The provincial police headquarters guesthouse is not large, and usually only accommodates leaders from subordinate public security bureaus on business trips or higher-level leaders on inspections.

Ordinary police officers attending meetings or going on business trips to the provincial headquarters do not receive this treatment.

Lu Chuan and others, however, are in a different situation, as they are part of the expert task force or similar fingerprint battle experts organized by the provincial headquarters.

With not many people, accommodations are arranged at the provincial headquarters guesthouse.

When Lu Chuan came downstairs, Sun Bing was already there waiting.

"Good morning, Teacher Lu!"

Sun Bing's eyes lit up when he saw Lu Chuan coming down, and he quickly greeted him.

This respectful attitude made Lu Chuan feel a bit unaccustomed.

He never received such treatment at the Haizhou City Public Security Bureau.

"Good morning!" Lu Chuan greeted them and saw that there were already more than a dozen people seated on the sofas next to Sun Bing.

Most of them were older, about Ren Qiang's age, with a few around Old Bai's age.

There were few young faces.

"Teacher Lu, please rest for a while; we still have two experts who haven't arrived yet, and we will depart shortly."

Sun Bing had been waiting in the lobby since 7 o'clock, receiving a total of fifteen experts, with Lu Chuan being the sixteenth, and with two more, the group would be complete.

"Lu Chuan!"

As Lu Chuan walked toward the rest area, he heard someone calling his name.

Turning his head, he saw a middle-aged man in a neatly pressed police uniform, slightly chubby, with a smile resembling that of Maitreya Buddha, giving a warm impression.

"Director Zhao!"

Zhao Zhigao, head of the forensic examination office of Tianzhou City's Criminal Investigation Team, whom Lu Chuan had met while assisting the Tianzhou City's Criminal Investigation Team with a skeleton identification analysis case.

"I knew it; Haizhou City would definitely send you."

Lu Chuan's work on the skeleton identification analysis left a strong impression on Zhao Zhigao.

Although Lu Chuan had not demonstrated expertise in fingerprint analysis at the time, Zhao Zhigao and Liu Guodong were acquaintances.

Zhao Zhigao had heard about Lu Chuan's achievement in solving seven cold cases and receiving a first-class personal merit during the fingerprint battle selection organized by the Haizhou City Public Security Bureau.

"My mentor hasn't been feeling well lately, so I came on his behalf."

"Haha, you're too modest. We're counting on you for this battle!"

The conversation between the two attracted the attention of others.

Many people recognized Zhao Zhigao, a veteran forensic police officer.

Every year, the Tianzhou City Criminal Investigation Team dispatched this veteran to participate in the fingerprint battles.

The others were also familiar with each other, having taken part in the provincial headquarters' organized fingerprint battles before.

"Old Zhao, who is this young man? Care to introduce us?"

A veteran detective, who had a good relationship with Zhao Zhigao, was curious about Lu Chuan, who seemed quite young.

Participants in the fingerprint battle are those seasoned forensic or crime scene investigators from various city bureaus.

Everyone knew Liu Guodong from Haizhou City's Criminal Investigation Team, whose skills were comparable to most of those present.

However, this year he didn't attend and instead sent a young man.

Looking at him, he seemed to have graduated only a couple of years ago.

Fingerprint analysis is ultimately a technical job where experience is crucial.

The more fingerprints you've seen, the more experience you've accumulated.

That's why very few young people qualify or are capable of participating in the provincial headquarters' fingerprint exhibit.

Zhao Zhigao slapped his thigh: "Haha, let me introduce everyone. This is Lu Chuan, a crime scene investigator from Haizhou City's Criminal Investigation Team."

"Don't be fooled by his youth; last month, he single-handedly solved seven cold case murders during the fingerprint battle organized by Haizhou City Public Security Bureau and was awarded first-class personal merit!"

Seven cold case murders?!

First-class personal merit?!

The expressions of the dozen or so people froze.

