My Professions Have Too Much Personality - Chapter 87: A Righteous Person

Chapter 87: Chapter 87: A Righteous Person

Normally, it would be difficult for someone who has never been to Ying Feng to be appointed, even as a deputy department head. Sun Tai was lacking more than just accomplishments.

This touched upon Ying Feng’s core principles for governing its subordinate cities. But since it was the Chief Judge’s will, an exception could be made.

Yuan Chenyang’s expression softened. People who knew how to repay kindness always earned the goodwill of others. He sighed with emotion,

“Regardless, as Elder Xia’s student, you’ll have a unique advantage when you take the Judicial Court’s assessment. You might even have a shot at a Core Seed position down the line.”

“The Core Seeds are the candidates in line for Chief Judge.” At this, Yuan Chenyang couldn’t help but shake his head. “Unfortunately, since the Dome Light System was rolled out twenty years ago, the cities have become increasingly stable, and more and more talented individuals have emerged.”

“Otherwise, twenty years ago, someone with Double Red Gold Talent would have definitely been a Core Seed.”

’The Dome Light? That giant sun was only implemented twenty years ago?’ Su Chen was inwardly surprised.

“It’s all the same to me,” Su Chen said, feigning indifference.

“Haha, it’s not the same at all…” Yuan Chenyang couldn’t help but laugh. “But it’s good that you have that mindset.”

Then, his smile faded, and he asked in a low voice, “Your Talent… how did it become Double Red Gold?”

Yuan Chenyang had personally tested his Talent before, so he was naturally curious. Su Chen had already prepared his answer. “It was the Wise Man and Scholar professions. I forced myself to take on both, and they gave me a slight boost.”

“Those two professions?” Yuan Chenyang was slightly taken aback, then sighed in admiration. “Professions that can enhance one’s Talent are incredibly rare. You’re very lucky.”

“But… while we do have Scholar in Southwind, where did Wise Man come from?”

“The Wise Man profession came from Zhang Hengyu. He seemed to feel guilty about Zhang Hongbo transferring me to be used as bait,” Su Chen explained.

“Zhang Hengyu…” Yuan Chenyang grinned. “He’s certainly nothing like his father. Makes you wonder if he’s really Old Zhang’s kid.”

Su Chen chuckled. He chatted for a while with the teacher he hadn’t seen in so long, and was relieved to find that Yuan Chenyang held no resentment toward him.

Before long, news of Zhang Hongbo’s resignation began to spread.

Zhang Hongbo had controlled South City for over a decade and held several concurrent positions. His prestige was deeply ingrained in the public’s mind, not to mention he was a familiar face at Southwind Academy.

Graduates who knew him were now spread across every industry in Southwind. His influence was truly deep-rooted.

When the higher-ups in many departments learned of this, they were shaken, and a sense of dread uncontrollably welled up inside them.

Furthermore, there was the Exploration Department, which acted as his personal army. They were the most elite group in Southwind City. If this wasn’t handled properly, it could lead to huge problems.

Changing commanders on the eve of battle is a huge taboo, especially at a critical time like this. But due to his brother’s involvement, Zhang Hongbo had no choice but to step down.

At the same time, Yuan Chenyang wasn’t naive enough to think that holding the City Lord’s official seal meant he could command everyone. He even allowed Zhang Hongbo to retain his position as Head of the Exploration Department to placate everyone.

By the next day, as more news trickled out, everyone learned that Yuan Chenyang had taken over as City Lord. Many people breathed a sigh of relief.

It was a relief that one of their own was in charge. Many had known about the arrival of the special envoys from Ying Feng and feared a major purge. Now, it seemed it was just some internal power struggle.

In the mid-afternoon, Yuan Chenyang summoned the heads of all the departments. They talked in secret for a long time, only dispersing as dusk fell.

No one knew what they discussed, but the once-turbulent situation quickly stabilized.

……

“Zhang Hongbo’s brother is involved with the Deceitful God Sect?”

