It'll Cost More!

Lin Xu was going to the police station, naturally to find more detailed information about Xu Jin.

He wanted to know exactly how Xu Jin had gotten involved with the "Planetary Reincarnation" organization, and what major crime he had committed.

If possible, he also wanted to find out where Xu Jin was being held now, or whether he had already been executed.

That way, he would have something to refer to when making future plans...

Skyvault Technology Park sat a full forty kilometers from Jinling City's center, but thanks to the advanced rapid transit system and the light traffic late at night, Lin Xu arrived downtown in Skullhead's car in just twenty minutes.

This was his first time coming to the city center since entering Bracelet World.

At first glance, the city did not seem all that different from twenty years ago.

But upon closer inspection, it was clear that the world had truly changed beyond recognition.

Giant billboards and neon lights had been completely replaced by holographic projections. Holographic lotus lanterns floated across the Qinhuai River's ten-mile stretch, while the faint melodies of storytelling and ballad singing drifted from the banks.

Xinjiekou's circular overpass had evolved into a multi-level transportation hub, with countless newly built maglev rail lines weaving through the city like giant pythons.

The entire city was bustling and colorful, but the area around Yuhuatai had become the only zone subject to mandatory power cuts.

The monument towered high above, the city's sole landmark that had never changed.

Lin Xu watched everything beyond the car window with curiosity. Seeing him like this, Skullhead finally relaxed completely.

So there would be no operation tonight.

But going to the police station?

What exactly did that mean?

"So what are you going to the police station for?"

"To look up someone's information."

Lin Xu answered casually, his gaze fixed on the massive advertisements for smart bracelets outside the window.

"Looking for someone?"

Skullhead froze for a moment.

"If you needed to find someone, why didn't you tell us beforehand?"

"Our information might not be as detailed as what official agencies have, but it's no less accurate."

"If you'd come to us earlier..."

"The key is, I only just figured it out. Before this, I didn't even know I needed to look for him."

"...Fair enough."

Skullhead scratched his head.

"Then why don't you wait a little longer? Leave this job to me, and I'll give you a discount."

"It won't take long. Give me two days—that'll be enough!"

"...Brother, how badly do you need money? You pitch your services every chance you get?"

Lin Xu eyed Skullhead suspiciously. The latter smiled a little awkwardly and replied,

"Business is war, you know... But seriously, even if you go to the police station, you won't find the information you want!"

"Who do you think you are? You ask to investigate someone, and they'll just let you?"

"What, are you going to file a report?"

"Tell them what you said—that the end of the world is coming, you want to steal a rocket and escape, and then ask them to hand over the information you need?"

"They'd probably lock you up as a lunatic."

I'd like to do exactly that.

Lin Xu could not help rolling his eyes.

Honestly, even in the real world, he had yet to obtain enough evidence. Combined with his own concerns, he could not so quickly reach a conclusion on whether he should cooperate with the authorities. But in Bracelet World, he could still make an attempt in that direction.

For example, the information about Mars provided by that Maritime Security interrogator had been highly valuable.

But the problem was that one hour was simply too short.

Even if he could provide evidence proving his claims were true, they would still need time to verify and confirm it.

There was no way that entire process could be completed in under an hour.

This was not a matter of efficiency, but an unchangeable objective law.

Information took time to travel upward through the hierarchy. As long as the final decision-maker was still human, they would inevitably consume their allotted decision-making time.

So that plan was not viable.

The only option was to enter the police station.

He needed to access their internal system and pull up Xu Jin's records.

But storming the place directly was not an option.

The mercenary squad under his command was decent enough when attacking civilian spaceports or the private security of chemical fiber plants.

But going head-to-head with the authorities?

Sure, if it was only a small local police station, they could handle it. But what came afterward?

They would not be facing police anymore. They would be facing the military.

Skullhead was not an idiot, and he did not have the chance to start over again and again. He would never agree to such a plan.

So what Lin Xu wanted to do was simple.

Sneak in, grab someone, bring them out, use their access privileges to retrieve Xu Jin's information, then evacuate quickly!

With that in mind, Lin Xu said,

"It's no use. Even if they're willing to believe me, there isn't enough time to go through the process."

"Then what are you planning to do?"

Skullhead asked in confusion.

"Just walk in and ask?"

Lin Xu shook his head again.

"You can't get the result by asking directly."

"If I wanted information that could be obtained just by asking, why wouldn't I buy a computer from a store nearby and search Baidu?"

"So... this mission is very simple."

"Grab someone, take them with us, and make him give me the information."

"I have thirty-two minutes left."

"Can you do it in time?"

"Grab someone?!"

Skullhead stared wide-eyed.

"No, brother, is whether we can make it in time really the important part here??"

"The police station is where they catch people, and you want to go to a police station to catch someone?!"

"What, are you planning a prison break??"

"No."

Lin Xu hurriedly waved his hand.

Skullhead let out a breath of relief.

"I want to grab a cop and bring him out."

"..."

"Do you even know what you're saying?"

Skullhead gritted his teeth.

"Grab a cop? And you say it like it's nothing??"

"Do you know what that means? That's a direct confrontation with an official agency!"

"Robbing a spaceport was one thing. At least it was a private company. No matter how far we went there, it was still an internal conflict among the people. At worst, it meant the death penalty—not collective punishment."

"Now you're telling me you want to snatch someone from a police station, and a cop at that?!"

"What does that mean? That's opposing a state organ!"

"Forget collective punishment—in ancient times, that would have gotten nine generations of your family executed!"

"...You know quite a bit about the national situation."

Lin Xu teased lightly.

"Brother, at a time like this, you still feel like making jokes?"

The muscles in Skullhead's face twisted.

He probably had no idea that he had merely taken on what seemed like a lucrative, somewhat risky job, only for it to end with him targeting an official agency.

Across from him, Lin Xu shook his head.

"Relax. This is still an internal conflict among the people."

"I have a grudge against one of the officers in there. I want to grab him and take revenge."

"...You think I believe that?"

Skullhead looked at Lin Xu as though he were an idiot.

Lin Xu spread his hands.

"Just tell me whether you can do it!"

"...I can!"

Skullhead clenched his teeth.

"I know what you want. You only want the population data stored in the police station's database."

"True, that kind of data isn't even sold on the dark web anymore. Only police stations and the relevant government agencies can access it."

"But... we don't necessarily have to kidnap anyone."

"Targeting a specific person and targeting a public official are different in nature."

"How about this? I'll get their information terminal, look up the data, and hand it to you."

"The result will be the same. Is that okay?"

"Fine!"

Lin Xu nodded decisively.

Professional matters should be left to professionals.

All he knew was kidnapping and threats. These people had taken it a step further.

Upon receiving Lin Xu's answer, Skullhead finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then that's the plan."

"Since you said there isn't much time, we'll move immediately."

"But there's one last problem."

"What problem?"

Lin Xu asked.

Skullhead took a deep breath and said viciously,

"It'll cost more!"