Chapter 99: Only The Past Life Matters, Not The Present! Face Of The Crimson Flame Thunder Great Venerable
Su Chen was speechless in his heart and said in a low voice: “Elder…”
“You don’t recognize me?” The other party seemed somewhat dissatisfied, a pair of tiger eyes glaring at him.
“Uh…” Su Chen hesitated.
“Alright, Old Yuan, stop teasing the junior.” Sang Hanhai shook his head.
The Elder snorted coldly: “How did that little brat Yuan Chenyang act as a teacher? You were at least his student for a while, yet he never mentioned me to you.”
Su Chen immediately understood, his scalp tingling: “So you’re the renowned Third Chief Judge of the Court of Justice, Yuan Poshan!”
Old Yuan really hadn’t mentioned this person’s specific name to him.
According to the original situation, this person was his backer, but now it was somewhat awkward.
“I’m not going to eat you. You’re not afraid of Xia Hanshi, so why fear me? My reputation is much better than his.” Yuan Poshan said meaningfully, with a hint of jealousy.
Su Chen smiled wryly and said nothing.
“Su Chen, you go back first. Come again when you have time.” Sang Hanhai smoothed things over.
Su Chen quickly took his leave and hastily left under Yuan Poshan’s gaze.
“Little brat, runs pretty fast.” Yuan Poshan looked displeased.
“He’s just a junior. No need to take it out on him.” Sang Hanhai sighed.
“It’s not taking it out on him, just a bit displeased.” Yuan Poshan shook his head.
“If you’re displeased, go find Xia Hanshi.” Sang Hanhai pointed out Yuan Poshan. “Since you can’t beat him, bullying his student would be embarrassing.”
“When did I bully him?” Yuan Poshan was also somewhat baffled. “Old Sang, why are you defending him everywhere?”
“Wait, how is he here?” Yuan Poshan finally reacted.
“It’s that Holy Word Stone from South Wind. He came earlier to remind me not to forget to give South Wind a copy after deciphering it. South Wind’s City Lord now is your student, right? He still remembers that favor.” Sang Hanhai explained:
“Moreover, he’s a Heaven-Bestowed Translator. In just three days, he helped me decipher this profession almost completely.”
“There’s such a thing?” Yuan Poshan was stunned, then sighed: “Little Yuan has communicated with me multiple times, stressing that this matter wasn’t Su Chen’s fault and he had no choice, protecting him in every word.”
“And the little girl I just took in also spoke for him. This kid is indeed very good.”
A glint flashed in Sang Hanhai’s eyes. “Want to snatch him back? Chief Judge Xia has an obsession. Don’t let this seedling be ruined in his hands. After all, it’s Double Crimson Gold.”
Yuan Poshan frowned for a long time but still shook his head: “Forget it. No matter what, it was Su Chen’s own choice. Besides, Little Yuan is now South Wind City Lord, and there are more and more talents. Crimson Gold isn’t that rare anymore.”
“Double Crimson Gold is still rare.” Sang Hanhai sneered: “Isn’t it just that you took someone else’s favor? If you really wanted to compete back then, you definitely wouldn’t have let Yuan Chenyang take over South Wind’s City Lord position.”
Yuan Poshan didn’t argue. Which was more important, Crimson Gold seedlings or the City Lord position?
Not easy to weigh, but with Xia Hanshi added, the choice was very clear.
“Stop discussing him.” Yuan Poshan reached into his bosom and actually took out a Holy Word Stone just like that, handing it to Sang Hanhai. “Take a look. Just found it.”
“You brought it over just like this?” Sang Hanhai’s face turned annoyed. He snatched it and carefully handed it to the staff nearby.
“It won’t break.” Yuan Poshan didn’t care and turned to leave. “Notify me when there’s news.”
……
“This big shot shouldn’t hold a grudge against me.” Su Chen boarded the hover car and looked back at the Translation Department.
