Infinite Professions from a Pearl Collector
Chapter 12 - 10: An Opportunity Arises, Plotting Revenge

Chapter 12: Chapter 10: An Opportunity Arises, Plotting Revenge

Several rounds of drinks were poured, and many courses were served.

The atmosphere grew increasingly lively.

Several young women from the Colorful Character Sect took turns approaching, holding their wine cups and toasting Zhao Governor with sweet, chirping voices.

They drank with Zhao Governor until he was dizzy and disoriented, floating on cloud nine.

In his drunken excitement, Zhao Governor became quite talkative. "I received an invitation yesterday," he announced, his face flush with pride. "Do you all know who it’s from?"

An older man from the Jin Character Sect immediately played along. "Oh? What grand occasion could it be, to have earned such regard from Zhao Governor?"

Zhao Governor chuckled, drained his cup in one gulp, and then said smugly, "It’s from the household of Vice Minister Lu of the Ministry of Personnel. His second son is about to be married, just ten days from now. The invitation was delivered to me personally! You have to understand, he’s a Celestial Official of the Ministry of Personnel!"

The Ministry of Personnel held authority over the promotion, demotion, and transfer of all officials in the realm. Its power was far beyond that of any ordinary Government Office.

Therefore, a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was considered a major figure in the Capital City.

For such a personage to send Zhao Governor an invitation, it truly spoke to Zhao’s considerable standing.

Instantly, a tide of compliments washed over him. Buoyed by the flattery, Zhao Governor became light-headed and even more conceited.

Sitting in the corner, Chen Ye found the sickeningly sweet flattery incredibly boring.

’I’d be better off using this time to practice my Lightweight Body Technique at the abandoned city walls.’

He lowered his head, sipped his wine, and began to take stock of his gains for the day.

His Skillful Hand Skill had risen from Level Seven to Level Nine, and his duel with Yang Ze had also raised his Fast Blade Skill by two levels.

Chen Ye then opened his system panel.

[Name: Chen Ye]

[Profession: Flying Thief (Level 2)]

[Talent: Light as a Feather (Your body becomes lighter, greatly improving your jumping and balancing abilities. You land without a sound.)]

[Skills: Skillful Hand (Level 9), Fast Blade (Level 8), Roof Walking (Level 2)]

After more than a month of practice, his Flying Thief Profession had also advanced one level, but Chen Ye still felt his progress was a bit slow.

He knew it was because he had only focused on practicing his Skills and hadn’t done any work that actually fit his Profession.

’To put it bluntly, I can’t just bury my head in practice. I need real-world experience.’

Just as Chen Ye was plotting to find some unscrupulous, wealthy merchant to practice on in a couple of days, Zhao Governor suddenly lowered his voice. "Do you know which family’s young lady this Second Young Master Lu is going to marry?"

How would any of them know? They all shook their heads.

This was exactly the effect Zhao Governor wanted. He chuckled, looked around the room, and finally said, "The Lin Family. The third young miss of the Lin Family."

After speaking, he couldn’t help but click his tongue in admiration. "Now *that* is a union of power. The Lin Family is a Noble Family with a hundred-year history, and Lord Lu is a new court favorite. I’ve heard that Second Young Master Lu is also exceptionally talented and a brilliant writer. His future is bound to be bright. This marriage is truly the envy of others!"

The others heard this and simply assumed it was another marriage alliance between powerful families, chiming in with words full of envy.

But to Chen Ye’s ears, the words struck like a clap of thunder.

’The Lin Family’s third miss? Lin Yan!’

’Dammit, it’s *that* woman!’

A sense of absurdity washed over Chen Ye, and he even felt a bit of sympathy for the Second Young Master Lu, whom he had never met.

’The guy hasn’t even walked through the door, and a bright green hat has already been tailor-made for him.’

After all, just before the new year, Chen Ye had personally seen her run off to Fayuan Temple for a secret rendezvous with her lover.

’Wait, something’s not right!’

Recalling the incident at Fayuan Temple before the new year, Chen Ye suddenly realized something was off. Only a month had passed since then. How could news of the Lin Family marrying off a daughter suddenly appear?

