Chapter 115: Security Department’s Recruitment
Sang Hanhai hesitated for a moment and asked, “Can you confirm whether it’s resonating with the Holy Word Stone itself or the text on it?”
Why is it this question again… Su Chen was stunned, secretly raising his vigilance. What was Sang Hanhai guessing at?
He showed a puzzled expression. “Isn’t it the Holy Word Stone? If it were the text, why would it resonate with two Holy Word Stones in a row?”
“No…” Sang Hanhai shook his head. “Actually, within our Translation Department in recent years, there’s been another speculation.”
“The symbols engraved on the Holy Word Stone should be Divine Language, but our abilities are insufficient to understand them, so we can only parse them using the underlying language.”
Su Chen blinked, involuntarily speechless. Can’t you all have a clear statement internally? Could it be that the lie I made up still needs to keep up with the times?
He also knew this wasn’t the Translation Department’s fault. They were groping in the dark on many things, and overturning old theories was common.
“So what do you mean…” He didn’t know how to respond, so he simply threw the question back.
“Is it possible that you can actually understand Divine Language, but only in some specific state?” Sang Hanhai probed.
Su Chen’s heart skipped a beat. Sang Hanhai’s inference was almost close to the truth, but the one who could understand Divine Language wasn’t him.
Hmm… In that case, the panel records Divine Language, parsing it at its essence. No wonder those symbols could be recorded into a profession with just a glance, no matter how they changed.
“What does this mean?” Su Chen threw the question back again.
“I don’t know either…” Sang Hanhai shook his head.
Su Chen: “……”
“I’m not teasing you.” Sang Hanhai saw Su Chen’s speechlessness and explained, “No one knows what this means. It might represent that you have some trait of a deity, perhaps an Innate Deity or something like a Divine Child.”
“Innate Deity… Divine Child…” Su Chen felt it was getting further and further from the truth, truly living up to that classic old saying—
One lie requires countless lies to cover it.
Seeing Su Chen becoming more and more confused, Sang Hanhai didn’t continue. Instilling the concept of Divine Language into him preliminarily was enough.
Since he’s so interested in the Holy Word Stone, he’ll definitely ponder it when he gets back.
Su Chen showed a thoughtful expression but suddenly asked, “Elder Sang, do you know the limit of professional ranks?”
What he really wanted to ask was about Morning Star Tier, but he hadn’t found anyone to ask. His relationship with Sang Hanhai had grown closer during this time.
Mentioning Divine Language this time also brought their relationship a step closer, so Su Chen brought it up.
“Professional rank limit…” Sang Hanhai looked at him in surprise, but it wasn’t strange for a young man to be curious about this. He pondered and said:
“…The strongest in Ying Feng is your first-generation Chief Judge, an Eighth Order professional. One more step forward for him would be Morning Star Tier. As for higher, I don’t know.”
Su Chen’s heart jumped. Sang Hanhai indeed knew. He couldn’t help but say, “Is Morning Star Tier the Ninth Order?”
“According to some information we’ve unearthed, it should be. Morning Star… the star of the universe’s birth, also a nickname for Ninth Order.” Sang Hanhai nodded. This information wasn’t much of a secret; it just hadn’t been widely promoted.
“Do we have any Morning Star Tier professions under our control?” He asked further.
“Where do you get all these questions from, kid?” Sang Hanhai’s eyes flickered slightly, not answering directly.
Su Chen was thoughtful. Sang Hanhai returned to the previous topic. “When the other Holy Word Stone arrives, I’ll notify you. After I decipher this Holy Word Stone, I still need to translate some information.”
This was chasing him out. Su Chen tactfully said, “You’ve worked hard.”
Sang Hanhai saw him to the laboratory door and watched him go downstairs.
“Morning Star Tier is Ninth Order, the star of the universe’s birth…” He couldn’t help thinking that compared to the vastness of the universe, even a newborn star was as insignificant as dust.
“And Divine Language…”
This time, he heard quite a few secrets from Sang Hanhai. Su Chen’s thoughts diverged. The Translation Department’s speculation had a high probability of being the truth.
Since it’s Divine Language, who is the writer? It couldn’t be those Ghost Gods, could it?
“Perhaps… it’s just the language of some higher civilization. Divine Language is merely the name.” Su Chen shook his head inwardly. He couldn’t get trapped in the “Divine Language” trap.
Darkness fell before him as a shadow enveloped him. Su Chen didn’t even twitch his eyelids before sidestepping to let the other pass.
“Su Chen…”
But the other stood still and even called his name.
Su Chen looked up, his expression slightly stern. It was a middle-aged man with deep tear troughs beside his nose wings and deep pupils.
He recognized this guy—one of the Deputy Ministers of Inspection Department, Cheng Lang.
