Museum of Deadly Beasts Chapter 2: Everyone Has The Nerve To Bully Me?

Clad in a trainee beast appraiser’s attire, a man stood outside with a look of disdain.

A single glance at the fellow brought a rush of recollections to Lin Jin’s consciousness.

Zhang He, a probationary beast appraiser within Maple City. He had once been a follower of Lin Jin, yet he chose to betray Lin Jin the moment he saw an opening amidst the conflict with Chief Wang Ji, repaying Lin Jin’s past kindness with open hostility.

Typically, lower-ranking probationary beast appraisers ought to show deference and respect to official beast appraisers.

However, exceptions existed.

Lin Jin was such an exception. The entire branch was aware of his precarious standing with the Chief, understanding that his tenure here was uncertain. His commission as an official beast appraiser was on the verge of revocation due to the 'beast appraisal incident.' Consequently, some trainees had ceased to afford him respect, though they maintained a veneer of basic courtesy.

Zhang He, however, made no pretense of civility.

When Zhang He first arrived, Lin Jin had taken him under his care, nurturing him diligently. Zhang He had then sought refuge under Lin Jin’s wing, following him closely. But upon witnessing Chief Wang Ji's relentless harassment, which threatened to derail Lin Jin’s future, the trainee promptly severed all ties with Lin Jin and gravitated towards the Chief. He then proceeded to act as though they had never met, retaliating against Lin Jin’s past benevolence with animosity, causing significant hardship.

Zhao Ying opened her mouth as if to speak, but then decided against it.

Despite Lin Jin’s perceived failures as a beast appraiser, he still held a rank superior to the trainees. Such outright disrespect was improper and unwarranted.

Unbeknownst to her, Zhang He was deliberately conducting himself in this manner. For every contemptuous act directed at this 'official beast appraiser,' he believed he could earn Chief Wang Ji’s favor, which propelled him to insult Lin Jin with even greater ruthlessness.

A once-prominent figure stripped of authority was no different from a commoner. So, what was wrong with insulting him?

Lin Jin recognized the troublemaker’s intent and chose to avoid any association with Zhang He. After all, Lin Jin had only recently transmigrated, with no guarantee of returning to his original life. Despite his mental fortitude, a sliver of doubt, disorientation, and confusion persisted. How could he possibly muster the energy to contend with Zhang He when in such a dismal state of mind?

Yet, Zhang He was unwilling to let the matter rest.

Behind him were gathered several individuals who had brought along two pet beasts each, awaiting the solemnization of a blood contract. Clearly, they were present to seek the counsel of a beast appraiser.

Even amongst creatures of the same kind, pet beasts exhibited distinct tiers, inherent qualities, and latent capacities. Hence, the selection process for a pet beast was of paramount importance, highlighting the indispensable role of a beast appraiser.

The Beast Appraisal Association typically saw an unending procession of individuals lining up daily, seeking expert advice. Much like physicians in a medical establishment, beast appraisers possessing higher credentials and renown would be considerably more difficult to access, while some might struggle to attract clientele.

As for Lin Jin, he no longer garnered interest from the general populace. Those who sought his services were predominantly from the lower strata of society, engaged in strenuous manual labor.

Previously, as an official beast appraiser, he had a considerable number of patrons seeking his expert opinion. However, in the wake of the 'beast appraisal incident' two days prior, which had become the subject of widespread gossip, his clientele had vanished.

After all, they merely desired the best for their own future prospects…

“Allow me to make an introduction: this is the renowned beast appraiser, Lin Jin. He is a certified beast appraiser with top-tier qualifications, and significantly more capable than myself, a mere trainee. Everyone, why don’t you permit him to examine your pet beasts?”

Zhang He delivered this announcement with deliberate intent.

The news of the appraisal incident had been circulating for a considerable duration, leaving many aware of the existence of this unscrupulous and reprehensible beast appraiser within Maple City’s Beast Appraisal Association. If a physician were to cause the demise of a patient, what individual would retain the courage to entrust their well-being to such a doctor?

