Gong Yingxian was silent for a moment. “Uploading the mask wouldn’t be difficult, but I can’t predict what effect it would have. At present, this video is only in the police’s possession. For one thing, it involves confidential evidence. For another, it would expose the fact that we actually know nothing about this mask.”
Dr. Pompeii said, “Perhaps that would be a good thing. If Ziyan believes you’ve accepted the mask as genuine and are desperate for clues, he might continue using it to make a point, potentially revealing more information in the process.”
Gong Yingxian thought it over. “The bureau has now established a special task force, and Sister Yan is no longer leading the case. This is, after all, police evidence. I’ll have to report it to my superiors before making a decision.”
“Is Xiao Tan still keeping an eye on Seraph?” Ren Yi suddenly remembered that the cybercrime division must have been busy, too.
“He’s been monitoring it the whole time. After spending several months undercover, he’s successfully infiltrated one of its high-level VIP groups.”
“A high-level group? I think both Zhou Chuan and Xiao Tan mentioned these groups before. You have to prove your activity level, spending, loyalty, and things like that, right?”
“Exactly. You can’t join one voluntarily. The website identifies suitable people based on their data, and then someone contacts them and invites them into a more covert internal network. But before that, they have to pass a test.”
“What kind of test?”
“They test whether you’re a genuine pyromaniac. They won’t ask you to reveal your real identity, but they’ll ask all sorts of questions. For example, how you discovered your obsession, what your childhood was like, and detailed descriptions of how you feel about fire. They’ll ask you to show your collection and demonstrate your knowledge of famous incidents.” Disgust appeared on Gong Yingxian’s face. “Xiao Tan had been active on Seraph’s forums for a long time, so he knew they had this kind of screening process. He prepared a lot of materials in advance and got help from psychology experts before he managed to pass.”
“What a bunch of sick bastards,” Ren Yi cursed. “What goes on in these high-level groups?”
“Something far more sinister,” Gong Yingxian said gravely. “People are relatively restrained on Seraph’s forums and livestreams because they know police from various countries are watching them. Most of the content consists of sharing fire-related material, and even the livestreams are generally limited to things like what Zhou Chuan did—visiting sites after fires. Even when they livestream arson, they try to burn things that don’t involve property ownership disputes or violate criminal law.”
He paused before continuing. “Less than ten percent of the content involves actual crimes, such as Zhou Chuan setting cars on fire or Chen Pei burning down a residential complex. Crimes targeting people are even rarer because Seraph isn’t sufficiently covert, and there’s a risk of being tracked down. But in the high-level groups, the proportions are completely reversed. Eighty to ninety percent of the content involves genuine criminal activity.”
Ren Yi was speechless. Dr. Pompeii’s expression had also grown exceptionally grave.
“Several people are managing that account now,” Gong Yingxian continued. “Xiao Tan can’t handle the psychological burden on his own. He hasn’t been a member for very long, and so far, we haven’t found any crimes committed within mainland China through the group. However, we’re reviewing old cases.”
“Can you identify the people behind the accounts?”
“Yes. As I mentioned before, all their communications are protected by Seraph’s hacking technology. Xiao Tan says they can break through the hackers’ firewalls, but doing so would alert the people on the other side. We’re still gathering evidence. It isn’t time to close the net yet.”
Dr. Pompeii asked, “Have you found any discussions related to the Gong family case?”
“There have been some, because of what happened a while ago…” Gong Yingxian glanced at Ren Yi. “I told you about it. A video of Ren Yi and me investigating a car-arson case was livestreamed on Seraph, which drew their attention to us. But so far, their discussions haven’t yielded any useful clues.”
“How many people are in this high-level group? Are any members of the organization itself among them?”
“Fewer than a hundred in this particular group, but there’s more than one group. Most of the members are Chinese. We suspect that some actual members of the organization are involved, possibly the group administrators, but we haven’t confirmed that yet.”
Dr. Pompeii said with deep concern, “This X-cult organization certainly has no shortage of talented people. High-IQ criminals are extremely difficult to deal with. I’d wager you’ve never encountered a criminal organization quite like this one.”
“No, we haven’t,” Gong Yingxian replied. “We’ve dealt with arsonists, and we’ve dealt with X-cults, but never a combination of the two. This is rare even on a global scale. At least, I’ve never studied a case like this.”
“That’s because pyromaniacs generally act alone. They’re usually poor at socializing and tend to live on the fringes of society, where they struggle to find acceptance. Ironically, that makes them ideal targets for brainwashing by an X-cult. Ziyan takes their shameful obsessions and reframes them as righteous, noble, even divine. Within the organization, they receive praise, recognition, and honors. Outside it, having control over other people’s lives and deaths makes them feel immensely powerful.” Dr. Pompeii’s expression darkened. “It’s terrifying because these are precisely the things they’ve craved and yearned for their entire lives.”
Gong Yingxian said in a low voice, “That’s why the man we caught at the concert has been so difficult to break. He believes Ziyan understands and appreciates him, while his family only misunderstands him, pressures him, and looks down on him. And in his case, that’s actually true.”
