The Pure Heart Pavilion stood in a partially underground courtyard behind the Heaven Patrol Office headquarters, with its entrance built into the back of a small hill.
Only a stone tablet stood at the entrance, bearing the words "Pure Heart Pavilion," its engraved strokes worn to a shine.
A stubbly middle-aged man sat outside the door, wearing the same Candidate Chief Inspector official uniform as Yi Yang and dozing in a wicker chair.
Yi Yang approached and quietly roused him.
"Ahem."
The middle-aged man lifted an eyelid, revealing a cloudy eye that glanced at Yi Yang's attire before closing again.
"Class B rooms cost five thousand taels per session, Class A rooms twenty thousand, and Class C rooms two thousand. Bring your own pills. Meals aren't included."
Yi Yang pulled five thousand taels in silver notes from inside his robes, set them on the stone table beside the man, and said:
"I'd like a Class B room."
A hand instantly scooped up the silver notes and stuffed them into a sleeve pocket.
Without lifting his eyelids again, the middle-aged man pointed to the left.
"Class B, room six."
"Go down the stone steps. It's the room on the third level with a number-six plaque on the door.
"The lamp inside has been refilled. Water-wood essence will seep naturally from underground, so just cultivate on your own. Knock three times when you want to leave, and I'll open the door from outside."
Yi Yang cupped his hands in thanks.
The man had already rolled over and gone back to sleep.
Yi Yang descended the stone steps.
He found that the deeper he went, the cooler the air became. It carried a damp, woody fragrance, faint but invigorating as it filled his nostrils.
On the third level, Yi Yang found the room