The Detectives of Ywair: Shadows Rising

Kaboom!

A shockwave, pregnant with sparks, surged like a tidal wave. Debris ignited and shattered in the explosion. The load-bearing walls gave way. A cascade of collapse rolled in, and amidst the inferno, ruins plummeted like a downpour. The flickering police lights and the cacophony of voices were drowned out:

"Command center screaming for backup!"

"Where the hell is Captain Zang?!"

"Damn it, Zang's gone in! Move, move, move!!"

...

Hell itself seemed to morph into a twisted, mottled tapestry as the chaos receded. Way's palm, pressed against the wall, was scalded, blood oozing from his fingertips, only to be devoured by the flames. But pain was absent, and the world was silent. No matter how many times this scene replayed in his dreams, the only sound was his own raspy, fevered breath. Then, with a steely resolve, he raised his gun towards the demonic figure emerging from the sea of fire-

Bang!

The figure loomed closer.

Bang!

Bang, bang, bang, bang!

Bullets tore through the phantom, swallowed silently by the raging fire.

Way's grip slackened, and his pistol clattered inconsequentially amidst the flames.

"I'm here," a serpentine voice hissed behind him, cold laughter accompanying it as it whispered in his ear. A chilling hand caressed his cheek, "Captain Zan, I'm right here."

For the thousand and first time, he turned in his dream. But no matter how hard he strained, the shadowy figure remained elusive.

"Descend into hell with me," the figure taunted with a sinister smile, "Your story ends here... forever."

Way closed his eyes. The last thread of consciousness clung to the wailing sirens in the distance. But then, the flames roared, consuming all. The earth cracked and shook as demonic claws reached out, dragging him into the abyss...

Three years later, in Ywair City.

Way Zang's eyes flickered open.

Sunlight streamed through the curtains, bathing the hospital room in a warm glow. A bouquet of dew-kissed white roses exuded a haunting fragrance. The soft murmur of nurses drifted through the slightly ajar door:

"Bed 538 is being discharged today. Inform the head nurse and prepare the paperwork..."

"He's been in a coma for years, and now he's waking up! It's a miracle..."

"Shush! Get back to work!"

Footsteps receded, but Way remained motionless.

He sat, still groggy, in a recliner by the window. His eyes, cold and indifferent, reflected the lush trees and the endless blue sky.

Moments later, the door eased open and a figure tiptoed in. Way didn't turn. The figure stopped beside him and whispered, "Way."

Nah, with her meticulously styled curls, black dress, and red nails, was clutching a large envelope. Seeing Way's gaze, she smiled warmly, "I didn't want to wake you. Everything's ready, the car's waiting. Let's go."

Way remained silent, then gave a slight nod.

They were in one of Ywair's most opulent private rehabilitation centers. Even the basic life support here was exorbitantly expensive, let alone the meticulous care he must have received.

But regardless, after three years in a coma, Way's body was far from normal.

Nah personally pushed the wheelchair into the elevator. As the doors closed,the whispers were silenced.

The elevator began its descent. In the reflection of the metal doors, Way's expressionless face was framed. Nah, standing behind him, seemed somewhat uneasy and coughed, "When they transferred you here and the nurse asked me to fill out the forms, I was so panicked that I..."

Way interrupted, "If it wasn't for you back then, I'd be dead."

"How can you say that? If it wasn't for you, Way, I don't know where I'd be, probably still in jail. Everything I have today is because of you-"

"But they haven't given up on me," Way cut her off again, "I'm still in danger, and so are you. Be careful not to get caught in the crossfire."

Nah wanted to say something, but she saw Way's reflection in the elevator door; his eyes were closed. She held her tongue.

As dusk approached, the neon lights of Night Palace KTV were already ablaze. A luxury car pulled up at the back entrance. Nah got out and hurried to open the back door. As she and the driver were about to help, Way raised his hand to stop them.

Way gripped the car door, exerted force, and let out a barely audible grunt. Moments later, he slowly stood up.

"Easy, boss! Take it slow!" The driver instinctively reached out to help, but Nah was quicker. She firmly supported Way as they headed towards the KTV back entrance.

Way had been awake for less than a month and was still unsteady on his feet. Nah, wearing high heels, wobbled alongside him on the sidewalk. Way remarked, "Still in business, I see."

