Chapter 13: High-Energy Sustained-Release Liquid

The siren faded into the night as the police car carried away the fugitive Jiang Chengwu, the Blue Scarf Gang’s leader Camel, and the gang’s many low-level thugs.

【Order Rank increased by 0.1 level】

As Lin Qing watched the police car drive off, the prompt that appeared before his eyes filled him with delight—and a touch of confusion.

Why only 0.1 level? “Leader.”

Lin Qing thought for a moment, then said: “The Blue Scarf Gang is tied to a major fugitive, harboring and concealing a criminal, helping him escape justice—this is no minor offense. They’re bound to be disbanded, right?”

“Yes, definitely,” Leader Han nodded slightly. “Most of the Blue Scarf Gang have been taken by police. They can’t operate here anymore—they’ll have to disband.”

“What about Camel?” Lin Qing asked.

“If the charges are proven, he’s the ringleader. With multiple crimes combined, he’ll get at least several years, maybe longer.”

As he spoke, Leader Han glanced at him. “What’s wrong?”

Lin Qing shook his head. “Nothing. Just thinking Ironstone Street can finally return to peace.”

But he felt uneasy.

It was said Camel, the founder of the Blue Scarf Gang, was genuinely skilled—he’d also mastered the Four-Six Method, fought in underground boxing rings, and likely wasn’t weaker than the fugitive Jiang Chengwu.

And in terms of threat, wasn’t a flamboyant black-market boss more dangerous than a hiding fugitive?

Jiang Chengwu’s capture increased Order Rank by 0.2 levels.

Yet after the entire Blue Scarf Gang was arrested—the greater threat—Order Rank rose by only 0.1 levels? Based on his understanding of Order Rank, this was clearly abnormal.

Unless…

The 0.1 level increase was only because the Blue Scarf Gang disbanded, but Camel himself wouldn’t be captured, so the threat remained?

Only that could explain why Order Rank rose by only 0.1 levels.

“I hope it’s not what I’m thinking…”

Lin Qing frowned slightly.

He had no sense of justice; his warmth had long been frozen by the cold end times, leaving only a basic moral Dixian —do not harm others unless harmed first.

But an increase in Order Rank brought him great benefits, and he deeply longed for a peaceful, stable life.

So he had no objection to raising the banner of justice—even if it meant extreme methods.

He didn’t care how extreme they were.

…

The next day.

As soon as he woke up, Lin Qing received a message from Leader Han.

【The two sets of High-Energy Sustained-Release Liquid you requested have been delivered to the branch’s storage. Take them within twenty minutes after finishing your practice.】

“So efficient?”

Lin Qing was surprised and immediately replied.

【Thank you, Leader! I’ll transfer the money as soon as it arrives (crying) (crying)】

Leader Han sent back a simple OK emoji.

Lin Qing couldn’t help silently marvel: “Leader Han really is as my cousin said—he’s truly a good person…”

His reward money hadn’t even been paid yet, yet Leader Han had already paid out of his own pocket to buy him the High-Energy Sustained-Release Liquid.

Lin Qing put down his phone and filed the matter away in his mind.

After breakfast, he studied for two more hours. When the time was right, he began his first practice of the day.

Once again, after one session, his body felt “full.”

Perhaps everyone’s progress varies, but generally, one session is enough to saturate the body—because each person absorbs a different total amount of mysterious energy during practice.

Online rumors claimed some geniuses reached the human body’s first limit within ten or fifteen days using the Four-Six Method—that was the difference in talent.

After showering, Lin Qing headed out toward the Patrol Bureau.

…

Xiaoshan District Patrol Branch.

“Finished your practice today? Come with me.”

Seeing Lin Qing, Leader Han said nothing more and immediately took him to the third-floor storage.

The storage room was next to the armory; both were guarded twenty-four hours a day by several gun officers, with dual locks and dual personnel. “Old Han.”

