An infinite journey starting from paradise

"I only learned how to hack people when I was in a gang," Aoki Fuyushi said with a smile. "Now I only use the knife for self-defense and to scare those who don't cooperate with the interviewees."

"Kill people."

Lin Shangren subconsciously looked at Aoki Fuyushi's broken arm.

Noticing Lin Shangren's gaze, Aoki Fuyushi smiled and said, "It wasn't chopped off by a human. It was bitten by a dog, a large Ronawei. It happened over ten years ago, not something worth remembering."

"Feel sorry."

"Nothing, no need to apologize. By the way, I'll make you a pot of hot tea. Drink some hot tea to warm you up."

"Thank you."

Looking at Aoki Fuyushi's back, Lin Shangren was a little curious about what this female reporter wanted to talk to him about.

"Please use."

Aoki Fuyushi poured Lin Shangren a cup of hot tea and then asked directly, "Doctor Lin, has the police made any new progress in that case?"

"Basically, there's been no progress," Lin Shangren answered frankly. "Although we caught a psychopath last night, the case is still the same. Last night, I found another body dumped in Shakujii Park. The right leg had been cut off. The cut surface bears some resemblance to the previous case, but I can't confirm it yet.

However, I do have some thoughts about the body found last night. First, the killer seems to be imitating the method used by Tatsuhiko Kusaka, the killer in another case, to dispose of the body, and it fits perfectly with Kusaka's own logic. However, the police have never disclosed Kusaka's motives for committing the crime or the characteristics of the body when it was discovered.

This means the murderer was someone with knowledge of Kusaka Tatsuhiko's case. Many police officials knew about the body's condition, but few clearly understood why Kusaka Tatsuhiko disposed of it the way he did. After all, that was my deduction, and I've only shared it with a handful of people. And those few people couldn't possibly be the murderer.

Therefore, we can make two hypotheses: First, the murderer is a police insider. Second, the murderer is an insider of another series of cases and has some connection to Kusaka Tatsuhiko. There is too little information to determine the specifics. We have to wait until the police confirm the identity of the deceased.

"Just that?" Aoki Fuyushi fell into deep thought.

In fact, Lin Shangren still concealed something.

Originally, he felt confused about this series of cases. However, after obtaining the "Dark Bible" this morning, Lin Shangren's thinking became clearer.

While Kusaka Tatsuhiko's method of killing is modeled after the "Egg of Nenis," it's also very similar to the resurrection method described in the "Dark Bible." The state of the remains in the lake at Inokashira Park, as well as the birthdates and astrological signs of the two deceased prostitutes, also align with the steps for creating the "Perfect Female Asoide" described in the "Dark Bible."

Such a coincidence made Lin Shangren suspect that someone was secretly experimenting with the spells in the "Dark Bible".

"No matter how perverted Kusaka Tatsuhiko was, he wouldn't easily believe in a resurrection method in a novel, let alone that 'The Egg of Nennies' was a poor imitation of 'The Divine Comedy'. It's very likely that some old scoundrel was secretly guiding him.

Furthermore, the corpse wax that caused Saeki Kaori to be possessed by a demon, the demon-summoning ritual performed by Takagi Hiroko and Kitami Reika eleven years ago, and the serial murders committed by nun Fukamizu Kaoru in pursuit of "parthenogenesis" six years ago—all of these are connected to the contents of the Dark Bible.

Why is this book at Sakura Girls' Academy? What happened in the underground bomb shelter? And this series of cases... It still seems hazy, but it's starting to become clear.

Chapter 96: Home Visit and Investigation

"Ms. Cangmu should know the police's efficiency better than I do, especially since so many major events have happened recently."

"Big news? Yes, in addition to these murders, many important figures have died recently. Last night, there was a huge explosion in Sugamo Prison. The government has not yet disclosed the cause of the explosion or the casualties."

Aoki Fuyushi said,

"It's a turbulent time. Tokyo hasn't been this lively for a long time since the war ended."

After listening to Aoki Fuyushi's sentiments, Hayashi Shangren asked, "Isn't this a good thing for journalists?"

"Not for me."

Aoki Fuyushi silently took out a cigarette and lit it.

"call……"

She exhaled a puff of smoke and then said, "Exposing government scandals isn't for me. It's not that I don't want to do it, but my abilities are limited and my writing is terrible. Investigating street corners is more suited to me. In fact, I might be better suited to being a detective."

Lin Shangren asked: "So, Miss Cangmu, have you found any new clues?"

"A little bit."

Aoki Fuyushi put the cigarette in his hand between his lips, used his free hand to take out a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Hayashi Naoto.

Lin Shangren unfolded the paper and found a quick sketch of a gentle woman. Inside the paper was a black-and-white photograph, apparently of the same person as the sketch.

"This is?"

