Chapter Sixty-Six: Director Wang Arrives in Person!

In that instant, a powerful intuition surged within me. The atmosphere felt off—this group wasn’t here for my father, but rather for me.

I scratched my head in frustration, then bowed to my father and the assembled guests.

Father merely cast me a fleeting glance, motioned for me to sit by his side, and warned me not to utter a single word.

“Consultant Yu,” Director Wang said with a smile, “look at your attitude—it’s hardly cooperative. What did we agree on just now? We’re supposed to hear the child’s opinion, but now you’re forbidding him to speak. What’s that supposed to mean?”

Father replied coolly, “He’s still innocent—I’m afraid you’ll lead him astray.”

Director Wang burst out laughing. “Don’t worry, I’m the Chief of Police, not a kidnapper. Consultant Yu, why don’t you step outside for a bit? I’d like to have a word with Xiaoyang. If you, as his father, sit here glaring, you’ll frighten the child.”

Father ignored Director Wang, puffing on his cigarette in silence.

Director Wang looked awkward. “Consultant Yu, give me some face. I’ve at least taken over after Old Tiger and have worked with you for ten years. If not as brothers, we’re at least comrades-in-arms! Even if you won’t do me the favor, at least do it for the late Old Tiger.”

“We’re no brothers,” Father retorted gruffly. “I’ll stay right here and listen.”

I was rather surprised—I hadn’t expected such a close history between Father and Director Wang.

Director Wang cleared his throat. “Very well, then,” he said, turning to me. “Xiaoyang, here’s the situation. We’ve got a new case, rather difficult and, to be honest, quite dangerous…”

Father immediately cut him off. “Let’s be honest. Is it just difficult and risky?”

Director Wang replied, “There you go again. Back in the day, you broke so many tricky cases, became a legend in the force! Now you’re retired and just care for flowers and vegetables? This time, our suspect has a strong intent to kill and employs brutal methods—he’s said to be even more dangerous than Li Hong…”

I drew a sharp breath. If Li Hong wanted to kill, wouldn’t he stir up a storm throughout the city?

Director Wang noticed my anxiety. “Of course, we’ll assign a protection detail. The entire major crimes unit is on alert. You’ll be safe.”

“Nonsense,” Father interrupted again. “If there’s a protection detail, why are there only a handful of investigators left out of the dozen or so originally assigned?”

My scalp prickled with fear. Even senior experts had been killed? Just how bold was this enemy?

“Couldn’t you assign even more skilled protection?” I asked.

“The suspect is elusive,” Director Wang replied, “and… he uses some kind of dark art to kill remotely.”

“Remotely?!” I exclaimed in shock.

“Yes, long-range killing—forcing victims to commit suicide in cruel ways.”

“Wait,” I stopped Director Wang. “You’re saying the victims die by their own hand?”

Director Wang nodded.

“How does that connect to homicide?”

“Have you ever seen so many people commit suicide in a group? The murderer must be using some evil sorcery to manipulate minds. So… you’d best be cautious.”

“Enough,” Father cut in. “My son will not be involved. Isn’t that right, Xiaoyang?”

I didn’t know how to answer. On one side was Director Wang, my superior; on the other, my father. I was at a loss.

“Consultant Yu, we’re all old now; let the young handle their affairs,” said a white-haired elder, rising with the aid of a cane and smiling. “Don’t worry, I’ll have my men personally ensure their safety. They dragged me into this case too—can you really refuse me this favor?”

Father hesitated. “It’s not that I won’t do you a favor. Xiaoyang is still inexperienced, not yet versed in the true skills of a coroner. At his age, he’s easily overconfident—after solving a couple of small cases, he thinks he’s invincible. If he gets careless… He’s the last descendant of the Wen Song line.”

At that moment, my second uncle entered. To my surprise, though I’d been away at school for years, he looked unchanged—as if he’d discovered the secret to eternal youth, still appearing just over thirty, and even more handsome than before, more like the film star Zhang Yixing, only better looking.

He wore a white trench coat, white boots, his bangs covering half his eyes, and on his back, the ever-present black Tang sword.

What astonished me was how he bent low, drew the sword in a display of dazzling skill, and in a flash, cold light flickered through the room. By the time he sheathed it, the cigarettes in the hands of several men at the table had all been shortened by a segment.

The entire display took less than a second.

His presence sent a chill through everyone; Director Wang was openly dumbfounded.

Second Uncle slapped the sword onto the table, shoved me aside, and took my seat, exuding the aura of a cold, vengeful god. “Do you know why I rushed here through wind and dust?”

Father forced a bitter smile. “You want to kill someone?”

Second Uncle nodded slightly. “You know me best. I’ll say only this: Xiaoyang grew up under my watch. Whoever tries to send him into a den of knives and flames, I’ll send them there first.”

Director Wang grew anxious. “Wielding a sword here—do you know who these men are?”

Second Uncle wasn’t fazed by the threat and didn’t even spare him a glance. “I’ve served at Zhongnanhai for years. No one I’ve protected was of lower rank than these men. You can’t intimidate me. Director Wang, you come here with your entourage to set a trap for the Yu family—do you think we’re defenseless?”

Director Wang hurried to explain. “Come now, what do you mean by that? Who’s trying to trap the Yu family?”

“Hmph.” Second Uncle’s gaze turned cold. “Have you forgotten how my cousin died? There’s only one descendant left in the Yu family. Do you want the family line to end?”

Director Wang immediately deflated, sighing and saying nothing more.

The elder also sighed. “We’ll never forget what happened to Yu’s third son—he was a hero. Enough, Xiao Wang, let’s go. This matter is settled for today…”

Director Wang waved his hand gloomily. “Let’s go. If it comes to it, I’ll face the murderer myself.”

Father shot him a glare. “Wang, ever since your promotion, how did you become like this? Is chasing after a vague future really worth risking your life?”

Director Wang patted his shoulder and sighed. “Did you see that?”

Father replied dismissively, “See what? A ghost in red clinging to your back?”

Director Wang said, “Responsibility—it’s crushing me.”

Father remained unmoved. “Then go bear your responsibility. Staying clear of officialdom and keeping a low profile—that’s what I teach Xiaoyang.”

As he was leaving, Director Wang told me, “You’re grown now. Some things you have to judge for yourself.”

I nodded and said I’d consult my father.

But when I hurried to ask him, Father glared at me and said that if I asked again, he’d send me back to our ancestral home in Huifu, Fujian.

I went to Second Uncle, who patted my shoulder and said quietly, “He just doesn’t want you to end up like Third Uncle.”

Mentioning Third Uncle filled me with sorrow. He’d been gifted from childhood, with a passion for autopsies and investigation. Though young, his seniority was high, so I addressed him as Third Uncle. He’d been particularly good to me as a child—he was the one who guided me through the True Edition of the Collected Cases of Injustice Rectified.

He was meticulous and perceptive in his detective work, though proud and arrogant by nature. After entering the police academy, he quickly became a renowned detective. If he hadn’t died, his accomplishments would surely have surpassed Director Zhang by now.

His death hit me hard, sending me into a long spiral of grief and despair; I began to skip classes and drift aimlessly. If Second Uncle hadn’t often come to see me at school, I might have lost my way entirely.

I tried to ask Second Uncle about Third Uncle’s death, but he refused to tell me, simply saying, “Just remember him in your heart.”

I nodded silently.

After dinner, cooked by my mother, my heart was still unsettled by the day’s events. I found it impossible to sleep. The look in Director Wang’s eyes before he left lingered with me—I simply couldn’t let it go.