’This doesn’t fit the style of a prominent Noble Family like the Lin Family at all!’

’And the wedding is set for just ten days from now? Why so rushed?’

With the Lin Family’s wealth and status, marrying off a daughter of the main line should involve at least half a year of preparations. They should spread the news throughout the city, host a grand banquet for countless guests, and spare no expense on extravagance.

But this time, the marriage was arranged quietly, and the schedule was incredibly tight, as if they were afraid any delay would lead to complications.

Everything about this reeked of abnormality. It was as if... the Lin Family was in a hurry to get this daughter, Lin Yan, off their hands!

’Why would they be in such a hurry?’

A shocking thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

’Could it be... that Lin Yan is pregnant?’

Once this idea emerged, all his questions were answered.

Only this could explain the Lin Family’s bizarre behavior.

To cover up this colossal scandal, they had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure: marrying Lin Yan off as quickly as possible and finding some unlucky fool to be the fall guy!

At this thought, Chen Ye’s sympathy for the Second Young Master Lu deepened.

But at the same time, Chen Ye grew excited.

Because he had suddenly realized a possibility.

A possibility to get some serious revenge on the Lin Family.

-----------------

The night deepened. The clamor in the tavern gradually subsided, leaving only a mess on the floor and the thick stench of alcohol. Zhao Governor, long since dead drunk, had been helped home.

Chen Ye’s group also returned to the large courtyard. Fang Tao, having had a few drinks, was still extremely excited and heaped praise upon Chen Ye.

The rest of the group, including those who had remained at the courtyard, had also heard about the day’s events and were naturally full of admiration for Chen Ye.

Chen Ye responded to each of them with a smile.

It had been a long day, and everyone was tired. After some brief chatter, they all went to their own rooms to sleep.

Chen Ye didn’t go to the city walls to practice his Body Technique today. He lay in bed, planning out his tasks for the next day before finally falling into a deep sleep.

The next day, after the sun was high in the sky, Chen Ye left the courtyard and first went to a tailor shop in the East Market to buy a scholar’s long robe. After changing into it, his entire demeanor transformed. He went from a common street youth to a handsome young scholar.

Then, dressed in his new attire, he ambled toward the North City.

Unlike the bustling, chaotic South City, with its mix of All Walks of Life, the North City was clearly more grand and imposing. The streets were wide and clean, lined with the mansions of prominent families. Their gray bricks and black tiles were fronted by imposing stone lions, and one could occasionally see patrols of official soldiers marching past.

This was the residential area for the high officials and nobles of the Capital City; ordinary people rarely came here.

But Chen Ye’s scholarly attire became his best Protective Talisman. When the patrolling soldiers saw him, they merely assumed he was the son of some noble house or a traveling scholar studying in the capital, and didn’t question him much.

It didn’t take Chen Ye long to find the residence of Vice Minister Lu of the Ministry of Personnel.

A vermilion gate was flanked by two imposing stone lions. A gilded plaque inscribed with "Lu Mansion" hung above the entrance, exuding an extraordinary aura.

He didn’t get close. Instead, like an idle traveling scholar, he fanned himself with a folding fan and strolled leisurely through the streets and alleys surrounding the Lu Mansion.

His gaze seemed to be admiring the scenery, but it was actually like a measuring stick, rapidly assessing everything around him.

The height of the rear courtyard walls, whether they were made of gray brick or rammed earth, which sections of the wall were in the blind spots of the patrolling family guards...

He committed every detail to memory, constructing a precise, three-dimensional map in his mind.

Only after he had thoroughly scouted everything did Chen Ye leisurely turn and walk away.

Before returning to the large courtyard, Chen Ye made another stop at a shop selling the Four Treasures of the Study, where he picked out the cheapest set of paper and brushes.

Then he found a secluded, deserted corner, took off the long robe, folded it neatly, and put it in his bundle before slowly making his way back.

That night, after everyone in the large courtyard had fallen asleep, Chen Ye pushed open his window. Seeing no one around, he leaped out into the deep darkness.