Chapter 48: The Oriole Lurks Behind
“Teacher, your heroic figure in the verbal battle with the crowd is truly admirable.” Su Chen walked in and praised.
“Alright, stop flattering.” Yuan Chenyang waved his hand, but the expression on his face eased considerably: “You finally decided to come out today.”
“Come to check on Teacher.” Su Chen pretended to be curious and asked: “How did you cause such a big commotion? Because of that Strange Artifact?”
Yuan Chenyang rubbed his temples, “Why ask about this?”
Su Chen sighed: “It feels like it’s because of some of my small actions that triggered a chain reaction, making you surrounded by enemies on all sides.”
He was referring to draining the Strange Artifact dry, while Yuan Chenyang thought it was discovering the Strange Artifact’s empty shell.
“It’s not your business, don’t put pressure on yourself.” Yuan Chenyang glanced at him, his gaze becoming even softer, and emphasized:
“I don’t have much time left; I’ll soon rotate to guard the Ruins. I was going to conduct a high-profile Investigation anyway. If not for the Strange Artifact you discovered, today’s hurdle probably wouldn’t have been so easy to pass.”
“I see…” Su Chen breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn’t explain swallowing the Strange Artifact, and if he really led Yuan Chenyang into a pit, he’d feel quite guilty.
Yuan Chenyang seemed afraid that Su Chen would feel pressured and quickly added: “Moreover, discovering a Strange Artifact is Merit no matter where it is!”
“You didn’t discover it this time, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Exposing it early is even better!”
“That’s true…” Su Chen thought for a moment, then changed the subject shyly: “Since it’s Merit…”
“I knew it.” Yuan Chenyang chuckled wryly, “I’ve been holding back the news about Qi Chuan and not announcing it publicly. That Merit is quite troublesome and hard to reward, with Cult of the Strange God followers still lurking in the shadows.”
“How about this: I’ll personally give you ten more Black Flame Potions and Spirit Enhancing Potions.”
Su Chen had no opinion; rewards were fine, but Benefits were tangible.
“Can the Spirit Enhancing Potion be exchanged for something better?” Su Chen rubbed his hands.
“You…” Surprise appeared in Yuan Chenyang’s eyes, “As expected of Crimson Gold Talent. Our Inspection Department doesn’t have better stock, but I’ll think of a way for you.”
Su Chen felt he was being a bit excessive and cautiously asked: “That…【Glazed Blood】, do you have any more?”
“Addicted to drinking it?” Yuan Chenyang asked kindly.
Seeing Su Chen nod, he said grumpily: “I don’t have much quota for that stuff in a year, and you’re only First Order— you really dare to use it.”
“It won’t produce offspring just sitting in your hand.” Su Chen retorted.
“None left, none left.” Yuan Chenyang waved repeatedly. Seeing Su Chen still standing there, he caught on: “Something else?”
“The Special Profession I mentioned to you before…” Su Chen reminded.
“Didn’t I give you the【Engineering Apprentice】?” Yuan Chenyang put the Strange Artifact on the table back into the drawer.
“I meant something like the【Scholar】.” Su Chen said.
“Don’t bite off more than you can chew…” Yuan Chenyang leaned back, touching his bald head, and shook his head: “When I was young like you, I was curious about all kinds of Professions too and wasted a lot of time.”
“When you reach my age, it’s not too late to explore further, if you still have the energy then.”
“Besides, do you think Special Professions are commonplace? South Wind City doesn’t have many; Ying Feng’s side probably does.”
“Ying Feng…” Su Chen pondered. He wasn’t entirely ignorant about Ying Feng; Ying Feng’s Knowledge lockdown was extremely strict.
South Wind City’s various official Institutions only had Second Order Profession Information on the surface, of course.
“Alright.” Su Chen backed down. Yuan Chenyang rubbed his brow and casually asked: “How far has your Profession Development progressed?”
“Around 70%.” Su Chen responded vaguely.
“That precise?” Yuan Chenyang was quite surprised and pleased: “Not bad. I’ve studied this Void Ripper Warrior carefully; it shouldn’t conflict with Gale Hunter.”
