Chapter 105: Treatment Of The Core Seed
The four of them walked on the wide road, with giant war chariots rumbling past from time to time.
“The current situation is very troublesome. You can’t poach people from those four core seeds. Those guys have invested for a long time, and the sunk costs make it impossible for them to turn back.” Gu Bing sighed, “And the newcomers have already been preempted by Chu Xuan.”
“We’ll take it one step at a time.” Su Chen didn’t care too much about this.
This kind of momentum gathering is not a one-sided reception of support. Power and responsibility are always relative; it’s impossible to have only benefits without bearing responsibility.
Gu Bing pursed her lips. Su Chen probably still didn’t understand how intense the competition was.
That was the position of Chief Judge, commanding the terrifying Court of Justice, and also one of the Elder Council members. They could be said to be among the most powerful people on the surface.
For this position and the interests it represents, some people will stop at nothing.
“That’s…” Su Chen stopped, involuntarily looking toward the huge statue in the distance, standing in the center of the square, holding a sword, solemn and serene.
The black copper statue, under the light source that had now shifted to sunset, seemed to be draped in a layer of golden gauze.
“That’s our first Chief Judge—Wan Dingchen.” Gu Bing also looked over, with a hint of reverence: “It was he who established the special status of the Court of Justice.”
Ying Feng also has Inspection, Patrol, and Exploration Departments. The various institutions of lower tier cities are essentially a simplified version of Ying Feng.
These three departments are all under the command of the Security Department. Combined, they can barely contend with the Court of Justice, and its minister is also an Elder Council member.
This Security Department was created merely to guard Ying Feng, while the main duty of the Court of Justice is to command the 125 lower tier cities, with its main leadership all coming from the Court of Justice.
And in order to ensure their family always enjoys a certain status, they send their descendants to the Court of Justice, forming a cycle.
The massive power it represents, along with the annual flow of interests, is downright terrifying.
“Our Court of Justice is divided into multiple institutions. Logistics Department, Internal Affairs Department, Intelligence Department, and the like need not be mentioned again. The most important are the Disciplinary Department and the Adjudication Department…” Gu Bing briefly introduced the structure of the Court of Justice.
“The Disciplinary Department handles affairs in lower tier cities, as well as some matters within Ying Feng City…”
“We also handle things within Ying Feng City?” Su Chen keenly noticed.
Gu Bing’s tone was flat: “Collusion between lower tier cities and Ying Feng, corruption, exploitation—these things are commonplace. We have the duty to judge lower tier cities, so naturally we also have decision-making power over matters involving Ying Feng’s interior.”
There must be no lack of friction with the other three departments. Su Chen seemed to already see bloody storms.
Halfway through their walk and chat, Zhang Yunqing took Zhang Hengyu and turned a corner, heading to the residence for ordinary members of the Inner Court, a high-rise similar to an apartment.
“As a core seed, you have a standalone villa to live in.” Gu Bing mentioned some benefits for core seeds, and Su Chen immediately perked up.
But Gu Bing seemed to think of something, her brows slightly furrowing, “However, you seem to have dual professions in parallel, which is a bit troublesome.”
“What’s wrong?” Su Chen couldn’t help but ask.
“Normally, you must choose either physical or mental, which involves whether to equip you with a gravity training room or a Spiritual Realm Instrument…”
Before Gu Bing could finish, Su Chen interrupted: “This Spiritual Realm Instrument wouldn’t amplify mental meditation, would it?”
Gu Bing was stunned, then remembered: “Right, you probably don’t know. The Spiritual Realm Instrument was discovered in some ruins a few years ago and only replicated half a year ago. The rationed quantity is still limited.”
“There’s such a good thing.” Su Chen couldn’t help but click his tongue. As expected of Ying Feng.
“Good things are always distributed from top to bottom. Currently, only Chief Judges and you core seeds can use them.” Gu Bing said, a troubled expression on her face,
“But the auxiliary training devices equipped for you are all top-spec. Even core seeds only get one type. Your situation is special, and your physical talent is also Crimson Gold. I don’t know how they’ll arrange it.”
