“A Rank 3 beast appraiser?” Appraiser Ouyang was stunned. His first reaction was to dismiss it. Within the Jade Dragon Kingdom, besides having a few Rank 3 beast appraisers serving in headquarters, branches elsewhere wouldn’t possibly have Rank 3 beast appraisers.
“What nonsense are you spouting? Such Rank 3 beast appraisers don’t exist!”Appraiser Ouyang opened the door. Although he found it incredulous, the term ‘Rank 3 beast appraiser’ still shocked him.
He couldn’t help it because Rank 3 beast appraisers had that much influence in their community. Particularly so for people like Appraiser Ouyang who were mainly stationed in headquarters, because they know full well what a Rank 3 beast appraiser represented.
Honor and an incomparably high social status.
Anyway, if the man was truly a Rank 3 beast appraiser, then a mere Rank 1 beast appraiser like Appraiser Ouyang shouldn’t offend the guy. They couldn’t afford to.
Appraiser Ouyang looked somewhat hostile as he glared at the apprentice outside. Frightened, the apprentice insisted, “It’s true, Appraiser Ouyang. He’s really a Rank 3 beast appraiser from Maple City. Perhaps you’ve forgotten but he’s the one who got His Majesty’s concession…”
When he heard the apprentice’s reminder, Appraiser Ouyang came to a realization.
He finally remembered.
Maple City.
Indeed, there was something like that. A little while ago, His Majesty had personally requested that headquarters issue a Rank 3 qualification to an appraiser from outside the royal capital.
This matter had caused such a huge uproar at headquarters because a Rank 3 qualification was no laughing matter. Other than a handful of higher-ups, almost everyone else here disagreed with the request. Some even protested the idea furiously.
Still, that didn’t change His Majesty’s decree. With a few of headquarters’ higher-ups agreeing to the appointment, what seemed ‘absurd’ to the other beast appraisers actually came to pass.
Most of the beast appraisers were exasperated by this because they knew just how tough it was to get a promotion as appraisers themselves.
Even Rank 1 appraisers had to start from their apprenticeship and slowly work their way up the hierarchy. That was one of the reasons. Also, not every apprentice would get that chance. Most of them wouldn’t even get to be an official beast appraiser in their lifetime.
However, here was someone who managed to raise his rank by the emperor’s instruction. To most appraisers, this was nothing short of shameful and dishonorable.
Many of them were still jealous and bitter about it.
However, what’s interesting was that Appraiser Ouyang wasn’t part of that group.
He was a misfit and wasn’t held in high regard by his peers. He was neglected for the most part. Despite Appraiser Ouyang’s yearning to do better, fate was always working against him.
At least, that was what he thought about himself, that he was born under an unlucky star.
He actually didn’t think much of the person who got promoted by His Majesty’s decree. After all, Appraiser Ouyang himself had also gotten his Rank 1 beast appraiser status through unofficial channels which cost a lot of money.
For this reason, he felt no distaste for the man. Quite the contrary, he was very impressed by this Appraiser Lin.
Appraiser Ouyang’s eyes lit up and he asked, “Are you sure it’s Appraiser Lin from Maple City?”
“Affirmative.”
“Great, great, wonderful! I’ll go and meet him now.” Appraiser Ouyang grew ecstatic. He hastily tidied himself up and then strode outside. He left so quickly that you wouldn’t have known that he was nodding off at work mere moments ago.
The apprentice was surprised by the sudden change in attitude.
He had no idea what Appraiser Ouyang had in mind. It was quite simple really. He was planning to befriend and curry favor with that Rank 3 beast appraiser. To him, this was a once-in-lifetime opportunity.
Part of being shunned by his peers involved constantly being assigned night shift jobs, as well as other undesirable responsibilities. This happened primarily because he had no one to back him up.
He did try to find someone powerful to back him up, but that was to no avail.
There were two reasons for this. One, his expectations were too high, and two, his targets thought nothing of him.
Appraiser Ouyang was very interested in that man from Maple City. If he could latch himself onto this guy, he would indirectly be latching onto the emperor.
Appraiser Ouyang wasn’t making blind assumptions. Appraiser Lin must have special connections with the emperor. Otherwise, His Majesty wouldn’t have issued that decree, which took effect despite the heavy criticism it received.
In other words, Appraiser Lin of Maple City was an influential figure with solid connections.
A man with super long coattails had arrived! Only a fool would miss this chance ride on it.
Lin Jin was waiting out front. As this was headquarters, even as chief of Maple City’s branch, his arrival had to be announced before he was allowed entry.
While Lin Jin didn’t have to investigate the files this late at night, he felt it was better to do it as soon as possible.
If only the Demonic Appraisal Association and the Qiao family were concerned, he wouldn’t have come here this urgently. However, since the Visitation Hall was involved as well, that incident held a whole other meaning for Lin Jin.
He knew he couldn’t afford to dawdle.
Any delay might bring about trouble.
As he thought about his plan, Lin Jin heard footsteps behind him. He turned around, only to be greeted by the sight of a group of people, led by two appraisers with grave expressions. They seemed to be the headquarters’ appraisers. There were many people following behind them and several pet beasts came in on stretchers. Lin Jin had already grown used to such scenes. It must be an emergency consultation.
Hence, Lin Jin stepped aside to make way for them.
Then, he heard some of those people speak.
“God I’m nervous as heck. Why did they suddenly get poisoned?”
“Who knows? But it’s good that we managed to realize in time. With Appraiser Wang and Appraiser Cao here, things should be alright.”
“I hope so. These pet beasts hold too much significance for our Chamber of Commerce. We can’t afford any mishaps.”
As they spoke, the group came closer.
Lin Jin didn’t block their way nor stop them. Knowing they were dealing with an emergency, it was better not to disturb them. Still, out of habit, Lin Jin decided to check the conditions of those pet beasts.
They were fine breeds with desirable bloodlines. These were premium pet beasts but they all looked dispirited. Indeed, these were the stereotypical symptoms of intoxication. Upon closer inspection by Lin Jin, however, he found that to not be the case.
However, taking a look was all he would do. He wouldn’t interrupt their job nor be unnecessarily nosy.
The two beast appraisers should know how to deal with it.
Both beast appraisers were Rank 2 and slightly aged so they must have a lot of experience.
Just then, the two appraisers abruptly turned to Lin Jin, frowning almost immediately as they stopped.
“Who is this? Why does he have a Rank 3 sleeve guard?”
“We know all the Rank 3 beast appraisers in headquarters but I don’t recognize this person.”
Both appraisers commented before raising their hands to salute Lin Jin. “My fellow appraiser, may we know how we should address you?”
They were surprisingly courteous.
Lin Jin returned their salute. “Good evening, fellow appraisers. I am Lin Jin from Maple City, and I’m here on urgent business to borrow some files.”