Chapter 28: A Pendant

Class A wanted criminal; capture yields one Class Three Merit.

And for a Class AA wanted criminal, capture yields two Class Three Merits!

Lin Qing carefully reviewed the brief summary of his younger brother Liao Xinying's crimes and found the man was nothing short of a maniacal killer, with at least twenty innocent lives stained by his blood, and he had even killed law enforcement officers.

As for the older brother, Liao Xinjie, he was an accomplice and accessory, so his crimes were somewhat lighter.

Of course, Lin Qing knew he had no right to look down on others; although he had never killed an innocent person, the total number of people these two had killed didn't even amount to a fraction of what he had done in his past life.

"Lin Qing, your luck is truly good."

Team Leader Han couldn't help but say, "It's one thing to catch a fugitive on your first mission, but on your first team patrol, you actually caught two at once?"

Lin Qing glanced at Zhao Jiayi beside him and smiled, "Mainly because my team member has good luck."

"Both of these fugitives are extremely vicious."

Qin Qin couldn't help but ask, "Lin Qing, did you handle both of these people? You're that powerful?"

"Luck." Lin Qing shook his head slightly. "I shot the younger brother; Zhao Jiayi handled the older brother."

"You've made a fortune this time; two Class Three Merits and four hundred thousand. Tsk tsk."

Qin Qin couldn't help but sigh, then glanced at Zhao Jiayi again. "This younger sister's luck is also truly good; looking so beautiful and fragile, she actually handled one too?"

Zhao Jiayi's face turned slightly red as she whispered, "If it weren't for the Team Leader being here, I would have been finished on my own..."

Upon hearing this, Han Ying and Ruan Bing from Team Seven couldn't help but look at Zhao Jiayi with envy.

If they had known, they would have joined the Team Leader's group too!

This was a reward of one hundred twenty thousand and one Class Three Merit! Only Teng Feiyu showed no sign of envy, merely looking slightly surprised.

"Notify the Public Security Bureau."

Lin Qing said, "However, aren't there a bit too many fugitives involved in underground boxing in the Xiaoshan District? In just this short month, three have been caught? This can't be a coincidence, right?"

Teng Feiyu fell silent for a moment before speaking, "Team Leader, I suspect there is an underground boxing arena hidden in the Xiaoshan District, and its scale must not be small."

Lin Qing already had a guess in his mind but said nothing.

The missing guests in the underground parking lot of Qingtai Hotel, the lurking danger in the Red Oak Boxing Gym, the fugitives involved in underground boxing in the Xiaoshan District, the suspected existence of an underground arena...

With these clues converging, even a layman could deduce quite a bit.

"Team Leader, I found this in one of their clothes just now." Zhao Jiayi suddenly handed Lin Qing a small receipt.

"A purchase receipt from Yusen Unmanned Supermarket?" Lin Qing glanced at it.

Teng Feiyu's eyes suddenly lit up, and he couldn't help but say, "Team Leader, there is only one Yusen Unmanned Supermarket in the Xiaoshan District, located near the Red Oak Boxing Gym; that boxing gym must have a problem!"

Lin Qing pondered for a moment and said, "Hand the clues over to the Public Security Bureau; we are on patrol and not responsible for solving cases."

"The Public Security Bureau? But the Public Security Bureau simply..." Teng Feiyu frowned slightly, as if about to say something, but closed his mouth instead.

Lin Qing glanced at him and said nothing more.

From today's experience, one could glimpse that the secrets hidden within the Red Oak Boxing Gym must be shocking, and the various aspects involved must be very complex.

He admitted that his current strength was insufficient and he had no confidence in taking on this credit.

Without sufficient confidence, he would not take risks.

But the credit was there; no need to be too eager.

Soon, the Public Security Bureau arrived at the bathhouse; after expressing surprise and gratitude, Captain Chu Yunfeng of the Criminal Investigation Team immediately arrested and took away the two fugitives.

In the night, Lin Qing stood at the entrance of the bathhouse, watching the police car drive away, when a line of green text suddenly appeared before his eyes.

【Current Order Level increased by 0.4 levels】

Immediately, another line of golden text appeared—

【Order Level broke through Level 1; new advanceable items unlocked; can unlock again after Level 10】

Lin Qing was slightly stunned, then a spark of joy burst forth in his eyes.

"Order!"

He immediately summoned the Entropy Reverser panel in his mind.

【All phenomena tend toward chaos; only Order is eternal】

【When you hold Order, the future becomes clearly visible; you can reverse cause and effect, pluck the fruit, and advance the future】

【Entropy Reverser is activating...】

As a torrent of incomprehensible information rushed past like a waterfall, a glowing screen resembling a panel condensed before his eyes.

