City Patrol Preparations, Undercurrents Stirring

Tiered weapons were extremely rare. Su Chen had yet to see one in the Academy, let alone a Tier 2 item.

The Azure Iron Chain coiled around him, speeding up and slowing down at times. Compared to a Rope Master's rope, it could move faster and was far more flexible.

But [Mystic Art Control] could do more than that. Su Chen stretched out his arm, and the azure iron chain suddenly burst apart, turning into finer metal threads that wound around his arm. They gradually condensed into an azure-gold "armguard" covering his forearm and hand.

The toughness of a Tier 2 item already far surpassed ordinary steel. It might not look like much, but its defensive power was undoubtedly formidable.

After playing around with it for a while longer, Su Chen discovered that he could split the chain into roughly ten metal wires, but coordinating them all at once was difficult. In actual combat, he could control at most one or two.

"If I pull them taut and combine them with my own speed, their killing power should be quite impressive..." Many possible applications came to mind, but using it in such a detailed manner also rapidly consumed mental energy.

As for [Spirit Spike], without a target, it was difficult to test its exact effects.

Having successfully become a Mystic Artificer, with two top-tier professions under his belt, Su Chen's strength had improved and his methods had increased. He felt much more at ease.

Qi Chuan and Jiang He remained thorns in his heart. Those two had been suspiciously quiet lately, but he had never believed the matter was over.

"I should rest first..." Su Chen rubbed his brow. He was to patrol the city tomorrow, and after going through the Whispering Trial and conducting all those experiments, he was rather exhausted.

"You fool! How could I have a son like you? You actually volunteered for the city patrol?"

Bang!

Zhou Xian slammed his palm against the table in rage. His imposing face twisted even more viciously, and he wished he could stuff the idiot before him back where he came from.

Zhou Zong's expression was ugly as he said in a low voice, "The City Lord encouraged people to volunteer for the patrol..."

"Don't try to fool me with that!" Zhou Xian flew into a rage, his eyes wide with fury. "I told you to find a way to pursue Bai Fengxi. Who told you to resort to schemes and tricks? Fighting with a refugee over a woman makes you look impressive? It only proves how useless you are!"

Zhou Zong's expression shifted as he muttered, "I didn't expect you to care whether your son lived or died. I thought the only thing you cared about was the City Lord's position."

"Zhang Hengyu knocked me unconscious twice and robbed me of everything I had on me, yet you ignored it. Was it because his father is the City Lord?"

"I told you, it wasn't Zhang Hengyu." Zhou Xian suppressed his anger.

"If it wasn't him, who else would have the ability and the guts?" Zhou Zong was resentful as well. "Could it have been that thief? Instead of finding a way to escape, he stole the potions off me?"

"Enough!" Zhou Xian's face twitched as he abruptly strode forward. Zhou Zong's heart skipped a beat, and he took a step back.

Zhou Xian softened his voice somewhat and said gravely, "Tomorrow, I'll see you off. I'll have Hu Xiang watch over you, and you need to be careful too."

"It's not like this is my first city patrol." Zhou Zong was unconcerned. "Besides, a powerful professional passed through a few days ago. What danger could there be nearby?"

"A powerful professional can deter those cunning bastards..." Zhou Xian said coldly. "But the mindless mutated creatures nearby will only become more violent. That makes it dangerous!"

Zhou Zong froze, clearly having never considered that.

"And once you leave the city, behave yourself. Stop keeping an eye on that refugee." Zhou Xian stared at his foolish son.

"Why?" Zhou Zong did not understand.

"Don't ask why!" Zhou Xian snapped impatiently. "Just listen!"

Zhou Zong left unwillingly. Zhou Xian's expression darkened and brightened uncertainly. Should I put it on him? It really is a good opportunity, but...

Early that morning, the plaza by Southwind Academy's main gate was already packed with people, and discussions filled the air.

Afraid something might go wrong, Su Chen had arrived early and looked over the city patrol guards before him.

Their armor covered far more of their bodies than that of the inspection guards. It was pitch-black and cold-looking, while the weapons hanging at their waists were also of much finer quality.

There were only around fifty or sixty of them by rough estimate, but their killing intent rushed at him, making people feel oppressed.

The Inspection Department, Patrol Department, and Exploration Department were Southwind City's three major armed organizations.

The Inspection Department was responsible for the city, while the Patrol Department handled daily security.

The Exploration Department was the most mysterious. It was responsible for exploring the most dangerous areas outside the city, as well as ruins.

It answered directly to the City Lord. Rumor had it that every one of its members was an elite professional, with no shortage of Tier 2 or even Tier 3 professionals.

"The city patrol is starting again... Tsk, tsk. The patrol guards' equipment has been upgraded again?"

"This time, their luck is pretty good. A powerful professional just passed through." Quite a few people were envious.

"It's not that simple..." Some more mature students shook their heads, sorrow seemingly present in their eyes.

There were rarely casualties during city patrols because the requirements were reduced in every respect. Regular patrols required going at least five to ten kilometers outside the city, while students only needed to go around three kilometers out. The danger was inherently low.

