Chapter 6: The Expert Panel’s Arrangement, an Inescapable Net!

Chapter Six: The Expert Team’s Strategy—A Web of No Escape!

After Senior Officer Cui Liwan finished speaking, the other experts present nodded slightly in agreement. The elite police officers lined up to one side wore solemn expressions, and many criminal investigators cast respectful glances toward the venerable officer.

Twenty years ago, a notorious cross-provincial serial killer fled into Jinling City. At that time, the special task force leader in charge of the manhunt was none other than Cui Liwan.

It was a rainy night. Knowing his capture meant a death sentence, the criminal recklessly attacked the police. Cui Liwan shielded his colleagues from a fatal stab wound and managed to subdue the assailant with unwavering resolve.

The veteran’s casual mention of that incident referred to this deadly struggle. When the case closed, he was awarded a first-class merit in peacetime.

Among the live chat comments, many viewers were familiar with the case—it was a significant event after all.

“That old man was fierce back then. I think Cui’s deeds deserve more publicity; far more meaningful than those young idols on TV.”

“That’s exactly the point of this livestream variety show.”

“I just realized this show is meant to promote the police force, not glorify crime. Blame Su Chen for showing off too much earlier…”

“Ahem, alright,” Cui Liwan waved his hand, breaking the silence in the conference room. “I’m not here to boast to the juniors. I just want to remind everyone—we should continue discussing the plan to capture the killer.”

Bai Su nodded firmly, standing by her choice: “Yes.”

Upon hearing the phrase “plan to capture the killer,” Su Chen immediately became alert.

If we’re talking about this, I’m definitely taking notes.

Forensic expert Qin Ming adjusted his glasses thoughtfully.

“That said, the killer’s identity is still unknown. We don’t even know when or where the crimes will occur.”

“A person only becomes a killer after committing a crime. If he hasn’t done anything yet, he’s still an ordinary citizen. Our options are extremely limited.”

As a forensic pathologist and detective, Qin Ming’s skills truly shine only when analyzing crime scenes.

His words resonated with many viewers.

“Even though Su Chen is listening nearby, Qin Ming makes a solid point. Everything is unknown to the expert team right now. How are they supposed to proceed?”

“Unless someone accidentally opens the trunk of Su Chen’s car and finds the swapped staff member, this show won’t really get started.”

“Or they could just wait for the killer’s three-day deadline to pass, then the production team reveals the crime scene and the chase begins.”

At present, the expert team’s biggest challenge was that no crime had been discovered—thus, no clues about the killer.

Were they expected to sweep the city, checking every possible crime scene?

Hearing Qin Ming’s remarks, Senior Officer Cui Liwan smiled.

“I think there’s still quite a bit we can do before the crime occurs. We can start now.”

The camera immediately focused on Cui Liwan. Guang Quan handed him the microphone.

“You already have a plan?”

According to the show’s rules, each expert can devise their own pursuit plan and mobilize some resources accordingly. The production team would cooperate without interference, and the experts didn’t have to explain their strategies.

Criminal investigation specialist Cui Liwan nodded.

“My plan is simple: a people’s tactic. In short, unite all available forces to cut off the killer’s lifelines.”

“The manhunt livestream has gone viral, so the killer’s notoriety is sky-high. This will hinder the pursuit. I intend to issue a wanted notice and penalties for harboring the killer in advance, creating widespread public hostility toward him. This way, the public and the killer will be in direct opposition. Is that acceptable?”

“Yes, but the information sent by the public must be filtered to avoid any livestream-related leaks,” Guang Quan relayed the production team’s response.

Cui Liwan pulled out his smartphone and skillfully swiped the screen.

“Additionally, I plan to develop an app to release real-time public information about the killer to the entire society—especially analyzing all his criminal and escape methods, continuously updating countermeasures. We will gradually corner him until he is utterly trapped with no options left.”

As soon as Cui finished speaking, viewers’ minds boiled down the plan to four words:

An Unstoppable Open Strategy!

“This plan seems straightforward, but it’s terrifying when you think about it. I was thinking the killer could easily hide in a civilian’s home and might even be welcomed. But once the wanted notice is out and harboring him is punishable, that avenue is basically cut off.”

