Chapter 93: Disappearance

"Five hundred points?"

Lin Qing pondered for a moment and asked, "How many points does one unit of Black Nest 16 cost?"

"Three points for one unit of Black Nest 16, nine points for River of Life." The hoarse voice said, "Five hundred points isn't that much. If you exchange them all for River of Life potions, you'd get only a few dozen units, not enough to excavate even a single genetic ability."

"So calculated, one point is roughly equivalent to over a million?"

Lin Qing realized, then nodded and said, "That is indeed difficult. No wonder they asked me to bet."

After an Entropy Reverser takes an advance, completing it requires consuming seventeen units of Black Nest 16. If he were to cultivate by his own摸索, the efficiency would likely drop by more than tenfold.

If using River of Life potions, it would be even harder. Five hundred points would only allow exchanging for just over sixty units of River of Life, definitely far from enough.

This bloodline evolution method, excavating genetic abilities, is fundamentally a money-burning game; only because his efficiency is high enough can he save so much money.

"Do you have confidence?"

The hoarse voice said, "Actually, getting it early is already a gain. Three abilities are indeed very, very difficult, but as long as you can excavate one genetic ability, you've already profited."

Lin Qing smiled and said, "I'll try my best."

Five hundred points can exchange for over one hundred sixty units of Black Nest 16 energy supplements! Let alone three genetic abilities.

Even if all four genetic abilities of the third level of this bloodline were excavated, it would definitely be enough.

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

Judging from the repeated reminders from headquarters, if his talent appears too strong, it might invite trouble.

By the end of the year, he could just say he excavated only one or two genetic abilities; that would suffice. No need to be too showy.

Once his strength is sufficient, mere five hundred points won't matter.

This is essentially an interest-free advance of five hundred points to him. What is there to be dissatisfied with? "Thank the Inspector for me," Lin Qing said with a smile.

Now he wouldn't have to worry about resources.

These five hundred points would be enough for him to use for a long time.

Days passed one by one.

Lin Qing's life gradually fell into a fixed rhythm. Every day, besides repaying the debt of the original Morning Sun Cultivation Method, he was repaying the debt of the bloodline evolution method.

How long could this life of peaceful cultivation and rapid improvement last, who knows?

So Lin Qing cherished it greatly, seizing time to cultivate. Fortunately, as an Inspector, he didn't need to go on duty, so his daily cultivation time was almost fully scheduled.

In his spare time, he would also rely on himself to cultivate other combat techniques from the Divine Transformation series.

Although not as convenient as the advance, he had already cultivated two combat techniques from the Divine Transformation series to the instinct level, with quite high compatibility. Plus, his willpower was already extremely strong, and he often attended the Mind Meditation Class, so cultivating was very simple.

Therefore, mastering them on his own wouldn't take long.

In the blink of an eye, nearly two months had passed.

June 1st, early morning.

"Zhao Jiayi, today is your holiday."

Lin Qing walked into the office and casually handed Zhao Jiayi a lollipop. "Here, a holiday gift for you. Technology and harsh ingredients from the old era."

"I'm not a child. I'll be an adult in another month..." Zhao Jiayi rolled her eyes speechlessly, tore open the packaging, gloomily put the lollipop in her mouth, then went "Eh?" and said, "It's actually quite tasty."

"That's because you haven't become an adult yet." Lin Qing couldn't help but laugh.

He took off his jacket and hung it aside, preparing to start today's cultivation, and casually asked Zhao Jiayi, "I see you haven't practiced the Morning Sun Cultivation Method much lately. Won't you try the original version again?"

"No more trying."

Zhao Jiayi shook her head. "I'm not very suited for the Morning Sun Cultivation Method. Being able to cultivate the 77th version now is already my limit."

"Didn't you say physical constitution is also very important for you?" Lin Qing couldn't help but ask. "You can't just give up like this, right?"

Although Zhao Jiayi was a Telekinesis Awakener, according to what she said, telekinesis was like water, and the body was like a container; how much telekinesis could be exerted was determined by physical constitution.

"It's fine. In a while, I'll be able to solve it." Zhao Jiayi shook her head.

"In a while?" Lin Qing was somewhat puzzled but didn't ask further.

He knew this girl had many secrets, but for things she could speak of, he didn't need to ask; she couldn't help but spill them all to him at once.

At this moment—

The communication device in the office suddenly rang once.

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

"Hello?"

"Yes, I'm at the Xiaoshan Branch."

"What? She's missing? How is that possible?"

"Alright, I'm coming over now."

After Lin Qing ended the call, he turned to look at Zhao Jiayi and said, "Let's go to the Shangcheng District Branch."

"What happened?" Zhao Jiayi asked in confusion.

"Xu Qiu is missing."

Lin Qing frowned slightly and said, "Just last night, she suddenly disappeared."

