"Catch an A-level fugitive and receive a Third-Class Merit once."
"Catch an AA-level fugitive and receive Third-Class Merits twice!"
Lin Qing carefully read the brief description of his younger brother Liao Xinying's crimes, only to discover that the man was a murderous maniac, with the blood of at least twenty innocent people on his hands, including law enforcement officers.
His older brother, Liao Xinjie, was an accomplice, his crimes slightly less severe.
Of course, Lin Qing knew he was in no position to disdain others. Although he had never killed innocents, the people the two had killed didn't even amount to a fraction of his past life's tally.
"Lin Qing, you really are lucky."
Team Leader Han couldn't help but comment, "Your first mission catching a fugitive is impressive enough, but to apprehend two on your first patrol as team leader?"
Lin Qing glanced at Zhao Jiayi beside him and smiled, "It's mainly because my team member is lucky."
"These two fugitives are quite brutal."
Qin Qin couldn't help but ask, "Lin Qing, did you take down both of these guys? Are you that skilled?"
"Pure luck," Lin Qing shook his head slightly, "I shot the younger brother, and the older brother was taken down by Zhao Jiayi."
"You really struck it big this time—two Third-Class Merits and four hundred thousand. Wow."
Qin Qin couldn't help but sigh, then glanced at Zhao Jiayi, "This little sister is really fortunate too. Looking so pretty and delicate, yet she took one down?"
Zhao Jiayi blushed slightly and whispered, "If the team leader hadn't been there, I would have been done for..."
Upon hearing this, Team 7's Han Ying and Ruan Bing couldn't help but enviously gaze at Zhao Jiayi.
They wished they had been in the same team as the team leader too!
That was one hundred and twenty thousand in reward money and a Third-Class Merit!
Only Teng Feiyu showed no signs of envy, though he did appear a bit surprised.
"Let's notify the public security,"
Lin Qing suggested, "But, the fact that there are so many fugitives involved in underground boxing in the Xiao Shan District is odd, don't you think? Three caught within a month? That can't be a coincidence."
After a moment of silence, Teng Feiyu spoke, "Team leader, I suspect that there is an underground boxing arena hiding in Xiao Shan District, and it must be sizable."
Lin Qing already had his suspicions but said nothing.
The missing guests at the underground parking lot of Qingtai Hotel, the hidden crisis within Red Oak Boxing Gym, fugitives involved in underground boxing in Xiao Shan District, and the suspected underground arena...
Bringing these clues together, even a layman could deduce a fair amount.
"Team leader, I found this in one of their pockets," Zhao Jiayi suddenly handed a small slip to Lin Qing.
"A receipt from the Yushen unmanned supermarket?" Lin Qing glanced at it.
Teng Feiyu's eyes suddenly lit up and he blurted out, "Team leader, there is only one Yushen unmanned supermarket in the Xiao Shan District, right near the Red Oak Boxing Gym. There's definitely something fishy about that gym!"
Lin Qing pondered for a moment and then said, "Let's hand the clues over to the public security. We are the patrol department and it's not our job to solve cases."
"Public security? But they barely..." Teng Feiyu frowned slightly as if to say something but then closed his mouth.
Lin Qing gave him a look but did not say more.
From today's experience, it was clear the secrets hidden in the Red Oak Boxing Gym were astonishing and the tangled affairs were surely complex.
He felt his own strength was not yet sufficient to handle the meritorious deeds.
He wouldn't take risks without being certain.
But the merit was there; there was no need to rush.
...
Soon, the police arrived at the bath center, and Chief Chu Yunfeng expressed surprise and gratitude, then quickly took the two fugitives away.
Standing at the door of the bath center under the night sky, Lin Qing watched the departing police cars and suddenly a green notification appeared before him.
[Current Order Level has increased by 0.4 Levels]
Then, another line in gold emerged —
[Order Level breakthrough to Level 1, new pre-emptive items unlocked, further unlocks after Level 10]
Lin Qing blinked, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.
"Order!"
He immediately called up the Entropy panel in his mind.
[In a world tending towards chaos, only order is eternal]
[When you hold Order, the future becomes clear, allowing for the cause to follow the effect and plucking the fruits, borrowing from the future]
[Entropy is initiating...]