“There’s also the potion ration issue. The Court of Justice provides one tube of auxiliary training potion and advanced nutrient solution daily, dispensed for a month at a time, but you have to choose physical side or mental side.”
“The Court of Justice is so stingy.” Su Chen couldn’t help but pout.
Gu Bing was also helpless: “The personnel is huge, and the expenses are terrifying. These are the rules, unchanged for centuries.”
Along the way, Gu Bing introduced the various buildings to him: the intelligence building, the war chariot factory…
……
The Court of Justice assessment had already ended half a day ago. At Chu Xuan’s celebration banquet, the uneasy Pang Xingwen was dragged away by someone sent by the Pang Family.
“How could he be Ink Jade…” Pang Xingwen thought of some of his little moves and faintly regretted it.
His Pang Family ancestor had luckily produced one Chief Judge, not particularly outstanding and with low presence.
But it still made the Pang Family one of the intricate forces in Ying Feng.
Even after nearly declining midway, they rose again.
And Su Chen was a core seed.
The previous four core seeds would compete for one Chief Judge, while the other three would become Chief Judges in sequence.
Generally, the top four Chief Judges were quite strong, and some, even after many years of passing, still had resounding reputations.
And Su Chen was even more different. Ink Jade Talent destined his ceiling to be higher. Once he grew up… he might become a dominant Chief Judge like Xia Hanshi.
Thinking of this, Pang Xingwen trembled.
“Young master, we’re here.” The hunched old man beside him said lowly.
Pang Xingwen swallowed, looking at the redwood door before him as it was gradually pushed open. He walked in uneasily, head down, watching the black carpet stretch endlessly in his vision.
“Kneel.” The voice was indifferent, but Pang Xingwen’s knees went weak, and he knelt with a thud on the carpet, not daring to look up, only seeing a pair of black leather shoes: “Father…”
“Who allowed you to send people to track him without authorization?” The voice was calm, yet carried its own poise.
“Father, I just wanted to gather some information…” Pang Xingwen’s forehead was covered in cold sweat as he hurriedly explained: “He killed Zhou Xian, cutting off one of our family’s revenue streams. I just…”
“Zhou Xian colluded with the Cult of the Strange God. He deserved to die!”
The voice was cold, like something smashing to the ground and rolling over with a gurgle.
Pang Xingwen’s pupils contracted as he saw a pale-faced head roll right in front of him, eyes wide open, dying with grievances.
“Pang Qi!” He exclaimed in shock, voice trembling: “How did he die!?”
This was exactly the person he sent to track Su Chen, who had disappeared a few days ago. They searched for days without trace, and now seeing him again, he was a corpse.
“Father, he dares to murder without authorization. He… he…” Pang Xingwen seemed to grasp a lifeline.
However, his father seemed unconcerned, leaning down: “Go apologize to him, by any means necessary. Even if you kneel before him, seek his forgiveness, then invite him to tomorrow’s family banquet. I will mediate personally.”
“If you can’t bring him, don’t come back.”
“Father!” Pang Xingwen couldn’t help but look up at the expressionless middle-aged man, incredulous: “I’m your son, and you’re Ying Feng’s Deputy Inspector Minister.”
“Even if we accidentally offended him, it hasn’t reached this point. Chu Xuan isn’t unbeatable against him either. Who can say what the future holds?”
Father, how could he be so cowardly?
“Don’t understand my words?” The middle-aged man looked down at him, his voice devoid of emotion: “If he doesn’t come, you don’t need to return.”
“I…” Pang Xingwen gritted his teeth, ultimately not daring to resist further, and said dejectedly: “I understand.”
The door closed, and the middle-aged man suddenly spoke, “Are you sure it’s him?”
“The divine revelation said: from South Wind City, the most special, most eye-catching one is the target.”
“Who is more special or more eye-catching than him?”
A voice suddenly rang out in the room, from nowhere.
……
“To have two Ink Jade Level talents at the same time… Jingtian, congratulations.”
