Chapter 104: Everyone Knows
As they descended from the high platform, Su Chen and Chu Xuan still stood side by side, both silent, neither speaking nor looking at each other.
Upon returning to the training ground, the two parted ways, while Chu Yunze, who had been waiting for a long time, had people quickly surround them.
Pang Xingwen was the most impatient, asking repeatedly: “How did it go? Did the Chief make an exception? Did you become a core seed?”
Chu Xuan’s expression grew increasingly grim, giving everyone a bad premonition.
He didn’t respond, and Pang Xingwen’s tone became more urgent: “Come on, say something! Are you trying to worry us to death?”
“Did it happen, or not? Or temporarily not, or never in the future? At least give us a straight answer!”
“Shut up!” Chu Yunze could no longer hold back, pushing Pang Xingwen aside and turning to comfort Chu Xuan: “There will be opportunities in the future. You have Ink Jade Talent; someday, you’ll get the corresponding treatment.”
“It must be because of that Su Chen, making it difficult for the Chief to make an exception.” Pang Xingwen came over again. Having gotten accurate news, he wasn’t as anxious anymore and didn’t show disappointment.
“The Chief has agreed to make an exception.” Chu Xuan finally spoke, startling even himself—his voice was hoarse and gloomy.
“Agreed!?” Pang Xingwen was thrilled. “Old Chu, you were right. The assessment is just a momentary gain or loss; the Chief sees farther ahead.”
The others also breathed a sigh of relief.
Chu Yunze hesitated. “What about Su Chen?”
Judging from Chu Xuan’s attitude, something must have happened on the high platform, making even becoming a core seed unable to make him happy.
“He’s also a core.” Chu Xuan coldly pushed through the crowd and walked to the side, seemingly unwilling to speak further.
“What?” Pang Xingwen froze. “He also became a core?”
Chu Yunze wasn’t too surprised. “Su Chen performed extremely well. Either both get the exception, or neither does. I thought it would be the latter; I didn’t expect the Chief to have such boldness.”
“Hmph…” Pang Xingwen couldn’t help but snort coldly: “He’s really lucky. If not for Chu Xuan in this batch, even with his forced binding, no matter how good his performance, he couldn’t have become a core seed.”
Everyone exchanged glances. Although they had achieved their set goal, it didn’t feel as exciting as expected.
……
Su Chen found Zhang Hengyu, whose assessment had already ended. He was panting heavily, sitting on the ground.
He had also chosen the attack assessment. The assessment judge had just turned to leave, his muscular upper body showing no trace at all.
Seeing Su Chen arrive, he couldn’t help but show a wry smile. “Sigh, it’s really tough. I was just a little short, or I’d have to go to the outer court. Luckily, I trained with you for two months before; otherwise, it really would’ve been hard to say.”
“Before my father came, he told me it was basically a sure thing. I didn’t expect the difficulty to increase so much.”
Of course, he could even more vividly feel Su Chen’s terror. Even giving his all, he had only squeezed into the inner court as an ordinary member.
While Su Chen had effortlessly become an inner court seed.
Su Chen looked around. The basic assessments hadn’t ended yet. On the temporary small arenas set up in the training ground, some were exerting all their strength to attack the mountain-like assessment judges.
Others stood in place being attacked, while some dodged left and right in a small space, trying not to be caught.
The assessments for some special professions were even more varied. Su Chen saw a guy whose body was nearly transparent, with someone timing him nearby.
Among those who had already come down from the small arenas, some were radiant with joy, while others looked dejected.
Inner court quotas are limited; not everyone can enter the inner court. Some with Brilliant Silver Talent, because they didn’t work hard before, could only go to the outer court.
While some with Bronze Talent squeezed into the inner court through their own efforts in improving their profession development degree.
These ordinary assessments offer three chances, and some people try one after another.
“Ah, I’m not reconciled!”
Someone roared, spitting blood, seemingly having used some stimulating method, but it had no effect. The assessment judge opposite stood unmoving, forcing him to retreat in embarrassment.
Old Bai didn’t participate in this kind of assessment; her situation was special, directly making her an inner court seed.
“My sister is here.” Zhang Hengyu stood up and walked toward the field edge.
Du Yu and other acquaintances gathered together, standing outside the field waiting. Seeing Su Chen approach, they immediately burst into enthusiastic cheers.
“Ink Jade, that’s Ink Jade stuff!” Du Yu clenched his fists. His words were bold, but his voice was small. “That guy was so pretentious when he entered; I thought he was something special.”
