For several consecutive days, a thick gloom hung over the city. A series of missing person cases had drawn widespread attention. Every time someone disappeared, a meticulously crafted sculpture doll would appear in the victim's home—as if someone was maliciously attempting to recreate the missing person's existence. However, these dolls were far from mere works of art; behind them lay a horrifying truth.
Su Wanqing sat in her office, staring at the case files in front of her, deep in thought. Most of the missing victims were young women, of similar ages and occupations, yet the investigation remained unusually difficult. The last known traces of each victim were vague, as if they had vanished silently like a gust of wind.
However, there was one chilling commonality—all of their homes contained a doll. Each one was crafted with exquisite detail, as though made for a specific, unsettling purpose. Initially, the police believed this was merely the killer's way of taunting them, but as the investigation progressed, Su Wanqing realized there was something far more disturbing hidden beneath the surface.
"These dolls… they aren't just sculptures," Su Wanqing murmured to herself, an ominous feeling rising in her chest.
Lu Chenzhou stepped into the office and noticed the intense look on Su Wanqing's face. He frowned. "What's wrong? Any new leads?"
"I just reviewed the crime scene photos from the recent cases." Su Wanqing pointed at the files on the desk, her tone heavy. "The dolls… they're intricately made. But what really unsettles me is this—I found remnants of human tissue inside them."
A flicker of shock passed through Lu Chenzhou's eyes. "What? Human tissue?"
"Yes." Su Wanqing stood and picked up a crime scene report. "These dolls weren't made entirely from wood or fabric. Some parts were filled with what appears to be living tissue. I suspect they weren't made using traditional methods. The materials… were taken from the victims."
Lu Chenzhou frowned deeply, clearly aware of the gravity of the situation. "If these dolls are truly connected to the victims, then they likely represent a deeper psychological motive. The killer's goal might go far beyond murder."
Su Wanqing nodded. "I've already asked the forensic team to perform a thorough chemical analysis on the dolls, to see if we can extract more information. In the meantime, I'll keep investigating the victims' backgrounds to identify any connections."
A few days later, Su Wanqing received the lab's preliminary report. As suspected, the dolls contained real human muscle and skin tissue. Even more chilling, the tissue hadn't been freshly harvested—it had been preserved for some time. Clearly, the killer was not only highly skilled in sculpture but also capable of preserving human tissue for extended periods.
"This person… is a monster," Su Wanqing muttered as she flipped through the report. "The killer might see himself as an artist who sculpts with human lives. But this 'art' is nothing but a twisted obsession."
Lu Chenzhou sighed heavily after hearing the findings. "We have to catch him as soon as possible. If you're right, he's not just a murderer—he's a psychologically deranged artist. He treats the victims as part of his 'artistic process.' This is more than just a crime—it's a horror show of pathological delusion."
As the investigation progressed, Lu Chenzhou's meticulous fieldwork uncovered a vital clue. The families of the victims recalled a shared detail: before their disappearances, each victim had attended an art exhibition related to sculpture. These exhibitions didn't just showcase ordinary pieces—they also featured unsettling "human body sculptures."
"Sculpture?" A spark lit up in Su Wanqing's eyes. "You think the killer is an artist specializing in human body sculptures?"
"Yes." Lu Chenzhou nodded. "I found out that this artist is somewhat known in the local art scene, though he keeps a low profile. For the past few years, he's been creating controversial works involving the human form."
"So he sees the victims as part of his 'art.'" Su Wanqing's voice turned icy. "He turns their bodies into materials for his creations, crafting these grotesque dolls in pursuit of his so-called 'perfect art.'"
Lu Chenzhou fell silent for a moment, a complicated expression flashing in his eyes. "It's very likely. And the psychological motives behind such a creation process are deeply disturbed."
Eventually, the police traced the suspect—Chen Xuan, a sculptor once modestly known in the art world. According to records, Chen's work had long been controversial, often incorporating the human form in ways that sparked public debate. But beneath his artistic persona lay a dark and hidden past.
Chen Xuan's personal file revealed that he had suffered a traumatic accident in his youth—an event that left him obsessed with the structure and form of the human body. Over time, this obsession morphed into a twisted artistic vision. He began using women as "models" for his sculptures, transforming them into literal parts of his work. These victims weren't just muses—they became the sculptures themselves, converted from living beings into eternal "artworks."
Further leads led police to an abandoned factory, which Chen Xuan had converted into a private studio. Inside, they discovered countless lifelike humanoid sculptures. Each one was hauntingly realistic—but within them, the remains of his victims were entombed, their lives forever trapped in cold, hardened materials.
When police stormed Chen Xuan's studio, the scene that greeted them stunned everyone. Grotesque sculptures adorned the walls—each one faintly resembling a missing woman. The studio, bathed in artificial light, radiated a sickening artistic aura, like a surreal nightmare brought to life.
Chen Xuan stood before one of the sculptures, his gaze empty and cold, seemingly unaware that he was now surrounded by police.
"You're too late," he said softly, a fanatical gleam in his eyes. "These works… they are eternal beauty. I only wanted to make them immortal."
Su Wanqing took a deep breath, her eyes locked on Chen Xuan, fury and shock roiling within her. "Why did you do this?" she asked, her voice cold as ice.
Chen Xuan chuckled softly and lowered his head, staring intently at the lifeless dolls. "Every piece of art draws nourishment from life. I was merely creating something that truly belonged to me—an eternal masterpiece."
His words cut through everyone like a knife, sending chills down every spine. This was not just a series of disappearances—it was a macabre form of art, driven by a pathological disregard for human life.
"Your creations end here," Su Wanqing said slowly, her voice void of warmth. "These 'artworks' will never be displayed in any gallery or museum."
Chen Xuan remained silent for a long moment, then finally looked up with a faint smile. "Doesn't matter. Art should never be bound by limits."