I Will Defy Fate and Change My Destiny (Please Recommend and Bookmark)

I Will Defy Fate and Change My Destiny (Please Recommend and Bookmark)

As Lin Wen drank tea, in Divine Capital, at the center of the Zero Ring Line, stood the 646-meter-tall Emperor Tower.

Beside the main conference room, which resembled the royal court of giants, Zhao Anping sat respectfully in a soft chair in a smaller meeting room. Before him sat a skinny, shriveled man casually flipping through the paper documents in his hands.

"Commandery Chief Zhao, then it seems you actually did quite well. The levee collapse happened because the previous commandery chief cut corners, correct?"

The thin man's voice was calm, but Zhao Anping did not dare let down his guard. Lowering his head respectfully, he said, "That is correct, Elder Cheng. I invested 2.6 million in reinforcing the levees. The commandery did not have that much money, so most of it was covered jointly by my subordinates and me. Even so, aside from the Changpai Village Levee, the other main levees could not be held."

Elder Cheng casually flipped through the papers in his hand and chuckled. "Fine, then let that be that. The responsibility is not yours. There were problems with Cloud Province's dispatching. Those pig-brained idiots truly deserve to be killed!"

Zhao Anping trembled slightly and did not dare respond.

"Of course, the previous commandery chief was guilty too, but he is already dead, so let it go."

Zhao Anping lowered his head deeply. "Yes."

Elder Cheng glanced at him. "Long Mountain Commandery is one of the Empire's poorest regions. In principle, personnel transfers like this are not permitted. But seeing how earnest you have been, we will make an exception this once."

"Thank you for troubling yourself, Elder Cheng. Zhao Anping will certainly follow Elder Cheng's lead."

"No, no." Elder Cheng smiled. "You are a commandery chief. Even after being transferred, you will still be a commandery chief. What use is it for you to follow my lead? Can you vote in the Supreme Council of Elders? Can you speak before His Majesty the Emperor?"

Zhao Anping lowered his head even farther. "My apologies. I was presumptuous."

Elder Cheng's smile faded. "There is one more matter. Since you are being transferred, by convention, you must recommend a candidate for the next commandery chief. Let me make this clear beforehand: Long Mountain Commandery is a specially designated first-class impoverished commandery, one of the Empire's most backward regions. No one wants to go there even for a promotion. A transfer at the same rank is out of the question."

The ever-submissive Zhao Anping found a little strength at that moment. He raised his head and said, "I recommend Lin Wen, the mayor of Changle Town."

Elder Cheng thought for a moment. "You mean that Empire hero? The one who held the levee alone without falling?"

"Yes!"

Elder Cheng frowned. "This is not a promotion. This is skipping ranks. Do you know how many ranks he would be skipping by going from town mayor to commandery chief?"

"Only three ranks."

"Only three ranks?" Elder Cheng looked at Zhao Anping, danger flickering in his eyes. "Do you think you are playing One Slash, Level 999? Do you think the Empire's official system is some kind of joke?"

The dissatisfaction of those in high positions meant real punishment. That was the source of their power to inspire awe without anger.

In the Empire, the Supreme Council of Elders was the highest authority, ruling over everything. Even the Emperor himself had to hold the position of First Elder within the Supreme Council of Elders to possess actual power.

The First Elder and the four Grand Elders did not handle specific affairs. Aside from matters of war and state, as well as major personnel appointments and dismissals, they rarely appeared in person.

Thus, most of the time, the Empire's actual rulers were the eight Elders.

Elder Cheng was one of those eight supreme rulers.

Compared with an Elder of the Empire, a commandery chief could not even be mentioned in the same breath—like the glow of fireflies compared with the majesty of the sun and moon. The gulf between them was nearly infinite. Yet Zhao Anping showed no fear at all and said calmly, "He previously skipped four ranks, rising from an administrative clerk in town to town mayor. He has held the post for three years and is deeply loved by the townspeople."

"Oh? Such a thing happened?" Elder Cheng's expression softened. "Bring me his record."

"Here." Zhao Anping handed over the dossier he had prepared long ago.

Elder Cheng flipped through it. "Oh, this is quite interesting. Both his parents were Empire heroes. A heroic inheritance—the entire family is full of martyrs." Stroking his chin, he said, "There is precedent for skipping ranks. He has achievements and administrative merit, family points, reputation and publicity, and he is a local official from Long Mountain Commandery. With so many favorable factors combined, it seems feasible."

