Super Gene Ⅱ: Evolution

"What do you mean by these words, Your Highness?" Lin Shen looked at the Heavenly Consort with confusion in his eyes.

"I did not expect that the young Chief of the Heavenly Institute could be such a fine actor." The Heavenly Consort coldly hummed as she stared at the seemingly bewildered Lin Shen, "I sent Kong Chuan to Giant Ring Star to protect you, and you did not show gratitude, it would have been fine. But you forced him to gouge out the eye of the peacock, do you think Kong Chuan is easy to bully, or do you think I am easy to bully?"

"Your Highness, these words could not have come from Kong Chuan's own mouth, could they?" Lin Shen said calmly.

"Kong Chuan is a gentleman of great benevolence, he would naturally not speak ill in my presence. However, facts are facts, do you still want to argue?" the Heavenly Consort said fiercely with anger in her heart, glaring at Lin Shen, "The entire Celestial Race is waiting to see your downfall, hoping that you die on Giant Ring Star. I sent Kong Chuan to ensure your well-being, yet you forced him to gouge out the eye of the peacock. Is this how you repay me?"

Lin Shen took out the eye of the peacock and placed it in front of the Heavenly Consort, then calmly performed a salute, saying, "If Your Highness views me thus, then please take back Kong Chuan's eye of the peacock and administer my punishment."

"You believe just because the Heavenly Emperor favors you, I cannot handle you?" The Heavenly Consort seemed to be a bit relieved and at the same time puzzled, why Lin Shen would easily hand over Kong Chuan's eye of the peacock.

"Even if I am foolish, I still understand what is important, Your Highness. If you have determined that I am such a fool, then please punish me," Lin Shen said, still bowing his head to ask for punishment.

In her heart, the Heavenly Consort too had some doubts. Forcing Kong Chuan to gouge out the eye of the peacock was a significant matter that could not have been kept hidden.

Lin Shen had handled the matters at Giant Ring Star so splendidly and had gained the deep favor of the Heavenly Emperor, it was unlikely he could be that foolish.

"Speak your mind freely," the Heavenly Consort said with coldness in her voice.

"Your Highness must be well aware of what kind of person Kong Chuan is," Lin Shen paused before continuing, "Firstly, I did not force Kong Chuan to gouge out the eye of the peacock, I merely asked him to leave as I couldn't make use of such a person. Secondly, it was precisely because Kong Chuan was sent by Your Highness to protect me that I accepted the eye of the peacock."

"Are you saying that if Kong Chuan hadn't been sent by me, even if he offered you his eye of the peacock by gouging it out himself, you wouldn't have kept him?" the Heavenly Consort asked with a cold face.

"To say something Your Highness may not like to hear, if he wasn't Your Highness's man, he wouldn't have survived until this moment," Lin Shen said.

The Heavenly Consort was slightly taken aback. The fact that Lin Shen could say such a thing clearly indicated that there was great resentment in his heart.

"Explain yourself clearly," the Heavenly Consort said with a frown.

Only then did Lin Shen recount the incident when Kong Chuan had locked him in a room and went after the enemy alone, almost causing Lin Shen to lose his life.

If Lin Shen had started with this defense, the Heavenly Consort might not have been receptive, but with the context of the conversation thus far, she could somewhat understand why Lin Shen harbored such great resentment.

"Kong Chuan's merits have been clearly stated before the Heavenly Emperor, and I have not spoken a word more, thus I have not failed to appreciate Your Highness's kindness. Please show your grace, Your Highness. No matter what, I cannot employ this person again. I have but one life, and I wish to live a few more years. Please show your grace," Lin Shen once again performed a salute.

The Heavenly Consort gazed at Lin Shen for a long moment before suddenly saying softly, "Chief of the Heavenly Institute, there's no need for this. I now realize you have been wronged. The mistake was indeed on the part of my brother and me, and we will make amends to you in the future."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Your Highness has kind intentions, for which I feel grateful in my heart," Lin Shen said.

"I'm glad you understand that wasn't my intention. I apologize on behalf of my older brother, and I ask for your continued care for him. I will instruct him as well so such incidents will not occur again," the Heavenly Consort said.

"My abilities are limited, I really am powerless to assist. Your Highness should seek someone more capable," Lin Shen continued, his head still lowered.

The Heavenly Consort looked at Lin Shen, feeling somewhat annoyed, yet it was not appropriate for her to show it.

Indeed, Kong Chuan had handled the matter foolishly; if she were in his place, she would not employ someone like that either.

But after all, Kong Chuan was her blood brother, and the Heavenly Emperor had already tacitly agreed that Kong Chuan could hold a position within the Celestial Master Institute.

However, the Celestial Master Institute was now under Lin Shen's control, and the position of Special Service Department Chief that she fancied for him was still occupied. Hence, it must be Lin Shen, the Dean, who reassigned the current chief to make way for Kong Chuan's promotion.

But after Kong Chuan's blunder, Lin Shen would rather defy her orders than employ him again, making the situation difficult to handle.

The Heavenly Consort had summoned Lin Shen intending to rebuke him and then have him assist Kong Chuan into the position of Special Service Department Chief.

Yet things had progressed to this point, somewhat beyond the Heavenly Consort's expectations.

"The Special Service Department is currently in the hands of the An Family. If you do not replace the chief, I'm afraid future affairs will be as frustrating as this time, unable to mobilize even a single person. After years of the An Family's operation within the Special Service Department, even if you replace a chief, an ordinary person would not be able to control it. After this incident, Kong Chuan has learned his lesson, and he will surely not act rashly again. Plus, with the favor my brother and I owe you, the Special Service Department will certainly look up to you as their leader..." the Heavenly Consort had no choice but to clarify the advantages and disadvantages to Lin Shen, still hoping he would give Kong Chuan another chance.

"Your Highness, my abilities are insufficient, and I am planning to ask the Heavenly Emperor for resignation. This position as the Dean of the Celestial Master Institute is beyond my capacity," Lin Shen said.

Hearing this, the Heavenly Consort's expression immediately turned colder, "Chief of the Heavenly Institute, the position of Dean is not so casual that you can take it when you wish and shirk it when you don't. Don't mention such a thing again in the future."

Seeing Lin Shen's head still lowered and silent, the Heavenly Consort could only sigh and approached him softly, saying, "He's my only brother, and I know his temperament is troublesome. Without someone reliable to watch over him, I really can't rest easy. Tian, your talents and wisdom are unmatched, and you are capable of great things. If my older brother could serve under you, and be mentored by you, I would be at peace..."

"Your Highness, if you definitely want Kong Chuan to work under me, that's fine. But he can only start with his basic duties, and when I think he's capable, only then can he take on a higher role. If things remain unchanged, please understand that I am also helpless," Lin Shen was very clear.

He was willing to take Kong Chuan along, but for the position of Special Service Department Chief, he definitely would not appoint him for now.

"I understand your difficulty; for now, let's proceed this way. Sky Pinnacle Star currently has more than a hundred Ascenders from the Peacock Clan. If you need them, they will be at your disposal from now on. Don't worry about the expenses, consider it a small gesture of apology from my brother and me," the Heavenly Consort said after a moment of contemplation.

Lin Shen did not refuse; free labor was not to be passed up. After all, he was a Dean and could not be expected to do everything himself; he needed subordinates for the legwork.

The Special Service Department was unreliable at the moment, hence Kong Chuan and the hundred-plus members of the Peacock Clan would serve well as free labor.

"The inter-clan ranking battle is about to begin; do you plan to compete?" the Heavenly Consort sat down again and looked at Lin Shen, "If you wish to compete, I have a gift for you that might benefit you."