Chapter 19: A Fright in the Morgue

The great Azure Dragon cared nothing for gentleness or mercy, and ravaged wildly. Shi Linlin, delicate as a frail flower, could not withstand such a storm’s violence. Her fragile form was battered by relentless blows, utterly incapable of enduring the onslaught. Her mouth twisted, her eyes askew, froth spilled from her lips, and her body convulsed in violent spasms. Yet Azure Dragon did not stop, mistaking these signs for Shi Linlin’s excitement.

Over four hours later, Azure Dragon noticed Shi Linlin’s eyes half-open, pupils askew, her face cold, froth still at her lips. Even pinching her philtrum elicited no response; he assumed she was simply exhausted from overexcitement and too much drink, and would recover with rest. He paid little heed, overwhelmed himself by exertion, and fell asleep as soon as he lay down.

Upon waking, he found Shi Linlin’s body cold, no breath, no pulse. Panic crept in at last. In truth, Shi Linlin had only entered a state of suspended animation; had she been rushed to the hospital, there was still hope she might survive. Azure Dragon smoked a cigarette, then hurriedly dressed her. To conceal his crime, a sudden inspiration struck: he opened the gas valve, fabricating the illusion of death by gas poisoning.

Later, Huang Yuting intervened, offering money to Shi Linlin’s family. Shi Linlin had only an intellectually impaired father, who, after receiving the compensation, did not report the incident, and so the matter faded into obscurity. Afterwards, Azure Dragon spent over twenty thousand yuan to buy a diamond ring for Huang Yuting.

Gou Liang pulled up Shi Linlin’s death report from the computer; indeed, it stated death by gas poisoning. The forensic certificate revealed that, like Huang Yuting, Shi Linlin’s lower abdomen bore the marks of blunt force, evidence of violent assault. The repeated blows had caused blunt injuries, inducing a shock that simulated death. An investigation had begun; the suspect, Azure Dragon, was now at large. Though the family did not report the case, police, upon autopsy, launched an inquiry and quickly identified the suspect. Gou Liang was quite satisfied with this outcome.

His tone softened as he addressed Shi Linlin, “Go in peace. Azure Dragon will surely be brought to justice.” Shi Linlin bowed in thanks, her figure dissolving into a faint shadow, fading away until nothing remained.

Gou Liang murmured, “Rest well on your journey,” and pressed his lighter.

As the photograph ignited, Shi Linlin seemed to smile at Gou Liang, then drifted away on a curl of blue smoke. As Gou Liang gazed at the smoke, lost in thought, he suddenly sensed someone approaching from behind—silent as a shadow. Thinking it was Bao Wenle playing a prank, he turned, only for a pair of powerful arms to clamp tightly around his neck from behind.

Glancing downward, he saw a tattoo of an azure dragon on one arm. His heart gave a jolt—this was the fugitive who had killed Shi Linlin!

Gou Liang’s head swelled with the effort, veins bulging, but he could not break free; his assailant was a trained fighter, his muscular arms bursting with strength. Gou Liang summoned his fire hook, intending to strike down his attacker in one blow. Yet, curiosity held him back—he wanted to know the man’s purpose. He let his arms hang limp, feigning death.

Azure Dragon, fearing Gou Liang might not be truly dead, hurried to secure the kill. He pulled a plastic bag from his pocket and slipped it over Gou Liang’s head, tying a deadly knot at the neck. Gou Liang smelled biscuits and bread—the bag must have once carried pastries.

Azure Dragon moved towards Huang Yuting’s corpse, searching her body. He found a card and slipped a diamond ring from her finger. Disheveled and desperate, his eyes bloodshot, he stared at the corpse, Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed repeatedly.

Gou Liang nearly cried out in shock. “You bastard, do you have no humanity? She’s already dead!”

He would later learn that Azure Dragon, now penniless on the run, had threatened Huang Yuting for money. He arranged to meet her in a cheap motel, hoping to profit and indulge himself, but after Huang Yuting’s untimely death, he followed her body to the funeral home.

Gou Liang, unable to breathe, his consciousness fading, ears ringing, yanked the plastic bag from his head and gulped in fresh air.

Hearing the noise, Azure Dragon turned and was stunned to see Gou Liang glaring at him in fury. The fugitive lunged, his hands once again closing tightly around Gou Liang’s throat. He could not see the fire hook Gou Liang held.

This fire hook, conjured by runes, would only appear on screen in films, visible to the audience. In reality, it remained invisible to the naked eye, undetectable even by cameras.

A strange smile curled Gou Liang’s lips. He thrust the fire hook deep into Azure Dragon’s abdomen and twisted hard.

Azure Dragon’s intestines, heart, and lungs were all shredded in an instant!

He couldn’t even cry out. Blood erupted from his mouth as he collapsed with a heavy thud.

Heaven help us!

Behind Gou Liang, a sweet, sultry cry rang out. From the sound, he knew it was Bao Wenle.

“What happened, Old Hao? What’s going on? Who is this guy?” Bao Wenle sashayed forward, willow waist swaying, her figure graceful and alluring.

Gou Liang’s face flushed crimson, chest heaving violently. Bao Wenle, gentle and attentive, reached out her snowy, soft hands to soothe his breast.

She exclaimed playfully, “Old Hao, have you been secretly working out? You’re clearly sturdier than before—I’m starting to think you’re going through a second puberty.”

Gou Liang was speechless, his mind drifting to many thoughts. It seemed Hao Dagen often enjoyed Bao Wenle’s massages. Still, her touch brought an unfamiliar sensation; her hands were as delicate and smooth as a woman’s. Under the force of ingrained memory, even Gou Liang’s body wished to reciprocate, but his powerful consciousness stopped him just in time. He had no desire to be seduced like Old Hao.

He merely patted her shoulder lightly, feeling its softness, boneless and yielding.

“We’d better call the police. Someone’s died here.” Gou Liang spoke offhandedly, though his casual tone betrayed a tremor of inner fear.

A gleam of triumph flashed in Bao Wenle’s eyes; her emotions surged like a tide. Her long lashes quivered, her cheeks glowed, her eyes seductive and misty. Her lips were full and crimson, moist and inviting, her breath fragrant and alluring.

“All right, don’t worry, take it slow. I’ll call right away.”

Less than five minutes after the call, Leng Xueqi entered the mortuary with her team. She wore no uniform, only a light, supple blouse and tight, seamless sharkskin pants. The fabric hugged her body much like a swimsuit, its powerful elasticity accentuating her slim waist, long legs, and curving hips—utterly eye-catching.

Bao Wenle was wholly captivated, her gaze lingering on Leng Xueqi, unable to tear herself away.