National Forensic Doctor-Chapter 1150 - 1081: The Sponsor

Murder warrants a death sentence, but accidental killing might only lead to a few years in prison. Wang Xiang wasn’t familiar with most things, but he had heard others explain the intricacies of this matter.

So when Liu Jinghui mentioned murder, Wang Xiang’s face instantly changed. He hurriedly said, "It really was an accident. After the person died, we didn’t know what to do. Wang Yuxian said that the police would definitely check the surveillance footage once they arrived. Then he said he knew there was a well down there and told me to hide it inside."

Wang Xiang’s bottom line had been broken down step by step. Initially, he had been thinking about how to evade punishment. Later, he was prepared to admit to some minor crime. By now, he was even starting to think that being an accomplice in accidental manslaughter might be acceptable.

Even so, Liu Jinghui continued to press him relentlessly.

Liu Jinghui questioned, "If you weren’t planning to kill, then why did you deliberately choose routes where surveillance cameras were disabled when you entered? Why did you specifically avoid the cameras?"

"I was meeting Li Aiyuan for an affair. Having an affair isn’t illegal, but you can’t let people know, right?"

Compared to his earlier statements, Wang Xiang’s reply this time sounded slightly more cautious. But to Liu Jinghui, it still had glaring holes.

Liu Jinghui simply chuckled and said, "If it’s just for an affair, wouldn’t it be easier to go to a hotel? You wouldn’t even need to avoid surveillance then."

"Surveillance... doesn’t it add excitement?" Wang Xiang, when it came to rationalizing these things, did have a strange kind of talent.

Liu Jinghui was amused, shaking his head as he replied, "What about the stench of a sewer? You spent an entire day down in a sewer just for excitement? And besides, if it truly was about having an affair and not about evading the police, given Wang Yuxian’s skills as a props master, couldn’t he have found you a more comfortable hiding spot?"

For a moment, Wang Xiang was truly speechless. In truth, choosing the sewer was specifically to avoid police dogs. Though he and Wang Yuxian were somewhat ignorant of the law, they at least knew how formidable police dogs could be. Otherwise, as the officers across from him suggested, they could’ve hidden in a cabinet, under a bed, or even in a small room, waiting for the film crew to leave before coming out.

"Who was the mastermind? Who suggested killing her?" Liu Jinghui’s voice carried an almost demonic temptation.

Wang Xiang couldn’t withstand the temptation. He was aware that he shouldn’t speak up—the so-called prisoner’s dilemma always favored mutual silence. But if one person spoke first, it would benefit them individually.

Wang Xiang had little trust in Wang Yuxian and was entirely self-serving.

Liu Jinghui waited silently for a minute before repeating the question.

With a long sigh, Wang Xiang admitted, "It was Wang Yuxian who proposed it."

"Why did he want to kill Li Aiyuan?" Liu Jinghui wasn’t surprised. By this point, Wang Xiang didn’t have many choices left. In fact, the moment he started thinking seriously about the situation, he had already fallen into Liu Jinghui’s trap.

Hesitating for a few seconds, Wang Xiang explained, "She took benefits from the sponsor without delivering results. She even threatened the sponsor with some private items she had hidden away. Wang Yuxian wanted to climb up the ranks and took on the task himself."

"Killed to curry favor with the sponsor?" Liu Jinghui frowned and probed.

"At first, he wanted me to take care of Li Aiyuan." Wang Xiang continued, laughing at himself as he said, "He even wanted to record some video footage to blackmail her, but it didn’t work. Plus, time was running out. Li Aiyuan pressured the sponsor, who then pressured Wang Yuxian. Eventually, the sponsor told Wang Yuxian that if he couldn’t handle it, they’d send him abroad. That’s what pushed him to start planning the murder."

Based on Liu Jinghui’s experience, he knew the stakes behind this chain of interests were far more complex. However, for a rapid interrogation, the environment wasn’t conducive to a deeper probe. There were pros and cons to everything—without this sudden interrogation, God knows how long it would’ve taken for Wang Xiang to start confessing after being taken back.

Skipping over the dense details, Liu Jinghui stared hard at Wang Xiang and asked, "Who is the sponsor you’re talking about?"

"I don’t know. Wang Yuxian wouldn’t tell me." Wang Xiang answered smoothly, almost enthusiastically.

Liu Jinghui pressed him for a couple more answers, but Wang Xiang’s replies remained the same.

At this point, Liu Jinghui stopped.

It made logical sense that Wang Yuxian didn’t disclose the sponsor’s identity to Wang Xiang. He likely worried that Wang Xiang might bypass him and deal directly with the sponsor.

What’s more, compared to Wang Xiang and Wang Yuxian, the sponsor had to be someone much more powerful and wealthy. Even if Wang Xiang knew who they were, he’d likely keep quiet, perhaps even viewing them as his lifeline.

"Send him to the Criminal Police Brigade," Liu Jinghui said, having concluded his questioning. He didn’t want to see Wang Xiang’s face anymore.

Two officers grabbed Wang Xiang and escorted him out.

Wang Xiang wailed miserably, looking back three times with every step, but no one paid him any attention.

"Let’s take another look below." Jiang Yuan noted that the tear gas at the bottom of the vertical shaft had mostly dispersed and began preparing for another round of inspection.

Mu Zhiyang unsurprisingly pulled him back, while Shen Yaowei proactively volunteered to go down into the shaft.

Jiang Yuan scrutinized Shen Yaowei for several seconds before saying, "Let’s send a police dog down first."

Theoretically, the bottom of the shaft should be empty, save for the garbage and excrement left behind by Wang Xiang during his time there.

But nothing is ever guaranteed. The cases Jiang Yuan and his team handled were all low-probability events.

If someone was still down there, the officer descending would be risking their life.

In situations like this, sending a police dog down to bark a few times might be more effective.

Although lowering the dog might be a hassle, the police dog squad had ready-made solutions for this.

While the team bustled about, Liu Jinghui pulled Jiang Yuan aside and whispered, "Give Huang a call. This case still has plenty left to unravel."

"You mean the sponsor behind this?" Jiang Yuan pulled out his phone.

"That props master couldn’t have just one sponsor," Liu Jinghui paused before continuing, "Li Aiyuan’s sponsor probably has more clout than the ones the props master usually deals with. But whatever the case, drug-assisted assault and rape are serious crimes. These people will try to wriggle out of this, no matter what."

Jiang Yuan nodded.

Liu Jinghui’s expression became more animated, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth as he remarked, "This time, we might end up shutting down quite a few companies. Yet, Lanyue City’s economy isn’t something for us to worry about."

"Just a few bad apples," Jiang Yuan said with zero hesitation.

Economic fluctuations inevitably leave some people struggling and others benefiting. Avoiding the scrutiny of Jiang Yuan’s Accumulated Case Team was an easier standard to meet than abiding strictly by laws and regulations.

Soon, a German Shepherd sat inside a basket, being slowly lowered into the vertical shaft.

The dog looked alert, its sleek black fur gleaming under the light.

During this interim, Jiang Yuan made the call to Huang Qiangmin.

On the other end, Huang Qiangmin remained silent for three seconds before asking, "Can you find solid evidence to bring these people to justice? I’m not talking about Liu’s deductions—I mean evidence that can be tested in court."

"I can." Jiang Yuan swiftly visualized the array of skills he had at his disposal and responded with absolute certainty.