Chapter 101: The Assessment Begins
“Are you going to take the assessment too?”
Crackling sounds came from the bathroom, mixed with Su Chen’s voice.
“Of course I can’t participate…” Du Yu denied, “But it’s not like I can’t watch the excitement. The Court of Justice assessment is the largest and most eye-catching among all Ying Feng’s institutions.”
“Because it involves many lower tier cities, the entire assessment process is open to the public to show fairness and justice, and of course, it’s also the time for the Court of Justice to show its heritage.”
After waiting for a moment, Su Chen finished washing up and changed clothes. “Since you’re both here, let’s go.”
It was still nightfall, and the hover car they were riding was still waiting outside. The three got in the car and headed straight to the Court of Justice.
Zhang Hengyu was still adjusting his mentality, breathing rapidly.
Du Yu was an outsider and chatted freely along the way. Su Chen then learned that he had entered the Inspection Department and become an intern inspector guard.
“Brother Su, you will definitely become an inner court seed. We’ll have to rely on you for protection in the future.” Du Yu couldn’t help but say.
The driver in the front couldn’t help but glance at them, seeming somewhat surprised and suspicious.
Su Chen grinned: “Don’t worry, come find me if there’s something. I can’t help with big matters, and small matters probably don’t need help either.”
Du Yu paused, then burst out laughing. Zhang Hengyu seemed to relax a bit too, his gaze gradually becoming determined.
……
When they arrived, it was nearly six o’clock. The artificial sun was completing its transformation from moon to sun, causing the sky to lighten with a fish-belly white.
The Court of Justice headquarters was located in the heart of Ying Feng, covering an extremely vast area. It was never open to the public on weekdays, and only at this time every year would a small portion of the training ground be opened.
“Wow, so many people?”
After following the guidance inside, Du Yu couldn’t help but widen his eyes. The entire training ground was packed with people, the surrounding audience seats nearly full, filled with low buzzing murmurs.
Every five or six meters stood an inspector guard in metal armor. The spliced alloy plates gleamed with cold ghostly light under the spotlights. Each one had a burly build, cold expression, exuding a murderous aura.
These ordinary inspector guards were basically all locals from Ying Feng and did not accept people from external cities.
And the outstanding talents sent from lower tier cities would at least be judges.
Seeing so many people watching, Zhang Hengyu’s breathing quickened again, his palms sweating.
Du Yu looked left and right, finally locking onto a direction: “The seats Sister Yunqing arranged for us are over there. I’ll go first; you two enter the field.”
Su Chen showed his identity and entered the training ground. Quite a few people had already arrived; he even spotted several familiar faces, all from that night in the private room.
“Pang Xingwen, Chu Yunze, Meng Qi are all here… Pretty fast.” Su Chen spotted the small group; they were too conspicuous after all.
Thirty or forty people gathered together, making the few in the center even more prominent.
“That guy has issues.” Su Chen frowned, noticing undisguised anger in Pang Xingwen’s gaze.
He was too lazy to bother, scanning left and right. “Where’s Chu Xuan? Not here yet?”
“Right…” Su Chen looked at Zhang Hengyu. “A few days ago, didn’t that group invite you to the banquet?”
He gestured with his eyes toward Chu Yunze and the others.
“They did invite me, but my sister specifically told me to refuse no matter who invited me.” Zhang Hengyu said, adding: “Only my sister took me to one gathering, hosted by Ming Lin.”
Ming Lin? Su Chen immediately understood. He was one of the Court of Justice’s core seeds and, before Chu Xuan appeared, the only Ink Jade Talent possessor.
Zhang Yunqing had probably joined his faction long ago, so her brother was naturally part of that faction too.
“Who is that…?” Zhang Hengyu suddenly turned his head, looking toward the entrance.
Su Chen came back to his senses and saw Chu Yunze and the others heading toward the entrance with great fanfare. Chu Xuan was walking in.
Their group’s commotion was too big, attracting almost everyone’s gaze. The murmurs suddenly grew louder, with discussions everywhere.
Even the members who had already entered for the audit cast their gazes over. Many had heard the rumors, their eyes showing longing.
These were the ones not invited to the banquet—talent not good enough, connections lacking, not even qualified to enter the small circle.
“Holy crap, why is this guy so arrogant?” Du Yu, who had just found his seat and sat down, saw this grand scene.
“That’s Chu Xuan…” Someone nearby said enviously. It was Zhu Mingxu, Nan Feng’s second generation. “Ink Jade Talent, of course he’s arrogant.”
“So it’s him…” Du Yu realized, nodding involuntarily: “He indeed has the capital to be arrogant.”