“Has he become any more reasonable now?” Ren Yi asked. “At least he helped you find the amusement park and the bodies of Bai Yan’s wife and daughter.”
“Yes, but he didn’t do it because he genuinely wanted to help us. His mental state is extremely unstable, and he’s fiercely loyal to Ziyan and proud of belonging to the organization. We used provocation to trick him into talking and hypnosis to extract information from deep within his consciousness. But that information can only assist the investigation; it can’t be used in court. That’s a serious problem, because it means some of our evidence is inadmissible.”
Ren Yi smiled. “He’s only a small fish. His greatest value lies in helping you catch the big fish. From that perspective, you’ve already gotten quite a lot out of him.”
“It’s a pity about the person at the barbecue restaurant…” Gong Yingxian said darkly. “But it doesn’t matter. We’ll catch Bai Yan soon enough.”
Dr. Pompeii said, “Send me Bai Yan’s profile. I’ll study his background. Perhaps I can offer you some help.”
“All right.”
The three of them talked for quite some time, and by the time they finished, it was already late. Ren Yi decided to return to his fire station. He had just received a disciplinary penalty, so it would be best for him to keep his head down and stay at the station for a while.
Gong Yingxian didn’t try to persuade him to stay. Instead, he said bluntly, “I’ll drive you back.”
“It’s already so late. You should get some rest.”
“I’m going back to the sub-bureau,” Gong Yingxian replied. “Uncle Sheng, pack some food for Captain Ren.”
“It’s already prepared.” Uncle Sheng happily carried a large pile of things over to Gong Yingxian’s car.
Ren Yi said awkwardly, “Every time I come here, I arrive empty-handed and leave with a whole pile of things. I’m embarrassed.”
“Don’t be, Captain Ren.” Uncle Sheng smiled warmly. “You’re no longer just a guest. You and Miss Qiu are both family to our young master.”
Ren Yi smiled to himself.
While Gong Yingxian and Uncle Sheng were arranging everything in the trunk, Dr. Pompeii walked over to Ren Yi with a smile.
“Captain Ren, Yingxian has mentioned you many times during our phone calls. You have a tremendously positive influence on him.”
“Haha, really?” Ren Yi laughed. “Sometimes, I’m not even sure of that myself.”
“It’s true. I suspect your contribution to his trauma recovery is even greater than mine.”
Ren Yi was startled. “I couldn’t possibly take credit for that, Doctor. You’re the one who helped him recover.”
Dr. Pompeii smiled faintly. “I merely performed the surgery, while you’re helping him heal. I don’t know if you ever saw what he was like when he first came back. Compared with then, he’s improved tremendously. If he hadn’t been carrying a PhD from MIT at the time, the police academy certainly wouldn’t have accepted him.”
Ren Yi couldn’t help recalling his first encounters with Gong Yingxian. Back then, Gong Yingxian had been several times colder and more rigid than he was now, deeply distrustful of other people and determined to keep his distance. These days, he could function normally at work and in his daily life. Compared with how he used to be, he had improved beyond measure.
Dr. Pompeii patted Ren Yi on the shoulder and lowered his voice. “However, when it comes to your relationship, I’m reserving judgment.”
Ren Yi’s expression changed instantly, and he grew nervous.
“Love can lift someone to heaven, but it can also hurl them into hell. I hope both of you will approach it with caution.”
Ren Yi stammered, “We… it’s not exactly…” Faced with Dr. Pompeii’s penetrating gaze, which seemed capable of seeing right through him, he found himself at a loss for words.
“I’m saying this from the perspective of Yingxian’s doctor. Perhaps it sounds a little cold, but I keep a close eye on his psychological state. The greater your positive influence on him, the greater the potential negative impact could be, too. Personally, I believe your relationship is dangerous, yet it also presents a situation where risk and reward go hand in hand. In any case…” Dr. Pompeii paused to consider his words. “I hope that something beautiful can remain beautiful forever.”
Ren Yi was thoroughly unnerved by what he heard, though the doctor’s final sentence also left him somewhat bewildered.
He understood that Dr. Pompeii was warning him. In truth, the doctor shared the same concerns as Qiu Yan: they were afraid Ren Yi might hurt Gong Yingxian. In their eyes, at least emotionally, Ren Yi was a fully mature adult, while Gong Yingxian was still a child.
To be honest, Ren Yi was just as confused himself. Now that their relationship had reached this point, he didn’t know whether what he had done along the way was right or wrong. But regardless of whether it was right or wrong, he could only keep moving forward.
There was one thing he was certain of, however: he would never hurt Gong Yingxian.
Gong Yingxian approached them, a hint of nervousness in his eyes. “What were you talking about?”
Dr. Pompeii raised an eyebrow. “We were talking about how adorable you were as a child.”
Gong Yingxian frowned.
“Haha, I’m kidding.” Dr. Pompeii laughed. “Why would I casually disclose a patient’s confidential information?”
Gong Yingxian breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried about losing face in front of Ren Yi.
“Ren Yi, get in the car.”
Ren Yi held out his hand to Dr. Pompeii. “…Thank you.”
Dr. Pompeii shook his hand firmly and smiled.