My Professions Have Too Much Personality

Chapter 116: Chapter 101: The Assessment Begins

“You’re going to the assessment too?”

The sound of splashing came from the bathroom, interspersed with Su Chen’s voice.

“Of course I can’t participate…” Du Yu replied. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t go watch. The Judicial Court assessment is considered the largest and most high-profile event among all of Ying Feng’s institutions.”

“Since it involves many Subordinate Cities, the entire assessment is open to the public to demonstrate fairness and impartiality. Of course, it’s also a chance for the Judicial Court to showcase its strength.”

The two of them waited a short while before Su Chen finished washing up and changed his clothes. “Since you’re both here, let’s go.”

It was still dark out. The Hovercar they had taken was waiting outside. The three of them got in and headed straight for the Judicial Court.

Zhang Hengyu was still trying to calm his nerves, his breathing quick and shallow.

As an outsider to the proceedings, Du Yu chatted cheerfully the whole way. It was then that Su Chen learned he had joined the Inspectorate and become an intern Inspector Guard.

“Brother Su, you’ll definitely become an Inner Court Seed. I’ll be counting on you to have my back in the future,” Du Yu said.

The driver up front couldn’t help but glance back at them, a hint of surprise and suspicion in his eyes.

Su Chen grinned. “Don’t worry. If you run into trouble, come find me. I can’t help with the big stuff, and you probably won’t need me for the small stuff.”

Du Yu froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. Zhang Hengyu also seemed to relax a bit, his eyes gradually hardening with resolve.

…

By the time they arrived, it was nearly six o’clock. The artificial sun was completing its transition from moon to sun, causing the sky to fill with the pale light of dawn.

The Judicial Court headquarters was located in the heart of Ying Feng, covering a vast area. It was normally closed to the public, only opening a small portion of its training grounds at this time of year.

“Holy cow, look at all these people!”

Following the signs inside, Du Yu stared, dumbfounded. The entire training ground was a dense sea of people, and the surrounding stands were nearly packed to capacity. A low, buzzing din filled the air.

Every five or six meters stood a Judicial Guard clad in metal armor. The interlocking alloy plates of their armor cast a cold, sinister gleam under the searchlights. Each guard was powerfully built with a frigid expression, and a palpable killing intent washed over the area.

These rank-and-file Judicial Guards were almost all locals from Ying Feng; the position wasn’t open to people from the outer cities.

The talented individuals sent from the Subordinate Cities, on the other hand, would become Judges at the very least.

Seeing so many people watching, Zhang Hengyu’s breathing quickened again, and his palms began to sweat.

Du Yu, however, was looking all around before finally spotting their section. “Sister Yunqing arranged for our seats over there. I’m heading up. You two should go get on the field.”

Su Chen showed his identification and entered the training field. Many people had already arrived, and he even spotted several familiar faces—all of whom had been in the private room that night.

’Pang Xingwen, Chu Yunze, and Meng Qi are all here… They sure got here fast.’ Su Chen spotted the small clique; they were hard to miss, after all.

Thirty to forty people were gathered together, making the few individuals at the center even more conspicuous.

’What’s that guy’s problem?’ Su Chen frowned, sensing the undisguised fury in Pang Xingwen’s gaze.

He couldn’t be bothered to deal with him and scanned the area. ’Where’s Zhu Xuan? He’s not here yet?’

“Oh, right…” Su Chen looked at Zhang Hengyu. “Didn’t that group invite you to the banquet a few days ago?”

He glanced toward Chu Yunze and the others.

“They did invite me, but my sister specifically warned me to refuse any invitation, regardless of who it was from,” Zhang Hengyu said. He then added, “The only gathering I attended was one hosted by Ming Lin, which my sister took me to.”

’Ming Lin?’ Su Chen instantly understood. This was one of the Judicial Court’s Core Seeds and, before Zhu Xuan’s arrival, the sole possessor of an Ink Jade Level Talent.

’Zhang Yunqing must have joined their camp a while ago, which naturally makes her brother part of it as well.’

“Who… who is that?” Zhang Hengyu suddenly turned his head, looking toward the entrance.

Su Chen snapped back to the present and saw Chu Yunze and the others heading toward the entrance in a grand procession. Zhu Xuan was arriving.

The commotion they caused was so great it drew nearly every eye in the venue. The din immediately intensified as a flurry of discussions broke out.

The candidates already on the field for the assessment also looked over. Many of them had already heard the rumors, and their eyes shone with yearning.

These were the ones who hadn’t been invited to the banquet. Their Talent wasn’t sufficient, their connections were inadequate, and they didn’t even have the qualifications to enter the inner circle.

“Damn, who does this guy think he is?” Having just found his seat, Du Yu plopped down right as he witnessed the grand spectacle.

“That’s Zhu Xuan,” someone next to him said enviously. It was Zhu Mingxu, a second-generation heir from Southwind. “With an Ink Jade Level Talent, of course he’s cocky.”

“So that’s him…” Du Yu murmured in realization and couldn’t help but nod. “He’s definitely earned the right to be cocky.”

“I heard he tried to recruit Su Chen before, but was rejected,” another person spoke up.

“How do you know that?” Du Yu looked over in astonishment.

The person explained, “There’s a member from my year at the Engraving Institute. His older brother has a Silver Talent and was recruited by Chu Yunze. He was at the banquet that night and saw it happen with his own eyes.”

Du Yu shook his head. “He may have an Ink Jade Level Talent, but my Brother Su is a Double Red Gold. Why should he have to follow that guy?”

Zhu Mingxu shook his head. “The key is that Zhu Xuan has already consolidated his power. He’s recruited all the core talents from this year’s class. If Su Chen doesn’t join them, his only other option is to join one of the senior members’ camps, and as a junior, that would be an awkward position to be in.”

“If you don’t join anyone, you’ll just be ostracized by everyone.”

Du Yu frowned and fell silent.

…

“That’s Zhu Xuan,” Su Chen answered Zhang Hengyu’s question. “The one with the Ink Jade Level Talent.”

“So that’s him…” Zhang Hengyu murmured in realization upon hearing Su Chen’s words. “Like the moon surrounded by a sea of stars.”

A flicker of envy couldn’t help but show in Zhang Hengyu’s eyes. There wasn’t a large age gap between any of them—who wouldn’t want to be the moon surrounded by stars?