Probationary Patrol Officer, High-Stakes Gamble

Zhang Baichuan sounded like a thug.

Su Ye fell into thought.

With Star Beasts invading and passages to higher planes opening, Blue Star had effectively been at war for years. Ordinary people living in cities simply didn't feel it as keenly.

But anyone who became a Martial Artist would inevitably find himself drawn into that war.

Once Dong Huang Martial Artists reached the higher ranks, they generally joined the Military.

And the Military offered three main paths.

First, the Expeditionary Force: enter higher planes and fight on the front lines against foreign races.

Second, the Secret Realm Army: remain on Blue Star to guard the Secret Realms, respond to new ones whenever they appeared, and hold back the frenzied Star Beasts within.

Third, the Patrol Bureau: protect the cities and deal with Star Beasts, demonic beasts, and Martial Artist criminals that made their way inside.

The Patrol Bureau was relatively less dangerous.

But...

Su Ye actually leaned more toward the Expeditionary Force or the Secret Realm Army.

They were dangerous, but only constant battle could hone him.

More importantly... he had a system.

The more enemies he killed, the stronger he became.

What was the point of joining the Patrol Bureau?

Would he even run into one Star Beast a month?

Apparently sensing Su Ye's lack of enthusiasm, Zhang Baichuan's eyes flickered.

"Little Su, the Expeditionary Force and Secret Realm Army may sound impressive, but they're dangerous. Join the Secret Realm Army at the Third or Fourth Heaven, and you'll be cannon fodder!"

"Go to a higher plane at the Seventh or Eighth Heaven, and you'll still be cannon fodder!"

"We Martial Artists need to know when to keep our heads down. Be a patrol officer in the city and quietly build your strength. Once you break through to the Ninth Heaven, it won't be too late to head to a higher plane. The Patrol Bureau won't stop you then—we'll send you off with drums and fanfare!"

Su Ye: ...

Could he really make hiding out sound so noble?

Zhang Baichuan threw an arm around Su Ye's shoulders.

"Little Su, join our Patrol Bureau and you'll receive supplies every month, even as a probationary patrol officer. We're far more generous than the school."

"And most importantly... once you join, you can move your parents straight into the Patrol Bureau's Family Area!"

"You'll get a two-hundred-square-meter home rent-free. Your parents will qualify for military family benefits, including medical coverage. And as for their safety? If anyone dares hurt your parents or sister, they'll be attacking a military family. The whole Patrol Bureau will show up with guns."

"So? Tempted?"

Su Ye: ...

"Director Zhang, say no more. I'm with you from now on!"

"Ha! That's the spirit! Little Su, we're family now. If anything happens, I'll have your back!"

Zhang Baichuan was delighted.

Ability Users were one in ten thousand, let alone one with a Supernatural Ability suited to combat like Su Ye's.

Whenever an Ability User emerged, every Military department fought to recruit him.

Take the three Ability Users who had appeared at Second High School.

The Secret Realm Army had recruited Meng Li as soon as he showed his Talent.

Mu Wanrou's aunt was an expert at a research institute, so she had naturally followed her there.

As for Xiao Qiyue... forget it. She was a big shot's daughter. Best not to try.

Now that Su Ye had burst onto the scene, Zhang Baichuan had to secure him before word got out.

And since Su Ye was one of his own now, Zhang Baichuan would naturally back him up.

With a wave of his hand, he dispersed the star-energy barrier.

His arm still around Su Ye, Zhang Baichuan turned to the uneasy Zheng Wuxiang.

"I hear you want our Patrol Officer Su to enter the Life and Death Arena, Master Zheng?!"

Zheng Wuxiang: ...!!!

Since when had Su Ye become a patrol officer?

He was only a high school senior. How could he possibly be a patrol officer?

But Zhang Baichuan would never make such a claim lightly.

The fact that he had announced it in public made it clear what the two had discussed inside the star-energy barrier.

Even Zhang Baichuan's earlier defense of Su Ye and the congratulatory banner... all of it had been groundwork for recruiting him into the Patrol Bureau!

This Su Ye...

He had actually caught the bureau director's attention?!

A sense of dread flashed through Zheng Wuxiang.

"No, no, this is a misunderstanding."

"This is no misunderstanding!"

Zhang Baichuan waved a hand.

"A man's word is his bond! But three million to get one of our patrol officers into the Life and Death Arena? You're looking down on the Patrol Bureau. Five million. Take it or leave it!"

"In a month, I'll bring the Patrol Bureau along to watch from ringside and see just how capable your prized disciple is!"

"And don't hold your disciple back on my account, Master Zheng. Fight to the death if you like. We'll accept the result without a word of complaint. Absolutely!"

Zheng Wuxiang: ...

Zheng Wuxiang felt all the strength drain out of him.

With Zhang Baichuan there in person, how could he dare have Su Ye killed?!

If his disciple so much as scratched Su Ye, Zhang Baichuan might come after him with armed men!

But then... wasn't he paying five million just to admit defeat?!

Zheng Wuxiang wanted to cry.

He tried to say more, but Zhang Baichuan had already led several subordinates into the Golden Moon Seafood Restaurant.

"Come on, come on! I'm in a good mood. Dinner's here tonight, and it's on me!"

"Little Su, come eat with us!"

Su Ye smiled faintly.

"Whatever you say, boss."

Zheng Wuxiang had arrived full of confidence and left in a daze.

Zhang Xuan, who had witnessed everything, fell deep into thought.

A luxurious Blood-Sweating Sedan rolled to a stop before a villa.

Zhang Xuan went inside and found his father, Zhang Dayuan, apparently just back from a banquet.

"Father, there's something I want to tell you."

Zhang Xuan quickly recounted what had happened with Su Ye, emphasizing that Su Yang of the Yujing Su Family had taken a special interest in him, and that Zhang Baichuan, director of the Patrol Bureau, had personally invited Su Ye to join and stood up for him.

Zhang Dayuan had paid little attention at first, but his expression grew increasingly grave as Zhang Xuan spoke.

At last, he gave his son an approving look.

"Xuan, you did the right thing. In this world, fighting over pride gets you nowhere. Connections are what matter!"

"You repaired your relationship with Su Ye at the first opportunity. Well done. You're my son, all right!"

After praising his son, Zhang Dayuan grew even more solemn.

"You mustn't just stay on good terms with Su Ye. You need to put real effort into winning him over!"

Zhang Xuan was puzzled. "Why, Father? And what about Su Yang in Yujing...?"

"Su Yang's call is precisely what proves how important Su Ye is!"

Zhang Dayuan glanced around instinctively before lowering his voice.

"Did you know Zhang Baichuan may have invited Su Ye into the Patrol Bureau for more than his awakened Supernatural Ability? Zhang Baichuan once led a team into a Secret Realm to fight. One of his teammates was Su Xingchen, the Yujing Su Family's third daughter!"

"And more importantly... a major figure from the Yujing Su Family personally visited Fangyuan City half a month ago. Your classmate Su Ye left Fangyuan City around the same time..."

Zhang Xuan stared, dumbfounded. "Father, are you saying... Su Ye has ties to the Yujing Su Family?!"

Zhang Dayuan gave him a knowing look. "I once heard a rumor. Su Yang of the Yujing Su Family is only an adopted son. The family's true son..."

Father and son looked at each other.

The Zhang Family might be about to make a high-stakes gamble.

If they won, they would soar to the top!