“I heard he tried to recruit Su Chen before but was rejected.” Another person spoke up.
“How do you know?” Du Yu looked over in surprise.
The other explained: “In the Carving Institute, there’s a member from my year whose brother has Brilliant Silver Talent and was recruited by Chu Yunze. He saw the banquet that night with his own eyes.”
Du Yu shook his head: “He’s Ink Jade, but my Brother Su is Double Crimson Gold. Why does he have to follow him?”
Zhu Mingxu shook his head: “The key is that Chu Xuan’s momentum is already set. All the core forces of this batch have been recruited by him. If Su Chen doesn’t join them, he can only join those elders’ camp. As a junior, it won’t feel good no matter what.”
“If he joins no one, he’ll be excluded by everyone.”
Du Yu frowned and said nothing.
……
“That’s Chu Xuan.” Su Chen answered Zhang Hengyu’s question. “The Ink Jade Talent possessor.”
“So it’s him…” Zhang Hengyu realized upon hearing Su Chen’s words. “Surrounded by stars.”
A hint of envy appeared in Zhang Hengyu’s eyes. Their group wasn’t much different in age—who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by stars?
Chu Xuan’s expression was calm. He even waved his hand, dispersing the people gathered around, his gaze always carrying indifference.
He walked all the way to the center of the field and stood there, his gaze not lingering on anyone, as if he didn’t care about the people in the field at all.
“Is he physical or mental side Ink Jade?” Zhang Hengyu asked curiously with some curiosity. Turning his head, he saw Su Chen looking up at the high platform ahead.
That was the area where the Court of Justice’s top leaders were. It was shrouded in a layer of blurry force field, impossible to see clearly, unlike them exposed in the audience seats.
Wonder if Old Xia is back… Su Chen thought, glancing at his panel.
【Saint】 After, the two big words “Job Appointment” glowed brilliantly. He had completed all requirements two days ago.
“Do you know?” Zhang Hengyu saw Su Chen didn’t respond and pressed.
“Huh? What?” Su Chen came back to his senses.
Zhang Hengyu repeated the question. Su Chen was stunned, then said: “I don’t know either.”
“So secretive?” Zhang Hengyu muttered.
Whether it was secretive or not, Su Chen didn’t know—he just didn’t care about this question and naturally hadn’t inquired specifically.
“Is he a Third Order professional then?” Zhang Hengyu had many questions.
“No… No Third Order here.” Su Chen was certain, guessing: “But he should have developed to the latter half of Second Order.”
As they were talking, a black aircraft arrived, docking into the high platform. A figure stepped down, pausing deliberately before entering the high platform.
“Old Xia is back…” Seeing that figure, Su Chen breathed a sigh of relief. With his backer back, he felt much more at ease.
“Court of Justice assessment is about to begin!”
The cold voice resounded throughout the training ground, so loud that Su Chen was startled.
“Latecomers will be considered automatic forfeiture!”
The gates at the entrance slowly closed. Su Chen watched as one person was stopped by an inspector guard, full of regret and despair.
The sounds in the training ground gradually quieted.
………
On the high platform, as Xia Hanshi walked in, the discussion voices immediately weakened. Various gazes shot over, carrying unspoken meanings.
“Only six came, where are the other three?”
Xia Hanshi said leisurely, finding a seat on his own.
“Old Five, Old Eight, Old Nine haven’t returned yet, and you came back late too.”
The middle-aged man in the main seat spoke flatly, his face flushed red, with a beard on his chin, exuding authority without anger. Most striking was the touch of crimson at his brow center.
Chief Judge–Chong Jingtian!
“Delayed by something on the road.” Xia Hanshi said casually, his gaze falling on the figure standing in the center of the field, tone carrying admiration: “Dominating presence, truly worthy of Ink Jade Talent.”
“Old Four, you’ve taken a good student.”
Fourth Chief Judge Wei Yinshuo had a long thin face like a shoehorn, gloomy expression. “Good luck. I heard Chief Judge Xia also took a good student.”
“Not as good as yours, just Double Crimson Gold.” Xia Hanshi waved it off, deep in thought. “Old Two’s student was taken three years ago, right?”
“Four years ago…” Chong Jingtian corrected.
“Four years to produce this one Ink Jade, truly rare.” Xia Hanshi looked enlightened. “But I heard you’ve been staying in Ying Feng, and Wind Ping City Lord doesn’t seem to be yours either. How did this seedling end up in your hands?”
Wei Yinshuo’s eyelid twitched, coldly saying: “What do you mean?”
Xia Hanshi still looked nonchalant. “No meaning, just asking. People should go out more, always being a turtle hiding in its shell—what’s the point.”
