Lin Qing walked up to the unconscious, tall man, knelt down, and grabbed the center of the handcuffs securing his wrists. Just as he prepared to run a fingerprint scan, he frowned slightly.
He turned to Team Leader Han and said, "Team Leader, I think this man has a habit of wearing down his fingerprints. The prints on all ten fingers have been burned off."
"Oh? Then let's run a facial recognition and iris scan," Team Leader Han replied.
In this day and age, most infants have their iris and DNA records taken shortly after birth and logged into a centralized database. Even if no record was made at birth, multiple collection requirements arise as one grows older, such as during household registration changes or when applying for an ID card.
The iris contains a series of complex, unique, and stable textural features that remain largely fixed after birth; they are difficult to obtain and nearly impossible to replicate or forge, making iris recognition a highly precise biometric technology.
"Let me help you."
Qin Qin immediately brought out an eyelid retractor, a specialized tool for handling unconscious personnel, and forced the tall man's eyes open.
However—
"Team Leader, it’s still no good."
Lin Qing frowned slightly. "Facial recognition and iris scans are useless. The database can't find this person."
Team Leader Han narrowed his eyes. "It seems this man is either unregistered or he’s had plastic surgery and received an artificial iris transplant."
If it were the latter, it would certainly have been done to evade identification. Modern city facilities require facial, fingerprint, and iris verification for many services, and even after plastic surgery, new data is collected. Fugitives naturally find it necessary to purchase illicit "fingerprint covers" and secure, synthetic irises to make daily life possible.
But it is difficult to keep all three identifying factors consistent, so these methods can only defeat standard checks. Once a patrol officer personally verifies their identity, they are in trouble.
"He might be a big catch..."
Team Leader Han ordered immediately, "Qin Qin, did you bring the DNA analyzer? Perform a DNA identification now."
"Yes." Qin Qin nodded, pulled out a blood collection device, and after drawing the blood, hurried off to get the analyzer.
"Team Leader, we’re doing a DNA analysis now?" Lin Qing looked at him.
"It's fine. The new generation of microfluidic high-speed DNA analyzers only takes twenty minutes."
Team Leader Han shook his head, then scanned the people at the scene and said, "I'll keep watch here. You continue the search; everyone must be vetted and identified."
"Understood." Lin Qing nodded and resumed the search.
By the time everyone at the scene had completed their facial and fingerprint recognition and had their identities confirmed, more than twenty minutes had passed.
Qin Qin sat in a booth, uploaded the DNA data analyzed by the detector, and quickly found a match in the database. Looking at the information on the computer, she couldn't help but look startled. She turned to Team Leader Han and said, "Team Leader, you need to see this!"
"Wang Hengyi, maintain order at the scene. Lin Qing, come with me."
After giving the order, Team Leader Han led Lin Qing toward Qin Qin.
"Team Leader, look. It really is a big catch!" Although Qin Qin lowered her voice, the excitement in her tone was palpable.
Lin Qing looked closely and couldn't help but reveal a hint of surprise.
[Jiang Chengwu, male, 34 years old, from Yiyang, Xiangjiang Province.
Previously sentenced to life imprisonment for illegal underground fighting and the Chongyang Reservoir mass murder case.
Two years ago, he escaped from Qingcheng Prison along with dozens of other fugitives following an explosion.
In September 2118, the Public Security Bureau issued a Class A arrest warrant with a reward of 150,000 yuan.]
"He escaped from Qingcheng Prison?"
Lin Qing had heard of Qingcheng Prison; it was a Level 1 maximum-security facility. The powerful fugitive his cousin had discovered had escaped from Qinghu Island Prison. Qinghu Island was one of the nation's top three prisons, with a "Special Grade" security rating. Although Qingcheng Prison was one level below, its oversight was still extremely tight; he likely wouldn't have escaped unless the facility had been attacked. To think such a dangerous, vicious criminal was hiding in the streets where he lived—no wonder the Current Order Level was so low!
