Courtyard House: First, kill the hypocrites, leave none alive.

"He was hacked to death."

The forensic doctor squatted beside Xu Damao's body, his voice as calm as if he were describing the weather. But everyone around him looked grim—the gruesome state of the body was beyond their imagination.

Xu Damao lay prone in a ditch beside the Jingkai Highway, his back, shoulders, and chest covered in knife wounds, each one deep enough to expose bone. A fatal slit ran down his neck; the blood had drained away, seeping into the soil and staining the surrounding land a dark red. Flies buzzed around him, and the air was thick with the stench of blood and death.

Officer Zhang stood beside the corpse, his brow furrowed. How many was this? Qin Huairu, Jia Dongxu, Director Wang, and now Xu Damao. And then there was Yi Zhonghai, who had lost an arm.

Chen Feng has gone mad, completely mad.

"Time of death?" Zhang Gong'an asked.

"Between six and eight o'clock yesterday morning." The forensic doctor stood up, took off his gloves, and said, "A slit throat was the fatal wound, but there were also more than a dozen other stab wounds on the body, all inflicted before death. The killer was very cruel; every stab was torture for the victim."

Officer Zhang nodded and looked around. The scene had been cordoned off, and several police officers were conducting an investigation. There were obvious bicycle tire tracks and signs of a struggle on the roadside.

"Xu Damao was killed while showing movies in the countryside," a policeman reported. "His bicycle and his money were gone. Two wooden crates containing the projection equipment and generator were found at the scene; they hadn't been touched."

"Just a bicycle and money?" Officer Zhang stroked his chin. "It seems the murderer is short of money, or needs a means of transportation."

"It could also be to create the illusion of a robbery," another police officer said.

Officer Zhang remained silent. He knew it wasn't robbery. Chen Feng never killed for money. He simply took the money and valuables as he pleased; his true purpose was revenge.

"Investigate the bicycle tracks," Officer Zhang ordered. "See which direction the tire tracks went. Also, notify all police stations to check if anyone is reselling bicycles, especially Flying Pigeon brand ones."

"yes!"

"In addition," Officer Zhang said, "Xu Damao is a projectionist at the steel rolling mill. Notify the factory's security department to cooperate with the investigation. Also, go to the courtyard house to notify his family."

He paused, then added, "Send more people to the courtyard house to strengthen its security. Chen Feng's next target is very likely there."

At the same time, in the abandoned brick kiln.

Chen Feng huddled in a corner, listening to the howling wind outside. The wind was strong, rustling the thatch on the cave roof. He was somewhat relieved—such a strong wind should be able to blow away all the tracks he had left by riding his bicycle.

He hasn't left the brick kiln since returning last night. Xu Damao's body must have been discovered; there must be police everywhere, eyes everywhere.

But he didn't regret it. Xu Damao deserved to die. He danced the most enthusiastically and talked the most passionately that night, and now he's dead—he deserved it.

Chen Feng pulled out the watch he had snatched from Xu Damao from his pocket. It was a Shanghai brand, practically new, with some scratches on the crystal, but it still worked. He checked the time: 8:30 in the morning.

He needs to know what's happening outside, but he can't go out himself. It's too dangerous.

Chen Feng thought for a moment and decided to wait until noon. At noon, the nearby villagers might come out to work, and he could get some information from them.

He leaned against the wall, closed his eyes to rest. His mind raced over his next plan—the next one, Sha Zhu.

But how to start? Sha Zhu works in the steel mill's canteen and rarely goes out. The back door of the canteen faces a small alley, which could be a starting point. However, the canteen is crowded and noisy, making it difficult to act.

Maybe we can wait for Sha Zhu to get off work. The steel mill closes at 5 PM, and Sha Zhu will walk through several alleys on his way home. One section of that road is rather secluded; we could ambush him there.

Chen Feng made up his mind. He would take action tonight.

But the prerequisite is that he needs to know Sha Zhu's whereabouts, when he gets off work, and which route he takes.

This requires intelligence.

Chen Feng opened his eyes and looked at the hole in the cave ceiling. Sunlight streamed in through the hole, casting a dappled light on the ground. Time passed slowly.

Around noon, he heard voices outside. It was the voice of two men, approaching from a distance.

"Have you heard? Xu Damao is dead."

"Which Xu Damao?"

