Chapter 48: Secrets at the Crematorium
by xennovel“A case from four years ago?”
The Manager’s pupils contracted for a moment, but his expression remained unchanged. “Officer, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
A slight change in his eyes—a detail ordinary people might overlook—was caught clearly by Xiao Yu, who had activated Falcon’s Eye.
As expected from an old hand in the bureaucracy… Xiao Yu fixed his gaze on the Manager and asked, “Are you sure you don’t remember?”
“I truly don’t know what you’re referring to,” the Manager replied coolly.
Xiao Yu didn’t ask further; his mind was already turning.
The fact that the other party clearly remembered made his lie even more suspicious.
That subtle change in his pupils spoke volumes—he was clearly unnerved by the memory.
“What are you trying to hide?”
Xiao Yu then turned his attention to Guo Qiang.
“On September 13, 2017, the police received a report. The caller claimed…”
Guo Qiang recounted the details of the case and the subsequent investigation.
Throughout the retelling, Xiao Yu kept a close watch on the changes flickering across the Manager’s face.
The Manager’s expression remained eerily calm.
It was precisely that unnerving calm that only deepened Xiao Yu’s suspicions.
It was the hallmark of someone trying to cover up a mistake—even if he tried to compensate, his composure betrayed him.
His unwavering gaze only emphasized his inner guilt.
“There’s a problem here!”
Solving cases is like that—once you notice one inconsistency,
it’s like spotting a cockroach, which means there are plenty of them lurking around.
“Oh, so this is what you’re asking about.”
The Manager nodded, appearing suddenly enlightened. “I remember now. Indeed, that incident did happen. However, we have already filed a lawsuit against those false accusers at the Crematorium. Clearly, they were trying to extort money from us.”
“Extortion?”
Xiao Yu smirked, “Extortion? How much are they planning to extort?”
“Well…”
The Manager’s expression shifted slightly as he shook his head. “It’s something from over four years ago—I can’t recall all the details.”
Was it simply forgetfulness, or were you deliberately trying to divert the police’s attention?
“Alright, can we inspect the inner areas?”
Xiao Yu said calmly, “For example, places like the cremation hall.”
“That’s not allowed,”
the Manager frowned. “Our Crematorium has strict rules—outsiders…”
A search warrant was pulled out from a briefcase by a detective.
Upon seeing the warrant, the Manager fell silent, his expression fluctuating.
“We’re not here to discuss rules or reason with you.”
Xiao Yu’s tone was cold as he stated, “We are police. Please cooperate with our investigation.”
Typically, a search warrant is only issued after the case has been confirmed, with the assistance of the Procuratorate.
In special situations, the Criminal Investigation Team can also issue one.
The Manager’s face darkened as he glared at Xiao Yu. “Young man, even though you’re police, shouldn’t you show some decency?”
“What decency?”
Xiao Yu asked evenly, “Which is mightier—the decency of your ways or the law of the state?”
The Manager’s expression changed abruptly, and he fell silent.
“Let’s go.”
Ignoring him, Xiao Yu strode out of the office, leading his team straight into the heart of the Crematorium.
If at first he suspected something was off,
now it was clear—this Crematorium was hiding something.
And it wasn’t a trifling matter!
…
Inside, the first area was a chapel—a small funeral parlor where mourners could pay their respects.
Xiao Yu and his team arrived just in time as a body was being wheeled into the cremation chamber.
The staff were visibly startled by the sudden arrival of the police.
“No need to be nervous; we’re just having a look around,” Xiao Yu reassured them.
Signaling two detectives to remain outside, Xiao Yu, Guo Qiang, and a few staff members entered the cremation hall.
Inside, two employees looked equally shocked to see the police, clearly at a loss for words.
Their reactions were anything but normal.
At first glance it seemed natural, but on closer inspection, there were subtle signs of guilt.
Unlike the Manager, these employees couldn’t maintain their composure. When Xiao Yu locked eyes with them, they visibly shrank back.
“What are you so afraid of?”
Remaining calm, Xiao Yu shot a signal to Guo Qiang.
Instantly understanding, Guo Qiang went off to gather more information.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yu stayed behind in the cremation hall, witnessing a cremation process firsthand.
It made his skin crawl!
In life, a crematorium is an inevitable stop.
It’s a place everyone dreads, and the process of cremation is utterly…
First, the body is placed into a disposable bag. The cremation furnace is classified by its technological sophistication and price, into either a standard or a green furnace.
Once the body is inside, the process moves to the next stage.
At this point, the body is deliberately broken using a steel ingot or blade, causing the internal organs to spill out.
If the body isn’t breached, the sudden heat generates pressure, and the body could explode.
Then, diesel or gasoline is sprayed onto the body, which is then thrust into the furnace.
After about half an hour of burning, the body is reduced to a fragmented state.
An hour later, a nearly glowing metal plate emerges from the furnace door, billowing thick white smoke and reeking of charred flesh and bones.
Special attendants then push out the ashes and load them into a metal tray.
In the end, the body is nothing but bone fragments and powder!
If the family requests, the staff will grind the bone residue into fine powder.
Of course, there is a fee for this service.
Alternatively, the family can simply collect the ashes.
That’s the entire cremation process…
Stepping out of the cremation hall, Xiao Yu nearly lost control of his composure.
He took a deep breath, his eyes clearing.
With a fearless heart and mind unburdened by dread,
one dares to turn the world upside down and press forward boldly.
If you lack courage, how can you be a police officer!