Chapter 85: May 20, 2126

Lin Qing blinked slightly, surprised they brought him up right away. “Yes, Inspector Tang Wanqiu, I am Lin Qing.” He nodded in response.

“Good.” Inspector Tang Wanqiu smiled. “You managed to deal with Chu Tianyao—that’s impressive. You didn’t waste my earlier efforts.”

Earlier efforts? Lin Qing felt a flicker of confusion, then immediately realized—he looked up at Tang Wanqiu and said, “So… it was you, Inspector Tang?”

“Just a small thing.” Tang Wanqiu smiled, knowing he had figured it out.

The surrounding inspectors, upon hearing this, only then realized—Lin Qing and this Inspector Tang had already been connected?

“Inspector Tang,” said City Director Zhang Guodong with a smile, “I am Zhang Guodong, Director of the Lian’an City Inspection Bureau. We’ve prepared accommodations for you and the three Senior Inspectors. Would you like to head to the bureau first, or…?”

“No time for lodging.”

Tang Wanqiu waved her hand dismissively, like shooing away flies, sounding slightly impatient. “No need to trouble Director Zhang. We’ll finish our business and likely leave today—we’ll find our own place to stay.”

Director Zhang kept his smile, merely nodding. “Understood.”

He knew these inspectors, due to their immense strength, always disliked being controlled by superiors with inferior power.

Everyone had their own stance—he didn’t like the attitude of those who, because of their strength, disrespected their superiors.

But Senior Inspectors outranked him, let alone an Inspector who was a high-ranking official at 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. “Everyone, get in the vehicle first. Lin Qing, Xu Qiu—you two ride with me.”

…

Inside the extended inspection vehicle.

Tang Wanqiu leaned back lazily in the rear seat, smiling, with Xu Qiu beside her.

Lin Qing sat opposite them.

As for the three Senior Inspectors—

One, a handsome young man in his twenties with a physique clearly trained, and possessing a double-door refrigerator-like build, sat in the front passenger seat.

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

Another, a slender boy who looked about sixteen or seventeen, with an ordinary face, sat quietly beside the bearded man, seemingly shy and restrained.

“Lin Qing, let me introduce you to my three Senior Inspectors.”

Tang Wanqiu crossed her legs and lounged back in the sofa seat, first pointing at the slender boy. “This is Shu Xinyu, my youngest Senior Inspector—he’s only sixteen this year.”

“Sixteen?”

The Chaoyang Martial Arts Gym, a behemoth even within the urban circle, courted by Zhixing Group itself, set its basic entry threshold for external students at excellent talent—most could at least achieve the Seven-Seven Chaoyang Training Method.

But they were still merely external students.

What was an “external student”?

Someone ineligible to join the true Chaoyang Martial Arts Gym, unable to enter even the urban circle, granted only one chance to train and be assessed externally—that’s why they were called external students.

If you didn’t enter the internal gym before twenty, you were dismissed.

Senior Inspectors were either genetically awakened cultivators or individuals whose strength rivaled them.

This boy, at only sixteen, should logically have been eligible for the Chaoyang Martial Arts Gym’s internal gym.

“Internal gym?”

Tang Wanqiu smiled. “You’re right—Shu Xinyu is an internal gym student.”

“Then…” Lin Qing was puzzled.

A full internal gym student of the Chaoyang Martial Arts Gym… why was he in the inspection system?

“You’ll understand later.”

Tang Wanqiu murmured, “Just remember this: the urban circle is far ahead of Earth, but if your strength is insufficient, being there isn’t necessarily an advantage—your benefits might even be worse than at Inspection Headquarters.”

Lin Qing fell into thought.

Tang Wanqiu shook her head with a smile and continued, introducing the silent bearded man. “This is Gong Ming. Like you, he practices Zizai Body—but he’s already mastered the original version, and has several genetic abilities nearing genetic awakening. If you have questions, ask him for guidance.”

Mastered the original version? Lin Qing immediately nodded slightly.

Finally, Tang Wanqiu glanced at the handsome man in the front passenger seat and said casually, “That one is Ouyang Ze.”

Then she turned to Lin Qing and smiled. “A few other Senior Inspectors haven’t arrived yet—you’ll meet them when you reach headquarters.”

