My Professions Have Too Much Personality - Chapter 86: A Mess

Chapter 86: Chapter 86: A Mess

Announce what?

Yuan Chenyang wondered subconsciously. ’Seeing Zhang Hongbo’s calm and composed look, this probably isn’t good news.’

’But it’s not like they have any dirt on me, right?’

“Allow me.” Gu Bing stood up and said calmly, “By the decision of Chief Judge Xia Hanshi, Zhang Hongbo is to be relieved of his position as City Lord. For the time being, Minister of Inspection Yuan Chenyang will serve as acting City Lord.”

’Relieved of my position? What on earth…’ Yuan Chenyang thought instinctively. Then his expression suddenly froze, becoming a fascinating sight to behold. In a strained voice, he asked, “Relieved Zhang Hongbo of his position as City Lord?”

“That’s right. Congratulations, City Lord Yuan,” Gu Bing said with a nod.

“Congratulations,” Zhang Hongbo added.

“Ha…” Yuan Chenyang stared at Zhang Hongbo, then suddenly burst into delighted laughter. “You, you really put on a good act. When I walked in, you looked like you had everything under control. I actually thought I was in some kind of trouble.”

“I never thought it’d be you in trouble! Haha…”

“What’s done is done, and I’ve accepted it. Am I supposed to walk around with a long face all the time?” Zhang Hongbo said flatly.

“Stop pretending.” Although Yuan Chenyang still didn’t know the full story, he felt a wave of pent-up frustration release as he laughed heartily.

“You think I don’t know you? How many years have we worked together? Do I even need to mention your need for control? The Inspectorate is filled with people you planted!”

Yang Yan and Gu Bing remained silent. As two of Southwind’s top officials, they had surely had their own frictions.

“Putting on a show of maintaining your dignity… You’re probably off crying in a corner somewhere.” Yuan Chenyang was in high spirits, even reaching out to pat his bald head. “Old Zhang, what happened? You got stripped of the City Lord position. Corruption?”

Zhang Hongbo’s expression darkened. He said coldly, “A failure in judgment. Zhang Feng colluded with the Deceitful God Sect.”

“The Deceitful God Sect?” The teasing look on Yuan Chenyang’s face vanished, replaced by a more solemn one. “A failure in judgment? But that’s your own brother.”

“Elder Xia has essentially confirmed that Zhang Hongbo is clean,” Gu Bing added.

“So that’s how it is. No wonder you’re still alive. Elder Xia is merciful indeed.”

The position of City Lord had fallen into his lap, and Yuan Chenyang was in an excellent mood. Under normal circumstances, it would never have been his turn.

Although he was only “acting” for now, once the news reached Ying Feng, his teacher would certainly not allow him to be demoted again. Because of this, even his opinion of Xia Hanshi improved considerably.

’The rumors must have been exaggerated. Chief Judge Xia still handles cases impartially. Where did all those nasty rumors come from?’

At the mention of Xia Hanshi, the expressions of the other three became a little strange.

Zhang Hongbo’s own grim expression relaxed. He glanced at the triumphant Yuan Chenyang and couldn’t help but say, “City Lord Yuan, you really know how to hide your cards.”

Yuan Chenyang frowned. “What do you mean? Spit it out, don’t be cryptic.”

“Su Chen is truly a great prospect,” Zhang Hongbo remarked with a sigh.

“What are you implying?” At the mention of Su Chen, Yuan Chenyang’s expression turned frigid. “Are you trying to threaten me?”

“Where is your mind going? How would I dare…” Zhang Hongbo frowned, then said slowly, “…how would I dare threaten Elder Xia’s student?”

“Elder Xia’s student?” Yuan Chenyang’s face froze. A sudden realization dawned on him, and he quickly looked toward Yang Yan and Gu Bing, who both awkwardly turned their heads away.

Yuan Chenyang’s heart sank to the pit of his stomach. ’My prized student… it seems he’s really been snatched away from me.’

Seeing Yuan Chenyang’s fallen expression, Zhang Hongbo’s mood improved immensely.

“Elder Xia… has already taken Su Chen as his student?”

Perhaps because he couldn’t accept it, Yuan Chenyang needed to be absolutely sure.

“That’s right.” A voice suddenly came from behind them. Yang Yan and Gu Bing immediately stood up, addressing him, “Elder Xia.”

With an expression that was halfway between a sob and a smile, Yuan Chenyang turned his head. “Elder Xia…”

“You look like your master just died. Old Third is still alive and kicking,” Xia Hanshi said nonchalantly.

Yuan Chenyang immediately composed himself but couldn’t help saying, “Elder Xia, Su Chen… I discovered him first.”

“I know.” Xia Hanshi nodded and said as if it were the most natural thing in the world, “And that’s why you’ll become the Southwind City Lord without any obstacles. Otherwise, even if your teacher wanted to make it happen, he would have had to pay a price.”

“But…” Yuan Chenyang struggled. “Isn’t it wrong for you to do this?”

Xia Hanshi gave him a surprised glance and said bluntly, “He has a better future with me than with you. With you, he’s the student of a Chief Judge’s student. But with me, he is the Chief Judge’s student. The resources and status that come with that are completely different.”

“Besides, haven’t you had many teachers? I’m only his second teacher. It’s not like he’s disowning you.”

“And another thing, go ask your teacher if he’ll accept this trade.”

Yuan Chenyang was speechless. It was true. At every stage of one’s growth, there would be new teachers to guide them along the way.

