My Professions Have Chapter 22: Patrol Preparations, Surging Undercurrents

Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Patrol Preparations, Surging Undercurrents

Tiered Weapons were extrely rare. Su Chen had never even seen one at the academy, let alone a Tier Two Item.

The Cyan Iron Lock slithered around him, its speed fluctuating. It was faster and more flexible than the abilities of a Rope Master.

But Secret Artifact Control was more than that. Su Chen extended his arm, and the cyan iron chain suddenly burst apart, transforming into finer tal threads that wound around his arm. They gradually coalesced into a cyan-gold Arm Armor covering his forearm and hand.

The toughness of a Tier Two Item far surpassed ordinary steel. Though it looked unassuming, its defensive power was not to be underestimated.

After playing with it for a while longer, Su Chen discovered he could split the iron chain into about ten threads. However, coordinating them all at once was difficult. In a real fight, he could probably control one or two at most.

’If I pull them taut and combine that with my own speed, the killing power would be impressive...’ Nurous applications ca to his mind, but such fine control also consud Spiritual Power rapidly.

As for Spiritual Spike, without a target, it was hard to test its actual effects.

Having successfully beco a Secret Artifact Master and now possessing two Top-tier Professions, his strength had increased and his options had multiplied. Su Chen felt a lot more secure.

Qi Chuan and Jiang He were still like thorns in his side. The two had been quiet lately, but he didn’t believe the matter was over.

’I should rest for now...’ Su Chen rubbed his temples. He had to go on the City Patrol tomorrow. After just going through the Delirious Words Trial and then all this experintation, he was quite exhausted.

...

"You idiot! How could I have a son like you? Voluntarily joining the City Patrol?"

BANG!

Zhou Xian, seething with uncontrollable rage, slamd his hand on the table. His dignified face twisted into a ferocious snarl, as if he wished he could stuff this idiot son of his back into the womb.

Zhou Zhong’s expression was grim. He muttered, "Volunteering for the City Patrol was encouraged by the City Lord..."

"Don’t try to fool

with that nonsense!" Zhou Xian flew into a rage, his eyes wide with fury. "I told you to find a way to pursue Bai Fengxi, not to use underhanded sches! Getting into a jealous spat with a refugee—is that sothing to be proud of? It only proves your incompetence!"

Zhou Zhong’s expression shifted. He said sullenly, "I’m surprised you even care if I live or die. I thought you only had eyes for the City Lord’s position."

"Zhang Hengyu knocked

out and robbed

twice, and you did nothing! Is it because his father is the City Lord?"

"I told you, it wasn’t Zhang Hengyu," Zhou Xian said, suppressing his anger.

"If not him, who else has the ability and the nerve?" Zhou Zhong retorted, full of resentnt. "Don’t tell

it was that thief? Instead of trying to escape, they stole the Potion from ?"

"Enough!" Zhou Xian’s face twitched. He strode forward abruptly. Zhou Zhong’s confidence faltered, and he took a step back.

Zhou Xian’s voice beca more restrained. He said in a low tone, "Tomorrow, I’ll see you off. I’ll have Hu Xiang look after you. You be careful, too."

"It’s not my first ti on a City Patrol," Zhou Zhong said dismissively. "Besides, a powerful Professional just passed through a few days ago. What danger could there be nearby?"

"A powerful Professional might intimidate the cunning ones..." Zhou Xian said coldly. "But the less intelligent mutated creatures nearby will only beco more agitated and dangerous!"

Zhou Zhong froze, clearly not having considered that possibility.

"Also, once you’re outside the city, keep your head down. And stop fixating on that refugee," Zhou Xian said, staring at his idiot son.

"Why?" Zhou Zhong didn’t understand.

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

Zhou Zhong left resentfully. Zhou Xian’s expression was uncertain. ’Should I place it on him? It’s indeed a good opportunity, but...’

...

Early the next morning, the plaza at the gates of Southwind Academy was already crowded with people, their discussions buzzing in the air.

Fearing sothing unexpected might happen, Su Chen had arrived early. He observed the City Patrol Guard before him.

Their Armor provided much more coverage than that of the Inspector Guard. It was pitch-black and chilling. The weapons slung at their sides were also of higher quality.

He roughly estimated there were only fifty or sixty of them, but a grim, murderous aura washed over him, creating a suppressive atmosphere.

The Inspectorate, the City Patrol Departnt, and the Exploration Departnt were the three major ard forces of Southwind City.

The Inspectorate was responsible for the city’s interior, while the City Patrol handled routine security.

The Exploration Departnt was the most mysterious, responsible for exploring the most dangerous areas and ruins outside the city.

It answered directly to the City Lord, and it was said that every mber was an elite Professional, with so even being Tier Two or even Tier Three Professionals.

"The City Patrol is starting again... Tsk, tsk, look at the City Patrol Guard’s new gear."

"They’re pretty lucky this ti. A powerful Professional just passed through." Quite a few people were envious.

"It’s not that simple..." A more mature-looking student shook his head, a hint of sorrow in his eyes.