"The one who shows movies at the steel mill, the one who lives in a courtyard house in the south of the city."

"How did he die?"

"He was hacked to death right next to the Jingkai Highway. It was a terrible murder; they say he was stabbed more than a dozen times."

"My God, who did this?"

"Who else could it be but Chen Feng? That kid escaped from prison and started killing people indiscriminately. First it was Jia Dongxu's wife, then Jia Dongxu, and now it's Xu Damao."

"Is he crazy?"

"With his family destroyed and his family wiped out, how could he not go insane? I heard that his parents were burned to death, his sister went missing, and he was sent to a labor camp. Anyone would go insane in that situation."

"Who will be next?"

"Who knows? I heard the police have gone to the courtyard house to protect the people inside. But can they really stop them? Chen Feng is in the shadows, while they are in the open."

The sound gradually faded into the distance. Chen Feng listened in the cave, a cold smile curving his lips.

The police went to the courtyard house? Who were they protecting?

Can it be protected?

He stood up and stretched. It was time to go out.

Chen Feng emerged from the brick kiln and walked around to a small grove of trees behind it. From here, he could see distant villages and the Jingkai Highway. Vehicles occasionally passed by on the highway, but there were no police cars.

It seems that the police are focusing their search efforts on the city, while the areas outside the city are safer.

He decided to go to a nearby village to get some food. He had money on him, which he could use to buy things, but he couldn't use stolen money; that would give him away. He needed to exchange some money for smaller bills to buy the food.

Chen Feng waited in the woods until the afternoon before heading towards the village. He went around to the back of the village and found a villager who seemed honest.

"Sir, could you give me some change?" Chen Feng pulled out five yuan. "I want to buy some food, but I don't have any change."

The old man sized him up a few times, noticing his worn clothes but relatively normal eyesight, and agreed. After exchanging five yuan for change, Chen Feng thanked him and bought some cornbread and pickled vegetables in the village.

He didn't dare linger, bought the goods, and left. By the time he returned to the brick kiln, it was almost dark.

While eating his cornbread, Chen Feng planned his actions for the evening. He needed to check out the area around the courtyard house to assess the police deployment. If the defenses were too tight, he couldn't force his way in; he'd have to find another way.

But how to get there? I can't ride a bicycle anymore; it's too conspicuous. Walking is too slow.

Chen Feng thought about it and decided to walk. Safety first.

He finished eating, tidied up, and prepared to leave. But just then, he heard footsteps outside.

More than one person.

Chen Feng immediately became alert, hid in the shadows at the innermost part of the cave, and gripped the dagger in his arms tightly.

The footsteps grew closer, accompanied by voices.

"Is anyone still working at this brick kiln?"

"It's been abandoned for a long time, there's no one left there."

"Let's go in and take a look. What if Chen Feng is hiding here?"

"How is that possible? How could someone hide in this run-down place?"

"The orders are to search all possible hiding places. Quickly, go in and take a look."

Chen Feng's heart leaped into his throat. The police! They've tracked us down here!

He gripped his dagger, ready to fight to the death. But then he thought, a direct confrontation wasn't the way to go. There was more than one enemy, and they might be armed.

He looked around, searching for an escape route. The cave had only one exit, which was already blocked. Unless…

Chen Feng looked up at the hole in the ceiling of the cave dwelling. The hole wasn't big, but it was just big enough for him to crawl through.

He quietly climbed onto a pile of bricks, stood on tiptoe, and his hand just reached the edge of the hole. He pushed off with all his might, his body rising upwards, and he squeezed out of the hole.

As soon as I crawled out, I heard a sound coming from below.

"Someone's there!"

"Chase!"

Chen Feng didn't dare look back. He jumped off the cave roof and ran wildly into the woods. He heard footsteps and shouts chasing him from behind, but he ran very fast, like a startled rabbit.

He knew the terrain well, knowing where to hide and where to run. With a few turns, he shook off his pursuers.

But they dared not stop and kept running until they reached a graveyard. The graves were piled high, and the weeds were taller than a person; no one dared to come there at night.

Chen Feng hid behind a large tombstone, panting heavily. His heart was pounding, and he was covered in cold sweat.

That was close. I almost got caught.

But he knew he couldn't stay here any longer. The police had already tracked him down and would soon expand their search. He needed a new hiding place.

where to go?

