Chapter 9: The Home Invasion Murder at Ping’an Community (Part 3)

"Wife and child?" Wu Zui pondered for a moment, then tentatively asked Wang Zhengang on the other end of the call.

"...Yes," Wang Zhengang replied, his tone tinged with hesitation. According to regulations, such information had to remain strictly confidential for the safety of undercover narcotics agents.

"Ah! Have your men pull back immediately. He’s already been exposed! If you’re slow, you won’t get him back alive. I’ll keep investigating the case. Leave it to me!" Wu Zui sighed, addressing Wang Zhengang.

“How could that be? Tiger... he’s my best undercover agent! He’s earned the trust of their boss—how could he be exposed without even sending a warning?” Wang Zhengang was not doubting Wu Zui’s words, but was simply stunned.

“They’ve already found his wife and child—how is that not exposure? Hurry up! If you’re slow, it’ll cost another life!” Wu Zui barked impatiently, then hung up.

“I only wish to protect every fragment of beauty…”

Wu Zui had just hung up when Lin Feng called. He glanced at the time; more than an hour had passed.

How have I been on the phone for so long?

“Speak! I hope it’s good news!”

Wu Zui answered, addressing Lin Feng.

"We found blood and tissue in the mouth of the deceased, Liao Yan, not belonging to her. DNA reports matched it to a drug user named Wang Meng. I pulled some strings and checked with the Department of Transportation—he arrived in Binhai City just yesterday morning."

Lin Feng’s voice was severe.

"Tell the traffic department Wang Bureau has already approved cooperation. I want the movement patterns of Wang Meng, Liao Yan, and that child from yesterday morning up to now. Have them analyze the routes!"

Wu Zui’s voice was hoarse as he spoke.

"Alright! Anything else?" Lin Feng pressed.

"If you find Wang Meng with two groups of armed men, grab them... But notify me first, I’ll lead the team!" Wu Zui hesitated, feeling the risk was too great for Lin Feng to go alone.

"...Alright," Lin Feng answered after a lengthy pause.

Their conversation ended, and Wu Zui finally emerged from the balcony. At that moment, Xiao Ke’ai was staring at him wide-eyed, startling him.

"What are you doing?" Wu Zui asked her.

"Master, I’ve found something! There’s an addict here!"

She pointed at the computer screen, showing off her small tiger teeth as she spoke. On the monitor, a man was yawning, his eyes vacant.

Wu Zui looked, and saw a black aura rising a foot above the man’s head. He reckoned that after reading the man’s memories, he’d almost certainly faint.

"Master’s a bit hungry. Do you have anything to eat?"

Wu Zui decided to send Xiao Ke’ai away for a bit. If she came back and saw him asleep, it wouldn’t be as startling as seeing him passed out.

"There is! Raw!" Xiao Ke’ai quickly recalled the contents of her fridge.

"Then heat something up," Wu Zui replied, feeling nothing amiss.

"Okay!"

Though surprised by Wu Zui’s appetite, Xiao Ke’ai was happy her master had finally acknowledged her as his apprentice. Cooking was a small matter!

Once Xiao Ke’ai went to the kitchen, Wu Zui focused on the screen, his eyes instantly bloodshot.

Thud!

A flood of memories surged into his mind, and Wu Zui collapsed onto the sofa, unconscious.

Thirty minutes later.

"Master, it’s ready! Three dishes and... soup!"

Wearing a pink apron and holding two plates, Xiao Ke’ai emerged, only to find Wu Zui asleep on the sofa. She was speechless.

"Master must be a pig—eats and sleeps! What do I do with these dishes? If I eat them all, I’ll get fat. But if I don’t, it’ll be wasted!"

She became troubled, torn between eating and not eating.

...

By early dawn, Wu Zui’s mind was still buzzing as he awoke from what felt like a long dream. He found himself covered with a pink blanket adorned with a big white rabbit.

Beside his laptop was a thermal lunchbox labeled “breakfast.” Opening it, he found seaweed and egg drop soup. Thirsty, he drank it all.

A shriek came from the bedroom.

"Ah—my soup! Master, that was my breakfast!"

Dressed in fluffy white rabbit pajamas, Xiao Ke’ai stormed out, shouting at Wu Zui.

"Why did you put your soup next to me?" Wu Zui was taken aback; he’d thought it was meant for him, so he stood his ground.

"This is my home! Master, you drank my soup and you’re still acting justified?" Xiao Ke’ai protested, feeling wronged.

She spoke the most domineering words, yet acted so timid.

"Agent Xiao Ke’ai! The organization has a task for you!"

Wu Zui looked at her, feeling exasperated. Her words were bold, but could she not look so nervous?

