Chapter 6: Changing Faces

After finding a random seat on the second-floor library and flipping through a tablet for over an hour, Lin Qing finally stopped.

"My memory seems to have improved quite a bit as well."

Lin Qing put down the tablet, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

This Forty-Six Edition Chaoyang Cultivation Method offers comprehensive improvement to physical quality: muscle tissue strength, bone hardness, nerve reaction speed, vision, hearing, memory... and even the sixth sense are rumored to be capable of enhancement.

Combined with the Memory Master ability, he was not far from having a photographic memory.

At this rate, it wouldn't be long before the written exam posed no problem.

Although the scope of the Patrol System's written exam was broad and required reading many books, the portion involving logical thinking was small; most of it simply required rote memorization.

"It's almost ten."

Lin Qing glanced at the time, not wanting to waste any more, and hurried downstairs.

The inauguration oath ceremony for the new acting captain was about to begin.

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

Just as Lin Qing had guessed, the new acting captain was indeed the young man in the tracksuit he had met at the stairwell entrance that morning.

However, the other party had now changed into a patrol uniform; two pairs of wings and a single star were visible on the shoulder boards, marking the rank of Third-Class Patrol Officer.

After the entire assembly sang the International Anthem, this new Captain Xiao, acting as the oath leader, led the six group leaders in taking a collective oath.

"As a member of the Earth Alliance Patrol System, I hereby swear: to firmly uphold the absolute leadership of the World Government, to be loyal to the First Charter, to safeguard the authority of the Constitution, to fulfill statutory duties, and to dedicate myself to the noble cause of patrol work..."

Seated below were the branch bureau director and leaders from the municipal bureau, serving as the oath witnesses.

Once the oath concluded and the leaders finished their speeches, the inauguration ceremony for the new acting captain finally ended.

After the announcement of conclusion, the leaders departed first.

A short while later, aside from a few individuals, the auditorium was filled mostly with the patrol officers from the six groups and the crowd of temporary patrol officers.

"Captain Chen was injured and hospitalized; I will temporarily lead the patrol work."

Standing on the stage, Captain Xiao scanned the patrol officers below and said sincerely, "I am not as experienced as Captain Chen, but patrol duties do not allow me time to learn slowly, so I can only trouble my colleagues to exert their functions and actively cooperate with the work. I will do my utmost and strictly fulfill my duties."

Down below, some sycophant eager for advancement clapped first, and immediately a crowd joined in the applause.

Once the applause subsided, Captain Xiao spoke again:

"Patrol work is of critical importance and allows not a shred of carelessness or rashness. Whether it is me, the acting captain, or the temporary patrol officers, we must all fulfill our duties with strict discipline."

Having said this, he swept his gaze across the room and said:

"But I also know that no organization can be perfect; there will inevitably be oversights. There are temporary patrol officers in our ranks who do not meet the recruitment rules. This not only affects discipline but also indicates insufficient professional quality, which might impact the execution of patrol work when missions are carried out in the future. I believe this is something no one wishes to see."

Upon hearing these words from the new Captain Xiao, many patrol officers instinctively turned their gaze toward Lin Qing.

To sneak into the patrol team, even just as a temporary patrol officer, one at least needed the connections of a group leader.

Several group leaders had arranged for relatives or friends to serve as temporary patrol officers; after all, without official status, they couldn't access any secrets, the work was simple and relaxed, and even without professional training they could do it, so it had become tacitly accepted.

Normally, as long as it wasn't too excessive, even leaders from the municipal bureau wouldn't meddle in such trivial matters.

Yet this Captain Xiao, having just arrived, was so upright and incorruptible as to settle such trivial matters; any clear-eyed person could see this was clearly aimed at Captain Chen.

Ultimately, everyone else was merely collateral damage.

"I won't name names."

Captain Xiao said calmly, "If you voluntarily step forward to resign and write a self-criticism report upon returning, the punishment will be waived."

Among the temporary patrol officers below, there was first a moment of silence, then several hesitated briefly before standing up one after another. In a short while, five temporary patrol officers had stood out.

Aside from helplessness, the few of them looked at Lin Qing with some indignation.

If not for Lin Qing, they wouldn't have lost this easy job of mixing and making money.

"Is that all?"

Captain Xiao spoke in a low voice.

Many patrol officers couldn't help but look at Lin Qing; with words spoken to this extent, did Captain Chen's cousin still think he hadn't been discovered?

"Must I name names?" Captain Xiao's gaze slowly swept over the temporary patrol officers, finally stopping on Lin Qing, as he said, "Lin Qing, you..."

"Captain Xiao."

Just as Captain Xiao had spoken the name, a voice suddenly rang out.

He turned to look and found Gao Kezhang from the Political Section, who had never left, smiling at him from not far away, pointing at his phone screen to signal him to check the message.

Captain Xiao felt somewhat strange but still took out his phone to check the message sent by Gao Kezhang.

Immediately, he narrowed his eyes slightly.

Lin Qing stood quietly within the ranks of the temporary patrol officers; seeing this, he also glanced at Gao Kezhang.

It seemed Gao Kezhang had reminded this Captain Xiao?

"Continue; we were just speaking of Lin Qing."

Captain Xiao put away his phone without changing his expression, as if he had never received any message, and continued to look at Lin Qing, saying solemnly:

"Lin Qing, I originally didn't want to speak of you, but since you have remained silent, I have no choice but to speak. Do you not feel your work in the patrol team is improper?"

Gao Kezhang's eyes shifted slightly.

His reminder had been timely enough; this Captain Xiao was clearly not yet in a deadlock, yet he still did not intend to give up?

"Lin Qing, do not blame me for speaking to you."

Captain Xiao said in a deep voice, "A talent as excellent as you serving only as a temporary patrol officer in the team, without even official status, is truly a waste of talent. If I were Captain Chen, I would probably want to promote you to group leader. Do you not feel aggrieved?"

Silence fell over the audience below.

Everyone looked at Captain Xiao on the stage in astonishment, then couldn't help but turn their gaze to Lin Qing.

Excellent? A waste of talent? And even group leader?

Wasn't this Captain Xiao just now displaying an air of using this opportunity to launch an attack?

Why suddenly start making a fuss on Lin Qing's behalf?

Even Lin Qing and Section Chief Gao, who knew the truth, couldn't help but pause.

"I have to admit, Captain Chen is truly selfless."

Captain Xiao sighed: "His own cousin is clearly such an outstanding talent, yet because he hasn't passed the professional assessment, to avoid suspicion, he isn't even given a formal position—truly... too upright and open."

Lin Qing was stunned.

This Captain Xiao... is truly a talent.

Watching Captain Xiao change his expression on stage, Section Chief Gao couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "I thought he was a proud young man, but he turns out to be an old fox..."

On stage, Captain Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief: "He mastered the technique at only eighteen; perhaps he'll be my vice-captain later. His future might not be worse than mine. I'd be sick to offend him..."

(End of this chapter)