I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

As night fell, the city lights gradually brightened, but the darkness concealed a greater sense of unease. In the police station's conference room, Zhang Wanqing, Fu Siyuan, and Li Wei nervously discussed the progress of the case. Zhao Mingxuan sat nearby, a trace of fatigue in his eyes.

"Dr. Chen is still studying the symbol," Fu Siyuan said, "but he needs more time."

Li Wei frowned and said, "We can't just sit there and wait for death. The killer may strike again at any time. We must find his hiding place."

Zhang Wanqing nodded. "We need to look for clues from previous cases. The killer always leaves symbols after each crime. These symbols must have some kind of pattern."

Zhao Mingxuan raised his head, a look of determination flashing in his eyes. "I will arrange for more patrols, especially in those remote areas. You continue to study these symbols, perhaps you can find the killer's next plan."

Just then, Zhang Wanqing's phone rang. She picked up the call and heard a familiar voice: "Wanqing, I have made a preliminary discovery," said Dr. Chen.

Dr. Chen's voice on the other end of the phone sounded particularly urgent. "Wanqing, this symbol may point to a specific location. I found similar patterns in ancient books, and they all refer to one place—the city's old library."

Zhang Wanqing's heart skipped a beat. "Old library? Why there?"

Dr. Chen explained: "The old library was once the cultural center of the city, and it houses many ancient books and documents. According to ancient records, there may be some secrets hidden there."

Fu Siyuan took the phone and said, "Dr. Chen, we'll go to the old library right away. Please study it carefully and see if you can find more clues."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Wanqing, Fu Siyuan, and Li Wei quickly stood up and rushed to the old library. Zhao Mingxuan also arranged for several police officers to follow them, ready to provide support at any time.

The old library had been abandoned for years, its doors sealed and surrounded by weeds. Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan cautiously pushed open the door, and a musty smell hit them. The library was dim and silent, with only the occasional rustling of worn pages in the breeze.

"It's too quiet here." Fu Siyuan whispered, his hand unconsciously touching the baton at his waist.

Zhang Wanqing nodded and scanned the surroundings, looking for any suspicious signs. Suddenly, her eyes fell on a corner - there was a piece of paper with a familiar symbol drawn on it.

"It's this symbol again." Zhang Wanqing whispered. She quickly walked over, squatted down, and carefully examined the note.

Li Wei also came over and said, "This symbol is the same as the one at the crime scene, but it seems to have some more details."

At this moment, Zhao Mingxuan's intercom suddenly rang: "Captain Zhao, we have spotted a suspicious person outside the library, and he is approaching."

Zhao Mingxuan immediately said, "We understand. Be careful."

Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan exchanged a glance, feeling a surge of unease. They knew the killer might have noticed their actions, and the old library might be his next target.

The library was dim and silent, with only the occasional rustling of tattered pages in the breeze. Zhang Wanqing, Fu Siyuan, and Li Wei carefully moved among the shelves, searching for any suspicious signs. Zhao Mingxuan and other officers formed a perimeter outside the library, ready to provide support at any moment.

Zhao Mingxuan stood outside the library, his gaze fixed on the entrance. His eyes held a hint of nervousness, but also a greater sense of determination. Ever since the Nether Mirror incident, he had been on high alert against this serial killer, knowing he wouldn't give up easily.

"Captain Zhao, we've spotted a suspicious individual at the back door." A police officer walked over quickly and whispered, "From the surveillance footage, it looks like he left something in the library."

Zhao Mingxuan's heart skipped a beat. He immediately realized that this might be a sign that the killer was committing another crime. He quickly picked up the intercom and informed Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan: "Wanqing, Siyuan, there may be danger in the library. The killer may be inside."

After he hung up the intercom, he quickly organized the police officers to set up a siege around the library. He knew that this time he had to seize the opportunity and not let the killer escape again.

"Seal off all exits," Zhao Mingxuan ordered in a low voice, "The killer may come out at any time."

The police officers acted quickly and blocked every exit of the library. Zhao Mingxuan and several other police officers quietly approached the back door of the library, where the killer entered the library.

"Be careful," Zhao Mingxuan whispered, "The killer might still be inside."

Meanwhile, Zhang Wanqing, Fu Siyuan, and Li Wei continued their search through the library. Their flashlights cast streaks of light in the darkness as they made their way along the shelves. Zhang Wanqing's heart pounded, but she tried to remain calm.

"Wanqing, there is a hidden room here." Fu Siyuan whispered, his flashlight beam falling on a hidden door.

Zhang Wanqing and Li Wei walked over quickly. Li Wei pushed the door open, and a damp smell hit them. The room was filled with old books and miscellaneous items, making it look particularly messy.

"It seems like no one has been here for a long time." Zhang Wanqing said in a low voice, her eyes scanning the room.

Li Wei quickly pulled out his pistol and whispered, "Be careful, it might be a killer."

The three of them cautiously approached the direction of the sound. Suddenly, a figure flashed out from the darkness. Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan immediately rushed forward, trying to subdue the person, but the person was extremely agile and quickly dodged their attack.

"Be careful, he has a knife!" Li Wei shouted loudly, his pistol pointed at the other party.

The killer sneered and quickly turned and ran towards the back door. Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan chased him closely, while Li Wei quickly contacted Zhao Mingxuan: "Captain Zhao, the killer is at the back door, hurry up!"

After Zhao Mingxuan received Li Wei's call, he immediately rushed to the back door with the police officers. As soon as they arrived, they saw the killer rushing out of the library. Zhao Mingxuan quickly raised his gun and shouted loudly: "Stop!"

The killer stopped, a crazy smile on his face: "Do you think that catching me will end all this? You are so naive."

Zhao Mingxuan looked at him coldly and said, "You can't escape. Put down your weapons and surrender."

The killer sneered and suddenly threw the knife at Zhao Mingxuan. Zhao Mingxuan quickly dodged, but the killer had already taken the opportunity to rush to the nearby wall. He nimbly climbed over the wall and disappeared into the night.

"Chase him!" Zhao Mingxuan shouted loudly, and he and the police officers quickly chased after him.

Zhang Wanqing, Fu Siyuan, and Li Wei also rushed out of the library and joined the hunt. They knew that this time they couldn't let the killer escape.