Wei Yinshuo’s face darkened, saying deeply: “Xia Hanshi, on this trip out, do you know how many lower tier city lords submitted protests to Ying Feng?”
“Not even filing a report, directly dismissing Nan Feng’s City Lord, issuing orders to other cities without going through the Court of Justice, then having the sent troops turn back halfway.”
“Those who don’t know might think you run the Court of Justice! The Elder Council has questioned multiple times; the Court of Justice has borne great pressure!”
“Cough cough…” Yuan Poshan, who had been watching the show nearby, couldn’t help but speak up despite some minor conflicts with Xia Hanshi—after all, the successor was his student.
“Ying Feng’s matter was handled specially. Priest and Heituo Statue appeared; it had to be swift and decisive. Understandable, understandable.”
“The Elder Council’s questioning is just for show to the lower tier cities.”
“Old Three got meat this time.” A middle-aged woman nearby spoke, her face looking bad. Zhang Hongbo was her student.
Second Chief Judge–You Shan.
“Second Sister…” Yuan Poshan was somewhat embarrassed.
“Family colluding with the Cult of the Strange God, Zhang Hongbo not dead is already giving you face.” Xia Hanshi didn’t indulge at all. You Shan snorted coldly but said no more.
Xia Hanshi unhurriedly: “As for Old Four, you’re so anxious—could it be guilt? I haven’t even asked about Zhou Xian yet. You didn’t collude with the Cult of the Strange God, right?”
“You…” Wei Yinshuo erupted in fury, standing up abruptly. This was blatant humiliation.
Xia Hanshi smirked, tilting his head to stare at him. “Old Four, wanna spar outside?”
Wei Yinshuo couldn’t help but pause.
“Enough!” Chong Jingtian finally spoke, expression grave: “Nan Feng’s matter is settled; don’t mention it again.”
“Court of Justice assessment is about to begin. Watch.”
Xia Hanshi restrained his expression and said no more.
Wei Yinshuo’s already gloomy face now looked ashen.
But after sitting down, a cold smile appeared at his lips. So what if Xia Hanshi had the upper hand now?
Just wait—his student would reclaim everything!
………
In the training ground below, the many assessment participants stood in place, inspector guards standing around, audience seats silent.
“Finally starting.” Pang Xingwen stretched lazily, looking at Chu Xuan with flattery: “Boss, this is your main stage. Let these country bumpkins see the gap clearly.”
Chu Yunze whispered lowly: “Did Chief Judge Wei give accurate news?”
“The Court of Justice’s core seeds have always been only four, the most outstanding members. Currently, one is Ink Jade Talent, the other three are Crimson Gold Talent, but the longest has been in that position for eight years, deeply rooted.”
“If no exception to add a fifth core seed, with your situation, it might take a long time to get a chance.”
The Chief Judge would only be born from core seeds, and at the same time, the Chief Judge was also a member of the Elder Council, one of Ying Feng’s rulers.
This was why they gathered around Chu Xuan.
“Not yet. Teacher told me he only has fifty percent confidence.” Chu Xuan slightly raised his head, looking at the high platform.
“Fifty percent… enough.” Chu Yunze said softly: “In the upcoming assessment, go all out to create enough shock, shocking everyone.”
“No one in this group can threaten you. You’re the ceiling—pull higher the better, leave no words for the other Chief Judges, especially… Chief Judge Xia.”
Chu Xuan naturally understood, nodding slightly.
Pang Xingwen on the side had a flicker in his eyes, but said: “Hard to say. Isn’t there a Double Crimson Gold over there? He rejected our recruitment so decisively; probably confident.”
Chu Yunze frowned and glanced at him, shaking his head: “His background isn’t good. First Order is upper tier profession, accumulation insufficient.”
Chu Xuan’s expression remained calm, as if no one could catch his eye.
The surrounding inspector guards had entered, making everyone spread out. Su Chen followed the guidance to the frontmost row of the training ground, glancing back—the others were gathered in the distance.
“Divided by talent?” This row had only five people: Chu Xuan, Pang Xingwen, Chu Yunze, Meng Qi, and himself.
Their assessments were the most eye-catching and would start first.
“Talent was roughly measured back in the lower tier cities, so no talent test now. If anyone thinks it’s inaccurate, verify after assessment.” The person in charge stepped forward and announced:
“Now, practical combat assessment.”
Su Chen had a general understanding: the practical combat assessment checked if they had wasted their talent.
Even Ying Feng lacked detailed equipment to detect profession development degree, and professionals could only roughly estimate. Basically, it could only be proven through practical combat.
