Chapter 28: An Extra Fee Is Necessary!

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

He wanted to know exactly how Xu Jin got entangled with the “Planetary Reincarnation” organization and what major deeds he had committed.

If possible, he hoped to clarify where Xu Jin was being held now or whether he had already been executed.

That way, he could refer to this information when planning his next moves...

From the outskirts of the city’s Sky Dome Technology Park to the center of Jinling city was a full 40 kilometers. Thanks to the advanced rapid transit system and the sparse late-night traffic, Lin Xu reached the city center in just 20 minutes, riding in Skullhead’s car.

This was his first time visiting the city center since entering the bracelet world.

At first glance, the city seemed largely unchanged from twenty years ago.

But a closer look revealed a world transformed.

Gigantic billboards and neon lights had been completely replaced by holographic projections. The surface of the Qinhuai River was dotted with holographic lotus lanterns, while the faint strains of traditional string music drifted from the riverbank.

The circular overpass at Xin Jie Kou had evolved into a three-dimensional transport hub, and numerous newly built maglev light rails slithered through the city like giant serpents.

The entire city was vibrant and bustling, save for the area near Yuhuatai, which was the only zone with mandatory power cuts.

The monument stood tall and proud—a solitary landmark unchanged by time.

Lin Xu gazed curiously out the car window at the sights. Seeing him so absorbed, Skullhead finally relaxed fully. It seemed there would be no action tonight.

Still, going to the police station?

What exactly did that mean?

“So, what exactly are you going to do at the police station?” Skullhead asked.

“Looking up someone’s information,” Lin Xu replied casually, his eyes fixed on a huge ad for a smart bracelet outside the window.

“Looking for someone?” Skullhead paused.

“If you want to find someone, why didn’t you tell us earlier?” he pressed.

“Although our info might not be as detailed as official sources, the accuracy is comparable.”

“If you’d come to us sooner...”

“The thing is, I only just realized I needed to find him. Before that, I didn’t even know.”

“...Fair enough,” Skullhead scratched his head.

“So why don’t you wait a bit? Let me handle it—I’ll give you a discount.”

“It won’t take long. Just give me two days, that’s enough!”

“...Man, how desperate for money are you, pushing your services at every chance?”

Lin Xu eyed Skullhead suspiciously. Skullhead gave an awkward smile and said, “Business is like a battlefield... But honestly, even if you went to the police station, you wouldn’t find the info you want.”

“What identity do you have? Do you think you can just ask and they’ll hand it over?”

“Or are you going to file a report?”

“Like you said, the end of the world is coming, and you want to steal a rocket and escape, then have them give you the info you want?”

“They’d lock you up as a madman, right?”

...I’d love to try.

Lin Xu rolled his eyes.

To be honest, even in the real world, he hadn’t gathered enough evidence yet and had doubts about collaborating with the authorities. But in the bracelet world, he could attempt such things.

For example, the Mars information from that coast guard interrogator was very valuable.

---

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

Even if he could provide proof of authenticity, the other side needed time to verify and confirm.

No matter what, completing that process took more than an hour.

This wasn’t an efficiency issue but an unalterable objective law.

Because bottom-up information transmission requires time, and as long as the final decision-maker is human, they inevitably consume the necessary decision time.

So this plan was unfeasible.

The only way was to break into the police station.

Access their internal system and retrieve Xu Jin’s data.

But a direct assault was impossible.

The mercenary team under Lin Xu’s command was capable enough to raid private security at civilian aerospace bases or chemical fiber factories.

But if it came to going head-to-head with official forces?

Well, maybe a small police outpost was manageable, but beyond that?

They wouldn’t face policemen—they’d face the military.

Skullhead wasn’t a fool and had no chance to retry—he would never agree to such a plan.

So what Lin Xu wanted was simple.

Sneak in, kidnap someone, use their access rights to get Xu Jin’s information, then get out quickly!

At this, Lin Xu said:

“It’s useless. Even if they believe what I say, they won’t have time to go through the procedures.”

“What do you plan to do then?” Skullhead asked, puzzled.

“Just ask directly?” Skullhead guessed.

Lin Xu shook his head again.

“Directly asking won’t get me the results.”

“If it were that easy, why not just buy a computer from a nearby store and Google it?”

“So... the mission is simple.”

“Kidnap someone, take them with me, and have them get me the info.”

“I have 32 minutes left.”

“Is that enough time?”

“Kidnap someone?!” Skullhead was dumbfounded.

“Bro, is the question whether it’s possible or not?”

“The police station is for catching people—you want to go there and kidnap someone?!”

“What, you want to break someone out of jail?!”

“No,” Lin Xu quickly waved his hand.

Skullhead breathed a sigh of relief.

“I want to kidnap a police officer.”

“...”

“Do you even realize what you’re saying?”

Skullhead ground his teeth.

“Kidnap a cop? You say that so casually?”

“Do you know what that means? That’s direct confrontation with official agencies!”

“If you were raiding a private aerospace base, that’s one thing—at worst, it’s internal conflict among the people, max penalty is death, but no collective punishment.”

“Now you tell me you want to kidnap someone from the police station, a police officer no less?!”

“What does that mean? It’s an act against a state institution!”

“Forget collective punishment—back in ancient times, that would mean extermination of nine clans!”

“...You really know your country’s situation,” Lin Xu teased.

“Man, what kind of mood is this for jokes?” Skullhead’s face twisted.

Probably, he had no idea he was just taking on a job that seemed lucrative but risky, and in the end, it meant going against official agencies.

Lin Xu shook his head.

“Relax, it’s still an internal conflict among the people.”

“I have a grudge against a cop inside, I want to kidnap him for revenge.”

“...You think I believe that?”

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

Lin Xu shrugged.

“Just tell me if it’s doable or not!”

“...It’s doable!” Skullhead gritted his teeth.

“I know what you want. You want the population data stored in the police database.”

“Indeed, such data isn’t even sold on the dark web anymore. Only the police and related official bodies can access it.”

“But... we don’t necessarily have to resort to kidnapping.”

“Striking specific targets and targeting official personnel have different implications.”

“Here’s the deal—I’ll get you their information terminal. After retrieving the info, I’ll hand it to you.”

“The outcome is the same, okay?”

“Okay!” Lin Xu nodded decisively.

Professional matters should be left to professionals.

He only knew how to threaten with kidnappings; these guys went further.

Hearing Lin Xu’s answer, Skullhead finally relaxed.

“Alright, let’s do it.”

“Since you say time is tight, we’ll act immediately.”

“But there’s one last thing.”

“What is it?”

Lin Xu asked.

Skullhead took a deep breath and said fiercely:

“You have to pay more!”