In contrast to the cheerful atmosphere of the Wancheng professionals, the Lincheng professionals were almost biting their back teeth when they learned that Gu Chen had achieved the Abyss Achievement.
In the dungeon square of the temple ruins, Gu Chen's name was still hanging on the clearance record of the Hell-level dungeon, which was extremely glaring.
There were people who knew Gu Chen everywhere, some of whom had ridiculed him, some of whom had envied him, and some of whom were his classmates.
Of course, Wu Ziyi was not included.
Ever since he defected from the team in the dungeon, he had not shown up in the novice dungeon square, as he felt it was too embarrassing.
Now, the novice professionals were basically all discussing topics related to Gu Chen.
"Have you heard? Gu Chen not only joined Wancheng, but also got the Abyss achievement of the Bone Burial Dungeon."
"I'm so envious. After the job-changers in Wancheng clear the novice copy, there is a high probability that they will choose the ordinary-level Bone Burial Dungeon, right? After all, the difficulty has been reduced by 25%."
"Don't forget, not only has the difficulty been reduced, but the clearance rewards for the Bone Burial Dungeon have also been increased by 25%."
"Alas, Wancheng has a good city lord. Liang Yi poached Gu Chen, benefiting all the low-level professionals in Wancheng. What did the city lord of Lincheng give us?"
"I heard that Xu Lai reduced the dungeon usage fee in Lincheng."
"What's the use? If the dungeon difficulty doesn't decrease, low-level professionals like us will still have no way out."
"Xu Lai is a villain. It seems that he has given benefits to the professionals in Lincheng, but it only benefits the nobles and the rich. He doesn't care about the life and death of the low-level professionals."
"It's hard to imagine how much the professionals in Wancheng will get because of Gu Chen."
"It's all Xu Lai's fault. If he hadn't joined forces with the Li family to suppress him, Gu Chen would never have left."
"Xu Lai, this guy is such a jerk!"
Lincheng Office.
Xu Lai sat in his office, listening to his secretary's report, his face so gloomy that it looked like water was about to drip out of it.
"City Lord, the people of Lincheng are venting their dissatisfaction with the City Hall on major media platforms. Negative news is almost trending on the search list. Our credibility is seriously lacking."
"Block the news! Suppress all the negative news about the City Hall. Do you need me to teach you this?"
"It can't be blocked. These are all mainstream media platforms. And it's not just Lincheng. Several surrounding cities, including Wancheng, have also gotten involved, saying they want justice for Gu Chen."
Xu Lai said nothing, his face darkening even more.
"We have also received news that a large number of students are organizing a demonstration with the aim of asking the city lord to apologize to Gu Chen."
Anger suddenly surged on Xu Lai's face, "Go on." "
Gubei City sent a message that from this month, Lincheng's various taxes will be increased by 15%. In the next three years, the various subsidy policies of the northern border will not be implemented in Lincheng."
"Continue."
"After the Li family was wiped out, the three major families in Lincheng had many fights in order to seize the various industries of the Li family, which had an extremely serious impact on the public security of Lincheng."
"You all come to mess with me? On purpose! You all come to mess with me, right?"
Xu Lai roared, slamming his fists on the table, his eyes full of bloodshot, his spirit on the verge of collapse.
"Damn it, they're all stirring up trouble at this critical moment!"
"If you can't shut down the online news, shut down the relevant media platforms. I'll put them all out of business!"
"Protests? Force me to apologize? Suppress them! Suppress them harshly! All participants will have their student status revoked and sent to factories for re-education through labor."
"And Gubei City, they're actually raising taxes on Lincheng by 15%? And canceling subsidies? Retaliation! This is pure revenge!"
"Okay, the major families are dishonest, right? Arrest all the troublemakers! Gubei City wants to bleed me, so don't blame me for targeting them!"
Xu Lai roared, seemingly venting his rage.
Initially, he had dismissed this impoverished young man, renounced from the royal family, but one mistake led to another, one trouble after another.
He had thought that with the extermination of the Li family, his involvement with Li Xiao would be forever erased, but he hadn't expected the whole thing to be exposed.
All at once, frustration, anger, and regret all surged out. He was furious, and this time, in a rare display of lack of restraint,
he wanted to vent.
Xu Lai was the City Lord, after all, and he didn't completely let his emotions take over.
A minute later, he had regained his composure. He
breathed a sigh of relief, his face clear of any anger.
He had come to terms with the outside world's chaotic voices, which meant nothing. Even the position of Lincheng City Lord was just a job for him.
In two years, his term would be up, and he would be transferred to the Western Regions or Southern Border.
A young man from the Northern Territory's royal family, huh? I look down on you, I can't afford to offend you, but can't I avoid you?
Xu Lai thought, a hint of resignation in his eyes. He had long planned to give up.
In Gubei City, at the Zhan Wang residence.
News of Gu Chen's departure from the Northern Territory to join Dongzhou had already reached the palace.
Gu Qingfeng was furious at this, and if Qin Yun hadn't pulled him back, he would have mobilized his troops to attack Wancheng.
"Your Majesty, Ci'er called from Shangjing. The special recruitment exams for Shangjing Academy are complete. School is about to start." Qin Yun's voice was filled with intense joy and pride.
"Huh? Ci'er will be back this afternoon, seriously?"
"Yes, the child still misses his parents. He said he'll be busy after school starts, so he's taking advantage of the time before school starts to spend more time with us."
"Yes, Ci'er has been obedient and sensible since he was young. It's good that he has this heart. In that case, quickly ask the butler to arrange a banquet in the hall tonight to welcome Ci'er."
Qin Yun nodded, a hint of hesitation in her expression. "Your Majesty, if you leave for Dongzhou now, I'm afraid Ci'er will regret it if he doesn't see you when he returns."
Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng's face showed a hint of hesitation.
Both Gu Chen and Gu Ci were his sons. As a father, he couldn't neglect one while emphasizing the other.
The trip to Dongzhou, the round trip, and dealing with Gu Chen's affairs would take at least two days.
And this time, Gu Ci probably won't stay long.
Thinking of this, Gu Qingfeng's brows flickered with anger again.
Gu Chen was clearly his eldest son, so why was he always causing trouble outside?
As an older brother, why couldn't he be as worry-free as his younger brother Gu Ci?
It seemed his previous thoughts were correct. Gu Chen had been living outside since he was a child and his temper was too wild. He had to be tamed, otherwise he wouldn't achieve anything great in the future.
Thinking of this, Gu Qingfeng sighed.
"Well, leaving the Northern Territory was that rebellious son's choice. Even if he joins Dongzhou, he won't cause any trouble for a while."
"I'll stay with you and your son in Gubei City for the next two days. After Ci'er leaves the Northern Territory, I'll
settle the score with that rebellious son." Qin Yun nodded and hummed, her frown immediately relaxing.