————

【Current Order Level: 1.2】

【Number of Advanceable Items: 1/2】【Advanced Item: Combat Technique "Agility" (39% completed)】

【Advanceable Items: Qi Qi Version Morning Sun Cultivation Method, Military Hand-to-Hand Combat, Sketching, Calligraphy, Cooking, Street Dance, Bedroom Arts...】

【Mastered Items (Hidden)】

————

"As expected..."

A smile appeared on Lin Qing's lips.

'Number of Advanceable Items' has become 1/2, which means he can now advance a total of two abilities! "Tonight when I return, I can advance the Qi Qi Version Morning Sun Cultivation Method."

Lin Qing felt even more anticipation in his heart.

In the past, he could only advance one item at a time; until it was fully completed and repaid, he could not advance a new one.

But now, it was different.

"The Team Leader seems very happy tonight." Han Ying, standing nearby, noticed the change in Lin Qing's expression and couldn't help but speak with a smile.

"After all, there is a reward of four hundred thousand and two Class Three Merits." Lin Qing smiled.

The few people nearby heard this and couldn't help but show expressions of envy.

Team Leader Han glanced at him and said, "Once the merit is verified, your rank can be promoted to Second-Level Patrol Officer."

"Oh? Not bad." Lin Qing couldn't help but nod slightly.

He had only been regularized for one month; his seniority was completely insufficient.

The reason he could be directly promoted to Third-Level Patrol Officer, besides his strength and professional exam, was that he had once received a Third-Class Merit honor.

And now, with two more Third-Class Merits added, his rank could be promoted one level higher.

However, aside from a bit more salary and benefits, there wasn't much greater significance to it.

After submitting the report to the branch station, the patrol team dispersed.

Zhao Jiayi also took a ride-hailing car and returned all the way to her home.

The house she rented wasn't large, but it was decorated very warmly; upon entering, she saw a middle-aged man wearing glasses sitting on the sofa, reading a paper book under a reading lamp.

His appearance was so ordinary that he would leave no trace if thrown into a crowd, except for a hint of scholarly air between his brows.

"Dad, I'm back."

As she spoke, Zhao Jiayi skillfully picked up a pendant hanging on the wall and put it around her neck.

On the pendant was a pure black crystal as dark as deep space, with specks of starlight visible within.

"Xiao Yi."

The middle-aged man under the lamp raised his head, a hint of gentle smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, and asked, "How was today? Did it go smoothly?"

"Accumulating merit is so troublesome." Zhao Jiayi said somewhat helplessly, "And my Team Leader seems a bit overly cautious; no matter how much I reminded him, it was useless. Dad, let me tell you, I worked so hard today. I originally..."

The girl's rambling complaints echoed in the quiet little room.

The middle-aged man listened silently to his daughter's words, then smiled and said, "Didn't you say he was a buried genius? Then just endure it a bit and get along with him well."

"How do I get along with him..."

Zhao Jiayi pouted, "I even voluntarily sat opposite him in the office, and we were paired for patrol missions, but he seems uninterested in me."

The middle-aged man laughed and said, "Friendship doesn't come that way. Under such harsh conditions, the fact that you two met is already a huge fate, but you also need sincerity and effort. This isn't an investment; you can ask him for a small favor and give him some benefits, and only then will your relationship gradually grow closer."

Zhao Jiayi said as if understanding but not quite, "But I feel he hides himself very deeply."

"Hearing you talk, I actually quite want to meet this Team Leader of yours."

The middle-aged man sighed lightly, "After all, I am not a local; I am ultimately unsuitable here and cannot adapt. Many times it is inconvenient for me to appear, so... I hope you can have friends who can truly help you."

"Dad..." Zhao Jiayi bit her lip, her eyes slightly red as she looked at the middle-aged man.

"It's alright; Dad will at least watch you grow up." The middle-aged man gently stroked his daughter's head.

Lin Qing returned home, confirmed that the newly installed security door was completely locked, drew all the curtains, and turned on the signal jammer before summoning the Entropy Reverser panel.

The Qiqi Version Morning Sun Cultivation Method had long been recorded by the panel, right there in the items available for advance.

"Completing the combat technique 'Agility' will only take another ten days."

"However, too many things got involved today; I must improve my strength as soon as possible. I don't have enough merit to learn new combat techniques, so I can only..."

This thought flashed through Lin Qing's mind; without hesitation, he immediately moved his will.

"Advance 'Qiqi Version Morning Sun Cultivation Method'."

(End of this chapter)