After another moment of silence, Yin Feng said, “But if it is someone close to us, it would explain why they’re hiding. It would explain why the Punisher seems to always be one step ahead whenever we investigate cases. Of course, there were also times when we had the upper hand against the Punisher. But could that have been an intentional sacrifice to protect their true identity?”

A deep chill rose in You Mingxu’s heart.

Yin Feng held her and said, “Or maybe it’s just someone I’ve met before or knew in the past.”

You Mingxu nodded.

Yin Feng said, “Let’s keep this between us for now. We’ll stay alert and observe quietly. First, let’s focus on catching the apprentice killer. That might draw someone out.”

—

When You Mingxu and Yin Feng returned to the office, Xu Mengshan and several core team members were there, discussing the day’s investigation. Yin Feng said, “Let’s go to the conference room. I have some new ideas.”

Everyone looked at him, and Yin Feng smiled, telling You Mingxu, “Earlier was the bad news, now this is the good news.”

Everyone was startled when they entered the conference room.

A table filled with text covered one of the blackboard walls. Xu Mengshan read aloud, “On the left… Xu Baping, on the right… the apprentice killer! This is a comparative analysis. Why? Teacher Yin, have you found a connection between them? But Old Ding already confirmed that Xu Baping was 100% the killer back then, this must be a copycat—unless Xu Baping left behind a disciple?”

Xu Mengshan’s suggestion was shocking, leaving everyone stunned. You Mingxu frowned—she knew Xu Baping’s background better than anyone. He came from a fallen family, was orphaned, had no relatives, and was mentally unstable by the end, killing frantically. How could such a person have taken on a disciple?

Unexpectedly, Yin Feng raised his eyebrows and said, “You’re quick-thinking. Who knows? Maybe someone like that did exist back then. Everyone, let’s look at their behavioral analysis comparison table first.”

The detectives all stared at what was called a behavioral analysis comparison table.

The current Yin Feng was different from the former You Yingjun, who would blurt out his discoveries like firecrackers, which these detectives might not have accepted. He had become more tactful, like now—though he had made discoveries, he didn’t state them directly. Instead, he laid the clues before the detectives, preferably letting them make the discoveries themselves. Wasn’t that more effective?

So Yin Feng calmly sat down, even getting himself a cup of water from the nearby dispenser, and drinking slowly.

You Mingxu looked up at the table. The first comparison item was “Marking Behavior.”

Both killers’ marking behavior was “removing breasts, severely injuring genitals,” with the conclusion “identical.”

Second item: “Targets”

Xu Baping: Random women, 20-30 years old

Apprentice Killer: Conservative, socially isolated massage girls in their early 20s

Conclusion: Target selection is more precise and controllable

Third item: “Sexual Assault”

Xu Baping: Present

Apprentice Killer: Absent

Conclusion: The former achieved climax through direct sexual behavior, latter through the criminal process itself

At this point, You Mingxu paused, seemingly understanding the differences between the two killers more clearly.

Fourth item: “Planning”

Xu Baping: No planning, random selection, simple stalking, crimes of passion

Apprentice Killer: Planned execution, careful target selection, thorough stalking, methodical crimes

Fifth item: “Crime Scene”

Xu Baping: Uncleaned, left numerous traces and evidence

Apprentice Killer: Cleaned, almost no traces left

The sixth item: “Victim Response”

Xu Baping: Mixed resistance, extensive physical contact, and injuries

Apprentice Killer: No resistance, no unnecessary physical contact or injuries

Seventh item: “Time Interval”

Xu Baping: Irregular

Apprentice Killer: 10 days

Eighth item: “Primary Tools”

Xu Baping: Rope, dagger

Apprentice Killer: Rope, dagger

Ninth item: “Additional Tools”

Xu Baping: None

Apprentice Killer: Sedatives, gloves, rubber covers, mask, hood

Tenth item: “Conversation”

Xu Baping: None

Apprentice Killer: Present

At this point, one detective said, “How could this be a disciple? They’re more sophisticated than Xu Baping in every way!”

Everyone agreed.

However, You Mingxu had a sudden thought. Yin Feng wouldn’t emphasize this without reason—what was the significance? Looking at it this way, the apprentice killer had perfected every flaw in Xu Baping’s method… Wait, did this itself have a special meaning?

Yin Feng, watching her expression, seemed to understand she had figured it out. He showed a knowing smile, but You Mingxu found his smile too sinister and looked away.

Seeing her shy away like a rabbit, he smiled again, then looked at the detectives who seemed to have noticed something amiss. He spoke: “In your eyes, each piece of physical evidence must correspond to a specific cause. Fingerprints indicate identity, footprints indicate height and walking habits, and blood spatter direction indicates attack methods… Behavioral analysis works the same way. A serial killer’s unusual behavior always corresponds to their psychological characteristics.

This isn’t a coincidence. The apprentice’s marking behavior is identical to Xu Baping’s, the core weapons are the same, and the murder method and process are largely consistent—this is intentional.

But throughout history, among so many serial killers, Xu Baping wasn’t particularly distinctive or exceptional. Why choose to imitate him? That’s the first question.

The second question is, this isn’t simple imitation, but ‘complete optimization.’ Every flaw in Xu Baping’s method has been optimized, perfected, and made flawless. In other words, does this person perhaps think that Xu Baping’s methods back then weren’t good enough?”

Everyone was stunned.

Xu Mengshan blurted out, “The apprentice is connected to the old cases?”

One detective said, “But back then, the apprentice would have been only a few years old…” He stopped suddenly.

You Mingxu said, “We need to investigate immediately! Check if there were any children related to or who witnessed the cases! Right, I remember one victim had a child who was only a few years old.”

But another detective said, “A victim? How could a victim’s child think their mother’s killer wasn’t thorough enough and try to do better?”

You Mingxu remained silent, looking at Yin Feng, whose deep gaze approved of her words.