Chapter 93: Disappearance

“Five hundred points?”

Lin Qing paused, then asked: “How many points for one Black Nest 16?”

“Three points per Black Nest 16, nine points for Life River. Five hundred points isn’t much—if you exchanged them all for Life River serum, you’d get only a few dozen vials, not enough to unlock even one gene ability.”

“So one point equals roughly a million and a hundred thousand?”

Lin Qing understood, then nodded: “That’s indeed hard. No wonder they made me bet.”

After the anti-entropy prepayment, completing the process requires seventeen Black Nest 16 vials; if he trained on his own, efficiency would drop by more than tenfold.

If he used Life River serum, it’d be even harder—five hundred points would buy only sixty-some vials, far from enough.

This bloodline evolution method, unlocking gene abilities, is fundamentally a money-burning game—only his high efficiency lets him save much.

“Do you have confidence?”

The hoarse voice said: “Actually, getting it early is already a gain. Unlocking three is extremely difficult, but if you unlock even one gene ability, you’ve already won.”

Lin Qing smiled and said: “I’ll do my best.”

Five hundred points can buy over one hundred sixty Black Nest 16 energy vials! Not to mention three gene abilities.

Even if you unlocked all four gene abilities of the third bloodline tier, it’d still be more than enough.

Of course, he had no intention of revealing three gene abilities.

From the repeated warnings from headquarters, if he showed too much talent, he might attract trouble.

By year-end, he could claim he’d unlocked only one or two gene abilities—that’d be enough. No need to draw attention.

When his strength was sufficient, five hundred points wouldn’t matter at all.

It’s essentially an interest-free advance of five hundred points—what’s not to like? “Thank the inspector for me,” Lin Qing said with a smile.

Now he didn’t have to worry about resources.

These five hundred points would last him a long time.

…

Days passed one by one.

Lin Qing’s life gradually settled into a routine: each day, he repaid his debt for the original Morning Practice, then repaid his debt for the bloodline evolution method.

This peaceful, rapid-progression lifestyle—how long could it last?

So Lin Qing cherished it, seizing every moment to train; as acting inspector-in-charge, he had no duty calls, so his daily training schedule was packed solid.

In his spare time, he also trained other techniques from the Divine Transformation series on his own.

Though not as convenient as the prepayment, he’d already brought two Divine Transformation techniques to the instinctive level, achieving high compatibility; combined with his already formidable willpower and regular participation in mental meditation classes, training was simple.

So mastering them on his own took no time at all.

Before he knew it, nearly two months had passed.

…

…

June 1, morning.

“Jiayi, today’s your holiday.”

Lin Qing walked into the office and handed Zhao Jia yi a lollipop. “Here, a holiday gift—old-era tech and hard work.”

“I’m not a child—I turn eighteen in a month…” Zhao Jia yi rolled her eyes, tore open the wrapper, and sullenly sucked on the lollipop, then exclaimed: “Actually, it’s pretty good.”

“But you’re not eighteen yet,” Lin Qing couldn’t help smiling.

He took off his coat and hung it aside, preparing for today’s training, then asked Zhao Jia yi: “I noticed you haven’t practiced the Morning Practice lately—no more attempts with the original version?”

“No.”

Zhao Jia yi shook her head. “I’m not suited for the Morning Practice. Seven-Seven version is already my limit.”

“Didn’t you say physical fitness matters a lot to you?” Lin Qing asked. “You can’t just give up.”

Though Zhao Jia yi was a telekinesis awakener, according to her, telekinesis was like water—the body was the container, and how much telekinesis she could wield depended entirely on her physical condition.

“It’s fine—I’ll solve it in a while,” Zhao Jia yi shook her head.

“In a while?” Lin Qing was puzzled but didn’t press further.

He knew the girl had many secrets—but if she could tell him, she’d blurt them out without being asked.

At that moment—

The office communication device suddenly beeped.

Lin Qing glanced and saw it was a call from the City Inspection Bureau office—he answered immediately.

“Hello?”

“Yes, I’m at Xiaoshan Branch.”

“What? Gone? How’s that possible?”

“Alright, I’m on my way.”

After ending the call, Lin Qing turned to Zhao Jia yi. “Let’s go to Shangcheng District Branch.”

“What happened?” Zhao Jia yi asked.

