Chapter 87: A Man With A Sense Of Justice
Normally, even a Deputy Minister position would be difficult for someone who has never been to Ying Feng to hold, and Sun Tai lacks not only Merit.
This involves the core principles of Ying Feng’s control over Lower Tier Cities, but since it’s the “Chief Judge’s” intention, special cases can be handled specially after all.
Yuan Chenyang’s expression softened; a person who knows gratitude and repays it always gains others’ favor. He sighed:
“No matter what, participating in the Court of Justice Assessment as Old Xia’s student gives you a unique advantage. Afterward, there might be an Opportunity to aim for that Core Seed position.”
“The Core Seed is the reserve for the Chief Judge.” At this point, Yuan Chenyang couldn’t help shaking his head. “Unfortunately, twenty years ago the Qiong Guang System was promoted, Cities have become increasingly stable, and more and more talents are emerging.”
“Otherwise, if it were twenty years ago, Double Crimson Gold would definitely have been one of the Core Seeds.”
Qiong Guang—that big sun—was only promoted twenty years ago? Su Chen was inevitably surprised.
“It’s all the same.” Su Chen appeared indifferent.
“Haha, that’s not the same at all…” Yuan Chenyang couldn’t help laughing: “But it’s best if you have this mindset.”
Or he restrained his smile and asked in a low voice: “How did your Talent turn into Double Crimson Gold?”
Yuan Chenyang had personally tested his Talent before, so he naturally had this question. Su Chen had prepared his answer long ago. “It was【Sage】 and【Scholar】. I Forced Job Appointment these two Professions, which brought some enhancement.”
“These two Professions?” Yuan Chenyang was slightly surprised, increasingly emotional: “Professions that can increase Talent are extremely rare. Your luck is pretty good.”
“However, South Wind Academy does have Scholar Nan Feng, but this Sage?”
“The Sage comes from Zhang Hengyu. Before that, Zhang Hongbo transferred me away as bait, and he seemed to feel guilty.” Su Chen explained.
“Zhang Hengyu…” Yuan Chenyang grinned. “He’s indeed completely different from his father. Who knows if he’s really Old Zhang’s son.”
Su Chen chuckled. After chatting with this Teacher he hadn’t seen for a long time and confirming he truly held no grudges, he finally relaxed.
And not long after, news of Zhang Hongbo stepping down began to spread gradually.
Zhang Hongbo had controlled South City for over a decade, held multiple positions, and his prestige had long permeated the people—not to mention he often showed his face at South Wind Academy.
His graduated students were spread across various industries in South Wind City; he could be said to have deep roots.
Many department high-level officials, upon hearing this, were shocked and couldn’t help feeling fear and trepidation.
Moreover, there was the Exploration Department as his personal army—the most elite group in South Wind City’s Strength. If mishandled, it could lead to big problems.
Changing generals on the eve of battle is already a major taboo, especially at this juncture, but due to his brother’s involvement, Zhang Hongbo couldn’t continue.
At the same time, Yuan Chenyang didn’t really think that taking the City Lord seal would allow him to command everyone. He even retained Zhang Hongbo’s Exploration Minister position to soothe people’s hearts.
By the next day, more news gradually spread, and everyone learned that Yuan Chenyang had taken over the City Lord position. Many people breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as it’s one of our own. Quite a few people knew about the arrival of the Special Envoy from Ying Feng; they feared it was a major purge from Ying Feng. Now it seemed like some kind of internal struggle.
By mid-afternoon, Yuan Chenyang had gathered the high-level officials from various departments for a closed-door meeting that lasted a long time, not dispersing until dusk.
No one knew what they discussed, but the somewhat turbulent situation quickly calmed down.
……
“Zhang Hongbo’s brother is involved with the Cult of the Strange God?”
In the Research Department, Jiang He pulled out a chair for her old father to sit and listened to what was discussed at today’s meeting. Her little face couldn’t help showing surprise. “Truly a case of darkness under the lamp. Zhang Hongbo, so shrewd and calculating, fell at the hands of his own people.”
“Yuan Chenyang’s luck is really good. If you old man were close with those few Special Envoys, otherwise…”
Jiang He couldn’t help feeling regretful. The status of City Lord and Minister was worlds apart.
Just one point: he has the Power to dialogue directly with Ying Feng, while other Ministers, no matter what, have to go through the City Lord.
“That kid Su Chen really picked up a huge bargain. City Lord disciple—boundless prospects,” Jiang He couldn’t help thinking. After Qi Chuan’s death, Jiang Rong had always made her keep a low profile; she hadn’t even gone to school during this time.
“Wrong.” Jiang Rong glanced at his own daughter and shook his head. “Yuan Chenyang becoming City Lord is thanks to Su Chen.”
“Thanks… to Su Chen?” Jiang He hesitated, unable to understand.
“I don’t know if your eyesight is good or poor.” Jiang Rong sighed. “Su Chen has been taken as a student by the Chief Judge who came this time. That’s also why the other high-level officials ceased their activities—they can’t fight Yuan Chenyang.”
“Chie…f…Judge’s… student?” Jiang He stared wide-eyed. “He… how… I… this…”
Her expression was dazed as scenes from that Room flashed before her eyes. How long had it been?
“…However…” Jiang Rong ignored his dazed daughter and rubbed the Armrest of the chair: “I feel like something big might happen. Set off tomorrow morning—go to Yun Lan first, then follow the trade caravan to Ying Feng. After becoming a Third Order Mystic Arts Weaver, come back and inherit my position.”
“Did you hear me!”
Jiang Rong got no response, so his voice rose a bit.
“Okay, okay…” Jiang He responded subconsciously, touching her cheek as if it stung faintly.
……
The outside turmoil could no longer affect Su Chen, this high disciple of the Chief Judge.
