Volume Seven: Phantom of River City Chapter Seven: The Fallen Angel
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It hadn’t been long since they returned to the Criminal Investigation Division when the officers assigned to check the 4S dealerships came back.
“Captain Li, there have been 157 people who purchased that model of Volkswagen recently. Sixteen of them match the suspect’s physical characteristics. We had the dealership owner look at the photos, and this person’s profile matches both the suspect’s silhouette and the owner’s records. Here is the information.”
The officer handed over the file.
“Zhao Xingkun, 36 years old,” Captain Li read aloud.
“Sis, I’m back.” Huo Mingkun ran in, grabbed a cup, and gulped down some water. “Wang Qing said the person in the photo looks like Ma Yanran’s distant cousin, Zhao Xingkun. He’s been to the company once to see Ma Yanran, brought her some things, and left. Wang Qing doesn’t know anything else.”
“Alright, let’s check him out.” Yaoguang nodded. The technician beside her immediately started typing away. Efficiency defined: the information was already up before Yaoguang had finished a third of her cigarette.
“Zhao Xingkun, male, 36, 187 centimeters tall, 80 kilograms, unmarried, graduated from Jiangcheng Medical University, PhD in medicine, cardiac surgery expert, thoracic surgery specialist, professor of cardiovascular research, master’s from a medical school in the US. He has his own medical research lab in the city, owns property here, and is currently working in the Cardiac Surgery Department at Jiangcheng First People’s Hospital.”
The file was handed to Yaoguang. She looked at the handsome, composed face in the photo and shook her head. “Such a prodigy, what a pity. His life ends here.” She looked up at Captain Li. “Chief, is there anything difficult left?”
“Request a search warrant. Search Zhao Xingkun’s lab and private residence immediately. Locate his phone,” Captain Li ordered.
“Yes, sir.”
“Captain Li, Zhao Xingkun is at the hospital right now,” the tech division reported.
“Impressive efficiency. Kid, I’ve got my eye on you. You must be a genius too. Once this case is closed, I’m taking everyone to the best buffet in town. Don’t miss it. Yun’er, get moving,” Yaoguang said, smiling as she left.
“Thank you, Officer Phoenix.” The young man replied with a grin.
“Jiang Yun, does your mentor not seem like a cop?” Captain Li asked as they walked.
“Then what does she seem like?” Jiang Yun was curious.
“A boss lady,” Captain Li replied.
“No joke, our Sister Phoenix is the real boss lady of our Sky Sword Division,” Huo Mingkun laughed.
The police car roared through the city and stopped at the back entrance of Jiangcheng First People’s Hospital.
“Why the back entrance?” Captain Li was puzzled.
“For someone like him—fallen for love, a broken-winged angel—let’s at least leave his patients with a good impression of him,” Yaoguang replied as she walked in, heading for the Cardiac Surgery specialist’s office.
“How do you know it was because of love?” Captain Li caught up with her.
“Auntie, you’re almost fully recovered. Go home, take your medicine on time, don’t overwork yourself, and come for regular checkups,” Zhao Xingkun, dressed in a white coat, said with a gentle smile to an older woman. Every word and gesture was refined and elegant. Who would link this angel to a murderer?
“Thank you so much, Dr. Zhao,” the woman said gratefully, leaving.
Yaoguang watched Zhao quietly.
“It seems my time is up,” Zhao said, standing up and extending his hands.
Captain Li stepped forward and cuffed him, leading him out through the back door. Huo Mingkun caught Yaoguang’s signal and went straight to the director’s office. He returned quickly. “Sis, all done.”
“Let’s go,” Yaoguang said, and they left.
In the interrogation room at the criminal division, Zhao Xingkun sat for nearly two hours, smiling pleasantly. No matter what the detectives asked, he just smiled and stayed silent, unsettling everyone.
“He won’t talk. What do we do? We need the suspect’s confession to file charges,” Captain Li asked Yaoguang.
“No rush. Wait a bit longer,” Yaoguang replied from behind the glass, watching Zhao.
“Wait for what?” Captain Li pressed.
“Captain Li, the forensic report is out. The complete set of dissection tools taken from Zhao Xingkun’s lab matches the DNA of both victims. We also found a small hammer matching the wounds on the male victim’s head and a bundle of rope matching the fiber samples from the villa. The ligature mark on the female victim’s neck was from a wire, which contains her skin tissue. We also found both victims’ blood in a cardiac assist machine—DNA confirmed as theirs,” an officer reported.