And knowing his own teacher, he would probably accept it.

“I hope you will… treat him well.” Yuan Chenyang lowered his head in resignation.

“Nonsense!” Xia Hanshi retorted, displeased. “He’s my student. Of course I’ll treat him well. You think I need you to tell me that?”

The Chief Judge grew impatient. “Alright, since you’re back, Yang Yan, tell him what’s been happening recently. He can take over from here.”

Yang Yan, who had been standing as still as a wooden stake, finally stepped forward and began to explain in detail.

Yuan Chenyang’s already unpleasant expression gradually turned a ghastly shade of pale.

“Priest Black Tuo came here himself? What in the world does Southwind City have that’s so important?”

“What, a Black Tuo Statue?! They’re planning to summon a vessel for the Deceitful God!”

“Elder Xia made a move, and he still got away…” Yuan Chenyang paused, swallowing the rest of his sentence.

’What a f*cking mess this is.’

’If this isn’t handled well, Southwind City could be wiped out. What damn use is being City Lord then?’

Watching Yuan Chenyang’s ever-changing expression, Zhang Hongbo felt even more pleased.

“Don’t worry. If something really goes wrong, just use Zhang Hongbo as the scapegoat. You won’t be implicated,” Xia Hanshi said with startling frankness. “After all, his brother bears inescapable responsibility.”

“For Su Chen’s sake, I’ll help you.”

Zhang Hongbo’s face instantly stiffened.

Yuan Chenyang was slightly taken aback, a strange feeling welling up inside him. He hadn’t expected Xia Hanshi to be so considerate.

’Is it because he likes Su Chen so much that I’m benefiting by association?’

’A teacher’s status rises with his student’s? Why does this feel so strange…’

Yuan Chenyang quickly shifted into work mode, reviewing the files.

Xia Hanshi had vanished as silently as he appeared.

“…transfer Su Chen to the North City Branch…” The new City Lord Yuan quickly found a transfer order and immediately looked up, roaring in anger, “Zhang Hongbo, you’ve gone too far! Who gave you permission to use Su Chen as bait?”

“And for that, I paid the price.” Zhang Hongbo’s reaction was placid. He gave Yuan Chenyang a deep look. “Old Yuan, you really do hide things well. A Double Red Gold, and you just left him in Southwind without a second thought.”

The furious Yuan Chenyang froze. ’Double… Red Gold?’

By the time he processed it, Zhang Hongbo had already left. His voice drifted back from the doorway, “Go on in. City Lord Yuan is waiting for you.”

The next moment, Su Chen walked in.

Yuan Chenyang’s expression became complicated. He looked like he wanted to say something but held back.

Su Chen sensed the strange atmosphere and couldn’t help but speak up. “Teacher, I’m sor—”

“Sigh.” Yuan Chenyang sighed. “It’s my fault. I was too incompetent to keep you.”

Huh? Su Chen paused, stunned. He was the one who was about to apologize to Yuan Chenyang.

Yuan Chenyang stood up from behind his desk as the door closed automatically. He gave a bitter smile. “I never expected Elder Xia would be the one to come this time. You’ve been wronged.”

Taking over as City Lord made Yuan Chenyang feel as though he had sold out Su Chen to get the position.

“It’s not that bad. I think Elder Xia is a good person.” Su Chen felt that people misunderstood Old Xia, probably because his methods were indeed unconventional.

Yuan Chenyang couldn’t help but fall into contemplation. “I’ve been away from Ying Feng for a long time. Most of what I hear about the Chief Judge is just rumor. Perhaps it’s all just been blown out of proportion.”

“Perhaps, for you, this really isn’t a bad thing. Your future will be much brighter.”

Su Chen immediately said with a solemn expression, “Teacher, I will never forget everything you’ve done for me.”

Yuan Chenyang was gratified. “I wasn’t wrong about you.”

Then he added a word of caution, “Remember, you can learn from Elder Xia in other areas, but when it comes to his style and methods, it’s best to avoid imitating him.”

“Understood,” Su Chen nodded earnestly.

Yuan Chenyang wasn’t one to dwell on things, so he switched to casual conversation with Su Chen, unable to resist complaining:

“That bastard Zhang Hongbo left me with such a huge mess. That Priest and the Black Tuo Statue are still on the loose. I’m half-afraid the sky will suddenly go dark and Black Tuo will just descend upon us.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll definitely find them,” Su Chen reassured him.

“I hope so…” Yuan Chenyang said a silent prayer, then changed the subject. “I’m taking over as City Lord. What do you think about having Du Jingming take over my position as Minister of Inspection?”

Du Jingming, Du Yu’s father. Su Chen understood immediately and said, “You should be the one to decide.”

In truth, Yuan Chenyang wasn’t really asking him, but rather asking for Xia Hanshi’s opinion through him.

But Su Chen thought for a moment. “Since Du Jingming is becoming the Minister, doesn’t that free up a Deputy Minister position?”

“You mean?” Yuan Chenyang looked at him.

“Brother Sun… Sun Tai,” Su Chen said. “Sun Tai was the one who provided the clue about the Central Trade Warehouse, even under pressure from Zhang Hongbo.”

This was the kind of achievement that Fatty Sun couldn’t easily bring up himself, so Su Chen naturally did it for him.

“I see.” Yuan Chenyang had no objection. Sun Tai was one of his old subordinates, after all. He mulled it over. “Sun Tai is a veteran, too. He’s still a little lacking, but with you vouching for him, it shouldn’t be a problem.”