On the way here, Yuan Chenyang had mentioned this matter, patting his chest and guaranteeing that he wouldn’t let his teacher make things difficult for him.
“Probably just teasing me a couple of sentences.”
As he was pondering, the panel gradually appeared—
【…Saint and Sage, the wise ones chatted happily and decided to further weaken the second job appointment requirement of “personally saving a thousand people” to “personally helping a hundred people.”】
“Saving changed to helping? And weakened to a hundred people.” Su Chen was inevitably surprised. This way, the difficulty dropped quite a bit.
But the most troublesome “no killing living beings” showed no reaction. Without changing that, completing the other requirements was useless.
Old friend only had this much face.
However, beyond his expectation, the panel hadn’t ended yet—
【The three finished talking, but the Saint sensed a gaze overlooking them. Looking up, Crimson Flame Thunder Great Venerable sat above, immediately inspiring reverence.
Only then did it discover that you haven’t killed anyone in your lifetime, not even living beings with slightly insufficient spirituality. Truly pure good to the extreme, so it decides to remove the “no killing living beings” requirement.】
Pure good to the extreme?
Su Chen’s expression was odd, but thinking carefully, yes… In my previous life, I was pure good to the extreme!
Oh… I did kill some mosquitoes, but they don’t seem to count as living beings with spirituality.
The Saint is turning a blind eye, only looking at the previous life, not the current one.
Su Chen’s mouth curved up. With Crimson Flame Thunder Great Venerable inside, who wouldn’t have to pay respects?
The hover car stopped in front of the hotel. Before getting off, Su Chen saw three burly men in black suits standing at the door.
They didn’t look like hotel security. Looking around, they seemed to be looking for someone.
He originally didn’t pay attention and greeted the driver before getting out.
Unexpectedly, the three men’s gazes locked onto him immediately. They exchanged glances and nodded, as if confirming identity.
Coming for me?
Su Chen noticed the three’s small movements and stood still.
After confirming his identity, the three came forward. The leader’s attitude wasn’t casual but also not polite. “Excuse me, are you Your Excellency Su Chen?”
Their life magnetic field intensity wasn’t low; they were all Professionals, even if only First Order… Su Chen sized them up. “That’s me. Who are you?”
“We are ordered to invite you to a banquet.” One of them responded.
“Whose banquet?” Su Chen asked. How does everyone in Ying Feng seem to know me?
The man in the center raised his voice slightly, quite proudly: “Our master—Chu Yunze.”
“Uh…” Seeing the three looking honored, Su Chen shook his head: “I’ve just arrived in Ying Feng not long ago. This name is somewhat unfamiliar to me.”
“Moreover, I’m not familiar with your master.”
The three looked somewhat unsightly. The one on the left said in a low voice: “Our master will also enter the Court of Justice this year, and he also has Crimson Gold Talent. Upon hearing Your Excellency’s name, he specially sent us to invite you.”
I see. Su Chen understood. Probably pulling together some small circle or something.
He wasn’t interested and waved his hand to refuse: “Sorry, gentlemen, I have something today, so I won’t go.”
“Your Excellency…” Seeing him about to leave, the three hurriedly stepped forward and stood in a row.
“You want to force me to go?” Su Chen found it somewhat amusing.
“Misunderstanding, Your Excellency, hear me out…” The leader explained, looking around like a thief. Quite a few entering and exiting guests had already noticed them and were looking over frequently.
“Actually, this banquet is hosted by our master on behalf of a certain lord.” He said in a low voice with a hint. “That lord is also entering the Court of Justice this year.”
“A certain lord?” Su Chen caught the hint in their words.
Entering the Court of Justice this year, with status above their master. Su Chen vaguely guessed but still pretended to be puzzled: “What do you mean?”
The few exchanged glances, somewhat frustrated. Indeed from a small place.
“You should have heard that there’s an Ink Jade Level Talent lord entering the Court of Justice this year.” He hinted further.
