Chapter 40: The Hammer Fiend Case (Part 9)

October 30th. The weather is turning cold.

In the mountains, the chill is even more biting, the cold air pricking at the skin like tiny needles, forcing the body to shiver uncontrollably.

A hunched figure walks laboriously through the hills. His steps are aimless, like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bowstring. He has been unable to sleep for days; the sound of a hammer striking a human skull, the muffled, dying gasps, and the metallic stench of fresh blood form a suffocating net that traps him.

By day, fearing the police, he remains far from the city, wandering the wilderness like a lone wolf. By night, he dares not close his eyes, lest he be jolted awake by nightmares.

Harder times lie ahead. With no food to be found, he is forced to rummage through harvested sweet potato fields, scavenging for whatever scraps were left behind to sate his hunger.

The year’s first cold snap arrives silently. Exhausted and on the run, he had failed to notice the shifting weather, and the sudden drop in temperature deals him another crushing blow.

"My sins have brought down heaven’s wrath upon me!" With an empty stomach and only a thin layer of clothing, he knows that if he is not claimed by hunger, the frost will surely take him.

At dusk, while scouring the wild for a place to rest, he comes across a dead snake. The sight intensifies his sense of impending doom. He stands before the carcass, hesitating and lost in thought for a long time.

"When I was a child, I feared snakes more than anything. I couldn't even look at a dead one. I don't know when it started, but now... I have become a killer."

Even he finds it strange how he has devolved into such an irredeemable monster. Yet, looking at the dead snake now, he feels no fear—only a flicker of pity. He views the creature as an omen, a sign that his future will be riddled with disaster.

Driven by a rare impulse, he digs a small hole and buries the snake, as if interring his own sins.

Afterward, he sits alone before the makeshift grave and sighs, "I am worse than a dead snake. Even a dead snake has a place to rest. Where is there a place for me?"

That night, he does not steal, nor does he search for shelter. The biting wind has even frozen his urges into numbness. Like a beggar, he stuffs a few shriveled potato chips into his mouth and curls up to sleep in a nearby graveyard.

Before drifting off, he thinks, "Let this night be a test of my fate. If I freeze to death, then so be it; this graveyard shall be my final resting place."

"And if I don't..." he muses, "then I will worry about tomorrow when it comes."

He feels as though he is riding a runaway cart down a steep slope; if he stops, he will immediately plunge into the abyss and be shattered to pieces. Therefore, he must keep moving, searching for new targets, seeking survival through further crime.

The next day, the sun rises. Frozen stiff, he is revived by the warmth of the light. Like the venomous snake in the fable, warmed back to life by the farmer’s embrace, he stirs once more within the vast bosom of nature, a scourge left to plague the people.

Having survived his psychological winter, he begins his hunt again. Just as a wolf must inevitably eat meat, his thieving eyes begin to scour the surroundings for his next victim.

***

Inside the command center for the "October 18th Case," the officers are presenting their reports. In the adjacent office, a constant "rustling" sound persists—like silkworms gnawing on mulberry leaves—as dozens of case files are churned out by the printers.

"Director Han, after a week of investigation, while we haven't locked onto the suspect, we have cracked several other cases, most notably the capture of the fugitive Wang Defa," the Municipal Bureau Chief reports.

Seeing the smug expression on the man's face, Han Junshan chooses not to lash out. This is a critical moment, and as the lead commander of the task force, he does not wish to embarrass the local bureau chief in such a setting.

"At the same time, we in the Zheng City police will continue to intensify our search. We will not let him slip out of our jurisdiction!" the Chief declares grandly.

Han Junshan glances at him coldly, clears his throat, and says, "It’s fine to pull up a radish and find some dirt clinging to the roots, but don't forget why we are here."

"Lei Chen, report on the suspect's status," Han says, turning to him.

Lei Chen nods, stands, and says, "Director Han, colleagues, based on our investigation and behavioral analysis, we believe the killer has likely fled toward Luo City and will continue to strike in the coming days."

"Director Han, rest assured," the Luo City Sub-bureau Chief interjects. "Our police are on high alert. If he dares to show his face, he won't be leaving."

Han Junshan taps his fingers on the table, the dull sound echoing in the meeting room. The projector beams a satellite map of the area surrounding Luo City onto the screen.

"Lei Chen," Han’s voice carries a hint of fatigue, "give us your reasoning."

Lei Chen stands and moves the red dot of his laser pointer across the map. "Based on our clues, the suspect has three characteristics: First, the intervals between crimes are very short. Second, the crime scenes are radiating outward but remain along the borders of administrative districts. Third..."

He pauses, his gaze shifting to the Luo City Sub-bureau Chief. "He targets isolated homes, specifically those lacking young, able-bodied men."

Beads of sweat break out on the Luo City Chief's forehead. He pulls out his phone, taps it rapidly, and his face turns deathly pale.

Just then, the conference room door is flung open. A young officer bursts in, gasping for air. "Director Han! An urgent telegram from Luo City!"

All eyes fixate on the ringing phone. The Luo City Chief’s trembling fingers hit the speakerphone button. A frantic voice comes through: "Chief, it's happened! A murder at Di Family Village. A family of three..."

Li Rui stands abruptly, his chair scraping harshly against the floor. His eyes are locked on the satellite map on the screen; Di Family Village lies at the junction of southern Luo City and Hui County, forming a perfect arc with the previous crime scenes.

"Status of the scene?" Han Junshan's voice is cold as ice.

"The villager, Di Zhixian, female, 42; her daughter, Liu Feifei, 14; her son, Liu Zhitong, 11..." the voice on the other end chokes up. "All beaten to death with a blunt, rod-like object. The killer... the killer also violated the victims..."

Wen Rou covers her mouth, her knuckles turning white. Li Rui’s fists clench until his joints pop, his nails digging deep into his palms.

"There are signs of extensive searching," the voice continues. "The doors and windows were intact; the killer must have climbed over the back wall. This house... this house just happens to have no perimeter wall."

A deathly silence fills the room, save for the hum of the air conditioner.

Han Junshan stands slowly, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. "I will lead the team to Luo City myself."

His voice is thick with suppressed rage. "This time, he must not get away!"