His heart sank instinctively. The Court of Justice was currently at odds with the Inspection Department, and running into one of their higher-ups now was not good.
“What a coincidence, Minister Cheng is here on business too. Please.”
Su Chen didn’t want to talk much with him and shifted to the side again, expressing his attitude.
“No, I’m here for you.” Cheng Lang stared straight at him.
Su Chen gathered his spirits, straightened his back, and composed his expression. Core Seed benefits were equivalent to director level, and Court of Justice directors were equivalent to deputy ministers.
In other words, he could theoretically speak on equal terms with the other. Since the other was being direct, he couldn’t lose face.
“What do you want with me?” Su Chen’s voice became flat.
A strange glint flashed in Cheng Lang’s eyes. “As expected of the Court of Justice’s core seed.”
“Minister Cheng’s flattery isn’t very clever.” Su Chen shook his head. “If you have something, just say it.”
Cheng Lang was stunned for a moment, then simply said, “You’ve been in the Court of Justice for over a month now and might not have felt anything, but in reality, every core seed in the past gathered considerable power within less than a month of entering the Court of Justice.”
“Do you know why no factions have approached you?”
“Because I hung up a ‘Do Not Disturb’ at the door?” Su Chen pondered.
Cheng Lang paused. “On one hand, it’s because the other core seeds have already divided up most of the cake. On the other hand, Chong Jingtian’s reform has made your core seed position uncertain, so many people are watching.”
Su Chen certainly knew this reasoning, but he eyed the other suspiciously.
Cheng Lang continued, “The Chief Judge is one of the Elder Council members, commanding the vast Court of Justice. Everyone covets it.”
“But I, as Security Department Director, am also one of the Elder Council members, commanding Ying Feng’s three divisions.”
“You want me to be Security Department Director?” Su Chen’s expression grew even stranger.
“Is that not possible?” Cheng Lang countered.
“It’s possible, sure. When’s the handover?” Su Chen pondered. “I’m afraid my Second Order profession won’t hold the scene.”
Cheng Lang’s face darkened, somewhat annoyed. “Please be serious!”
“You’re the one who started messing with me.” Su Chen sneered.
Cheng Lang adjusted his emotions. “You should want to become Chief Judge more. Of course, we also want you to become Chief Judge.”
“We’re willing to provide you with some help.”
“You?” Su Chen was thoughtful. “Specifically, what help?”
“Top Tier Profession.” Cheng Lang said gravely, “There’s something you might not know. Chu Xuan is currently undergoing job appointment for a Third Order Top Tier Profession, gearing up to get back the humiliation you once gave him.”
“Third Order Top Tier…” Su Chen realized. No wonder he hadn’t heard from Chu Xuan. The kid was brewing something big.
“Once he successfully promotes, he’ll definitely step on you.” Cheng Lang looked at Su Chen. “Do you want to see that day?”
“Top Tier Profession—if I must promote, the Court of Justice should give me that opportunity too.” Su Chen shook his head.
The reason he hadn’t sought the Court of Justice’s Top Tier Professions was that their job appointment requirements were too difficult.
He had a shortcut: upgrading his profession through immersion in Strange God’s Power. Compared to those harsh requirements, finding Mystic Energy Crystals and Thunder Cores was obviously much easier.
“No, we can ensure you become a Top Tier Profession.” Cheng Lang showed a confident expression.
“Oh?” Su Chen was genuinely surprised. Ensuring promotion to Top Tier Profession—even the Court of Justice wouldn’t dare say that, yet a Deputy Inspector Minister could.
“How?” He showed an interested expression.
“Can’t tell you directly.” Cheng Lang shook his head. “If you agree, we’ll do our utmost to cultivate you. Even if you can’t become Chief Judge, there’s still Security Department Director waiting for you.”
“Sounds tempting.” Su Chen narrowed his eyes. “So… what’s the price?”
Cheng Lang was somewhat surprised. He hadn’t expected Su Chen to remain so calm. The other guys had all shown some reaction when hearing this.
“Since we’re being frank, I won’t hide it from you.” Cheng Lang led Su Chen outside the door. “We’re very dissatisfied with Chong Jingtian’s way of doing things. Under his leadership, the Court of Justice has extended its hand into many places it shouldn’t.”
“We only hope that after you become Chief Judge, you can curb this trend.”
Cheng Lang’s tone seemed very sincere. “Ying Feng’s strength shouldn’t be used only on internal strife.”
It sounded reasonable. Su Chen still showed no reaction.
Cheng Lang kept upping the ante. “The combined strength of our three divisions, even if inferior to the entire Court of Justice, is still unimaginable in Ying Feng City.”
Su Chen’s eyes shifted. He thought of the three Mystic Energy Crystals he lacked, and the Thunder Core.
