Shenpi Residence
One of the most iconic and important buildings of the G&D organization.
It is the origin of the organization and also the key to its development to this day and the cultivation of outstanding gentlemen.
All newcomers who come to Zion through external assessment will come here and be awarded leather corresponding to their assessment level - an essential item to become a 'gentleman'.
The gate of the mansion is a typical Gothic gate.
Composed of multiple layers of arches and pilasters, each recessed, it creates a sense of depth and traction, thus emphasizing the entrance.
The specifications of the gate are even more exaggerated.
The height reaches a full 10 meters. This huge design seems to be welcoming not humans but a god.
Buzz!
The gloomy and heavy iron door opened inward.
The door was opened by two clergymen who were resident in the official residence.
They wore special outer garments that matched the style of the mansion, such as long robes and coats made by sewing together the skins of some depilated animals.
These pieces of leather are all pentagonal.
There are obvious stitching marks at the edge joints.
Similar "stitches" can also be found on their bodies, such as lips, eyelids, necks, and even parts covered by clothing...
It’s as if the skin of these clergymen was also stitched together.
Entering the mansion,
A huge staircase covered with flesh-colored carpet comes into view.
The stairs gradually become wider, allowing visiting guests to reach the left and right corridors on the second floor.
There are six portraits hanging on both sides of the hall, corresponding to the former owners of the mansion.
They all share a common title: First Gentleman.
Only they are qualified to rule this official residence.
…
Yi Chen and others did not go up the stairs, but were led to the side room on the first floor.
More like a meeting room.
The long marble table occupies half of the area.
The gentleman examiner who was in charge of supervising the Green Lake Town assessment was sitting on the inside of the stone table.
The examinees were asked to line up neatly, feeling as if they were being interviewed.
Yi Chen, who was walking at the end, noticed that
The white-haired examiner sitting in the center had a white-feathered owl standing on his shoulder...it was the one that saved him in the lake.
"I am the person in charge of this assessment, George Chamberson.
I am very pleased that seventeen people passed the relatively difficult Green Lake Town assessment, and some of them even performed elegant behaviors that exceeded our expectations during the assessment.
Next, your overall performance during the assessment period will be scored.
The full score is 100.
If you score 40 points or above, you can obtain Zion residency.
If you score more than 60 points, you can get a normal "Gentleman's Skin".
If you score 80 points or more, you can get a "Gentleman's Skin" that still retains the atmosphere of the old times.
If the score reaches 95 points or above, you will have the opportunity to meet the first gentleman of the contemporary era, who will personally judge and give you the skin. "
Some gentlemen present who knew the assessment criteria in advance did not consider the last sentence at all.
The organization's grading is extremely strict.
Especially since this year's examiner is an old man known as "White Owl", it is already very good to be able to get 80 points, and he will receive excellent treatment in Zion in the future.
According to the order of entry, the examiner began to comment on each examinee.
Yi Chen naturally came in last.
Since the assessment in Green Lake Town is quite difficult, most people score above the passing score.
Those with a score of 80 include:
The three members of Edmund's team,
A swordsman with bandages wrapped around his body.
And a young man with a very low presence, who had changed into a colorful suit and wore a colorful mask without anyone noticing.
A quaint stone box with the G&D logo was presented to them.
Edmund could not hide his joy and kept bumping his two companions with his shoulders.
finally,
It was Yi Chen's turn to enter the door last.
Blond Edmund also suppressed his joy and excitement, concentrating on the examiners' subsequent evaluation and scoring.
this time,
The chief examiner, Chamberson, spoke personally:
"The temporary examiner from Yinston Cemetery - William Behrens.
Your final score for this assessment is 96."
As soon as these words came out,
There was complete silence.
All the examiners, including Edmund, widened their eyes. The guy in the colorful suit and mask also turned his head and looked at him with a little interest.
Many of them came from families, training bases, or some small and medium-sized organizations directly under G&D.
Everyone knows how difficult it is to get a 95-point test score and meet the "First Gentleman", which is almost impossible.
For several years in a row, no one has been able to reach this score.
Mr. Chamberson continued:
“Since the score is above the first tier, I will briefly explain why.
When William first entered the town, he chose a completely different investigation route from yours.
Take the initiative to contact a patient who has completed the "early stage of illness",
Living alone in a very dangerous hotel,
In order to find the real root cause of the town's problems, after making the correct and astute judgment,
Choose to assist this patient who has a certain level of consciousness, establish a temporary interest relationship, and obtain their assistance and intelligence.
Finally, I risked my own life and headed deep into the lake to eradicate the source of the problem."
"What?!"
Chamberson's brief account of his experience shocked the examiners even more.
They all know very well,
It is almost impossible for individuals who have not yet accepted the "skin of a gentleman" and officially become a gentleman to eradicate regional disease. As long as they can survive in Green Lake Town and find out some key information to hand over to the organization, it will be great.
This young man actually went alone into a completely unknown lake and killed the deepest root.
96 points,
Well deserved,
"Graceful and compassionate, brave and spiritual... Zion hasn't had such a young man for a long time. I believe the "First Gentleman" is also looking forward to meeting you."
Listening to Chamberson's comments
Even Yi Chen himself was quite surprised.
Because he was not sure whether his behavior of helping the sick would be considered "wrong behavior" by the organization.
It now appears that the organization itself is not rigid, and that contact with the patient under appropriate circumstances to achieve better results is a manifestation of "spirituality".
"The evaluation phase has ended. Candidates who have obtained the Gentleman's Skin will go to the Temple Area to prepare for the 'Acceptance Ceremony'."
As everyone left the venue,
Edmund patted Yi Chen's shoulder gently and said, "William, please take care of us more in the future... I hope you can leave a good impression on the First Gentleman."
"Um."
After everyone left,
Bai Xiao. Chamberson waved to Yi Chen,
“I will personally take you to the depths of the mansion, where the First Gentleman is.
On the way there, don't do anything rude or subjective, just follow me.
If you feel any discomfort on your skin, try to be patient with it as much as possible.”
The last sentence made Yi Chen a little alert.
Moreover, as the "First Gentleman", that is, the owner of the Shenpi Mansion, he is actually located deep in the mansion... There must be some unspeakable secrets in it.
"knew."
Chamberson turned the wall lamp on the side wall.
A narrow secret passage that only allows one person to pass through is revealed.
"Come with me... Don't try to memorize the route inside. The route to the depths of the mansion is a one-way, one-way route, and requires the permission of the First Gentleman."
"good."
I walked in the cracks in the wall of the official residence for more than ten minutes under the light of kerosene lamps.
The narrow wall crack secret passage turned into a dark and gloomy staircase spiraling downward.
The moment Yi Chen stepped onto the stairs,
There was a strange whisper in my ears.
Although I didn't understand the meaning, my skin felt itchy all over my body, which gradually evolved into a feeling of peeling...
It's as if the skin is endowed with self-awareness and wants to break away from the body and become independent.
"Hello!"
A reminder from Little Grape brought him back to reality, and the whisper disappeared.
"Just now… "
"The ancient existence hidden in this mansion is trying to peel your skin off. Be careful~ Don't let your mind have any gaps. I will help you too."
"good."
Yi Chen could feel that Xiao Pu Tao was in an unprecedented serious state at this moment.