Chapter 65: Temporary Operation

【Current Order Level Decreased by 1.5 Levels】

The next morning, when Lin Qing opened his eyes, he found a line of pitch-black text floating before him, which began to slowly fade only as he watched.

“1.5 levels?”

The drowsiness in Lin Qing’s mind vanished instantly; he sat up sharply.

“Order.”

After mentally summoning the Anti-Entropy interface, he confirmed that the Order Level had indeed dropped to 1.4.

Lin Qing furrowed his brow.

After clearing the underground boxing arena of the Yuanhong Society, the Order Level had barely risen to 2.9—now it had plummeted back to 1.4? The black text indicated this decline was not targeted at him.

It meant a source of chaos had emerged within his circle of life.

“I eliminated the Yuanhong Society’s local contact—has a new one appeared? Or something else?”

Lin Qing frowned slightly, silently speculating.

The worst possibility was that a criminal more terrifying than Chu Tianyao, the fugitive from Qinghu Island, had settled permanently in his vicinity—alone, causing a 1.5-level drop in Order.

More likely, however, the Yuanhong Society had installed a new contact who had resumed operations disrupted by Zhou Yang’s death.

If the Yuanhong Society had returned, they had likely found a more concealed base.

“I could ask Zhao Jiayi to investigate…”

Lin Qing mused, “With Zhao Jiayi’s mental probing, it shouldn’t be hard to locate the Yuanhong Society’s new base here.”

But it would be better to wait a little longer.

If the Yuanhong Society had brought back Chu Tianyao, his current strength wouldn’t be enough to handle him.

He needed to wait until he mastered the combat art “Soft,” achieving perfection in all six arts—matching the flawless skill of Xu Qiu, the top-ranked inspector—before he could confidently face Chu Tianyao.

Ideally, he should wait until he perfected the original Sunrise Training Method.

…

Two more days passed.

On the morning of February 27th.

In the private rest room beside the team leader’s office at the Xiaoshan District Patrol Division.

【“Qiqi Version of Sunrise Training Method” Fully Completed】

As the final session of the Qiqi Version of Sunrise Training Method ended, a prompt appeared before Lin Qing’s eyes.

The debt from the Qiqi Version of Sunrise Training Method was finally settled.

“It’s over…”

Lin Qing exhaled slowly, “Including today, I’ve used exactly twenty-eight EPS-series high-energy sustained-release agents, leaving seventy-two—Headquarters can now equip my cousin with the best mechanical prosthetics…”

His elite patrol training contract from Headquarters, due to the favor of a senior official, included additional terms.

—If his remaining EPS-series high-energy sustained-release agents exceeded fifty units, he would qualify for a custom “Hongjun Series” mechanical prosthetic from Dawn Group.

After nearly a month of grueling effort, it was finally over.

“My cousin’s surgery is scheduled for March—perfect timing.”

Lin Qing immediately picked up his phone and sent a message to the Headquarters staff responsible for transporting the EPS-series agents.

【I have fully mastered the Qiqi Version of Sunrise Training Method. Return the remaining agents to Headquarters.】

The reply came quickly: 【Confirmed?】

Lin Qing replied at once with two words:

【Confirmed】

He put down his phone, a faint smile appearing.

His cousin Chen Yanan had always been too kind to him—he had always remembered it—and now, helping her so easily was the best outcome possible.

“Tomorrow is exactly six days after mastering the combat art ‘Hard.’ It would be reasonable to begin the combat art ‘Soft’ then.”

Lin Qing’s mind stirred; he summoned the Anti-Entropy interface to check.

【Number of Pre-authorized Items Available: 2/2】

The combat art “Hard” had been repaid yesterday.

Now, both his pre-authorization slots were vacant.

Given his current compatibility with the Zizai Body series of combat arts, mastering the final art, “Soft,” would surely take only a few days to repay.

One slot was reserved for the original Sunrise Training Method—but what about the other? For a moment, Lin Qing hesitated, unsure which skill to pre-authorize.

“Ah…”

Lin Qing suddenly remembered, “Zhao Jiayi mentioned I should join a mental meditation class? Said it was related to mental awakening?”

Previously, he had thought Zhao Jiayi was just odd, never considering she was a mental awakener—so he dismissed the meditation class as useless.

But now, reconsidering, he wondered—perhaps this meditation class… wasn’t ordinary? “Hmm… After I master the combat art ‘Soft’ and perfect the original Sunrise Training Method, with no further progress left, I’ll go take a look.”

Lin Qing made his decision.

Suddenly—

“Captain, Director Kou wants to see you. Go to his office.”

Zhao Jiayi’s voice came through the internal communication channel.

“Understood.” Lin Qing replied.

…

“Director Kou, is there an operation?”

In the division chief’s office, Lin Qing looked toward Kou Guoyong behind his desk.

“Yes, a temporary operation.” Kou Guoyong said. “The file has been sent to your work phone. Check it.”

Lin Qing opened his work phone and studied it for a moment, then said: “Search the Yinghai Group?”

“Correct.”

Kou Guoyong nodded slightly. “The Public Security Bureau says the chairman of Yinghai Group filed the report himself, suspecting a major criminal is hiding among the staff. The municipal police have requested our full cooperation, so you’ll lead the search.”

“Just a suspicion, and they’re making such a big deal of it?” Lin Qing clicked his tongue.

Yinghai Group is a leading enterprise across the entire province.

Kou Guoyong shook his head slightly. “Not just the economic boost it brings—the tax revenue alone is enormous. Provincial leaders are paying close attention. Just lead your team there.”

He paused, fixing Lin Qing with a serious gaze. “This search is different from before. Make sure your patrols behave cleanly—don’t cause trouble.”

“Understood.” Lin Qing nodded slightly.

…

Two hours later.

At the entrance of the Yinghai Group Tower.

“All teams confirmed?”

Lin Qing stood on the steps, scanning the assembled patrol squads below, then nodded. “Disband.”

Though the temporary operation uncovered no criminals, it was a relief to end without incident.

“Captain Lin.”

At that moment, a deep, resonant voice sounded from behind.

A middle-aged man, around fifty, with streaks of gray at his temples, dressed in a black Tang suit, stood there, flanked by a retinue of secretaries, assistants, and bodyguards.

“Chairman Zhang.”

Lin Qing turned and said: “All personnel and suspicious locations in your company have been thoroughly checked. No major suspects or traces were found.”

He knew this man was Zhang Zhiren, chairman of Yinghai Group, the province’s leading enterprise.

“Then I’m relieved,” Zhang Zhiren smiled. “Captain Lin, take care on your way out.”

After the patrol team had withdrawn, Zhang Zhiren returned to his office on the top floor of the Yinghai Tower, standing before the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at the patrol vehicles departing.

His secretaries and assistants had all been dismissed under the pretense of rest.

Suddenly, the office door swung open as if pushed by the wind, leaving faint indentations on the expensive carpet.

“How did it go?”

Zhang Zhiren didn’t turn around. “Did that Captain Lin notice you?”

The next instant, light twisted across the spacious desk, gradually revealing a tall figure leaning casually against it.

It was a tall woman with dyed red short hair.

“I passed him multiple times, shared elevators and restrooms with him—he never noticed me.”

She spoke lazily. “Relax. Do you think I earned my codename in the Organization for nothing? No one can detect me.”

(End of Chapter)