The handsome man in the front passenger seat twitched his lips, unable to resist turning around. “Chief, why do I get nothing but a name?”

“You said you live off your looks—why bother listing anything else?” Tang Wanqiu glanced at him, too lazy to elaborate, then turned back to Lin Qing. “How’s your sister?”

“Thanks to your help back then, my sister just finished her prosthetic limb transplant surgery today—she’s doing very well.” Lin Qing sincerely thanked her.

He naturally realized—this inspector was the high-ranking official from headquarters who had revised his contract and secured him the Hongjun-series mechanical prosthetics.

“Just a small favor to me.”

Tang Wanqiu waved her hand. “Today I’m introducing you to my subordinates so you’ll know them in advance. When you become a Senior Inspector, I’ll put in a word to get you assigned to my division.”

Lin Qing paused, then asked, “Inspector Tang, you’ve been so kind to me—I’m truly honored. May I ask why?”

“There’s no special reason.”

Tang Wanqiu smiled. “You’re a tactical genius, and now you’ve mastered the original Chaoyang Training Method. If you keep working hard, you’ll likely master the original Zizai Body. With more achievements, you have a real chance to become a Senior Inspector.”

She added casually, “Though all departments at headquarters currently have no openings, and most Senior Inspectors are being reassigned, I’ve always admired people who value family. Your potential is solid, so giving you a chance is no big deal.”

Hearing this, Lin Qing’s heart stirred.

So even Senior Inspectors weren’t guaranteed to stay at headquarters—most would be reassigned?

Then…

Headquarters must have something valuable, which is why positions were limited.

“Thank you, Inspector Tang.” Lin Qing sincerely expressed his gratitude.

“Perform well. Don’t disappoint me.”

Tang Wanqiu smiled, then suddenly wrapped her arm around the tall Xu Qiu. “I’m also Xu Qiu’s aunt.”

Lin Qing blinked slightly.

So… this inspector was Xu Qiu’s connection? It seemed coincidental, but upon reflection, it made sense—a high-ranking inspector from headquarters would naturally oversee affairs in her hometown.

The elite training contract he signed naturally fell within this Inspector Tang’s jurisdiction.

Otherwise, headquarters wouldn’t have sent her specifically to Lian’an City.

“Aunt,” Xu Qiu frowned slightly. “He has a girlfriend. Don’t go matchmaking.”

“Oh? That’s a shame.”

Tang Wanqiu shook her head regretfully. “I was just thinking this slot would be perfect for a family member.”

Lin Qing couldn’t help asking, “Inspector Tang, what slot are you referring to?”

He wanted to know what this precious slot was before deciding whether he was single. “A slot? It’s an opportunity that might let you live properly as a human being later.”

Tang Wanqiu glanced at him with a smile. “If you hadn’t mastered the original Chaoyang Training Method so quickly, I wouldn’t have offered you this slot.”

“Live properly as a human being?” Lin Qing didn’t understand what she meant.

“I can’t tell you—it’s under confidentiality agreement.”

Tang Wanqiu shook her head slightly and added, “Just seize this opportunity. If you fail, whether you’ll still be able to live like a human being five years from now… that’s uncertain.”

“Five years from now?” Lin Qing asked, “What will happen then?”

“A matter concerning the fate of every person on Earth.”

Tang Wanqiu sighed. “By then, inspections, public security, and the military will likely be completely disbanded. The deadline is May 20, 2126—you have five years left.”

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

“Yes, I will,” Xu Qiu replied, nodding with a somber expression.

Lin Qing fell silent.

If this was an opportunity to “live properly as a human being” five years from now, then logically… many people might not be able to live like humans at all by then?

His mind filled with speculation.

“Don’t overthink it.”

Tang Wanqiu murmured, “I’m only warning you because I see your potential. If you don’t want to live like livestock, grab this chance—work hard.”

“Understood.” Lin Qing slowly nodded.

…

After arriving at the City Inspection Bureau, Tang Wanqiu ordered all inspectors to gather in the conference room, then took Lin Qing and the three Senior Inspectors to view the bodies of Chu Tianyao and Xiao Peidong.

