Upon hearing that a Loose Immortal had come to apply, Yang Niansan's brows lit up with delight.
She was even happier than when the Great Heavenly Venerable had personally bestowed a protective Magical Treasure on her!
Yang Niansan hurried back to the main desk and settled into the side seat beside Chen Wei. Perhaps carried away by her joy, she instinctively gripped the armrests and shifted herself, chair and all, three inches closer to him.
She had only just finished moving.
Yang Niansan's gaze flickered as she realized something was amiss.
Sitting this close-where was her decorum?
And so.
She discreetly edged back one inch.
Two inches forward, one inch back.
Chen Wei's face remained as still as an ancient well as he pretended not to notice.
The minds of the powerful in immortal circles were like spirit needles on the ocean floor.
Best not to guess. Best not to ask.
A short while later.
Ma Muzhi led Xiao Yan into the main hall and saluted. "Reporting to both officials: I have brought the Loose Immortal applicant."
Chen Wei set down his teacup, his gaze falling on the young man.
He looked him up and down.
Though the youth's clothes were shabby, his frame showed considerable resilience. As spiritual power circulated through his body, it carried a faint trace of fire.
With an aura like that, he was a fine prospect.
Adopting a steady, measured official tone, Chen Wei began his questioning. "Which immortal stands before us? State your name. In which cave abode in the lower realm did you cultivate? Which lineage taught you? Do you have any immortal acquaintances in the Heavenly Court to recommend you?"
The barrage of questions went straight to the heart of the matter.
When recruiting Immortal Officials, the Heavenly Court valued background first, karmic ties second, and cultivation last.
Xiao Yan dared not delay and hurriedly cupped his hands. "Reporting to you, sir! This humble immortal ascended from the lower realm. I have no sect or school, no master or lineage, and not a single immortal acquaintance to recommend me!"
Xiao Yan answered frankly.
After hearing him out, Chen Wei labeled him a three-no applicant.
No sect or school, no master or lineage, no backing whatsoever-a fine prospect!
Chen Wei exchanged a glance with Ma Muzhi, and a gleam flashed in both immortals' eyes.
"Good!" Chen Wei made the decision on the spot, his tone brooking no argument. "You're hired! From this day onward, you are an officially registered Immortal Official serving in this office!"
Xiao Yan froze in astonishment.
The immortal official who had received him had clearly warned him that interviews at the Heavenly Court's offices were extremely rigorous, with all manner of obstacles thrown in his way. Why had the Censorate's Chief Official accepted him without asking another question?
He had no idea what Chen Wei and Ma Muzhi were scheming.
A newborn calf with no backing made the perfect beast of burden in a Heavenly Court office!
Hotheaded youngsters like this, brimming with enthusiasm and eager to make their mark, knew nothing about dragging their feet or passing off karmic responsibility. Their two hands could do the work of ten.
Chen Wei and Ma Muzhi knew this from bitter experience.
Now that they had finally endured their way up to chief positions, why would they turn away such a useful worker delivered to their door?
Take him in and work him hard!
Xiao Yan came to his senses, and joy immediately welled up in him.
On his very first day after ascending to the Heavenly Court, he had already found an immortal institution to call home. What a tremendous stroke of fortune.
"Thank you, all three of you, for your support!" Xiao Yan bowed in fervent gratitude.
Then, seemingly recalling the lessons in immortal social etiquette taught by his elders in the lower realm, he reached for his waist. Light flashed several times, and three bulging Storage Bags appeared in his palm.
Holding the Storage Bags in both hands, Xiao Yan stepped forward twice, his face full of eagerness to please. "Sirs, this humble immortal has only just arrived and knows nothing of the Heavenly Court's rules. These are a few local specialties I saved up in the lower realm..."
Before he could finish.
Chen Wei's expression abruptly darkened. "How dare you! You newly ascended Loose Immortal, you have no sense of propriety! This is the Folk Customs and Morals Inspection Bureau, yet you dare openly display such vulgar goods in the main hall?"