Zhang Yunqing wore the judge uniform, her hair tied back, looking valiant and spirited, gazing at Su Chen with a complex expression.
She had naturally seen Su Chen’s display of might; the shock at that time was beyond words.
She reckoned that she herself was no longer a match for Su Chen now, feeling a bit numb inside.
“Su Chen…” she called out. “Ming Lin wants to meet you.”
“That Ink Jade Level core seed?” Su Chen looked over involuntarily; he knew of this guy.
As fellow students of the second judge Zhang Hongbo, Zhang Yunqing and her brother naturally fell into the other side’s camp.
“He thinks highly of you…” Zhang Yunqing said, but before she finished, she saw Su Chen shake his head.
“It’s not about following him…” she hurriedly explained. “In the Court of Justice, forces are intricate and complex. Even if you want to stay neutral, others may not let you.”
“For example, today, you probably offended Chu Xuan.”
“I know.” Su Chen shook his head, not explaining further. “We’ll talk later.”
Zhang Yunqing was puzzled and wanted to say more, but seeing Su Chen silent, perhaps due to psychological effect or other reasons, she actually sensed an indescribable majesty from him.
The words she originally wanted to say were swallowed back.
Until the last person finished the assessment, Su Chen and Zhang Hengyu returned to the field.
Everyone gradually stood in place, with Su Chen, Chu Xuan, and others still at the forefront.
The person in charge looked down at the virtual screen, moving the microphone from his ear to his mouth.
“I announce that the Court of Justice assessment has ended!”
“A total of 316 members participated in this assessment: 112 entering the outer court, 15 ordinary inner court members, 8 inner court seeds…”
As he announced, many in the field began to sob.
“There are actually over three hundred people…” Su Chen couldn’t help thinking. “Ying Feng’s lower tier city has only 125 in total, one quota per city, adding up to 125 people. Even with exceptions, the total couldn’t exceed 150.”
“That means the rest are all locals from Ying Feng. No wonder everyone wants to come to Ying Feng.”
At this point, the person in charge paused, his expression subtly changing as he looked down at the virtual screen. His throat moved, before he loudly announced:
“Additionally, Chu Xuan, with Ink Jade Talent and outstanding performance in the assessment, may exceptionally become a core seed!”
Through the speakers around the training ground, everyone heard clearly.
Chu Yunze and others had already gotten the news and weren’t surprised, while noisy voices came from behind, with some showing discontent.
“How can he exceptionally become a core seed? Didn’t Su Chen perform no worse than him?”
“Exactly… Why? If talent alone gets you in, what’s the point of the assessment?”
Some had already spoken up. No one wasn’t jealous of Chu Xuan, but no one dared confront him directly. Yet, using the chance to speak for Su Chen to attack Chu Xuan took great courage.
“Quiet! Not finished announcing yet!”
Amid the discussions, the person in charge spoke again.
Everyone froze, inevitably surprised—it wasn’t over yet?
The person in charge paused, then continued: “Su Chen, with Ink Jade Talent, tenacious disposition, and astonishing performance in the assessment, may become a core seed!”
Silence!
The originally noisy training ground suddenly fell silent, with gazes converging from all directions.
“Tenacious disposition, astonishing performance…” Chu Xuan chewed on these words, which hadn’t appeared in his own evaluation.
Don’t underestimate these evaluations; they represent the attitude of the Court of Justice leadership.
He’s also Ink Jade!?
Chu Yunze’s expression changed several times, his gaze falling on Su Chen, lost in thought.
Pang Xingwen was like a rooster with its throat stuck, mouth opening dryly but unable to speak.
They knew Su Chen had become a core seed, thinking it was due to binding with Chu Xuan for the exception. Unexpectedly, Su Chen himself also had Ink Jade Level Talent.
This meant that whether in strength or talent, Su Chen crushed Chu Xuan!
The emotions of the crowd behind became complex. The person they had been indignant for had suddenly received the treatment he deserved, yet they weren’t excited—instead, they felt extremely sour.
“How? Another Ink Jade popped up?”
“Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit!” Du Yu shouted, grabbing Zhu Mingxu’s collar nearby and not letting go. “Core seed! Old Su is also a core seed!”
“Ink Jade, Ink Jade! Do you know what color that is? I’ve never even seen it!”
“No wonder…” Zhang Yunqing’s gaze was dazed; she now understood why Su Chen had her wait.