“I heard. So what?” Su Chen looked at him.
The other’s eye twitched slightly, simply stating directly: “Today’s banquet is hosted by that Ink Jade Level Talent lord, Chu Xuan, Your Excellency Chu. Our master is just inviting on his behalf.”
Finally some understanding of that Ink Jade Level Talent. Su Chen nodded in realization. “Oh, it’s him. What does that have to do with me?”
“Sigh, why don’t you understand.” The few were getting anxious. As small fries, talking about upper-level secrets always made them uneasy.
His voice was almost inaudible: “The Court of Justice isn’t all peace and stability either. Factions are numerous, generally united around the four Core Seeds. In the past, newcomers either joined them or were collectively excluded.”
“Your Excellency Chu intends to unite everyone for mutual help.”
Not even entered yet, already pulling in this year’s potentials. Deep schemer.
Su Chen couldn’t help sighing. Once entering the Court of Justice, he’d probably be pulled by other factions exhaustively. Before entering was the best opportunity.
“I understand, but I still have matters.” Su Chen got the information he wanted and prepared to push past the three.
“I heard you’re looking for a Mist Nightmare Pearl?”
But he still wasn’t planning to go, so the three were anxious and could only reveal their trump card.
“Oh?” Su Chen stopped. He’d only told those from South Wind and Bu Siqi about this.
Unlikely leaked from Bu Siqi’s side. Probably someone from South Wind.
He wasn’t concerned in his heart. After all, it wasn’t a big secret. He just inwardly sighed at how well the other party had done their homework, even digging this up.
“What do you mean, threatening me?” Su Chen’s expression sobered.
“No, no…” The other waved his hand, explaining: “Our master has prepared it. As long as you’re willing to go, he’ll naturally offer it with both hands.”
“Tch…” Su Chen was inevitably surprised. He thought for a moment and said: “Since your master is so polite, I can’t refuse. Let’s go then.”
“Please…” The three finally breathed a sigh of relief, helpless in their hearts. This guy was unmoved by favors or threats; had to offer benefits to get him to come.
Although Mist Nightmare Pearl isn’t extremely precious in Ying Feng, it’s quite rare. On the way here, the master had instructed them to invite using his name if possible, without mentioning this.
Unfortunately, they still couldn’t hold it.
It wasn’t too late in the day. Su Chen boarded the hover car they prepared and headed to the banquet location.
……
Ying Feng’s nightlife was far more colorful than South Wind’s. The artificial sun gradually turned into a moon, and the high-rises became increasingly bright.
And the famous gold-swallowing den in all of Ying Feng naturally had to be—Purple Gold Hua Du.
This place was nearly at Ying Feng’s center, occupying a huge area. The ten-story building in the central area had been hollowed out, now almost fully parked with hover cars of various styles.
In the top-floor private room, Chu Yunze stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking Ying Feng’s night scenery. Dressed in custom wine-red attire, arms crossed, his demeanor relaxed and indifferent.
“Who would’ve thought that among this year’s assessment participants, there are actually four with Crimson Gold Talent. A big explosion.”
There were quite a few people in the private room, chatting among themselves. None were very old. Mentioning this sparked a wave of sighs: “Yeah, in the past, even one or two could cause a stir.”
“Twenty years since inventing ‘Qiong Guang’, cities have sprung up since then, life increasingly stable, population growing. By the timing, this should just be the beginning. More people will appear in the future.”
“Yeah, all thanks to Ying Feng…” Someone echoed.
“Brother Pang, after entering the Court of Justice, please take good care of us.”
There were quite a few in the private room, but looking closely, they could be divided into two groups.
In the central area, people vaguely clustered around a young man. One was uneasy and awkward; when someone toasted him, his eyes dodged, responding clumsily.
The other had an arrogant expression, raising his glass from afar. “Brother Chu, not starting yet?”