“Xu Qiu is missing.”

Lin Qing frowned slightly. “She vanished last night, suddenly.”

Zhao Jia yi exclaimed in surprise: “She’s got inspector-in-charge level strength!”

“That’s why it’s strange,” Lin Qing said gravely. “Let’s go see. You help me investigate when we get there.”

Zhao Jia yi murmured “Okay.”

…

“Inspector Lin.”

“Inspector.”

As Lin Qing entered the Shangcheng District Branch conference room with Zhao Jia yi, all inspectors immediately saluted.

Though many had never seen him before, his clearly distinct inspector-in-charge uniform, along with the silver-edged and floral shoulder insignia, was enough to identify his rank.

“Where’s Chief Yuan?” Lin Qing asked.

The deputy commander of the Shangcheng District Inspection Team was about to speak when a familiar voice suddenly came from outside.

“You beat me here? Lin, you never show up when I invite you for drinks—today you’re surprisingly attentive.”

Yuan Anping entered with his team, wearing his formal inspector-in-charge uniform for once, his long hair tucked neatly under his cap.

“Chief,” Lin Qing turned and said. “Xu Qiu is an acquaintance—I naturally care.”

“But this is serious.”

Yuan Anping shook his head slightly. “On my way here, I received several messages already.”

Lin Qing cut straight to the point and turned to the Shangcheng District deputy commander, Teng Haitao. “Begin.”

“Yes.”

The deputy commander nodded and said: “After last night’s inspection duty ended, Xu Qiu, as usual, dismissed us and went home alone…”

After detailing the situation, he shook his head. “From the moment she dismissed us until now, we’ve received no word from her.”

Lin Qing nodded slightly. “Her phone was destroyed—she likely faced an attack. But Xu Qiu, the top inspector, possesses inspector-in-charge level strength—what kind of attack could render her helpless?”

Even unable to send a distress signal?

“Two months ago.”

Lin Qing suddenly said: “On April 21, the day Inspector Xiao Pei was killed, Xu Qiu also encountered a mysterious attack—her opponent was far stronger, she couldn’t resist at all. She only knew the attacker used Divine Transformation and Zizai Body techniques. Could these two incidents be connected?”

The technician promptly pulled up files—the conference room’s projector displayed a mysterious figure wearing a pale, smiling mask.

Surveillance didn’t capture him; this was a sketch drawn by professionals based on Xu Qiu’s description after the fact.

“Lin’s theory is very likely.”

Yuan Anping nodded slightly. “I wasn’t in Lin’an during the last major operation, but I heard afterward—this man vanished without a trace, and we couldn’t track him at all. Now that Xu Qiu is missing, he’s almost certainly involved.”

He paused. “Headquarters has been informed—they’ll issue new orders soon.”

“Commander Teng.”

Lin Qing looked at the Shangcheng District deputy commander. “Have you checked Xu Qiu’s disappearance site?”

“Of course,” the man nodded. “We’ve searched back and forth multiple times—no leads at all.”

Lin Qing thought for a moment. “I’ll lead another search later.”

After the meeting, Yuan Anping approached and whispered: “Headquarters will send a senior inspector-in-charge. The provincial inspection commander will come personally to investigate.”

Lin Qing nodded—he wasn’t surprised.

Xu Qiu was the inspector’s relative and a pre-selected genius from headquarters—her disappearance was a major incident.

Though she was only missing, the gravity rivaled that of an inspector being publicly assassinated.

…

That morning, Lin Qing led a team and thoroughly searched the area around Xu Qiu’s disappearance site.

But found nothing.

In a secure, private location, Lin Qing asked Zhao Jia yi.

“I scanned with my telekinesis—no findings,” Zhao Jia yi whispered, shaking her head. “I even penetrated a hundred meters underground—still nothing.”

Lin Qing could only say: “During the inspection search, keep probing underground.”

Zhao Jia yi nodded slightly.

But Lin Qing felt a quiet dread… as if a storm was about to break.

Even Xu Qiu, with inspector-in-charge strength, vanished without a sound—the enemy’s power… might be senior inspector-in-charge level?…

At noon, the headquarters’ senior inspector and the Jiangnan regional inspection commander arrived in Lin’an City.

The senior inspector sent by headquarters was still the bearded man, Gong Ming, whom Lin Qing had met before.

