★Recommended by acclaimed mysteries authors forensic experts Qin Ming, Cai Jun, and Vice Chairman of the Public Security Federation of Literary and Art Circles Zhang Ce!
★Another masterpiece by renowned public security writer and winner of the Golden Shield Literature Award, Shu Zhongmin!
★Human beings are beasts that embody both good and evil. The distance between us and evil might just be a thought away.
★If you were a police officer, would you overturn a case for a group of drug addicts? A suspenseful criminal investigation novel full of practical significance, telling the story of two rookie police officers who, while investigating multiple cases of drug addicts being killed, discover shocking truths hidden behind these cases.

*Author Shu Zhongmin has been a long-time contributor to "Woodpecker", a publication directly managed by the Ministry of Public Security. Being featured in "Woodpecker" is a litmus test for the excellence and professionalism of a detective novel.

The Winner of the Golden Shield Literature Award - Shu Zhongmin’s Suspense Series includes 3 titles:
"Extraordinary Sin: Our Distance from Evil"
"Web Detective: The Hidden World"
"Bewitchment: Conspiracy in the Yao Area"

For several years, the defendants in multiple murder cases have all been framed—and both the victims and the scapegoats are drug addicts.

The story begins with a series of bizarre cases occurring during the spring and summer seasons in Chenhe. Drug addicts, a marginalized group forgotten by society and sunlight, become both the accused and the victims in these cases. Two rookie police officers, Zheng Hang and Fang Juan, embark on a challenging journey to overturn the convictions for these addicts. They face not only the cunning and cruelty of the murderer but also the prejudice and pressure from society.

Zheng Hang, driven by the unresolved mystery of his father's murder, is determined to become a good police officer like his father. His unwavering belief supports him as he treads this thorny path. Fang Juan, a community anti-drug center officer, fights alongside Zheng Hang with her meticulous mind and steadfast determination. Under immense pressure, they search for clues to solve the case, while the real killer watches their every move, deliberately leaving behind various hints, playing a cat-and-mouse game with them...

In the process of uncovering the truth, they witness the multifaceted nature of humanity. Zhilao, who successfully completed forced rehabilitation, spent his fortune to become a protector of the homeless, and his death sparked pleas for justice from the vagrants. Meanwhile, Uncle Bao, an old man with a special connection to Zheng Hang's father, gifted Zheng Hang the compensation he received after years of wrongful imprisonment... What secrets lie behind these actions?

As the investigation deepens, Zheng Hang and Fang Juan gradually unravel the hidden truth: everything is intricately connected to the murder of Zheng Hang's father twelve years ago!

Shu Zhongmin, formerly known by his pen name Jing Hang, holds a Bachelor's degree in Chinese Literature and a Master's degree in Law. He is a distinguished member of the Hunan Writers Association and a recipient of the Golden Shield Literature Award. With years of experience working on the front lines of public security, Shu has accumulated a wealth of investigative expertise, which provides a rich reservoir of authentic material for his writing.
Specializing in crime and suspense fiction, Shu not only crafts gripping narratives but also delves deeply into the complexities of human nature and social realities. His works are celebrated for their intricate plots, vivid characters, and thought-provoking themes.
Shu's novel "Bewitchment" won the Bronze Award at the 3rd Cross-Strait New Media Original Literature Competition, while his work "I Want to Be Mayor" was honored with the Novel Award at Phoenix Web's First Original Literature Competition. His acclaimed novels, such as "Extraordinary Crime", “Extraordinary Breakthrough”, and“Extraordinary Redemption”, have been published in the renowned literary journal "Woodpecker".

Chapter 1//001
Flower in the Dark Night
Chapter 2//040
Replicated Spring and Summer
Chapter 3//085
Follow the North Star
Chapter 4//126
The pain is deep inside
Chapter 5//170
Here's a surprise for you
Chapter 6//221
Beyond evidence
Chapter 7//252
No One Can Harm Me
Chapter 8//289
Meteor Across the Sky
Epilogue//325
The North Star in the North