Haizhou City might not compare to Tianzhou City or the provincial capital, but it's among the top cities in other regions.

So, the fingerprint battle organized by Haizhou City's Public Security Bureau, though not as grand as the provincial headquarters', wouldn't differ much from what they organized themselves.

That Lu Chuan managed to solve seven cold case murders!

And received a first-class personal merit!

These were cold case murders, not minor cases cobbled together by the bureau. Solving cold case murders is consistently challenging everywhere.

Moreover, the first-class personal merit.

A first-class merit requires an application by the city bureau, approval by the provincial headquarters, and notification to the ministry decision before it goes into effect.

"Officer Lu is indeed young and promising!"

Most of them rose to show considerable respect to a first-class merit hero.

Sun Bing stepped in at the right time: "Esteemed experts, it's almost time, and everyone is here; let's set off."

The dozen or so individuals, their uniforms sharply pressed, walked confidently out of the guesthouse lobby.

The fact that Lu Chuan could single-handedly solve seven cold case murders was indeed impressive.

However, each one present was the top fingerprint analysis expert from their respective city bureaus.

Each had their share of achievements to be proud of.

The glories of the past are just that—past. It's essential to look forward.

The next five days would be the real highlight.

The center for the fingerprint battle was set in a conference room on the top floor of the provincial headquarters office building.

The location was chosen for its quietness, not affecting other people's work, while ensuring the experts weren't disturbed.

"Dear expert teachers, please take your seats according to your names, and we can begin our work."

This was different from what Lu Chuan imagined and unlike what he had experienced before.

The provincial headquarters' fingerprint battle didn't involve motivational talks from leaders, just a banner on the wall.

This helped Lu Chuan verify it was indeed the scene of the battle.

Compared to Haizhou City's Public Security Bureau's logistical support, the provincial headquarters' support was definitely more reliable, or rather, Sun Bing was more reliable.

Snacks, coffee, and other refreshments were available plentifully in the corner of the conference room.

The experts participating in the battle could help themselves freely.

At the start, everyone was raring to go. Some removed their police uniforms, folded them neatly, and brewed a pot of aged tea.

Some brought a pile of snacks, setting them in front.

Others directly went to the changing room, changed into sleepwear, slipped on slippers, and sat at their computers.

Lu Chuan watched, bewildered.

Zhao Zhigao patted Lu Chuan on the shoulder: "An old free-style rule of the fingerprint battle: in these five days, no one will disturb us."

"As long as we solve cases, people can do whatever makes them comfortable."

Saying so, Old Zhao took off his police uniform too: "You should take yours off as well; it's too formal. Put it back on when work is done."

Lu Chuan nodded and headed to his workstation.

There was a computer, some blank paper, and a pen, and that was it.

"Lu Chuan!"

"Haha, it's been a while since we last met."

The battle hadn't yet begun, and an old acquaintance came to visit Lu Chuan.

"Director Li!"

The visitor was indeed Li Donglin: "Director Li, long time no see."

"I was on a business trip last week and only returned last night. I missed out on picking you up. How about dinner tonight?"

With Lu Chuan, Li Donglin didn't exhibit any hierarchical stance but acted like an old friend.

"Alright, after work tonight."

"Great, it's settled," said Li Donglin, whose Criminal Investigation Department Second Office was responsible for this fingerprint battle: "Everyone, keep busy, and after five days, I'll host a celebration for all of you!"

Everyone exchanged greetings, with many casting curious looks at Lu Chuan.

It was clear Li Donglin came not for everyone but specifically for Lu Chuan.

"Brother, do you know Director Li?"

Zhao Zhigao and Li Donglin used to work in the same unit but didn't have this privilege.

"Yeah, we've worked on a case together."

Lu Chuan didn't go into much detail; they indeed had worked a case together.

After Li Donglin left, everyone prepared to get into the swing of things.

"Lu Chuan!"

However, just before they could get settled, someone else came looking for Lu Chuan.

This time, upon seeing the visitor, everyone was startled again.

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