Chapter 25: Subconscious

Night spread thickly, the distant urban ring once again became a dazzling city that never slept, as if an incarnation of light.

Although it was ten p.m., vehicles on the highway still flowed incessantly.

A black extended patrol vehicle sped toward them along the highway.

Inside the vehicle.

Lin Qing sat in the last row, with Teng Feiyu beside him; opposite sat two girls, Han Ying and Zhao Jiayi, while Ruan Bing sat in the front passenger seat.

“Since today is the first patrol of Group Seven, the team has assigned Group Two to assist us in the search.”

Lin Qing swept his gaze across them and said: “Let me restate tonight’s mission—

“The locations to search are near Teng Feiyu’s residence on Changshui Street, New Century City. Based on population movement, the Red Oak Boxing Gym and Qingtai Hotel are the most crowded nearby spots; these two will be tonight’s primary targets.

“Besides our Group Seven and Group Two, twenty temporary patrol officers have been summoned to maintain order on-site; we’ll search Qingtai Hotel first, then Red Oak Boxing Gym.

“Search level is ‘Level One’—no intrusion into privacy unless dealing with suspicious individuals.”

…

Not long after, two black patrol vehicles pulled up one after the other in front of Qingtai Hotel.

The patrol officers from Group Two and Group Seven had already met before departure and exchanged little; they immediately began tonight’s search.

Although Qingtai Hotel wasn’t among the most luxurious in Lian’an City, it was still a five-star establishment, and most arriving vehicles were expensive.

The ten officers from both groups, dressed in black patrol uniforms, stepped into the hotel— their imposing presence instantly startled every guest in the lobby; the lobby manager hurried over immediately.

“I am the Group Seven leader of the Xiaoshan District Patrol Division. Please cooperate with our search.”

This search was led by Group Seven, so Lin Qing commanded the operation. After verifying credentials, Qin Qin from Group Two and Han Ying from Group Seven began cross-checking the hotel’s registered guest list.

“Leader.”

Teng Feiyu said: “I’ll check the vehicle entry and exit records in the hotel’s underground parking lot.”

“Parking lot?” Lin Qing glanced at him, didn’t refuse, but said to Group Leader Han: “Uncle Han, assign someone to go with him.”

Group Leader Han looked at one of the officers and said: “Wang Hengyi, go with him.”

After Teng Feiyu and the other left, the remaining members pulled out their work phones and began identifying and verifying passing guests.

Hotel searches are usually easy and carry little danger.

Lin Qing, rarely a group leader, finally got to experience the feeling of watching his subordinates work while he simply waited leisurely nearby.

Oh, this was called commanding the scene.

He immediately sat down with Group Leader Han on the sofa in the lobby lounge area.

“Your group’s patrol officer, Teng Feiyu, has sharp eyes.”

Group Leader Han suddenly said: “The hotel’s parking lot might have some issues.”

“Issues?” Lin Qing feigned confusion.

“You have little search experience, so it’s normal you didn’t notice.”

Group Leader Han said: “From the time we arrived until now, only a few minutes have passed, but I’ve observed three private luxury cars enter the hotel’s parking lot.”

“I noticed too.” Lin Qing said: “But this is a five-star hotel— isn’t it normal for guests to be wealthy?”

Group Leader Han shook his head: “This is a business-oriented luxury hotel; most guests come from outside the city, but those three private luxury cars all had local license plates.”

“That is a bit odd.” Lin Qing nodded slightly.

I wonder what clues Teng Feiyu has, and what kind of achievement he might uncover?

Half an hour later.

“Report, Leader.”

Teng Feiyu stood before Lin Qing: “I’ve found something suspicious in the hotel’s underground parking lot. May I request a Level Two search warrant?”

“Go on.” Lin Qing looked at him.

“I checked the vehicles in the hotel’s underground parking lot—most are local private luxury cars.”

Teng Feiyu said: “According to the hotel’s registration list, many of these car owners are locals with multiple past stays, but strangely, even when the hotel’s top and premium suites are fully booked, these owners still choose to stay in standard suites, yet insist on checking in here.”

“Oh?”

Lin Qing said: “That does sound odd, but the hotel shows no signs of criminal activity and has never been involved in any case. With just this suspicion, even if I apply for a Level Two warrant, the higher-ups probably won’t approve it.”

