Chapter 22: City Patrol Preparations Amid Surging Undercurrents
Ranked weapons are extremely rare. Su Chen had never seen one in the academy yet, let alone a Second Order item.
Azure Iron Locks wrapped around him, sometimes fast and sometimes slow. Compared to a Rope Master, the speed could be faster and more flexible.
But【 Mystic Tool Control】 was more than that. Su Chen extended his arm, and the Azure Iron Cables suddenly burst open, turning into finer metal wires that wrapped around his arm, gradually condensing into a cyan-gold “Arm Guard” covering from his forearm to his palm.
The toughness of a Second Order item already far exceeded ordinary steel. It looked unremarkable, but its defensive power was absolutely impressive.
After playing around for a bit more, Su Chen discovered that he could split the iron chain into about ten iron wires, but it was hard to coordinate them all at once. In combat, he could adjust at most one or two at a time.
“If stretched straight, combined with my own speed, the lethality would probably be impressive…” Many application methods appeared in his mind, but this kind of precise use also consumed mental power quickly.
As for【 Mental Spike】, without a target, it wasn’t easy to test the specific effects.
Successfully appointed as a Mystic Tool Master, with dual Top Tier Professions, improved strength and more methods, Su Chen felt much more at ease in his heart.
Qi Chuan and Jiang He were always like thorns stuck in his heart. These two guys had been eerily quiet recently, but he didn’t think the matter was over.
“Let’s rest first…” Su Chen rubbed his brow. Tomorrow was city patrol, and after just going through the Whispering Trial and various tests, he was quite fatigued.
………
“Idiot, how could I have a son like you, volunteering for city patrol?”
Bang!
Zhou Xian slapped the table in uncontrollable anger, his authoritative face even more ferocious, wishing he could stuff the idiot in front of him back inside.
Zhou Zong’s face looked very bad as he said in a low voice, “Volunteering for city patrol was encouraged by the City Lord…”
“Don’t fool me with that!” Zhou Xian flew into a rage, glaring furiously, “I told you to find a way to pursue Bai Fengxi. Who told you to use schemes and tricks, fighting over affection with a refugee? Very glorious? It only proves your incompetence!”
Zhou Zong’s expression shifted as he said sullenly, “I didn’t expect you to care about your son’s life or death. I thought your eyes were only on the City Lord’s position.”
“Zhang Hengyu knocked me out twice and looted the items on me, and you ignored it because his father is the City Lord?”
“I said, it wasn’t Zhang Hengyu.” Zhou Xian suppressed his anger.
“If not him, who else has the ability and the guts?” Zhou Zong was also resentful, “Could it be that thief? Instead of finding a way to escape, he stole the potions on me?”
“Enough!” Zhou Xian’s face twitched as he suddenly stepped forward. Zhou Zong felt a chill in his heart and retreated a step.
Zhou Xian’s voice softened a bit as he said gravely, “Tomorrow, I’ll see you off. Have Hu Xiang watch over you, and you be careful too.”
“This isn’t my first city patrol.” Zhou Zong didn’t take it seriously: “Besides, powerful professionals passed by a few days ago. What danger could there be nearby?”
“Powerful professionals will deter those cunning guys…” Zhou Xian said coldly: “But those mutated products nearby with insufficient intelligence will only become more violent and dangerous!”
Zhou Zong was stunned, clearly not having thought of this.
“Also, once out of the city, behave yourself. Don’t keep staring at that refugee.” Zhou Xian stared at his idiot son.
“Why?” Zhou Zong didn’t understand.
“Don’t ask why!” Zhou Xian scolded impatiently, “Just listen!”
Zhou Zong was unwilling to leave. Zhou Xian’s expression flickered uncertainly, “Put it on him? It’s indeed a good opportunity, but…”
………
Early this morning, the square at the gate of South Wind Academy was filled with people, with nonstop discussions.
Afraid of any accidents, Su Chen arrived early and looked at the City Patrol Guards in front of him.
The armor covering their bodies was far more extensive than that of Inspector Guards, pitch black and cold, and the weapons slung on their bodies were also more exquisite.
The number was roughly estimated at only fifty or sixty, but the killing aura hit head-on, making people feel oppressed.
Inspection Department, Patrol Department, and Exploration Department were South Wind City’s three major violent institutions.
Inspection Department handled inside the city, Patrol handled daily security.
Exploration Department was the most mysterious, responsible for exploring the most dangerous places outside the city and ruins.
Directly under the City Lord’s leadership, it was said that everyone was an elite professional, with no lack of Second Order, or even Third Order professionals.
“City patrol is starting again… tsk tsk, the City Patrol Guards’ equipment has been updated again?”
“Luck is good this time, powerful professionals just passed by.” Some people were envious.
“It’s not that simple…” A slightly more mature student shook his head, with a hint of sorrow in his eyes.
City patrol rarely had casualties because various requirements were reduced. Regular patrols required at least 5-10KM outside the city, while students only needed about 3KM, so the danger was inherently low.
