Chapter 23: Intimidation

"Authority Awakening."

Tan Yanwen smiled and said, "Although it is just a legend, I heard the founder of our Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall once experienced Authority Awakening, and there are indeed methods to communicate with the universe to awaken authority, so it should be true."

"There is a method, should?" Lin Qing felt Tan Yanwen's words were somewhat contradictory.

"Because although the method exists, no one can achieve it."

Tan Yanwen shook his head slightly, looked Lin Qing over again, and said, "As far as I know, if the Patrol System has enough merit, one can also learn these three methods of awakening."

"Three methods of awakening?"

Hearing this, Lin Qing immediately understood what Tan Yanwen was talking about.

When studying in the Patrol Bureau's secret room, that hoarse voice had said that if one had First-Class Merit, besides being able to freely learn combat techniques from four series, one could also view three other special cultivation methods.

It seems those three special cultivation methods are the three methods of awakening?

Lin Qing couldn't help but feel curious in his heart.

The method exists but cannot be achieved?

Theoretically, as long as he could enter the door, as long as it was possible to realize, he could subsequently ignore resources and directly advance the result.

So, he quite wanted to try it.

Unfortunately, only First-Class Merit qualifies one to view it; he can only wait for later.

"Don't think too much."

Seeing Lin Qing seemed somewhat expectant, Tan Yanwen couldn't help but smile in surprise; indeed, the ignorant are fearless.

He shook his head and smiled, saying, "Authority Awakening is after all just a legend; it is said to be the power to directly control energy. Mind Power Awakening is also very rare; even Gene Awakening, which seems the most promising, requires you to master the original Chaoyang Cultivation Method and approach the true limit of the human body before there is even a sliver of hope."

"The original Chaoyang Cultivation Method?" Lin Qing finally understood how difficult it was.

The Chaoyang Cultivation Method has three versions: the 46 version, the 77 version, and the final original version, also called the 89 version; the difficulty increases with each.

The 46 version approaches the first limit of the human body.

The 77 version is the second limit; mastering two more combat techniques then qualifies one to become a Branch Station Captain.

And those who master the original Chaoyang Cultivation Method, mastering a few more combat techniques, are almost at the level of a big shot like the City Bureau Chief Captain.

"It is really very difficult."

Tan Yanwen sighed, "Don't look at me being rated as having 'Excellent' aptitude by the Martial Arts Hall; I admit I have worked hard enough, but I still haven't mastered the original Chaoyang Cultivation Method, let alone the far-off Gene Awakening."

Lin Qing could also understand the difficulty involved.

Although most elite talents are sent to the urban circles, among so many people in the entire Lin'an City, only a few have mastered the original Chaoyang Cultivation Method.

The escapee from Qinghu Island Prison that cousin Chen Yanan encountered might also be at this level; indeed very terrifying.

After chatting with Tan Yanwen for a while, Lin Qing didn't waste any more time; since he had already learned the 77 version method, he was waiting to go back and pay off the debt of the combat technique 'Agility', so he took his leave.

Ten minutes later, the unmanned smart vehicle dropped him off at the entrance of Junyuan Community.

Lin Qing got out of the car, and just as he was about to walk towards his own home—

【Current Order Level Decreased by 0.5 Levels】

A line of blood-red text suddenly appeared before his eyes!

It was a danger targeting him!

And... it actually decreased by as much as 0.5 levels?

"Hmm?"

Lin Qing's pupils contracted slightly; he pretended to be unconcerned, hands in his pockets, while simultaneously pressing the retractable knife in his pocket and preparing to activate a combat technique.

At this moment, he saw a tall man in a black trench coat standing at the community entrance, with slicked-back hair, a noticeably pale face, wearing only a pair of sunglasses, so his eyes were not visible.

This trench coat man stood at the entrance just like that, seemingly looking at him.

Lin Qing looked at the other party in confusion and said, "Hello, please move aside."

At this moment, the trench coat man suddenly reached out, took off his sunglasses, and revealed his eyes.

"Boom!"

