Chapter 85: May 20, 2126

Lin Qing was slightly taken aback. Why bring me up immediately? "Yes, Inspector Tang, I am Lin Qing." Lin Qing nodded and replied.

"Not bad." Inspector Tang Wanqiu smiled and said, "You were able to resolve Chu Tianyao, which is good; my previous effort was not in vain."

Previous effort? Lin Qing was puzzled at first, then immediately realized, so he looked up at Tang Wanqiu and said, "So... it was Inspector Tang?"

"It was a small matter." Tang Wanqiu knew he had guessed, so she smiled at once.

Hearing this, the surrounding inspectors finally realized... so Lin Qing and this Inspector Tang had already had dealings before?

"Inspector Tang." Director Zhang Guodong of the Municipal Bureau smiled and said, "I am Zhang Guodong, Director of the Lin'an City Inspection Bureau. The bureau has prepared accommodations for you and the three Senior Inspectors. Shall you go to the bureau first, or..."

"No time to stay."

Tang Wanqiu waved her hand casually, as if shooing away a fly, and said with slight impatience, "No need for Director Zhang to trouble yourself. After we finish our business, we might return today. We will find a place to stay ourselves later."

Director Zhang maintained his smile and merely nodded, saying, "Very well."

He knew that these inspectors, due to their immense strength, had always disliked being controlled by superior leaders with insufficient power.

Everyone has their own stance; he also disliked this trend of relying on great strength to disrespect superiors.

But the Senior Inspectors were all of a higher rank than him, let alone an Inspector who was considered high-level even at the headquarters. What else could he do but endure?

"Let's not waste time."

Tang Wanqiu said no more, swept her gaze over the inspectors, and smiled, saying, "Everyone, get in the car first. Lin Qing, Xu Qiu, you two come with me."

Inside the stretched inspection vehicle.

Tang Wanqiu leaned back in the rear row with a smile, and Xu Qiu sat beside her.

Lin Qing sat opposite the two of them.

As for the three Senior Inspectors—

One was in his twenties, handsome, with a figure that was obviously specially trained, a "double-door refrigerator" Senior Inspector, who sat in the front passenger seat.

A tall man with a beard sat in the seat next to Lin Qing, silent and expressionless.

There was also a boy who looked quite frail, with an ordinary appearance, seeming to be only sixteen or seventeen years old. He was also silent, appearing somewhat shy and sitting somewhat stiffly beside the bearded man.

"Lin Qing, let me introduce you to the three Senior Inspectors under my command."

Tang Wanqiu crossed her legs and leaned lazily against the sofa seat. First, she pointed at the frail boy and said, "This is Shu Xinyu, the youngest Senior Inspector under my command. He is only sixteen years old this year."

"Sixteen?"

The Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall, a behemoth in the urban circle, was so powerful that even the Zhixing Group had to cultivate good relations with it. The basic threshold for its external hall students was excellent aptitude; generally, they could at least cultivate the Version 7.7 Chaoyang Method.

But after all, they were merely external hall students.

What is an external hall?

Those without the qualification to enter the true Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall, who cannot even enter the urban circle, only have a chance to learn and be assessed outside, so they are called external hall students.

If one cannot enter the internal hall before the age of twenty, they will be advised to withdraw.

And Senior Inspectors are either awakened gene users who have grown up, or possess strength comparable to the former.

This boy is only sixteen; by all accounts, he should be able to enter the internal hall of the Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall.

"Internal hall?"

Tang Wanqiu smiled and said, "You are right; Shu Xinyu is an internal hall student."

"Then..." Lin Qing was somewhat puzzled.

A true internal hall student of the Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall, yet he entered the inspection system?

"You will understand later."

Tang Wanqiu said softly, "In any case, remember one thing... the urban circle is indeed far too advanced compared to Earth, but if your strength is insufficient, being in the urban circle is not necessarily a good thing. The treatment might not even compare to our Inspection Headquarters."

Lin Qing pondered thoughtfully.

Tang Wanqiu shook her head and smiled, continuing to introduce the silent bearded man, saying, "This is Gong Ming. Like you, he practices the Free Body, but he has already mastered the original version. He also has several gene abilities and is close to gene awakening. If you have anything you do not understand, you can ask him for guidance."

He has already mastered the original version? Lin Qing immediately nodded slightly.

Finally, Tang Wanqiu glanced at the "double-door refrigerator" in the front passenger seat and said casually, "That one is Ouyang Ze."

After speaking, she looked at Lin Qing and smiled, saying, "There are a few more Senior Inspectors who have not arrived yet. You can get to know them when you go to headquarters."

The handsome man in the front passenger seat twitched at the corner of his mouth and could not help but turn his head, saying, "Director, why is it that when it comes to me, only a name remains?"

