Hou Niao spent several days with nothing to do, picking up a Dao Register whenever he had a spare moment to cram the basic cultivation knowledge he lacked.
To study the Dao, one had to read widely. Within books lay a Dao as fair as jade; within books stood the dwellings of immortals.
One day, dusk was drawing near, and their shift was almost over when Inspector Huang strolled into the Roll-Call Office.
His gaze swept the room. "Wide Street Pleasure District Inspection. Which of you will come along?"
No one spoke or raised his head, as though none of them had heard. This was not how subordinates normally treated a superior, but in the Xiuzhen world, future prospects were everything.
The assignment was dull and embarrassing, so no one wanted it. Inspector Huang could only turn his gaze toward someone who, though the oldest among them, had the least seniority.
Hou Niao took the hint and stood. "I'm new here. It's only right that I do my share."
Inspector Huang breathed a sigh of relief. Any cultivator would resent this assignment, himself included, so he understood what everyone was thinking. But rules were rules, and someone had to do the job. They could hardly all pull their heads into their shells like turtles simply because they disliked it, could they?
"The Yamen handbook covers inspections of Wide Street. Have you read it all, Junior Brother Hou?"
Hou Niao nodded. "Inspect strictly, deal leniently, and go no further than necessary. I understand."
Inspector Huang nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Go to the Hall Courtyard and muster a squad. Don't delay. The sooner you go, the sooner you'll be back."
Hou Niao cupped his hands and went to muster the men, leaving Inspector Huang staring at the pampered young masters before him