Preview

Chapter One: Flower in the Dark Night
1
With a "thud," Zheng Hang knew he had messed up.
"You idiot!" he cursed himself, kicking the police car's tire in frustration. What should he do now? He turned to look at the shopping mall, where a card-operated phone was installed at the entrance. A security guard stood trembling behind the phone, a mocking smile on his face. Zheng Hang glared at him, strode up the steps, and pushed open the mall door.
The guard stepped back, but Zheng Hang ignored him, picked up the phone, and dialed "110" to connect with the command center. He informed the female dispatcher that he had arrived at the mall where the robbery had been reported and described the suspect's details so she could relay the information to the commanding officer and reinforcements.
"Don't hang up," the dispatcher said. "Director Guan wants to speak with you."
"There's no time. I need to secure the scene," Zheng Hang exclaimed anxiously, unwilling to talk to his superior before figuring out how to open the car door and retrieve his equipment. The siren was still blaring, and he feared Director Guan would hear it over the phone and question why he was causing a disturbance. "The reinforcements haven't arrived yet, and a crowd is gathering at the entrance... I'm worried it might hinder the investigation."
"Just do your job. Reinforcements will be there soon," the dispatcher said. "Wait, Director Guan is here."
He heard Guan Xi's labored breathing as he took the phone. Guan Xi, a long-time smoker and middle-aged man carrying extra weight, had significant lung strain. "Good job, Xiao Zheng," Guan Xi said gently. "This is your chance to prove yourself. Two malls were robbed tonight, and I suspect it's the work of the same group. The guns they're carrying are likely real, so be careful. I need you to secure the crime scene and gather more details to give us an edge in solving the case."
"Understood, Director," Zheng Hang replied. "I've already shared what I know with the dispatcher. She'll brief you. I haven't had time to ask about other details yet."
"Good. Make sure to preserve anything the suspect touched in the store to avoid losing evidence."
Zheng Hang pressed the phone to his shoulder and shouted at the security guard, "Did the robber touch anything else in the store?"
"Yes," the guard replied loudly, his expression still mocking. "He used the card-operated phone. Before the robbery, he made a call, probably to an accomplice. Shortly after, two armed men rushed in."
Zheng Hang's eyes widened. "This phone?" he asked, pointing to the one in his hand.
The guard shrugged. "There's no second phone here."
Gosh, he thought. This was a nightmare. How would he explain to his superiors that he had wiped away valuable evidence—the suspect's fingerprints left at the crime scene? Outside, the flashing police lights dazzled him, and the blaring siren made his head feel like it was splitting.
Zheng Hang was a perfectionist. For this mission, he had not only planned meticulously and prepared thoroughly but also rehearsed multiple times. However, he had previously worked in the police department's secretariat and, after becoming deputy director of the Chengji Police Station, had been responsible for community policing. He was completely inexperienced in investigative work. That's why he had practiced so hard, even injuring himself when an elastic door hit him in the face during a rehearsal. His upper lip was still swollen, and his chin bore a band-aid.
The injury was minor, but the anxiety had seeped into his bones.
The sound of screeching tires outside signaled the arrival of reinforcements. Zheng Hang felt like he had been saved.
"I'll report back to you later," he told Guan Xi. "The reinforcements are here. I need to coordinate with them. I'll update you as soon as there's any news." He hung up before the director could respond.