"Didn't you say you make a living off your looks? The rest is unnecessary." Tang Wanqiu glanced at him, unwilling to say more, then looked back at Lin Qing and said, "How is your sister?"

"Fortunately, with Inspector Tang's help back then, my sister just finished the prosthetic limb transplant surgery today, and her condition is very good." Lin Qing thanked her sincerely.

He could naturally guess that this Inspector before him was the high-level official at headquarters who had helped him modify the contract and obtain the Chu Hongjun series of mechanical prosthetic limbs back then.

"For me, it was just a matter of lifting a hand."

Tang Wanqiu waved her hand. "Introducing these subordinates of mine to you today is also to let you get to know them in advance. When you become a Senior Inspector in the future, I can make a call to let you join my branch."

Lin Qing pondered for a moment and asked, "Inspector Tang treats me so well that I am somewhat overwhelmed. May I ask the reason?"

"There is no special reason."

Tang Wanqiu smiled and said, "You are a combat genius, and now you have cultivated the original Chaoyang Method. As long as you are willing to work hard, you will most likely master the original 'Free Body' in the future. If you establish merit again, there should be hope for promotion to Senior Inspector."

She said casually, "Although the various departments of headquarters do not need people right now, and most Senior Inspectors will be sent out, I have always admired people like you who value family. Your potential is also not bad, so giving you a chance is nothing."

Hearing this, Lin Qing's heart was stirred.

It sounded like even Senior Inspectors could not necessarily stay well at headquarters; most would be sent out?

It seems...

Headquarters must have some great benefit, which is why they limit the number of spots.

"Thank you, Inspector Tang." Lin Qing thanked her sincerely.

"Perform well; do not disappoint me."

Tang Wanqiu smiled, suddenly reached out to embrace the tall Xu Qiu beside her, and said with a grin, "I am also Xu Qiu's aunt."

Lin Qing blinked slightly in surprise.

So… this inspector was Xu Qiu's backer? At first glance it seemed coincidental, but upon closer thought, it made perfect sense—an inspector from the headquarters' upper echelon would naturally prioritize duties in their hometown.

The elite training contract he signed naturally fell within Tang Wanqiu's jurisdiction.

Otherwise, the headquarters wouldn't have specially dispatched her to Lin'an City.

"Auntie," Xu Qiu frowned slightly, "he has a girlfriend. Don't go matchmaking."

"Oh? That's a shame."

Tang Wanqiu shook her head in regret and added, "I was just thinking this slot would be perfect for a family member."

Lin Qing couldn't help asking, "Inspector Tang, what exactly is this slot?"

He planned to see what kind of precious slot it was before deciding whether he was still single. "A slot? It's an opportunity that might let you live properly as a human in the future."

Tang Wanqiu glanced at him with a smile. "If you hadn't mastered the original Sunrise Cultivation Method so quickly, I wouldn't have given you this slot."

"Live properly as a human?" Lin Qing didn't understand what she meant.

"It's under confidentiality agreement—I can't tell you."

Tang Wanqiu shook her head slightly and added, "In any case, seize this opportunity. If you fail, whether you'll still be able to live like a human five years from now is uncertain."

"Five years from now?" Lin Qing couldn't help asking. "What will happen five years from now?"

"A matter concerning the fate of every person on Earth."

Tang Wanqiu sighed. "By then, the Inspection Bureau, Public Security, and military will likely be completely disbanded. The deadline is May 20, 2126—you have five years left."

She glanced again at Xu Qiu. "Xiaoqiu, you too. I can only bind two slots—you must work hard as well."

"Yes, I will," Xu Qiu nodded, her expression darkening slightly.

Lin Qing fell silent.

If this was an opportunity to "live properly as a human" five years from now, then by reverse logic… perhaps many people won't be able to live like humans at all by then?

Various speculations rose in his mind.

"Don't overthink it."

Tang Wanqiu said softly, "I'm warning you only because I see potential in you. If you don't want to live like livestock, grab this chance and strive hard."

"Understood," Lin Qing nodded slowly.

…

After the Inspection vehicle arrived at the City Inspection Bureau, Tang Wanqiu ordered all inspectors to gather in the conference room, then took Lin Qing and three Senior Inspection Officers to view the corpses of Chu Tianyao and Xiao Pei.

Preserved at low temperature, both corpses had not yet begun to decay; beside them lay two autopsies.

"Lin Qing, Xiao Pei was from your branch, right?"

Tang Wanqiu flipped casually through the autopsy reports on the desk. "What are your thoughts on his death?"

Lin Qing had already prepared his answer. He thought for a moment and said, "Though I'm not certain, it feels… like threat elimination."

"Oh?" Tang Wanqiu looked at him. "Explain."

"Last month, I raided the underground boxing arena of Yuanhong Society," Lin Qing said. "Inspector Tang, are you aware of this?"

"Yes," Tang Wanqiu nodded.

