Chapter 12: Third-Class Merit

Lin Qing walked up to the unconscious tall man, squatted down, and gripped the center of the handcuffs binding his wrists, about to perform a fingerprint scan when he furrowed his brow.

He turned to Group Leader Han and said, “Group Leader, this man has a habit of burning off his fingerprints—both hands’ ten fingers have been damaged by heat.”

“Oh? Then do facial recognition and iris identification.” Group Leader Han said.

In today’s era, most infants are registered with iris and DNA identification shortly after birth, their data uniformly entered into the database.

Even if not recorded at birth, later identity changes or ID card applications require multiple biometric collections.

The iris contains complex, largely fixed texture patterns established after birth, difficult to obtain and nearly impossible to replicate or forge, offering uniqueness and stability.

This makes iris identification a high-precision biometric technology.

“I’ll help you.”

Qin Qin immediately pulled out specialized eyelid-retaining adhesive for unconscious subjects, forcing the tall man’s eyes open.

Yet—

“Group Leader, still no match.”

Lin Qing frowned slightly. “Facial and iris recognition both failed—the database has no record of this man.”

Group Leader Han narrowed his eyes. “Looks like he’s either an undocumented person or underwent plastic surgery and received artificial irises.”

If the latter, he must have done so specifically to evade identification matching.

Modern urban facilities require facial, fingerprint, and iris verification—even after plastic surgery, re-collection is mandatory. Fugitives must purchase illegal “fingerprint sleeves” and secure artificial irises just to live normally.

But matching all three is extremely difficult; they only work against basic scans.

Once a patrol officer personally verifies, trouble follows.

“Perhaps a big fish…”

Group Leader Han immediately ordered, “Qin Qin, did you bring the DNA analyzer? Run a DNA identification now.”

“Yes.” Qin Qin nodded, swiftly pulled out a blood sampler, collected the sample, then hurried off to retrieve the analyzer.

“Group Leader, running DNA analysis now?” Lin Qing looked at Group Leader Han.

“No problem. The new microfluidic ultrafast DNA analyzer only needs twenty minutes.”

Group Leader Han shook his head, then scanned the scene. “I’ll stay here. Continue your search—everyone must undergo verification.”

“Understood.” Lin Qing nodded and resumed the search.

By the time all present had completed facial and fingerprint identification and their identities confirmed, over twenty minutes had passed.

Qin Qin sat at a booth, uploaded the DNA analyzer’s output, and quickly found a matching sample in the database.

Looking at the screen, her eyes widened in surprise. She turned to Group Leader Han. “Group Leader, come look!”

“Wang Heng, maintain order. Lin Qing, come with me.”

After giving the order, Group Leader Han immediately walked toward Qin Qin with Lin Qing.

“Group Leader, look—it really is a big fish!” Qin Qin kept her voice low, but her excitement was unmistakable.

Lin Qing looked closely and showed a flicker of astonishment.

[Jiang Chengwu, male, 34, native of Yiyang, Xiangjiang Province.]

[Previously sentenced to life imprisonment for underground boxing and the Qingyang Reservoir massacre.]

[Two years ago, escaped during the Qincheng Prison explosion alongside dozens of other fugitives.]

[In September 2118, the Gongan Bureau issued an A-level warrant with a 150,000-credit reward.]

“Escaped from Qincheng Prison?”

Lin Qing had heard of Qincheng Prison—a Level One facility, among the most secure.

The powerful fugitive his cousin discovered had escaped from Qinghu Island Prison.

Qinghu Island Prison was one of the nation’s three top prisons, rated “Special Level.”

Though Qincheng Prison was one level lower, its security was still extremely high; unless attacked, this man could never have escaped.

Such a dangerous, violent criminal hiding in his neighborhood explains why the order level was so low!

“You get a reward right away—good luck.” Group Leader Han glanced at Lin Qing and smiled slightly.

Lin Qing’s heart stirred. “Group Leader, how many merits will I get for capturing this guy?”

“Look here.”

Group Leader Han pointed at the screen. “The Gongan Bureau issued an A-level warrant. Solving an A-level fugitive typically earns one Third-Class Merit. Since you led the capture, you’ll receive one Third-Class Merit.”

He paused, then added, “Of course, your team members’ files will also gain a commendation record.”

Lin Qing couldn’t suppress a smile.

His cousin had transferred him two Third-Class Merits; adding Jiang Chengwu’s would give him exactly enough to apply for a combat technique!

“Plus, you get a 150,000-credit reward,” Qin Qin said enviously. “Little brother, you’re rich now.”

Still, though envious, she knew how dangerous it had been.

If she’d been in Lin Qing’s place, she’d likely be dead now—never mind merits or reward money.

Lin Qing paused, then asked, “Is the reward taxable?”

“Of course not.” Group Leader Han glanced at him.

Lin Qing exhaled. “Good. Then I just need another 30,000.”

“Another 30,000?” Group Leader Han asked. “What are you buying?”

“High-Energy Sustained Release Liquid.” Lin Qing didn’t hide it. “99,999 credits per set—150,000 won’t even buy two.”

“Oh?” Group Leader Han said. “I can get it for you through the Patrol Bureau’s channel—only 69,999. But you must consume it on-site at the Bureau.”

“Really?”

Lin Qing’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Group Leader. If it works, I’ll give you the full 150,000—extra 10,000 as service fee.”

“No need.” Group Leader Han shook his head. “You’ve earned the merit. Once you pass the professional exam, you’ll be promoted to Patrol Officer—every Patrol Officer has this channel. It’s nothing.”

Seeing he was serious, Lin Qing stopped pressing. “Then let me treat you to dinner.”

“Fine.” Group Leader Han didn’t refuse.

Lin Qing smiled slightly.

In an instant, he’d secured a combat technique and two sets of High-Energy Sustained Release Liquid—double fortune.

With this, he could make up the deficit in his Four-Six Practice in just twenty-four days.

Catch more criminals, more fugitives—wouldn’t that make him rich? “Group Leader.”

Lin Qing glanced at the camel nearby. “Jiang Chengwu is a fugitive hiding here under false identity—likely connected to the Blue Scarf Gang?”

“Mm.”

Group Leader Han nodded slightly. “The lampshade rupture was probably the camel’s doing. Have Forensics check the residue later.”

Qin Qin said, “Group Leader, I noticed the camel’s knuckles and neck injuries—he’s likely fought underground boxing too.”

“Notify the Gongan Bureau,” Group Leader Han said. “The rest is their job.”

Lin Qing silently summoned the Entropy Reverser interface.

[Current Order Level: 0.5]

Order Level determined the stability and safety of his living environment.

Previously, this violent fugitive had targeted him, dropping his order level by 0.2.

Now, having eliminated him and removed the hidden threat near his home, his life had become far more stable and peaceful.

Net gain: order level rose by 0.2.

Still 0.5 short of Level 1.

“Not that hard…”

Lin Qing felt Level 1 wasn’t far off—perhaps soon.

Still, he hadn’t expected to learn a legendary combat technique so quickly—now, which one should he choose?

(End of Chapter)