“Little Brother Pang, don’t be anxious. Su Chen hasn’t arrived.” Chu Yunze turned around, his demeanor mild.
“Su Chen?” Pang Xingwen frowned slightly: “We can start first. No need to wait for him specifically.”
“Not good. After all, he’s Chief Judge Xia’s student.” Chu Yunze shook his head.
“Heh, Chief Judge Xia has plenty of students. Not sure how long this one can last normally.” Pang Xingwen said carelessly. “I heard he’s a refugee origin, modified his information, narrow-minded. Maybe he doesn’t even dare contact us.”
“Don’t say such things again. Whatever’s on the information is the truth.” Chu Yunze frowned. “Double Crimson Gold Talent has value to pull in. The greater our strength, the higher the chance the Court of Justice makes an exception.”
“If there wasn’t Chu Xuan this year, maybe Su Chen could make the Court of Justice make an exception and add an extra Core Seed seat.”
Among this year, Su Chen’s value was almost above everyone else’s.
“Heh…” Pang Xingwen’s face darkened.
As they spoke, Chu Yunze’s heart stirred. He lowered his head to open the virtual screen and couldn’t help smiling. “He’s here.”
But seeing the full information, his smile inevitably faded.
……
“This world is becoming more familiar…” Su Chen got off the hover car, and a slender female server approached immediately.
Dressed very glamorously but not revealingly, hip skirts to the knees, sleek calves straight.
The decoration here was luxurious; passersby all looked suited up on the surface.
Following the guide, Su Chen went straight to the top floor. Pushing open the heavy private room door, pairs of gazes shot over.
“Brother Su!” Someone shouted loudly, instantly drawing Su Chen’s attention. It was a frivolous young man with a narrow face.
He enthusiastically came up. “Finally waited for you.”
“Who might you be, Your Excellency?” Su Chen was puzzled.
“I’m Pang Xingwen…” He handed over a wine glass with red liquid swirling. Very enthusiastic, he waved for someone to close the private room door.
Raising his hand toward that seemingly awkward young man, he introduced to Su Chen: “This is Meng Qi.”
“Greetings, Your Excellency.” Meng Qi was somewhat flustered, nodding repeatedly.
Su Chen nodded in response.
“That one is Chu Yunze, who invited you.” Pang Xingwen pointed to the approaching “flashy guy.” “This place is all his family’s assets.”
“Brother Su, long admired.” Chu Yunze smiled in greeting, explaining: “What do you mean ‘my family’s’? It’s jointly operated by several families; mine just has a share.”
Ying Feng’s local tyrant. Su Chen took note.
“As for the others, I won’t introduce one by one. From various cities, mostly Brilliant Silver.” Pang Xingwen was casual; the others’ faces didn’t look good.
Su Chen smiled and nodded. “Su Chen, pleased to meet everyone.”
The crowd’s expressions eased slightly.
Pang Xingwen sneered inwardly but smiled on the surface: “This year, all four Crimson Gold Level are here.”
Four Crimson Gold? All came?
Su Chen was inevitably surprised. Not even entered the Court of Justice yet, and most of the core strength was cut off.
“Brother Chu, Brother Su is here too. What about Boss Chu?” Pang Xingwen urged.
Chu Yunze frowned slightly, soothing: “Don’t rush. We haven’t chatted much yet.”
The banquet preliminarily began. Quite a few came up to chat with Su Chen; fewer people around Pang Xingwen.
Greeting a few more, Su Chen squeezed to Chu Yunze’s side and said lowly: “Brother Chu, where’s the Mist Nightmare Pearl?”
Chu Yunze forced a smile. “Already had someone prepare it. I’ll have it sent with you when you leave.”
“Give it to me now.” Su Chen explained: “I’m afraid I’ll get drunk later and forget.”
Chu Yunze gave him a deep look and could only say: “Alright, I’ll have someone send it right away.”
Chu Yunze hadn’t deceived him. Soon, someone delivered a metal box.