He was referring to the KTV. Nah replied, "Yes, you were the one who resolved the contract dispute back then. Keeping this place open helps us stay informed. It's safer this way. What are you looking at?"

She followed Way's gaze to see a young man with a backpack standing near the KTV's desolate back door, seemingly waiting for someone. As their eyes met, the young man quickly lowered his head and hurried away.

"It's nothing," Way withdrew his gaze, "Let's go in."

"The first two floors are private rooms, and the third floor has offices and living quarters. I usually stay here. It's modest, but it'll do for now. Hey, Joo! What are you standing around for? Get some water for Captain Zang!"

The waiter scurried off, but Way stopped him, "Carry on with your work."

The living quarters were well soundproofed, almost entirely blocking out the noise from the KTV below. Nah had prepared the room in advance. The window faced the back alley, and the room was furnished with all the essentials, resembling a small hotel suite.

"Shop's too crowded, not ideal for laying low. In a few days, I'll get a house for us to settle in. We'll have a safe hideout. Bekin's gang won't find me here; they must think you're dead by now. If nothing happens in a couple more years, I'll close this place and we can vanish..." Nah rambled on as she bustled around the room, tidying things up and drawing the curtains.

Way's gaze fell on the dressing mirror. The dim light cast shadows on his face, accentuating his eyes and nose, while the cold hollows of his eye sockets and the corners of his lips were shrouded in darkness.

Nah continued, "China is so vast. We could hide in some remote corner in Guangxi or Yunnan, where no one could find us... Hey, Way, I've putyour toiletries here."

As she turned around, she saw Way sitting under the lamp. The light outlined his upright posture, his long fingers interlocked, tips gleaming.

Time and illness can ravage even the most handsome features. The horrific car accident and three years in a coma could have completely altered his appearance. But in that moment, Nah felt that Way hadn't changed much. There was something captivating about him, something that emanated from his very bones, unchanged from when she first met him years ago.

Nah didn't dare to interrupt his thoughts. After what seemed like an eternity, Way spoke in a deep voice, "Once I'm able to move around more freely, I'll make a trip back to Bekin. You should pack up and lay low back home."

"What?" Nah was taken aback, "No, Way, those people are ruthless. If they find out you're alive, they'll come after you. And it's not just them; there's someone else, someone even more terrifying-"

Nah's voice choked off.

Someone more terrifying, whose name didn't even need to be mentioned, struck such fear in her that she couldn't speak.

"I know," Way said, "But during the explosion at the plastic factory, my team was inside. More than ten lives were lost when the fuse was lit. I owe them an explanation."

Nah's voice caught in her throat. Way waved her off, signaling that there was no need for further discussion.

"Get me a set of identification documents, a cell phone, and a computer. Buy several unregistered SIM cards. Go."

Nah hesitated for a moment, then sighed deeply and left the room.

The KTV was in full swing. The hallway was adorned with colorful lights that danced and flickered, while the pulsating beats of music emanated from the main hall. Trendy young people, dressed to the nines, moved in groups, laughing and chatting. Nah relayed Way's instructions to her assistant, urging her to handle it meticulously. With her mind elsewhere, Nah descended the stairs to survey the place.

As she stepped out of the crystal elevator and turned the corner, a door to one of the private rooms swung open. A tall man, with the cacophony of "Love Even in Death" blaring behind him, stormed out and made a beeline for the bar. With a flair of dramatic intensity, he slammed a glass down in front of the bartender.

"What the hell are you selling here?!" he bellowed.

Nah halted in her tracks. The bartender gave the man a once-over and replied nonchalantly, "Long Island Iced Tea, my friend."

"Taste it yourself! Is there a drop of alcohol in this iced tea?"

"No alcohol, buddy. We sell actual iced tea here."

"What? Isn't this consumer fraud?"

The bartender's face turned stern, "I don't appreciate the accusation, man. It's called Long Island Iced Tea, made with fresh black tea and lemon. It's high-quality iced tea. How is that fraud?"

The man seemed to have his worldview shattered. He retorted, "If I order a Bloody Mary, are you going to slit your wrist and pour a cup of blood in it?"

Nah was speechless.

The man was in his thirties, ruggedly handsome. Even the ever-changing lights of the KTV couldn't diminish the sharpness of his features. His hair stood defiantly, adding inches to his already towering height. The t-shirt under his leather jacket clung to his lean, muscular frame, and even his neck muscles were visible as he spoke.