A damning accusation came crashing down over his head.
Xiao Yan stiffened in fright, unable to advance or retreat.
He had only just reported for duty, and already they were pinning a label on him?
Chen Wei clasped his hands behind his back and laid down the rules. "Remember this well! Our office is upright and incorruptible. Only documents, jade slips, and Tangyuan personally cooked by Lord Yang may appear in the main hall! Aside from those three things, no prohibited item may set so much as half a foot inside!"
"This is absolutely forbidden!"
At the mention of Tangyuan, Yang Niansan's eyes brightened.
He loved eating Tangyuan that much?
Even when establishing office rules, he had to list Tangyuan alongside official documents?
Yang Niansan fought to keep the corners of her mouth from rising, her heart filled with joy.
Down in the hall.
Just as Xiao Yan stood holding the Storage Bags, at a loss for how to extricate himself.
Ma Muzhi approached with measured, square steps. He patted Xiao Yan's shoulder three times, neither lightly nor heavily.
After those pats.
Ma Muzhi clasped his hands behind his back and offered a heartfelt piece of advice. "All right, put them away. You're a clever immortal. When serving in our office, listen more, watch more, and speak less."
With that, he turned and returned to his place.
Xiao Yan touched the shoulder that had just been patted three times. A spark flashed through his mind, and understanding dawned in an instant.
Three pats?
Got it!
Comprehension flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. He tucked the three Storage Bags back at his waist and bowed deeply. "This humble immortal was slow-witted! Thank you for your instruction and guidance, sir! I will keep the rules firmly in mind and never put any of you in a difficult position!"
Seeing this, Chen Wei gave a slight nod.
After recruiting Xiao Yan.
Yang Niansan eagerly hoped that more Loose Immortals would line up at their door.
However.
Six whole hours passed. The sea of clouds gathered and dispersed, yet never mind a Loose Immortal-not even a lost immortal crane flew by.
They could have caught sparrows on their deserted doorstep.
Yang Niansan's anticipation slowly turned to disappointment, and even the fluttering of her folding fan lost its rhythm.
Seeing him like this, Chen Wei offered some comfort. "Lord Yang, there's no rush. If there's one thing we immortals have in abundance, it's time. A lifetime's work can take a lifetime. If we can't recruit anyone today, we'll try tomorrow. Our guiding principle on duty is actually very simple."
"Arrive late, leave early."
"If you get tired in between, find an excuse to take a break. Since no immortals are coming to our door right now, let's have a rest."
"Official Chen." Yang Niansan glanced at him and chided, "You certainly know how to comfort your subordinates."
That roll of her eyes was truly brimming with charm.
Chen Wei's hand paused slightly. For that fleeting instant, he inexplicably had the impression that the person before him was not a male immortal at all, but a charming immortal maiden.
That expression, that tone-no male immortal could possibly have feigned them.
An illusion?
When Chen Wei took another careful look, Yang Niansan was still dressed as a male immortal, with an upright bearing and a clearly visible Adam's apple. Aside from being excessively good-looking, she showed not the slightest physical sign of being a female immortal.
Once curiosity began stirring up trouble, there was no stopping it.
Chen Wei kept a smile on his face, but silently split off a thread of his divine sense and sent it toward Yang Niansan.
Suddenly.
Yang Niansan stiffened, then whipped her head around to stare at Chen Wei. "Sir!"
"Ahem." Chen Wei reacted swiftly, forcibly changing the subject. "Well... Xiao Yan! Stop standing around in there. Hurry along with Official Ma and familiarize yourself with our office's procedures! Lord Yang, take a break, take a break!"
"Yes, sir!" Xiao Yan replied respectfully.
Yang Niansan looked Chen Wei up and down, her face full of suspicion, and was just about to question him.
An exotic immortal fragrance drifted in from the cloud road outside the office.
Immediately afterward, a voice with a long, drawn-out lilt carried through the Censorate's gates. "Oh my-little immortal official, we meet again."
Before you continue