Chapter 156: Warning
Chapter 156: Warning
Upon hearing the name of the Bloodstain Gang, Chen Chuan glanced around the living room and asked, "What's the matter?"
Ren Shu explained, "It's about the previous case involving the Skull Splitter. Before you returned, they sent a letter, but we told them you weren't here. Now that they know you're back, they've sent someone again." He continued, "But this time, they're not coming as a gang, but on behalf of Swallow Company."
Chen Chuan was aware that Swallow Company was one of the many businesses operated by the Bloodstain Gang, just a different guise, but it did seem more presentable on the surface.
After a moment's thought, Chen Chuan said, "I don't have time right now. The last letter wasn't very clear, so ask them to send over the specific details, and I'll take a look before deciding."
"Alright, I'll let them know," Ren Shu replied.
After hanging up the call, Chen Chuan returned to his conversation with his aunt. It was only after lunch that Ren Shu called again, saying, "Mr. Chen, the Bloodstain Gang has delivered the items, and they still wish to meet you in person..."
So soon?
Chen Chuan's thoughts raced, realizing the Bloodstain Gang was indeed in a hurry. However, he didn't want to spend his rest day running around for this matter. "Tell them I'm busy, and we can schedule a meeting for later tonight," Chen Chuan said.
"Sure, I'll send Xiao Wei to pick you up later," Ren Shu agreed.
Chen Chuan spent the afternoon at his aunt's place, and after dinner, he made a call to confirm, freshened up, and changed into a new set of clothes before heading out.
This time, in addition to carrying the Xuejun Blade, he also had a briefcase in his hand, inside which was the Tayana Spider's box. Due to its small size and high danger, he kept it with him instead of leaving it at the school.
When he reached the alley, Xiao Wei was already waiting with the car at the entrance. Chen Chuan got in, and the car started smoothly, driving through the streets until they arrived at the company.
Ren Shu had been waiting for him and greeted him upon his arrival. After exchanging greetings, Ren Shu said, "Mr. Chen, the person is still here, waiting for you. He's been here all afternoon."
"Indeed, very patient," Chen Chuan remarked.
Ren Shu added, "We are a legitimate company, even if it's the Bloodstain Gang. Since they're coming as a company to negotiate with us, we must follow corporate rules."
As he spoke these words, unlike the cautious tone he used with Chen Chuan, Ren Shu exuded confidence, as this was his area of expertise.
He glanced at Chen Chuan and asked, "Mr. Chen, do you want to see him now?"
"Yes, right now," Chen Chuan replied.
Ren Shu acknowledged and gestured to a staff member to invite the visitor in. He then led Chen Chuan directly to the reception hall of the third building.
"We're currently installing an elevator, so you won't have to run up and down the stairs every time, Mr. Chen," Ren Shu explained.
Chen Chuan nodded, understanding Ren Shu's intentions. Ren Shu had always tried to provide him with better conditions, and in return, Chen Chuan had given the company more in return. "The company's environment is quite good now," Chen Chuan said.
Once they reached the reception hall, the two sat for a while until they heard a voice from outside saying, "Mr. Li, please come this way."
Shortly after, a tall, slender man emerged. On the surface, he didn't exhibit any signs of being a gang member, and his attire was no different from that of a high-level employee at any other company.
Upon entering, he introduced himself as Li Hui, senior manager of Swallow Company, and greeted both men warmly and politely.
After exchanging pleasantries and formalities, both parties took their seats. Manager Li tentatively asked, "I wonder if Mr. Chen has the time to listen to my report?"
"That's precisely why I asked Manager Li to come," Chen Chuan replied.
"Very well," Manager Li placed his briefcase on the table and took out a stack of documents, handing them to both Ren Shu and Chen Chuan. "These are the materials our company has prepared in response to your request."
Chen Chuan took the documents and began flipping through them as Manager Li continued, "Please allow me to briefly explain the situation."
Chen Chuan remained noncommittal, flipping through the documents. Previously, he had only seen textual descriptions, but now he was looking at very graphic photographs.
The three individuals in the photos had their skulls split open on both sides, and the separation was exaggerated, allowing one to see that all the contents inside were gone. This reminded Chen Chuan of the two halves of the melon he had eaten clean with a spoon that afternoon.
Just looking at the photos, Chen Chuan could almost feel the meticulous peeling of the skin and flesh, the careful separation, not only eating the main brain matter but also licking the internal remnants clean, leaving not a trace, with not even a bloodstain remaining, only an empty skull.
Ren Shu, sitting beside Chen Chuan, could only glance at the photos a few times before feeling nauseous. He covered his mouth with a handkerchief.
Manager Li continued, "We've investigated repeatedly and even brought in experts, but we couldn't find any clues. They were sleeping in their own beds when their brains were split open, so we can almost confirm that this was indeed the work of the Skull Splitter."
