The crowd shook their heads.
"The difference between an enforcer and a judge is just one word, but the gap between them is like heaven and earth... It's not just a difference in rank, but in power. Enforcers are merely ordinary people granted the authority to enforce the law, while judges... possess their own path to divinity."
"Legend has it that before the Great Cataclysm, there were eighteen divine paths, each unique. But as time passed and civilization declined, only fourteen of these paths remain."
"These fourteen paths are—"
"Scholar, Healer, Soldier, Alchemist, Painter, Artisan, Strategist, Performer, Puppeteer, Shaman, Force, Diviner, Thief, and Courtesan."
"It is said that each divine path leads to a 'divine throne.' If one can walk the entire path, they can transcend the mortal world and ascend to godhood..."
"And the enforcers of our Aurora Domain follow one of these fourteen divine paths—the 'Path of the Soldier.'"
"According to the regulations of the Aurora City enforcers, every enforcer who has served for three years is granted one opportunity to enter the 'Soldier's Ancient Repository.' If they pass the trials within the repository, they may be chosen by the 'Path of the Soldier' and officially embark on this divine path."
"Once you set foot on a divine path, Aurora City will change your status, promoting you from enforcer to judge."
Walking the divine path could lead to godhood!
For a group of young adults just coming of age, this was an irresistible allure!
In Chen Ling's mind, images of last night's battle between the red paper monster and Han Meng resurfaced... Han Meng had seemed to activate some mysterious domain, becoming extraordinarily fierce. Was that the power of the "Path of the Soldier"?
"Excuse me, is entering the 'Ancient Repository' the only way to gain access to a divine path?" someone in the crowd asked cautiously.
"Theoretically, no."
Han Meng shook his head. "The key to embarking on a divine path lies in gaining the recognition of the 'Path.' If you possess exceptional talent in a certain path, or if the Path deems you naturally suited for it, it will guide you... Such individuals are called [Divine Favored]."
"I once met a young man from the South Sea Domain. He began painting at the age of three, self-taught. By five, he casually drew a 'Hundred Boats Racing' on the ground using porridge, earning the favor of the 'Path of the Painter' and becoming the youngest [Divine Favored] in history."
The crowd erupted in murmurs.
"But those chosen by the Path are as rare as phoenix feathers. For most people, the only way to walk a divine path is by entering the 'Ancient Repository'... Of course, not all repositories are within human domains. Some are located at the convergence of the Gray Realm and reality, making them nearly impossible for ordinary humans to reach.
This means very few people can enter and pass the trials. For these paths, the only way to walk them is by gaining 'Divine Favor,' which is why these paths have extremely few followers.
For example, the Path of the Alchemist, the Path of the Performer, the Path of the Thief, and the Path of the Courtesan."
"In short, these fourteen divine paths are the only recognized paths to transcendence in human domains. And in the Aurora Domain, the choice for most people is the 'Path of the Soldier.'"
"The only recognized paths in human domains?" Chen Ling asked. "So, there are unrecognized paths as well?"
Han Meng glanced at him, hesitated for a moment, and then replied:
"Yes... and quite a few. For example, the 'Fusionists,' who attempt to abandon their humanity and merge with Calamities; the 'Crimson Sky Cult,' a group of heretics who worship the Crimson Meteor... But you must never touch these paths.
Once someone walks these paths, their fate is sealed: they will be hunted by all human domains, and then...
Exterminated."
Hearing the word "exterminated," Chen Ling's heart skipped a beat.
If he wasn't mistaken, the "audience" inside him was likely a "Calamity." Did that mean he had merged with a Calamity?
Chen Ling didn't know and didn't dare to ask. He suddenly felt that his earlier decision not to seek help from the enforcers was the right one... If he truly was a Fusionist, the enforcers' first reaction upon learning this would likely be to kill him along with the Calamity inside him.
Looking at the solemn and imposing group of enforcers nearby, Chen Ling's palms began to sweat...
[Audience Expectation +10]
[Current Expectation: 33%]
Two lines of text flashed before Chen Ling's eyes. He couldn't help but curse the "audience" for their perverse enjoyment—their pleasure was entirely built on his life-and-death crises...
Still, despite his nervousness, Chen Ling wasn't overly afraid.
After all, even Han Meng probably wouldn't expect that a Fusionist wouldn't just flee upon seeing enforcers but would instead actively try to infiltrate their ranks.
"Can Fusionists or the Crimson Sky Cult gain access to divine paths?" someone else asked.
"Almost impossible," Han Meng said indifferently. "No divine path would bestow its favor upon monsters who embrace evil..."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Chen Ling's eyes...
As a transmigrator, he naturally desired power beyond the mortal world. To be honest, when Han Meng mentioned the divine paths, he had been tempted... But if he truly was a Fusionist, then this path was closed to him.
"Next, each of you will be assigned tasks. Whether you can stay after three days... depends on yourselves."
After delivering his final words, Han Meng turned and left.
The crowd began to chatter again.
Soon, several enforcers stepped forward and began announcing the tasks for each individual.
"Jiang Lipeng and Nie Yining, you will assist in patrolling Cloud Street in District Three; Deng Feiliang and Gong Heng, you will assist in patrolling Snow Street in District Three..."
As reserve enforcers, none of them were capable of patrolling alone, so they could only help the official enforcers with trivial tasks. Those assigned to the earlier streets were fine, but as the list went on, the streets became more remote, and eventually, some were even assigned to support District Two.
"...Wu Youdong and Chen Ling, you will assist in patrolling Ice Spring Street in District Two..."
Hearing his name paired with District Two, Chen Ling was slightly stunned. He distinctly remembered that Frost Street in District Three hadn't been assigned to anyone, and he himself was from Frost Street. Why was he being sent to District Two?
Although Districts Two and Three weren't far apart, commuting daily would take at least four hours... This would leave him with almost no personal time.
"The assessment starts today. Each of you has three hours to go home and prepare. You must report to your posts in three hours."
After the enforcers finished reading the list, they dismissed the group. Chen Ling felt that something was off but couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"Hey, are you Chen Ling?" A skinny young man cautiously approached Chen Ling.
"I am..."
"I'm Wu Youdong. I'm assigned to District Two with you."
"Oh, nice to meet you."
Wu Youdong glanced around and lowered his voice. "Did you bribe them?"
"Bribe them?" Chen Ling was puzzled.
"The guy who read the list earlier, Judge Ma Zhong... He's in charge of personnel assignments. Where we go and what we do are all up to him." Seeing Chen Ling's reaction, Wu Youdong sighed helplessly. "Looks like you didn't bribe him either... No wonder we got the worst assignments."
Hearing this, Chen Ling finally understood.
He suddenly remembered what the rickshaw puller had said earlier... "No money and still wants to be an enforcer?"
"It seems the enforcers aren't so noble after all," Chen Ling thought with a cold smile.
Even a rickshaw puller on the street knew what the enforcers were like, which spoke volumes about the corruption within the organization.
"Where do you live?"
"Frost Street, Number 128."
"What a coincidence! I'm also on Frost Street, but on the other end."
"Brother, looks like we're in this together. Let's help each other out when we get to District Two." After exchanging a few more words with Chen Ling, Wu Youdong hurried off to pack his things.
Chen Ling was the last to leave the headquarters. As soon as he stepped out, a cold voice rang out from the side.
"Stop."
Chen Ling froze.
He slowly turned his head and saw Han Meng leaning against the wall, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his eyes like a snake's as they locked onto him.
"You're Chen Ling?"