Announcement

Su Yuan had applied for the position in the logistics support team that had been decided on first.

The position required ascension no more than three thousand five hundred years ago,

experience as a materials manager,

an early-stage Yuan Immortal cultivation level only,

and male applicants.

The only thing missing was a restriction on immortal registry numbers. Not a single digit could differ.

There was no need to say it—Taibai had definitely tailor-made this carrot position for him.

Having connections in court really did make things easier!

He had become someone with connections too.

Sure enough, hundreds or even thousands had applied for the other positions, while only two people met the requirements for this one.

The written exam consisted entirely of original questions. Su Yuan unceremoniously scored full marks, and with Venus Star Lord serving as the interviewer, he answered every question smoothly and earned full marks there as well.

Everything went so smoothly that it seemed ordained by fate.

That night, his communication jade talisman vibrated again. Venus Star Lord summoned Su Yuan to his residence late at night.

"Teacher suddenly summoned me. Could he be discussing the details of recruiting the demon monkey ahead of time?"

On the way to Taibai's residence, Su Yuan rehearsed his words over and over, considering how to make himself stand out.

Yet the moment he entered the gates, the oppressive atmosphere that greeted him made his heart skip a beat.

Venus Star Lord's face was so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it. None of his usual gentleness remained.

"Crash!"

Before Su Yuan could speak, Venus Star Lord viciously smashed the teacup in his hand onto the floor, sending shards flying everywhere.

Still not appeased, he swept the nearby teacups to the ground as well and roared furiously:

Su Yuan's heart tightened. His old benefactor had always pursued the bearing of an immortal sage, graceful and composed. When had he ever lost control like this?

Had something truly serious happened?

"Wenqu Star Lord! He has gone too far!"

Knowing this was not the time to ask questions, Su Yuan hurriedly stepped forward and bowed in consolation.

"Teacher, please calm down. Do not harm your health. I'll pour you some tea."

Su Yuan quickly took out the tea set he carried with him and poured Venus Star Lord a fine cup of tea.

Venus Star Lord was so enraged that his fingers trembled slightly as he pointed at a jade slip on the table.

"That Wenqu Star Lord, in order to protect his disciple, actually used his authority as the director of this recruitment to alter the final scoring rules without permission! See for yourself!"

Su Yuan followed his gesture and looked over—Proposed Public List.

First place: Dou Yin. Written exam: 60. Interview: 100. Composite score: 90. Total score: 86. (Advances to review.)

Second place: Su Yuan. Written exam: 100. Interview: 100. Composite score: 20. Total score: 52.

He was actually in second place? Where had this composite score come from?

Venus Star Lord took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his anger as he explained.

"This 'composite score' is a clause they added at the last minute, supposedly to assess one's 'background, bloodline, and origins'!"

"That Dou Yin's parents were Dou Rong and Lady Earthpiercer, the commanders who defended Wandering Soul Pass during the War of the Gods. Dou Rong was granted the title of Martial Star Lord among the Northern Dipper's Seven Stars, and their family thus forged ties with Wenqu Star Lord. Their son consequently became Wenqu Star Lord's disciple, since he oversaw civil affairs. This is truly... truly..."

Hearing this and recalling Venus Star Lord's earlier outburst, Su Yuan's heart instantly turned cold.

He understood at once:

His teacher's anger just now was probably only two parts genuine. Naturally, losing face had irritated him somewhat,

but the other eight parts had most likely been an act for Su Yuan to see.

His detailed explanation now was meant to dispel Su Yuan's resentment,

and next, he would likely arrange a way out for him.

Sure enough, Venus Star Lord let out a long sigh. His face was full of helplessness and guilt as he took another jade slip from his sleeve and spread it before Su Yuan.

"Little Su, it is your teacher who has let you down. I could not prevail over Wenqu. But do not worry—I will not treat you unfairly."

He pointed to several positions listed on the silk document.

"Look. Archives supervisor at the Celestial Court Library, fodder yard inspector at the Imperial Horse Bureau... They may be somewhat leisurely, but they are stable. Pick one first, and we can make further plans later."

Su Yuan's gaze swept across them. Every one was a marginal idle post involving the management of supplies and archives, with a bleak future.

He remained silent as a fierce unwillingness rose within him.

A hand of such good cards was going to be ruined just like that?

At the same time, he felt some resentment toward Venus Star Lord. Wenqu Star Lord could go this far for his disciple—why could you not?

He raised his head, only to find Venus Star Lord wearing a bitter expression as well, his eyes filled with powerlessness.

Su Yuan suddenly came to his senses and shook his head with a silent sigh.

That was right. If Teacher Taibai truly possessed such power, why would he have painstakingly supported a rootless "wild immortal" like him?

Should he seek change? Or retreat?

Su Yuan's mind raced, but he abruptly realized that he had already been forced to the edge of a cliff, with nowhere left to retreat!

He suddenly remembered that he still owed that senior brother from the Thunder Bureau over a hundred million spirit stones. He had spent all the money already. If he could not go down to the lower realm to do business...

Wait! The Thunder Bureau?

Su Yuan recalled that official document.

<Several Measures on Reforming the Systems and Mechanisms of Heavenly Court Immortal Officials (Trial Implementation)>.

Ignoring the long, tedious clauses, his gaze locked precisely onto two provisions:

(67) The proposed list of personnel to be hired must be publicly announced for at least three days, during which it shall be subject to supervision and questioning from all parties.

(73) Personnel currently under disciplinary review or within the period affected by such review may not participate in any examination or hiring process.

Su Yuan raised his head and stared intently at Venus Star Lord, his voice calm.

"Teacher, if your disciple has a way, are you willing to make another move over this matter?"

Though Venus Star Lord brightened and leaned forward, doubt still lingered in his eyes.

"What way?"

Knowing his concerns, Su Yuan gave his assurance.

"A method that is absolutely compliant and lawful, one no one can find the slightest fault with! But I need all of this man's information."

His finger heavily tapped the name "Dou Yin" on the first line of the list.

The two keywords, compliant and lawful, dispelled most of Taibai's doubts. He nodded.

"That will not be a problem. Under heavenly law, the basic information of examination candidates is available for public inquiry."

Then his white brows furrowed slightly as he keenly grasped Su Yuan's intent.

"You intend to make a move during the three-day announcement period?"

As expected of a veteran civil official. When it came to parsing wording and citing precedents, his teacher was quite skilled as well!

Su Yuan silently praised him and nodded in admission.

Yet Venus Star Lord only smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"Sigh, I thought of that method immediately, but the difficulty lies in initiating a 'disciplinary review.' That is no trivial matter. Let alone you—even if I wished to go to the Thunder Bureau, I would have to mind the attitudes of several Heavenly Lords. Besides, the Dou family is not without backing. Why would they submit so easily?"

"Rest assured, Teacher."

Su Yuan was fully confident.

"Your disciple happens to have some connections in the Thunder Bureau as well. You only need to insist on following the rules and holding the three-day announcement period, buying me time. Leave the rest to your disciple."

Upon hearing that Su Yuan also had connections in the Thunder Bureau,

Venus Star Lord raised his head for the first time and truly regarded this young disciple as an equal,

then pondered for a moment before nodding heavily.

"Good! If we can truly blunt Wenqu's arrogance, then let alone three days—even ten days, your teacher can find a way to stall for you!"

That night, Su Yuan quietly came to the black market and performed three deep bows before the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife.

"Venerable One, Su Yuan has come specifically to beg forgiveness."