Chapter 61: A Fine Scion From Crooked Bamboo【sage】?【scholar】?
“Du Yu told me that you’re looking for me.”
His tone was steady and gentle. Su Chen always felt a strange sense of familiarity. After looking him up and down a few times, he realized that this kid seemed to be imitating his dad.
After a brief pause, Su Chen suddenly shouted loudly, “I refuse to accept this!”
The sound echoed in the hall. Many staff members looked surprised, and Zhang Hengyu’s face went blank.
“Why do I have to wait a year!” Su Chen shouted sharply while staring intently at Zhang Hengyu.
Zhang Hengyu then realized what was happening. His face flushed red. He wanted to speak but hesitated, even seeming at a loss for what to do.
Why this reaction?
Su Chen was surprised in his heart. He immediately changed his approach and said coldly, “Follow me.”
He turned and headed upstairs. The gazes of many Inspector Guards followed him all the way, amid buzzing chatter.
Zhang Hengyu’s face burned with embarrassment, as if ashamed. He followed slowly.
Reaching the top floor, the corridor was empty.
Zhang Hengyu hesitated, seeming like he wanted to say something, but he heard Su Chen say gravely, “I am already a Second Order Professional.”
“What?” Zhang Hengyu looked stunned. He forgot what he wanted to say and asked with difficulty, “You… how could you be this fast.”
Su Chen’s tone was cold: “I’m not like you, the spoiled young master. I’m a Refugee. I seize every opportunity and don’t dare let it go.”
At this point, he said wistfully, “I can’t even remember the last time I slept more than three hours. Have you ever seen South Wind City at three in the morning?”
“Of course I have!” This sentence seemed to stimulate Zhang Hengyu. He initially felt a bit guilty,
“Although I was willful when I was young, after growing up, I kept accumulating what was needed for Job Appointment. After entering South Wind Academy, it was also very hard. My efforts are no less than yours!”
Uh… this guy seems very silly and naive. Su Chen felt it was quite strange.
Zhang Hengyu calmed slightly, restrained his expression, and said in a low voice: “But I am indeed not as good as you. Your speed in becoming a Second Order Professional is very fast. I understand your anger, but… there’s no way around it.”
He didn’t seem to be faking it? He really thinks that?
Su Chen thought of Zhang Hongbo, that smiling tiger, and couldn’t help but marvel.
“But no matter what, I’ll be held back a year. South Wind City’s resources can’t compare to Ying Feng’s.” Su Chen remained cold.
Zhang Hengyu’s face changed. He clenched his fist and then released it. “I can compensate you.”
Ah? This turn of events is too bizarre.
Su Chen was a bit stunned but still pretended to be displeased. “Compensate? How?”
“I have a Special Profession in hand, with considerable effects.” Zhang Hengyu said lowly, “It’s called 【Sage】. After Job Appointment, it allows for more precise adjustment of the body and operation of various Body Tempering Methods, with higher efficiency.”
【Sage】?
Su Chen’s heart stirred. Higher efficiency in operating Body Tempering Methods—doesn’t that mean increased Proficiency gain efficiency?
What relation does it have to 【Scholar】?
Su Chen’s thoughts raced, but he looked suspicious on the surface. “You’re really giving it to me?”
Zhang Hengyu explained: “This Profession isn’t much of a secret in Ying Feng. It’s just hard to appoint, but Minister Yuan can figure something out afterward. It should be fine.”
Su Chen was slightly stunned. The coldness faded, and his face softened. “It seems I misjudged you.”
He was even more astonished in his heart. A bad bamboo shoot produces a good sprout?
As if forgiven, Zhang Hengyu perked up a bit and immediately began narrating in a low voice…
【Discovered Special Profession–Sage. Complete the requirements to appoint.】
【Sage Job Appointment Requirement One: At least Crimson Gold Level Mental Talent】
【Sage Job Appointment Requirement Two: Obtain Profession Information for at least three Top Tier Professions of any tier】
【Sage Job Appointment Requirement Three: A person of great wisdom】
The Panel already had the data. Su Chen glanced at it, and his face gradually became strange.
The first two Job Appointment requirements were understandable, but how to achieve this “person of great wisdom”?
This is too subjective, and it hasn’t shown “Completed.”
Even if I’m not a person of great wisdom, Zhang Hengyu is? Great wisdom appears foolish?
【The Scholar educating Heituo Followers senses an old friend arriving, steps away, and has a friendly chat…】
Old friend? Su Chen was quite surprised and couldn’t help asking, “You’re actually Crimson Gold Level Mental Talent?”
“No.” Zhang Hengyu shook his head honestly and explained: “My sister helped. She brought a special item from Ying Feng that can temporarily boost Mental Talent to meet the Job Appointment requirement.”