Behind the bulletproof glass of the storage room’s guard station, a bald middle-aged man in uniform grinned. “Why buy High-Energy Sustained-Release Liquid? So generous?”

“For my subordinate,” Leader Han shook his head slightly. “He succeeded in practice. That’s not against regulations, right?”

“Oh, Chen’s cousin? Then it’s fine.”

The bald man glanced at Lin Qing and sighed. “Still, it’s a big spend. Fifteen ten-thousand reward money isn’t small, but this luxury item won’t last long.”

Leader Han shook his head. “When he comes back later, verify his identity and give him the High-Energy Sustained-Release Liquid.”

Lin Qing understood why the process was so complicated.

Outside, the High-Energy Sustained-Release Liquid cost 89,999 yuan per set; the Patrol Bureau sold it for 69,999 yuan—clearly an internal benefit price.

Identity verification and on-site consumption were to prevent internal resale.

The bald man looked at Lin Qing. “Did you finish your practice today? The effect is best if taken within half an hour after practice.”

“Not yet twenty minutes,” Lin Qing nodded.

“Alright, go through the identification system. I’ll get it for you.”

After quickly completing the procedure, the bald man pulled out a slender, long silver metal tube from storage. Its sealed, smooth surface gleamed with cold condensation and frost, covered in an anti-tamper film.

“Take it now.”

The bald man handed the cold silver tube to Lin Qing. “Don’t peel the film—just twist it once. It’s clean. You can suck it all out directly. Tastes decent.”

Lin Qing followed his instructions. The film instantly split open, revealing the translucent pale-white liquid inside.

Such a tiny amount—barely ten milliliters—cost over seven thousand yuan.

Lin Qing didn’t dare waste any. He tilted his head and sucked it all down in one gulp, then shook the tube to confirm nothing remained.

“Good. Very frugal.”

The bald man smiled. “The effect takes about an hour to activate. Start your next practice after an hour. After one session, rest another hour—once half the effect remains, you can practice again.”

Lin Qing nodded.

He’d checked the usage instructions online—this expensive stuff.

It allowed him two extra practice sessions per day.

At this rate, in twenty-four days he’d make up the entire Four-Six Morning Practice he’d borrowed.

By then, he’d likely have learned the Combat Art—perfect timing to borrow that next.

Lin Qing and Leader Han left the storage. As they descended the stairs, Leader Han suddenly said: “By the way, your new uniform and shoulder insignia have arrived. Go pick them up.”

“Alright.”

Lin Qing nodded, then asked: “Leader, when can I learn the Combat Art and the Seven-Seven Morning Practice?”

Leader Han thought for a moment. “The Third-Class Merit review takes time—at least one or two weeks. Once approved, you can learn the Combat Art. As for the Seven-Seven Practice…”

He paused, uncertain. “I’m not sure. It depends on when your instructor is available. You’re not in a hurry, right?”

“Not at all,” Lin Qing nodded. “Just curious.”

Once he made up the borrowed Four-Six Practice, even if he learned the Seven-Seven Practice, he’d still prioritize borrowing the Combat Art.

According to his cousin, even mastering the Seven-Seven Practice didn’t boost strength as much as the Combat Art—since the Combat Art was designed purely for fighting.

He needed to maximize his strength to improve self-preservation—so Combat Art came first.

Once he mastered it, missions would be far safer.

The Seven-Seven Practice could wait until he’d made up the Combat Art—or until he could borrow two skills at once.

“Then just wait.”

Leader Han said. “Instructors must be those who’ve fully mastered the Seven-Seven Practice and signed agreements with the Patrol Bureau. There are so few, and they have to coordinate schedules.”

Lin Qing nodded.

It was a free cost, but he wasn’t in a rush.

“At worst, it’ll take a month.”

Leader Han asked suddenly: “You already have Third-Class Merit. Can you pass the monthly professional exam? If you do, you’ll be promoted to Third-Rank Patrol Officer by month’s end.”

“Probably,” Lin Qing smiled.

(End of Chapter)