"Agent Xiao Ke’ai, awaiting instructions!" She automatically straightened up, chest out, head held high, speaking loudly.

"Change out of your pajamas. Time for work!" Seeing her stretched-out clothes, Wu Zui quickly turned his face away.

"Ah—"

Bang!

A soprano and a violent slam echoed in turn. When Wu Zui looked back, Xiao Ke’ai’s figure had vanished.

...

Next door to Xiao Ke’ai’s apartment was the Narcotics Bureau, saving them both a great deal of time. While Xiao Ke’ai changed, Wu Zui quickly sent Lin Feng a photo of Liu Lei.

This was an oversight on Wu Zui’s part. He should have sent Lin Feng the photo of the addict before delving into his memories. He had to admit that yesterday, something was off with him.

What annoyed Wu Zui even more was that the murder Liu Lei was involved in wasn’t the mother and daughter case at the Peaceful Community. Meaning, he’d passed out last night for nothing.

He took out his notebook and jotted down Liu Lei’s case, planning to tackle it after dealing with the Peaceful Community murder.

Let’s hope Lin Feng has some good news!

Wu Zui thought silently.

Soon Xiao Ke’ai emerged in a white dress, still wearing her familiar white rabbit ears, and twirled in front of Wu Zui, playful and adorable.

"Master, let’s go!"

Wu Zui nodded, and together they raced downstairs, heading straight for Lin Feng.

Wu Zui quickly found Lin Feng and asked anxiously, "What’s the situation with Wang Meng? Has the route analysis come out?"

"Not yet. The traffic team is working with the tech team; another hour and they should have it. What’s this about?" Lin Feng replied knowingly, holding up Liu Lei’s photo sent by Wu Zui.

"Addict, involved in a murder. Open a case. After we finish with the Peaceful Community, we’ll handle this." Wu Zui glanced at the tech team’s door, then at Lin Feng’s phone.

"Alright, looks like we’ll have our hands full again."

Lin Feng sighed in resignation.

"Wu, something’s up! Chief Wang wants you upstairs!"

A detective burst in and told Wu Zui, his face full of anticipation.

"Damn, false alarm! I’ll head up, be back soon," Wu Zui said, thinking the tech team had made a breakthrough, and followed the detective upstairs.

Narcotics Bureau Chief’s office, Wang Zhengang.

"You called for me?" Wu Zui asked curiously, peering through the smoke-filled room, unable to make out the figure clearly. He remembered Wang Zhengang smoked, but usually in moderation.

Why so much today?

"Tiger—that undercover agent of mine—died in the line of duty," Wang Zhengang’s voice was hoarse, whether from smoke or tears, Wu Zui couldn’t tell.

"Last night... didn’t pull him back?"

Wu Zui’s heart sank as he asked.

"After we spoke last night, I lost contact with him. Just now, his body was found in the outskirts by some villagers. His tendons were cut, his body covered in bruises.

The coroner is still working, but I know those are marks of a brutal beating. Three years—Tiger spent three years undercover, left no trace, just when the net was about to close! How could..."

Wang Zhengang’s voice grew smaller and smaller, barely audible to Wu Zui’s sharp ears.

"Take it easy. Catch those responsible and don’t let him die in vain. Was there someone named Wang Meng in the group he infiltrated?" Wu Zui asked, seeing Wang Zhengang’s slumped figure.

"Yes! That group isn’t local to Binhai City. They're upper suppliers, distributing drugs here. Tiger spent three years getting in and rising to the rank of a junior leader. There was supposed to be a major deal today.

The boss was supposed to come in person, but with things as they are, it’s probably wasted," Wang Zhengang replied, his mood adjusted but disappointed.

"Don’t lose hope! Their boss likely came early to scout, just hidden somewhere. If we move quickly, we might still catch him before noon!"

Wu Zui, seeing Wang Zhengang’s state, couldn’t help but soften.

"Are you confident?" Wang Zhengang’s hope rekindled. Wu Zui’s old nickname was “Deadly Diviner”—his case-solving methods were uncanny, often catching suspects with little effort.

If not for past incidents and lack of backing from above, he wouldn’t have fallen from deputy chief to his current post.

"Ninety percent," Wu Zui declared firmly.

"Good! What do you need? Just say it if you need help!"

Wang Zhengang’s eyes shone anew.

"One squad of elite agents."

Wu Zui raised one finger.

Elite agents: responsible for anti-terrorism and stability work in their district. With extensive experience in violent cases such as shootouts, bombings, and bank robberies.

"Wu Zui... your bloodlust is too strong," Wang Zhengang frowned. Even in drug cases, unless the situation is extreme, agents focus on capture; shooting is reserved for violent resistance.

But Wu Zui’s intention was clearly...