Inside the Research Department, Jiang He pulled out a chair and had her old father sit down. As she listened to him recount the day’s meeting, her face filled with astonishment. “Talk about being blind to what’s right under your nose. Zhang Hongbo was so shrewd, yet he was brought down by his own family.”

“Yuan Chenyang really lucked out. It’s a shame you aren’t familiar with those special envoys, Father. Otherwise…”

Jiang He couldn’t help but feel it was a pity. The status of a City Lord and a department head were worlds apart.

For one thing, the City Lord has the right to communicate directly with Ying Feng. All other department heads must go through him, no matter what.

“That kid, Su Chen, really hit the jackpot. The City Lord’s disciple… his future is boundless,” Jiang He mused. She remembered how after Qi Chuan’s death, Jiang Rong had insisted she keep a low profile. She hadn’t even been to the academy lately.

“You’re mistaken.” Jiang Rong glanced at his daughter and shook his head. “Yuan Chenyang only became City Lord thanks to Su Chen.”

“Thanks… to Su Chen?” Jiang He hesitated, unable to understand.

“I can’t tell if you have good judgment or terrible judgment.” Jiang Rong sighed. “Su Chen has been taken as a student by the visiting Chief Judge. That’s why the other higher-ups have backed down. They can’t compete with Yuan Chenyang now.”

“The… Chief… Judge’s… student?” Jiang He’s eyes went wide. “Him…? How…? I… What…?”

Her expression grew vacant as scenes from that day in the room flashed before her eyes. ’How long has it even been?’

“…However…” Jiang Rong ignored his stunned daughter, stroking the armrest of his chair. “I have a feeling something big is about to happen. Leave tomorrow morning. Go to Yun Lan first, then travel with the main trade caravan to Ying Feng. Once you become a Third-tier Secret Technique Weaver, you can come back and take over my position.”

“Did you hear me!”

When Jiang Rong received no reply, his voice grew louder.

“Y-yes…” Jiang He replied instinctively, touching her cheek, which seemed to throb with a faint, stinging pain.

……

The turmoil outside no longer affected Su Chen, the Chief Judge’s prized disciple.

Stepping out of the Gravity Chamber, Su Chen caught his breath, casually picked up a vial of green potion from the table, and downed it.

It was a highly compressed Tier Two Nutrient Liquid, derived from the flesh of Mutant Species. It was enough to provide a Tier Two Professional with all the nutrients needed for several days.

Previously, he had to drink regular Nutrient Liquid, chugging several bottles a day.

’Old Yuan seems reckless, but he’s quite capable…’ Su Chen thought. The transition of power from Zhang Hongbo to Yuan Chenyang had been remarkably smooth, with no incidents so far.

He stepped into the washroom, water cascading down the lines of his lean, muscular body. ’That thing has finally stopped moving,’ Su Chen mused. ’It’s been in the same spot for over half a day. Looks like it’s in the Refugee District. I have to get rid of this threat, no matter what.’

’I’ll just go straight to Old Xia. He probably figured things out last time anyway. Using anyone else would look like I don’t trust him. Still… I need to be tactful about it.’

After rinsing off, Su Chen sat at the desk again and wrote a letter by hand.

Taking the elevator to the top floor, then climbing the stairs to the rooftop, he immediately saw the stooped old man standing at the edge.

“Master… do you just stand up here when you have free time?” Su Chen walked over, asking with concern.

“The city lights help calm my mind.” Xia Hanshi’s voice was detached as he gazed down at the lights below. “What do you need?”

“Master, a letter was slipped under my door last night. I’m not sure what to make of it.” Su Chen held out the letter.

“Oh?” Xia Hanshi became interested. Without any visible movement from him, the letter in Su Chen’s hand disappeared.

“Who could have such awful handwriting?” Xia Hanshi commented with disdain.

’I’m speechless,’ Su Chen thought. But Old Xia’s eyes scanned the letter line by line, his expression growing grave.

“…traces of the Deceitful God’s activity have been discovered approximately two kilometers east of the Refugee Administration Bureau’s West City Branch…”

When he reached the end, the corner of Xia Hanshi’s mouth twitched. “It’s signed, ’A Righteous Person.’”

