Museum of Deadly Beasts

Lin Jin and Gao Jiang waited outside the door.

Looking haughty, Gao Jiang ignored Lin Jin as usual.

Of course, Lin Jin couldn’t be bothered with him either.

Lin Jin was confident that he would pass this exam. The main reason it took him so long to complete the evaluation report was that he had to trim the fat for the contents of the report as he couldn’t possibly write down everything he saw on the museum’s tablet.

If he actually did that, the three invigilators might freak out.

He had to keep a low profile!

1

Shortly after, Lin Jin and Gao Jiang were summoned into the hall to hear the final decision.

Gao Jiang’s face was pale as a sheet while his fingers trembled and it wasn’t because he failed the exam. He knew he still lacked quite a bit after taking this advancement exam. He only took it for the experience and to increase his knowledge.

But why?

On what basis?

How could Lin Jin have passed the exam?

Unable to figure it out, the flames of envy began surging in his heart.

1

Lin Jin pretended to be surprised and delighted as he thanked the three invigilators.

Just as he had predicted, while he passed the initial assessment, there was still a final review. However, going by convention, there shouldn’t be any problems.

When the time comes, headquarters will deliver him a Rank 2 beast appraiser’s sleeve band and formally award him the qualifications.

Before all that happened, Lin Jin was still a Rank 1 beast appraiser.

As Tan Xun and the others still had something to discuss, Lin Jin came out on his own. The dejected Gao Jiang simply left without an escort.

Seeing Zhao Ying and the others still waiting outside, Lin Jin killed the suspense and announced the results immediately. His apprentices jumped and cheered as if they were the ones who passed the exam.

Tan Lin was dumbstruck as well.

Although she had long assumed Lin Jin might be able to pass the Rank 2 advancement exam, she still found it unbelievable after hearing the results.

As for Nan Gongxian, he was long gone.

At the instant Lin Jin announced his results, Nan Gongxian’s expression fell and he left discreetly without a word.

What else could he have done? Should he have stayed and embarrassed himself?

Prior to this, he had declared with absolute confidence that Lin Jin wouldn’t pass this exam, and now, he had to take back those words. As for Gao Jiang, once he returned home, he locked himself in his room and was too furious to even eat. Jealousy overwhelmed him and he was unwilling to accept the final verdict.

“How could Lin Jin pass? Since when did he become so impressive?”

Many people shared the same confusion.

But facts were facts.

With Liao Gu manning the kitchen, the group was in for a celebration feast.

Tan Lin entered the association in search of her father, Tan Xun. She saw him standing in front of a hall, seemingly in deep thought. He also looked like he was waiting for someone.

Just then, Elder Du came out looking perplexed with Yu Mantang following behind him.

“Elder Du, why do you have to be so stubborn? I just want to learn the spirit seal’s application skill from volume twenty-one of Shihuang’s Observation Technique. Why do you have to reject me so? What’s more, I’ve made it clear that it will be worth your time because I will teach you the skills I’ve conceived on my own. This is an equivalent exchange of knowledge.”

The person speaking was Yu Mantang.

Elder Du wore a helpless expression when he replied, “Appraiser Yu, my knowledge of volume twenty-one of Shihuang’s Observation Technique is very limited. Why are you suddenly asking to learn from me? You’re a Rank 3 beast appraiser while I’m a Rank 2. If we were to talk about learning, I should be learning from you instead.”

Yu Mantang was dissatisfied. The other man was clearly trying to shake him off his tail.

He was sincerely trying to learn so why was Old Man Du being so stubborn?

Did the old man seriously want him to declare out loud that he knew Lin Jin was his disciple?

Did he have to be straightforward and express how he wanted to learn the method Lin Jin used to activate the seal?

That would be so embarrassing.

It was Yu Mantang’s first time seeing that method Lin Jin performed earlier and it had been bugging him since then. He wanted desperately to learn the key points of that method.

