An infinite journey starting from paradise

"No impact? The little girl inside looks scared." Yuzumi Jiasan said with a little dissatisfaction.

"Cough cough."

Lin Shangren coughed twice and interrupted Yu Zhu Jiasan's words.

He said, "Officer Uozumi, I will be responsible for comforting Tianyue-san in the future. As for this incident, I think it would be best not to involve the school as much as possible. Besides, the culprit is the doctor named Murase Naoki.

With the testimonies of Zhu Qiningning and Tian Yuechun, and the tube of morphine as evidence, we should be able to arrest them now, right?"

Yuzumi Jiasan nodded and said, "Well, I have already informed the guys down there."

He then asked, "Mr. Lin, would you like to come with us? After all, you're the one who solved this case. Also, we can stop by to see Tatsuhiko Kusaka, who is currently being held at the Kuchiki Pathology Institute."

"Okay."

Lin Shangren turned to look at Saeki Tokio and said with a smile, "Director Saeki, I'd like to ask for an afternoon off. Can you approve it?"

"Of course, of course." Saeki Tokio said, "After Tianyue finishes the questioning, I will take her back to school. Zhu Qi Ningning's matter also needs to be dealt with. We have to hire another health teacher..."

"Ugh."

Saeki Tokio sighed.

"We're leaving now. Goodbye, Director Saeki."

……

After saying goodbye to Tokio Saeki, Hayashi Naoto and Uozumi Kazuzo got on the police car heading to the Kuchiki Pathology Research Institute.

In the car, Lin Shangren asked Yuzumi Jiasan: "Yuzumi, have you known Saeki Tokisei before?"

"Ah. We met in a previous case. It was the case six years ago. His daughter was the victim of that case. I was still a young police officer at that time, responsible for investigating that case with Tokisaka, Takagi, and another junior." Yuzumi said.

"She's a pretty good girl."

"what?"

"I'm talking about Saeki's daughter," Uozumi Kazuzo said. "It's a shame she died at the hands of that lunatic Fukamizu Kaoru. She clearly didn't want an abortion; she was just going for a normal prenatal checkup...

"Crazy. If she wanted a child, she could have adopted one if she couldn't have one herself. Why would she kill someone? Just for some Christian pregnancy story? Damn, is she crazy about wanting to be fucked by God?"

Lin Shangren said, "There is no God in this world. The so-called Virgin Mary's pregnancy might just be an excuse for Mary to get pregnant before marriage and find an honest man to take over. It's just a pity for carpenter Joseph. He had to be the one to take over and be ridiculed by future generations for being cuckolded by God."

Hearing this, Yuzumi Jiasan also laughed: "Haha, that's right. What's parthenogenesis? How is that possible? How can a woman alone give birth to a child?"

"Parthenogenesis?"

Lin Shangren immediately caught this keyword.

"Yuzumi, what's the word?"

"Oh, that was the slogan of a cult a few years ago. I looked into that cult when I was investigating that case. It was later proven that Fukamizu Kaoru was also influenced by it. They preached parthenogenesis and that childbirth involving only women was the purest. They were just a bunch of crazy women with blinded minds. Later, before the government could ban it, the cult disappeared on its own."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Lin Shangren rubbed his neck.

"Mr. Lin, what's wrong?" Yuzumi Jiasan asked.

After a moment of silence, Lin Shangren suddenly said, "Actually, parthenogenesis is not impossible. In a sense, cloning is a form of parthenogenesis."

Lin Shangren is right. Cloning can indeed achieve so-called "parthenogenesis." Of course, cloning can also achieve "androgenesis."

"clone?"

"It's a relatively underdeveloped biological technology," Lin Shangren said. "But that's not important. What's important is... Yuzumi, do you still remember the name of that cult? Also, can you show me the case file from six years ago?"

Compared to the technological side of "parthenogenesis", it was the magical side of parthenogenesis that attracted Lin Shangren's attention. After all, the "Dark Bible" he obtained this morning recorded the magic of "parthenogenesis".

Among a bunch of obscene and dangerous magic, there is inexplicably a magic that allows a woman to give birth alone. There must be something fishy about it.

The Dark Bible is related to demons and Jesus, while the case six years ago involved Christianity and a cult. Meanwhile, Lin Shangren's mission also includes dealing with demons and cultists. Most importantly, the recent series of events are more or less related to the case six years ago.

Therefore, Lin Shangren decided to re-investigate the serial murder case six years ago on his own.

Chapter 92: Nine Layers of Hell

Driving near Nakano Station, Hayashi Shangren spotted a large hospital from afar. Through his telescope, he could clearly see the words "Kuchiki Pathology Research Institute" written on the entrance post.

