he knew further talk was useless.
“Fine!” Bai Hongyuan’s voice suddenly rose, carrying a deliberate tone of anger and threat.
“I’ll remember that you didn't let me in! Once my granddaughter’s matter is cleared up, we’ll settle this score slowly!”
The two officers looked at each other and said nothing, simply straightening their backs and looking straight ahead.
Bai Hongyuan snorted coldly and stormed off.
Once in the car, only Fang Yingshan and Bai Hongyuan were present. Qin Zhong’an and Liu Junnan had already returned to the van behind them.
Bai Hongyuan took a deep breath to suppress his anxiety and looked at Fang Yingshan, his tone carrying a hint of humble expectation.
“Mr. Fang, how was it? Did he find anything?”
Fang Yingshan shook his head. He looked out the window at the black business van and lowered his voice.
“Old Bai, if you want to know the truth, we must see Bai Ruochu herself.”
“See Ruochu?” Bai Hongyuan was stunned, then he gave a bitter smile.
“Mr. Fang, Ruochu is currently in police custody. She’s being held as a criminal suspect.”
“Even though I’m her grandfather, I have no way to go in and see her directly.”
Fang Yingshan turned to look at him, his gaze calm. “A defense lawyer can meet with a criminal suspect.”
Bai Hongyuan blinked, a light suddenly flashing in his eyes. “You mean...”
“Have Mr. Liu pose as Bai Ruochu’s defense lawyer to go in and see her,” Fang Yingshan said without any emotion, as if he were discussing something perfectly ordinary.
“As for the lawyer’s identification, practice certificate, and other materials... your Bai family will prepare them.”
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