Chapter 324 - 207: The Weight of the Position (Part 2)

Chapter 324: Chapter 207: The Weight of the Position (Part 2)

Thus, Li Longxuan was the de facto ruler of Cang City.

He was also the person with the highest status and position in the entire city.

You have to understand, while Xia Country was vast, not many special organizations had an eighth-rank powerhouse. All told, there were only seven or eight such cities. This calculation alone was enough to reveal just how important a position Li Longxuan occupied in the entirety of Xia Country.

Thus, Su Xing could roughly guess what kind of official rank he would receive this time. It would most likely be team leader. ’After all, no matter how highly Li Longxuan thinks of me, he can’t possibly let me replace his own son, can he?’

However, team leader was no small position.

Although Xia Country had long been a modern society with no talk of enfeoffing marquises, obtaining any official post meant, in practice, becoming one of the elite.

At the very least, Su Xing would receive state-granted property and a large sum of money, as well as access to people, events, and things that ordinary people could never encounter.

Clearly, Su Xing was also about to step into the highest echelons of Cang City society.

"According to precedent, anyone who reaches the eighth rank receives treatment similar to mine, regardless of their combat merits. Unfortunately, you are, after all, only sixth-rank. Therefore, I plan to submit the names to the official channels tomorrow."

At this, Li Longxuan paused, his expression turning serious as he spoke, enunciating each word.

"I am going to recommend you—Su Xing—to the special organization’s high command for the position of Branch Chief of the Cang City branch. I hope you will not disappoint my expectations."

Branch Chief. Even with "branch" in the title, the position controlled the very lifeblood of a city’s Extraordinary Beings. It was by no means an insignificant post.

To be blunt, as a newly emerged powerhouse, Su Xing’s combat merits alone were not enough for him to become the leader of Cang City’s special organization. But...

With his immense talent, strength, and his unbelievably young age—and most importantly, with the backing of Li Daoshen, Li Longxuan—becoming Branch Chief was indeed no problem.

It was just that Su Xing had never, ever imagined that Li Longxuan would actually remove his own son from his post to let an outsider take this position of power. The act left even Su Xing with a look of utter shock.

He truly hadn’t expected it. No, that wasn’t right. It wasn’t that he hadn’t expected it, but rather that he had underestimated Li Longxuan. He had subconsciously assumed that Li Longxuan, like most people, would protect his own son. After all, that was only human nature. If it were his own brother, Su Xing would do the same.

But for Li Longxuan to be willing to hand this position over to him, simply because he believed Su Xing had greater talent and approved of him more... It was just too...

The magnitude of the favor was beyond words.

Su Xing gained a completely new understanding of the weight this position carried.

And yet... Su Xing’s expression was complicated. He knew that with just a nod, he would step into the highest echelons of the entire Xia Country. A man in a position of power in his early twenties—it was hard to imagine just how bright and brilliant his future would be.

One could say a path of immense radiance was slowly unfurling before him. But if Su Xing chose this path, it also meant he would owe an astronomical favor.

Seemingly noticing Su Xing’s expression, Li Longxuan simply smiled faintly and said,

"Su, there’s no need for such hesitation."

"Your talent and strength are the greatest I have ever seen. The birth of a supreme genius like you in Cang City isn’t just a blessing for the city, but a blessing for the entire Xia Country, and for the whole world."

"I dare say this now: the future belongs to you."

"If, at a time like this, I were to favor my own child and suppress you instead, my blade would only gather dust, and I would completely lose my chance of breaking through to the ninth rank."

"..."

As someone with a system, Su Xing had always believed he could reach the pinnacle of the Martial Dao. But he never imagined Li Longxuan would hold him in such high regard. This praise left Su Xing momentarily unsure whether to accept or refuse.

Accepting was, of course, the best outcome. ’But what about Li Yu?’

Su Xing was not someone who coveted fame and fortune. As long as he could continue to grow stronger, positions and titles were of little real use to him. Thus, he didn’t rush to accept, but instead asked,

"Elder Li, I am truly grateful for you to say that, but I still have a few questions I’d like to ask."

"What does Brother Li Yu... what does he think about this?"

"Haha, how thoughtful of you to be worried about my son on my behalf."

Li Longxuan said with a laugh. He then gestured upward and asked Su Xing,

"Su, do you know how many Secret Realms have emerged across the globe since the resurgence of Spiritual Qi? How many different Extraordinary systems have appeared?"

"I don’t know," Su Xing said honestly.

Su Xing truly wasn’t sure how many Secret Realms had appeared, but he did know a thing or two about the Extraordinary systems that had emerged within Xia Country.

For example, there were the four most common systems, and the Celestial Beings he had learned of later.

However, the figures Li Longxuan provided left Su Xing truly astonished.

"The number of Secret Realms is vast. By Xia Country’s count, there have been at least a thousand. At first, the European Union had the most, but later, more and more began appearing here in our country."

"As for Extraordinary systems... we have discovered a total of ninety-eight so far. Every region has its own history and myths, which have given rise to completely different Extraordinary powers against the grand backdrop of the Spiritual Qi resurgence."

"This world is truly vast."

Su Xing couldn’t help but remark,

"But Elder Li, what is your purpose in telling me all this?"

"No particular purpose. I just want you to know that this world is much bigger than just Xia Country, and certainly bigger than just Cang City. I have some connections in the European Union, and I plan to send Li Yu abroad to gain some experience."

"Of course, this was his idea as well. You are the one he personally chose for the role."

"..."

"In that case, I accept," Su Xing said, nodding in agreement.

’Although I don’t know why Li Yu suddenly decided to go abroad, such a sudden move must have something to do with my appearance. Perhaps he felt disheartened by my progress and decided to go out to temper himself.’

’However, since he was the one who chose me, he probably doesn’t hold it against me.’

With that thought, Su Xing put the matter aside. His mindset quickly returned to its usual state of calm composure.

After all, fame and fortune weren’t important to him—at least, they weren’t what he pursued. Su Xing’s original goal had never changed: since he had this system, he wanted to see what the very pinnacle of the Martial Dao looked like.

’Of course, becoming the Branch Chief means the resources I get and my quality of life will improve significantly. Most importantly... could I teach the team members under my command? If I really can, my rate of earning Sword Dao Points will become terrifyingly fast, and my strength will progress even further. However, I’ll have to wait until I’ve actually taken the position and made a practical assessment to see if that’s feasible.’

"Good." Hearing Su Xing agree, Li Longxuan nodded slowly, the smile on his face broadening.

Seeing Su Xing’s reaction—aside from a brief flicker of concern for Li Yu, his expression remained steady—made Li Longxuan appreciate him all the more. To be so unflustered by honor or disgrace, yet so loyal and principled, was truly admirable.

It had to be said that such mental fortitude was not something an ordinary person could possess.

"Alright, we should have the results by tomorrow morning. I have a few things to investigate, so why don’t you just stay the night here," Li Longxuan said with a smile.

"I can’t, Elder Li," Su Xing said seriously. "I need to go back and check on Lu Anning. My brother told me earlier that something seems to have happened to her."

"Hm?"

Li Longxuan’s brow furrowed. By now, he was well aware that Lu Anning was Su Xing’s first disciple. If Su Xing was this considerate toward Li Longxuan’s son, he would undoubtedly be even more so toward his own student. Therefore, Li Longxuan quickly asked,

"What happened?"

"Do you need my help?"