Lin Shangren stopped the car and asked Yu Zhu Jiasan, "This is it. Should we go and catch the person directly?"

"Today is a weekday, and Murase Naoki should be at work. I also sent another team to his house just in case."

Yuzumi Kazo answered and took out a pistol from his pocket and loaded it.

"Mr. Lin, let us capture the suspect. You can go check on Tatsuhiko Kusaka first."

Yuzumi Kazuzo said this not because he was worried that the cornered suspect would attack and injure Hayashi Naoto, but because he was worried that Hayashi Naoto would "injure" the suspect. After all, there was the precedent of Kusaka Tatsuhiko.

"Even if that guy Kusaka can be spared the death penalty because he is mentally ill, the few blows Mr. Lin gave him are enough retribution." Yuzumi Jiasan thought.

"alright."

"By the way, Mr. Lin, this is for you."

Yuzumi Jiasan handed a piece of paper to Lin Shangren.

"This is a letter of introduction from the police. It will be useful when you visit Kusaka Tatsuhiko."

"learn."

Lin Shangren took the letter of introduction and said, "I wish you a smooth operation. Don't wait for me after you capture Murase Naoki. I have to go back to school later."

After getting off the car, the two groups began to act separately. Yuzumi led the police officers to the hospital in front of the institute, while Lin Shangren went to the sanatorium behind the institute.

This combined hospital and medical research institute was even larger than Lin Shangren had imagined. There was a constant stream of people coming and going, and according to the Eye of Innocence, there were many high-ranking figures among them.

"Hey, this guy looks familiar, a former Kwantung Army officer. I'll go to your house and wipe out the whole family tonight. Oh, and that guy...tsk tsk tsk, he deserves to die too."

Lin Shangren observed his surroundings while thinking about tonight's entertainment activities. Soon he walked into the sanatorium.

"No unauthorized personnel are allowed to enter here."

A skinny old man in his sixties wearing a white coat and a goatee called out to Lin Shangren.

"You don't look like a patient. Who are you?"

"My name is Hayashi Shangren, and I'm a forensic doctor," he replied. "I'm here to check on the prisoner, Tatsuhiko Kusaka, who was brought in last night."

Lin Shangren showed the letter of introduction to the old man and also used the Eyes of Innocence to verify the old man's identity.

[Name: Kuchiki Yasumasa]

[Race: human male]

[Identity: Director of the Kuchiki Pathology Research Institute]

[Status: Peaceful]

[Note: A very responsible doctor, a good person. However, he is always worried about his children's problems.]

"Come with me," Kuchiki Yasumasa said, "and register in my office first."

"Ok."

Kuchiki Yasumasa led Hayashi Naoto through a rather long corridor to the director's office.

Along the way, Lin Shangren used shadow touch to roughly detect the building.

"There are quite a lot of people here. Well... it's a sanatorium after all. There are also several laboratories here, and the morgue is in the basement.

Hmm? Why is the morgue set up in the sanatorium instead of the hospital ahead? This setup is a bit strange..."

Thinking about this, Lin Shangren followed Kuchiki Yasumitsu into the director's office. Kuchiki Yasumitsu went straight to the desk, where a visitor's register was opened. Lin Shangren, on the other hand, took in the furnishings in the room.

Suddenly, a huge oil painting on the wall caught Lin Shangren's attention.

Title: Ice Hell

【Quality: Excellent quality, artistic creation, excellent craftsmanship】

[Condition: Exquisite mounting, aging of paper]

【Producer: Mamiya Shinzo】

[Note: This oil painting was inspired by the "Cochitus Ice Lake," the ninth circle of hell in "The Divine Comedy: Inferno." It expresses the artist's hatred for "betrayers."]

"Mamiya Xinxiang?" Lin Shangren subconsciously read out the name.

Hearing Lin Shangren's voice, Kuchiki Yasumasa turned around and asked, "Are you interested in Mamiya's paintings?"

"Yeah, not bad."

"He is an old friend of mine. He gave me this painting directly." There was a hint of boasting in Kuchiki Yasumasa's tone.

"Oh? Sent directly to you?" Lin Shangren asked, "That's a bit strange."

"what happened?"

"The theme of this painting is to denounce and criticize 'betrayers.' It depicts the ninth circle of hell. According to Dante's 'Divine Comedy,' the icy Lake Cochitus in the ninth circle is used to punish 'betrayers.'

The glacial lake is divided into four rings: the first, the "Gaina Ring," buries those who betray their families in frozen soil; the second, the "Antirol" creates an icy cavern to punish traitors; the third, the "Doromea Ring," punishes those who betray their friends with freezing winds; and the fourth, the "Judeca Ring," also known as the "Judas Ring," freezes those who betray their teachers, masters, and God in solid ice. Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was punished here.