"You've earned a merit as soon as you've started; you're quite lucky," Team Leader Han said, glancing at Lin Qing with a faint smile.
Lin Qing felt a stir in his heart and immediately asked, "Team Leader, how many classes of merit will I get for catching this guy?"
"Look here."
Team Leader Han pointed to the screen. "The warrant is Class A. The primary person who resolves a Class A warrant usually receives a Third-Class Merit. Since you were the primary one to take him down, you should be able to receive a Third-Class Merit."
He paused and added, "Of course, our team's files will likely also get an additional commendation record."
Lin Qing couldn't help but look pleased. His cousin had transferred two Third-Class Merits to him. Adding this one from Jiang Chengwu, he would have just enough to apply for learning a Combat Technique!
"And you have a 150,000 yuan reward to collect, too," Qin Qin added from the side, looking envious. "Young man, you've struck it rich."
However, even as she envied him, she knew how dangerous the situation had been. If she had been in Lin Qing's position, she might have been killed on the spot, let alone receiving any merits or rewards.
Lin Qing pondered for a moment and asked, "Is the reward money taxed?"
"Of course not," Team Leader Han said, glancing at him.
Lin Qing breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. I just need another 30,000."
"Another 30,000?" Team Leader Han asked. "What are you buying?"
"High-Energy Sustained-Release Fluid." Lin Qing saw no reason to hide it. "It's 89,999 yuan per set. This 150,000 isn't even enough to buy two sets."
"Oh?" Team Leader Han said. "I can help you buy it through the Patrol Bureau's channels; it only costs 69,999. However, you can only use it yourself, so you will have to consume it right there at the Patrol Bureau."
"Really?"
Lin Qing's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Team Leader! If it works out, I'll give you the whole 150,000; that extra 10,000 can be your service fee."
"No need." Team Leader Han shook his head. "You've earned the merit; as long as you pass the professional exam, you'll be promoted to the Patrol Department. All members of the Patrol Department have access to this channel; it's a minor matter."
Seeing that he was serious, Lin Qing didn't press the issue, only saying, "Then let me treat you to a meal, Team Leader."
"Sure." Team Leader Han did not refuse.
Lin Qing smiled. In the blink of an eye, not only was a Combat Technique within reach, but he would also have enough for two sets of High-Energy Sustained-Release Fluid—a double blessing. At this rate, he would be able to finish the advance payment for the 46th Edition Practice Method in just twenty-four days. If he caught a few more criminals and fugitives, wouldn't he be rich?
"Team Leader."
Lin Qing suddenly looked at Camel, who was not far away. "Since Jiang Chengwu is a wanted fugitive who went to such lengths to hide his identity here, he probably has a connection to the Blue Scarf Gang, right?"
"Hmm."
Team Leader Han nodded slightly. "The method used to shatter the lamp cover was likely Camel's doing. I'll have the forensics team come by later to check for residual traces."
Qin Qin added, "Team Leader, I noticed the injuries on Camel’s knuckles and neck earlier. He might have fought in underground matches too."
"Notify the Public Security Bureau," Team Leader Han commanded. "The rest is their job."
Lin Qing called up the Anti-Entropist Panel in his mind.
[Current Order Level: 0.5]
The level of the Current Order signified the peace and stability of his living environment. Previously, being targeted by such a vicious fugitive had caused his Order Level to drop by 0.2. Now that he had resolved the situation and eliminated the latent threat of a fugitive hiding near his home, his life had naturally become more stable and peaceful. With the back-and-forth, his Order Level had actually risen by 0.2 higher than before.
He was only 0.5 away from an Order Level of 1.
"That was simpler than I thought..."
Lin Qing felt that a Level 1 Order wasn't that far off now; perhaps it wouldn't take too long. Still, he hadn't expected to be able to learn a legendary Combat Technique so quickly. He wondered which one would be best to choose.