Chapter 70: 70

As the report took up quite some time, by the time Lin Jin returned to the Beast Appraisal Association, it was already afternoon.

“Let’s head to the emergency hall first.”

Yet, when they arrived at the gates, only Zhao Ying got in successfully while Lin Jin was stopped outside.

Lin Jin was confused but the guards wouldn’t let him pass, saying it was an order by Chief Wang Ji.

“This is too much!” Lin Jin’s expression darkened. He couldn’t care less how Wang Ji was trying to give him hell at any given chance, but to restrict him from entering the association was outrageous.

Just then, Wang Ji walked over with Jia Qian and Zhang He in tow.

“Lin Jin, headquarters has officially revoked your qualifications as an official beast appraiser. Now, if you will, please turn in your beast appraiser’s one-ring sleeve band. From now on, you’re not allowed to step foot into the Beast Appraisal Association again because you’re not worthy.”

Wang Ji was extremely pleased with himself.

He had successfully kicked Lin Jin out.

And it happened two days earlier than he had expected.

Truth be told, he was just as shocked when he got the news this morning. The order to revoke Lin Jin’s qualifications came from the inspector’s headquarters.

The inspectors indeed had such authority.

Furthermore, Wang Ji didn’t expect the inspector to be here two days earlier than scheduled. He had no idea what enraged the inspector so much that they informed headquarters to have the order issued.

But it didn’t matter what happened. All that mattered was the success of his plan.

Just like a death sentence, it was impossible for Lin Jin to ever redeem himself now.

Lin Jin was naturally shocked. He abruptly recalled that odd woman from last night who declared, right before she left, that his qualifications as a certified beast appraiser had been revoked.

Back then, he only assumed it was a joke, but who knew that she was telling the truth.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Jin willed himself to calm down.

Since it had come to this, there was no point in arguing. His upcoming plans were no doubt ruined. He had wanted to take the advancement exam, but now that he was stripped of his identity as a beast appraiser, he definitely wouldn’t be able to take the exam.

But so what?

If he was stripped of his qualifications as a certified beast appraiser, he could take the exam again. And not just the certification exam, he would take the advancement exam as well.

While this idea sounded farfetched, for Lin Jin who possessed the Museum of Deadly Beasts, it wasn’t a problem at all.

“What rights do you have to revoke Master Lin’s qualification?”

Suddenly, an angry voice snapped.

It was Zhao Ying.

Like an enraged lion, her face was currently bright red with fury.

“With all the rights that the headquarters inspector possesses,” Zhang He couldn’t resist speaking up. His face was still swollen after being beaten up by Dong He yesterday.

Lin Jin couldn’t care less about Zhang He, but he couldn’t leave Zhao Ying be.

He wanted to hold her back but Zhao Ying continued lashing out against them with great resolution.

“This is an abuse of power without evidence. I’m not convinced. I will use my identity as an apprentice to vouch for Master Lin. As a certified beast appraiser, be it skills, or character, he is impeccable. I am requesting a re-evaluation. If Master Lin is truly not fit for his role, I’m willing to take responsibility for any consequences.”

“Count me in!” Lu Xiaoyun and Han Dong hurried over.

“I, Lu Xiaoyun, am willing to vouch for Master Lin!”

“I, Han Dong, am willing to vouch for Master Lin!”

The three apprentices went over and lowered their heads in a plea.

Lin Jin swallowed.

He felt touched!

“And you lot think you’re worthy?” Wang Ji scoffed. “You three are only apprentices, not official beast appraisers. What right do you have to vouch for him? What will you wager? I’m warning you to stop causing trouble. This is a decision from headquarters. If you don’t want to stay in the association anymore, you can all leave together. I won’t stop you.”

“Fine, I’ll just lea-…” Lu Xiaoyun immediately burst out in anger. But before she could finish, Lin Jin covered her mouth in a deft movement.

Mmphmphm!

Lu Xiaoyun was making threatening gestures but the only sound that came out was muffled cries.

“That’s enough, three of you!” Lin Jin barked sternly.