“It can work like that?” Su Chen marveled inwardly but then said, “Then how did you complete the other requirements?”
“Like the last one you mentioned—possessing wisdom that ordinary people can’t glimpse. That’s too vague.”
Zhang Hengyu explained: “I didn’t complete all of them. They’re too difficult. But if you can barely meet one, you can do Forced Job Appointment. I was lucky and succeeded.”
“In Ying Feng, it’s basically the same. There can be some boosts.”
Forced Job Appointment… So it was luck. Su Chen suddenly understood. He had subconsciously used Perfect Job Appointment as the standard and forgotten about Forced Job Appointment.
Forced Job Appointment might only bring out one-tenth of the Profession’s power, but having it is better than nothing.
Su Chen sighed. “I understand what you mean.”
“Actually, I’ve already done very well to get this far. Even if I can only go to Ying Feng next year, asking for you was just me venting some resentment.”
Zhang Hengyu clearly relaxed, like a huge weight lifted, and smiled bitterly: “Actually, I mentioned to my sister that this might be too unfair to you. But there’s only one slot. I have some selfishness too…”
“Judge by actions, not intentions.” Su Chen waved his hand grandly, eyes “full of fighting spirit”: “Even if you go to Ying Feng a year ahead, don’t get cocky. I might catch up to you soon.”
Zhang Hengyu was stunned, then nodded heavily. “I will definitely work hard so you can’t catch up.”
Is this what it means to appreciate a kindred spirit?
He had been strictly managed since childhood. In South Wind City, he had almost no peers as friends; most were sycophants.
“By the way.” Su Chen said, half-challenging, half-inviting: “Want to train with me here? See if you can keep up with my training intensity.”
“Here?” Zhang Hengyu hesitated briefly but soon agreed solemnly: “Good, right here!”
He really agreed?
Su Chen’s face looked strange for a moment, while Zhang Hengyu excitedly went back to pack his things.
“Why do I feel a bit guilty…” Su Chen was surprised in his heart and immediately scolded himself harshly, instantly feeling unburdened.
Opening the Panel, he pondered 【Sage】. He had Crimson Gold Level Mental Talent and already possessed two of the three Top Tier Professions. It was just the last one that was too strange.
He didn’t know what 【Scholar】 could communicate.
His original plan was to beat Zhang Hengyu badly and make a big scene.
After Zhang Hengyu appeared here, even Zhou Xian, if not too stupid, would associate it with Zhang Hongbo and realize it was bait, so he might not act.
But this was even better.
Another day passed, and Zhang Hengyu kept his word, bringing his clothes and various Potions to this Inspection Sub-bureau.
He was still a First Order Professional, so he picked an ordinary training room for training.
The two chatted briefly. Su Chen learned that Zhang Hengyu’s Profession Development progress had reached about 60%, which was already quite fast. 【Sage】 must have played a significant role.
“Is there any relation between 【Sage】 and 【Scholar】?” Hearing Su Chen’s question, Zhang Hengyu looked at him in surprise and shook his head. “I don’t know either.”
Su Chen left thoughtfully and went back to continue training.
But in the mid-afternoon, an uninvited guest arrived and kicked open the door of the Inspection Sub-bureau with a rudely violent attitude.
After a flurry of chaos, Zhang Hengyu hurried over and stepped forward nervously. “Sis, why are you here?”
The visitor was none other than Zhang Yunqing. This tall, regal woman had a face as cold as frost. Her gaze passed over her foolish brother and fixed on Su Chen, who was coming down slowly.
“Come with me.” Zhang Yunqing said overbearingly.
“No…” Zhang Hengyu shook his head stubbornly. “I want to stay here.”
Zhang Yunqing looked at the smirking Su Chen, her teeth nearly grinding. She dragged Zhang Hengyu aside and scolded: “You idiot, he’s toying with you. Do you know that?”
“Father wants to use him to lure the Cult of the Strange God to act. He’s using you as a shield!”
Zhang Hengyu looked up in a daze. Zhang Yunqing thought he had woken up and said coldly: “This kid… his ideas are quite…”
“How can Father do this!?” Zhang Hengyu suddenly shouted angrily, his body trembling.
Zhang Yunqing looked blankly and saw her brother’s face flushed red. “He… he’s already had it hard enough. Why use him as bait!”
“Because of you!” Zhang Yunqing was also furious. “If you return to South Wind City, with Yuan Chenyang backing him, can you succeed Father…”
“Why do I have to succeed him!” Zhang Hengyu erupted like a volcano blocked by a boulder, glaring at his sister: “Can’t I have my own ideas!”
Zhang Yunqing’s face instantly turned icy cold. “Talk about self after you have the ability.”