“The Court of Justice, as expected of Ying Feng’s pillar supporting the heavens.”
“……”
In the silent, empty room, only five people sat facing each other, one of whom was Chong Jingtian.
He was in a good mood. Even sensing that the praise from the people before him wasn’t sincere, he didn’t care. Instead, his expression was somewhat grave as he said:
“Talent is just talent; it doesn’t guarantee success. There’s another matter at hand.”
“The Court of Justice has discovered that the Cult of the Strange God is currently coordinating actions. We’ve already identified Heituo, Faceless Ghost, and Crimson Pillar. Their ambitions are not small…”
As Chong Jingtian spoke, the other four’s faces also grew grave.
“Additionally, there are people in the city colluding with them from inside…”
……
The Court of Justice is vast, and their speed was relatively slow. It wasn’t until nightfall that Gu Bing brought him to the depths, in front of a standalone villa.
This area belonged to the Chief Judges’ residences, quiet and silent. Gu Bing even restrained her breathing a bit.
Class distinctions are clear within the Court of Justice… Su Chen thought to himself.
It was both a long-standing fixed pattern and a way to motivate those below to climb up.
On the way, they encountered no shortage of senior judges, and Gu Bing had to stop to say hello each time.
When introducing his identity to them, their expressions always changed somewhat. Even the most aloof would squeeze out a smile for him.
“Potion supplies are ongoing for years. Leaving aside whether the court chooses to provide dual profession potions, one tube a day might not be enough. If the court is unwilling to break the rules, my family can provide some help…”
It wasn’t until he was about to enter the villa that Gu Bing hesitantly spoke up.
“Oh?” Su Chen stopped, turning back to Gu Bing. The senior sister averted her eyes and said lowly: “My family once had a Minister of Inspection ancestor. Though somewhat declined in recent years, we can still provide some assistance.”
“I understand.” Su Chen nodded slightly, seeing Gu Bing off before turning around.
Giving requires return. Su Chen didn’t mind trading status for some benefits, but after all, he was new here. Ying Feng was full of intertwined roots; he needed to figure things out first.
As soon as he entered the villa, the door opened automatically. The living room was simple, with only a gray-white sofa.
Xia Hanshi was coming up from the basement, shirtless, his skin withered, flesh and blood gone, yet emanating a ferocious tiger-like aura, with faintly visible pulsing veins.
In Su Chen’s perception, his life magnetic field was terrifyingly strong.
Several slender women waited nearby, handing him clothes.
“All mechanical puppets?” Su Chen had thought Old Xia was the opposite type, but upon closer inspection, he realized these women were mechanical bodies.
Bu Siqi stood beside them, dark-skinned and taciturn. Seeing Su Chen arrive, he only glanced up.
“You’re here…” Xia Hanshi put on his clothes, and the violent life magnetic field vanished instantly, returning to the decrepit old man. “Heaven-bestowed Profession Translator—you’ve got quite a few secrets, kid.”
“I only learned after arriving in Ying Feng. Before that, I couldn’t figure it out either…” As soon as Xia Hanshi spoke, Su Chen knew Old Xia had figured out why his talent had suddenly become Ink Jade.
“Got the Saint?” Though phrased as a question, Xia Hanshi was quite certain.
“Mm, I’ll dictate it now.” Su Chen immediately stated the Saint’s job appointment conditions, but omitted that “no killing living beings” would also constrain the professional after appointment.
He figured Old Xia wouldn’t align too closely with Old Sang either.
After he finished, even the taciturn Teng Liang couldn’t help but look over, somewhat incredulous.
“How did you complete such job appointment conditions?” Even Xia Hanshi was surprised.
“Forced Job Appointment…” Su Chen explained, “Luck was decent.”
Xia Hanshi gave him a deep look: “Forced Job Appointment again. Your luck is truly good. The low boost from forced job appointment, combined with Scholar, Sage, and Saint, elevated your Crimson Gold Talent to Ink Jade.”
Old Xia didn’t dwell on the matter and turned: “Building a good relationship with the Translation Department is a smart choice.”