Group Leader Han nodded slightly: “Definitely won’t be approved.”

“That reason isn’t enough.” Lin Qing looked at Teng Feiyu.

Teng Feiyu glanced around, then spoke: “Leader, I suspect this hotel is just a front—those luxury car owners are merely pretending to stay here, registering briefly, but actually going elsewhere.”

“Why do you think so?” Lin Qing asked. “I noticed something suspicious.”

Teng Feiyu said: “A guest entered the VIP elevator in the underground parking lot but never emerged from the hotel’s ground-floor elevator exit. I suspect the elevator has a hidden mechanism that might lead elsewhere.”

Lin Qing mused: “Elevators are public areas—Level One warrants can inspect them. Did you go inside?”

“I did.”

Teng Feiyu nodded: “The VIP elevator looked ordinary—only connects to the hotel’s ground-floor lobby. So I suspect someone might control it remotely to reach other floors, like… the basement.”

Lin Qing thought for a moment, then turned to Group Leader Han: “Uncle Han, do you think we can apply for a Level Two warrant?”

“It’s certainly odd.”

Group Leader Han nodded: “We can try applying, but approval isn’t guaranteed. Such hotels might simply protect guest privacy. Unless we find clear criminal suspicion, denial is normal.”

Lin Qing hummed in agreement, said nothing more, and immediately pulled out his phone to submit a Level Two search warrant request through the division’s patrol system.

He wanted to seize this chance for some merit—naturally, he wouldn’t refuse.

Soon after.

“Done.” Lin Qing put down his phone, looked up at Teng Feiyu, and said: “I’ve submitted the request. Now we wait for Acting Team Leader’s decision.”

Five minutes later.

“Ding.”

His work phone vibrated with a reply.

Lin Qing picked it up, glanced at it, and frowned slightly: “Xiao Peidong rejected the Level Two search request.”

“Rejected?” Teng Feiyu frowned, fell silent, lost in thought.

“Wait until we find solid evidence.”

Lin Qing subtly hinted, then added: “Patrol units only handle patrols and searches—we don’t solve cases. No matter the suspicion, that’s the Gongan Bureau’s job.”

Teng Feiyu took a deep breath and said nothing more.

“Alright.”

Lin Qing opened the command mode on his work phone: “All units, assemble. Prepare to search the next location.”

…

Red Oak Boxing Gym.

When the two patrol groups arrived, few people remained inside—only scattered fighters and coaches were still training, or eating late-night barbecue.

“I am the Group Seven leader of the Xiaoshan District Patrol Division. Here are my credentials. Please cooperate with our search.”

After Lin Qing showed his credentials, the Red Oak Boxing Gym’s manager immediately cooperated, allowing patrol officers to identify and verify everyone.

Fighters, coaches, and staff were all checked—no abnormalities found.

He noticed Teng Feiyu wasn’t paying attention to those people; instead, he was scanning the surroundings, occasionally tapping walls or floors, as if searching for hidden mechanisms.

Both the Red Oak Boxing Gym and Qingtai Hotel were Teng Feiyu’s suggested targets.

Could there be a connection? Suddenly, Lin Qing noticed the manager’s gaze was odd—he kept watching Teng Feiyu’s actions, slightly tense.

“Everyone has been checked.”

Lin Qing said deliberately: “We still need to inspect the facility for any unauthorized construction or equipment.”

The manager hesitated, then nodded: “Alright, search away.”

The patrol officers began searching the premises.

Lin Qing walked around, observing the boxing gym.

The gym looked small, yet the locker rooms were unusually large—does this gym really have so many members?

Unconsciously, he stepped into one of the locker rooms, standing before a row of wall-mounted lockers.

For some reason, Lin Qing instinctively felt something was wrong with this locker room—even the row of lockers seemed off.

It was pure intuition, as if his subconscious suspected it—he didn’t know where this feeling came from.

But who ignores their own intuition? Lin Qing stepped forward and opened one of the locker doors.

Nothing found—it appeared to be an ordinary locker.

Should I try moving it?

The thought arose in Lin Qing’s mind. He gripped the locker’s side, preparing to push—

【Current Order Level decreased by 0.6 levels】

At that moment, a line of vivid crimson text suddenly appeared before his eyes! (End of Chapter)