Since she had decided to take him in, she had studied Lin Qing's file on the plane after learning of Chu Tianyao's death.

"Do you know why Captain Xiao was poisoned?" Lin Qing asked.

"Because of searching the safe? The poison came from a device inside the safe, right?" Tang Wanqiu looked at him. "Just state your conclusion—I'll judge its validity myself."

Lin Qing nodded slightly. "To be honest, I suspect Chu Tianyao received orders from the Original Research Institute to eliminate threats for Yuanhong Society in advance—and that's why he acted so recklessly."

"Threat elimination?"

Tang Wanqiu glanced at the autopsy report. "You mean the Original Research Institute considered Chu Tianyao's life worth trading for Xiao Pei's?"

"I know it's unreasonable," Lin Qing said. "But Chu Tianyao was dying anyway, while Xiao Pei managed to master the original Sunrise Cultivation Method?"

"Oh?" Tang Wanqiu looked at him.

She had read Chu Tianyao's autopsy report—she knew for certain he had little time left.

"Why could Xiao Pei master the original Sunrise Cultivation Method?" Tang Wanqiu asked.

Lin Qing took a deep breath. "For example… the Original Research Institute suspects Xiao Pei obtained Sensory Essence. That would make sense, wouldn't it?"

"Sensory Essence?" Tang Wanqiu raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Inspector Tang has been kind to me—I'll tell you a secret."

Lin Qing said seriously, "Actually… the reason I mastered the original Sunrise Cultivation Method so quickly is because I found a vial of Sensory Essence in that underground arena. I used it privately—and that's how I succeeded."

"You're honest," Tang Wanqiu smiled, unconcerned. "I guessed as much. Go on."

"I suspect… that vial of Sensory Essence was given to Yuanhong Society by the Original Research Institute."

Lin Qing said, "Perhaps Yuanhong Society heard Xiao Pei opened that safe and suspected he obtained Sensory Essence—or something else—and feared he might break through and become a threat, so they ordered Chu Tianyao to kill him."

He said helplessly, "In that case, I've indirectly caused Captain Xiao's death."

After all, both parties were dead—why not weave a half-truth? "This theory has some merit."

Tang Wanqiu nodded slightly. "It could explain why Chu Tianyao killed Xiao Pei, then tried to kill you—but…"

She frowned. "If this is true, the Original Research Institute must place extraordinary value on Yuanhong Society. Sensory Essence… Chu Tianyao… is it really worth it for just one Yuanhong Society in Lin'an City?"

"It's more than that," Lin Qing said. "Today, Captain Xu was attacked. Myself and her suspect it was Yuanhong Society's Number One."

Tang Wanqiu fell silent for a long moment, then said, "Alright, I understand. Go to the conference room."

Lin Qing nodded. His goal was achieved—he turned and left.

After Lin Qing departed, Tang Wanqiu turned to the three Senior Inspection Officers and asked, "What do you think?"

The double-door refrigerator "Ouyang Ze" chuckled. "An eighteen-year-old kid can't keep his mouth shut—he even mentioned Sensory Essence."

"That's called sincerity. Unlike you, who only knows how to flatter and wheedle," Tang Wanqiu glanced at him.

She turned to the other two and asked, "What about you?"

The frail boy, Shu Xinyu, fell silent for a moment, then said, "I don't know, but Lin'an City is definitely problematic."

The bearded man, Gong Ming, mused, "No matter the truth, Chu Tianyao killed the people, and Chu Tianyao is already dead. Right now, the most important thing is… to find out why the Original Research Institute values Lin'an City."

"I think the same."

Tang Wanqiu nodded slightly, then smiled and said, "Hiding is human nature. Lin Qing will eventually be one of our branch's people. As long as his character checks out, there's no need to dig deeper—focus on the Original Research Institute."

She whispered, "Someone who cares for family, and has cleared so many criminals, already speaks volumes."

Ouyang Ze couldn't help saying, "No wonder the Director always looks down on me—just because I have no family?"

"Not exactly."

Tang Wanqiu glanced at him. "I suspect you have some extinct bloodline. I'm afraid you'll set your sights on my Xu Qiu and become family with me."

Ouyang Ze: "..."

"Enough. Let's begin," Tang Wanqiu said. "Don't waste time. Get this done and head back—the extraterrestrial stowaways on God Island haven't been cleared yet."

"Immediately apply for a full investigation of Lin'an City, including underground areas, and spare no effort in searching every possible corner."

"Not a single person from the Original Research Institute is to be let go."

I wrote too much yesterday, my mind went fuzzy; I slept half the day to recover...

Starting tomorrow, I'll update punctually at twelve—Chapter One at noon, Chapter Two at six p. m., and if there's a third, around midnight. Each chapter is at least four thousand characters. That's it!

(End of Chapter)