Casualties during the City Patrol were rare because the requirents were reduced. Regular patrols had to cover a radius of at least 5-10 kiloters outside the city, but students only needed to stay within about 3 kiloters, so the danger was inherently low. But accidents could always happen.

The leader of the City Patrol Guard stood in place like a statue, his expression cold and hard.

Before long, the crowd parted to let soone through, and it turned out to be a familiar face.

’Old Bai?’ Su Chen, standing in the crowd, was slightly surprised. The newcor was none other than Bai Fengxi, her expression indifferent, projecting a cold and aloof air.

’She’s leaving the city too?’ Su Chen thought, surprised. He muttered, "She’s older than ."

The City Patrol took place in batches every three months. He was supposed to be in the next batch but had been moved up to this one.

People continued to arrive, both n and won. Su Chen didn’t know most of them, and many wore looks of fear and apprehension.

They quickly started talking with people they knew, subconsciously forming small cliques. A few people tried to strike up a conversation 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 the aloof girl take the initiative to speak to soone, many people turned their gazes to Su Chen.

Although he was quite handso, he wasn’t one of the school’s well-known figures.

"Him? Isn’t that Teacher Jiang He’s Golden Silk Duck?"

"He’s even more handso in person than in the photo..."

So people recognized him and began to discuss him in hushed tones.

Su Chen was speechless. He wasn’t sure if he was imagining it, but the leader of the City Patrol Guard seed to glance at him too.

’Does Jiang He have that much influence?’

"Excuse , please let

through..." Soone else entered, instantly drawing even more attention.

Although the weather wasn’t hot, this girl was dressed in rather revealing clothes. The specially tailored outfit outlined her graceful curves, and everyone’s eyes followed her every move, rising and falling with her.

Even Su Chen glanced over a couple of tis, marveling at her natural gifts.

"Ah, Sister Bai..." she exclaid with a delighted expression, jogging toward Bai Fengxi.

Su Chen clearly saw the girl’s gaze sweep past him without any intention of greeting him as she got close to Bai Fengxi.

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

"Ah, Brother Zhou..." the well-endowed girl called out again, waving her hand.

’That guy is here too?’ Su Chen was even more surprised to see Zhou Zhong walking out from the crowd.

"Zhou Zhong? Why is he here too? I rember he already went out once a year ago, in the sa batch as ." Soone in the crowd was discussing it, and a glint flashed in Su Chen’s eyes.

Zhou Zhong hesitated but still walked toward Bai Fengxi. Her telling him to get lost last ti had clearly left him with a bit of trauma.

"Ti’s up! Roll call!"

Suddenly, the leader of the City Patrol Guard barked the order. His sharp gaze silenced the crowd. He took out a list and quickly finished the roll call. No one dared to be absent; everyone was present. Their total number was about the sa as the City Patrol Guard’s.

Everyone carried a backpack with a tent, food, and other supplies.

"Move out," he said concisely. They ford up, with the City Patrol Guard in the front and rear, sandwiching the students in the middle.

"Wait..."

But before they could even leave the city, they were stopped by an Inspector Guard at the gate. "Routine inspection."

Hu Xiang stared at the man before him, his brow furrowed. "Inspect what?"

"No comnt," the other man replied, his face expressionless.

"We are under orders to leave the city for patrol."

"We are under orders to inspect everyone leaving the city."

"Limp Ding, we just arrived and have been in the plaza right under your nose this whole ti. You still want to inspect us? Are you saying you’re blind? Or are you targeting !?" Hu Xiang clearly knew the man, and his tone was hostile.

The City Patrol Guards behind him all took a step forward in unison.

Limp Ding nodded seriously. "We have to inspect."

For a mont, the atmosphere grew tense. So students, eager to watch the drama unfold, gathered closer.

Wherever there are people, there is conflict. A pecking order existed among the three ard forces, and the Inspectorate, responsible for security within the city, was undoubtedly at the bottom.

"Captain Ding!"

A deep voice ca from behind. A middle-aged man had appeared at so point.

"Vice Principal Zhou?" Limp Ding said, looking at the newcor.

"The City Patrol is a routine matter. Don’t delay it," Zhou Xian said in a low voice.

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

"A trace was found over there, and Minister Yuan is investigating. He couldn’t make it. I ca because I was afraid you two would clash..." Zhou Xian mused. "How about this: don’t inspect the City Patrol Guard. We’re in public with many eyes watching, so it should be fine."

"Just check the students. Don’t take too long. Just confirm none of them are in disguise."

Limp Ding’s expression changed. He looked at Hu Xiang’s cold, hard face and nodded reluctantly.

This ti, Hu Xiang didn’t stop them. The Inspector Guard ca up, checked everyone one by one, and then opened the temporary transparent shield covering the entire academy, letting them pass.

"Captain Hu, I’ll be counting on you this ti," Zhou Xian said cordially to Hu Xiang outside the academy.

Among the students, many eyes frequently swept over Zhou Zhong.

Zhou Zhong basked in their gazes filled with envy, jealousy, and hate. He then glanced at the silent Su Chen and sneered inwardly.