My Professions Have Too Much Personality - Chapter 354 - 210: Balance Dao Central Hub

“Yes, we’re close now,” Lan Hao said hurriedly. “I can only contact you by using the Balance Dao Hub’s channel network.”

“What about that Su Chen?” Lanhai asked, getting straight to the point.

“Su Chen?” Lan Hao couldn’t help but scoff. “He just got lucky. His affinity with the Great Venerable Red Flame Thunder Resonator was too high, so he reaped the benefits for nothing.”

“Reaped the benefits for nothing? Then why didn’t you?” Lanhai sounded somewhat displeased. “How many times have I told you not to look down on anyone?”

The color drained from Lan Hao’s face, but he didn’t dare to retort. He just lowered his head.

Lanhai didn’t scold him further, changing the subject. “However, this person has certainly caused a huge uproar in the Sect.”

Lan Hao couldn’t help but look up again and ask, “What do the higher-ups think?”

“What do they think? Qing Cang himself calls him Junior Brother. What else could they think? The higher-ups won’t take a stance,” Lanhai said, shaking his head. “Without the Ancient King’s protection, he would’ve been hounded to death within ten days of arriving at the Sect.”

“But the Ancient King can’t possibly protect him every second of every day, can he?” Lan Hao suggested diplomatically.

“True…” Lanhai nodded, speaking slowly. “Even with the Ancient King’s protection, even being treated as a half-disciple, he has no foundation. He’s a castle in the air—unstable.”

“So…” A pleased expression appeared on Lan Hao’s face.

“Do you think your sister would be a good match for him?” Lanhai’s tone shifted.

“My… sister?” Lan Hao’s face went rigid. It took him a moment to process it. In disbelief, he said, “You want to marry my sister off to him?”

“Th-that… How could that be okay?!”

“And why not?” Lanhai shot back.

“It just isn’t! What right does he have? He… he…” Lan Hao stammered, unable to articulate a proper reason.

“You have a conflict with him, don’t you?” Lanhai had already noticed this and asked in an unhurried tone.

“Well…” Beads of sweat broke out on Lan Hao’s forehead.

“Speak.” Lanhai spoke a single word, but it struck Lan Hao’s ears like a clap of thunder.

There was no hiding it. With no other choice, Lan Hao recounted the entire story from beginning to end.

But the explosion of rage Lan Hao had imagined never came. Lanhai seemed thoughtful. “To remain calm during his first meeting with you and still discern your intentions… This man is as shrewd as Qing Cang said.”

Lan Hao froze. ’Is my father praising Su Chen?’

He grew even more uncomfortable.

“It’s not a life-or-death matter, so it’s nothing major. Apologize to him, clear the air, and it’ll be fine,” Lanhai said nonchalantly.

“Me, apologize to him?” Lan Hao’s eyes widened.

Lanhai said coolly, “He is the heir of Venerable Red Sun and a half-disciple of the Ancient King. Qing Cang calls him Junior Brother. In terms of seniority, even I would have to call him Martial Uncle.”

“Do you still think he’s not worthy?”

“But…” Lan Hao couldn’t hold back and finally said what was on his mind. “Who knows how long he’ll even live.”

“As long as he’s alive, his status remains.” Lanhai noticed that Lan Hao’s resistance was unusually strong and couldn’t help but frown.

“Don’t you understand yet? This Su Chen has no foundation. If he marries into our Lan Family, he becomes one of us.”

“So you just want to adopt a son,” Lan Hao said sullenly.

“Foolish!” Lanhai couldn’t help but snap. “How can you place a personal grudge above the family’s interests? Once he is part of the Lan Family, has children, and truly ascends to the Morning Star Tier, he can protect our Lan Family for centuries to come.”

“The Holy Profession he creates will also remain with the Lan Family, becoming part of our foundation. Where else could you find such a good deal?”

“To put it another way, who else in our family do you think is capable of competing for the position of a chosen one?”

“Just because of your petty conflict and resentment, you want to get Su Chen killed? What good would that do us? It would only benefit others. Why would we do something like that?”

Lanhai was being extremely blunt.

Lan Hao vaguely began to understand, yet he didn’t fully grasp it. He couldn’t help but ask, “So, we’re supposed to protect Su Chen now?”

“We need to accept him, but not right now.” Lanhai shook his head, offering a different take. “The Sect is currently full of undercurrents. Everyone thinks he’s unworthy of his position. If we rashly step forward now, we’ll just become a target ourselves.”

“He has to withstand this initial period and at least lessen the intensity of the conflict. Only then will he have value, and only then can we make our move.”

