Chapter 10: The Bones in Pine Grove Park

Boom!

Qin Chuan’s words struck like lightning, shattering all of Zhao Junhao’s illusions.

When Qin Chuan had just mentioned Chen Yingying’s name, Zhao Junhao hadn’t thought much of it. After all, quite a few people knew about the incident from back then. But the burial site of Chen Yingying’s body after her murder was known only to himself and two trusted aides. How could Qin Chuan possibly know?

Zhao Junhao’s cold, ruthless gaze shifted to Song Dehui and Zhao Xiaohu. Had they betrayed him?

The two met Zhao’s suspicious glare and shook their heads vigorously, as if to say: “We helped you bury her. If we betrayed you, how could we escape ourselves?”

Zhao Junhao was no fool. At first, he was simply stunned by how Qin Chuan knew the burial site. But upon reflection, Song Dehui and Zhao Xiaohu were his closest allies. They were just as involved in murder, robbery, debauchery, and gambling as he was. If they truly sold him out, wouldn’t that be a betrayal of themselves as well?

Yet if it wasn’t them, then how had Qin Chuan found out?

Of course, Zhao Junhao had no idea just how formidable Qin Chuan was. But that didn’t stop him from fighting back.

“Nonsense! There’s no corpse under the pavilion in Songlin Park! You’re making it all up!” Zhao Junhao’s hands were still cuffed, so he could only point both fingers at Qin Chuan’s forehead. “If you’ve got the guts, go dig it up!”

What the hell?

At those words, not only was Qin Chuan stunned, but Zhao’s two underlings, Song Dehui and Zhao Xiaohu, were dumbfounded as well.

Had Zhao Junhao really been struck dumb by Qin Chuan?

No one else knew, but Song Dehui and Zhao Xiaohu knew for certain: Chen Yingying’s remains were indeed buried there.

Dig it up? That would be walking straight into a trap.

The two underlings quickly signaled Zhao Junhao, but he paid no heed.

At this point, denial was useless. The remains of Chen Yingying would soon be exposed.

But even if they were uncovered, so what?

Three years had passed. The body would have long decomposed to bones. Even if Qin Chuan found the remains, how could he prove Zhao Junhao was the killer?

You want to play games with me? You’re still too green.

By now, the robbery and murder case from June 18 no longer seemed so significant.

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Qian Guobin left a few accompanying officers behind and personally led Qin Chuan to Songlin Park.

If Zhao Junhao could think of any tricks, how could an experienced criminal investigator like Qian Guobin miss them?

Yet Qian Guobin didn’t reveal anything. Although he didn’t understand why Qin Chuan was so confident he had evidence proving Zhao Junhao’s guilt, Qin’s determined gaze suggested he was well-prepared.

So, with Wang Xuebing as guide, the group set off in a grand procession for Songlin Park.

Meanwhile, at the county government in Zhulin, Gao Qingshan had just finished a report from his secretary. He was surprised that someone dared to move against Zhao Junhao.

In Zhulin County, everyone knew Zhao was under Gao’s protection.

Yet a mere police officer from Changning Town police station had the audacity to cuff Zhao in public?

Was it an accident or some conspiracy?

Knock knock knock.

Gao tapped lightly on the lower right corner of his desk, narrowing his eyes.

Sun Tao stood quietly with his hands at his sides. As Gao’s secretary, he knew his boss well. This gesture meant Gao was deep in thought and must not be disturbed.

After a while, the sound ceased. Sun took a step forward, bowing slightly, ready to receive instructions.

“Sun, go there yourself and check things out.”

“Secretary… Why not bring Captain Zhao back directly?”

Gao shook his head. “Though Changning is remote, the newly appointed town mayor, Wang Fengqing, was promoted solely by the old Chen.”

“The leadership change is imminent. Zhao Junhao didn’t cause trouble early or late — but precisely now…”

“And on old Chen’s turf… We have to be cautious.”

For a simple township police officer to dare cuff the head of the county security team? Gao absolutely refused to believe there was no one behind it.

After Sun Tao left, Gao leaned back in his chair, gazing out the window as the clouds drifted by.

“Old Chen… you’re a little too impatient…”

Meanwhile, at Songlin Park’s pavilion, Wang Xuebing, Hu Jianguo, Sun Bingkun, and the injured Qin Chuan, along with the deputy station chief Zhang Jun guarding the station, all swung their pickaxes and started digging.

Several criminal investigators brought by Qian Guobin and men loyal to Zhao Junhao also joined the excavation.

Qin Chuan had learned from the Sinful Eye system that Zhao Junhao had buried the body beneath the pavilion, but the pavilion was large, and the system hadn’t indicated the precise direction.

Zhao Junhao knew the spot but couldn’t reveal it.

So everyone dug in circles.

Clang!

An hour later, a strange sound rang out. Old Hu raised his pickaxe and his expression changed drastically.

“We’ve hit something!”

Really?

Qian Guobin and the others rushed forward to investigate.

Sure enough, they saw a human bone.

Qin Chuan had been right.

“Keep digging!”

With the location confirmed, the excavation proceeded quickly.

Before long, a skeleton wrapped in tattered clothes emerged before everyone.

“Zhao Junhao, here are the remains. What do you have to say now?”

Qin Chuan grabbed Zhao by the collar and dragged him to the pit.

“I…”

Zhao Junhao paid no mind to Qin’s recklessness. “Just wait, you’ll be crying soon enough.”

“Stop!”

But before Zhao could speak, someone stopped Qin Chuan.

The crowd turned to see a tall, thin man wearing a white shirt and gold-rimmed glasses.

He appeared to be in his thirties.

Qin Chuan didn’t recognize him.

But Zhao Junhao did, and his face brightened. This was his savior.

“Secretary Sun! You’ve arrived just in time!”

“This lowly intern cop from Changning Town police station actually dared to frame me for murder?”

“What a joke! I, the proud captain of the county security team, a murderer?”

“That guy randomly found some skeleton somewhere and claimed it was mine. Is there any fingerprint or other evidence linking me to the crime?”

Unlike Zhao Junhao, Sun Tao was different. Having accompanied Gao Qingshan to a meeting in the city, he had met Qian Guobin once.

Signaling Zhao Junhao to calm down, Sun took the initiative to greet Qian Guobin.

“So it’s Captain Qian from the criminal investigation unit. Sorry we didn’t prepare a proper welcome. I’m Sun Tao, Secretary to Secretary Gao Qingshan. I had the honor of meeting you once at the city meeting.”

“I will report to Secretary Gao immediately. If he knows you are here, he will surely come in person to accompany you.”

Sun’s tone was very polite.

Though Qian Guobin was captain of the Xing’an City Public Security Bureau’s Criminal Investigation Unit, he held only a deputy department head rank.

Gao Qingshan, with his county-level official position, actually outranked Qian.

Sun’s words were meant to show respect and save face.

Qian Guobin waved his hand. He wasn’t the type to refuse kindness. With Sun’s courtesy, he had no reason to respond coldly.