Chapter 32: First Day on the Job, The Headless Bloody Corpse

Half an hour ago.

Qin Chuan had just finished a round at the Criminal Police Brigade and returned to his office to rest. Meanwhile, Cao Tianrun and three squad leaders headed together to Cao Tianrun’s office.

“Captain Cao, you really need to think of something. This Qin Chuan... I don’t think he’s a good egg,” said Sun Haomin, captain of the Second Squad, his face full of worry. He and Cao Tianrun had been police academy classmates, and originally, after Song Hui’s fall from grace, he expected Cao Tianrun to be promoted to brigade chief, hoping to benefit from it himself.

But unexpectedly, the bureau parachuted in a low-ranking grassroots officer—barely out of his youth, someone unknown to several departments within the bureau—now set to lead this group of seasoned criminal investigators.

He truly couldn’t fathom what the higher-ups were thinking.

“Exactly. I think we need to give him a warning,” blurted Lu Zhiguo, captain of the First Squad, known for his impulsive nature as soon as Sun Haomin mentioned his thoughts.

“Old Lu, don’t be rash. This Qin Chuan may be young, but he’s not simple,” said Cao Houde, captain of the Third Squad, pulling out a cigarette, lighting several, and then lighting his own.

“What’s so special about him? He just got lucky catching a few wanted criminals,” Lu Zhiguo scoffed. “If it were me, I’d have nailed them too.”

Cao Tianrun glanced at Lu Zhiguo coldly. “Then how come you never caught Zhao Junhao? Or Song Hui? Or Sun Tao?”

“I...” Lu Zhiguo stammered, his face flushed with embarrassment. “They’re leaders. Why would I go after them?”

“Hmph!”

“Leaders? Don’t forget, when Qin Chuan caught Zhao Junhao, Sun Tao, and Song Hui, he was just a regular police officer at the township station!”

“We’ve spent our whole careers in the Criminal Police Brigade. Not all of us have clean hands, but... we’ve been true to our conscience.”

“True to this uniform we wear!”

“Qin Chuan... whether he’s a good person or not, since he’s in charge now, we have to cooperate.”

Cao Tianrun looked carefully at the three. “We’re not like Song Hui. We reached this position on our own merits, without relying on connections.”

“No matter who becomes squad chief, as long as we do our jobs well, no one can take our positions away.”

“All right, get back to your work and prepare a detailed report for Team Leader Qin.”

The three squad leaders exchanged glances, nodded, and prepared to leave.

Cao Tianrun was right; he was different from Song Hui.

Though he couldn’t claim to be absolutely honest and upright, there was nothing major on his record.

Who could really do anything to him?

Besides, Qin Chuan, though young, had the backing of Director Zhou and County Magistrate Chen. Who could harm him?

In truth, the Criminal Police Brigade’s conduct was still relatively good.

After all, it was the main force against crime.

If Song Hui hadn’t been seeking further advancement, he might never have succumbed to corruption from Xinhai Mining.

But just as the three were about to leave, Lu Zhiguo’s phone rang.

He glanced at the screen, his expression instantly turning grave. “That’s the emergency dispatch center!”

While speaking, Lu Zhiguo answered the call.

“Captain Lu, a homicide has just been reported at Huijia Garden residential complex!”

A homicide!

Cao Tianrun and the others heard the dispatcher’s words through Lu Zhiguo’s phone.

---

“Captain Cao! What do we do?”

Zhulin County was small, with a modest population.

Criminal cases weren’t very frequent, and homicides... might not occur even once or twice a year.

So everyone was on high alert.

“Zhiguo, report to Team Leader Qin immediately. Old Sun, Old Dong, gather your squads and prepare to head to the scene!”

...

Upon hearing Lu Zhiguo’s report, Qin Chuan’s spirit jolted.

What was going on? His first day in command, and there was already a homicide?

“When did it happen?”

“Just now. The dispatch center just called.”

“Where are Captain Cao and the others?”

“After receiving the notice, Captain Cao asked me to inform you. He, Old Sun, and Old Dong are assembling the team and preparing to leave.”

Lu Zhiguo’s face was anxious, and his words rushed out quickly.

To be honest, Qin Chuan was somewhat caught off guard.

In his previous post, he was a police officer at Changning Township Station and hadn’t dealt with major criminal cases.

So he wasn’t very familiar with homicide investigation procedures.

But he knew he couldn’t panic now.

First day on the job, and a homicide case.

It was both a test and an opportunity!

The Criminal Police Brigade differed from other county bureau departments.

Zhulin County’s small size and population meant some departments were merged.

The Criminal Police Brigade handled not only eight categories of criminal investigations but also narcotics and economic crime investigations.

In fact, these branches didn’t have separate squads.

Lu Zhiguo’s First Squad doubled as narcotics, and Dong Houde’s Third Squad handled economic investigations.

In short, the Criminal Police Brigade was responsible for all major case investigations.

To establish oneself here, there was only one criterion: solve cases.

Qin Chuan was new and still unfamiliar with the internal workings of the brigade.

But those were minor details.

As long as he could solve cases, he could quickly solidify his position.

Of course, the risk was high.

If he failed, his prestige would be difficult to build.

He might even become a target for criticism.

His promotion was exceptional—based on outstanding ability, youth, and repeated honors.

It was strongly supported by Chen Mingguang.

But if this case didn’t end well, Qin Chuan could be sure the faction aligned with Gao Qingshan would seize the chance to undermine him.

His “outstanding ability” would be dismissed as fleeting luck, and his youth and promise would be labeled reckless ignorance.

The line between heaven and hell was thin—one misstep could shatter everything.

Cao Tianrun was still quite capable.

When Qin Chuan hurried downstairs, five police vehicles were already on standby, and field officers from the three squads were filing in.

Compared to the old Santana at Changning Township Station, the Criminal Police Brigade’s vehicles were much better—at least two were SUVs.

But compared to the bureau’s headquarters fleet... never mind, time to move out!

At Huijia Garden, Building 7, Unit 2.

By the time Qin Chuan arrived, many residents had gathered at the unit entrance.

“Captain Lu, set up a police cordon, forbid photos and videos, and seal off the scene!”

After assembling the team at the station, Cao Tianrun hadn’t joined the convoy.

Instead, he volunteered to stay behind and keep watch.

Qin Chuan didn’t object.

He understood that his sudden appointment had blocked Cao Tianrun’s path to promotion.

This attitude was understandable.

It meant Cao Tianrun wouldn’t be involved in this case.

If Qin, the new team leader, could solve it, he was impressive.

If not, it was none of Cao Tianrun’s concern.

In truth, he was already pleased that Cao Tianrun had quickly rallied the team.

“Who reported the case?”

“I... I did...” said a middle-aged woman, pale and trembling, her speech fragmented and clearly terrified.

“Where is the victim?”

“Upstairs... apartment 301...”

Qin Chuan led his men upstairs.

At apartment 301’s door, his face suddenly darkened.

“Dr. Chen, come in with me.”

“Captain Lu, arrange for someone to take the reporter’s statement and gather more details.”

“Captain Sun, check upstairs, downstairs, and across the hall for information.”

“Captain Dong, review the community’s surveillance footage for anything unusual.”

Qin Chuan’s arrangements weren’t flashy but were methodical and organized.

The three captains led their teams in the investigation.

Inside the apartment, on the sofa, lay the victim’s body that had made Qin Chuan’s expression change so drastically.

A headless corpse, drenched in blood.