The same principle applied to beast appraisals.

The assembled group immediately conveyed their refusal. “Appraiser Zhang, please refrain from jesting. We have approached you specifically for assistance. It would be acceptable if you could simply offer a cursory look; let’s… let’s not impose upon Appraiser Lin.”

This was merely a courteous dismissal.

It was evident that they harbored no desire for Lin Jin to evaluate their beasts, deeming him untrustworthy.

To have an apprentice’s services be favored over those of a certified beast appraiser was a direct and public humiliation for Lin Jin.

And Zhang He’s sole intention was to orchestrate precisely that.

Degrading his benefactor was Zhang He’s stratagem for leveraging Lin Jin as a stepping stone while simultaneously currying favor with Chief Wang Ji. This tactic proved effective without fail.

Lin Jin must be incandescent with rage. But to what end?

His career was effectively over anyway.

Typically, Lin Jin would respond with biting silence when such a situation occurred, but this time, a change was evident.

Lin Jin appeared calm, showing no hint of irritation whatsoever. After a brief glance at Zhang He, he gave a nod. “Even though my work keeps me rather occupied, I can still carve out some time to give you guidance, Apprentice Zhang.”

He deliberately stressed the word ‘apprentice,’ making it clear that Zhang He’s lack of experience was noted. Zhang He, having never anticipated such a response from Lin Jin, saw his arrogant expression instantly darken. The humiliation he felt upon hearing the word ‘guide’ only served to intensify the fury raging within him.

He had once learned the ways of an apprentice under Lin Jin and was considered his disciple. His act of betrayal, his ungratefulness, the humiliation he endured, and even his deliberate actions to go against Lin Jin, were all performed with the hope of shedding this ‘shameful’ aspect of his past. Now that Lin Jin was dredging up his history, exposing his old wounds to everyone, how could Zhang He not be incensed?

“Guide me? Are you even qualified, Lin Jin? Why don’t you take a good look at your current predicament? You’re practically drowning in your own misfortunes, yet you have the audacity to utter such disgraceful words.” Zhang He discarded all pretense of politeness. After all, with the Chief’s backing, he felt secure, even if his actions escalated beyond what was proper.

Lin Jin remained unmoved. From his recollection, Zhang He possessed a volatile temper and was easily provoked, which explained the underlying strategy behind Lin Jin’s words.

He was no longer the pushover he once was. The current Lin Jin harbored a desire for retribution and sought to resolve matters swiftly, leaving no room for lingering grudges.

“Zhang He, do not forget. You were once my disciple. Your skills in beast appraisal have their roots in my teachings. Despite your ungratefulness, to the extent that you now pester your mentor for your own benefit, I am magnanimous enough to overlook your past transgressions. It has been a considerable time, and it seems you haven't made much progress, so I thought I would make an exception and offer some guidance. If you are unwilling to accept it, then it is solely your loss.”

Lin Jin’s demeanor, projecting the image of a venerable master, left everyone’s jaws hanging in disbelief.

While it was true that Zhang He was not exactly a paragon of virtue, Lin Jin certainly had no right to defend himself in this manner. The matter of the appraisal had yet to be resolved, so how could he dare to carry himself with such an air? How could he be so unperturbed, maintaining such a calm composure?

As expected, Zhang He’s face flushed red with anger. He was not foolish and understood that Lin Jin was deliberately trying to provoke him. Therefore, he resolved not to be swayed. If he were to resort to physical altercations or launch into a tirade against Lin Jin, he would be held accountable for instigating the trouble.

Regardless, he was merely an apprentice, and Lin Jin still held the status of an official.

Suppressing his rage, the most he could manage was an eye-roll. Then, an idea sparked in Zhang He’s mind.

“Lin Jin, it is common knowledge what your appraisal standards are like, so let us set aside the matter of guidance. If you possess the courage, then let us engage in a wager. Although, I suspect you might be too much of a coward.”

Zhang He appeared eager to accept a challenge.

