Daily life of a cultivation judge

He hurriedly gave out the order of Yang Qing and the two siblings which drew surprised looks when he mentioned that Yang Qing had specifically ordered the Ginkgo tea for the two.

"Atleast those two brats get to drink it again after refusing, hiding for weeks, and making all sorts of excuses not to drink it when we put it on their menu for their sakes," said the old man.

"Isn't your stupid blander one of the reasons they refuse? You know how those kids are and you went ahead and put it on the menu and put that charge in there. There's no way Zhi Da would have accepted us giving it to him for free all the time especially if it cost that much.

Sometimes I think those kids are too conscientious and reserved," said the old woman as she sighed in pity.

"Take this. The rest will be ready in a few minutes," said the old man as he handed a tray that had a red clay kettle filled with the ginkgo tea and a large bowl filled with fermented sweet rice wine next to it.

"Give them these too," he said as he added a few biscuits that were lying around into one plate.

Their son skillfully picked the tray up as he headed back.

…

"As we wait for the food to arrive maybe you can tell me more about this city. The different organizations around, especially those that stand out above the rest, the things they sell, and maybe a bit of the power structure around this place.  I noticed a lot of powerful people walking in and out of the city when I arrived.

The city's administration must be pretty impressive for keeping so many people in line," said Yang Qing as he decided to make a gentle probe and find out about the Mo family whose descendant had their sights on the two siblings.

"The power structure? Big brother Yang Qing what do you intend to do with such information?" Zhi Da warily asked.

"What do you think?" Yang Qing answered with an easygoing smile which made Zhi Da only frown even further.

"I thought you said you'd answer any question I asked and you'd provide all accompanying information as part of the tour. Are you already going back on your word even after I agreed to that huge fee you charged," said Yang Qing as he placed high emphasis on the huge fee in his tone.

"Big brother it's not that I'm going back on my word it's just that the information you're asking for is a little sensitive and there has been a crackdown on the dispensation of such information of late," said Zhi Da.

"Don't worry I'm not planning anything. No need to overthink the whole matter I just want the general information that any random passerby can easily know. The general outline of the city will do," said Yang Qing.

Zhi Da's and Zhi Luoran's expressions eased a bit once they heard Yang Qing's requirement though Zhi Da would occasionally throw a suspecting glance his way.

"Fine. I will give you the general overview and nothing more. If you insist on getting more details than that we will have to part ways as I don't want to risk my life or my sisters or grandpa and grandma Wang and the rest of the customers here," Zhi Da firmly said.

"I'm okay with it but before that let me put this up for secrecy," said Yang Qing as he took out a small green shell that was filled with runes. He tapped on it as a small bubble formed around them which then disappeared from view.

Both Zhi Da and Zhi Luoran had their eyes glow as they eyed the shell.

"Big brother this is?" Zhi Luoran eagerly asked as she excitedly pointed at the shell.

"This is the shell of a green-veiled tortoise. It's a little treasure that blocks eavesdropping and sound. With this, you won't have to worry about anyone knowing what you said," Yang Qing said as he played around with the shell.

He had already set up a stronger barrier around them through a small blue-grade cultivation art and the barrier was stronger than the protection the shell provided. However, he decided to add the shell to the mix due to its dazzling display which would put the Zhi sibling's minds at ease rather than telling them there was an invisible barrier that no one at the early stage of the palace realm and below could penetrate. They would both paint him a shameless braggart and maybe even clam up.

"So can we begin," said Yang Qing as his voice pulled the two out of their excited investigation of the green-veiled tortoise shell.

"Okay," Zhi Da reluctantly said as he tore his eyes away from the shell. He paused for a few seconds to arrange his thoughts together.

"Let's start from the top. The Purple city is governed by the city lord however unlike other city lords around the Empire he has operational autonomy within the city so he doesn't answer to the Purple grass county governor. Whereas in other counties the governors are usually above the city lords within their counties. They can decide the approval or dismissal of the city lords from their offices.

But here it's a different case. The city lord was personally put into that position by the royal family and it's also widely known that he is a member of the royal family, same as the captain of the city guards," said Zhi Da as he paused to eye the things that were on the tray that was being delivered by grandpa Wang's son.

Zhi Da's and Zhi Luoran's eyes lit up when they saw the biscuits but they dimmed when they saw the red kettle releasing piping hot steam of the ginkgo tea.

"I'll bring the rest in the order of their completion. Please enjoy these while you wait," he said as he placed the tray on the table.

"Thanks," Yang Qing said as he took his bowl of milky white fermented sweet rice wine while the two Zhi siblings reluctantly poured themselves cups of the ginkgo tea.

Zhi Da waited until Grandpa Wang's son had left before he resumed his introductions.

"Though on the surface it seems like the City lord is the one in charge of the city, those who have lived here know that in fact Purple city is ruled by three forces; the City lord's administration, Five noble families, and six organizations of which the Earthvine restaurant is one of them,"

Crack!!

The somber mood created by Zhi Da's reveal was shattered by the biscuit Zhi Luoran had been trying to silently nibble.

"Hehehe," she nervously laughed when both Zhi Da's and Yang Qing's eyes got trained on her.