A Sharp Edge Emerges From The Mist Chapter 36

Shen Qingwu’s chess game

The day after Shen Qingwu made his choice, it was the darkest moment before dawn.

She didn’t alert anyone, including Lin Jianfeng who was guarding the outer living room.Just sitting alone in front of the computer in the study, the blue light of the screen reflected her unusually calm face.She didn’t turn on the light, only the slight sound of typing on the keyboard sounded regularly in the silence, like some kind of secret ritual.

She logged into a separate server hidden beneath multiple encryption shells.This is not Qingyuan Capital’s network, or even any of her usual intelligence channels.She spent several years and huge resources building this, a completely independent “shadow database” that belongs only to her.What is stored in it is not business secrets or criminal evidence, but all the invisible means, gray figures she has come into contact with, secret transactions, and data fragments obtained through various channels (legal or illegal) involving the core secrets of “Dark River” and its related parties in the past ten years.

Like a crazy collector, every piece of the puzzle that may be stained with blood is carefully hidden here.

Now, it’s time to open this Pandora’s box.

She didn’t hesitate at all, her hands danced rapidly on the keyboard, executing the preset and complex cleaning and desensitization procedures.First, erase all identification and path information that may reveal the source of the intelligence and endanger the safety of the informant.Then, obfuscate unnecessary details that involve the privacy of third parties, even criminals.Then, she separated and sealed the transaction records that were purely in the nature of industrial espionage but had nothing to do with the core crime of “Dark River” – for this part, she planned to apply through her lawyer later to apply for restrictions on disclosure on the grounds of “trade secrets” and “possible involvement of third-party infringement” as a possible bargaining chip in future legal battles.

What’s left in the end is the truly fatal “dry stuff”:

· Several disguised communication recordings and chat records, covering multiple secret conversations between “Changhe” Dana Liu, “Iron Shield” Zhou Tieshan and the retired “Director Li” about the distribution of benefits of the “New City Project”, the “handling” of problems (including “care” for investigative reporters like Zhao Ming), and the laundering of funds.The source of the recording was cleverly disguised as “accidentally obtained commercial wiretapping material.”

·A complex fund flow map, detailing how part of the land compensation for the “New City Project” flowed through dozens of shell companies and offshore accounts, and finally flowed into overseas assets controlled by Dana Liu, Director Li and their relatives.Some of the key nodes in the map are supported by screenshots of processed internal bank inquiry records that she purchased at a high price from some “special channels”.

·A compiled list and relationship diagram, listing dozens of suspicious persons known to be involved in administrative approvals, financial supervision, judicial brokers and other aspects of the “Dark River” network, as well as the invisible connections between them through ties such as in-laws, classmates, fellow villagers’ associations, etc.Next to the list, there are records of these people’s unusual property changes, sudden job promotions or “unexpected” gains that she dug out from various public or non-public files.

·Finally, the part that she cherished the most and was the most painful – the independent investigative report on her parents’ old case.It did not directly accuse anyone of being the murderer, but used rigorous and cold logic, combined with the ignored details of the scene (partly from the information given to Lin Jianfeng on her birthday), the inconsistent testimonies of several key witnesses, and the abnormal movements of relevant stakeholders before and after the incident. It constructed a complete “reasonable suspicion” framework, clearly pointing the finger at Qingyuan Industrial’s biggest competitor at the time, and Zhang Mingda, who had accepted bribes and issued a false safety report and died of a “sudden heart attack.”At the end of the report, she wrote calmly: “The above is only a logical deduction based on existing clues, and the specific culpability needs to be determined by the judicial authorities in accordance with the law.”

After doing all this, the sky outside the window has turned fish belly white.Shen Qingwu saved, encrypted, backed up, and then copied the core data package to a special USB flash drive that was physically encrypted and had no network connection function.She pulled out the USB flash drive and held it in her hand.The metal shell is cold, but it seems to be extremely heavy.

This USB flash drive contains her ten years of persistence, ten years of darkness, and ten years of struggle. It is also the last and most decisive dagger she threw into the heart of the “underdark river”.

She stood up and walked to the window, watching the morning light dispel the darkness little by little.The city began to wake up, and the sound of traffic could be heard faintly.

It’s time to make a move.

She walked out of the study and came to the living room.Lin Jianfeng was already lying on the sofa with his clothes on. His breathing was steady, but his brows were slightly furrowed. It was obvious that he was not sleeping deeply.She was also covered with a thin blanket, which Shen Qingwu quietly covered her with last night.

Shen Qingwu walked over and squatted beside the sofa, quietly looking at Lin Jianfeng’s sleeping profile.The morning light filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting soft light and shadow on her face, diluting the sharpness between her eyebrows, making her look quiet and soft.Shen Qingwu stretched out his hand to brush away a strand of hair from her forehead, but his fingertips stopped just before they touched it.