The newcomer was Yang Yang, a criminal investigator from the police station. Seeing Zheng Hang push open the door, Yang Yang greeted him from a distance with a relaxed expression. "Any findings, Deputy Director Zheng?"
"None," Zheng Hang replied, grabbing Yang Yang's arm. "Help me first, Yang Yang. I locked my keys in the car, along with my gear. Not wearing my equipment during duty will cost me points. Also, I used the mall's phone to report to the command center, but the guard just told me the suspect used this phone. What should I do? The forensic technician will find my fingerprints over the suspect's. What do I do?"
Yang Yang took a deep breath. "Don't worry, I've got this!" He snatched the phone, covering the area Zheng Hang had touched with his entire hand.
Zheng Hang lunged at him, trying to grab the phone back. "No!" he shouted. "What are you doing? The forensic team will find your fingerprints!"
Yang Yang blocked Zheng Hang with one hand and hung up the phone.
"Don't move," he said with a smile. "The forensic team might still find a few of the suspect's fingerprints. If you keep moving, you'll completely ruin the evidence for this major case."
"But you..."
"You're fine now, Deputy Director Zheng," Yang Yang said, his face stern like the legendary general Yuchi Gong. "I'll make sure you get through this. As for the rest, don't worry about it."
Zheng Hang paced in a circle. "If the director finds out what we've done, he'll send us to the most remote village."
"No one knows what you did," Yang Yang said, placing a hand on Zheng Hang's shoulder. "Forget it. I made the call, so only my fingerprints are on the phone. If they still find yours, it's because you tried to stop me. It's no big deal. When working in the field, no one can be that careful."
As Zheng Hang stood in a daze, Yang Yang turned and walked to the police car, peering inside. Not only were the lights and siren still on, but the engine was running, and the keys were in the ignition. He saw Zheng Hang's phone, walkie-talkie, and police gear on the passenger seat. What a careless guy!
He returned to his own car, opened the back door, and took out a small leather bag containing a set of tools for prying, twisting, hammering, and smashing. In less than five minutes, he had opened Zheng Hang's car door. He reached in and turned off the self-locking switch, finally silencing the siren and lights.
Color returned to Zheng Hang's face. He tightly grasped Yang Yang's hand and said, "You must think I'm an idiot, but I was just too anxious. I've been so stressed lately that I can't do anything right."
"We all make mistakes sometimes. No need to blame yourself," Yang Yang said humbly. "When I first started handling cases, I made plenty of blunders too!"
Hearing this, Zheng Hang pursed his lips, his furrowed brow relaxing as he looked at the road. Two more police cars arrived. The walkie-talkie on his belt suddenly crackled to life, and he picked it up, not hiding his relief.
The dispatcher's voice was sharp but clear. "This is the command center. A target has been spotted on South Main Street. Zheng Hang, take Yang Yang and head there immediately to assist in the arrest."
"Copy that," Zheng Hang replied, heading toward the police car.
"We'll take one car," Yang Yang said, taking Zheng Hang's car keys and starting the engine. The deafening siren immediately shattered the quiet street. Cool night air blew in through the windows, hitting their faces, but they were too focused to notice. Zheng Hang adjusted the gear on his belt and tested his handgun.
Sirens echoed from ahead.
"Police, stop!" came the command over the police car's loudspeaker. It sounded like the voice of Qi Sheng, the head of the criminal investigation team. It seemed Qi Sheng had already encountered the target. Yang Yang turned into South Main Street from Qian Yuan Alley. The target was driving a modified Land Rover with bulletproof glass. Standard procedure was to use multiple police cars to block the target, then order them to exit the vehicle voluntarily. But that was just wishful thinking on the police's part.