Preserved at low temperature, both bodies had not yet begun to decay; beside them lay two autopsy reports.

“Lin Qing, Xiao Peidong was from your branch, right?”

Tang Wanqiu flipped casually through the autopsy reports, speaking indifferently. “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… elimination of a threat?”

“Oh?” Tang Wanqiu looked at him. “Explain.”

“Last month, I shut down the underground boxing arena of Yuanhong Society.” Lin Qing said. “Inspector Tang, are you aware of this?”

“Yes, I know.” Tang Wanqiu nodded.

Since she intended to take him in, she had studied Lin Qing’s file thoroughly during her flight after learning of Chu Tianyao’s death.

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

“Because they searched 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 accuracy 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—that’s why he acted so recklessly.”

“Eliminate threats?”

Tang Wanqiu glanced at the autopsy report. “You mean the Original Research Institute considered Chu Tianyao’s life worth trading for Xiao Peidong’s?”

“I know it’s unreasonable,” Lin Qing said. “But Chu Tianyao was dying anyway—while Xiao Peidong had mastered the original Chaoyang Training Method?”

“Oh?” Tang Wanqiu looked at him.

She had read the autopsy report on Chu Tianyao; she naturally knew Chu Tianyao had little time left.

“Why did Xiao Pei manage to master the original Sunrise Cultivation Method?” Tang Wanqiu asked.

Lin Qing took a deep breath and said, “For example, the Original Research Institute suspects… Xiao Pei obtained Sensory Essence. Does that make sense?”

“Sensory Essence?” Tang Wanqiu raised an eyebrow slightly.

“The Patrol Commander once saved me. Let me tell you a secret.”

Lin Qing said seriously, “Actually… the reason I mastered the original Sunrise Cultivation Method so quickly is that I found a vial of Sensory Essence in that underground fighting ring. After secretly using it, I succeeded so fast.”

“You’re surprisingly honest,” Tang Wanqiu laughed dismissively. “I guessed as much. Go on.”

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

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

He said with a hint of helplessness, “In that case, I’ve indirectly dragged Xiao Captain into this.”

Both parties were dead anyway—wasn’t it easy to fabricate half-truths? “This theory has some merit.”

Tang Wanqiu nodded slightly. “This also explains why Chu Tianyao killed you after killing Xiao Pei—yet…”

She frowned. “If that’s true, then the Original Research Institute behind the Yuanhong Society must place extraordinary value on it. 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, Commander Xu was attacked. My partner and I suspect it was the Yuanhong Society’s Number One Handler.”

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

Lin Qing nodded. His goal had been achieved; he turned and left.

After Lin Qing departed, Tang Wanqiu turned to the three senior Patrol Captains under her 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 revealed Sensory Essence.”

“That’s called sincerity. Unlike you, who only knows how to flatter and joke,” Tang Wanqiu glanced at him.

She turned to the other two. “What about you?”

The frail boy, “Shu Xinyu,” paused, then said, “I don’t know, but Lin’an City definitely has problems.”

The bearded man, “Gong Ming,” mused, “Regardless of the truth, Chu Tianyao killed them, and Chu Tianyao is dead. Right now, the most important thing is… finding out why the Original Research Institute values Lin’an City.”

“That’s exactly what I think.”

Tang Wanqiu nodded slightly, then smiled. “Hiding is human nature. Lin Qing will eventually be one of us. As long as his character checks out, we don’t need to dig deeper—focus on the Original Research Institute.”

She murmured, “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—is it because I have no family?”

“Not exactly.”

Tang Wanqiu glanced at him. “I suspect you have some extinct-bloodline ancestry. I don’t want you pursuing my Xu Qiu and becoming family.”

Ouyang Ze: “...”

“Enough. Let’s begin,” Tang Wanqiu said. “Don’t waste time. Get this done and return—we still haven’t cleared up those extraterrestrial stowaways on God Island.”

“Immediately request a full investigation of Lin’an City, including underground areas. Search every possible corner with maximum effort.”

“Leave no one from the Original Research Institute unexamined.”

I wrote too much yesterday; my brain was fried. I slept half the day to recover…

Starting tomorrow, I’ll resume punctual updates: Chapter One at twelve 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)