Zhao Yuanqing woke up, rubbing his bleary eyes with a hint of resignation.

’He’s already Professional Grade and still works this hard. What are ordinary people like us supposed to do?’

"Ha, you think I didn’t know you were up all night studying prosthetics?"

Lu Chao said with a smile, calling him out on his quiet efforts.

After reaching the peak of Professional Grade, his five senses had become even more acute, so of course he could hear the other man tinkering with prosthetics.

"Sigh... what choice do I have?"

His voice was tinged with resignation. As Zhao Yuanqing went to wash up, he said, "The people at the Prosthetic Clinic are incredible. They know all about different grades of prosthetics—civilian, professional, military, you name it."

"They also know about different categories like combat, logistics, and lifestyle prosthetics. And when it comes to bionic organs, they’re way better than a latecomer like me..."

he added, his competitive streak showing. Now that he’d finally found his path, he didn’t want to be overshadowed.

Lu Chao smiled and nodded at this. He was happy to see his friend so motivated.

Besides, from what he had observed, he could tell Zhao Yuanqing genuinely had a knack for it—at least more than the average person.

Soon, they finished breakfast together.

He changed into his Patrol Department uniform, left the apartment, and headed straight for the nearby Second Branch building of the Patrol Department.

"Hasn’t Team Seven returned yet?"

"Nope. Weren’t they all requisitioned by the Superpower Bureau? On top of that, there are more protests and disturbances on West Street. Our teams are stretched to the breaking point."

"We just took down Qiu Shan, and now we have to find this Legos guy. Sigh, it’s one thing after another..."

As soon as Lu Chao walked into the building, he overheard some patrol officers talking amongst themselves.

Most of them were standing by their patrol vehicles, rubbing their lower backs and slumping their shoulders, looking thoroughly exhausted.

Then, as if sensing his arrival...

"Oh? Lu Chao’s here."

"Brother Lu!"

One after another, the patrol officers called out to him with smiles, a new note of admiration in their voices.

Someone even offered him a cigarette, which he politely declined.

Lu Chao was a little surprised; he’d never received this kind of treatment before.

After a moment’s thought, he recalled the incident with Qiu Shan and had a good idea why.

He nodded to each of them in turn as he walked past and entered the main hall.

Soon, new chatter reached him from behind.

"Is he really all that? Look at you guys, you’d think you’ve never seen anything impressive before."

"Damn it, what’s with that attitude? If it weren’t for Brother Lu and Captain Yang risking their necks to infiltrate that day, we would’ve lost at least twenty percent more people!"

"Shh, keep it down. Don’t let anyone from Team Two hear you."

"What’s there to be afraid of? Ruan Hui’s getting transferred anyway."

Oh?

Hearing this, Lu Chao stopped short, slightly surprised.

’Ruan Hui is being transferred?’

As he mulled this over, he faintly heard other voices.

He glanced toward a patrol vehicle in the far corner. Qian Hu and two others were just about to head out on patrol, opening the doors and getting inside.

"He just got lucky, that’s all. Does he really think he’s hot stuff now? If the people from the Superpower Bureau hadn’t seriously wounded Qiu Shan and his men, would he have gotten any of the credit?"

"Exactly. Just you wait. That kid’s on Captain Ruan’s radar now. He’s got a rough time coming."

The three of them spoke with voices full of resentment, sarcasm, and jealousy.

Then, as if sensing Lu Chao’s gaze on them...

Qian Hu avoided his gaze and quickly slammed on the accelerator, driving the patrol vehicle away in a fluster.

’Those three...’

Lu Chao narrowed his eyes, watching them disappear.

Recalling the conversations he’d just overheard...

he strode directly to the office of Team Three.

A short while later, his questions were answered.

He finally understood everything.

...

"The mission rewards have been decided?"

A few minutes later, Lu Chao stood before the desk in the captain’s cubicle, a look of surprise on his face as he gazed at the man across from him.

A short, stocky man was sitting in Yang Wangtao’s chair, wearing the uniform of a Grand Captain. It was none other than Yu Yong, the Grand Captain of the Second Battalion who had commanded the operation that day.

Upon entering the team office, he had been surprised to find the man already waiting there, as if specifically for him.

"Heh, care for one?"

Instead of answering immediately, the man casually pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offered one.