"Stop!" the police car ahead commanded again. Clearly, the target had no intention of surrendering. Zheng Hang and Yang Yang didn't hear the screech of brakes but instead the roar of an engine. Yang Yang hesitated for a moment, his foot hovering over the accelerator.
The police car was just a Volkswagen Jetta. The Land Rover could easily ram it or even run it over.
"All units, do not engage directly," Guan Xi's voice came over the walkie-talkie. "The suspect has nowhere to go."
Yang Yang stepped on the gas, turned the wheel, and the blue-and-white police car spun around, charging into the empty street. At that moment, a blurry shadow appeared on their left, roaring toward them. Yang Yang slammed on the brakes, causing the car to skid at a 50-degree angle toward the intersection. Simultaneously, another car appeared on their right, blocking the other lane.
In a flash, the Land Rover surged forward. Zheng Hang unbuckled his seatbelt, pushed open the car door, raised his handgun, and aimed at the Land Rover's massive front tire.
His finger tightened on the trigger.
"Screech—" The suspect finally hit the brakes, the tires screeching sharply against the ground. The air filled with the acrid smell of burning rubber. The Land Rover came to a stop less than twenty meters from their Jetta.
"Police! Raise your hands, open the door, and step out!"
The authoritative voice of Qi Sheng came from the loudspeaker of the police car on the right. Five or six police cars now surrounded the Land Rover, their windows and doors lined with the dark muzzles of guns, all aimed at the vehicle.
The Land Rover remained motionless. The doors didn't open, and the black windows didn't lower. Apart from the palpable tension, everything seemed frozen. Zheng Hang hid behind the car door, leaning out of his seat with his feet tucked on the pedals. If his feet touched the ground, they could become targets.
Despite the cool weather, sweat trickled down Zheng Hang's forehead, brows, and cheeks, leaving a stinging sensation at the corners of his eyes.
"Land Rover driver, use your left hand to lower all four windows!" Qi Sheng commanded again. "Raise your hands, surrender your weapons, and you may receive leniency."
After an awkward silence, the driver's side window finally began to lower. From Zheng Hang's angle, the streetlight cast a halo around the driver's head, and he could barely make out the driver's dark hair. The driver seemed to have raised his hands as instructed. Zheng Hang loosened his grip on the gun slightly.
"Driver, use your left hand to remove the car keys."
Qi Sheng continued to address the driver because the driver held the initiative to escape. Next, the driver would be ordered to throw the keys out the window and then slowly exit the vehicle, keeping his hands raised. He would have to turn 360 degrees to show he wasn't carrying any weapons. In winter, Qi Sheng would demand he open his coat to reveal anything hidden underneath. Finally, he would be told to walk over, turn around, and kneel. These were standard procedures from the criminal investigation manual.
Once these steps were completed, the officers would swarm in and take the suspect into custody.
However, this driver didn't seem familiar with criminal investigation procedures. After lowering the window, he kept his hands raised but didn't remove the keys.
"Zheng Hang?" Qi Sheng's voice came over the walkie-talkie.
"I can see the driver," Zheng Hang replied, peering through his gun's sights. "But it's too dark, and the windshield is too tinted. I can't tell if there's anyone in the passenger seat."
"Ouyang Wei?"
Ouyang Wei, the deputy head of the criminal investigation team, was likely in the police car diagonally behind Zheng Hang. "It looks like... there might be someone in the back seat. But it's too dark to be sure through the windows."
"Driver, use your left hand to remove the car keys," Qi Sheng commanded again over the loudspeaker, his voice louder and more threatening. The driver, however, remained patient, his hands raised as if numb.
Did the car move slightly? Was it an illusion? A tremor? Or...
"Driver, we're the police. Remove the keys!"
"Dammit!" Yang Yang cursed beside him, sweat pouring down his face like rain. He leaned halfway out the window, his submachine gun resting on the lowered glass. His arm trembled uncontrollably, and his legs might have been shaking too, though Zheng Hang couldn't see.
"Driver!"
The driver's left hand twitched downward. Yang Yang let out a sigh of relief.
But disaster often strikes in an instant.
"Gun! There's a gun in the car..."
"Bang! Bang! Bang!..." Automatic rifle or submachine gun fire erupted in a semicircle toward Zheng Hang and Qi Sheng's police cars. Zheng Hang quickly ducked, exiting the car and using the door as cover. He moved swiftly, firing his gun.
The gunfire intensified.
"Yang Yang, shoot!" Zheng Hang turned to his partner while reloading. But Yang Yang was nowhere in sight.
"Yang Yang?"
He leaned back into the passenger seat and saw Yang Yang lying on the asphalt beside the police car, a pool of red liquid spreading from his back.
"Yang Yang's been shot!" Zheng Hang shouted. "Bang!" Another gunshot grazed his calf, tearing through his police uniform.
"Covering fire!" Qi Sheng yelled over the walkie-talkie.
Zheng Hang fired back. He noticed Yang Yang's submachine gun hanging from the window and crawled over to retrieve it. The strap was caught in the door handle. "Bang!" The driver's side door was hit. He reflexively cried out and ducked.
Another shot rang out. Sparks flew from the passenger door, nearly burning his foot.
Zheng Hang moved quickly, yanking the submachine gun free. At that moment, he saw the Land Rover's doors open, providing cover for the suspect. A barrage of gunfire erupted in all directions, but the vehicle was still moving forward.
His blood boiled, and his body shook violently. Control! Control! The police had to regain control, or all their efforts would be wasted. Stay calm, stay calm. He needed to maintain steady breathing and aim carefully. He was acutely aware of the situation, and the submachine gun in his hands came alive. A burst of furious bullets tore through the Land Rover's rear tire, shredding it to pieces. The car finally came to a stop just three meters in front of him.
Looking up, he saw the Land Rover's driver running from the car. Zheng Hang rolled over and chased after him.
There was no sound, no pain, just a push and a searing heat from behind. Zheng Hang stumbled a few steps, unable to turn and see what had happened, before collapsing.