Lan Hao grew thoughtful. His resistance lessened somewhat, mainly because he realized that in his father’s eyes, Su Chen was, in essence, still just a chess piece.

“But for now, you might as well build a good relationship with him. A temporary gain or loss means nothing,” he said earnestly.

Lan Hao nodded solemnly. For some reason, scenes from their arrival on Red Thunder Star flashed before his eyes, and he realized just how much he had experienced.

Before, his eyes had been clouded by resentment and indignation, which had built up in his heart. Now, after his father’s guidance, he felt he had matured considerably.

’Thinking about it carefully, that little conflict with Su Chen really was nothing.’

“It’s good that you understand. You still have some time before we return to the Sect. After we arrive, however, you’ll need to distance yourself from him.” Seeing that he had finally come to his senses, Lanhai nodded in satisfaction. ’Going out to gain experience really does temper one’s Heart.’

…

Su Chen received a notice from Qing Cang, summoning him for some final instructions before entering the Balance Dao Central Hub.

Su Chen straightened himself up a bit and headed out, only to run right into Lan Hao at a turn in the staircase.

Su Chen didn’t think much of it. They had run into each other a few times before, and the other man had always acted like he didn’t exist, which Su Chen was perfectly happy with.

This time, however, was different. The moment Lan Hao saw him, a smile spread across his face, and he called out naturally, “Su Chen…”

As he spoke, he walked up and gave a wry smile. “According to seniority, I should be calling you Martial Ancestor, but I really can’t bring myself to say it. I hope you don’t mind.”

Starting like this actually made him seem somewhat frank.

Su Chen was surprised but shook his head and said, “We can just stick to our own terms.”

Lan Hao nodded. As the two of them walked up the stairs together, he sighed again and said sincerely, “I have to apologize for trying to trick you into attacking Wan Chen before.”

’This guy… did he have an epiphany?’

Su Chen shot Lan Hao a surprised glance, not believing for a second that the man had genuinely seen the error of his ways.

’It’s just that, given Lan Hao’s original personality, these kinds of words would be hard for him to say, even if he was just feigning civility.’

Lan Hao continued, “I was just too focused on the Great Venerable Red Flame Thunder Resonator before, which is why I resorted to such a poor tactic.”

“It wasn’t a big deal to begin with,” Su Chen said, shaking his head. ’Same old strategy. Since I don’t know what he’s up to, I’ll just play along for now.’

“Besides, you even gave me the Spiritual Pressure Ring, which was a huge help.”

“I’m glad you didn’t take it to heart,” Lan Hao said with a sigh of relief. “We still have some time before we get back to the Sect. If you need anything on the way, or if there’s anything you’re not clear on, just ask.”

“Oh…” Su Chen’s interest was piqued. ’Is he going to offer me more benefits? Whatever he’s planning, I’ll take what I can get first and worry about it later.’

“Off the top of my head, I can’t really think of anything I need.”

Su Chen said with a chuckle. The two of them continued talking as they walked, eventually arriving in front of the cockpit.

Wan Chen was up ahead. Hearing the noise, he turned and saw Su Chen and Lan Hao chatting amiably, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

“Wan Chen,” Lan Hao greeted him.

Wan Chen responded flatly, sensing that this guy seemed a little different somehow.

“Everyone’s here…” Lin Yue came up from behind and greeted the group. When she saw Lan Hao and Su Chen standing together, a thoughtful look passed through her eyes.

BZZZT—

The cockpit door opened. Wan Chen was the first to enter, with Lan Hao following close behind. But Su Chen was held back by Lin Yue, who tugged on the corner of his sleeve and whispered a warning:

“That Lan Hao—big head, thick neck. When a guy like that is suddenly nice to you, he’s definitely up to no good. You’d better be careful.”

Lan Hao, who was half a step ahead of them, stiffened. ’Hmph,’ he scoffed internally, ’I can’t be bothered to argue with that woman.’

Immediately after, a suspicion arose in his mind. ’Why is that woman so close to Su Chen?’

’Could it be that the Lin Family has the same idea as my father?’

’This Lin Yue…’ Su Chen pulled his sleeve back, secretly speechless, and then followed them into the cockpit.

Qing Cang’s brow was slightly furrowed. On the metal table before him, a small projection of the Balance Dao Central Hub slowly rotated.

Xia Jie stood to one side, speaking with a grave expression. “For the past half-month, the Balance Dao Central Hub has been undergoing a month-long route adjustment. The Star Gate is temporarily closed. We’ll have to stay here for at least ten days.”