Chapter 28: A Pendant

A-class wanted criminal; capture yields one third-class merit.

An AA-class wanted criminal yields two third-class merits upon capture!

Lin Qing carefully read the summary of his younger brother Liao Xinying’s crimes and realized the man was a serial killer, with at least twenty innocent victims on his hands, and even killed law enforcement officers.

The older brother, Liao Xinjie, was an accomplice, his crimes comparatively lighter.

Of course, Lin Qing knew he had no right to look down on others; though he had never killed an innocent, the combined death toll of these two men still fell far short of the tally from his past life.

“Lin Qing, your luck is truly remarkable.”

Even Group Leader Han couldn’t help saying: “You caught a fugitive on your first mission, fine—but on your very first patrol as a team leader, you caught two at once?”

Lin Qing glanced at Zhao Jiayi beside him and smiled: “Mainly because my team member has good luck.”

“These two fugitives were both extremely violent.”

Qin Qin couldn’t help asking: “Lin Qing, did you take down both of them? You’re this strong?”

“Luck,” Lin Qing shook his head slightly. “I shot the brother. The older brother was taken down by Zhao Jiayi.”

“You’ve hit the jackpot—two third-class merits and forty thousand, wow.”

Qin Qin sighed in admiration, glancing again at Zhao Jiayi: “This little sister’s luck is incredible too—so beautiful, so delicate—and she took down one too?”

Zhao Jiayi blushed faintly and whispered: “If not for the group leader, I’d have been finished alone...”

Han Ying and Ruan Bing from Group Seven couldn’t help staring at Zhao Jiayi with envy.

They should’ve joined the group leader from the start!

That’s a twelve-thousand-yuan reward and one third-class merit! Only Teng Feiyu showed no envy, only mild surprise.

“Notify the Gongan Bureau.”

Lin Qing said: “But aren’t there too many fugitives from underground boxing in Xiaoshan District? In just one month, we’ve caught three? This can’t be coincidence.”

Teng Feiyu fell silent for a moment, then said: “Group Leader, I suspect Xiaoshan District hides an underground boxing arena—and it’s definitely not small.”

Lin Qing already had a guess, but said nothing.

The missing guests from the underground parking lot of Qingtai Hotel, the hidden dangers in Hongxiang Boxing Gym, the fugitives from underground boxing in Xiaoshan District, the suspected underground arena...

These clues, when combined, would let even a layperson deduce plenty.

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

“Yusen unmanned supermarket purchase slip?” Lin Qing glanced at it.

Teng Feiyu’s eyes lit up instantly: “Group Leader, Xiaoshan District only has one Yusen unmanned supermarket—right near Hongxiang Boxing Gym. That gym must be involved!”

Lin Qing paused briefly, then said: “Hand the clues over to the Gongan Bureau. We’re on patrol, not investigating cases.”

“Gongan Bureau? But the Gongan Bureau can’t even...” Teng Feiyu frowned slightly, as if about to say more, but fell silent.

Lin Qing glanced at him but said nothing further.

From today’s events alone, it was clear the secrets hidden in Hongxiang Boxing Gym were astonishing, and the web of connections must be complex.

He knew his current strength was insufficient—he had no confidence to claim this reward.

He wouldn’t risk it without sufficient certainty.

But the merit was right there; no need to rush.

Soon, the Gongan Bureau arrived at the bathhouse. Captain Chu Yunfeng expressed surprise and gratitude, then immediately arrested and took away the two fugitives.

In the night, Lin Qing stood at the bathhouse entrance, watching the police car drive off, when suddenly a green prompt appeared before his eyes.

【Current Order Level increased by 0.4 levels】

Immediately after, another golden prompt emerged—

【Order Level surpassed 1.0, new pre-claimable items unlocked. Next unlock at Level 10】

Lin Qing froze slightly, then his eyes lit up with sudden delight.

“Order!”

He immediately summoned the Anti-Entropy interface in his mind.

