Chapter 6: Face Change

On the second floor of the library, Lin Qing picked a random seat, spent over an hour flipping through his tablet, then finally stopped.

“My memory seems to have improved quite a bit.”

Lin Qing set down the tablet, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

The Four-Six Edition Morning Cultivation Method greatly enhances physical attributes—muscle strength, bone density, neural reaction speed, vision and hearing, memory… even the sixth sense is rumored to potentially improve.

Combined with his Memory Master ability, he was barely a step away from perfect recall.

If things continued like this, he wouldn’t have any trouble with the written exams soon.

Although the patrol system’s written exams covered a vast range of material and required reading many books, they involved little logical reasoning—most simply demanded rote memorization.

“Almost ten o’clock.”

Lin Qing glanced at the time, didn’t waste another moment, and headed downstairs.

The swearing-in ceremony for the new acting team leader was about to begin.

…

Inside the auditorium, besides the six squad’s patrol officers and temporary patrol officers, members from the branch’s command center, political department, and logistics department were also present.

As Lin Qing had guessed, the new acting team leader was indeed the young man in sportswear he’d met at the staircase entrance that morning.

Now, however, he wore a patrol uniform, with two pairs of wings and a star on his shoulder insignia—marking him as a Level Three Patrol Officer.

After everyone sang the Internationale, this new Xiao Team Leader, as the oath-taker, led the six squad leaders in a collective oath.

“As a member of the Earth Alliance Patrol System, I hereby swear: resolutely uphold the absolute leadership of the World Government, remain loyal to the First Charter, defend constitutional authority, fulfill statutory duties, and dedicate myself wholeheartedly to the noble cause of patrolling…”

Below the stage sat the branch director and officials from the municipal bureau, serving as oath supervisors.

After the oath concluded and the leaders finished their speeches, the new acting team leader’s installation ceremony finally ended.

Once announced over, the leaders departed first.

Soon after, the auditorium was filled mostly with patrol officers from the six squads and the temporary patrol officers, with only a few others remaining.

“Captain Chen is hospitalized due to injury; for now, I will lead the patrol operations.”

Xiao Team Leader stood on stage, scanning the patrol officers below, and said sincerely: “I don’t have Captain Chen’s experience, but patrol duties leave me no time to learn slowly—I must rely on all my colleagues to fully perform your duties and cooperate actively. I will do everything in my power to uphold my responsibilities.”

Someone in the crowd—a sycophant eager to advance—clapped first, then the rest followed suit.

When the applause died down, Xiao Team Leader spoke again:

“Patrol work is vital; not a single ounce of carelessness or negligence is acceptable. Whether I, as acting team leader, or any temporary patrol officer, we must all fulfill our duties with strict discipline.”

As he spoke, his gaze swept across the crowd and he added:

“But I know no organization is flawless—there will always be oversights. Our ranks include temporary patrol officers who don’t meet recruitment standards. This not only undermines discipline but also reflects inadequate professional competence, which may hinder mission execution. I believe no one here wants that.”

Upon hearing these words, several patrol officers instinctively turned their eyes toward Lin Qing.

To sneak into the patrol team—even as a temporary officer—required at least a squad leader’s connections.

Several squad leaders had placed relatives or friends as temporary patrol officers; since these roles carried no official status, involved no classified work, and were simple and easy, even untrained individuals could handle them, so it was tacitly accepted.

Normally, unless it went too far, even municipal bureau leaders wouldn’t interfere in such minor matters.

Yet this new Xiao Team Leader, upon arrival, was already cleaning up these minor infractions with such impartiality—anyone with eyes could see this was clearly aimed at Captain Chen.

In truth, everyone else was just collateral damage.

“I won’t name names.”

Xiao Team Leader said calmly: “If you step forward and resign voluntarily, write a self-criticism, and your punishment will be waived.”

Among the temporary patrol officers below, silence fell, then a few hesitated before slowly standing up. Soon, five temporary patrol officers had stepped forward.

Each of them looked at Lin Qing with resentment, besides their helplessness.

If not for Lin Qing, they wouldn’t have lost this easy, well-paying job.

“That’s all?”

Xiao Team Leader spoke in a low tone.

Many patrol officers couldn’t help glancing at Lin Qing—hadn’t the message been clear enough? Didn’t Captain Chen’s cousin realize he’d been found out?

“Do you want me to name you?” Xiao Team Leader’s gaze slowly swept over the temporary patrol officers, finally settling on Lin Qing. “Lin Qing, you—”

“Xiao Team Leader.”

The moment Xiao Team Leader uttered the name, a voice suddenly interrupted.

He turned to see Gao Kezhang, the Political Work Section chief, standing nearby, smiling and gesturing toward his phone screen, signaling him to check a message.

Xiao Team Leader felt puzzled but pulled out his phone to read the message from Gao Kezhang.

Immediately, he narrowed his eyes slightly.

Lin Qing stood quietly among the temporary patrol officers, and upon seeing this, he too glanced at Gao Kezhang.

It seemed Gao Kezhang had warned Xiao Team Leader?

“Continue. We were just talking about Lin Qing.”

Xiao Team Leader stowed his phone without changing expression, as if he’d received no message at all, and turned back to Lin Qing, solemnly saying: “Lin Qing, I didn’t want to bring this up, but since you’ve remained silent, I have no choice. Don’t you think your role in the patrol team is inappropriate?”

Gao Kezhang’s expression shifted slightly.

He’d warned in time—this Xiao Team Leader wasn’t even cornered, yet still refused to back down?

“Lin Qing, don’t blame me for saying this.”

Xiao Team Leader said gravely: “Someone as outstanding as you, stuck as a temporary patrol officer with no official position—that’s a waste of talent. If I were Captain Chen, I’d promote you to squad leader immediately. Don’t you feel wronged?”

Xiao Captain said gravely, “Someone as outstanding as you is stuck as a temporary patrol officer with no official position—it’s a waste of talent. If I were Captain Chen, I’d promote you to team leader already. Don’t you feel wronged?”

Everyone stared in shock at Xiao Team Leader on stage, then at Lin Qing.

Outstanding? Waste of talent? Squad leader?

Hadn’t this Xiao Team Leader just moments ago seemed ready to strike?

Why had he suddenly begun defending Lin Qing?

Even Lin Qing and Gao Kezhang, who knew the truth, were momentarily stunned.

“I must admit, Captain Chen is truly selfless.”

Xiao Team Leader sighed: “His own cousin is clearly such a gifted individual, yet because he hasn’t passed the professional exam, Captain Chen refuses to grant him official status—even to avoid suspicion. How utterly upright.”

Xiao Captain sighed, “My own cousin is such a talented person, yet because he hasn’t passed his professional exam, they won’t even give him an official post to avoid suspicion—truly… too upright.”

This Xiao Team Leader… was truly a master.

Gao Kezhang watched Xiao Team Leader’s sudden shift on stage and silently sighed: “I thought he was just an arrogant youth—turns out he’s a seasoned veteran…”

On stage, Xiao Team Leader quietly exhaled in relief: “He’s only eighteen and already succeeded in cultivation—might become my deputy team leader someday. His future might even surpass mine. I’d be insane to offend him…”

Onstage, Xiao Captain secretly exhaled in relief: “At eighteen, he’s already mastered the technique—maybe he’ll be my deputy captain someday. His future might even outshine mine. I’d be insane to offend him…”

(End of Chapter)