Chapter 80: Downsides? Upsides?
Xia Hanshi’s smile looked eerie.
Su Chen pursed his lips.
Seeing his reluctant expression, Xia Hanshi’s voice turned cold: “Did Yang Yan and Gu Bing, those two little brats, say something to you?”
“I heard some things.” Su Chen didn’t say who told him.
“Saying I’m notorious, bloodthirsty and tyrannical, that I ruin good seedlings, right?” Xia Hanshi said nonchalantly.
“I believe there must be a reason for it.” Su Chen said, “Although it’s our first meeting, I can still see the uprightness engraved in your bones.”
“Uprightness?” Xia Hanshi was slightly stunned, looking at Su Chen with interest, and then meaningfully: “Those with authority are all rulers. After I leave, Zhang Hongbo will also speak ill of me.”
“As for how many Strange God Followers I’ve killed, no one cares.”
Su Chen was slightly stunned, but then heard Xia Hanshi say: “Do you think I’ll force you to be my student?”
Su Chen’s heart skipped a beat. His understanding of Xia Hanshi all came from Gu Bing, and she had no reason to deceive him.
He was already Yuan Chenyang’s student, and Yuan Chenyang’s teacher was also a Chief Judge.
If he went to Ying Feng, he would similarly have a Chief Judge as backing, so the difference shouldn’t be great. He still hoped for something more stable.
If the other party didn’t force it, that would be best.
As if seeing through Su Chen’s thoughts, Xia Hanshi nodded, “That’s right, you guessed correctly.”
Su Chen: “………”
Su Chen was speechless and silent for a long time, barely managing a smile, but before he could speak, Xia Hanshi interrupted him with a half-smile.
“So afraid of me?”
“Not afraid.” Su Chen denied immediately, “Just inexperienced and shallow, afraid of tarnishing your reputation in the future.”
“I have no reputation.” Xia Hanshi didn’t care, “As long as you don’t get involved with those Strange Gods, even if you desert in some battles, I won’t mind.”
“Your actions truly are unconventional.” Su Chen praised, then helplessly said: “But I already have a teacher.”
“Yuan Chenyang?” Xia Hanshi smiled: “His teacher isn’t just one either. I believe he would agree too.”
“What if he has other opinions?” Su Chen asked cautiously.
Xia Hanshi said matter-of-factly, “A teacher who blocks his student’s better prospects—what’s the point of keeping him?”
Fine… you’ve already made your logic consistent.
Su Chen pondered for a moment, “My Grandteacher is also a Chief Judge. It’s not worth causing conflict between you two for a small pawn like me.”
“Hmm…” Xia Hanshi thought: “There doesn’t seem to be any Chief Judge without conflict with me.”
Too many lice don’t itch.
Su Chen hadn’t felt so speechless for a long time.
“You can’t just look at the downsides…” Xia Hanshi had a good attitude, even smiling to appear kind, but it made him look even creepier.
I don’t even know how many downsides there are yet—how can I look?
Su Chen grew even more helpless.
“Not to mention anything else, becoming my student guarantees Inner Court Seed status.” Xia Hanshi explained: “The Court of Justice is divided into outer and inner courts. The Outer Court is for training grassroots, and you’ll definitely enter the Inner Court.”
“But as Yuan Chenyang’s student entering the Court of Justice, even with Crimson Gold Talent, you’ll start as just an ordinary Inner Court member.”
Xia Hanshi said leisurely: “Talents like you selected from cities under Ying Feng’s command—the Court of Justice receives over a hundred each year. Crimson Gold Talent is rare, but it does appear occasionally.”
“Accumulated over a few years front and back, it’s no small number.”
“Resources aren’t infinite. Talent weighs heavily in the evaluation, but not entirely—disposition, ability, and actual combat strength are also considered.”
At this point, Xia Hanshi’s expression grew even colder, “Of course, connections are extremely important too.”
Then he added: “However, you have connections too. Without surprises, you’ll become an Inner Court Seed within a year, but as my student, you can skip that step directly.”
He continued: “Talent is most efficient when young. Delaying a year might require three years to make up for later.”
Su Chen’s eyes flickered.
“Also, as my student, you can rampage like me.” Xia Hanshi said candidly, “The Court of Justice doesn’t train you for nothing. Sometimes there are missions assigned, and you can directly refuse.”
Su Chen’s expression grew a bit odd.
“Of course, the most important point.” Xia Hanshi’s voice grew even colder, “You and I are both Refugees. No matter how much the information is altered, among the many Chief Judges, only I won’t look at you with tinted glasses.”
Su Chen sighed, straightened up a bit, then slightly bowed and said: “Teacher.”
These so-called benefits weren’t the deciding factors. More crucially, it was Xia Hanshi’s attitude.
He didn’t even glance at Zhang Hongbo and the others, but with him, it was patient guidance. The other party had already said this much.
Refusing further would make him feel like the other would be annoyed. Besides, he didn’t seem like how Gu Bing described.
Old Xia was right—ordinary people’s discussions don’t reach the upper levels, let alone spread to other cities. Only the upper echelons pass it on by word of mouth.
Xia Hanshi nodded, “Good. You’re different from your senior brothers. You’ll have a brighter future than them.”
He took out a silver Metal Disc from his bosom, glanced down at it, saw no reaction, then tucked it back in, and casually asked:
“How did you know the locations of those Strange God Followers? Do you have intelligence?”
Su Chen fell silent again.
Old man, although we’re teacher and student now, don’t you know why we’re teacher and student?
Asking such a sensitive question now?
Seeing him silent, Xia Hanshi didn’t press, and asked instead: “After killing that Heituo Follower before, did you find a Strange Artifact?”
“Strange Artifact?” Su Chen frowned, “What Strange Artifact?”
Xia Hanshi shook his head, “Nothing, maybe it’s fake, used to lure me.”
With that, this Chief Judge confirmed finally: “You have no relation to the Cult of the Strange God, right?”
Su Chen didn’t answer directly, but said: “Last time I saw you, it was because someone framed me. The two Special Envoys from Ying Feng tested me and confirmed I have no connection to the Strange God.”
“As expected, they knew you had Crimson Gold Talent last time.” Xia Hanshi showed a chilling sneer, then said:
“Framed? That City Lord seems to have a grudge against you. Kid, want to taste ‘rampaging’?”
Su Chen thought for a moment and asked: “Could you check if the City Lord sent anyone outside?”
“Yes, I held them back.”
“Third Order?”
“Third Order.”
Hearing this, Su Chen shook his head: “The so-called ‘framing’ also has its reasons. It’s understandable.”
“You’re different from other Refugees, kid.” Xia Hanshi remarked with admiration, “In front of me later, no need to be too restrained.”
Su Chen smiled bitterly to himself, while Xia Hanshi said: “Let’s go, come back with me. Test your talent again. Don’t misunderstand—your teacher likes to see for himself.”
Su Chen naturally had no objection, just secretly wondering: Compared to last time, this time he had the Sage boost, so his talent had changed somewhat.