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

【When you hold Order, the future becomes clear—you may reverse cause and effect, harvest results, and pre-claim the future】

【Anti-Entropy is initializing...】

As torrents of unreadable information surged past like a waterfall, a glowing panel solidified before him.

————

【Current Order Level: 1.2】

【Pre-claimable Items: 1/2】【Already Pre-claimed: Combat Art《Agility》(39% completed)】

【Available Pre-claimable Items: Qi Seven-Seven Version Morning Cultivation Method, Military Hand-to-Hand Combat, Sketching, Calligraphy, Cooking, Street Dance, Bedroom Arts...】

【Mastered Items (Hidden)】

————

“As expected...”

A faint smile touched Lin Qing’s lips.

The “Pre-claimable Items” count had become 1/2—meaning he could now pre-claim two abilities! “Tonight, I can pre-claim the Qi Seven-Seven Version Morning Cultivation Method.”

Lin Qing’s anticipation grew.

Previously, he could only pre-claim one at a time; he couldn’t claim another until the first was fully completed and repaid.

Now, it was different.

“Group Leader seems very happy tonight,” Han Ying noticed his expression and smiled.

“After all, forty thousand reward and two third-class merits,” Lin Qing smiled.

The others nearby couldn’t help showing envy.

Group Leader Han glanced at him and said: “Once your merit is verified, your rank can be upgraded to Second-Class Patrol Officer.”

“Oh? Not bad,” Lin Qing nodded slightly.

He’d only been officially confirmed for a month—his seniority was far from sufficient.

He’d been promoted directly to Third-Class Patrol Officer before not just due to skill and exams, but because of one prior third-class merit.

Now, with two more third-class merits, he could rise another rank.

But beyond slightly higher salary and benefits, it meant little.

After submitting their report to the branch, the patrol team disbanded.

Zhao Jiayi took a ride-hailing car home.

Her rented apartment was small but cozy; inside, a middle-aged man with glasses sat on the sofa, reading a physical book under a reading lamp.

His face was ordinary—unremarkable in a crowd—but his brow carried a scholarly air.

“Dad, I’m back.”

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

The pendant held a pure black crystal, dark as deep space, speckled with tiny starlight.

“Xiao Yi.”

The man under the lamp looked up, a gentle smile on his lips: “How was your day? Smooth?”

“Accumulating merit is such a hassle,” Zhao Jiayi sighed. “And my group leader seems overly cautious—I warned him, but he didn’t listen. Dad, let me tell you, I worked so hard today—I was going to...”

The girl’s chatter filled the quiet room.

The middle-aged man listened quietly, then smiled: “You said he’s a buried genius—then endure him. Get along well with him.”

“But how do I get along with him...”

Zhao Jiayi pouted. “I sat across from him in the office, paired with him on every patrol—but he seems completely uninterested in me.”

The man laughed. “Friendship doesn’t work like that. The fact you met under such harsh conditions is already a great fortune—but you must offer sincerity and effort. This isn’t an investment. Ask him for a small favor, give him something good—then your bond will slowly grow.”

Zhao Jiayi nodded slowly: “But I feel he hides so deeply.”

“From what you’ve said, I’m actually curious to meet your group leader.”

The man sighed softly: “I’m not from here. I don’t fit in. I can’t adapt. I can’t show my face often—so I hope you’ll find a true friend who can help you.”

“Dad...” Zhao Jiayi bit her lip, eyes slightly red as she looked at him.

“It’s fine,” the man gently stroked her head. “At least I’ll be here to see you grow up.”

Lin Qing returned home, confirmed the new door lock was fully secured, drew all curtains, turned on the signal jammer, then summoned the Anti-Entropy interface.

The Qi Seven-Seven Version Morning Cultivation Method had already been recorded in the pre-claimable items.

“Completing Combat Art《Agility》only needs ten more days.”

“But today’s involvement was too much—I must raise my strength quickly. Not enough merit to learn another combat art—so only...”

Lin Qing’s thought flashed, and without hesitation, he focused his intent.

“Pre-claim ‘Qi Seven-Seven Version Morning Cultivation Method’.”

(End of Chapter)