The Jiangnan regional inspection commander, Lian Zexu, also held the rank of senior inspector; Lin Qing had already met him once when he was promoted to inspector.

“Inspector Lin, we meet again.”

Lian Zexu smiled faintly. Tall and powerfully built, he was anything but crude in character—his manner toward others was remarkably attentive and refined.

“Commander.” Lin Qing saluted, then glanced at the group of inspectors behind Lian Zexu, surprised.

Sixteen inspectors—and one senior inspector?

Was this entire force equivalent to that of a whole city?

Normally, a large city like Lin’an would have only one senior inspector and a dozen or so inspectors; smaller cities might not even have a senior inspector stationed.

“All these inspectors behind me are elite personnel drawn from various cities.”

Lian Zexu introduced: “This senior inspector is Hu Xianan, chief of the Jinhu City inspection task force, here under orders to assist in the investigation.”

Hu Xianan? Lin Qing glanced at the senior inspector behind the commander.

The man was short and unattractive in appearance, yet carried a fierce, rugged aura—distinctly the mark of a martial practitioner.

Though Lin Qing knew little about inspectors from other cities, he had heard of Hu Xianan’s name.

A martial fanatic.

He was said to have possessed outstanding talent, once an external student at Chaoyang Martial Hall, and among the top of those external students—a true martial prodigy. Unfortunately, he never awakened his genes before age twenty and was eventually persuaded to leave Chaoyang Martial Hall.

After leaving Chaoyang Martial Hall, Hu Xianan joined the inspection force—and his first mission earned him a first-class merit.

In a system that valued only achievements and strength, he was promoted directly to senior inspector within less than a month of joining.

Though Hu Xianan was already strong, this was still astonishing.

Hu Xianan’s greatest passion was sparring.

“Inspector Lin, I heard you’re also a genius favored by the Inspector General?” Hu Xianan stared intently at Lin Qing. “Wanna spar later?”

“I yield.”

Lin Qing said casually: “I’ve heard the legend of Chief Hu challenging multiple senior inspectors and never losing. I’m just a newly promoted senior inspector—how could I possibly be your match?”

Hu Xianan froze.

He hadn’t expected this Lin’an genius to surrender so bluntly; for a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Hu Xianan instinctively glanced at the other senior inspector beside Lin Qing—Yuan Anping.

“Don’t look at me.”

Yuan Anping sighed: “I couldn’t even beat Chu Tianyao. At least Inspector Lin killed him.”

Hearing this, Hu Xianan lost interest.

He’d heard of Chu Tianyao too—just an ordinary S-class fugitive. If he took it seriously, he could defeat such a criminal in a few moves.

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, the commander Lian Zexu shook his head: “Now isn’t the time for other matters. The mission comes first. Chief Hu, if you want to spar, wait until the mission is over.”

He then turned to the headquarters’ senior inspector, Gong Ming, and said: “Gong, the Inspector General has given instructions—can you speak them plainly now?”

“This isn’t the headquarters training camp anymore—why call me ‘instructor’?”

Gong Ming unconsciously touched his beard, then shook his head: “The Director has no specific orders—just couldn’t come himself, so he sent me.”

His gaze swept the group, his voice grave: “The Director promised that whoever finds Inspector Xu Qiu’s whereabouts will have any one request granted—whether a gene optimization opportunity or transfer to headquarters—without fail.”

At these words, not only the inspectors, but even Commander Lian Zexu’s eyes brightened.

A promise from a high-ranking headquarters Inspector General!

Especially for Lian Zexu, the shock was immense.

Who would willingly stay out here as a regional commander when they could remain at headquarters?

It might look prestigious, but without headquarters’ resources, he’d likely never awaken his genes in his lifetime.

And now, such a golden opportunity lay before him—how could he not be tempted?

Among the senior inspectors present, only Yuan Anping and Lin Qing showed no reaction.

Yuan Anping seemed resigned to mediocrity, content to lord over Lin’an City.

Lin Qing, however, had already received many favors from the Inspector General—including early transfer to headquarters—so the offer held little appeal.

Still, if an opportunity arose, he might as well use it to repay the Inspector General’s debt.

Sorry, I went to the hospital this morning and only returned at noon—late as usual.

(End of Chapter)