“This ’Righteous Person’ was the one who sent the tip to that little fatty last time, too, wasn’t it?” Xia Hanshi said coolly.

“I suppose so,” Su Chen said, lowering his head.

“Tell me, should I believe him?” Xia Hanshi asked in return.

Su Chen hesitated. “We probably can.”

Xia Hanshi glanced at him unhappily, his brows furrowed. “If he’s so righteous, why is he hiding?”

Su Chen sighed. “Maybe he has his reasons. It’s just one trip. What if we find something unexpected, just like last time?”

“The coordinates are so specific. He shouldn’t have any connection to the Deceitful God, right?” Xia Hanshi looked into the distance. “And I’m not just talking about Black Tuo…”

“I don’t think so,” Su Chen responded.

Su Chen hadn’t written the letter just to be deliberately mysterious.

Even if they both knew the truth, this charade created a necessary buffer. As long as Xia Hanshi didn’t press him on it directly, Su Chen could feign ignorance.

And from what he knew of Old Xia so far, as long as he was being somewhat forthright—and since this was about killing the Deceitful God’s Followers—the old man was unlikely to dig too deep.

“Heh…” Xia Hanshi fell silent for a long moment before a ghastly smile spread across his face. A laugh like a crow’s caw scraped from his throat.

“Elder… Xia?”

Just then, Yang Yan hurried over. Seeing Xia Hanshi’s grotesque smile, he felt a sense of unease.

’The last time I saw Elder Xia laugh… uh… I don’t think I’ve ever seen him laugh.’

’Did Su Chen really win Elder Xia’s favor that easily?’

“What is it?” Xia Hanshi’s expression darkened again.

Yang Yan flinched internally and hurried to report, “Well, the other cities have sent their replies. They’ll dispatch people as soon as possible, but it will still take a few days.”

So Old Xia had requested the reinforcements after all. It made sense, given that their target had escaped last time and still hadn’t been found.

“No need.” Xia Hanshi shook his head, the paper in his hand crumbling to dust. “Notify Yuan Chenyang, Zhang Hongbo, and Gu Bing. They’re coming with me.”

“Where are we going?” Yang Yan couldn’t help but ask, then he realized his mistake and hurriedly said, “I’ll go gather them right away.”

“Please be extremely careful, Master.” What Su Chen really meant was, ’You have to go all out this time. Don’t let him escape again. I really don’t dare to lock onto his position directly a second time.’

“I know.” Xia Hanshi shot him a sidelong glance. He had been unprepared last time. Who could have expected a Black Tuo Statue to suddenly appear?

But this time, he would go all out!

……

’…Just one more day…’

In a remote corner of the Refugee District, extremely close to the city wall, a hazy mist permeated the air. Even the shacks of the refugees were sparse here.

The Priest sat cross-legged on the ground, his face pale, the Black Tuo Statue floating behind him.

Only from behind could one see a large gash split open along his spine, from which the statue was drawing droplets of black blood.

From the base of the Black Tuo Statue, liquid-like black tendrils snaked out and burrowed deep into the ground.

’A tiny little Southwind City has pushed me to this point! When the Saint Master descends, all of you will be devoured! And you, Xia Hanshi, you old bastard, I’ll never forgive you!’

A venomous expression flooded the Priest’s face, only to be replaced by worry. ’But the Saint Master himself ordered me to find the Delicious Soul, and I still have no leads.’

’The lead Zhou Xian gave me about Yuan Chenyang isn’t very promising. If the “Delicious Soul” has already left Southwind, I’m afraid I’ll be ’returning to the Saint Master’s embrace’ myself.’

’I don’t mind returning to the Saint Master’s embrace, but my true sin would be failing to fulfill His wish. I pray the soul is still in Southwind City!’

“Priest!” a disheveled Zhou Xian burst in, his face filled with irrepressible excitement. “I found it, I found it!”

“I found the Delicious Soul!”