The Curtain Call Is Also the Beginning

In the dark room, Su Mo sat on the bed, recalling the dream he just had. No, to be more precise, it was not a dream but a consciousness, a first-person perspective of feeling those emotions.

After waking up, he felt that among the 99 abnormal personalities in his brain, there were now only 98 left.

"So that's how it is. The original body previously intended to turn Zhang Xiaoling into a doll so that she would belong to him completely and he could have total control over her.

But because of my appearance, he was unable to complete this most important step.

However, I put Zhang Xiaoling into a coffin and hid her under the grave. Although the methods were different, through a strange twist of fate, this step was still completed.

Hiding Zhang Xiaoling away in a place that only I know about, doesn't that mean she belongs to me completely?

Therefore, after completing this step, the ritual is finished and this abnormal personality disappeared," he said as he stroked his chin with his right hand.

"Looking at it this way, the method to eliminate the abnormal personalities is to perfectly act out the emotions associated with that personality.

In other words, I still have to kill at least 98 more people in 98 different abnormal ways?

Hmm, although it's very interesting, isn't the difficulty level a bit too high? Killing someone in an abnormal way is not that hard, the real challenge is ensuring my own safety.

Which also means I have to pull off at least 98 perfect crimes. Thinking about it like this, how thrilling! I like it.

However, when selecting targets, I should still be more careful and choose only those who deserve death. This way, I can take on the identity of an executioner as I perfectly act it all out, and at the same time pass judgement on evil. Just thinking about it is so amusing, hahaha!"

Su Mo became more and more excited the more he thought about it, a trace of a bizarre smile appearing on his face. "Can hardly wait to get started," he muttered.

Over the next month, Su Mo spent all his time in the library reading books. Although his borrowing records showed mostly scriptures, I Ching, Buddhist sutras and other spiritual texts, what he was actually reading were all books related to criminal investigation.

To become a perfect criminal, one must first become an excellent detective. This was indispensable.

Su Mo was a coldly logical person whose intellect and reasoning abilities defied common sense. He clearly understood what he needed to do.

Like right now, while the police were still investigating this case, he was frantically supplementing his knowledge, especially in criminal investigation and criminal psychology. This way, when the police came looking for him again, he could use the excuse of needing some fresh air and to get away from this grievous place to naturally take his leave from Weiyuan County. Then, he would embark on his life as an executioner.

At the police station, in the same case analysis room, a few people sat around the table, all with rather dejected expressions on their faces.

Chen Gang spoke first, "We've been investigating this case for over a month. Let me first brief everyone on the current situation. Afterwards, you can each share your own views.

Firstly, regarding Wang Heng as a suspect, investigations over this period have eliminated the possibility. No matter the motive, method, or timing, there is no convincing evidence to reasonably tie it to him.

Moreover, regarding his alibi, we confirmed yesterday that he was indeed home that night.

Secondly, I stand by my previous opinion on Su Mo.

As for our exhaustive carpet search these weeks for any external personnel or suspicious individuals, it has been completely fruitless.

Lastly, and most importantly, we cannot confirm if any harm has come to Zhang Xiaoling at all. Therefore, this case has hit a dead end.

Today, Director Liu also reminded me not to devote too much energy into investigating such an unsubstantiated case. We'll just process it as an ordinary missing person case.

Everyone, share your thoughts too."

One officer said, "I support stopping the investigation. At least we can't continue handling it as a criminal case."

Another officer echoed, "Best to stop before the media catches wind of this. What we're currently doing is against protocol anyway."

The other officers voiced similar views, agreeing to cease investigations. It wasn't that they lacked professional ethics, but they were analyzing the situation objectively.

Without even a victim to be found, this case had no legs to stand on to begin with. They had already done their best by Su Mo after trying for so long, even though they all felt that Zhang Xiaoling had most likely met with harm.

Chen Gang sighed. At heart, he was a good policeman, but faced with such circumstances, he was helpless too. If Zhang Xiaoling's corpse was discovered, he would gladly investigate it for years.

But as things stood, there was no choice but to give up. He mulled over how to break the news gently to Su Mo without blowing up the situation.

Filled with guilt and helplessness, Chen Gang knocked on Su Mo's door the next day.

Su Mo opened the door, his face weary. "Officer Chen, please come in."

Once inside, Chen Gang saw piles of books in the living room. Picking one up randomly, he saw it was Buddhist scripture. Glancing at the rest, they were similarly spiritual and philosophical texts.

He felt somewhat relieved, and said with a smile, "Reading more of such books would do you good."

Su Mo forced a smile and placed a glass of water in front of Chen Gang, asking softly, "Still no news of my wife?"

Seeing Su Mo's composure but haggard appearance, Chen Gang steeled himself and finally worked up the courage to say,

"Mr. Su, based on our investigations...it's highly possible your wife left voluntarily."

"We've eliminated Wang Heng as a suspect. He has no connection whatsoever with your wife's disappearance. We have conclusive evidence of this. So..."

Su Mo put on a devastated look, barely squeezing out a smile as he waved his hand to stop Chen Gang's words.

"I understand. I was rash earlier, but I've thought it through. Perhaps she really did leave on her own. Thank you for all the trouble, Officer Chen."

The two chatted for a short while more before Chen Gang took his leave. Stepping outside, he heaved a heavy sigh. "What a pitiful hand fate has dealt Su Mo."

Having been a policeman in the county for over a decade, Chen Gang was naturally familiar with Su Mo's circumstances. First losing his parents in an accident years ago, and now his wife's unexplained disappearance. How could he not feel for the young man?

The very next day, Su Mo put up his house for sale. Within just over a week, a buyer was found and the house sold for a low 600,000 yuan.

On October 28, Su Mo stood in front of the mirror, dressed in a black suit and black Martin boots. His long hair was swept back in gentle waves.

Looking at his reflection, the corners of his lips curved up slightly. "Finally, no more pretense. From today on, I am Su Mo. The old Su Mo of this world is gone. The hunt now begins."