She couldn’t wake her up.Some roads require you to take the first step.

She gently placed the U disk on the coffee table next to Lin Jianfeng and pressed it on a piece of note paper.There is only one line on the note:

[Jian Feng: This is my ‘letter of surrender’ and my ‘confession’.Inside is everything I know about the ‘Underground River’, as well as a complete record of my past illegal methods.Please transfer it to the task force according to the procedure.I will formally explain the situation to Team Leader Liu later and accept all investigations and handling.Don’t read it.Clear fog.】

Putting down the USB flash drive and notes, Shen Qingwu took one last deep look at Lin Jianfeng, as if he wanted to carve her face into his heart.Then, she turned around, picked up a simple duffel bag that had been prepared (only a few changes of clothes and necessities in it), and walked quietly to the door.

She didn’t look back.

Opening the door, the cool morning air rushed in.Outside the door, two plainclothes police officers responsible for perimeter security were stunned for a moment when they saw her.One of them subconsciously pressed the headset and prepared to report.

“There is no need to notify Team Lin.” Shen Qingwu said calmly, “I will go to the city bureau myself and find Team Leader Liu. There are some situations that need to be explained proactively.”

Her tone was unquestionable, with a calmness and determination after all burdens had been removed.The police officers looked at each other and nodded.The order they received was to protect (and monitor) Shen Qingwu, but it did not restrict her from going to the city bureau to cooperate with the investigation.

Shen Qingwu walked down the stairs, his back looking a little thin in the morning light, but straight.

She knew that if this move was made, there would be no turning back.Ahead may be the cold light of the interrogation room, the solemn verdict of the court, or the long life behind bars.

But she has no regrets.

Because this move would not only completely checkmate “Underground River”, but also allow her to truly break free from the quagmire of the past, and face her parents’ spirits in heaven with a pure soul (even if she was burdened with legal punishment), and face… Lin Jianfeng.

She is willing to use possible jail time in exchange for the freedom of her soul and the ultimate truth.

This is Shen Qingwu’s final game on the chessboard of life, for herself and for all the wronged souls swallowed by the “dark river”.

If you take care of yourself, you will have no regrets.

The faint morning light illuminated her path forward, and also illuminated the unprecedented calmness and determination in her eyes.

In the apartment, Lin Jianfeng opened his eyes the moment Shen Qingwu closed the door.She had actually woken up a long time ago, or rather, she hadn’t slept much at all.She could vaguely feel Shen Qingwu’s movements in the study.When Shen Qingwu put down the USB flash drive and sticky notes, she could even hear the extremely slight sound of paper scraping against the table.

She didn’t move, just closed her eyes, feeling Shen Qingwu’s eyes lingering on her face, feeling her quietly leaving.

It wasn’t until the sound of the door closing was heard that Lin Jianfeng slowly sat up and picked up the USB flash drive and notes on the coffee table.Looking at the familiar line of handwriting, her fingers tightened slightly, and her heart seemed to have been hit hard by something. It was sore and painful, but full of indescribable admiration and… distress.

This proud and stubborn woman finally chose the most difficult but most thorough path.

Lin Jianfeng held the U disk tightly in his hand, and the metal edge touched his palm, causing a clear feeling of pain.She stood up, walked to the window, and watched Shen Qingwu get into the police car downstairs (at her own request to show “initiative”) and disappear on the street corner in the early morning.

Then, she picked up her cell phone and dialed Team Leader Liu’s number.

“Team Leader Liu, I am Lin Jianfeng. Ms. Shen Qingwu has just taken the initiative to go to the Municipal Bureau. She has important information that she wants to explain to you in person and submit key evidence. In addition,” she paused, her voice was calm and firm, “As for some historical issues she may be involved in, I hope the organization can considerConsidering her significant and critical contribution in the investigation of the “Underwater” case, as well as her voluntary surrender and thorough confession of repentance, I will give her the most fair and humane treatment within the framework of the law.I will provide her with the necessary proof and assistance in my own name.”

There was silence for a moment on the other end of the phone, and then the serious but not unkind voice of Team Leader Liu came: “I understand. Captain Lin, come here too. This matter… needs to be handled with caution.”

“Yes, I’ll be there soon.”

After hanging up the phone, Lin Jianfeng took one last look out the window.The morning light is already in full swing and the city is fully awake.

The most critical move in Shen Qingwu’s chess game has been made.

And her chess game has just begun – she will use her own way to strive for the best ending for this woman who is so brave that she is almost self-destructive.

Their paths are destined to intersect and cannot be separated.

Now, what they have to face together is the final judgment and… a new beginning.