Page 144

After finishing his statement, Shi Boren added in Cantonese, "I honestly can't make sense of it."

Zhou Fengxu listened quietly and then, in fluent Mandarin, asked, "They swam for about ten minutes. Approximately where did they reach?"

One of the tourists pointed ahead. "Right there."

"Alright, I understand now." Zhou Fengxu turned to the attendant, effortlessly switching back to Cantonese. "Please take them to rest for a while. We'll need their statements later, and once we confirm everything, we'll let them go."

"Yes, sir," the attendant replied, guiding the tourists to a spot near the caution tape to rest, away from the body to prevent psychological distress.

Zhou Fengxu walked over to the corpse and crouched down. He took out a handkerchief from his trench coat, covering his nose before lifting the white sheet.

The male corpse wore a red and black sweater, with his pants washed away by the sea, leaving only shorts. The body was swollen and bloated, and the red and black sweater seemed to be straining against the constant leakage of bodily fluids.

Shi Boren approached and also observed the corpse.

"Detective Zhou," Song Heng entered with a case, followed by a forensic assistant and members of the forensics team.

Zhou Fengxu rose and nodded. "Doctor Song, the rest is in your hands."

"Relax," Song Heng opened the case, put on gloves, then glanced at his assistant. "Let's get to work."

An hour later.

All the forensic evidence from the corpse had been collected.

Song Heng had also completed his initial examination of the body. After cleaning his hands, he approached Shi Boren and the others, nodding in greeting before speaking. "The body is in an advanced state of decomposition and bloating. The time of death was likely more than three days ago. There's a knife wound on the back. A more thorough autopsy will be required at the police station for further analysis."

"Thanks," Zhou Fengxu turned to address his team from Unit D. "Search the area for any new clues."

Upon receiving their orders, the Unit D members immediately donned gloves and began scouring the scene for any signs of suspicious activity.

As twilight descended.

Everyone prepared to wrap up for the day. Shi Boren and Gan Yizu got into the car, while Luo Qizhong rolled down his window to call out, "Brother Xu, it's time to head back to the station."

"Coming right away."

Zhou Fengxu removed his white gloves and casually glanced at the ground, illuminated by the faint moonlight. He noticed an unbroken trail of footprints leading all the way to the sandy shore.

He followed the retreating footsteps.

Before him, he spotted a vast grove of bamboo.

The tracks seemed to originate from within the bamboo forest.

Zhou Fengxu stuffed his gloves into his windbreaker pocket, signaling for the others to wait a moment. "Let's investigate further."

"Should I lend a hand?" Shi Boren inquired, peering out.

"No need," Zhou Fengxu replied.

Extending his long legs, his shoes sank into the soft sand as he carefully avoided the series of footprints, entering the bamboo forest.

Upon stepping in, the surroundings instantly darkened. Zhou Fengxu sensed something amiss and tried to retreat, only to find that the original bamboo grove had vanished. In its place was a overgrown path.

Enormous clusters of bamboo had sunk underground, while countless chairs and benches sprang up. Taking two steps back, Zhou Fengxu looked up to discover a grand stage now standing before him.

The stage was dimly lit, with a female lead in traditional makeup standing at its center, her delicate fingers gently lifting the hem of her sleeves, her eyes smiling as she lifted her eyeliner and pressed her lips together.

Below the stage, heads swarmed, all eyes on the performance.

In the hushed space, it felt as if time had resumed playback.

The actress flicked her sleeves, and the haunting melody of Cantonese opera echoed from the dark stage.

"Half her face veiled in crimson gauze, she flirts with a flush of peach blossom red; the maiden who picks up the lost hairpin is fated to a tragic end, the hairpin's worth now diminished in Luoyang..."

Chapter 53

Beyond the bamboo grove, tranquility reigned.

Night had fully descended.

A private island was visible not far off, its lights illuminating the lawn. The golden retriever guard dog barked incessantly towards the direction of the bamboo forest.

Chu Yuening, compass in one hand and peach wood sword in the other, followed Yu Feiyang to this location.

"Dan Dan and I always meet here for our dates; the scenery is lovely, and there's even a bay just beyond." Yu Feiyang pointed to the bamboo grove ahead.

Chu Yuening gazed at the faint layer of black mist hovering above it. It was as if a dome enclosed the area, with the mist evenly distributed within the bamboo forest, not spreading outward.

This meant that apart from this bamboo grove, it posed no threat to others.

"Fascinating."

It seemed that someone inside was aware of her arrival.

The soles of my feet brushed against the threshold of the bamboo grove.

Barking dogs and lapping waves fell silent, leaving the space so still that the only sound audible was Yu Feiyang's tense, rapid breathing.

It was as if emerging from a cave, where the pitch-black surroundings gradually gave way to a faint glow.

The melodies of Cantonese opera float through the air.

"Falling catkins and scattered petals slight your elegance, Scholar Bai, return my hairpin now..."

On stage, the interplay of lights obscured the beauty's face as she threw back her sleeves.

The auditorium was packed with spectators, a sea of people spanning generations - from the elderly to the young, and even children clutching sugarcane paintings. All were clad in long gowns, their faces pale and expressionless.

Yu Feiyang's face turned pale with fright, retreating behind Chu Yuening. "Grandmaster Chu, when did a stage get built in the bamboo grove?"

"Let's take a look first," Chu Yuening's gaze scanned the area.

A tall man, distinguishable from the sea of robes by his coat, sat alone at the back.

Chu Yuening felt a sense of familiarity from the figure's back, and she was slightly surprised. "Officer Zhou?"

Zhou Fengxu clearly didn't hear her. With a stern look, his gaze was fixed ahead as a melancholic tune echoed, accompanied by the rhythmic tapping of his slender, articulate fingers on his leg.

Chu Yuening: ...

He exuded an icy demeanor, with a mass of black aura surrounding him yet unable to draw near. Above his head, there was a faint mist of black fog.

Due to Zhou Fengxu's role as a CID police officer, he had accumulated a great deal of merit from seeking justice for victims, coupled with his unwavering righteousness, which prevented the ghostly aura from approaching him.

With the peach wood sword in hand, Chu Yuening swiped it above his head, dispersing the enveloping black aura. Once the darkness cleared, she promptly pulled the man to his feet.