“Captain Li, the victims’ phones, wallets, and IDs were found at Zhao’s house. Nothing in the male victim’s phone, but the female’s phone contains lots of chats between her and Zhao. Take a look,” another officer handed over a phone.
“Miss,” Yitian walked over and nodded to her.
“No need,” Yaoguang waved her hand. “Captain Li, clear the room. I’ll talk to him. Yitian, come with me.”
“You all, out,” Captain Li instructed. The officers left.
Yaoguang glanced at Zhao but said nothing. She drew the curtains and switched off the camera.
“Hey, what’s your boss lady doing?” Captain Li exclaimed.
“Captain, let’s have some tea. With Officer Phoenix there, you can just wait for the case to close,” Huo Mingkun pulled Captain Li away.
“I don’t want to say anything,” Zhao said with a smile.
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“You certainly like to smile. Sitting here for two hours, aren’t you tired? If you don’t want to talk, fine. Let’s chat about something else. Why did you conspire with the Ghost Sect?” Yaoguang asked.
“Ghost Sect? What’s that?” Zhao was stunned.
“You’re just an ordinary man. How could you know about the Soul Confinement and Gathering Formation? Someone must have taught you. Such a formation is complex; you couldn’t have figured it out alone,” Yaoguang pressed.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Zhao replied.
“Didn’t you draw the formation on the floor of Zhang Fengchuan’s villa? That’s the Soul Confinement and Gathering Formation.”
“I did draw it, but I don’t know about any Ghost Sect. A man in black taught me,” Zhao admitted.
“Where did you meet him?” Yaoguang asked.
“At the Star Bar. I was drinking there; he approached me. We got along. He said he was a Taoist priest. I was drunk and asked if there was a way to keep someone’s soul by my side. He handed me a piece of paper with that diagram, some incantations, and instructions. That’s it.”
“Did he ask for anything in return?”
“No, he gave me the paper and left.”
“What did he look like?”
“I didn’t see his face. He was weird—black clothes, black hat, black mask. He didn’t drink or take off his mask while talking. He had this aura of death, like a living corpse,” Zhao recalled, face contorted.
“Why did you turn Zhang Fengchuan and Ma Yanran into a painting? Did he tell you to?”
“No. On the back of the paper was a drawing of an angel and a demon. It inspired me, as if it was a hint. In my eyes, Yanran was a fallen angel, and Zhang Fengchuan was the demon who broke her wings. I wanted Yanran to return to heaven and for Zhang Fengchuan to remain in hell.”
“Where’s the paper?”
“I burned it.”
“Alright, let’s move on. Zhao Xingkun, help me understand something. I can see why you’d kill Zhang Fengchuan—he mistreated Ma Yanran—but if you loved her so much, why did you kill her too?”
At this, Zhao’s smile finally faded. He took a deep breath. “I didn’t want to kill Yanran. She begged me to do it. After I killed Zhang, I planned to take her away, but she wouldn’t go with me, no matter what. My plan was to knock them both out, kill Zhang, then take Yanran. But when Zhang was dead, Yanran woke up and refused to leave, saying she’d rather die and be Zhang’s ghost. So I killed her.”
“Why did you want to trap their souls?”
“I wanted to keep Zhang Fengchuan’s soul away from Yanran. I really didn’t understand that formation—I just wanted Zhang gone from her side.”
“Why do you hate Zhang Fengchuan so much?”
“I just hate him. Yanran and I grew up together in the orphanage. We promised to marry when we grew up. But everything changed when she met Zhang. She liked him, and if he’d treated her well, I’d have accepted it. But he only ever yelled or insulted her, always indifferent, and even let her drink. Every one of his business contracts, Yanran secured at the table. To him, Yanran was just an asset to use, over and over. Did he ever love her? But Yanran loved him so much she’d die for him. I treated her well, but she wouldn’t come with me—she’d rather die with him. So I killed them both, turned them into angel and demon, so they’d never be together.”