Su Chen opened a gap to peek: a grayish-white pearl the size of a lychee, with grayish-white mist swirling inside.
“Many thanks for Brother Chu’s generous gift.” He took out the pearl and pocketed it.
“Tsk tsk, how come you prepared a separate gift for Brother Su?” Pang Xingwen came over, half-joking, half-serious: “What, I don’t deserve a gift?”
Chu Yunze glanced at him but before speaking, the private room door was pushed open again.
Everyone instinctively looked; Chu Yunze also stood up.
Su Chen didn’t want to stand out and rose with them.
A figure strode in. Appearance not particularly striking, but his calm expression carried a natural poise.
“Boss Chu, you’ve finally arrived.” Pang Xingwen shouted pretend-enthusiastically.
This is Chu Xuan?
Su Chen sized him up, faintly sensing a threat. Not weak in strength.
Chu Xuan glanced at Pang Xingwen, just nodding faintly, then his gaze turned to Su Chen, lingering a moment before shifting away.
“Sorry to keep everyone waiting.” He spoke, scanning around.
“To think this was cultivated from a lower-tier city. Not simple.” Su Chen marveled inwardly. From earlier chats, he already had a rough understanding of this person.
He came from a city called “Golden Feather,” rich in some metal material, hidden by the Fourth Chief Judge for years, only sent today.
As for profession information and such, totally unknown, but rumors said he bore a Top Tier Profession.
Arrived in Ying Feng three months ago and in a short time gathered Chu Yunze the local tyrant and many of Ying Feng’s younger generation.
Even quite a few already in the Court of Justice were preparing to follow him secretly.
“Wherever it is, Boss Chu…” The crowd responded.
Quite a few were seeing Chu Xuan for the first time. After a few words, admiration showed in their eyes.
After three rounds of drinks, Chu Xuan came specifically to Su Chen, sighing: “A few days ago, after hearing about you, I specially instructed Yunze to make sure to invite you.”
“Sigh…” Su Chen feigned helplessness. “Brother Chu grasped my weakness; I had no choice but to come.”
Chu Yunze sighed lightly.
Chu Xuan’s expression sobered, then he smiled again: “Yunze always has ways.”
His desire to talk seemed reduced. After two sentences, he went elsewhere.
After waiting a moment, Su Chen rose to take leave, drawing surprised gazes, but no one stopped him.
Chu Yunze hesitated a moment, then stood: “I’ll have someone send you.”
“Hot face on cold butt, and even gave something.”
Watching Su Chen leave, in the core small group, Pang Xingwen sneered: “For someone like this, you should show strength to make him submit. Being too polite only makes him arrogant.”
“He just doesn’t want to follow me. Being friendly isn’t wrong.” Chu Xuan shook his head, gaze indifferent.
“Old Chu said he might even compete for Core Seed.” Pang Xingwen implied.
Chu Xuan’s tone remained flat: “The Court of Justice won’t make an exception for him.”
……
Out the door, the person who brought him had already started the hover car.
Only the driver was sending him. Su Chen sat in the back; his seemingly dazed eyes sharpened.
The private room scenes flashed in his mind like a movie.
“That Pang Xingwen seems friendly on the surface but faintly hostile to me. Not sure where it comes from…”
“Chu Yunze is poised and proper, seems like a normal person.”
“That Meng Qi fits the mindset of small city entering big city, but after all Crimson Gold Talent, wasn’t he favored in his own city? Strange…”
“As for Chu Xuan…” Su Chen thought of tonight’s protagonist. Doesn’t seem arrogant, can mingle with others.
After tonight, probably many have a favorable impression of him.
Though later a bit cold to me, but I refused his recruitment; normal reaction.
Question mark on Pang Xingwen. Su Chen turned to ponder the Saint’s conditions.
“Help a hundred people… Others need to have a need for me to help. Wonder if forced help counts…”
