Chapter 35 - Make Him A Scapegoat

Wang Ji naturally understood what Gao Jiang meant. Because it was truly shameful if word got out.

Just then, Gao Jiang was reminded of today's incident about Lu Xiaoyun switching mentors. A sudden thought came to him and he said, "Chief, we're not the only two official beast appraisers in this branch."

Wang Ji's eyes lit up at this reminder.

"You're right. We're not the only two official beast appraisers in this branch. Someone! Move these to the main evaluation hall and summon Lin Jin!"

***

Lin Jin had a wonderful nap that afternoon because no one disturbed him. He only woke up in the evening.

After having a bite to eat and some tea, he went to check on the sapphire turtle and ink monster. Lin Jin realized how relaxed his life was.

Zhao Ying and Lu Xiaoyun had gone home as it got dark outside.

Lin Jin was planning to go home too. He took out the drawing Gu Mengzhong had gifted to him from the book cabinet. Naturally, he couldn't leave such a valuable thing in the association and had to bring it home.

With the scroll of drawing in hand, Lin Jin left with Xiao Huo.

Just outside the threshold, he was stopped by the apprentice Wang Ji had sent for him.

In the association's evaluation hall.

When Lin Jin entered, Wang Ji and Gao Jiang were already there. The men were apathetic when they saw him while Wang Ji was utterly hostile. He wanted to revoke Lin Jin's title and chase him away so he could recommend Jia Qian to replace Lin Jin. At the thought of this enchanting fairy, Wang Ji felt a little hot and bothered. He even felt many years younger. While he hadn't obtained the beauty yet, but once this matter was settled, what was his would naturally be his.

As for Gao Jiang, he initially only felt disdain for Lin Jin. But the man had brazenly poached his student and even questioned his appraisal. This made Gao Jiang greatly prejudiced against Lin Jin.

Hence, both men definitely wouldn't be friendly to the newcomer.

However, Lin Jin was quite calm and greeted them upon entrance. "Chief Wang! Appraiser Gao!"

Both men couldn't be bothered to respond. They had only called for him to be a scapegoat.

"Lin Jin, where are you so slow? When will you change this dilly-dallying habit of yours?!" Wang Ji simply berated out of annoyance for Lin Jin.

Dilly-dallying?

But Lin Jin had not delayed anything. He came immediately after he had been called. He hadn't even had time to place Gu Mengzhong's painting back home.

"I've called you here to assign you a task. Go and evaluate the nine beast eggs over there. Remember, even if you stay up all night, you have to give me an evaluation report by tomorrow morning." Having said that, Wang Ji yawned. This day had been exhausting especially during the afternoon.

"I'm heading home. What about you, Appraiser Gao?" After leaving his instructions, Wang Ji ignored Lin Jin and turned to Gao Jiang instead.

While Gao Jiang was his subordinate, this was the Gu family's young master, someone deserving of his regard.

"I'm heading back too. I have an important dinner today that I can't miss," Gao Jiang answered.

Without care for Lin Jin, both men simply left.

Lin Jin glanced at the beast eggs over there and approached them.

He was no fool. Wang Ji and Gao Jiang were clearly in cahoots with each other, coming up with excuses to leave. And it only took a little brainpower to figure out that something must be wrong here.

Nine of the unappraised were placed together while the other two appraised eggs were placed aside. The two readied evaluation reports were placed there as well.

Lin Jin could easily tell. Of a total of eleven eggs, two were appraised, while they either ran out of time for the remaining nine, or they couldn't evaluate them at all. When the client takes a look at the name signed on the evaluation reports, the blame would simply be pushed to him.

"Those imbeciles. Did they think I'm still the old Lin Jin?" Lin Jin smirked.

The previous Lin Jin would never be able to evaluate these eggs and it was inevitable he would become the scapegoat. However, the new Lin Jin had the Museum of Deadly Beasts. In this world ruled by pet beasts, he could screw the heavens.

Lin Jin was currently alone in the vast hall. It was quiet. He walked over and observed a beast egg. Truth be told, other than it being an egg, there was nothing else he could tell.

But with one slight touch, the museum was immediately triggered.

"Mutated eggs. Record of collection, 1 out of 10."

***

Outside the hall, Wang Ji was assigning an apprentice with a task.

"Go and prepare some gifts. They must be calligraphy and paintings. Put them in the hall. These will be presents for Steward Zuo so they must be perfect."

The apprentice accepted the task and went on his way.

Wang Ji was aware that the city lord's task was poorly done, that completing only two evaluations was deplorable so he had to throw in some gifts. At least Zuo Wentang could help him put in a few good words with the city lord.

The was worldly wisdom and an experienced man like Wang Ji naturally knew such rules.

After that, he turned to the appraisal hall and smirked before striding away.

Little did he know, Lin Jin was currently exhilarated.

Mutated eggs, recorded numbers: 1. No doubt, to the Museum of Deadly Beasts, this was considered a new category. Lin Jin's excitement stemmed from knowing that the museum often provided rewards for new records.

Just like the first time he recorded a hundred beasts, the museum awarded him the 'Wild Beast Deterrence' skill. This allowed him to tame every pet beast under level three unless the creature had unique abilities. Lin Jin had tried and tested the skill so many times, with each time being a success. It had been a great help with his image.

As for the records of rare beasts, for example, the rock lizard with a Golden Dragon bloodline, the cockerel, Goldy, with a Golden Crow bloodline, as well as the ink monster, having exceeded ten records, he was awarded the 'Beast Energy Formation, Part One'. It was a specialized skill for pet beasts to cultivate the first stage of the beast energy formation. Its effectiveness was evident when Xiao Huo had scratched Lu Yunhe's male lion three times today until the beast cried.

If he recorded more rare beasts, the museum would most probably award him with the subsequent parts. Once Xiao Huo completes his cultivation, he'd definitely grow more formidable. Also, Lin Jin knew that one of Xiao Huo's next evolution methods was to cultivate the Beast Energy Formation up to level six. Then, he could evolve into a level four.

Even if his potential rate was insufficient, a breakthrough was achievable. This was the best part of the Beast Energy Formation skill. At present, this skill was the best one known to mankind. If Lin Jin were to release this knowledge to the world, he might start a revolution.

With these, it was evident how incredible the museum's rewards were. Now that a new 'mutated egg' category had appeared, if Lin Jin recorded ten of them, he could trigger a new kind of reward.

How could Lin Jin not be thrilled or excited? He was dying of anticipation.

He touched the first mutated egg and immediately the museum materialized with a sample specimen and stone tablet. After a careful look, Lin Jin knew it was something remarkable.

"Mutated egg. Level one. Gold attribute. Can be hatched into a wind slashing mantis."

"The three hatching methods are…"

"By nourishing it, there is a chance to raise the creature's initial level. The two methods are…"

"The five blood pact formation methods are…"

Lin Jin read through each of them. The contents were extremely plentiful. Without having to write all of them, just picking one out of these ten combinations was enough to be deemed as a perfect evaluation.

Without wasting time, Lin Jin took a brush and pen to begin writing down the contents.

After he finished, Lin Jin placed his seal on it and moved on to touch the next mutated egg.