“You’re wrong,” Yaoguang replied. “Zhang Fengchuan loved Ma Yanran deeply—not just loved, but depended on her. To him, she was more important than anything, even Fengchuan Group, which he founded. Zhang is severely allergic to alcohol—he can’t drink at all. Yanran, on the other hand, can drink anyone under the table. She begged Zhang to let her handle the social events. You all thought he dragged her to functions, but actually, he accompanied her—worried she’d be taken advantage of if she got drunk, worried business rivals would target her. Yanran liked shopping, so Zhang would go with her, for as long as she wanted. When she was tired, he’d carry her. If she wanted barbecue at midnight, he’d drive her without complaint. Whatever she wanted, one word and he’d do it, even if it meant missing an important meeting. Yanran didn’t just love him in her heart—she loved him in life and work. Zhang wanted Fengchuan Group in the Fortune 500; Yanran said she’d be the CEO’s wife by his side forever. Because of all those years of drinking, Yanran developed cirrhosis. She hid it from Zhang until her condition worsened. When he found out, he held her and sobbed like a child. You must wonder why he suddenly moved their wedding up—it was actually planned for next year. Zhang had already arranged for the best liver transplant hospital overseas and was planning to give Yanran his own liver. He did the match secretly. When it succeeded, he was so happy he brought the wedding forward so they could go for the operation right after. I found a transfer of shares and a will in Fengchuan Group: if he didn’t survive the surgery, all his shares went to Yanran; if neither returned, the company would go to Wang Qing, who’d set up a relief fund in Yanran’s name, with 50% of the company’s annual profits dedicated to charity. If Zhang Fengchuan didn’t love Yanran, would he have done all that? Only Yanran was allowed in his office’s private lounge—why? Because only she would ever be the mistress of Fengchuan Group in his heart. Did you ever think his outbursts were because Ma Yanran was the one person he trusted completely? Zhang had a bad temper, but he was harsh with everyone. You blamed him for not treating Yanran well. You say you loved her, but did you ever really understand her? If you were Ma Yanran, would you obey someone who didn’t love you and scolded you daily? Yanran never got angry because she understood him.”
“No, that’s impossible,” Zhao exclaimed.
“There’s nothing impossible,” Yaoguang said. “The man in black was right—souls do exist. Let them tell you themselves. They’re right here.” Yaoguang walked over and pressed a finger to Zhao’s brow.
Zhao blinked and suddenly saw two ethereal figures before him. “Yanran, is it really you?”
“It’s me, cousin,” Ma Yanran replied.
“Thank goodness. Yanran, tell me she was wrong—none of that’s true, right?”
“Cousin, everything she said is true. You just didn’t understand,” Ma Yanran said, tears streaming down her insubstantial face.
“No! You said you’d marry me one day. He never treated you as well as I did!” Zhao was distraught.
“Cousin, wake up. How did you end up like this? To me, you’re my brother—closer than any real brother. But I love Fengchuan. He’d give up his life, his money, his career for me—he’s done it all. But you, could you? When I first found out I had cirrhosis, I asked if you’d donate your liver. You said you’d find me another donor. Later, I couldn’t hide it from Fengchuan. He secretly did the match and arranged everything. He even signed a will to leave me everything, set up a charity in my name, just to leave me a good reputation after his death. I knew it all, but I kept quiet to spare his feelings. Would you have done any of that? You saw us argue, but did you know why? Fengchuan’s allergy is so severe that even a sip could kill him. I had to beg him to let me handle social events. He refused, so I threatened to break up. Only then did he agree. Fengchuan Group is his life’s work. I’m not just guarding Fengchuan, but everything he built. If he wins, I’ll share his glory; if he loses, I’ll help him rise again. If he dies, I’ll walk the road to the underworld hand in hand with him.”
“You knew all along?” Zhang Fengchuan looked at her, surprised.
“Silly, of course I knew—you’re an open book to me. You moved up the wedding because you feared the surgery might fail. You always wanted me to be your bride. I thought we’d grow old together, but in this life, it’s too late. Next life, I’ll come to you—or you’ll find me. I’ll make it up to you then. I even ordered your wedding dress with 10,001 pearls. You’re my one in ten thousand, lighting up my world. I wish you could’ve worn it in this life—maybe in the next. I’m sorry for my bad temper over the years. I made you suffer,” Zhang said softly.
“I don’t care, as long as you don’t drive me away. I just want to be with you—in life and in death,” Ma Yanran replied.
“Zhao Xingkun, in our next life, let’s both chase Yanran. But I’ll still win, because my love is real. I can give up everything for her—whatever she wants, it’s hers. You killed us, but we don’t hate you. If we couldn’t be together in life, at least we’ll be together in death. That’s my blessing. We’ll walk together into the afterlife, just as Yanran wished. Thank you,” Zhang said with a smile, looking at Ma Yanran. “By the way, Yanran, I planted lots of red spider lilies in the villa garden. They’re all leaves now—look like chives. Too bad we never saw them bloom. Let’s see them in the underworld. Next life, I’ll plant them for you again.”
“So those were your lilies? I thought they were chives and nearly cooked them with eggs,” Ma Yanran grumbled.