"Asagiri was one of the two victims," ​​Aoki Fuyushi answered. "Ujaku-sama found this by chance while sorting through their belongings. It was in the small box where Asagiri kept her treasured possessions."

"It's a pen-and-ink sketch, made of ordinary straw paper. It looks like a casual sketch. The lines are a bit rough, but the expression is well captured. It's the work of someone with a good artistic background. It's signed and dated, 'Mori, December 1949.'"

Lin Shangren commented.

"Is this a graffiti drawn for Asagiri by one of her patrons?"

"He's not a guest." Aoki Fuyushi said, "He might be a lover."

"Lover?" Lin Shangren was a little confused.

Aoki Fuyushi explained, "Asagi hasn't received any guests for three months. She unexpectedly became pregnant a few years ago, and after the abortion, Sister Yuque, out of consideration for her health, stopped her from receiving guests. However, the date on this sketch was a month ago."

"So you suspect the person who painted this picture was involved in Asagiri's death?"

"That's right. If the person who drew this picture was really close to Asagiri, then after Asagiri disappeared, how could he not have gone to the Snow White Brothel to inquire about Asagiri's situation? Unless he knew clearly that Asagiri was dead."

Aoki Fuyushi said,

"So, I'd like to ask Dr. Lin for help. Can you use this painting and the handwriting on it to find the person who painted it?"

"That's... not impossible. But, Miss Cangmu, don't you think your reasoning is a bit arbitrary?" Lin Shangren asked, "What if the person who painted this picture is just a simple scumbag? He's trying to steal women's love and money, and then moves on to the next target when the person is gone."

"But... that's the only clue I have right now. And this photo. The background of the photo is at the border of Bunkyo Ward and Taito Ward, in short, it's in the shopping street near Ueno Station. I've investigated there, but found nothing. There's so much traffic there, there's no way the store owner could remember who took the photo of Asagiri."

Lin Shangren gazed at the black-and-white photo in his hand. In it, Asagiri wore a long dress, a shoulder bag slung across her body, and smiled brightly. The composition of the photo was quite sophisticated, and even in black and white, it highlighted Asagiri's feminine charm.

"The person who took the photo might be a professional photographer. He might also study painting as a side job, but photography should be his main occupation," Lin Shangren analyzed.

"this is……"

Suddenly, a knotted decoration on Chaowu's shoulder bag in the photo caught Lin Shangren's attention. Such a crude hemp rope knot looked so out of place on the bag. More importantly, Lin Shangren had seen a similar knot before. Just two nights ago, in the church where he had performed the physical salvation and fire purification.

"This knot is the most beautiful thing in the world! It's the most beautiful thing in the world! It's the most beautiful thing in the world!"

"I'm not sure. But the girls in the Snow White brothel probably don't believe in religion. If there really were gods who could save the suffering, how could they have fallen to the point of selling their bodies for a living?"

Aoki Fuyushi exhaled a puff of smoke and then crushed the cigarette butt.

"Furthermore, after that incident six years ago, everyone in the Snow White brothel hated religion, especially Christianity."

"Because of that case?" Lin Shangren asked.

Aoki Fuyushi nodded. "A lot of good people died in that case. Rin, Otoha, and Akigo."

"Ms. Cangmu, was the case six years ago also related to some evil cult?"

"Cult? There is a Christian sect called 'Tenhui no Kai' that has been investigated. That sect has close ties to the murderer, Fukamizu Kaoru."

Aoki Fuyushi closed his eyes and fell into memories.

"At that time, the Death Wrist hadn't disbanded yet, and I was still a member of the gang. Because I had a good relationship with Qiu Wu, and the Death Wrist had always cooperated with the police, I helped the police investigate information about the cult.

The founder of the Tenkei no Kai sect was a nun named Nami Kozono. She consistently advocated that the Virgin Mary's conception and birth of Jesus, due to parthenogenesis, meant that Jesus was born without original sin and was pure and spotless. To escape original sin, humans not only had to perform good deeds and atone for their sins to God but also had to strive to create a sinless next generation. This meant demasculinization and achieving parthenogenesis.

She organized a large group of followers under the slogan "Parthenogenesis." However, they didn't seem to engage in any overly outrageous activities, nor did they even collect much money from their followers. However... their slogan attracted Fukamizu Kaoru, a psychopath driven by her own infertility...

"The Tianhui Society and Parthenogenesis. Their leader is Madoka Nami."

Lin Shangren repeated these key words, and then he asked, "What happened next? What happened to this sect?"

"I'm not too sure about what happened afterwards, but it seems that after Fukamizu Kaoru was arrested, the sect was also implicated. In the end, it seemed to gradually disintegrate on its own." Aoki Fuyushi replied.

"Doctor Lin is interested in that sect?"