“I was just quite curious about the Translation Department…” Before Su Chen could finish explaining, Xia Hanshi interrupted: “No need for so many words. I’m not Yuan Chenyang. If you can connect with the Translation Department, there are many benefits.”
“However…” Xia Hanshi changed tone: “This assessment, you really gave me a big surprise. It’s been years since I slapped their faces.”
This time, his tone carried reminiscence, “Never expected that under my watch, a core seed would emerge.”
“But this exception has caused a big stir. Those four guys have held their positions for many years. Suddenly, two challengers jumping out—they won’t sit idly by.”
“I understand.” Gu Bing had hinted at it on the way. Su Chen wasn’t surprised and took the chance: “Teacher, though I’m Ink Jade Level mental talent, my physical talent is also Crimson Gold.”
“If I can only choose one between gravity training room and Spiritual Realm Instrument…”
“Hmm…” Xia Hanshi thought, then said: “I’ll handle it for you. Also, the number of professions you select—normally, only one.”
“And the potions.” Su Chen pressed while it was hot.
“Potions are trickier…” Xia Hanshi didn’t avoid it, “Selecting profession number and equipping auxiliary training devices are one-time. But potions are monthly rations. I can’t go to them every month, nor can I make the court break rules just for you alone.”
One-time deals could be pushed forcefully, but ongoing supplies were troublesome.
“Then… Gu Bing’s family, what’s their situation?” Su Chen asked thoughtfully.
“Gu Bing’s family?” Xia Hanshi paused, looking at the man beside him, “Teng Liang.”
The silent man immediately said: “The Gu Family runs a mutant flesh and blood business in the city. One hundred twenty years ago, they had a Patrol Department Minister.”
“The best-positioned in the last twenty years was her second uncle, a section chief in the Exploration Department, but he died outside half a year ago. Their business was snatched, and several families are preparing to carve them up.”
“That little girl moves fast. No big problem; she can stand as endorsement.” Xia Hanshi nodded upon hearing this.
“Understood.” Su Chen nodded.
Xia Hanshi cautioned again: “Women are for fun. Don’t invest emotions. The professional path is endless climbing—that’s the road you should take.”
“Uh…” Su Chen was helpless, “Just more familiar with her.”
“As long as you know.” Xia Hanshi didn’t lecture further, waving his hand. Teng Liang then led the mechanical puppets out.
“Sit.” Xia Hanshi pointed to the sofa.
Su Chen’s mind suddenly recalled some rumors he’d heard, feeling uneasy.
Xia Hanshi cut straight to it, “You’ve probably heard that before you, I had three Crimson Gold Level seeds, but they all folded.”
“Just rumors. This student never believed them.” Su Chen wasn’t lying; he truly didn’t believe Xia Hanshi would kill three students.
Xia Hanshi sneered coldly, “Those spreading the rumors are cautious with words—only ‘folded,’ not ‘dead.'”
“Your senior brothers indeed didn’t die. They’re just trapped in one place.”
“Need me to rescue them?” Su Chen asked proactively.
“No…” Xia Hanshi shook his head, eyes flickering.
Unable to gauge Xia Hanshi’s thoughts, Su Chen could only say: “Since they’re my senior brothers, I owe them a debt of incense. If I have the ability, I’d like to try.”
Xia Hanshi gave him a deep look, “I know you’re deep-minded, kid, but don’t misunderstand. I’m telling you this much so you won’t overthink.”
You telling me makes me overthink, Su Chen grumbled inwardly.
Xia Hanshi sensed the atmosphere was off. His intent was to explain and reassure Su Chen.
But saying more would likely make Su Chen think even more, so he simply said: “Don’t think about this before Fourth Order.”
The two tacitly skipped the topic. Xia Hanshi called Teng Liang back, “Take this kid to his place. It should be cleared out.”
“Yes.”
Teng Liang was not talkative, just gestured to Su Chen and led the way out.
“Senior Brother Teng?”
On the way, Su Chen probed the address, unsure if this guy was really Xia Hanshi’s student.
Teng Liang didn’t refute the address, giving a barely perceptible nod.
