CHAPTER 81: CHAPTER 64 STRANGE OLD ZHANG? (6.7K)_3

In a short while, the room was enveloped in mist.

Captain Wang, who liked to walk around the room during meetings, seemed as if he were in a fairyland, emerging from one end of the mist and then disappearing into the other.

As he walked through, the meeting’s topics—including evidence, fingerprints, inquiries, and social connections—were sorted out one by one.

He would call on whoever was responsible for each area, asking them to speak.

Zhang Feng, responsible for everything yet for nothing, sat alone in the mist, just listening.

After about half an hour.

Captain Wang extinguished the cigarette he had been smoking continuously.

The organization was complete with no omissions.

What remained was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

"Should we start with Black Dust Incense?" Zhang Feng spoke then, noticing that everyone was looking at him in unison.

Luckily, Zhang Feng had gained broad experience worldwide and was familiar with the others in the bureau—otherwise, being scrutinized by over twenty veteran detectives would feel as intimidating as being surrounded by a pride of lions.

"So, Black Dust Incense?" Captain Wang had no better ideas at the moment, since items like talisman paper were the kind of blank yellow paper.

Too many vendors sold these kinds of goods.

Moreover, someone could choose a festival, mingle among a crowd of buyers, purchase, and then not use it.

Wait for ten or twenty years before surfacing to commit ritualistic murders.

But according to Zhang Feng, Captain Wang knew that even with good preservation, Black Dust Incense has a shelf life of just about a year.

So filtering local pharmacies was feasible, at least narrowing down the target.

"It’s decided on Black Dust Incense." The veteran detective raised his hand, "Let’s listen to Old Zhang; we start checking right now, no dithering. Otherwise, we could have finished searching a pharmacy in the time we’ve spent debating."

...

Searching like finding a needle in a haystack is something every detective experiences.

Zhang Feng now felt it, methodically asking around pharmacies and hospitals, street by street.

Clinics and even small office medical practices prevalent in this era could not be overlooked.

Seedy corner clinic—they could all be combed out.

Thus, half a month passed.

Black Dust Incense was not found.

But two illegal clinics were taken down and handed over to relevant departments.

The task force handles specific cases exclusively, not worrying about other matters; there are others and various departments responsible for the bureau’s affairs.

However, while supposedly focused on specific cases, Captain Wang and others, during their search, also busted a gambling den in flagrante, apprehended six thieves, and prevented a street brawl.

Until the twenty-fifth day.

The whole city had been searched, matching the incense ash from the scene with ashes from monasteries and incense shops.

But all to no avail.

...

This afternoon.

Zhang Feng and Captain Wang drove to a supermarket entrance, parked on the street, feeling a mix of emotions.

Though Captain Wang was exasperated, he was accustomed to some tough cases not being so easily solved.

Zhang Feng, experiencing this for the first time, found this peculiar helplessness interesting but indeed quite frustrating.

"Not feeling good, eh, Old Zhang?" Captain Wang, biting a cigarette, lit it and opened the window a crack, "This should be the first case you’ve followed from start to finish, right?

My first case unfinished left me speechless too.

"Indeed." Zhang Feng stroked his unshaven chin and looked at Captain Wang’s already haggard face, "Can your body take it, sleeping at home one day and in the car three or four days?"

"What else can I do?" Seeing Zhang Feng’s mindset was fine, Captain Wang chuckled and said, "I loved this profession long ago and have done it for years, I say I’m used to it—not bothered at all, do you believe me?"

"I believe." Zhang Feng followed Captain Wang’s words without interruption.

"You really believe it, eh?" Captain Wang chuckled, choked by smoke, then coughed before saying, "I don’t know, I find this career both frustrating and lovable.

If you don’t let me do it, I feel uneasy.

If you let me do it, I don’t really want to."

"How about resting for a few days?" Zhang Feng flexed his sore arms, feeling quite worn, "Higher-ups also said the task force would disband in two days, can’t get stuck on one case.

When it disbands, come to my place, play some chess? Get a couple of games in and have some skewers for dinner?"

"Sure!" Captain Wang nodded, "Old Zhang, you’re paying, eh, these past few days I’ve been using my allowance to treat you."

"No problem at all," Zhang Feng replied with a smile, preparing to chat with Captain Wang about what to eat.

Just then, a police officer emerged from the front street corner, accompanied by a hunched, submissive man.

Before long.

The officer arrived at the car, pushing the hunched man inside.

Captain Wang looked at him, not asking anything yet.

The man hurriedly said:

"Officer! I just know that someone in this city is selling Black Dust Incense, I bought it from him a few days ago. He mentioned somebody, maybe two months ago? Bought all his stock..."

...

Midnight, three AM.

A corner outside an alley.

Zhang Feng, Captain Wang, and over twenty others gathered here.

"Let’s confirm once more."

Captain Wang spoke up, "Colleagues who staked out said the drug dealer hadn’t left the house today."

As he spoke, he pointed to the courtyard twenty meters ahead,

The drug dealer is inside that courtyard; Xiaosun and I will go in, while Old Chao, Wei Zi, and a few others guard the exterior.

Captain Wang glanced at Zhang Feng,

"I made an exception to bring you out for this operation, so you stay here with the two remaining people, ready to handle any sudden situations.

Because the drug dealer is extremely dangerous, this person is agile, and he once fought underground fights abroad, having an outrageous criminal record."