The night had grown deep, approaching midnight.

When You Mingxu and her team arrived at the location indicated by the IP address, they were somewhat surprised. It was an ordinary residential complex with proper security guards and a peaceful atmosphere.

They had expected to find an isolated mountain cabin or abandoned warehouse.

Indeed, the saying “the best hiding place is in plain sight” wasn’t without reason.

The team took the elevator up and arrived at the target’s door.

Without any concrete evidence, no one had drawn their weapons. Xu Mengshan stepped forward, and after noting there was no doorbell, knocked several times.

No response.

Was no one home, or were they refusing to answer?

Given the severity of the case and Yin Feng’s “hundred percent” certainty, You Mingxu also found this person highly suspicious. She made an instant decision, looking toward Yin Feng with a meaningful glance.

Yin Feng smiled and pulled out a metal box about half the size of his palm from his pocket. Opening it revealed a small coil of wire, metal pieces, skeleton keys, tape, and similar tools.

Except for You Mingxu and Xu Mengshan, the other detectives watched in amazement as Yin Feng crouched down to pick the lock, unable to reconcile this image with that of Professor Yin who had led them through deductions in the office earlier.

Shortly after, the lock clicked open.

Having already broken in, You Mingxu decided to proceed, leading the team inside. It was an unfurnished apartment with bare walls. A single electrical wire ran across the ceiling, connecting to several light bulbs.

Xu Mengshan flipped the light switch on the wall, illuminating the entire room.

However, when everyone saw what was in the living room, they were stunned!

The walls and cement floor remained bare and undecorated, without any furniture. But the wall facing them was covered densely with photographs, clearly of two women.

One was Luo Ting, and the other was Zhou Dan.

From the angles, all photos were clearly taken secretly – capturing them walking on streets, eating in restaurants, leaving bathhouses, approaching their homes…

A chill ran through You Mingxu.

Next to the photo wall hung a blackboard covered with numerous route maps, marked with times and locations.

Yin Feng commented beside her: “Look how methodical he is, this could serve as a template.”

You Mingxu wasn’t sure what emotions lay behind Yin Feng’s words, but her expression grew colder as she continued surveying the room.

The windows were covered with thick black curtains, drawn tight to completely block any view from outside.

In the center of the room, under the light bulb, sat a small square table. The electrical wire suspended the bulb above, illuminating a small area around the desk – something about the scene felt eerily disturbing.

On the table sat a water cup, an external keyboard, a mouse, and a mousepad, but no computer. A network cable lay unplugged on the table. The computer had been taken away.

This must have been the source of the IP address.

You Mingxu looked up again, noticing more items on the floor – a duffel bag that Xu Mengshan checked, saying: “Just clothes.” Beside it were black plastic bags. When Xu Mengshan crouched to examine them, he froze, immediately calling You Mingxu over.

Inside they found a bundle of rope with traces of blood. There were also unused bundles of face masks, hoods, foot covers, and gloves…

“Damn, it’s him!” Xu Mengshan exclaimed excitedly. “It’s confirmed!”

The other detectives were also excited, amazed that Yin Feng’s analysis had led them straight to the killer’s lair. Though they’d had no evidence before, now the room was full of it.

You Mingxu smiled too, immediately calling Ding Xiongwei to report and request forensics support and additional police backup.

After hanging up, You Mingxu noticed Xu Mengshan’s grave expression: “Sister Yu, there’s more here.” Behind the bag containing the ropes and gloves, in the corner.

You Mingxu and Yin Feng went to look, and both froze.

Against the wall stood five elegant glass bottles. Two contained contents and had small photos of the victims attached. Three were empty.

You Mingxu suddenly felt nauseous, overwhelmed by disgust, discomfort, and anger. She turned away, unable to look further. Yin Feng stared at the bottles, his expression unperturbed: “He even prepared beautiful glass bottles…” Noticing You Mingxu’s distress, he pulled her head against his chest, saying: “Ah Xu, forget about this.” Then he glared at Xu Mengshan.

Xu Mengshan felt sick looking at it too, but felt wronged by Yin Feng’s glare – this was important evidence, and Sister Yu couldn’t avoid seeing it. Wasn’t this just part of a detective’s life? They’d seen countless disturbing scenes, yet had to keep looking.

You Mingxu pushed away from Yin Feng’s hand, saying: “I’m fine.”

Xu Mengshan thought for a moment and said: “Now that we have solid evidence, and that person hasn’t returned, should we…” His eyes flashed with determination: “Wait here to catch him?”

You Mingxu pondered briefly, then looked up toward a corner of the ceiling. Xu Mengshan and Yin Feng followed her gaze.

In the corner was a security camera aimed directly at the living room entrance. They realized that from the moment they’d entered, the suspect might have been aware.

You Mingxu said: “We’ve likely spooked him. Once he sees the surveillance feed, he won’t return. We need to quickly identify him and actively pursue an arrest!”

All three grew serious. Identifying the killer wouldn’t be difficult. This was his lair – fingerprints and DNA analysis would confirm his identity. But that would take time. If the killer had been alerted and fled, it would complicate matters.

Still, they’d already made significant progress.

Just then, You Mingxu’s phone rang. Her face lit up – it was the IT specialist she’d contacted earlier.

She recalled how Yin Feng had invited her for a massage without success, earning her cold shoulder. But something he’d said had struck You Mingxu –

“Look at their process from their first day joining the company, see who they would have contact with.”

You Mingxu suddenly realized that the company’s HR system would contain all employee information – basic data, photos, addresses, and even quarterly performance reviews.

If the killer could access this system, couldn’t he accurately select targets meeting his criteria without risking direct contact with the victims?

However, You Mingxu questioned all employees at both bathhouses, including those with access to this system, and found no suspects. This was why she hadn’t previously thought to investigate from this angle.

Yin Feng’s words reminded her of a saying: When you eliminate all impossible answers, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the solution.