Zhao Jiayi couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Doesn't she have the strength of an Inspector?"

"That's why it's strange." Lin Qing said in a deep voice. "Let's go take a look. When we get there, you help me investigate as well."

Zhao Jiayi went "Oh."

"Inspector Lin."

"Patrol Captain."

After Lin Qing led Zhao Jiayi into the conference room of the Upper District Branch, a crowd of patrol officers immediately saluted.

Although many patrol officers were seeing him for the first time, this distinctly different Patrol Captain uniform, along with the shoulder boards outlining silver edges and scattered flowers, was enough to reveal his identity.

"Where is Captain Yuan? Hasn't he arrived yet?" Lin Qing asked.

The Deputy Captain of the Upper District Patrol Team, who was about to speak nearby, suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"You're actually earlier than me? Captain Lin, you never come out when I ask you to drink, but today you're quite attentive."

Yuan Anping walked in from outside the conference room with a group of people, unusually wearing a formal Patrol Captain uniform, his long hair all hidden under his hat.

"Captain Yuan." Lin Qing turned to look and said, "Captain Xu is after all an acquaintance of mine, so of course I must be attentive."

"But this matter is indeed serious."

Yuan Anping shook his head slightly and said, "On the way here just now, I received several communications."

Lin Qing didn't waste words on nonsense, immediately looked at the Deputy Captain of the Upper District Patrol Team, Teng Haitao, and said, "Begin."

"Yes."

The Deputy Captain of the Upper District Patrol Team nodded and immediately said, "After the patrol mission ended last night, Captain Xu, as usual, told us to disperse, and she went back alone..."

After he explained the situation in detail, he shook his head and said, "In short, from the dispersal last night until now, we have received no news of Captain Xu."

Lin Qing nodded slightly and said, "The mobile phone was destroyed; I'm afraid she encountered an attack." However, as the NO. 1 Patrol Officer, Xu Qiu also possessed the strength of a Patrol Captain; what level of attack could leave her completely unable to resist?

Even unable to send a distress signal?

"Two months ago."

Lin Qing suddenly said, "On April 21, the day Patrol Officer Xiao Pei was killed, Xu Qiu also encountered a mysterious attack. The opponent's strength far exceeded hers, leaving her no chance to fight back. She only knew the opponent had learned combat techniques from the Divine Transformation and Free Body series. Could these two incidents be related?"

The technician cooperatively pulled up data, and a mysterious person wearing a pale smiling mask immediately appeared on the conference room's projection screen.

The surveillance did not capture this person; this was drawn on the spot by professionals based on Xu Qiu's impression afterwards.

"The possibility Captain Lin mentioned is very high."

Yuan Anping nodded slightly and said, "Although I wasn't in Lin'an during the last major operation, I heard about it afterwards. This person, for some reason, suddenly disappeared without a trace, and their whereabouts couldn't even be tracked. Now that Captain Xu is missing, this person is likely not free of blame."

He pondered and said, "The Patrol Headquarters has also been informed; I believe new instructions will be issued soon."

"Captain Teng."

Lin Qing looked at the Deputy Captain of the Upper District Patrol Team and said, "Have you investigated the location where Captain Xu went missing?"

"Of course." The other party nodded and said, "We carefully retraced it several times, but found no clues."

Lin Qing pondered for a moment and said, "I will lead a team to check it again later."

After the meeting ended, Yuan Anping walked over and whispered, "Headquarters will send a Senior Patrol Captain over, and the overall commander of the province's patrols will also come personally to investigate."

Lin Qing nodded, not finding it surprising.

After all, Xu Qiu was a relative of the Patrol Envoy and a genius pre-selected by Headquarters; if something happened to her, it would naturally be a major incident.

Although Xu Qiu is currently only missing, the severity of the matter is not much less than a Patrol Officer being publicly attacked and killed.

That morning, Lin Qing led a team of patrol officers to thoroughly search the area near where Xu Qiu went missing.

But in the end, they found nothing.

Once in a safe and private place, Lin Qing also asked Zhao Jiayi.

"I swept my telepathy around and found nothing," Zhao Jiayi said quietly while shaking her head, "and I even penetrated the telepathy down to one hundred meters underground, but still found nothing."

Lin Qing could only say, "During the recent patrol search, you can penetrate underground to check more often."

Zhao Jiayi nodded slightly.

In his heart, Lin Qing vaguely felt... that a storm was about to arrive.

Even Xu Qiu, with the strength of a Patrol Captain, went missing silently; the enemy's strength... might be at the level of a Senior Patrol Captain?...

At noon, the Senior Patrol Captain sent by Headquarters and the overall commander of the Jiangnan region patrols, along with their entourage, also arrived in Lin'an City.

The Senior Patrol Captain sent by Headquarters was the bearded man named Gong Ming seen last time.