Since Lin Jin’s abilities were taught by Elder Du, he couldn’t resist offering to trade his own knowledge just to learn that method. To his surprise, Elder Du denied possessing such knowledge.

This was outrageous.

Yu Mantang intended to press on, but at the sight of Tan Xun and Tan Lin, he kept his mouth shut. He obviously didn’t want both of them to see how he’s asking for guidance so Yu Mantang could only fling his sleeve and walk away.

“Lin’er, wait for me outside. I have something to discuss with Elder Du.” Now that his long-awaited chance was finally here, Tan Xun quickly chased Tan Lin away.

Confused, Tan Lin could only wait outside.

Elder Du went over to him, filled to the brim with grievances as he said, “Brother Tan, I don’t know why this Yu Mantang keeps insisting for me teach him volume twenty-one of Shihuang’s Observation Technique. What on earth is he thinking?”

Tan Xun nodded. “I understand, Brother Du. Both of you aren’t exactly well-acquainted so how could you simply teach him your exceptional skills?”

Then, swiftly changing the subject, Tan Xun continued, “But, our friendship is much deeper than that. Back when you were still working at the headquarters, remember how we used to exchange knowledge with each other? Oh, how nostalgic. On a more serious note, you have to tell me about volume twenty-one of Shihuang’s Observation Technique!”

Elder Du: “….”

Inside Jia Qian’s consultation hall at the Beast Appraisal Association.

Every year, Jia Qian would sit for the Rank 1 certification exam without fail. But it was as if she was plagued by a curse, and her scores would always turn out to be slightly lower from the passing mark.

In last year’s exam, she was only one point away from passing the Rank 1 certification. That was the closest she had ever gotten to attaining the right to become a certified beast appraiser. It was so close yet so far. It was as if destiny was playing games with her.

No matter how she struggled, she would always miss her target by a narrow margin.

This year, with her unyielding personality, Jia Qian took the exam as well. When she came out of the exam hall, she heard the news that Wang Ji had been removed from his position as chief of their association.

Besides this, she also heard about Lin Jin. After his qualification had been revoked, the man actually passed the Rank 1 certification exam again. Jia Qian couldn’t describe her feelings when she heard that.

Prior to this, she could still deceive herself by saying Lin Jin was lucky. What about now?

Especially after she found out that Lin Jin had passed with a perfect score, Jia Qian didn’t even realize that her lips were bleeding by biting down too hard that the blood was dripping down onto the floor.

Now, the chances of her advancing through recommendation were lost. Headquarters would certainly investigate Wang Ji’s misconduct. From her knowledge, she knew how many rules Wang Ji had violated during his tenure as chief. Simply probing into one or two allegations was enough to ensure Wang Ji’s permanent demise.

Wiping the blood from the corner of her lips, Jia Qian felt lost. Perhaps the only fortunate thing in all this was how she managed to protect herself from being taken advantage of by that old pervert, Wang Ji.

Soon, news of Lin Jin passing the Rank 2 advancement exam reached her ears.

“Rank… Rank 2 beast appraiser?” Jia Qian fell limp in her chair. As if a bolt had struck her, her mind was empty and she hadn’t the energy to pull herself up.

***

Lin Jin opened his eyes hazily.

What came into view was his newly renovated house.

“When did I get home?”

Lin Jin rubbed his eyes before casting an awakening spell. Immediately sobering up, he remembered everything. To celebrate his success, not only did Masterchef Liao Gu cook up a feast, but he also brought out his treasured aged liquor, saying it contained spirit ginseng and provided amazing health benefits.

In the end, Lin Jin got drunk thanks to the two old men, Liao Gu and Gu Mengzhong.

There were sounds of footsteps outside.

Lifting his head, Lin Jin saw Han Dong carrying a basin of water.

“Master Lin, I heard some noise so I knew you must have woken up. Come, let’s wash your face.” Han Dong handed a soaked cloth to Lin Jin respectfully.

“How long have I been asleep?” Lin Jin asked as he wiped his face clean, feeling refreshed immediately after doing so.