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“You’re hopeless…but I like that about you,” Zhang Fengchuan laughed.
“Cousin, we have to go. Take care of yourself. If there’s a next life, live well,” Ma Yanran said softly.
“Brother, we’re leaving. Take care,” Zhang said.
Yitian led Ma Yanran and Zhang Fengchuan’s souls away. Yaoguang looked at Zhao Xingkun, who was on the verge of collapse.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I failed them,” Zhao wept like a child. “Can I ask you for one favor?”
“Speak.”
“Please help them find peace,” Zhao pleaded, wiping his tears.
“As you wish,” Yaoguang nodded.
“Thank you. Please let the officers back in. I’ll confess everything,” Zhao said, wiping his face, regaining his composed demeanor.
“Alright.” Yaoguang left the room.
“What’s the situation, Phoenix?” Captain Li rushed over.
“He’s confessed. Go record his statement,” Yaoguang replied, lighting a cigarette.
“Got it.” Captain Li hurried into the interrogation room.
Yaoguang gestured to Yitian, then slipped downstairs and hid behind the RV. Making sure she was alone, she lit a talisman. “Summon Judge.”
“Little girl, what is it?” The Judge greeted her with a laugh.
“These two. Please see them off properly,” Yaoguang said, handing over a treasure box.
“No problem,” the Judge said, checking the Book of Life and Death. “Well, well, three lifetimes as a married couple, both with blessed fates. Not bad—for once, a happy pair. Let’s go.”
“Three lifetimes? Does this one count?” Ma Yanran asked eagerly.
“Count? You two weren’t legally married, no ceremony, no registration. The next life is when it starts. Off you go,” the Judge replied.
“Wonderful, thank you!” Ma Yanran exclaimed.
“It’s your fate. Take the treasure box and go,” Yaoguang said.
“Thank you.” The two bowed to Yaoguang and left with the Judge.
“Where’s Yitian, the celestial? Still not back?” Yaoguang asked.
“He’s in the car. He asked me to tell you: the Ghost Sect was indeed in this city but already left. Zhao Xingkun’s encounter was just a coincidence,” Yitian replied.
“Alright then, we’ll leave Zhao Xingkun’s judgment to the Underworld. I’m done here,” Yaoguang said.
“Whatever the verdict, it won’t be light. Murder and desecration—he was a doctor, saving lives, and now his merit is gone,” Yitian sighed.
“Exactly. Twisted love,” Yaoguang said as she headed upstairs.
“Phoenix, I was just looking for you. It’s done. He confessed everything, and it all matches our deductions. His statement matches your analysis. I asked why he cleaned the bodies so thoroughly—he said he had severe OCD and thought Zhang Fengchuan tainted Ma Yanran, so he had to wash them clean. I asked why he turned them into a painting—he said Yanran was a fallen angel, Zhang a demon, and he wanted to send Yanran to heaven and leave Zhang in hell. I asked why he left Yanran’s body on the bench and Zhang’s by the sea—he said the bench was where he and Yanran often went, full of memories, so he wanted her to stay at the beginning, and the beach was where Zhang proposed, so Zhang should stay there. I asked why he swapped their hearts—he said Zhang didn’t love Yanran enough, so he wanted Zhang to see Yanran’s heart, to know how much she loved him. Yanran didn’t know Zhang’s love, so he wanted her to see Zhang’s heart, to know how foolish she’d been. From talking to him, it’s clear Zhao Xingkun is deeply disturbed—obsessive, unyielding, and compulsive. His love for Yanran is utterly twisted,” Captain Li said.
“It’s no longer love—he’s turned it into resentment. He thought he loved her, but it was all hatred and possessiveness. He likened Ma Yanran to an angel and Zhang Fengchuan to a demon, but that was just to comfort himself and excuse his crime. Life is precious; no one has the right to judge another’s life by illegal means,” Yaoguang replied.
“You’re right. With premeditated murder and corpse desecration, this can only end in a death sentence,” Captain Li sighed, looking at the file. “How did you get him to talk? Less than an hour in there and he cracked. You’re amazing.”
“I just showed him Zhang Fengchuan’s will and share transfer. He’s smart—once his illusion was broken, it was all over,” Yaoguang said.
“Impressive. We spent a week on this—you solved it in two days. That’s the difference,” Captain Li shook his head.
“Don’t shake your head—file the case report. I’ve already booked the restaurant. Don’t dawdle,” Yaoguang laughed.
“Alright, everyone, buffet time!” Captain Li shouted inside.