Chapter 49: Hidden Strength?

“Beep-beep-beep!”

At that moment, Lin Qing’s work phone suddenly sounded an alarm.

Changshui Street was now completely sealed off by several laser detectors; aside from temporary checkpoints where identities could be verified for passage, anyone attempting to breach the laser barrier would trigger the alarm! Three consecutive “beeps” meant someone had broken in from outside!

“Hum—!”

Three drones circling nearby to record instantly swarmed over like a hive.

For an ordinary person, the drones’ built-in tranquilizer guns would be enough to intercept.

Just as Lin Qing picked up his work phone to check the drone’s surveillance footage—

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

A startling sonic boom suddenly echoed from afar; Lin Qing had barely opened the monitor screen when he saw a blur streak across it—the three drones ahead had already shattered and exploded into countless fragments.

“Attack!”

Lin Qing’s hand moved like a phantom, instantly striking the alarm button.

“Beeeeeep—!!!”

In an instant, a shrill, piercing alarm blared across the entire street.

Everything happened in an instant; Lin Qing turned his head toward the direction of the drone explosions.

At the same moment, a blurred humanoid shadow suddenly appeared at the street corner, and in the blink of an eye, it crossed the open intersection nearby, charging straight toward them!

“Swoosh!”

The speed of this shadow was terrifying; most people nearby, even at such close range, hadn’t even reacted yet.

Even among Patrol Corps personnel, those who could react in time struggled to discern the shadow’s movements—many couldn’t even keep their eyes on its terrifying velocity!

“So they’ve come!”

At this moment, Lin Qing clearly saw the shape of the blur.

It was a bald, lean man wearing black goggles—his build and appearance matched the wanted poster almost exactly.

It was Chu Tianyao!

At this moment, he was closing in on Lin Qing at an alarming speed—less than a second to cover fifty meters. Xiao Peidong, not far away, was among the few who could still track Chu Tianyao’s motion.

“Got him!”

In that instant, Xiao Peidong’s eyes lit up with eager excitement; he laughed inwardly: “Hahahaha! No matter how talented you are, once you’re crippled, you’ll never compete with me again!”

He already pictured Lin Qing’s legs shattered, bleeding out on the ground.

Just like Chen Yanan had been back then! But Lin Qing stood motionless, watching Chu Tianyao approach, thinking to himself: “His speed isn’t faster than mine—I can defend myself…”

At that moment—

“Hah!”

Suddenly, a mocking laugh rang out; from inside a car beside the street, a hazy shadow shot out, matching Chu Tianyao’s terrifying speed as it rushed to meet him!

“Bang!!”

A bone-jarring collision rang out as Chu Tianyao and the hazy shadow crashed head-on, then both were flung backward!

The air, compressed by their terrifying speed and force, rippled outward like waves; Chu Tianyao flew like a cannonball, hurtling over twenty meters, smashing through two neon sign poles before finally stopping.

“That kick felt good.”

A playful low chuckle echoed as the shadow landed in front of Lin Qing—it was a long-haired man in casual clothes.

Except for a handful of people, every patrol officer and Gongan agent who recognized this long-haired man froze in shock.

Yuan Anping, Chief of the Lin’an City Patrol Corps? Though many had never seen him in person, they’d all seen his photo.

After all, Lin’an City had only one Patrol Chief.

Only the strongest among the Patrol Corps could possess such inhuman power. After all, the patrol job itself was simple—no high expertise required, just follow orders and conduct searches—but the risk of danger was high, so physical strength was paramount.

And the Patrol Chief was inevitably the city’s supreme force. After a moment of stunned silence, Xiao Peidong feigned surprise, but inwardly cursed violently.

Fuck! Why the hell was Yuan Anping here?

And he was in civilian clothes—clearly lying in wait! Had he heard about this operation and suspected Chu Tianyao would show up? Or was there another reason? Either way…

Yuan Anping’s appearance instantly chilled his heart—he knew this plan was doomed.

Meanwhile—

【Current Order Level increased by 1.0】

The green prompt floating before his eyes made Lin Qing exhale in relief.

Though Chu Tianyao hadn’t fled yet and the threat still lingered, Yuan Anping’s intervention meant he was now fully protected—the danger vanished completely.

But…

Lin Qing had expected Yuan Anping’s intervention to reduce the threat significantly, perhaps raising the Order Level by 0.6 or even 0.7.

After all, even among peers, fully protecting another person was extremely difficult.

But he hadn’t expected Yuan Anping to eliminate Chu Tianyao’s threat entirely with just one move—this meant one thing—

“This Patrol Chief is at least significantly stronger than Chu Tianyao…” Lin Qing made his judgment.

Yuan Anping’s power exceeded his appearance, making Lin Qing feel even safer.

“You’re Yuan Anping?”

Chu Tianyao stood at a distance, wiping blood from his lip, his voice low and laced with unmistakable wariness as he stared at Yuan Anping.

“Chu Tianyao, escapee from Qinghu Island Prison, S-rank wanted criminal—I’ve heard of your infamous reputation. You really can take a beating.”

Yuan Anping clicked his tongue in admiration. “I heard your combat style is the Hundred Beasts series—so you specialize in animal forms emphasizing speed and physical defense?”

During their clash, he’d caught Chu Tianyao off guard, landing a solid kick—and yet the man had taken it with little effect.

“Try it and see.”

Chu Tianyao muttered, then suddenly retreated sharply, becoming a blurred shadow as he shot off at terrifying speed in another direction.

“Running already? Boring.” Yuan Anping shook his head slightly, his form blurring as he pursued with equal velocity.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

Two blurs collided and crossed repeatedly, their sonic booms and impacts echoing in rapid succession.

In mere seconds, the two figures had vanished beyond the cordon.

“So they’re both gone…”

Lin Qing exhaled softly.

He’d anticipated that once Chief Yuan appeared, Chu Tianyao would flee immediately—at least out of the Patrol and Gongan blockade.

After all, both Patrol and Gongan were armed and could provide effective support.

Firearms alone posed little threat to Chu Tianyao, but last time he’d faced Chen Yanan—far weaker than him—he’d had no trouble.

Now Chu Tianyao was facing a peer in Yuan Anping! Fighting a peer while also dodging bullets? The difficulty skyrocketed—let alone trying to kill a speed-specialist captain under such conditions.

Chu Tianyao choosing to flee was only logical. Only a fool would stay.

An S-rank wanted criminal who’d survived this long? No way he was an idiot. “Safe now…”

Lin Qing exhaled, then turned sharply toward the Red Oak Boxing Gym.

“Chu Tianyao is desperate to escape the Chief—this is the perfect moment to raid the underground arena of the Yuanhong Society!”

(End of Chapter)