My Life with Narration-Chapter 295 - 292: Captain Zhao, Clean House

Su Qing didn’t understand any of the professional knowledge. Frankly speaking, his understanding of the forensic profession was limited to TV and movies, pretty much like the post-op instructions from the doctor who circumcised Lao A: don’t touch with your hands directly.

After all, corpses, especially those in such an advanced stage of decomposition, are harmful to people, but that’s about it.

As for finding clues on a corpse, what the heck is that? If it weren’t for the narration, he wouldn’t even be able to distinguish the corpse’s gender, let alone find clues.

Of course, the two clues he mentioned were the only ones he could talk about right now; guessing that the corpse was decomposed was one thing, but seeing axe chop marks on the bones was real, and he said he saw it. No one could question that. But if he were to reveal the dead person’s identity and home address, then things would escalate.

After all, being able to identify a highly decomposed, dismembered corpse that’s been dead for more than three months means that beyond the killer, there is almost no one else who could do it; even if not the killer, the person must be an insider.

Therefore, he can’t just disclose any clue; he’s gained experience over this long period.

"Come on, come on, over here, over here, everyone put some muscle into it, quick, quick, quick!" Du Qiang and Zhou Ning, along with a few police officers, helped lift the body out. Meanwhile, some other colleagues from the station were taking photos and collecting evidence at the scene.

Zhao Minghui and the other two, Li Zijun, meanwhile, had climbed halfway up one side of the mountain stream, trying to find some useful clues.

After all, this was their essential work. By six-thirty in the afternoon, the sun in the sky was already beginning to set in the west, seemingly to fall below the horizon in about half an hour.

Once the sun sets, it will quickly be dark, and they would have to head back today.

After a long while of finding nothing, Zhao Minghui sat down on a flattened stone and took a sip of water, not holding back a sigh: "This is tough!"

Su Qing and Li Zijun walked over silently. In truth, everyone knew that this case was genuinely difficult to handle; mainly because too much time had passed, more than three months, and during this period coinciding with the rainy season, a few downpours had washed away clues aplenty, making their work exceedingly challenging.

"Xiao Li, what are your thoughts?"

Li Zijun shook their head: "There’s no clue whatsoever, and there’s no trace around here either. Now all we can rely on is to confirm the deceased’s identity through DNA comparison with Zhou Ning; only then can we proceed with the next steps. Additionally, going back to the station to check any missing person reports of women in the last two to three months might give us a breakthrough if the deceased’s identity is uncovered!"

Hearing this, both Su Qing and Zhao Minghui nodded in agreement; that indeed was their only current avenue.

Murder, dismemberment, disposal of the body in the mountains after three months, and this wasn’t even the original crime scene, leaving no useful clues behind; this was the crux of the current case’s difficulty.

Once the deceased’s identity is known, they can conduct investigations, check interpersonal relationships, and comb through the vicinity of the residential address; though it might not definitely yield clues, at least it offers a direction. Currently, they can only flounder around like headless flies.

In response, Zhao Minghui took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and handed Su Qing one, which he instinctively accepted.

But in the next second, the cigarette was snatched away by Li Zijun: "You’re really something, daring to smoke too! Since when did you pick up this habit? Do you want me to tell Aunt Hui about this?"

After speaking, they also shot a glare at Zhao Minghui: "Zhao, you’re at such an age, can’t you stop leading people astray and introducing them to such bad habits?"

In response, Zhao Minghui resentfully stuffed the cigarette back into the pack. Having a guardian around was no joke, always having to tread carefully was quite vexing.

Besides, from the instinctive way Su Qing had accepted the cigarette, it was evident he was certainly familiar with smoking.

"It wasn’t my intention, but I see Little Su looking so unwell from the retching; are you..." Zhao Minghui attempted to justify himself, but noticed Su Qing’s actions the next moment.

Su Qing had opened his phone maps app, seemingly searching for something.

Without lifting his head, Su Qing replied: "I’m estimating the likely range for the killer and victim."

Saying so, he placed the phone before them and continued: "Zhao, Senior Sister, look; the place is remote, isolated from civilization, and if it weren’t for my dad and Uncle Li being wild fishing enthusiasts, ordinary people wouldn’t find their way here, which is why the body hasn’t been discovered for so long.

Moreover, this isn’t the initial crime scene; the body was transported here. Our car is parked outside, and we had to walk for about half an hour here. Furthermore, this dismemberment technique seems challenging to execute in urban apartments; it’s highly likely done in a rural area where there’s no surveillance.

Though there may not be any villages nearby, how about looking further out?"

As he spoke, he zoomed out the map, and soon some villages, townships, and both riverbanks appeared on the periphery. The nearest one was actually less than 20 kilometers from here, and if there was an intention to dispose of the body there, it could be achieved—especially with mountain roads here, with the help of some tools or possibly over two people involved.

Listening to his analysis, Zhao Minghui immediately perked up, then took the phone and began inspecting the surrounding towns and villages. After a long time, he took a deep drag on his cigarette, exhaled a white puff of smoke, and said seriously: "Little Su makes a good point. Xiao Li, once you return, have someone look into any missing-person reports in the surrounding villages, and bring more people tomorrow to check along the riverside, see if there’re any paths nearby."

"Got it, Zhao!"

Seeing this, Su Qing nodded in satisfaction. He had already identified Ning County, Fen’dong Village upstream in the map, though it was quite a distance from here and was not the closest village, indicating a cautious perpetrator.

Nonetheless, guiding Old Zhao’s attention over here was gratifying for him; the rest wasn’t worth stating; the police’s DNA comparison would need to confirm the deceased’s identity before proceeding further.

Even if he knew more, this was all he could convey for now.

"Master, Master~" At this moment, Du Qiang’s shout resonated from downhill.

"Zhao, your Bajie is calling you!" Su Qing teased.

Then, standing, he yelled: "Elder Brother, Master’s fine, he wasn’t captured by monsters, rest assured!"

"What did you say, Master soiled his trousers? I’ll bring some paper!"

Zhao Minghui: ...

Rebellious disciple, this was one defiant pupil, playing deaf huh!

"You rascal, repeat that for me!"

"What are you saying? Master, the signal is bad here!"

Seeing this, Li Zijun handed over a branch wordlessly: "Zhao, time for housecleaning!"

...