The cost of pulling in an inner court seed naturally differed from that of a core seed.
But back in Nan Feng, wasn’t he Crimson Gold?
“Assessment complete. All members entering the Court of Justice, please come forward to report.”
The person in charge’s face was also faintly flushed. He knew the waves caused by the last two sentences he announced today.
………
Since the Court of Justice was founded, the core seed quota has been fixed at four, never changing.
But today, one exception added two more.
As Ying Feng’s colossal entity, the Court of Justice assessment was already highly watched, and with advanced communications, news spread extremely fast. Shortly after ending, it shocked most of Ying Feng.
Large and small institutions and forces in Ying Feng were in uproar, discussing fervently.
Core seeds are the highest-status batch in the Court of Justice.
Above them is only the Chief Judge; ordinary judges can only gather around them to place bets.
Some chief judges even personally step in to bet.
“Goodness, two Ink Jades, and one who blasted a fully developed Stone Guard flying—this batch of newcomers is a bit freakishly strong.”
“Counting carefully, all three Ink Jade Talents come from lower tier cities. What’s going on? Where are Ying Feng’s talents?”
………
After the assessment ended, most people left. Outer court members can’t reside in the Court of Justice and had to return home.
Inner court members have dedicated residences and can move in today.
“Not holding a celebration banquet? We still want to celebrate for you.” Du Yu and others surrounded Su Chen, with Zhu Mingxu and company a bit farther, not as familiar with Su Chen as Du Yu but still harboring expectations.
This group had all confirmed staying in Ying Feng. Building good relations with the Court of Justice’s core seeds promised obvious future benefits.
Meanwhile, several judges in the distance stared at them unkindly. Some outer court personnel had already left, yet this group hadn’t.
They wanted to drive them away but, seeing Su Chen in the center, decided to turn a blind eye.
Before Su Chen could respond, he heard someone call, “Su Chen…”
It was Gu Bing, her eyes filled with indescribable astonishment as she walked up. “Old Xia asked me to notify you; he’s waiting for you in the Court of Justice.”
“Sorry, everyone.” Su Chen shrugged. Du Yu didn’t mind—he was close to Su Chen and had contact info—while the others were visibly disappointed.
“Please bring some clothes from the hotel and check out the room; I won’t be going back.” Su Chen handed the room card to Du Yu to handle it.
“No problem.” Du Yu patted his chest in assurance, then left with the others.
“Let’s go.” Su Chen followed Gu Bing, with Zhang Hengyu and Zhang Yunqing trailing behind.
“Su Chen…” Suddenly, someone approached—an ordinary inner court member who hadn’t left, with a buzz cut, seemingly having struggled in the recent audit. “Mind exchanging contact info?”
“Sure.” Su Chen thought for a moment. He hadn’t seen this person at Chu Xuan’s banquet that night, so he exchanged contact info with him.
“Du Ruoyu.” He gave his name, appearing very sincere. “If you need help in the future, just let me know.”
Those watching from afar also came over one after another. Some were adept at networking, chatting and laughing as they exchanged contacts with Su Chen.
Others were quite hesitant, hemming and hawing, embarrassed to offer flattery.
No matter the attitude of the approachers, Su Chen always wore a spring-like warm smile, handling them for a full ten-plus minutes.
Gu Bing stood by, not urging him.
Zhang Yunqing’s thoughts were even more complex; these inner court entrants would all achieve no less than her in the future.
“If we wait longer, more people will come knocking.” Seeing Su Chen nearly done networking, Gu Bing stepped forward with a smile, explaining:
“Around every core seed gathers a considerable force.”
“They invest in the next Chief Judge for future interests, and core seeds need them for errands and resource exchanges.”
Many small matters can’t be handled personally by core seeds, wasting energy and time.
The group left the training ground, heading deeper into the Court of Justice. Gu Bing explained carefully: “The pattern of the four core seeds has been balanced for years; everyone must pick a side.”
“Chu Xuan recruited before the assessment to catch that group off guard.”
Gu Bing’s words clearly carried regret. “But Old Xia doesn’t know what he was thinking, having you hide your talent like this, missing the opportunity.”
“And that Yuan Chenyang took a big loss but stays silent.”
Hide his talent?
Gu Bing thinks I was originally Ink Jade but hidden by Xia Hanshi, Su Chen mused inwardly.
Last time Xia Hanshi brought him for talent testing, Gu Bing was present; now she probably thinks Old Xia used some method to conceal the specific talent.