Chen Feng's mind raced. He couldn't go into the city, and the outskirts weren't safe either. Did he really have to sleep in the wilderness?

He suddenly remembered a place—the archway under the bridge by the moat. It was cold there, but secluded. And, being close to the city, it was convenient for movement.

Having made up his mind, Chen Feng walked towards the moat.

At the same time, the courtyard was deathly silent.

News of Xu Damao's death had spread. Xu Fugui, Xu Damao's father, fainted on the spot upon hearing the news and was only revived after someone pinched his philtrum. Upon waking, he wept uncontrollably, his grief heart-wrenching.

"My son—how could you leave like this—"

The sound of crying echoed in the courtyard, sending chills down one's spine.

Everyone else in the courtyard kept their doors closed, too afraid to come out. But everyone was listening, wondering—who would be next?

At Sha Zhu's house, he was drinking silently. On the table was a plate of peanuts, and a bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) was empty. He opened another bottle, poured himself a full glass, and gulped it down.

Xu Damao is dead. He was stabbed more than a dozen times and died on a suburban highway.

Who will be next?

Sha Zhu knew it was most likely him. That night, he had beaten Chen Feng the most, kicking him to the ground and then kicking him several more times. Chen Feng remembered, he must remember.

"Come on!" Sha Zhu suddenly stood up and shouted at the empty room, "Chen Feng! Come on! I'm not afraid of you!"

But his hands were trembling as he said this.

At Liu Guangtian's home, he and his younger brother Liu Guangfu sat facing each other, both of them looking very unwell.

"Brother, what do we do?" Liu Guangfu's voice trembled. "Xu Damao is dead, the next one..."

"Stop talking!" Liu Guangtian interrupted him. "Nothing will happen. The police are guarding the compound; Chen Feng won't dare come."

“But Xu Damao was killed on the road,” Liu Guangfu said. “Can the police protect us 24 hours a day? We always have to go out and go to work.”

Liu Guangtian fell silent. His younger brother was right. They couldn't hide in the yard forever; they had to go out eventually. And once they went out, they might run into Chen Feng.

"How about..." Liu Guangfu said cautiously, "we go and hide out of town for a while?"

"Where are you going? You don't want your job? You don't want your family?"

"Is life more important or work?"

Liu Guangtian fell silent. Yes, his life was at stake. But he was unwilling to accept it. Why should he hide like a rat? Why could Chen Feng act so arrogantly?

"Wait a little longer," Liu Guangtian said. "The police said there's a city-wide manhunt, and they'll catch Chen Feng soon. Let's hold out for a few more days."

Liu Guangfu nodded, but the fear in his eyes did not lessen.

At Yan Bugui's house, his third aunt was packing things up.

"Old Yan, let's go stay at my parents' house for a few days," said the third aunt. "This courtyard is too scary. Xu Damao is dead, and who knows who will be next. Our Jiecheng and Jiefang are still young; they can't afford to get hurt."

Yan Bugui pushed up his glasses but didn't say anything. He was doing the math—going to his wife's parents' house meant bringing gifts and spending money. Besides, he was the third oldest man in the courtyard; running away at this time would be a loss of face.

"Wait a little longer," Yan Bugui said. "The police have increased security, and there are young people taking turns keeping watch in the compound. Everything should be fine."

"But……"

"Stop talking," Yan Bugui interrupted her, "I am the Third Uncle, I cannot desert my post."

The old woman sighed and said nothing more. But she had already made up her mind to take her child back to her parents' home first thing tomorrow morning, regardless of whether Yan Bugui wanted her to stay or not.

At Yi Zhonghai's home, an older woman was feeding her husband medicine. Yi Zhonghai's wound was infected, he had a fever, and he was in a daze.

"Old Yi, take your medicine," an older woman said softly.

Yi Zhonghai opened his eyes, his gaze empty: "Who died?"

"Xu Damao".

"Oh," Yi Zhonghai responded, then closed his eyes again. "It's my turn next."

"Don't talk nonsense!" an older woman exclaimed anxiously. "The police are guarding the courtyard; Chen Feng can't get in."

"Can't get in?" Yi Zhonghai smiled bitterly. "If he wants to come in, no one can stop him. Qin Huairu is dead, Jia Dongxu is dead, Director Wang is dead, Xu Damao is dead... The next one will either be me, Shazhu, or Liu Guangtian."

He paused, then lowered his voice even further: "Retribution...it's all retribution..."