Chen Chuan looked at the detailed information, and he saw that all three individuals had died suddenly. One of them had been talking to his wife on their bed when he suddenly went silent."
The lady was displeased and turned around, only to find a split skull and an empty head. She fainted from the shock and, after waking up, experienced a nightmarish episode. Later, she suffered some mental issues.
In another case, a man's lover got up early and, after meticulously dressing up, greeted him before leaving. Unaware of the person lying in bed, she had no idea that the head had been devoured until she returned in the evening and found the body still lying there. By then, it had been cold for an entire day.
The last person was found in the gang's office, and there were no signs of forced entry by outsiders.
He turned to Manager Li and said, "The Skull Splitter has been appearing in Yangzhi City for a long time, but it has never been dealt with. So, I need to study it first before deciding whether to take on this commission."
"Sure, sure," Manager Li was adept at reading the room. Now, their only hope lay with Chen Chuan. The other party had agreed to look into it, and he dared not refuse. He stood up and said, "In that case, I won't disturb Expert Chen. If you have any findings, please be sure to notify us."
He took out a name card and placed it on the table, bid farewell to the two, and left with great tact.
After sending Ren Shu away, Chen Chuan asked, "Mr. Ren, have there been similar cases reported from other places in the company?"
Ren Shu thought for a moment and replied, "We recently obtained some reports from the Administrative Office, but I haven't seen any similar reports. As for whether there are unreported cases, I'm not sure. However, I've arranged for someone to organize all past reports related to the Skull Splitter. Expert Chen, do you want to take a look now?"
Chen Chuan said, "Yes, bring them all over."
As the employees brought over the files, he set aside those that were obviously used to deliberately confuse the issue and those that were too old to be of little value.
After reviewing them, he found that these cases were identical to what he had seen in the previous photos. However, he couldn't be sure without visiting the scene, but since the bodies were already buried, there was no need to interfere further. He could only wait for the next appearance of the Skull Splitter to see if there would be another opportunity.
Since there was nothing more to do here, he didn't linger at the company. He got into the car and headed back to the school, pondering along the way. Why was the Skull Splitter targeting the Bloodstain Gang? Was it because the gang had done something? Or was there another reason?
As he was deep in thought, he suddenly reacted, extending his hand to catch a crossbow bolt that had flown in through the car window.
The book is available in both 16 and 19 versions!
However, judging by the direction, the bolt wouldn't have hit his body. If his assessment was correct, it should have struck the car door beside him and gotten lodged there.
He turned his head and caught a glimpse of a figure on the rooftop across the street, disappearing in a flash.
He retracted his gaze and noticed a small note attached to the bolt.
The person's skills were evidently impressive, as even the slightest extra item on the arrow could interfere with the shot. To accurately shoot an arrow into a moving car's window from a distance of over thirty meters, without harming the person inside, demonstrated a high level of marksmanship.
He untied the note and read it. Written in blood-red ink was a message, "Stay away from the Bloodstain Gang."
He pondered, realizing it was a warning from the Bloodstain Gang.
Who could it be? The Iron Chain Gang?
On the surface, the Iron Chain Gang seemed the most likely candidate, but having interacted with them, he felt their style didn't quite match their temperament.
He said to Xiao Wei, the driver, "Xiao Wei, stop the car up ahead."
"Yes, sir," Xiao Wei replied.
After the car came to a halt, Chen Chuan alighted and straightened his clothes. Upon reaching a secluded spot, he took a box out of his briefcase and said, "You'll need to guide me from here."
Meanwhile, the figure who had shot the crossbow bolt jumped off the rooftop and, after circling through the secluded alley, sprinted away. Half an hour later, he arrived at a remote building.
Inside, several young people were gathered. Upon seeing him enter, one of them asked, "Brother Xin, how did it go?"
The man removed his hood, revealing a youthful face. He took a few deep breaths and said, "I've warned that expert. I just don't know if he'll continue to help the Bloodstain Gang." As he mentioned the gang, his eyes flashed with hatred.
A young man standing in the corner, hidden from view, spoke up, "The Skull Splitter has been around for so many years, and no one has been able to deal with it. I think it's unnecessary to go to such lengths."
Brother Xin spoke earnestly, "I've told you before, that expert is very capable. He even resolved the issue with the Flying Head Sect. So, he might be able to handle the Skull Splitter too."
The young man remained unconvinced, "Such a capable person would be scared by your crossbow bolt? I don't think so."
"We have to try," Brother Xin insisted.
"What we need is not to scare people, but better weapons. Why not just get rid of that expert directly? Why bother with all this effort?" the young man argued.
Brother Xin's voice turned grave, "We will. I've already made the arrangements. Once we get our hands on it, none of us will need to worry."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