“Master Lin, Han Dong has received such grace from you. Now that my benefactor is being humiliated, how could I just stand back and watch? I swear to follow…”

“Shut up!” Lin Jin glared at them, enraged.

Han Dong immediately shut his mouth.

Still, he couldn’t stop his tears from falling. A big boy like Han Dong who used to smile brightly all the time was actually crying.

Not just him, even Zhao Ying and Lu Xiaoyun had tears welling up in their eyes.

For Lin Jin to be blocked at the association’s gates where everyone was watching, and then Wang Ji deliberately showing up here just to announce it to everyone was a blatant act of humiliation.

Couldn’t he have directed Lin Jin to a corner and broke the news to him in private?

This was evidently premeditated. Wang Ji had begun scheming for this the moment he received word from headquarters.

None of the three apprentices could stand by and watch Lin Jin being shamed. After spending a few days together, they have learned to share their weals and woes. And being youngsters, it was only natural for them to be hot-headed in the face of injustice.

It was human nature.

If Lin Jin were an average person, he might have lost his sanity that instant. He would either throw a tantrum, embarrassing himself, or faint from anger and become a laughing stock.

But Lin Jin was no ordinary man.

He patted Han Dong on the shoulder, ruffled Lu Xiaoyun’s head, and wiped away Zhao Ying’s tears before saying, “I understand your sentiments. If you still have respect for me as your teacher, heed my orders. Say no more and stay in the association. Hone your skills and increase your knowledge. Leave everything else to me.”

The trio nodded and Lin Jin turned to Wang Ji.

“It’s only natural to follow orders from headquarters. Chief Wang, let me ask you. Headquarters has revoked my qualifications as a certified beast appraiser, and said nothing more?” Lin Jin asked.

Wang Ji roared in laughter.

“Lin Jin, wasn’t that enough? Fine. If you want to hear it, let me repeat it to you. That’s right. Headquarters has only ordered to have your qualifications as a certified beast appraiser revoked. Have you heard that clearly?”

Lin Jin nodded. “That’s good then. So I will register for the beast appraiser certification exam taking place on the day after tomorrow. Chief Wang, until then!”

Having said that, with a fling of his sleeve, Lin Jin walked away.

The crowd was first stunned before thunderous laughter ensued.

“Has Lin Jin gone mad? Does he think he can pass?”

“What a joke! He really thinks he’s worthy of becoming a certified beast appraiser. The inspector from headquarters isn’t blind. If they didn’t have proof of Lin Jin’s incompetence, why would they revoke his qualifications? He’s just embarrassing himself at this point.”

Wang Ji was also chuckling as he shook his head. “And I can’t wait for you to take the exam. But by doing this, you’ll just be questioning the inspector’s decision. That person is still in Maple City. If they find out about it, putting aside the fact that you won’t pass, they would still bar you from becoming a beast appraiser.”

And Wang Ji would ‘make sure’ that the inspector hears of this.

Also, he knew that an inspector dispatched by headquarters wouldn’t be someone of ordinary status. If this prominent figure was offended, Lin Jin wouldn’t be able to redeem himself no matter how amazing he was.

Inside the Beast Appraisal Association, as Tan Lin listened to Wang Ji’s report, she recalled what happened last night and the fury resurfaced in her heart, which made her expression darken.

‘He’s not willing to surrender? Not only is this person shameless, but he also doesn’t know his place,’ she mused through gritted teeth.

However, Tan Lin remained composed on the surface and said faintly, “If he wants to take the exam, let him. Headquarters didn’t deprive him of his right to take the exam.”

Despite saying that, it was obvious that Tan Lin was still infuriated.

Wang Ji was hoping for such a response so he said, “It was my fault for being too lenient that a failure like him appeared in the association. Right, has Elder Tan come out yet?”

He behaved respectfully.

Tan Xun, formally known as Elder Tan was the Rank 3 beast appraiser from headquarters that the City Lord Manor had invited. The man held an incredible position within headquarters and was also the father of Inspector Tan Lin.

Tan Lin shook her head. “My father is still at the Earth Fire Spirit Stream, discussing how to strengthen the seal together with Elder Mo and Elder Du. They might take a while. I’ll stay here and wait until he comes back.”