Beyond the Thirty-Third Heaven, outside the South Heaven Gate of the White Jade Capital in the Heavenly Court, at the Cloudsea Ferry.
The Heavenly Court's morning assembly had just ended. The imposing South Heaven Gate still shimmered with auspicious clouds and radiant light.
Countless immortals in official robes of every color streamed out through the gate. Some rode auspicious clouds, others rode celestial birds and beasts, while still others boarded the standard celestial vessels, dispersing toward the Divine Capital below and the four corners of the world.
The scene was grand yet orderly, displaying the full majesty of the Heavenly Court.
"..."
Jia Zheng wore the standard crimson official robe of a fourth-rank Assistant Director in the Heavenly Court's Ministry of Works. On its insignia was an embroidered pattern of mountains, rivers, and interlocking beams, symbolizing engineering. He wore a black gauze cap, and his solemn face bore the familiar traces of gloom and weariness.
He was following the crowd toward a standard three-story celestial vessel of moderate size, bearing the Ministry of Works emblem.
That vessel was reserved for mid-ranking Heavenly Court officials traveling to and from the White Jade Capital. It had elegant seating, could hold several dozen people at most, and offered free passage. Each bureau had its own vessels, and, in principle, officials weren't allowed to ride those belonging to other bureaus, though the rule wasn't enforced that strictly.
Just as he was about to board, a slightly booming voice behind him called out, with the familiar warmth of officialdom:
"Assistant Director Jia!"
"Wait a moment!"
Jia Zheng stopped at once and turned at the sound. He saw an official in a crimson fourth-rank robe like his own, though the insignia on it bore the sword seal of the Immortal Selection Bureau. The man was smiling