“More than that—Cui’s idea is to turn the killer into a rat scurrying across the street. Our city lacks many things, but not people. The killer will be forced into hiding, never seeing the light of day again!”

“The app plan is even more ruthless. He wants to block the killer’s routes bit by bit. Every successful tactic will be publicly analyzed and exposed, making it impossible for the killer to succeed twice. Soon, he’ll run out of tricks.”

“But what if the killer has endless tricks up his sleeve? Haha!”

“Impossible. Even the best skills have limits.”

Crucially, these plans are all openly declared, with no concealment.

Even if the killer knows about them, he can do nothing.

“Su Chen is right there listening. I’m curious how he feels about this, haha!”

“Knowing makes it even more hopeless. Sometimes ignorance is bliss!”

In the conference room, Su Chen stood quietly, nodding as the old detective laid out his harsh tactics.

But he had the Star Map. In theory, if each star represented a skill like the Ghost Hand’s, he truly had countless methods.

He could afford to run for ten years; if he repeated his methods, I’d admit defeat.

But first, he needed to study carefully how to unlock those stars.

“This app can be built by us. Senior Officer Cui only needs to provide the analysis and counter-strategy content,” said cyber police expert Duan Yu beside Cui.

“My plan also relies on the network, so adding another platform won’t hurt,” Duan Yu added.

“Officer Duan, could you elaborate?” Guang Quan quickly handed over the microphone.

“I will apply to the Jinling Public Security Bureau to use the latest facial recognition system developed by the police. Over the next few days, I will try to integrate this function with all cameras throughout the region—street cameras, highway surveillance, residential, even cameras on personal phones and computers.”

Duan Yu’s voice was calm and steady.

“The final effect will be that if the killer shows up in front of any camera, the facial recognition will instantly detect him. The system will immediately alert me and send his real-time location. This system is highly sensitive—even if the killer wears a mask, it can identify him.”

“I’ve named this system ‘Skynet.’ Combined with standard cyber police methods, the killer will have nowhere to hide in modern society.”

High-tech—undeniably high-tech!

Another unstoppable open strategy.

Just hearing this made viewers’ hairs stand on end.

In the city, those omnipresent eyes are watching you!

“This is basically cheating, right? How can you hide? You can’t use anything with a camera, can’t even go outside unless you change your face!”

“Lol, if the cyber police want to catch you, as long as you have a powered phone or device nearby, they can pinpoint you at your doorstep in seconds!”

“This show really made me realize how terrifying the police are. In today’s networked society, to avoid capture, you’d probably have to become a wild man on a deserted island!”

“Su Chen shows no expression. I wonder what he’s thinking.”

“He can’t show any expression—there’s a psychologist standing right next to him. One microexpression and he’s revealed!”

In fact, although the plans were detailed, most experts present felt they were using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Catching the killer didn’t require exhausting all their efforts.

This segment was designed as a show of force by the police.

The more they display their power, the more desperate the killer’s situation, and the greater the deterrent against crime.

Therefore, they didn’t mind using a cannon to shoot a mosquito.

After Cui Liwan and Duan Yu shared their ideas, Guang Quan instinctively turned to the other three experts.

Forensic expert Qin Ming smiled.

“I can’t contribute much right now. As for a plan, I haven’t thought one up yet.”

Trace evidence specialist Wang Yanxing agreed.

“Same here.”

Neither of them mentioned any plans.

Whether they truly had none or deliberately kept quiet was unclear…

Guang Quan then approached psychologist Bai Su.

“Officer Bai, do you have any ideas for the manhunt that you could share?”

Everyone in the room turned their gaze toward her.

The live chat instantly quieted down; viewers were very curious.

From her first appearance, this expert had been the most mysterious—her background unknown, her abilities unclear.

Some even suspected she was just a figurehead or had bought her way onto the team.

Now was a prime chance to find out if she had anything substantial.

Of course, she might choose to keep her plans secret, which would be disappointing.

“I can say my preliminary plan is quite simple,” Bai Su replied.

Her words stirred something in everyone’s hearts.

Then, she smiled softly and looked toward Su Chen and the two others behind her.

“My plan is this: you all have freedom to act as you wish.”

“And you can come to me for reimbursement.”

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