Chapter 72

"In the world where the boundaries between the virtual and the real are blurred, humans as biological beings are no longer unique."

"Every day, about 400 million photos are uploaded, and 1.4 billion active users generate 3.2 billion comments. This massive amount of information is not lost; the intelligent brain collects and compiles it into unique and complex personalities."

"These personalities are virtual avatars that can pass as real, allowing us to even communicate with deceased loved ones. In the game 'Perfect Life,' jointly developed by Deep Space Technology and Eternal Pharmaceuticals, we use these virtual avatars as NPCs with the users' permission. Everyone in this world is real, with their own memories and pasts, and their own unique personalities..."

At the main venue of the Xinhu International Plaza, Kong Tiancheng, an executive from Deep Space Technology, was delivering an impassioned speech when a commotion broke out in the audience. Many people were shouting and the crowd became chaotic.

Kong Tiancheng cleared his throat and was about to amplify the virtual image's sound when his assistant suddenly ran over.

"Something's happened!"

"Don't panic! Didn't I tell you to stay calm in a crisis?" Kong Tiancheng turned off the public audio.

"A scarred murderer has taken several streamers hostage. He claims to be Meng Changxi's brother and says that Meng Chang'an is the culprit of the Body Puzzle Case from ten years ago!"

"Damn! Where did you see that?!"

Kong Tiancheng glanced at his phone and then looked at the seats of the executives from Eternal Pharmaceuticals on the stage.

Four out of five seats were empty, and only one middle-aged man with a handsome face was quietly watching the virtual display. His name tag clearly read his name—Meng Chang'an.

Under the watchful eyes of thousands, he had intended to use himself as bait to lure Meng Changxi out, but now he was being watched by thousands.

Leaving might be a sign of guilt. But staying, who could predict what would happen next?

"Is he Meng Chang'an?"

"The murderer's brother? No, the murderer said Meng Chang'an is the real killer!"

"Meng Chang'an doesn't look like a killer at all!"

"What do you know? These people are very good at hiding."

"Report to headquarters immediately!"

Kong Tiancheng hurriedly left the stage, and music began to play in the venue, but the sound of the crowd's chatter drowned it out.

Similar scenes were unfolding in many places in Xinhu. In this era of rapid information dissemination, explosive news can instantly spark a wave of attention.

At that moment, many people were looking at their phones, staring at the screen showing a man with a completely disfigured face and a body covered in scars.

"I want to tell you a story, a story about love and death."

"A mother adopted three unwanted children. Two of them had psychological issues, and one was physically disabled. The mother gave all her love without expecting anything in return, but she was ultimately killed by her own children..."

In Room 1044 of the Happy Community, Han Fei was also staring intently at the screen. He knew Meng Changxi's past and understood that the other party had been preparing for this day for a long time.

"Is this how he planned to end it?"

Meng Changxi revealed everything he knew in the video, without any concealment, even the existence of the Butterfly.

In Han Fei's view, Meng Changxi was well aware that even if Meng Chang'an and Meng Changshou were caught, the Butterfly would still be at large. So he risked his life, determined to expose the Butterfly organization.

Some believed him, and some did not, but it didn't matter as long as someone paid attention, and the people harmed by the Butterfly might be reduced.

To avoid facial recognition, Meng Changxi disfigured his face; to prevent leaving fingerprints, he burned the tips of his fingers; to prepare for this day, he had been hiding for ten years.

He had carved everything he needed to say into his body, each scar a word. Even if the signal was interrupted, as long as the footage had been publicized, those terrifying screenshots would serve as clues and evidence.

From the Body in the Fridge Case to the Body Puzzle Case, Meng Changxi revealed everything he had experienced, known, and investigated.

He did not deny his crimes, admitting to burying bodies and personally killing He Shouye, but he only confessed to what he had done.

Meng Chang'an's painstaking efforts, his overt and covert framing, and the protection network he had meticulously built over ten years were all exposed by Meng Changxi in front of everyone!

The live stream was very brief, and the画面不断出现波动，随后现场发生了什么人们无从得知，只听到了孟长喜最后的一声怒吼。

"Is evidence required to prove guilt?"

The live stream was interrupted, but the video and images from the live stream began to widely circulate on the internet, entering the second wave of information explosion.

After watching Meng Changxi's video, Han Fei immediately called Li Xue, but the line was busy. He then sent her several messages in quick succession.

Several seconds later, Li Xue replied to Han Fei: "All three Meng brothers have been taken into custody!"

"What are your next steps?" Han Fei trusted the Xinhu police, but it would be difficult for the police to investigate the elusive Butterfly. Meng Changxi's public exposure of the Butterfly might also be an attempt to use public opinion to force the police to investigate the Butterfly more deeply.

"Thoroughly investigate the Body in the Fridge Case and the Body Puzzle Case. The police are preparing to spare no effort to capture the real culprits, including the Butterfly mentioned by Meng Changxi."

"If you are willing to investigate the Butterfly, I can help. I have some information about the Butterfly."

"Are you still at home?"

"I'm in the outskirts of Xinhu. I'll come to you now." Han Fei, staying in a room filled with paper dolls and paper furniture, felt the place was a bit eerie and wanted to leave.

"Give me the exact address. Our leader has already set out." From Li Xue's words, Han Fei could sense a sense of urgency.

"It's behind a chemical plant in the northern suburbs, called Happy Community..."

Meng Changxi's public exposure of the Butterfly in the live stream was a risky move. He was not sure if he would succeed, as he felt the Butterfly had been watching him, making it very difficult to carry out his plan.

"The Butterfly must have seen Meng Changxi's live stream. This place is no longer safe."

Han Fei did not stay any longer. He took all the materials Meng Changxi had compiled, hiding the thick file bags in his arms, and ran out of the apartment building.

Fortunately, Han Fei did not encounter any unexpected incidents before meeting up with the police.

Under heavy protection, he was directly taken to the Criminal Investigation Division.

Two police officers with imposing presence personally "welcomed" Han Fei, one of whom seemed to be Li Xue's former superior.

The room was full of police officers, but Han Fei did not feel intimidated. He did not withhold any information that needed to be shared, and ordinary lie detectors could not detect any issues with him.