From the current perspective, this is a case triggered by a long-term conflict.
What the conflict is, the police don't know.
But... we can guess!
"Whatever the conflict, be it a crime of passion or murder."
In a moment of daze, Xu Liang suddenly spoke:
"The perpetrator often shows their emotions in a calm state after the murder through their behavior!"
For example.
A murderer who, after a heated conflict, committed a crime in a fit of anger is likely regretful and weeping.
This behavior often validates that the conflict between the two parties is as small as a sesame seed.
"What about the murderer?"
While sipping his tea, Xu Liang raised an eyebrow and looked at Chen Changchun in front of him.
"What did the murderer do after killing?"
As he spoke.
He stretched out his hand and pointed to a spot not far from the law firm's door.
Chen Changchun looked outside.
There stood Liu Jin in a police uniform, smoking a cigarette, staring at the ground.
The ground, hours before...
Was the place where a bloody, fleshly body crawled for a long time like a snail!
Based on previous clues, the victim had only abdominal wounds before death.
But when the police found the body, it had suffered brutal mistreatment!
So...
Something flashed in Chen Changchun's mind, and he blurted out:
"Whipping the corpse."
Yes, only whipping the corpse would result in such a scene.
And the meaning implied by whipping the corpse...
"Is hatred!"
"It indicates an irreconcilable conflict between the two parties, causing the murderer, even if it was accidental killing, not to fear but to vent by whipping the corpse!"
Chen Changchun pondered, speaking softly.
"Exactly, the murderer not only doesn't regret after accidentally killing but vents on it."
"The murderer hates the victim so much that even in death, they whip the corpse to vent their hatred!"
"Remember this point!"
"Then, we'll raise another question..."
Xu Liang suddenly spoke up.
Another question?
What question?
Chen Changchun was stunned; Wang Chao, beside him, was deep in thought, nodding occasionally.
"What constitutes a person's emotional structure? Namely, why does the murderer hate the victim!?"
Xu Liang spoke again.
Without giving them time to think, he drew out pen and paper in front of them, writing a line on a blank sheet.
"A person's emotions, when they are healthy, often align with their environment."
For example.
When you see a stranger, would you think of killing him?
Ninety-five percent of people wouldn't.
But what if this stranger suddenly curses at you and then beats your pregnant wife?
Thus, one's anger arises!
"Thus, an emotional structure typically is [another person + behavior = one's emotion]"
"Apply it to the case, it becomes that the victim Chen Wei did something, causing a conflict leading to the murderer harboring immense hatred!"
"Now, remember this logic, let's reconsider the previous question, why did the victim cause actions that led the murderer to hate them?"
Xu Liang spoke, writing these words on paper.
Chen Changchun furrowed his brows, following his thought process.
After a long contemplation.
Chen Changchun confidently answered:
"Because, in the long-term conflict, the murderer was in the position of the victim!"
Victim?
How did you see that?
Wang Chao, somewhat impatient, thought it over with a clear gaze, probing cautiously.
"Be precise; why do you think it's the victim?"
Chen Changchun glanced at him but remained silent.
This kid can pretend all he wants.
Xu Liang patiently explained:
"Still, it's seen from the emotions."
"In a conflict, the aggressor is usually the beneficiary."
"Even if they aren't aware, their subconscious logic knows they haven't suffered much loss, so even if they have emotions, they are mostly anger, far from hatred."
"The victimized side, however, clearly knows how severely their interests were violated, so their emotions will naturally be more intense."
As he spoke, Xu Liang shifted the focus of the conversation.
"Have you checked the surveillance of the victim escaping the alley?"
Wang Chao nodded.
They had all seen it. On the eve of the victim's death, they seemed to see someone familiar at the alley's entrance, walked inside, got attacked, and then escaped the alley, dying where the surveillance lost sight.
"Was the victim's emotion intense at that time?"
Xu Liang questioned back.
"Not intense," Wang Chao shook his head.
"What about the killer?" Xu Liang asked again.
Wang Chao glanced at the place where the victim had been whipped.
"Quite intense," he answered honestly.
"See, doesn't that solve the problem?"
Xu Liang smiled.
As a top-notch lawyer, he maintained the principle that every client was like God, even if they were fools!
Unless they were mentally ill.
Gathering his thoughts.
Xu Liang continued from where he left off:
"So, the reason the murderer hates the victim is that in their conflict, they are the victim!"
"And the victim is the beneficiary, that is, they can gain some benefits from causing the conflict, which drives them to harm others!"
"Which is commonly known as the motive."
A stranger beating your pregnant wife would surely evoke emotions.
But, even someone with Down syndrome wouldn't beat someone else without reason!
People act for reasons!
You drink because you're thirsty, eat because you're hungry, sleep because you're tired.
The murderer killed the victim for the same reason; their reason was being a long-term victim of conflict.
The victim's harm to the murderer also had a benefit!
But... what was the reason?
"A person harms another for one of two reasons."
"One, emotions, two, benefits!"
Xu Liang bluntly stated, with no intention of making a lengthy discourse.
The meaning is straightforward.
Using two types of cases as representatives.
Emotions can be considered from school bullying cases; do bullies bully others without reason? No, the reason is emotions!
The actions aim to crush another's dignity, gaining emotional pleasure!
This is the motive, also the reason for bullying!
Also common are online regional blackouts, where people degrade others as bumpkins to elevate their status, seeking the high feeling of superiority!
As for the second one, 'benefits', it's easier to explain.
Like robbing a bank or killing for money, these are results of benefits.
Of course, a motive may have both reasons.
And when all clues are gathered...
Chen Changchun suddenly realized... the previously elusive case now had a vague framework!
But Wang Chao beside him interrupted his thoughts.
"I understand!"
"I really get it, it's all about killing for money, why go in such circles!"
Wang Chao's eyes lit up, speaking excitedly.
After a long rambling, he finally understood a sentence!
Chen Changchun felt a bit embarrassed and sheepishly whispered:
"Ignore him, he's just stupid."
"Understood."
Xu Liang nodded.
"Nonsense, I'm smart!"
Wang Chao was furious, believing he had a super brain and super muscles.
It's just that usually, his super brain told him to use his super muscles more, so he usually remained discreet!
Chen Changchun felt even more ashamed.
He glared at Wang Chao and then returned to the main issue.
"But... it's still hard to investigate."
Chen Changchun hesitated.
He understood the implication clearly.
It's nothing more than investigating the killer's identity through these two aspects of the victim, or the original incident of the conflict at the time.
But the difficulty is enormous, and the information is completely inaccessible in a short time.
"No, it's very easy to investigate."
Xu Liang glanced at the time, realizing it was not yet late, and continued to explain.
"Based on our deduction, what nature does this case belong to?"
"Long-term emotional escalation leading to a crime of passion!"
Wang Chao answered promptly.
"Yes, long-term emotional escalation!" Xu Liang nodded.
Long-term emotional escalation is something significant.
But...
Where's the significance!?