After stating his conditions, Cheng Lang wasn’t urgent. “You don’t have to agree now. You can go back and think it over carefully.”
Benefits, future prospects, even a fallback route laid out, and even an excuse to ease the psychological burden of betraying insiders—all prepared for him, all for Ying Feng after all.
Su Chen seemed somewhat hesitant. “Why me?”
“Because your background is the cleanest, and your mind the most resolute.” Cheng Lang said solemnly. “With our help, the chances of becoming Chief Judge are very high.”
“Su Chen?” Unbeknownst to them, Sang Hanhai had come down and was shouting from the laboratory door.
“Professor Sang…” Cheng Lang turned around, going along with it. “The minister sent me to get the translation materials on the ‘high-heat energy core’.”
Sang Hanhai eyed Cheng Lang suspiciously, while Su Chen waved and walked away. He said flatly, “Not ready yet. Take the translated parts first.”
Out of the Translation Department gate, Su Chen boarded the hover car and looked out the window. “The Court of Justice’s reform has also given the Security Department an opportunity.”
As for his thoughts…
………
“Cheng Lang really said that to you?”
Behind the hovering grayish alloy office desk, Chong Jingtian turned off the virtual screen and looked at Su Chen, who seemed slightly restrained.
“Word for word.” Su Chen said solemnly.
“Specially blocking you at the Translation Department—it’s not Court of Justice territory, and we have no manpower there. Indeed a good place to talk.” Chong Jingtian nodded, his eyes subtly appraising.
This was his second time seeing Su Chen. His previous understanding was mostly from paper.
“What are your thoughts?” Chong Jingtian suddenly asked.
“I’m a Court of Justice man. I absolutely won’t betray.” Su Chen said gravely.
“Court of Justice, Security Department Three Divisions—all are Ying Feng people.” Chong Jingtian waved it off. “It doesn’t count as betrayal.”
Su Chen was speechless inwardly, unsure if Chong Jingtian really thought that or was pretending.
“Actually, it’s not impossible to contact them.” Chong Jingtian continued. “The resources the Court of Justice can provide you are ultimately limited. Contacting other Ying Feng factions has benefits.”
“Benefits…” Su Chen’s eyes flickered slightly, understanding Chong Jingtian’s intent. This was to make him a double agent.
This was also his plan: eat the sugar coating, throw back the cannonball.
But he didn’t think he could go toe-to-toe with Security Department Three Divisions, so he reported it to Chong Jingtian. With his endorsement, there’d be someone to back him if things went wrong.
“I understand.” Su Chen nodded.
Chong Jingtian looked at the overly young face before him and suddenly thought of his younger self, involuntarily asking, “Why could you hold back?”
“Third Order Top Tier Profession—they guarantee your success. Don’t you even want to try?”
Chong Jingtian knew the three divisions’ thinking: use the core seed’s uncertainty to throw out benefits first and hook Su Chen.
Then let him sink deeper until he couldn’t extricate himself.
But he couldn’t guess Su Chen’s thoughts. Cheng Lang had just talked to him, and moments later Su Chen was in his office, spilling everything.
Even if he didn’t trust Cheng Lang or the three divisions, facing a Top Tier Profession, the Chief Judge position, and Security Department Director as a fallback—didn’t he have even a little idea?
The other wasn’t asking him to do anything immediately, yet Su Chen didn’t even have the thought to try.
This young man—had he guessed he’d be asked to be a double agent, or was he truly loyal to the Court of Justice? Chong Jingtian couldn’t tell.
Su Chen was stunned, not expecting the Chief Judge to ask such a direct question.
“I still want to advance step by step.” He gave an answer that wasn’t really an answer.
Mainly because the price Cheng Lang offered held no attraction for him. Did he even need their guarantee for Third Order Top Tier Profession promotion?
“No wonder…” Chong Jingtian didn’t know what he was sighing about, waving him off. “Go. See how many benefits you can wring from them yourself, but don’t touch that Top Tier Profession. I roughly know what’s up with it; there’ll be hidden dangers.”
“Got it.” Su Chen stood to leave, but heard Chong Jingtian say, “You said they only approached you?”
A sharp glint flashed in Su Chen’s eyes. He shook his head. “Don’t know.”
“I hope there are still others who, like you, walk into my office.” Chong Jingtian said with some expectation.
Your reforms have thoroughly hurt their hearts. Who knows how they’re cursing you. And you still hope for frankness?
Su Chen muttered inwardly, walking out of the office. He didn’t know how many people Cheng Lang or the three divisions had approached.
But he wasn’t naive enough to think he was their only choice. Cleanest background, most resolute mind—mere excuses.
“So many people watching me. Better promote to Third Order soon.”