“What sort of wager?” Lin Jin inquired.

“Simply examine these two pet beasts. As an appraiser, assessing a beast’s species, bloodline, and attributes are fundamental skills. Let us compete and determine whose evaluation is more thorough and accurate, while also providing the patron with suitable advice. If you lose, you will publicly declare that your skills are inferior to mine, Zhang He’s, and you are forbidden from ever mentioning the past again,” Zhang He stated through clenched teeth.

As he spoke, a cunning glint flickered in his eyes, betraying his excitement.

Ordinarily, an apprentice like himself would be at a disadvantage when competing against a certified beast appraiser. However, the current impression Lin Jin projected suggested that he had obtained his certificate purely by chance. The man’s skills were deemed ignoble and subpar. Conversely, Zhang He, despite his increasingly questionable character, possessed remarkable knowledge and proficiency in beast appraisal. Otherwise, he would not have throngs of people clamoring for his services.

Furthermore, Zhang He had already thoroughly examined these two pet beasts and had discovered that one of them possessed a hidden bloodline. Only appraisers with exceptional discernment could uncover such a fact, and Zhang He had acquired this unique identification technique through consultation with Chief Wang Ji. Coupled with his past experience under Lin Jin’s tutelage, he was well-acquainted with Lin Jin’s appraisal methodologies and understood the limitations of his capabilities. It was highly improbable for Lin Jin to detect the hidden bloodline in this pet beast within such a short timeframe, thus securing Zhang He’s victory.

One could only wish for an apprentice like himself to surpass an official like Lin Jin. He would achieve widespread fame, leaving Lin Jin to languish in his own disgrace. Without the need for the higher authorities to revoke his credentials, Lin Jin might become too embarrassed to remain within the association. If he could truly drive Lin Jin away, it would undoubtedly cast him in a new, favorable light to Chief Wang Ji.

“Zhang He, you’ve only explained what happens after your victory. What about your loss?” Lin Jin suddenly inquired.

Zhang He smirked internally. “Should I lose, I shall kneel and prostrate before you. How does that sound?”

Lin Jin shook his head. “That won’t be necessary. After all, we were once mentor and student. It’s just that your recent act of bewitchery has caused you to stray from your path. I feel a sense of fault and guilt for not educating you properly nor guiding you back. For me to compete with you now feels like picking on the young, but for the sake of realigning you, I will make an exception this time. When the moment arrives, you need only lower your head, acknowledge your faults, and promise me you’ll return to the right path. Prostrating is not required.”

What a display of a considerate elder.

Zhang He’s eyelids twitched erratically. His mind was exploding, wanting to curse him out loud.

Who strayed off the path?!

Picking on the young?!

Ptooey!

Recalling the past, Zhang He was aware of Lin Jin’s average skills. To attain a beast appraisal certificate, Lin Jin must have relied heavily on luck.

How dare such a man speak so shamelessly?

The skin on his face was thicker than the city walls.

Zhang He sniggered. “You sound as if you can truly defeat me. Lin Jin, you might fool others, but you cannot fool me. I am fully aware of your competence. If I hadn't wasted a year with you, I would have already become a certified beast appraiser by now.”

The irritation in his tone escalated.

All Lin Jin did was shake his head with a pained expression, provoking Zhang He to the brink of wanting to strike him.

The onlookers were utterly bewildered.

Even Zhao Ying, who initially felt injustice for Lin Jin, was shaking her head. Lin Jin was truly pushing the boundaries. While Lin Jin was indeed a certified beast appraiser at the association, his evaluation skills were rumored to be inferior to other higher-ranking apprentices. The common folk were aware of this.

Even a newcomer like Zhao Ying had heard whispers about Lin Jin being useless and incompetent. It was as the saying goes, ‘there wouldn’t be smoke if there was no fire.’ If Lin Jin were genuinely capable, he should have proven his worth, unless he lacked self-confidence. That past accident almost seemed to verify the rumors of him being unworthy of his reputation.