As he spoke, Lin Shangren pointed to a bald man in the painting who was frozen in an icy lake with an expression that looked extremely painful.

"This should be Judah...?"

Lin Shangren was stunned when he saw the figure in the painting. The figure frozen in the icy lake looked nothing like the Judas depicted in traditional paintings. Furthermore, he didn't hold the iconic bag of thirty silver coins. Instead, he held two large keys, one gold and one silver, and a black book.

"Hmm? Keys and the Bible? This should be the symbol of St. Peter," Lin Shangren thought. "According to Christian legend, St. Peter was Jesus' first disciple and the first Pope. Jesus gave him the golden and silver keys that govern the world and heaven. Since then, the keys have become the symbol of St. Peter and successive Popes.

Why is this painting like this? Replacing Judas with St. Peter would be considered a grave sin of disrespect in the Vatican. Is the artist satirizing the Pope?

Lin Shangren was a little confused, while Kuchiki Yasumasa was a little embarrassed. He laughed dryly and said, "I like this painting very much, so Mamiya gave it to me. It has nothing to do with the meaning of the painting. I just think it's beautiful."

He added, "Okay, Dr. Lin, I've already registered your information. I'll personally take you to see Tatsuhiko Kusaka."

"Thank you."

"Oh right," Lin Shangren continued, "Director Xiumu, why are you doing such a trivial matter as registration yourself? Isn't it too much trouble?"

"This is the institute's rule. After all, those who can come here for recuperation are either criminal suspects designated by the police, or soldiers and officers suffering from post-war trauma. In short, they are not ordinary people. So things like registering visitors also need to be done personally by me, the director." Kuchiki Yasumasa replied.

Lin Shangren asked curiously, "Soldiers and officers suffering from post-war PTSD? The war has been over for ten years, and there are still people like this living here for recuperation?"

"There are almost no soldiers left. It's mainly officers." Kuchiki Yasumasa gave Lin Shangren a knowing look. "A bunch of old guys who are still alive and come here to encroach on public medical resources and state subsidies."

"So this is ah."

Lin Shangren said meaningfully.

Then Hayashi Naoto followed Kuchiki Yasumasa to the ward where Tatsuhiko Kusaka was "imprisoned".

On the way, Kuchiki Yasumasa told Hayashi Naoto about Kusakabe Tatsuhiko's condition: "He is currently restrained in bed and his mental state remains unstable. However, his broken hand and knee have been bandaged. Speaking of which, were you police officers too violent when you arrested the criminal?"

"Who knows? I'm just a forensic doctor and not involved in the arrest." Lin Shangren said with a smile, "By the way, Inspector Uozumi of the Metropolitan Police Department just led a team of police officers to the hospital in front of the institute. It seems they are trying to arrest a doctor who is secretly manufacturing and trafficking drugs. In order to avoid alerting the suspect, he doesn't seem to have contacted you in advance."

"what?!"

Hearing Lin Shangren's words, Kuchiki Yasumasa was shocked.

"Why didn't you tell me about such an important matter earlier? Why didn't those idiots at the police station contact me earlier? Aren't they ruining the reputation of our institute?"

Of course, Kuchiki Yasumasa didn't shout these words out loud. After all, the old doctor's refinement was evident. He spoke to Lin Shangren with a hint of urgency, "Doctor Lin, I must excuse myself for a moment. Kusaka Tatsuhiko's ward is just up ahead, and there are doctors and nurses treating him there. I'll excuse myself for now."

Lin Shangren shrugged as he watched Kuchiki Yasumasa hurried toward the sanatorium's gate. He then returned to the director's office. He needed to gather information on the sanatorium's patients so he could call their names later.

At this moment, the door of a nearby ward opened, and a middle-aged doctor with silver-gray sideburns walked out. The moment he saw Lin Shangren, the corners of his mouth trembled slightly, and then returned to normal.

"Excuse me, who are you?" asked the gray-haired doctor.

"Lin Shangren, the forensic doctor who came to examine the suspect's condition."

As he answered, Lin Shangren began to identify the person in front of him.

【Name: Xi Teng Huan】

[Race: human male]

[Identity: Doctor at Kuchiki Pathology Research Institute]

[State: Shocked, confused]

[Note: His hairstyle is somewhat similar to that of an old friend's doctor, which seems a bit strange.]

"Shocked?" Lin Shangren pondered, "Would a normal person be shocked to see a stranger in a public place?"

While Lin Shangren was thinking, Xi Teng Huan continued, "So you are here to visit Kusaka Tatsuhiko. I am his attending physician. Please come with me."