The instant their gazes met, Lin Qing felt the other party's eyes seemed to radiate a terrifying sense of oppression; an inexplicable chill shot straight up from his tailbone, causing him to instinctively step back.

Combat technique? At this moment, he suddenly remembered the 'Eye' from the Divine Transformation series of combat techniques; it seemed to have a similar effect of instinctive intimidation?

Lin Qing stared vigilantly at the trench coat man; he had already prepared to instantly explode a combat technique.

But the trench coat man did not attack; he just looked Lin Qing over, suddenly revealed a slight smile, and spoke: "Don't be nervous, Lin Qing. I am a government-special dispatched investigator; I am just here to check on you because of recent events."

A government-special dispatched investigator?

Just to check?

If the Order Level hadn't dropped by 0.5 levels, clearly showing murderous intent, Lin Qing might have actually believed him.

"Government-special dispatched? How do you prove it?" Lin Qing frowned slightly.

"No need to prove it."

The trench coat man smiled and said, "I didn't intend to investigate you either; I just came to look, so I won't disturb you."

Having said that, he walked out of the community gate and left along the road without looking back.

【Order Level Increased by 0.5 Levels】

!.

At the same time, a line of green text also appeared before Lin Qing's eyes.

It recovered just like that?

He was somewhat surprised.

It seems this mysterious trench coat man came specifically to find him, didn't intend to stay in Tieshi Street, or perhaps the person himself had no impact on public security.

Therefore, if not targeting him, the Order Level will not decrease.

Lin Qing glanced at the other's back, then turned and walked into the residential compound, pondering silently.

"Just looking at me? Heh..."

He naturally did not believe the other's nonsense.

The Order Level had recovered, indicating the other's killing intent had dissipated; perhaps the intimidation during their eye contact just now was merely a test?

"This person is dangerous... the Order Level actually dropped by 0.5 levels..."

Lin Qing took a deep breath, and once his mood had calmed, he walked step by step toward his home with a blank expression.

At this moment, his heart yearned even more for power and security.

"I must master the Version 77 Combat Technique as soon as possible, learn more Combat Techniques as soon as possible..."

On the desolate street, the trench-coated man walked on the sidewalk, lightly tapping his earlobe with his fingertip to activate the wireless earpiece inside his ear canal.

"Boss, it's me."

"Yes, I have just met that Lin Qing, who is somewhat suspicious, but it can be basically confirmed that he is not the one who killed Camel and Tie Tie Wu Luo."

"First, his motive is insufficient."

"Second, I just used the 'Eye' and 'Will' from the Divine Transformation series to intimidate him; if he had truly mastered the Combat Technique 'Agility' in such a short time, under the instinctive intimidation, he would have subconsciously activated the Combat Technique. Such an instinct is very difficult to suppress."

"Unless one cultivates the Combat Technique to the point of merging with instinct, one can suppress it, but having learned the Combat Technique for only half a month, even mastering it would be astonishing; it is simply impossible to cultivate it to the level of instinct."

"Under the intimidation of 'Eye' and 'Will', he did not activate the Combat Technique according to instinct, obviously still in the introductory stage."

"Additionally, through the transmitter Camel hid in those few coins, the target I found was merely a thug from the Blue Scarf Gang; I interrogated him thoroughly, and that thug only took Camel's money out of greed after Camel died."

"This indicates that the murderer who killed Camel and Tie Tie Wu Luo did not care about the money on Camel's person at all."

"According to the intelligence, Lin Qing is currently in a state of financial shortage; his sister needs money, and he needs money for martial arts training; purchasing just two sets of High-Energy Sustained-Release Fluid is definitely far from enough."

"Normally, an eighteen-year-old youth who has been used to poverty should have been unable to resist greed and clung to these few baits left by Camel."

"The headquarters also checked his mobile phone GPS trajectory; he was indeed at home all night last night. I hacked into the access records of several video apps he commonly used via his phone number; he watched the TV drama 'Gunner' all night."

"Therefore, based on the above, Lin Qing's suspicion can be ruled out."

(End of this chapter)