"There is also support from the court," Zhao Anping said without changing expression.

Elder Cheng thought for a moment, then laughed in irritation. "You brat, laying a landmine for me here. Do you know what you are doing? You are making him skip seven ranks in three years. The Empire has never seen anything like this in a hundred years. You have broken a record!"

"I am honored by the praise."

Elder Cheng smiled. "I am starting to like you, brat. It seems that the young man you so strongly recommend must possess some talents and abilities ordinary people lack. Perhaps he can bring some change to Long Mountain Commandery, which has been festering on the Empire's body for forty years. Given his solid record, let it be so."

"Thank you, Elder!"

A few minutes later, Elder Cheng stood. "Then go. I have already sent the transfer orders to the East Qin Provincial Governor's Office and the Cloud Province Governor-General's Office."

"Yes. Thank you for troubling yourself, Elder Cheng!"

After drinking tea for more than three hours, Lin Wen was finally notified that he could enter.

The Governor-General's Office conference room was clean and plain, with no unnecessary decorations. There was only a crystal dragon lamp, beneath which stood an enormous oval table.

People filled both sides of the table. The man seated at the head was clearly East Qin Province's highest-ranking official.

The Governor, Sheng Huaixuan.

Before entering, Lin Wen had already activated the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart. In his refined-person mode, he wore a broad smile, bent at the waist, and lowered his head.

Of course, the bending-at-the-waist part had not happened. The Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart could only control his speech, facial expressions, and neck muscles, and it did not pass through his brain.

So Lin Wen himself had no idea what he was doing, resulting in an extremely bizarre posture. His neck was lowered, his face pinched into a smile, and he kept nodding faintly as though greeting every person present. Yet his back was ramrod straight, and he strode with his head held high, as though declaring that everyone here was trash.

The sight was utterly strange, yet Lin Wen felt great about himself. I have activated a spell. Why have you not all hurriedly been moved by me?

Sheng Huaixuan, the Governor of East Qin Province, was a middle-aged man with a square face and an imposing air. Seeing everyone turn to look at Lin Wen as he entered, he coughed.

As though someone had flipped a switch, everyone turned back. Lin Wen went from being the center of all attention to being ignored in an instant.

Sheng Huaixuan continued, "I have finished explaining the basic situation. Secretary Cheng, read out Lin Wen's record."

During this time, a beautiful female secretary guided Lin Wen to sit in a corner of the conference room. There were no attendants in the room; everyone present was staff from the Governor-General's Office.

So far, the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart had not spoken a single word.

After the record was read, Sheng Huaixuan said, "I now propose that Lin Wen take over Zhao Anping's position and become the commandery chief of Long Mountain Commandery."

The proposal caught everyone by surprise, creating a stir throughout the room.

Lin Wen was not overly shocked, nor was he particularly delighted. He merely thought, Commandery Chief Zhao really was dismissed and investigated? Why have they suddenly promoted me to such a high position? Could I actually be this Governor's illegitimate son?

He was no longer a complete novice. He knew that compared with a commandery chief, being a town mayor was not merely one giant step lower—it was like getting a rocket shoved under his waist and being launched toward satellite status.

He studied the Governor carefully but found no resemblance whatsoever.

Sheng Huaixuan continued, "Everything that needed to be said has been said. Let us vote."

He raised his hand first, indicating approval, then said, "Who approves? Who opposes?"

Hands shot up in a rush. Everyone raised theirs.

The motion passed unanimously.

Lin Wen's brow furrowed even more deeply. Was this not forcing him onto the stage? Could there really be some connection?

Yet no matter how he looked, he could not find even the slightest resemblance between himself and the Governor.

Changle Town does not even have ten thousand people, while Long Mountain Commandery has 1.3 million. Does this mean my authority has suddenly surged by hundreds of times?

But that may not necessarily be a good thing. I do not understand governance at all. Changle Town has few people, is isolated, and is poor. It is basically in a primitive state of self-governance, which is why I could grind miscellaneous tasks every day and still do well. A commandery chief has such great authority—if I mess up a policy and bring disaster upon the country and its people, would I not gain Evil Karma?

Evil Karma was something he could never touch. The opportunities and fortune it reduced were a hundred times what Good Karma increased. No amount of attributes could make up for that.

But if I manage it well, would that not mean I could farm Good Karma efficiently? Maybe not as much as defending the levee, but surely more than grinding miscellaneous tasks?

Blessings and misfortunes depend on each other. Can I manage it well? The harm of Evil Karma is far greater than the benefits of Good Karma. This is like walking a tightrope.