The bartender, trying to defuse the situation, said, "Oh, you're joking! Bloody Mary, right? Hold on, let me get you a tomato!"

Crash!

The bartender froze as the man pulled out a Swiss Army knife and slammed it on the bar, coldly saying, "Do you want to do it, or should I help you?"

Nah's heart skipped a beat. She had been around the block and could tell from the man's piercing gaze that he was trouble.

"You, you, you," the bartender stuttered, scrambling backward, "What's wrong with you?!"

"Excuse me, sir," Nah stepped forward with a warm smile, "I'm the owner here. We don't serve alcohol above 40 proof for safety reasons, which is why our Long Island Iced Tea is actually iced tea. How about we make you another cocktail on the house? Tony!"

The bartender, whose name tag read Agasha Don Francisco Tony in both Chinese and English, meekly responded.

"Make our friend here a Sunset Beach," Nah flashed a charming smile at the man, "It's on me."

The man looked her up and down before slowly putting away his knife. He grunted, "At least you know how to run a legitimate business."

Nah laughed, "My apologies for any confusion. Our Long Island Iced Tea is listed under 'non-alcoholic beverages'. It was a misunderstanding."

But her explanation seemed to flip the man's world upside down again. "Misunderstanding?" he pointed at his glass incredulously, "You're charging 208 for this bottled iced tea and you're saying I misunderstood? Are you calling me blind or stupid?"

Nah was at a loss for words.

The man turned on his heel and stormed back to his private room, likely to rally his friends. Nah was about to follow when a frantic chef stumbled out of the kitchen, gripping her like a lifeline. "Nah, something terrible has happened! The kitchen freezer... there's..."

Nah looked down to see the chef's face pale as a ghost, bathed in the eerie lights, his body shaking uncontrollably.

"There's a thief who snuck into the freezer and... and... he's frozen to death!"

Nah stood in front of the open industrial freezer, unable to utter a single word.

The bustling nightlife of the club seemed a world away. The spacious kitchen was shrouded in an ominous silence. The back door, which led to the alley's dumpsters, was ajar, and a chilling breeze swept through, whispering like the breath of the dead.

Kitchen hands, servers, and the bartender huddled in the back, their trembling legs the only sound in the room. The bartender's voice quivered, "Is... is he dead?"

A young man in his twenties lay sprawled on the floor, his face a ghastly purple. His eyes were wide open, blood trickled from his mouth and nose, and frost clung to his bare upper body. His arms were slightly raised, frozen in his final moments.

Nah's chest heaved as she slowly crouched down, her hand shaking as she reached to check for a pulse.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her hand.

She leaped back with a scream, only to see Way. "Way! What the..."

Way silenced her with a gesture and pointed her to step back. He donned latex gloves, checked the young man's neck for a pulse, and examined his eyes. After a moment, he shook his head.

The servers collapsed to the ground.

Nah felt her knees buckle but managed to stay upright. "What the hell happened here? Did some blind thief hide in the freezer while being chased, or did someone kill him and dump him here? Was the back door left open again? Where's the manager? Get Zhao here-"

Way cut her off, "Call the police."

Nah felt as if her airway was constricted, "Way, that's... not a good idea."

Way, who had been out of the game for three years, had avoided any contact with the police. He didn't even dare to speed while driving, let alone leave any record with the authorities. But now, he leaned against the wall, took a deep breath, and nodded toward the body.

"No signs of blunt force trauma to the head or chest, no smell of alcohol, no external injuries. His upper body shows signs of frostbite, with red and purple swelling. He wasn't killed and dumped here; he froze to death in the freezer."

The servers and bartender Tony clung to each other, shivering. Nah's eyes were wide, her mind in a daze.

Way sighed, "Call the police."

Meanwhile, the bustling metropolis with its towering skyscrapers and gigantic advertising screens painted the night with a vibrant energy.

At the end of the street, red and blue lights flashed as police cars from the Fuyen District Public Security Bureau raced onto the main road, blending into the stream of traffic.

Back in the private room, the atmosphere was electric. The dim lights and deafening music created a frenzied ambiance as a group of rowdy young men huddled together, singing at the top of their lungs. Ray Jin was shouting into Chiang Lee's ear when his phone rang.

Chiang glanced at the caller ID and silenced Ray as he answered, "Hello, Director Wei?"

