Working in a Zoo with Beast Taming System

Chapter 314: Chapter 189: Battle of Wits

"So," Yang Qi concluded, "we’re not facing an assassin who relies on brute force or luck, but an ’artist’ who has perfectly combined animal modification technology, criminal psychology, and the use of his environment."

"The animal Li Jiahao chose, the chameleon, is inherently extremely stealthy. It’s not fast, but it’s more than precise enough. After being modified, it’s become impossible to guard against."

"The reason the ’accidents’ he creates are so hard to investigate is because the ’murder weapon’ and ’enforcer’ that Li Jiahao truly relies on can easily disappear or disguise itself as a harmless creature after the incident. It might even slip away right under our noses."

"Advisor Yang, your analysis is very persuasive."

Tang Yuan took a deep breath and said in a solemn voice, "This explains why there are always animal tracks at the scene, yet we can never find a direct connection. It also explains why Li Jiahao was able to escape so alertly."

"No wonder we can’t catch him!"

Captain Guan said in a low voice, "In his eyes, we’re probably like hunters barging into a forest, banging gongs and beating drums, long since ratted out by the birds and monkeys."

"The most important thing now."

Yang Qi looked at Tang Yuan. "Since we know Li Jiahao’s methods, we can set up a targeted deployment. Li Jiahao isn’t a god, and a chameleon isn’t omnipotent. It needs time to lie in wait, time to approach the target, and time to execute its commands."

"We can start with environmental control, screening for suspicious creatures, and cutting off Li Jiahao’s ’animal intelligence network’."

"Furthermore, Li Jiahao fled in a hurry, so he must have left behind traces and things he couldn’t take with him. That equipment and the chemical residues are extremely important clues!"

"Good."

Tang Yuan’s eyes grew sharp again as he ordered, "Old Guan, immediately re-trace Li Jiahao’s escape route. Expand the search area, and pay special attention to unusual gatherings or abnormal behavior among small animals."

"Forensics, conduct the most detailed analysis of everything left behind. Don’t miss a single trace."

"At the same time, notify all sub-bureaus and local stations to increase patrols in areas like parks, riverbanks, and old residential districts. Keep an eye out for suspicious individuals and abnormal animals!"

"Yes, sir!!"

...

...

Although Li Jiahao had escaped, Yang Qi’s theory about the Phantom Chameleon’s methods gave the special task force a clear direction for the manhunt and a core threat to watch out for.

A lethally modified reptile, and the early warning network the killer might have established using other animals.

The forensics team combed through the hideout Li Jiahao had hastily abandoned.

Besides a few empty cages, some reptile substrate, and heat lamps, the most important discovery was several types of chemical residue.

After analysis, a pale yellow, viscous liquid with a sweet and fishy odor was preliminarily identified as the base matrix for some kind of pheromone or attractant.

Another was a colorless, nearly transparent liquid that was extremely volatile. Only trace amounts were detected on the inner walls of a few small, custom-made metal vials equipped with micro-pressurization devices. Its composition was exceedingly complex.

It contained various known and unknown alkaloids and synthetic compounds and was suspected to be a stock solution or concentrate of a toxin that causes severe, temporary localized paralysis.

"This further corroborates Advisor Yang’s deduction."

The head of forensics reported to Tang Yuan, "The professional and specialized nature of these chemicals means they couldn’t have been easily prepared by a single individual. There must be an organization with formidable technical resources behind this."

Tang Yuan’s expression was grave. "Intensify the analysis and get me a detailed report as soon as possible. See if you can find any leads on the source from the raw materials or manufacturing process. Separately, Old Guan, what’s the status of the perimeter search?"

Captain Guan shook his head, his expression sour. "The terrain in that old district is a maze, full of surveillance dead zones. Li Jiahao obviously planned his escape route in advance. We tracked him for two blocks to a surveillance blind spot, then lost the trail."

"The guy’s counter-surveillance skills are top-notch. He didn’t leave any valuable biological traces. Even his footprints are faint, as if he deliberately obscured them."

Yang Qi listened quietly from the side, his palm gently stroking Xiaojiu, who was dozing on his lap.

"Li Jiahao couldn’t have just vanished into thin air."

Yang Qi spoke up, "Carrying a chameleon that requires a specific environment, and possibly other chemicals or tools, Li Jiahao needs a relatively secluded temporary location where he can calm the animal. This place won’t be too far away, and it won’t be a proper, public establishment."

"Director Tang, I suggest that in addition to routine checks of hotels and rental apartments, we should focus on two areas."

"First, small shops or individuals near pet stores and flower-and-bird markets that offer short-term boarding services."

"Second, gathering spots for niche communities of exotic pet enthusiasts. Li Jiahao might leave traces in these places, or he might need to acquire supplies from them."

"Good."

Tang Yuan nodded and said seriously, "Old Guan, follow Advisor Yang’s line of thinking and adjust the focus of our search. Notify all local police stations to mobilize community watch groups. Have them keep an eye out for any strangers recently frequenting the aforementioned locations or behaving abnormally—especially anyone carrying cases or bags, paying close attention to corners, or showing a particular concern for temperature and light!"

"Yes, sir!!"

...

After the orders were issued, Yang Qi returned to his temporary office.

He sat down, closed his eyes, and began to simulate Li Jiahao’s thought process.

’A killer accustomed to the company of cold-blooded animals, his actions as precise as clockwork. After being forced to flee his familiar nest, how would he choose his next foothold?’

’He needs a place that’s safe and secluded, where he can control the environment to calm the chameleon, which must be agitated after the escape!’