Chapter 101: The Killer is Confirmed

As far as I know, let me start with the most famous style, which is certainly the Wudang Cloud Hand method of acupoint striking. However, Wudang Cloud Hand emphasizes softness, using gentle techniques and focusing on internal energy. Even when targeting acupoints, it is mostly done with weapons rather than bare hands, and does not include grappling, so we can basically rule it out.

Next is the technique I currently practice, the Fujian Copper Man Art. It has two types: Yin Hand and Yang Hand. Yin Hand is light and soft, leaving no trace when passing over the skin, capable of injuring internal organs and meridians with just a touch. Yang Hand is forceful and breaks through hard defenses, its claw capable of shattering acupoints and severing veins with a single pass.

Finally, there is the Jiangxi Five Hundred Coins style. The name comes from the fact that learning to strike to kill or to revive each cost five hundred coins. The Five Hundred Coins style is renowned for its grappling and acupoint techniques. In Jiangxi, it is widely practiced, focusing on claw training; at a high level, the five fingers are as strong as five pincers, hence the style is also known as “Five Pincers.”

Practitioners of this method typically have thick, rough fingers... hmm?

Suddenly, an image of a pair of hands appeared in Du Ruo’s mind: thick, coarse fingers, the middle finger trained to be the same length as the index finger, and all five fingers completely without fingerprints. This is the hallmark of someone who has practiced the basic skill of grasping jars in the Five Hundred Coins style. If before, Du Ruo had only speculated that the deceased was injured by someone using Five Hundred Coins, now she could confirm the identity of the person.

“What is it, Master Du? Please continue! Or did you think of something?” Captain Huang, who had been captivated by Du Ruo’s explanation, immediately urged her when she paused, then suddenly began to question her further.

“Yes, I did just think of something. Let me explain, so you’re all aware.” Du Ruo nodded and continued:

Those who practice the grappling aspect of Five Hundred Coins usually have coarse, thick fingers, sometimes training the middle and index fingers to the same length, and are especially skilled in striking with their fingers to acupoints, rendering their opponents powerless.

The acupoint technique is divided into lethal and non-lethal strikes. Beginners practice on chickens: a lethal strike will leave a chicken barely alive, while a non-lethal strike can revive it. This acupoint art is not widely spread, passed only to men and only to those over forty.

The key to acupoint striking lies in timing—catching the right moment—so practitioners avoid shoulder-clasping or being struck, as it interferes with their technique.

Having finished, Du Ruo looked at Captain Huang, her meaning clear.

“I understand, Master Du. So the killer practices Five Hundred Coins, is from Jiangxi, over forty years old, with thick, fingerprintless fingers, the middle and index fingers the same length, and avoids physical contact like shoulder-clasping.”

The policewoman beside them quickly spoke up.

Yet after she finished, neither the forensic expert nor Captain Huang looked at her—after all, Du Ruo had all but shouted out the answer. If they couldn’t react to that, they might as well resign from forensics and investigation and go sell sweet potatoes instead.

“There’s one more thing—it was four days ago. When I came down Mount Huang, I met someone who fit this description.” Du Ruo thought for a moment and decided to recount her encounter that day.

“Oh? Do you remember what he looked like?” Captain Huang was somewhat excited—he hadn’t expected to be so lucky. They had only sought a professional’s help because the victim was known to be a martial artist and had died under mysterious circumstances. They wanted to see if an expert could provide a breakthrough, but to their surprise, Du Ruo had identified the suspect immediately.

Even if Du Ruo couldn’t recall the face, they could check the ticket records from that day on Mount Huang and identify the person easily—after all, they now had the birthplace and approximate age, and could screen them one by one with ease.

The four of them did not linger in the morgue. Captain Huang had the policewoman escort Du Ruo to the forensics department to have a sketch artist make a composite based on her description, while he went to report to the deputy chief.

As for Deputy Chief Shi’s suggestion to hold a meeting—well, that could be taken lightly.

“It seems we chose the right person. Here’s what we’ll do: have Xiao Ran—the policewoman—take him for a meal, then send him home. You go ahead and check the ticket office records and surveillance footage. Once we catch the suspect, we’ll apply for a commendation certificate, a banner, and a reward for this Master Du,” Deputy Chief Shi decided after some thought.

“Understood. Should we ask him to assist us? His skills are impressive, he’s seen the suspect, and he’s clearly an expert in martial arts. With his help, things would be much easier,” Captain Huang hesitated, voicing his inner conflict.

“There’s no need. He’s not one of us—he’s not obliged to help. Besides, if anything happened to him, we couldn’t answer to his family.” Deputy Chief Shi shook his head and rejected the idea.

“Alright, I’ll go make arrangements,” Captain Huang replied, preparing to leave.

“Wait—a moment. We might not let him join the operation, but we can still ask Master Du about the suspect’s weaknesses or anything we should be careful about during the arrest. It’s best to minimize any risk to our team,” Deputy Chief Shi added just as Captain Huang was leaving.

“Yes, sir!”

Once the composite sketch was done, Captain Huang returned and personally treated Du Ruo to lunch, though it was just in the cafeteria. Still, Du Ruo was quite satisfied—apart from the small portions, there was nothing to complain about.

Over the meal, Captain Huang asked Du Ruo many questions: how to deal with martial artists, the suspect’s weaknesses, and how to respond.

Du Ruo’s answer was straightforward:

“The best way to deal with a martial artist is with a gun. If a handgun doesn’t work, use a rifle, or even a sniper rifle. If that fails, use a larger caliber or area-effect weapons.

As for weaknesses, it’s their footwork. The Five Hundred Coins style focuses on hand attacks, so never let him get his hands on you. The best is to keep a gun pointed at his head and cuff his hands behind him. In such circumstances, few can fight back.”

With that, Du Ruo’s involvement ended. She had no intention of helping further—this was a surefire way to make enemies, and without official backing, she had no reason to risk herself. If the suspect escaped, she would never sleep soundly again.

So, after her part was done at the municipal bureau, Du Ruo returned to her guesthouse, content to be a happy little innkeeper.

A police officer drove Du Ruo back; Captain Huang and the policewoman did not come along, which Du Ruo understood—there was undoubtedly a major arrest operation ahead.

Thanks to Du Ruo’s clear information, the data search was quick. Even before she returned to her guesthouse, Captain Huang had already identified the suspect’s appearance, identity, and even his current residence.