An elderly woman cried, her tears dripping into the medicine bowl. She didn't know what to do, and could only repeat over and over, "It will pass, it will pass..."

But will it really pass?

no one knows.

Security Department of the Steel Rolling Mill, Office of the Department Head.

Police Officer Zhang and Chief Zhao of the Security Section sat facing each other, both with solemn expressions.

"Section Chief Zhao, this is the situation," said Officer Zhang. "Chen Feng has already killed four people and crippled one. He's likely still in the city, and his target is those people in the courtyard."

Old Zhao nodded: "Our factory has strengthened security, and everyone entering and leaving has to show their ID. But the factory area is too big, and it's impossible to check every corner."

"Chen Feng might be hiding in the factory," said Officer Zhang. "He worked here for five years and is very familiar with the factory area. You should focus your search on abandoned workshops, warehouses, and basements."

"They're already investigating," Old Zhao said, "but to be honest, the chances aren't great. There are tens of thousands of people in the factory; if Chen Feng is mixed in with the workers, it'll be very difficult to spot him."

Officer Zhang was silent for a moment, then said, "There's another clue. When Xu Damao was killed, his bicycle was stolen. It was a Flying Pigeon brand 28-inch motorcycle, license plate number 京A-34721. If anyone in your factory sees this bicycle, or if anyone is reselling bicycles, report it immediately."

"Okay, I'll pass the word on right away."

"Furthermore," Officer Zhang added, "Chen Feng's next target is likely Sha Zhu. Sha Zhu works in your factory canteen, so you need to protect him closely."

"Shazhu?" Old Zhao frowned. "That kid has a bad temper; he might not be willing to accept protection."

"He has no choice but to agree," said Officer Zhang. "This is for his safety. Tell him that starting today, he will be picked up and dropped off at get off work, and someone will be watching him in the cafeteria."

"Okay, I'll go and talk to them."

Zhang Gong'an stood up and walked to the window. Outside was the vast steel rolling mill area, with thick smoke billowing from the chimneys and the faint roar of machinery. In a factory with tens of thousands of employees, hiding someone would be too easy.

But Chen Feng couldn't hide forever. He needed to eat, sleep, and move around.

He will reveal his weakness as soon as he takes action.

Officer Zhang clenched his fist. He had to catch him before more people died.

Late at night, by the moat.

Chen Feng huddled in a bridge archway, covered with a tattered sack he'd salvaged from a garbage dump. The archway was cold; the biting wind blowing from the river felt like knives cutting into his face. But he didn't care; the cold was better than being caught.

He almost got caught today. Luckily, he reacted quickly and ran fast.

But this can't go on. The police search is getting more and more intense, and there are fewer and fewer places for him to hide. He'll be found sooner or later.

He had to kill all the people who needed to be killed before he was caught.

Next up, Sha Zhu.

Chen Feng pondered. Sha Zhu worked in the steel mill's canteen; he was picked up and dropped off at get off work, and there were people watching him in the canteen too. It wouldn't be easy to make a move.

But there's always a way. For example, waiting until Sha Zhu goes to the market.

Although Sha Zhu doesn't go to the market often, the canteen occasionally needs to purchase some special ingredients, and Sha Zhu will personally go and pick them out. That's when he'll be the one left out.

Chen Feng decided to stake out the vegetable market tomorrow. If Sha Zhu didn't show up, he would try to sneak into the steel rolling mill.

He closed his eyes and forced himself to sleep. He needed energy, and he needed a clear mind.

But sleepiness wouldn't come. The images kept flashing through my mind—Qin Huairu's bleeding face, Jia Dongxu's wide-open eyes, Xu Damao's fear before his death.

And then there's Xiaoyu. Where is Xiaoyu? Is she really dead?

Chen Feng opened his eyes and looked at the dark river. Sparse starlight was reflected on the water, cold and devoid of warmth.

"Xiaoyu," he whispered, "if you're still alive, you must wait for your brother. If you die... your brother will come to be with you soon."

The river flowed silently, offering no answer.

A night wind blew by, carrying a biting chill. Chen Feng wrapped himself tightly in the tattered sack and closed his eyes.

It's almost dawn.

A new day, a new killing, is about to begin.

A large net has been cast, but he doesn't care.

He wanted to kill all his enemies before this net tightened.

Not a single one will be left.