Chapter 228: Chapter 145: Mr. Ji’s Face
"A promotion assessment?"
A light breeze swept through the city block, kicking up dust and debris from around the collapsed wall.
Hearing the man’s words, Lu Chao’s eyes narrowed. ’Just as I thought,’ he mused.
At first, he had indeed thought it was the Biotechnology Company deliberately testing him.
But he later realized that while the man was arrogant, he didn’t harbor any real malice.
"That’s right. A special assessment for your upcoming promotion and transfer."
With a faint smile, Ji Lixian met his gaze and explained softly, "The Alliance Country has no need for geniuses who only look good on paper. That’s why the content of our assessments has recently changed."
"I’m sure you’ll get used to it in time."
His tone was calm, giving off a sense of impartial authority.
Lu Chao processed the straightforward explanation, quickly understanding its meaning.
Compared to static data points like Life Energy, strength, and speed, an instinctive counterattack in a real combat situation was undoubtedly a more genuine and accurate reflection of a fighter’s true skill.
"I see."
The last of his doubts vanished.
VROOOM!!
Before they could speak further, several Patrol Department vehicles sped toward them, causing quite a commotion.
A hover car even streaked across the sky, gradually descending.
Within minutes, Lu Chao saw Vice Director Liu arrive in person.
"Mr. Ji, I never expected you to come to Ring City yourself."
Vice Director Liu walked straight up to Mr. Ji, his tone deeply respectful.
Ji Lixian smiled amicably. "It was a hasty visit, and I was hoping to keep a low profile. I didn’t expect to trouble Director Liu..."
The two exchanged pleasantries, their back-and-forth conversation soon taking them a short distance away from the others.
Several elite captains from the Patrol Department secured the perimeter while sending others to deal with the broken lamppost and wall, and to negotiate compensation with the relevant bystanders.
Lu Chao stood where he was, quietly observing the scene.
[Carbon-based Human]
[Life Energy: ?]
His intuition had activated at some point, displaying Mr. Ji’s stats.
He was already a veteran Elite Level, yet he couldn’t see through the man’s Life Energy stats. It was a clear testament to Mr. Ji’s profound power.
TAP, TAP!
As Lu Chao mulled it over, the young man in black who had tested him earlier walked over.
"I got a little carried away just now. My apologies."
He was still wearing his sunglasses, and his low voice was surprisingly sincere.
Now that he knew the full story, Lu Chao nodded to show it was no big deal.
He could sense the shift in the other man’s attitude.
Perhaps the initial provocation had been genuine, tinged with the arrogance that often came from Yao Capital, the nation’s capital.
But now, he had earned the respect he was due through his strength.
"My name is Wang Ling."
He extended a hand, his expression serious. "If we get the chance, I hope we can spar again."
He was clearly a bit disappointed with how their fight had ended, without a clear winner or loser.
Lu Chao wasn’t surprised. He just smiled, nodded, and shook the offered hand. "Lu Chao."
"If the opportunity arises, I’d like that."
He didn’t consider it a loss on his part, either.
The two of them chatted for a moment.
From their conversation, Lu Chao learned a few things about these unconventional promotions.
"The results of this assessment will be sent back to Yao Capital soon. Someone will be assigned to handle your transfer orders."
Perhaps because a fight can forge a bond, the young man named Wang Ling now regarded him as an equal. "You’re very skilled," he said frankly. "Even in Yao Capital or East Port, people like you aren’t common."
"As for what comes next..."
Wang Ling hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I’m guessing your transfer orders will be for either Yao Capital or Red Maple."
Oh?
Lu Chao was surprised that Wang Ling seemed so certain about his destination.
"Yao Capital is the capital of our Alliance Country. Its significance goes without saying."
"As for Red Maple... it just recently joined the Alliance Country and is still in a probationary period. They’re quite short-staffed at the moment."
Wang Ling spoke tactfully, saying just enough and no more.
Lu Chao fell into thought at his words.
"Thanks."
"It’s nothing."
Wang Ling waved his hand dismissively, not making a big deal of it.
Before the two could say much more, Mr. Ji finished his conversation with Vice Director Liu and gestured for his people to leave.
"We’re off."
Wang Ling said as he brushed past, hands in his pockets and sunglasses still on. "Maybe we’ll see each other again."
TAP, TAP!
With that, he strode off, nonchalantly getting into the black sedan with Mr. Ji.
The other two envoys also rolled down their windows and gave Lu Chao a friendly nod.
A moment later, the black sedan drove away.
The wake of the car stirred the dust on the ground and caused the trees lining the street to rustle.
Lu Chao watched it go, as did the other patrol officers.
He subconsciously glanced toward a corner of the alley.
The feeling of being watched had vanished at some point.
’The people from the Biotechnology Company stopped tailing me... Could it be because of the envoys from Yao Capital?’
While he was pondering this, Yang Wangtao walked over. Dressed in a crisp blue uniform, he looked Lu Chao up and down, seemingly relieved.
"I didn’t expect the assessment to be like this."
He remarked with a sigh, brushing some dust off Lu Chao’s shoulder.
In the ensuing conversation, Lu Chao learned what had happened.
They knew the envoys had arrived, but they didn’t know their exact location and had been waiting to greet them at the Patrol Department headquarters.
It was only when they heard about the commotion here that they realized something was up and rushed over.
"Envoys often have many special privileges; even the city’s chief executive has to respect them. They all have their own ways of doing things, too."
"I just didn’t expect the leader of the envoy group this time to be Mr. Ji."
Yang Wangtao’s square-jawed face was filled with admiration, which piqued Lu Chao’s interest.
"Captain Yang, you know this Mr. Ji?"
"Not personally."
Yang Wangtao shook his head, his voice full of reverence. "It’s just that Mr. Ji is extremely famous."
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