"Hmm...it's related to the case I'm investigating," Lin Shangren said. "By the way, Ms. Cangmu. Regarding this photo and this sketch. Can you give it to me? He's a professional photographer with artistic background. His name might contain '森', maybe his surname is '森'. He also has a signature to compare handwriting with. It shouldn't be too difficult to find this person."

"Then I'll leave it to you, Doctor Lin."

"Ah."

Lin Shangren put away the sketches and photos, and then he and Aoki Fuyushi were... awkwardly stunned.

"Forehead……"

"Um……"

At this moment, Dongzi's voice came from the bathroom: "Well, I'm done washing. Miss Cangmu, can you give me the clothes?"

"Oh...oh...coming right up."

Aoki Fuyushi stood up and took out the clothes she had prepared for Fuyuko. She then said to Lin Shangren, "Doctor Lin, do you want to wash them?"

"I don't need it." Lin Shangren said, "It's not seriously wet, and I have to take her home quickly."

"Ah...ok."

Aoki Fuyushi originally wanted to invite Hayashi Naoto to dinner. After all, it was Hayashi Naoto who provided them with clues about Asagiri and the other two, and this time, she had asked Hayashi Naoto for help. It would be rude not to express her gratitude.

After delivering the clothes to Fuyuko in the bathroom, Aoki Fuyushi asked Lin Shangren again: "Doctor Lin, how can I contact you in the future? If we find new clues, we need a place to connect."

"How about that Moon World Cafe near Musashino Station?" Hayashi Naoto suggested. "It's only one stop from Inokashira Park and relatively close to the school where I work. We can meet there this afternoon. The owner is someone Uozumi knows, so if you want to leave a message, you can safely tell her."

"OK, Got it."

……

After Fuyuko put on her clothes, Lin Shangren said goodbye to her and Aoki Fuyushi, and then went to Fuyuko's home.

The car drove all the way to Kichijoji Station, and then went up along Tamagawa Josui.

"Your home is quite remote." Lin Shangren said to Dongzi in the passenger seat.

"Actually, it would be closer if you walk from Mitaka Station. But the scenery here is better and the road is smoother." Dongzi said in a light tone.

"Did you take this long detour just to see the scenery?" Lin Shangren said helplessly. "I say, aren't you afraid that your family will worry about you?"

"Worried? Not at all." Dongzi smiled slightly. "Rather than coming home late, they're probably more worried about me hanging out with a weirdo like you, Teacher."

"Weird? What's weird about me?"

"Everything is weird."

Dongzi said, then suddenly changed the subject, "Is that Miss Cangmu your friend?"

"Well, kind of. Today is our second meeting."

"The person you meet for the second time can actively invite you to her house to take a shower and change clothes?" Dongzi's tone was a little playful.

"Because she is a good person, as enthusiastic and kind as a ranger." Lin Shangren said.

"Yes. He's a good man. Ah, we're almost there. That's the house in front."

Fuyuko was referring to a rather grand Japanese-style building.

"Wow, I take back what I said just now. Your house is really big." Lin Shangren said.

"My grandfather was the director of the hospital. He also opened a clinic in this building. My uncle should still be seeing patients there."

"Dean? The Kuchiki Institute of Pathology?" Lin Shangren asked. "Is your grandfather the Kuchiki Jingmao director?"

"Teacher, do you know my grandfather?" Dongzi asked.

"I just saw him this afternoon. Now we're here, get off."

Lin Shangren stopped the car, opened the door and got out.

"Teacher, won't you go in with me?" Dongzi asked.

"Well, as your teacher, I should go in and help you explain why you came home late and the origin of the clothes you were wearing. Also, I need to confirm a few things with your guardian."

"Confirm what?"

"It's more of a question than a confirmation," Lin Shangren said. "I want to question them. They're from a medical family, so how could they let you suffer from anemia and malnutrition without treatment? Your guardian is so irresponsible!"

Chapter 97 The World is a Giant German Orthopedics

Lin Shangren followed Dongzi into the yard of the Xiumu family.

Dongzi opened the door, looked at the shoe cabinet, and said, "Oh, no one is home. It seems that my mother has gone out. So, teacher, would you like to come in for a while? I'll go change this dress, and then you can return it to Miss Cangmu."

"Ok."

Lin Shangren was taken to a Japanese-style room. He sat down on the cushion and then turned on the shadow touch to confirm the situation of the house.

This house is quite old, and the area has been bombarded by artillery fire, but this house has not been damaged. Lin Shangren sensed the environment within a radius of 20 meters and did not find anything unusual.

Lin Shangren closed his eyes and waited for a while. Dongzi, wearing a black kimono, returned to the room with hot tea and pastries.

"Thank you for your help." Lin Shangren said.

"Just basic hospitality."

Dongzi poured Lin Shangren a cup of black tea with a white porcelain teapot.