Coming out of the Gravity Chamber, Su Chen panted for breath and casually picked up a tube of Green Potion from the table, pouring it into his mouth.
This was a highly compressed Second Order Nutrient Solution from Mutant Flesh and Blood, enough to provide a Second Order Professional with Nutrient Substance needed for several days of activity.
Before, he still had to drink ordinary Nutrient Solution, downing several bottles every day.
“Old Yuan seems reckless, but he also has great finesse…” Su Chen couldn’t help thinking. The transition from Zhang Hongbo to Yuan Chenyang was very smooth, with no accidents so far.
Entering the washroom, water flowed along the lines of his toned muscles. Su Chen pondered darkly: “That thing has finally stopped, staying in a fixed position for over half a day. Judging by the location, it’s in the Refugee Area. No matter what, this hidden danger must be eliminated.”
“Go straight to Old Xia. He probably guessed it last time. Using someone else would make it seem like I don’t trust him, but… still need to smooth things over.”
After rinsing off, Su Chen sat at the desk again and personally wrote a letter.
Taking the Elevator to the top floor, then climbing the stairs to the rooftop, he immediately spotted the hunched old man standing at the edge.
“Teacher… You stand here when you’re free?” Su Chen approached and asked with concern.
“This sea of lights is what calms me.” Xia Hanshi’s voice was indifferent as he overlooked the lights below. “What do you want from me?”
“Teacher, last night, a letter was suddenly stuffed through the door crack. I’m not sure about it.” Su Chen handed over the letter in his hand.
“Oh?” Xia Hanshi became interested. Without any movement from him, the letter paper in Su Chen’s hand disappeared.
“What kind of person writes such ugly handwriting?” Xia Hanshi said disdainfully.
Su Chen was speechless inwardly, but Old Xia’s gaze scanned line by line, his expression gradually turning grave.
“…Discovered in the Refugee Area Management, West City Sub-bureau, about two thousand meters to the east, traces of Strange God activity…”
Seeing the end, Xia Hanshi’s mouth twitched. “Signed—a person with a sense of justice.”
“Last time, it was also this person with a sense of justice who sent the message to that little fatty.” Xia Hanshi said flatly.
“Probably,” Su Chen said, head lowered.
“Tell me, should I believe him?” Xia Hanshi asked in return.
Su Chen hesitated: “Should be believable.”
Xia Hanshi gave him an displeased glance, brows furrowed: “If he has a sense of justice, why hide?”
Su Chen sighed: “Maybe he has unspeakable difficulties. It’s just a trip. What if, like last time, there’s an unexpected discovery?”
“The coordinates are so specific; he shouldn’t be connected to the Strange God, right?” Xia Hanshi looked into the distance. “I’m not just talking about Heituo…”
“I feel there shouldn’t be.” Su Chen responded.
Writing this letter wasn’t Su Chen playing tricks.
Even if both knew clearly, there was still a layer of separation. As long as Xia Hanshi didn’t press directly, he could pretend not to know.
Based on his initial Understanding of Old Xia, and considering he was half-honest, plus it was about killing Strange God Followers, the other probably wouldn’t pursue it to the bottom.
“Hehe…” Xia Hanshi was silent for a long time, then suddenly showed an ugly smile, squeezing out a crow-like laugh from his Throat.
“Xia… Old?”
At this moment, Yang Yan hurried over. Seeing Xia Hanshi’s ugly smile, he couldn’t help feeling something odd.
The last time he saw Old Xia laugh—uh… he didn’t think he’d seen it much.
Su Chen had won Old Xia’s favor just like that?
“What is it?” Xia Hanshi’s face darkened again.
Yang Yan’s heart jolted, and he hurriedly said: “It’s like this—the other Cities have replied, they’ll send people over as soon as possible, but it will take a few more days.”
Regarding transferring people, Old Xia had still done it after all. Last time the person got away, and they still couldn’t find them.
“No need.” Xia Hanshi shook his head, the paper in his hand crumbling to dust. “Notify Yuan Chenyang, Zhang Hongbo, and Gu Bing to come with me.”
“Where to?” Yang Yan couldn’t help asking, then realized and hurriedly said: “I’ll go gather the manpower right away.”
“Be extremely careful.” Su Chen actually wanted to say: this time go all out, don’t let them escape again. Next time he really wouldn’t dare lock on directly again.
“Got it.” Xia Hanshi slanted him a glance. Last time he wasn’t prepared—who knew a Heituo Statue would suddenly appear.
But this time, he would go all out!
……
“…Just wait one more day…”
In the Refugee Area, a remote spot very close to the city walls, with even hazy Mist pervading—there were hardly any Refugee shacks nearby.
The Priest sat cross-legged on the ground, face pale, with the Heituo Statue floating behind him.
From behind, one could see a large gash cracked on his back, the Statue Absorbing drops of Black Blood from his body.
Below the Heituo Statue extended liquid-like Black Patterns straight into the ground.
“A tiny South Wind City has forced me to this point. When the Holy Lord descends, all will become food in his belly. Xia Hanshi, you old thing—I won’t spare you!”
Resentment surged on the Priest’s face, but it quickly turned to worry: “But the Holy Lord personally decreed to find that delicious soul, and there’s still no clue.”
“The possibility Zhou Xian mentioned with Yuan Chenyang isn’t high. If the ‘delicious soul’ has already left South Wind, I’m afraid I’ll have to return to the Holy Lord’s embrace.”
“It’s fine for me to return to the Holy Lord’s embrace, but if the Holy Lord doesn’t get his wish, that’s my sin. I hope he’s still in South Wind City!”
“Priest!” Disheveled Zhou Xian burst in, face filled with irrepressible excitement. “Found it, found it!”
“I’ve found that delicious soul!”