But there was always the chance of mishaps.
The leader of the City Patrol Guards had a cold, hard face, standing in place like a sculpture.
Soon after, the crowd parted, revealing a familiar face.
“Old Bai?” Su Chen in the crowd was slightly surprised. The arrival was Bai Fengxi, with an indifferent expression and a high-cold demeanor.
“She’s going out of the city too?” Su Chen hadn’t expected it and muttered, “She’s older than me.”
City patrols were in batches every three months. He was supposed to be in the next batch but was advanced to this one.
People arrived one after another, both men and women. Su Chen didn’t know most of them, and most had fear and anxiety on their faces.
Soon, people familiar with each other started communicating, instinctively forming small groups. Some tried to talk to Bai Fengxi but got no response.
“Su Chen?” Bai Fengxi spotted Su Chen who had sneaked in quietly and was equally surprised.
Seeing the aloof girl Bai Fengxi take the initiative to talk to someone, many turned their gazes to Su Chen.
Though quite handsome, he wasn’t one of the famous figures in school.
“Him? Isn’t this Teacher Jiang He’s pretty boy?”
“The real person seems a bit handsomer than in the recording…”
Some recognized him and discussed in low voices.
Su Chen was speechless, unsure if it was an illusion, but the City Patrol Guard leader seemed to glance at him too.
Was Jiang He’s influence that great?
“Excuse me…” Someone else came in, instantly attracting more attention.
Though the weather wasn’t hot, this girl was dressed quite revealingly. Her specially modified clothes outlined her voluptuous curves, and everyone’s gazes rose and fell with her movements.
Su Chen glanced twice, admiring her exceptional talent.
“Ah, Sister Bai…” She looked delighted and trotted over to Bai Fengxi.
Su Chen clearly saw the girl’s eyes sweep over him without any intention of saying hello, leaning close to Bai Fengxi.
“Tch…” Su Chen stepped aside, putting a bit more distance between them.
“Ah, Brother Zhou…” The girl with exceptional talent called out again, raising her hand and waving.
“This guy is here too?” Su Chen saw Zhou Zong walking out from the crowd and was even more surprised.
“Zhou Zong? Why is he here too? I remember a year ago, he already went out once, in the same batch as me.” Someone in the crowd discussed, and Su Chen’s eyes flickered.
Zhou Zong hesitated in his steps but still walked toward Bai Fengxi. Last time, her two “get lost” had left him with a shadow.
“Time’s up, roll call!”
Suddenly, the City Patrol Guard leader shouted, his gaze sharp, suppressing all voices. He took out the list and quickly finished counting. No one dared ignore it; all were present, with the total number similar to the City Patrol Guards.
Everyone carried bags with tents, food, and the like.
“Depart.” He was concise, forming up the formation with City Patrol Guards front and back, sandwiching them in the middle.
“Wait…”
However, before leaving the city, they were stopped by Inspector Guards at the gate, “Routine inspection.”
Hu Xiang stared at the guy in front of him, brows furrowed, “Check what?”
“No comment.” The other was expressionless.
“We’re ordered to go out for patrol.”
“We’re ordered to check everyone leaving the academy.”
“Ding Quezi, we just came in and stayed in the square under your nose. Still need to check? Do you mean your eyes are blind? Or are you targeting me!?” Hu Xiang knew the other and spoke unkindly.
The City Patrol Guards behind stepped forward in unison.
Ding Quezi nodded seriously, “Need to check.”
For a moment, the atmosphere was tense, and some spectators among the students gathered.
Where there are people, there are rivalries. There was a hierarchy of contempt among the three major violent institutions, and the Inspection Department responsible for city security was undoubtedly at the bottom.
“Captain Ding!”
A thick voice came from behind—it was a middle-aged man who had appeared at some point.
“Vice Principal Zhou?” Ding Quezi looked at the arrival.
“City patrol is routine business. Don’t delay it.” Zhou Xian said in a low voice.
“But Minister Yuan said…” Ding Quezi hesitated.
“Traces were found over there. Minister Yuan is investigating and can’t come. I came because I’m afraid of friction between you…” Zhou Xian pondered: “How about this—don’t check the City Patrol Guards. In public with so many eyes watching, there shouldn’t be issues.”
“Just check those students. Don’t take too long; confirm they’re not disguised.”
Ding Quezi’s expression shifted, then he looked helplessly at the cold-faced Hu Xiang and nodded.
This time, Hu Xiang didn’t stop them. The Inspector Guards checked one by one, then opened the temporary transparent shield covering the entire academy and let them pass.
“Captain Hu, leaving it to you this time.” Outside the academy, Zhou Xian chatted intimately with Hu Xiang.
Among the students, everyone’s gazes frequently swept over Zhou Zong.
Zhou Zong savored the envy, jealousy, and hate in those looks, glanced at the silent Su Chen, and sneered inwardly.