Still, there was always the chance of an accident.

The leader of the patrol guards stood in place like a statue, his face cold and stern.

Before long, the crowd parted down the middle, revealing a familiar face.

"Old Bai?" Su Chen was slightly surprised. The newcomer was Bai Fengxi, her expression indifferent and her manner aloof.

"She's going out of the city too?" Su Chen had not expected it. He muttered, "She's older than me."

City patrols were held once every three months. He should have been in the next batch, but had been moved up to this one.

People gradually arrived, both men and women. Su Chen did not know most of them, and anxiety and unease covered most of their faces.

They quickly began talking with people they knew, instinctively forming small groups. Some tried to strike up conversations with Bai Fengxi, but received no response.

"Su Chen?" Bai Fengxi spotted Su Chen, who had quietly slipped into the crowd, and was equally surprised.

Seeing this cold and aloof girl take the initiative to speak to someone, many people turned their eyes toward Su Chen.

He was rather handsome, but he was not one of the Academy's well-known figures.

"Him? Isn't he Teacher Jiang He's male escort?"

"He seems even more handsome in person than in the recording..."

Someone recognized him, and they began whispering among themselves.

Su Chen was speechless. He did not know whether it was an illusion, but the patrol guards' leader seemed to glance at him as well.

Was Jiang He really that influential?

"Excuse me, please move aside..." Someone else entered, instantly drawing even more attention.

Though the weather was not hot, this girl was dressed rather scantily. Her specially tailored clothes outlined her voluptuous curves, and everyone's gazes rose and fell with her movements.

Even Su Chen took two glances, inwardly admiring her exceptional endowments.

"Ah, Sister Bai..." Her face lit up with delight as she jogged toward Bai Fengxi.

Su Chen clearly saw the girl's gaze sweep over him, but she had no intention of greeting him and instead crowded in before Bai Fengxi.

"Tsk..." Su Chen stepped aside, putting a little more distance between himself and the two of them.

"Ah, Brother Zhou..." the exceptionally endowed girl called out again, raising her hand in a wave.

"This guy is here too?" Su Chen saw Zhou Zong walking over from the crowd and was even more surprised.

"Zhou Zong? Why is he here too? I remember he went out once a year ago, in the same batch as me." People in the crowd discussed it, and Su Chen's eyes flickered.

Zhou Zong's steps faltered, but he still walked toward Bai Fengxi. The last time she had told him to get lost twice had clearly left a shadow on him.

"Time's up. Roll call!"

Suddenly, the patrol guards' leader shouted. His sharp gaze silenced everyone as he took out a list and quickly completed the count. No one dared to disregard him. Everyone had arrived, and their total number was about the same as that of the patrol guards.

Everyone carried packs containing tents, food, and other supplies.

"Move out." He was brief and direct. The formation was arranged, with patrol guards at the front and rear, sandwiching them in the middle.

"Wait..."

Before they could even leave the city, they were stopped by the inspection guards at the gate. "Routine inspection."

Hu Xiang stared at the man before him, frowning deeply. "What are you inspecting?"

"No comment." The other man was expressionless.

"We have orders to leave the city on patrol."

"We have orders to inspect everyone leaving the Academy."

"Ding Cripple, we just came in and have been staying in this plaza right under your nose. You still want to inspect us? Are you saying you're blind, or are you targeting me?" Hu Xiang knew the man as well, and his tone was hostile.

The patrol guards behind him all stepped forward in unison.

Ding Cripple nodded seriously. "I want to inspect you."

For a moment, the atmosphere became tense. Some students who had come to watch the spectacle crowded closer.

Where there were people, there was conflict. Even among the three major armed organizations, there was a hierarchy of contempt. The Inspection Department, which handled security inside the city, was undoubtedly at the bottom.

"Captain Ding!"

A deep voice sounded from behind. A middle-aged man had appeared at some point.

"Vice Principal Zhou?" Ding Cripple looked at the newcomer.

"The city patrol is routine business. Don't delay them," Zhou Xian said quietly.

"But Minister Yuan said..." Ding Cripple hesitated.

"They found traces over there, and Minister Yuan is investigating them. He didn't have time to come over. I came because I was afraid you would have a conflict..." Zhou Xian pondered before saying, "How about this? Don't inspect the patrol guards. There are many eyes watching in broad daylight, so there should be no problem."

"Inspect the students instead. Don't take too long. Just make sure none of them are disguised."

Ding Cripple's expression shifted. He looked at Hu Xiang's cold, stern face again, then nodded helplessly.

This time, Hu Xiang did not stop them. The inspection guards came forward and checked everyone one by one. Then they opened the transparent shield temporarily covering the entire Academy and allowed them to leave.

"Captain Hu, I'll be counting on you this time." Outside the Academy, Zhou Xian spoke intimately with Hu Xiang.

Among the students, people's gazes repeatedly swept over Zhou Zong.

Zhou Zong savored the envy, jealousy, and resentment in those gazes. Then he glanced at the silent Su Chen and could not help sneering inwardly.