“I estimate it won’t be long before you become a Second Order Professional.”
Yuan Chenyang seemed to recall something and, looking at Su Chen, sighed: “At your age, having this patience is rare. For the Potions I gave you last time, I thought it’d take at least a month, or even two, to consume them.”
“Talent is important, but Disposition is more so. Maybe it’s because you were a Refugee once, desperately grasping every Opportunity. I’ve seen Talented ones waste away with age—their Talent diminishes too…”
Beep–
As he spoke, a buzzing sound came from his Bracelet. Opening it, Yuan Chenyang’s expression changed slightly, his brows furrowing deeply: “Zhang Hongbo is here. Why’s he back so soon?”
“Something’s off. If he’s back, why did Zhou Xian bring so many people?”
Yuan Chenyang muttered, then suddenly cursed loudly, “Old fox! He wants to see what cards I have. So cunning!”
“The City Lord is back?” Su Chen’s mind raced; Yuan Chenyang clearly hadn’t Expected it.
Probably Zhang Hongbo got the News and wasn’t reassured about Old Yuan stirring things up.
“You go back first. I’ll arrange for Old Sun to deliver the stuff.” Yuan Chenyang irritably shooed him away.
“Yes.” Su Chen nodded and left the Room straight away, just as the Elevator arrived.
Ding!
Su Chen paused; standing inside was none other than Zhang Hongbo. “City Lord.”
“Just call me Uncle Zhang.” Zhang Hongbo’s attitude was very amiable as he patted Su Chen’s shoulder.
Su Chen obligingly called him “Uncle Zhang.”
“Mm…” Zhang Hongbo nodded, “Hengyu has a very reserved personality. You two can communicate more. In the future at Ying Feng, you might be able to help each other.”
“We greeted each other at the Banquet that day. He was extraordinary and very much like you in style.” Su Chen said sincerely.
Zhang Hongbo stared at him for a good while before chuckling and shaking his head, “Go on down.”
Watching the Elevator Door close, the smile on his face faded. The moment he stepped into Yuan Chenyang’s Room, he said gravely: “Yuan Chenyang, what are you trying to do!”
“I’ve only been away ten days, and you’ve turned all of South Wind City upside down. Want me to give you the City Lord position? Good or not!”
“I wouldn’t dare…” Yuan Chenyang met his gaze coldly, feeling annoyed inside, and said solemnly: “City Lord, you should already know the specifics. It’s truly urgent.”
“The Inspection Department, Patrol Department, and Exploration Department all have Cult of the Strange God people. The Strength in the Strange Artifact has completely dissipated; who knows what they’ve done.”
Zhang Hongbo’s voice was cold: “Those small fries in the Patrol Department get caught every year. I’m not clear on the Inspection Department, but the one in the Exploration Department has always been on the watchlist.”
“As for the Strange Artifact, it’s indeed troublesome.” He paused, “But since your big commotion turned up nothing, it’s probably not as you imagine.”
Yuan Chenyang’s temples throbbed; he suspected this old fox hadn’t returned today but had been watching in secret to see what he could uncover.
Then, Zhang Hongbo’s tone softened: “Inspection Internal is the Inspection Department’s responsibility anyway, and you discovered a Strange Artifact. But with complaints rising in the city, there’s nothing I can do about some things.”
“What do you mean?” Yuan Chenyang stared at him.
Zhang Hongbo explained: “I returned in a hurry; no one’s guarding the Ruins side. The Council has decided—you’ll rotate early to guard the Ruins.”
“Early Rotation?” Yuan Chenyang shot to his feet. Zhang Hongbo was expressionless: “Also, Ying Feng’s people just arrived, and they agree.”
Yuan Chenyang swallowed his words, veins bulging on his forehead. After a long while, he forced out: “Fine.”
“Your intentions are good; we all understand. But you need the right methods.” Zhang Hongbo comforted, “I’ll temporarily take over the Inspection Department. Don’t worry.”
