Chapter 20: The Corpse in the Cave-Desafio de transmissão ao vivo: Cem vezes entrando por engano em cenas de crime(Gato de rua)

The sudden emergency left the manager of the cave diving park in a state of high tension. Cave diving is far more demanding than typical recreational activities, bordering on an extreme sport; once danger arises, the mortality rate is nearly absolute.

Because both Lu Xingzhou and Liu Jiangang were biting down on their regulators, they exchanged brief hand signals. Liu Jiangang, following behind Lu Xingzhou, agreed to the latter’s proposal to take the lead in the rescue. In cave diving, encountering an unexpected crisis easily triggers phobias. The rapid breathing brought on by panic can quickly lead to fatal carbon dioxide poisoning. This often happens within a matter of minutes, leaving no room for hesitation; the rescue had to be a race against time.

Upon entering the uncharted waterway, Lu Xingzhou immediately gained a portion of "Water Affinity." It was less a feeling of becoming one with the water, and more that the currents he touched obeyed his commands, moving at his direction. When he wanted to move forward, the surrounding water pushed him forward; when he wanted to move back, it propelled him backward. Driven by the current, Lu Xingzhou caught Chen Yuejiao’s arm in the blink of an eye and shook his flashlight to signal her.

"Woooo!"

Biting her regulator, Chen Yuejiao burst into tears; the moment she had been swept into the tunnel by the current was utterly terrifying. The gimbal camera on Lu Xingzhou’s shoulder broadcast the entire scene live.

<Host, this is too intense! The content is so packed you don’t even need an MCN to plan it.>
<Host, you’re saving a damsel in distress during a cave dive? After being this scared, won’t the mermaid girl fall for you due to the suspension bridge effect?>
<Damn, honestly, I don’t even know who’s taking advantage of whom here.>
<Bastard! Obviously, that vixen is taking advantage of our idol! Let go of him, or I’ll throw rotten eggs into the fish tanks at Zongyong Temple Aquarium next time!>
<If you don’t let go of our idol immediately, I’ll write a smear piece online and ruin your reputation. Let’s see who dares to watch your mermaid show then.>

Lu Xingzhou had no time to look at the chat. Having focused solely on the rescue, he didn't remember the path he’d taken and found himself lost underwater. However, he suddenly noticed light filtering down from above, meaning there was a way to return to the surface from here. Dragging Chen Yuejiao with him, he swam upward. As long as they could reach the surface, the immediate threat to their lives would pass.

After checking the pressure gauge and completing a decompression stop, the two reached the surface. As they poked their heads out, they saw they were in a cave. It was pitch black on all sides, with light streaming down from a hole in the ceiling. The opening was about 20 meters high and large enough for one person to squeeze through. If widening the hole proved difficult, those above could simply toss down a rope to pull them out.

"Ah!"

Just as Lu Xingzhou was considering how to escape, a scream from Chen Yuejiao pierced the cavern. In the next second, she leaped onto his back, gripping his helmet tightly. Lu Xingzhou could tell from her trembling body and heavy, ragged breathing that she was terrified to the point of collapse.

Lu Xingzhou pulled off his oxygen mask. "What’s wrong? What happened?"

"O-over there..." Chen Yuejiao, perched on his shoulders, pointed tremblingly toward his right.

Lu Xingzhou turned his head and saw a body floating face down, covered in thick algae and bloated from decomposition.

"A male corpse?"

The speaker on Lu Xingzhou’s chest suddenly crackled with the urgent voice of Lu Jiangying. "Xingzhou, stay where you are and don't move! You have a Beidou positioning device on you; rescue workers will reach your location immediately!"

"Sis, I understand, but there’s one more thing I need to tell you."

"What is it? Don't tell me you’ve stumbled into another case!"

Lu Xingzhou’s tone held a hint of excitement. "Sis, how did you know?" He hurriedly adjusted his camera. "Look, a bloated male corpse!"

Lu Jiangying looked up at the big screen, and sure enough, a face-down body appeared on the display. Remembering how Lu Xingzhou had once dragged dismembered remains up a cliff, her face darkened. "How do you know it’s a male? You didn't touch it, did you?"

Lu Xingzhou quickly explained, "Sis, absolutely not! You taught me..."

Let me think—right! The density of a corpse is nearly equal to that of water. When a body is thrown into water, it first sinks. Then, as decomposition accelerates, gases accumulate inside; once enough gas builds up, it begins to rise. First the abdomen, then the upper body, and finally the lower body. If the body is fully floating, it means it has been dead for a long time. Also, because the male pelvis is narrower and the gluteal muscles are less developed, but the rib cage is much broader than a female's, the body will sink where there is less buoyancy after severe decomposition. Therefore, male corpses in water tend to float face-down, while female corpses float face-up! Since this one is face-down, it must be a man!

Lu Xingzhou had been lectured by his sister: unless absolutely necessary, never approach a corpse, as it could destroy vital evidence. Many things that seem trivial to an ordinary person are critical clues to forensic investigators.

Lu Jiangying didn't speak, but the live stream exploded.

Before long, the police located Lu Xingzhou in a jagged, rocky valley. If Chen Yuejiao hadn't been accidentally swept into this unplanned channel, the body in the cave might have turned to bone before ever being discovered.

The first to rappel down were Bai Anhe and a forensic specialist from the technical investigation unit. They exchanged a brief greeting with Lu Xingzhou and swam toward the body. Bai Anhe carefully examined the corpse and noticed that its pants pockets were bulging. He gingerly retrieved an object the size of a cigarette pack, sealed externally with yellow adhesive tape.

"This is... narcotics!"