Lu Chao shook his head, politely refusing as he waited for the man to continue.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Chen Xiao standing just outside the cubicle window, his ear practically glued to a gap in the Venetian blinds, a curious expression on his face as he tried to eavesdrop.

"This kid."

Yu Yong shot a glare at Chen Xiao outside before lighting a cigarette for himself.

Then, after drawing the blinds closed, he finally turned to Lu Chao and explained, "The higher-ups have made their decision. Five thousand contribution points and four intermediate-grade Nutritional Potions."

"Also..."

He looked at Lu Chao, his tone complex. "The leader of Team Nine is getting on in years and about to retire. Based on merit, you were supposed to be his replacement."

"However..."

Oh?

Lu Chao stared at him, and Yu Yong continued with a note of resignation, "Vice Director Ruan said you’re too young and not a good fit."

As his words landed, Lu Chao’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’Is he unhappy that I got the credit?’

’Or is he trying to stick up for Ruan Hui?’

"However..."

Suddenly, Yu Yong exhaled a cloud of smoke and handed over a document bearing the official seal of the Patrol Department.

The word "Appointment" at the top was particularly striking. Below it were his name and new position.

"Vice Director Liu didn’t buy it."

Yu Yong’s tone shifted, and he said with a wry grin, "Since you’re not a good fit for Team Nine, then you can just take over as the leader of Team Three."

It was an unexpected twist. The man had clearly been pausing for dramatic effect.

Lu Chao was stunned for a moment. He looked down at the appointment report. The details were exactly as the man had said, and it even bore the personal signature of Vice Director Liu—Liu Feng.

He was a little surprised, but...

His brow furrowed slightly, and he fell silent.

"What’s wrong? Don’t want it?"

Yu Yong asked, puzzled, the cigarette still clamped between his lips as smoke drifted from it.

Lu Chao shook his head.

’A team leader might seem like a low-ranking position, but it carries considerable authority. The pay and benefits are also a third higher than that of a regular Professional Grade member.’

’But...’

"What about Captain Yang?"

He looked up at the man and asked earnestly.

’Captain Yang also earned credit and took risks. It can’t be that...’

"Heh, not bad. No wonder Wangtao thinks so highly of you."

Yu Yong’s brow relaxed. He tapped the ash from his cigarette and said with a smile, "Oh, him? In a few days, he’ll be the acting Grand Captain of the Third Battalion."

"He’ll still be your direct superior."

He took a drag from his cigarette, watching Lu Chao’s stunned expression.

He seemed to rather enjoy keeping people in suspense.

"This..."

Lu Chao was truly surprised.

But on second thought, it seemed to make sense.

’Captain Yang was already at the peak of Professional Grade. Both his age and experience made him a strong contender for a Grand Captain position.’

’This time, he’d ridden the momentum of a major success.’

"Then what about Ruan Hui...?"

"Heh."

Taking a drag from his cigarette, and since they were alone anyway, Yu Yong revealed a little, "The Ruan family has been pulling strings for him for so long. Naturally, they’re not happy about him losing the Grand Captain position."

"The Task Force needed us to second some personnel recently, so a spot was conveniently made for him over there."

He said it casually, but Lu Chao got the gist of the situation.

’So this was the result of a power play among the higher-ups in the Patrol Department?’

’For me and Captain Yang to both get promoted, Ruan Hui’s side had to be given a concession.’

"But don’t get too excited just yet."

His tone shifted. Yu Yong chuckled and added another reminder, "Putting aside what anyone else thinks about this, let’s just talk about you."

"Team Three has a special mission coming up. You might even get two new team members. When the time comes, you’ll need to handle it well."

Oh?

’A special mission? New team members?’

Lu Chao was puzzled.

As he pondered this, he saw Yu Yong wave a dismissive hand, saying no more.

As if deliberately leaving him with a riddle, the man quickly rose and ambled out.

In an instant, the only people left in the Team Three office were the familiar Chen Xiao and Wang Shisong, whose left arm was in a sling, his gunshot wound still not fully healed.

An odd silence fell over the room.

Lu Chao looked at the two of them. He could see from their complicated expressions—a mix of envy and admiration—that they had a good idea of what had just happened.

Finally, after exchanging a look...

Chen Xiao and Wang Shisong exchanged a glance, then broke into genuine smiles. Half-joking and half-serious, they both raised their hands in a salute.

"Captain Lu!"