And the overall commander of the patrols in the several provinces of the Jiangnan region, Lian Zexu, also held the rank of Senior Patrol Captain; Lin Qing had already met him once when he was promoted to Patrol Captain last time.

"Captain Lin, we meet again."

Lian Zexu smiled slightly; he was tall and muscular, but his mind was not at all as rough as his appearance suggested; when dealing with people, he was instead extremely meticulous.

"Overall Commander." Lin Qing performed a salute, then looked at the crowd of patrol officers behind Lian Zexu and couldn't help but be surprised.

Sixteen Patrol Officers, and even a Patrol Captain?

Just the ones brought along already constituted the patrol force of an entire city?

Normally, for a relatively large city like Lin'an City, there would be only one Patrol Captain and a dozen or so Patrol Officers; smaller cities might not even have a Patrol Captain stationed there.

"The Patrol Officers behind me are all elite talents drawn from various cities."

Lian Zexu introduced, "This Patrol Captain is the overall commander of the Jinhu City Patrol Team, Hu Xianan; he is here this time to assist in the investigation by order."

Hu Xianan? Lin Qing couldn't help but look at the Patrol Captain behind the Overall Commander.

The other party appeared short and stocky, and his features were slightly ugly, but in his gestures and movements, there was a fierce spirit, a temperament unique to martial artists.

Although Lin Qing didn't know much about the patrols in other cities, he had heard the name Hu Xianan.

A martial arts fanatic.

It was said he had excellent aptitude, was once an outer hall student of the Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall, and was a standout among the outer hall students; he was also a true combat technique genius. Unfortunately, he failed to awaken his genes before the age of twenty and was eventually advised to leave by the Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall.

After leaving the Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall, Hu Xianan joined the patrols, and his first merit was a First-Class Merit!

In this system that only looks at merit and strength, in less than a month of joining, he jumped directly to Patrol Captain.

Although it was because Hu Xianan's own strength was already good, it was still astonishing.

And Hu Xianan's favorite thing was sparring matches.

"Captain Lin, I heard you're also a genius favored by the Patrol Inspector?" Hu Xianan looked at Lin Qing with burning eyes. "Shall we spar later?"

"I concede."

Lin Qing said casually, "I've long heard the legend of Captain Hu challenging multiple Patrol Captains without a single defeat. I'm just a newcomer who was recently promoted to Patrol Captain; how could I possibly be your match?"

Hu Xianan was stunned.

He hadn't expected this genius Patrol Captain from Lin'an City to concede so straightforwardly, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.

Hu Xianan instinctively glanced at the other Patrol Captain beside Lin Qing—Yuan Anping.

"Don't look at me."

Yuan Anping sighed, "I can't even beat Chu Tianyao, and Captain Lin at least killed Chu Tianyao."

Hearing this, Hu Xianan lost interest.

He had also heard of that Chu Tianyao; he was just an ordinary S-class fugitive. If he were serious, he could defeat a wanted criminal of that strength in just a few moves.

Seeing the atmosphere was somewhat awkward, the Chief Commander, Lian Zexu, shook his head and said, "Now is not the time for other matters; the mission must take priority. If Captain Hu wants to spar, let's wait until the mission is over."

He then turned to the senior Patrol Captain from headquarters, 'Gong Ming', and said, "Instructor Gong, what instructions does Patrol Inspector Tang have? Can you state them clearly now?"

"We're no longer at the headquarters training camp; why still call me Instructor?"

Gong Ming instinctively touched the beard on his face, then shook his head. "The Director has no specific instructions; he simply couldn't free himself, so he sent me to represent him."

His gaze swept across the group as he said in a deep voice, "The Director has promised that whoever finds the whereabouts of Captain Xu Qiu will have one request fulfilled to the best of his ability, whether it be an opportunity for gene optimization or entry into a branch office. He will never go back on his word."

Upon hearing this, not only the assembled Patrol Officers, but even Chief Commander Lian Zexu couldn't help but brighten in the eyes.

A promise from a high-ranking Patrol Inspector of headquarters!

Especially for Lian Zexu, the shock in his heart was needless to mention.

If one could stay at headquarters, who would be willing to be dispatched here to serve as some Chief Commander?

It looks quite imposing, but without the conditions of headquarters, he probably wouldn't have the chance to achieve gene awakening in his entire life!

And now, a great opportunity lay right before his eyes; how could he not be tempted?

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

Yuan Anping seemed accustomed to being a salted fish, wanting only to enjoy power and privilege in Lin'an City.

As for Lin Qing, he had already received many favors from the Patrol Inspector, including being summoned early to the branch office, so he didn't find it particularly attractive.

However, if there were an opportunity, he could use this chance to repay the Patrol Inspector's kindness.

Sorry, I went to the hospital this morning and didn't return until noon, so I'm a bit late.

(End of this chapter)