National Forensic Doctor-Chapter 1120 - 1051: Kill

Ningtai County’s nights remained fairly humid. Though the streets and alleys were kept reasonably clean, it was hard to achieve the spotless perfection of a major metropolitan area.

Especially in places seldom walked by people, like rooftops or the corners of alleyways, there was more dust or grime left behind. Under a car’s headlights, an ordinary person could spot faint traces of footprints.

But in Jiang Yuan’s eyes, footprints conveyed a wealth of information.

For example, footprints with a faint bluish-green tinge indicated either prolonged walking on grass or contact with moss-like surfaces. Moreover, it had to be nearby; if the person had gone far, the green traces would have long disappeared.

The way someone walked was equally intriguing. Strides laden with force differed distinctly from relaxed ones in their gait. For instance, forceful steps often involved the body’s center of gravity shifting forward, whereas casual strides typically had the heel touch the ground first, and so forth.

Internationally, even in Great America, footprint analysis often focused solely on the prints themselves. However, thanks to figures like Ma Yulin, Chinese footprint analysis had incorporated gait studies several decades earlier. This wasn’t merely about identifying matches; in certain respects, it was akin to profiling a person.

As Jiang Yuan approached, the bluish-green, firm and resolute steps in front of the scattered iron caltrops instinctively caught his attention.

Under the car’s headlights, the footprint was clearly visible. Jiang Yuan furrowed his brow and called over some people. "Bring a few more tactical flashlights over."

Mu Zhiyang immediately pulled a tactical flashlight from his belt, while Wang Chuanxing and Wen Ming turned back to the car to retrieve flashlights from their backpacks.

Mu Zhiyang activated the tactical flashlight first and shone it onto the footprint as per Jiang Yuan’s instructions.

Jiang Yuan immediately immersed himself in thought.

Soon, Jiang Yuan waved to a passenger in the front car. "Brother, what did the person who just came through here say to you?"

In the front car were indeed his cousins—Jiang Village People liked renting Jiang Yongxin’s Alphard these days. After all, Jiang Village’s budding entrepreneurial genius was willing to support them.

The first one to step out was Jiang Yuan’s Fifth Brother. Nearly forty years old and rather steady in demeanor, he recalled for a moment and said, "He asked us if anyone was injured. After we said no, he told us to just report to insurance, like that."

"What else? Did he say anything more?" Jiang Yuan’s professional instincts kicked in. It was late at night, encountering someone amid an incident—if he came up, he couldn’t have only said two sentences, right?

Fifth Brother thought for a while longer and, still without any particular ideas, said, "Old Twelve also asked him once, said he was just out for a walk because it’s so late... He probably replied that he couldn’t sleep, something about insomnia..."

Jiang Yuan frowned and then slowly shook his head. "His weight doesn’t match."

"Huh?" Upon hearing something was off, Mu Zhiyang’s hand instinctively shifted to his gun.

"Judging from his gait, it’s the stride of someone carrying weight. He’s not only carrying something... Is he carrying a backpack?" Jiang Yuan turned back to ask Fifth Brother again.

Fifth Brother nodded. "He was lugging a backpack, not too large. Ah, actually quite similar to the tactical backpacks you guys use."

He pointed toward Wang Chuanxing, who was pulling a tactical backpack from the car to retrieve a flashlight.

At that, Jiang Yuan basically pieced it together. He called Wang Chuanxing over again, "Pull up Bian Yizhang’s footprints."

Saying this, Jiang Yuan took the tactical flashlight from Wang Chuanxing’s hands and bent over for a closer inspection.

In reality, Jiang Yuan was almost certain the footprints on the pavement belonged to Bian Yizhang. But this thought carried a mix of surprise.

On the other hand, once Jiang Yuan uttered "Bian Yizhang," the Ningtai County police wouldn’t be sleeping tonight. Chances were, law enforcement from surrounding districts would be pulled together in the hundreds to secure key areas.

Thus, Jiang Yuan only grew more cautious when making this critical judgment.

If the perpetrator fled for a few minutes, it wouldn’t matter. Having helped design Ningtai County’s surveillance system, Jiang Yuan was confident he could track where they escaped.

Wang Chuanxing retrieved a PAD as fast as he could and pulled up Bian Yizhang’s footprint records.

Jiang Yuan glanced briefly and immediately confirmed with certainty, stating firmly, "These are indeed Bian Yizhang’s footprints."

"It’s really Bian Yizhang?" Wang Chuanxing was losing his cool. "What’s he doing here? Old Mu, Old Mu!"

As he spoke, a dark figure suddenly stepped out silently from behind the vehicle, moving swiftly in small, deliberate steps.

Bian Yizhang was a graduate of the University of Life. Even before adulthood, he had been in countless fights, amassing extensive combat experience and teaching himself some tactical techniques.

He kept at it until his former bosses were incarcerated, at which point he rallied a crew to start illegal cattle slaughtering, specializing in selling water-injected beef. Making money was secondary to the thrill of injecting water into cattle.

After authorities cracked down on this business, forcing him to abandon it, Bian Yizhang opened a smoke and liquor store. Though profitable, it failed to spark his enthusiasm.

Unlike now, as Bian Yizhang decided to take one last gamble, he felt his blood coursing through his veins; at this very moment, he was truly alive, his life seemingly elevated to another plane.