Seems like a quiet type. Seeing no interest in talking, Su Chen simply stayed silent, following him to a villa.
“This is your place.” Teng Liang pointed, didn’t even say hello, and turned to leave.
Su Chen felt baffled, withdrawing his gaze from the other’s back and walking straight into the villa before him.
“Master…”
As soon as the door opened, a delicate woman like a porcelain doll awaited him, dressed in a maid outfit.
“Tsk…” Su Chen leaned close to her face, but she maintained her signature smile.
“Mechanical puppet…” Su Chen tentatively pinched her cheek. It was very bouncy, similar to skin texture, but no item prompt popped up.
“Not treated as a ranked item because this thing’s composition is too complex?”
Su Chen was quite curious, circling her and inspecting up and down. He’d never seen such a thing in his previous life.
“What’s your name?” Su Chen asked, “What can you do?”
“Master can call me Zero.” Her voice was soft, eyes lively,
“I can clean for Master, cook, do laundry, help dress, access the Court of Justice public network and Master’s private network, assist with miscellaneous tasks, or relieve Master’s stress.”
Relieve stress? Impressive…
“Introduce the rooms to me first.” Su Chen ordered.
“Yes, Master.” Zero immediately began, from living room, bedroom, bathroom, toilet, kitchen—extremely detailed.
“…This is the spot for the gravity chamber installation. Since Master hasn’t decided yet, it’s empty.”
Su Chen looked at the empty basement, with the potion storage room right beside it.
Zero opened the storage room, a chill spreading, “Maintained at constant eight degrees… optimal temperature for potion preservation.”
Su Chen approached and saw both sides’ potion display cabinets filled with a potion like ink oil.
“This is ‘Black Water’, made from ink lion glands, for second order latter half physical professionals. This is second order high-compression nutrient solution. This is…”
“Glazed Blood…” Su Chen stared at the fifteen tubes of pink potion below, eyes gleaming.
“This is a specialty from South Wind City, your hometown. It has special auxiliary effects for profession development at third order and below.” Zero introduced: “Ordinary Inner Court members get three portions monthly, Inner Court Seeds five, core seeds fifteen.”
“Tsk…” Su Chen picked up a tube and shook it slightly. The liquid in the glass tube rippled, gorgeously beautiful under the light. He grinned: “Core seeds are indeed different.”
Su Chen was in a great mood. Even without the gravity room or Spiritual Realm Instrument installed, he was ready for some intense training.
But before he could start, the door dinged.
Su Chen instinctively looked to the door. So late.
“Big Brother Su Chen…”
Opening the door, Pang Xingwen’s face was full of smiles as he warmly called, “Last time at the banquet, we two didn’t chat properly.”
He continued on his own, “I know there might be some misunderstanding between us, but to be honest with you, some things were beyond my control.”
Su Chen was expressionless, while he lowered his voice: “It was that Chu Xuan. He’s narrow-minded and very dissatisfied with your refusal of his recruitment.”
Pang Xingwen had no qualms framing Chu Xuan. Anyway, Su Chen couldn’t confront Chu Xuan, and even if he did, he might not believe it.
Shameless talker—Master says step and you step. Stared at me viciously in the daytime, comes to apologize at night.
Changes faces fast enough, Su Chen mused inwardly.
After talking a bunch, Pang Xingwen secretly observed Su Chen’s face and saw no reaction, inwardly annoyed.
“Big Brother Su Chen, it’s like this…” With Su Chen not engaging, he could only steel himself and continue, “My father heard I had some misunderstanding with you and specially set up a banquet at home, inviting you tomorrow evening.”
“My father will personally apologize to you.”
His dad naturally hadn’t said to apologize personally, but as long as he could get Su Chen there, his task was done.
“Your dad?” Su Chen finally spoke.
“That is, the Deputy Inspector Minister…” Pang Xingwen explained, emphasizing heavily.
Su Chen’s eyes shifted slightly. This guy comes to apologize empty-handed and invites me to his home.
Wouldn’t be a trap, would it?
