“We’re now investigating seven leads simultaneously,” You Mingxu said.

Yin Feng immediately knew which seven she meant and nodded, “Some of them are bound to pan out.”

You Mingxu smiled, surprised to hear him speak of relying on luck, but Yin Feng instantly understood why she was smiling and said, “Behavioral analysis is about determining the most psychologically probable conclusions. Have you heard about that American criminal psychologist who even predicted the killer would be wearing a double-breasted suit when caught? How do you explain that the suspect was wearing exactly that when arrested?”

You Mingxu stroked his forehead, saying, “Alright, I know you have a point.”

He said, “Treating me like You Yingjun again? Petting me like a dog?”

You Mingxu laughed, but he flipped her over, pinning her down for some playful revenge.

…

Afterward, holding her in his arms, both slightly breathless and stirred, Yin Feng suddenly gripped her hand and said, “I have a feeling the apprentice killer will soon reveal himself. We’re getting close.”

“Mm.”

Yin Feng continued, “If we catch him, the Punisher might surface too. We don’t know who that person is. This time, they might go all out to achieve their goals. We’re all obstacles, and I’m probably the biggest one.”

You Mingxu’s heart tightened, not understanding why he was saying this.

But Yin Feng was remembering those fragmented memories from Guizhou, the torture, and the fear, hatred, and madness that had nearly destroyed him… He suddenly realized he didn’t know how to describe such feelings to You Mingxu. Some evils, some obsessions, perhaps even You Mingxu couldn’t imagine. And he, who had once been like them, now stood on the opposite side. He had no doubt they wanted to drag him down with them. Like people falling into hell together—if one escapes, the rest will desperately try to pull them back. Especially Yin Chen, who loved and hated him, and wanted to possess and destroy him. If given the chance for mutual destruction, Yin Chen wouldn’t hesitate. Someone like Yin Chen was also seeking release.

And that person he knew, perhaps nearby, he couldn’t bring himself to suspect anyone close to him. That would mean the collapse of his beliefs. In this, he was like Yin Chen. Death was acceptable, but not the collapse of beliefs. If they collapsed, all his resistance would become meaningless.

The opponent had counted on this, hadn’t they?

So… continuing this path of fighting evil, even though he didn’t know what might happen. Did they have other plans for him? Would he fall again, like that day in Guizhou when Xing Yanjun attacked him, falling before her eyes? Of course, he would fight back with all his might. But what if something unexpected happened again?

Before, Yin Feng never thought about such things. Yin Feng who lived recklessly, always fighting himself, saw life and death as a joke. Like Chen Feng who couldn’t resist suicide’s temptation, like Xiao Yan who pessimistically believed she’d die in a pool of blood, he too thought death wasn’t frightening. He even hoped to die memorably one day, just not mundanely—that would be enough.

But now, things were different. He still wasn’t afraid of death, but he wanted to be with You Mingxu. He felt time wasn’t enough. Sometimes he thought even living to a hundred, having seventy more years, seemed too little, still having an end. Sometimes he wondered why life had to have an end at all. Human desire, his desire for Axu, had no end.

But what if something happened to him in this battle?

Thinking this, he suddenly smiled mockingly at himself—had he become so insecure?

“What are you thinking about?” You Mingxu asked.

Yin Feng looked down at her and asked, “Axu, if I died one day, what would you do?”

You Mingxu was startled, wondering why he asked this, and replied, “What could I do if you died?”

Yin Feng imagined if he died and she committed suicide to follow him—the thought brought not satisfaction but pain and reluctance. He didn’t want that.

However, this woman hadn’t mentioned following him in death at all. Yet on the night they committed to each other, in his emotional state, he had clearly expressed his feelings. Had she not taken it to heart?

So he pinched her hard before saying, “If something happens to me someday, remember me, forever remember me.”

But You Mingxu turned away from him, and after a while said, “If something happens to you, I won’t forgive you. I won’t kill myself—I don’t live for you. But I’ll never think of you again, never see Chen Feng and the others, never go to the villa. I won’t even mention you. I won’t listen to any more criminal psychology or behavioral analysis conclusions. I’ll avoid anyone named Yin.”

Hearing this, Yin Feng knew she understood his concerns. After a moment’s silence, he held her tightly from behind and said, “How petty.”

You Mingxu turned and pressed his straight nose, distorting his handsome face, saying, “You dare let something happen to you? Let Guanjun and the others protect you properly, don’t make me worry! What nonsense—Yin Feng, you’re being needlessly anxious? While I’m here, that day will never come. You Yingjun, don’t forget I’m your imperial sword, able to defeat all evil spirits. With me here, you have nothing to fear.”

Yin Feng’s eyes grew hot, and he couldn’t tell if the emotions surging through him belonged to You Yingjun’s past or his present self. He held her tightly against him and said, “Who says I’m afraid? I’ll deal with them harshly, just watch, my A-Xu.”

—

The investigations progressed on various fronts.

First, news came from Xu Mengshan. He had managed to find two retired detectives who had worked on the original case. They remembered the Xu Baping case vividly. Over the years, countless people have discussed the case with them.

But one of the old detectives, under Xu Mengshan’s careful questioning, remembered a young man who had left an unusual impression.

The retired detective recalled drinking at a restaurant downstairs one time, and when he was quite drunk and fumbling for his wallet, a very refined young man at the next table poured him tea, helped him settle the bill, and chatted with him.

The old detective, being open and generous by nature, took a liking to the well-mannered young man who looked like a fresh university graduate. They ended up drinking together.