Accompanied by a deluge of incomprehensible information that washed over like a waterfall, a pane-like screen condensed before his eyes.
————
[Current Order Level: 1.2]
```
[Advanceable Project Quantity: 1/2]
[Advanced Project: Combat Skill "Min" (39% replenished)]
[Advanceable Projects: Sunrise Training Method Version 77, Military Combat Skill, Sketching, Calligraphy, Cooking Skill, Street Dance, In the Bedroom...]
[Mastered Projects (Hidden)]
------------
"Indeed..."
Lin Qing's lips curved into a smile.
The 'Advanceable Project Quantity' had changed to 1/2, meaning he could now advance two abilities!
"Tonight when I return, I will be able to advance the Sunrise Training Method Version 77."
Lin Qing's anticipation grew.
Previously, he had to advance one ability at a time; he couldn't advance a new one without completing the repayment.
But now it was different.
"The team leader seems very happy tonight," noticed Han Ying next to him, smiling as she spoke.
"After all, there's four hundred thousand in reward money and two Third-class Merits," Lin Qing laughed.
Those around him couldn't help but show envious expressions.
Team Leader Han glanced at him and said, "Once the merits are verified, your rank can be raised to Second Level Patrol Department."
"Oh? Not bad," Lin Qing nodded slightly.
He had only been formally appointed for a month, far lacking in seniority.
He had been directly promoted to Third Level Patrol Department, not just because of his strength and professional examination, but also due to a previous award of Third-class Merit.
Now with two more Third-class Merits, his rank could rise another level.
However, apart from a bit more salary and benefits, it wasn't much of anything meaningful.
...
After submitting the report back at the division, the Patrol members dispersed.
Zhao Jiayi also took a rideshare back home.
Her rented home wasn't large, but it was cozily arranged; entering, she saw a middle-aged man with glasses sitting on the couch, reading a paper book under a reading light.
His appearance was so ordinary that if lost in a crowd, he would be untraceable, but his face bore a hint of scholarly aura.
"Daddy, I'm back."
While speaking, Zhao Jiayi skillfully picked up a pendant hanging on the wall and donned it around her neck.
The pendant, a pure black crystal dark as deep space with tiny speckles of starlight.
"Jiayi."
The middle-aged man under the light looked up, a gentle smile on his face as he asked, "How was it today? All smooth?"
"Accumulating merit is quite troublesome," Zhao Jiayi said somewhat helplessly, "And my team leader seems a bit too cautious; no matter what I remind him, Dad, I'm telling you, I worked hard today, I originally..."
Her chatter filled the quiet little room.
The middle-aged man quietly listened to his daughter, then smilingly said, "Didn't you say he was a buried talent? Just be patient and try to get along with him."
"How do I do that..."
Zhao Jiayi pouted, "I even took the initiative to sit opposite him in the office, paired up with him for patrol missions, but he seems uninterested in me."
The middle-aged man laughed and said, "Friendship doesn't come that way; under such demanding circumstances, it's a great fate that you have met. However, you also need sincerity and effort. This isn't an investment, you could ask him for a small favor, or offer him some benefits; that's how your relationship will gradually grow closer."
Zhao Jiayi, not quite understanding, said, "But I feel like he keeps things very hidden."
"From what you've said, I actually quite want to meet this team leader of yours."
The middle-aged man sighed, "After all, I'm not a local, and this place isn't really suitable for me; I can't adapt, and often it's inconvenient for me to show up, so... I hope you can have real friends who can help you."
"Daddy..." Zhao Jiayi bit her lips, her eyes reddening as she looked at the middle-aged man.
"No worries, at least Daddy will be here to watch you grow up," the middle-aged man gently patted his daughter's head.
...
Lin Qing returned home, made sure the newly replaced anti-theft door was thoroughly locked, drew all the curtains, turned on the signal jammer, and then summoned the Entropy panel.
Sunrise Training Method Version 77 was already included in the panel, under the advanceable projects.
"Completing the replenishment of Combat Skill 'Min' will take just ten more days."
"However, I got involved in too much today, must upgrade my strength as soon as possible, and there's not enough merit to learn a new Combat Skill, so I can only..."
Lin Qing had this thought, and without hesitation, he inititated the process.
"Advance 'Sunrise Training Method Version 77'."
```