The mere mention of 'Director Wei' sent a chill through Ray. Chiang's expression grew somber as he listened to the voice on the other end.

"The Fuyen Division is already on the way? Alright, got it... I'll take my team to check it out."

The music and lights abruptly cut off, leaving the room in an eerie silence. The group of young men stared at each other, bewildered.

Chiang flicked on the lights and tossed aside the beer bottle he'd been using as a drumstick. His voice was grave, "We've just received a report of a dead body near Fuyen Road. The local precinct and division are en route. Director Wei wants us to check out the scene."

Groans filled the room. "Come on, Chiang! We were supposed to have half a day off!" "Where's the scene? Our car's parked at the city bureau!"

"We don't need the car," Chiang said calmly. "It's right here in this KTV's kitchen. The owner reported it."

Everyone fell silent.

Chiang headed for the door, muttering, "Let's go. This might be the fastest we've ever gotten to a crime scene. Hey, waiter! Which way to the kitchen?"

The kitchen door was tightly shut, with confused chefs and servers whispering amongst themselves outside. Chiang strode forward, his presence silencing the murmurs. He banged on the door, "Open up! Police!"

The door creaked open, and Nah's eyes widened as she saw Chiang. She stammered, "You... you..."

"You what? Selling bottled iced tea for 208 and you're surprised you've got a ghost on your hands?" Chiang flashed his badge, the word 'Police' almost blinding everyone. "Chiang Lee, Criminal Investigation Division. Step aside, don't contaminate the scene. Get me some shoe covers. Where's the body?"

"The freezer? It's where we keep ice packs in our kitchen. The manager sent me to grab some ice, and when I swung the door open, this big guy just toppled out, hitting me square in the face. Officer, I swear I don't know anything. I was so scared I wet myself. Look, my pants are still wet!"

Flashlights of the district's forensic investigators flickered as they busily collected fingerprints, footprints, and other physical evidence. Chiang, wearing shoe covers, stepped over the investigation board and squatted next to the body, giving a nod.

The district's forensic doctor cautiously called out, "Deputy Commander Lee?"

"What's the verdict?"

"The victim was found undressed, which is unusual. The lividity is bright red, and there are small blisters where the exposed parts of the body meet the waistband of the pants. Preliminary findings suggest death by rapid freezing. The exact time of death is hard to determine, especially with the bleeding from the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. We'll need a detailed autopsy."

Chiang, his gloved fingers pressing on the lividity, squinted. His eyebrows slanted into his temples, giving him a somewhat gloomy look. "That doesn't seem right."

Chiang, Deputy Commander and head of the first investigation team of the Ywair Public Security Bureau, was a legend in the public security system. His various exploits were the stuff of legend.

The forensic doctor, not daring to slack off, quickly asked, "What's your take?"

"Paradoxical undressing usually occurs when the body temperature drops and the person is almost frozen to death. But our naked friend here didn't leave his clothes in the freezer. Could it be that he was already frozen silly before he climbed in?"

The forensic doctor was taken aback.

Chiang casually pointed out, "Fay, seal off the KTV and the back alley. Have your team look for the victim's clothes and personal belongings, especially his wallet, keys, and phone. They could be very helpful in identifying the body. Techs, pull the surveillance footage, and keep an eye on the missing person reports for the next 24 hours."

Fay, the head of the district's criminal investigation team, dispatched his subordinates as instructed, then turned around and said, "This is going to be tricky. If he didn't sneak in through the back door, there are plenty of people who would strip off their clothes when they're drunk. Someone might have already taken the victim's belongings."

The two of them squatted next to the body bag, staring at the wide-eyed victim. After a while, Fay speculated, "Do you think this guy was a thief? Maybe he heard someone coming while he was in the middle of a burglary, panicked, and hid in the freezer, accidentally killing himself?"

They had seen plenty of cases of burglars accidentally dying on the job, but Chiang didn't respond. After examining the scene for a moment, he said, "It doesn't seem like it."

"Hmm?"

Chiang pulled down the waistband of the deceased's pants and pointed to the logo on the underwear with two fingers. "This fabric and stitching are from a genuine brand. It's one thing to wear designer clothes and shoes, but to buy this level of underwear, it's a matter of consumption habits. If he's this loaded and still opts to be a 'handyman', isn't that setting the bar a bit high?