What truly pushed Bian Yizhang into action was seeing Mu Zhiyang pull out a tactical flashlight, exposing a gun holster at his back.

It was then Bian Yizhang realized that if he didn’t act now, the next time Jiang Yuan’s entourage would likely outnumber him with armed personnel.

Though it was already midnight, and Jiang Yuan was still flanked by armed guards, the moment a stalker was confirmed in the vicinity, security measures would surely escalate to 24/7 vigilance.

Bian Yizhang was on his own. He didn’t want anyone else to share the glory.

From his experience, Bian Yizhang knew that charging head-on from the alley would most likely result in Jiang Yuan’s gunmen riddling him with bullets.

His double-barrel shotgun was designed for close-range combat, excelling in alley skirmishes but ill-suited for long-distance exchanges. With only two rounds and poor trajectory, he was best positioned within five meters of his target, no further than ten meters, with an optimal range of three meters—just out of reach of melee weapons.

In short, the closer he was, the better. As for its impact, there was no need to worry; even if the opponent wore a bulletproof vest, he was confident in incapacitating them.

Thus, Bian Yizhang ditched his backpack and strapped on a stab-proof vest. He took a roundabout path through a side alley, crossing the road and circling behind the greenbelt near the rear of the vehicle, briskly making his way forward.

The group, distracted by footprints and tactical flashlights in front of the car, completely missed Bian Yizhang behind the vehicle.

It wasn’t until he crossed ten meters that Bian Yizhang stepped beyond the greenbelt, entering the roadway. Clutching his short-barreled shotgun, he picked up speed, sprinting toward them.

His minimum objective was killing Jiang Yuan, but ideally, he would eliminate everyone before abducting Jiang Yuan.

Bian Yizhang knew just shooting wouldn’t achieve all this. To use his machete, he needed to conserve energy. Even though his heart was pounding furiously, he controlled his movements, avoiding reckless charging.

By the time Wang Chuanxing shouted "Old Mu," Bian Yizhang had closed to within about ten meters. The car’s headlights began illuminating him.

Bian Yizhang finally abandoned subtlety, fully sprinting as his shotgun barrel aligned.

Thud, thud...

Under the dim streetlights, amid the eerie quiet, although Jiang Yuan and the others were engrossed in studying footprints, their bodies remained sluggish. These were people worn down after a long day; if not for the incident, they would’ve gone home to rest.

In this scenario, under these circumstances...

Every heart at the scene began pounding furiously.

Wang Chuanxing yelled once, spotted the shadow; when he tried to yell again, his voice failed him.

Thud, thud, thud...

For a moment, the only sounds were the low growl of idling engines and the seemingly louder heartbeat.

Mu Zhiyang instinctively reached to draw his gun as his body positioned itself in front of Jiang Yuan.

This was his automatic response, honed by countless training sessions, making him the fastest among them.

Bian Yizhang, without hesitation, raised his gun, briefly aiming toward Mu Zhiyang before preparing to pull the trigger.

He had planned to kill the armed guard first.

But at that moment, a shadow suddenly darted toward Bian Yizhang.

Holding a shotgun in one hand and gripping the trigger with the other, Bian Yizhang was already on edge. Reflexively, he fired at the shadow.

Bang...

In the muffled echo, the airborne shadow shattered into pieces—it was the PAD Wang Chuanxing had been holding.

Bian Yizhang winced, recognizing his nerves had gotten the better of him. Still, it didn’t matter; his shotgun had one round left.

Without a second thought, Bian Yizhang pivoted the barrel toward Mu Zhiyang.

Bian Yizhang saw the armed guard as the biggest threat on site.

If he could eliminate Mu Zhiyang, he would even have the option to retreat, reload his shotgun for another shot.

Even if someone rushed him, he could discard the gun and engage with his knife. His approach left him with both offensive and defensive options.

In Mu Zhiyang’s eyes, the barrel of Bian Yizhang’s shotgun visibly turned and aimed at him.

Mu Zhiyang, despite his extensive experience, had instinctively focused on shielding Jiang Yuan initially. His hand hadn’t yet reached his firearm.

A seasoned Mu Zhiyang realized he was about to take a bullet. Unlike previous encounters, however, he wasn’t wearing a bulletproof vest tonight. Whether his seasoned ribcage would survive was uncertain.

Jiang Yuan placed one hand on Mu Zhiyang’s right shoulder.

Feeling Jiang Yuan’s firm presence, the motion of Mu Zhiyang’s hand slowed even further.

Bian Yizhang’s lips curled into a sneering grin, his chin lifting slightly in an open challenge.

Bang!

A gunshot rang out, seemingly right beside Mu Zhiyang’s ear.

At the moment Mu Zhiyang thought, "This is where it ends," his senses slowed and sharpened.

Suddenly, he could see clearly—the red pooling at Bian Yizhang’s brow.

Bian Yizhang’s lifted chin wasn’t a taunt but the impact of a bullet penetrating his brow, forcing it upward.

And the sound ringing near Mu Zhiyang’s ear was unmistakably the gunfire.

Simultaneously, Mu Zhiyang felt a lightness around his waist—his gun had been snatched.

The taker and shooter were none other than Jiang Yuan.

Level 3 handgun marksmanship: at ten meters, one-handed shooting, never missing!

Bian Yizhang, terminated!