What should I do?

While he was thinking, the oath-taking somehow ended, and even his inaugural speech was over.

Lin Wen's splendid speech earned enthusiastic applause, but he was deeply annoyed. In a moment of inattention, he had missed his final chance to decline.

There was no helping it.

Lin Wen thought.

He could only accept it for now and take one step at a time.

After the meeting ended, Lin Wen was kept behind alone.

Sheng Huaixuan glanced at him, seeming somewhat displeased, and said blandly, "I thought you would be shocked, confused, or overjoyed. But it appears I need not worry."

"This is all strength bestowed upon me by the Governor..."

For the first time, Lin Wen witnessed a situation where even the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart failed. The words it spoke were clearly very appropriate, even to Lin Wen, yet the Governor's expression showed increasingly obvious weariness and dissatisfaction, with even a deep disappointment hidden beneath them.

After a brief "friendly" exchange, Sheng Huaixuan stopped looking at his face and said blandly, "A new official taking office—if you have any requests, say them. Do not worry. I will satisfy you as much as possible."

"The Governor is most considerate. My heart is crimson with loyalty, and I need nothing..."

Lin Wen immediately deactivated the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart. This thing really can only be used for chatting. It cannot cure every illness.

"Governor Sheng, I am poor as hell, and Long Mountain Commandery is so poor it cannot even afford to change its pants. I need everything."

The tone shifted one hundred and eighty degrees in an instant. Sheng Huaixuan looked at him with mild surprise. "Commandery Chief Lin, say directly what you want."

Lin Wen glanced at his 100% Primordial Spirit and immediately asked [Immortal's Guide] a question.

"What does Long Mountain Commandery need most right now?"

[This question requires 10% Primordial Spirit power.]

Fine. Give me the answer.

[Money]

Pfft!

Lin Wen nearly sprayed a mouthful of water onto the Governor's face. He hurriedly wiped the table with his sleeve and said seriously, "Money. The more, the better."

Sheng Huaixuan gave him a strange look, took a sip of tea, and leaned lightly back in the Governor's exclusive grandmaster chair. "Commandery Chief Lin, it is not that I refuse to give you..."

Lin Wen could not be bothered to listen to the rest. Although he did not understand how to be a leader, he knew exactly how leaders brushed him off. He could recite it backward.

"It is not that I refuse to give you" meant "I simply will not give you."

He asked [Immortal's Guide] again.

"What does Long Mountain Commandery need besides money?"

[This question requires 10% Primordial Spirit power.]

Fine, fine.

[Preferential allocation of resources and support, tax exemption authority, consolidated tax rebates, free trade authority, designation as a key area of the Empire Main Artery Plan, and a new financial pilot program]

Lin Wen raised them one by one.

"Commandery Chief Lin, you must understand the Empire's difficulties..."

The Empire would never understand your difficulties.

"Commandery Chief Lin, this needs to be considered..."

It would not be considered.

"This needs to be studied..."

Studying it would not get it to you either.

"The conditions are not yet ripe."

For you, the conditions would never be ripe.

After making the rounds, not a single request was granted.

Sheng Huaixuan's tone was gentle, as though he were filled with guilt over being unable to grant Commandery Chief Lin's requests. Even the weariness, dissatisfaction, and disappointment in his expression had vanished completely.

His tai chi was truly watertight.

Lin Wen was very unhappy. Twenty percent of his Primordial Spirit had been wasted for nothing.

But he was no fool. He quickly realized that his requests had not been professional enough.

"What request should I make?"

[This question requires 20% Primordial Spirit power.]

Damn it. If this still does not work, watch out—I will find out someday who gave me such crooked directions behind the scenes and smash your Primordial Spirit.

[Immortal's Guide] paid no attention to Lin Wen's childish threat and calmly gave its answer.

[Discretionary Authority]

What the hell is Discretionary Authority? Lin Wen thought, but his mouth did not stop. He immediately said, "I want Discretionary Authority!"

The approachable expression vanished from Sheng Huaixuan's face. Lin Wen knew that meant he had touched upon an interest worth fighting for.

"Explain." The Governor's expression became deep and unfathomable. His sharp gaze crossed over his interlaced fingers and stared directly at Lin Wen. "What do you want Discretionary Authority for?"

By then, Lin Wen had long run out of patience. He ignored any possible standard answer and did not activate the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart. He answered directly.

"I want to defy fate and change my destiny!"