Fay let out a "heh" and crossed his arms, looking Chiang up and down for a good while before he drawled, "I say, Deputy Lee."

"It's Deputy Commander, not Deputy. You're a team leader, who's your deputy?"

Fay said, "Alright, Deputy Commander Lee, you really are a Sherlock Holmes."

Chiang didn't change his expression. "Nice of you to say so. I know my colleagues in the district have always respected and admired me..."

Fay said, "Wherever you go, people die. Even singing karaoke can lead to someone freezing to death in a freezer. Did you kill this guy? Just confess so we can all go home and sleep."

Chiang slapped him on the back of the head, laughing and cursing, "Pah! If I had killed someone, do you think you'd have found out?" He then pulled out a cigarette and sauntered off.

"The surveillance camera at the back door leading to the alley is always broken. There's hardly anyone there except for illegally parked cars and a couple of trash cans. Over time, I just got tired of fixing it... Wait, officer, why should I fix it? To catch illegally parked cars? That's traffic police's job!"

"Stealing stuff? Our expensive alcohol is all kept in a special wine cellar. What's there to steal in the kitchen-pots and pans? And I've never seen this man before, he's definitely not a regular. Our place operates legally and ethically. We don't even sell mixed drinks with an alcohol content above forty percent. Officer, can you tell me, since this man died in my place, do we have to pay compensation?!"

The KTV had been cleared and cordoned off. The district's criminal investigation team was taking a statement from Nah in the main hall. Chiang, cigarette in mouth, walked over. The officer immediately stood up. "Deputy Commander Lee, please sit."

Chiang grunted in acknowledgment, about to sit down, when his gaze suddenly caught something in the distance, and he paused.

A young man was sitting in a wheelchair, his back to them, being questioned by an officer.

The dance hall, just cleared, was in disarray. The lingering smell of makeup and alcohol hadn't yet dissipated. The solitary stage light coming from the other side made the man's black hair and eyebrows, his overly pale skin, and his demeanor, which was in stark contrast to the surrounding environment, particularly striking.

Chiang pointed with his cigarette, "Who's that?"

The officer gestured for Nah to answer.

"...That's my fiancé," Nah, who had just been worrying about whether she would have to pay compensation, swallowed and said in a slightly softer voice.

The officer's pen dropped with a clatter.

Chiang's expression didn't change. "Why is he in a wheelchair?"

"He was in a car accident on his way to Ywair to find me after we got engaged back in our hometown. He was in a coma for a while. He just woke up recently and is temporarily unable to move around..." Nah nervously brushed her long hair and added, "We just got him out of the hospital today and temporarily settled him in the dormitory upstairs."

Chiang studied Way for a moment. "Which county are you from?"

Nah mentioned a county name, and Chiang hummed in acknowledgment, saying, "Your county seems to produce quite a few remarkable people."

Nah felt uneasy, not understanding his meaning, but saw Chiang stand up and walk over.

"Did you see the victim loitering in the back alley?" An officer asked while taking notes, "How did you see him, and what was the victim doing at the time? Oh, Deputy Commander Lee!"

The officer was about to stand up to offer his seat, but Chiang pushed him back down, casually took the half-finished statement, and ordered without looking up,

"Continue."

Way's gaze swept over Chiang and then calmly returned.

"...At the time, he seemed to be waiting for someone."

The officer: "Oh?"

"We didn't talk, just crossed paths. He was wearing a blue pullover and a black backpack, kind of like a school bag. I only glanced at him from a distance, and he immediately walked away. He seemed very wary."

A district investigator came over with an evidence bag. "Deputy Commander Lee! We found this near the trash cans in the back alley. Commander Wan asked us to show it to you first!"

Chiang took a look. Inside the evidence bag was a blue linen pullover. "No wallet, phone, or keys?"

The investigator shook his head repeatedly.

"Did you find a black backpack?"

The investigator looked troubled. "We've searched several times, but we only found this sweater."

"Alright." Chiang handed the evidence bag to Way. "Is this the one?"

Way didn't take it, but looked at it in his hand and nodded.

Chiang returned the evidence bag to the investigator. "Give it to the techs, and remind the forensic team not to forget to print the fingerprints on the inside of the freezer door and compare them with the victim's. If they match, the victim climbed into the freezer himself; if they don't, someone else closed the freezer door for him, and that changes the nature of this case."