Daily life of a cultivation judge

Once Yang Qing and Luo Meili arrived back at the branch, they each went their own way. Lo Meili went to her room to meditate, while Yang Qing passed by the kitchen grabbed a few dishes, and went to one of the springs around the mountain to calm his mind.

The both of them traveled back in silence, each lost in their thoughts, but if one had to guess, they would guess it probably had to do with the outer sect disciple who chose to remain despite what they had endured.

"Hopefully Ma Qi and the rest have a chance for a fresh beginning, as for the others.." Yang Qing let out a sigh as he poured himself a cup of thousand-leaf bamboo glacier wine.

"At least they had a choice, something they didn't have before.." he added as he took a small sip of the wine and rested his head back while soaking his body in the boiling spring.

The dense spiritual qi and the pearlshade peony that was growing around the spring helped him relax as he made peace with the day's happenings.

It wasn't long before his mind completely relaxed and he fell asleep. By the time he came to, it was the night had already passed and it was already dawn.

"That was refreshing.." Yang Qing muttered as he stretched his body feeling completely relaxed from his body to his mind.

"I wonder how the effects would be if I added the water from the brook of clarity?" he wondered as he rubbed his chin in contemplation before he shook his head.

"I can't be that wasteful, I'd rather have Xiao Ye cook with it.."

Just as he was about to head to the library to research the broken wind chime artifact that contained the incomplete Ethereal vine root cultivation art.

Now that he was free he thought he'd spend the day researching it. From the high praise it received from the Judicial Review Committee, he was eager to explore it, like a young child given a new toy.

However, all that enthusiasm was cut short when Administrator Mo Guang appeared timely before him.

"Branch Chief I trust you had a good rest?" Mo Guang said as a polite smile appeared on his face.

Yang Qing who was all too familiar with such a look had alarm bells ringing in his mind.

"Just a bit.." Yang Qing said with an awkward smile.

"Do you remember the matter we discussed yesterday.." 

"The one about the Deer Mountain Kingdom?" Yang Qing hesitantly asked pretending he wasn't sure about it when he clearly did and was hoping it was postponed for one reason or the other.

"That's the one. Well, their envoy is already waiting outside the branch to lead you back to the Capital.."

"Senior Mo Guang is there a reason I need to meet with the royal family? My placement here is temporary. I will only be here for a month.." 

"Well, it's not like I don't understand where you're coming from. Under different circumstances, your presence would not be required and we would just wait until there was a permanent replacement.

But as it stands, because of the events that transpired, the kingdom is a little bit antsy because of what happened and also because of the survey findings shared with them. Your presence though temporary is needed to assuage their fears.." Mo Guang kindly said.

"Also fresh eyes are needed.." he added with a serious expression.

"Okay. I will meet the envoy shortly, let me ask if Su Jinjing or Luo Meili would like to join me first.." Yang Qing said as he cupped his fist.

Mo Guang nodded as he went his way.

A few minutes later, Yang Qing appeared outside of the barrier of the branch with Su Jinjing and Luo Meili to his left and right.

In front of them stood a slender middle-aged man with black hair tied in a daoist topknot. His robes were straight and made of the best materials and designed perfectly. Even those unaware of him would instantly assume he was a person of stature because of his bearing that had an erudite feel to it and how he dressed.

"You must be the current branch chief, my name is Jia Shun I am the Imperial Secretary of the Deer Mountain Kingdom.

Pardon me for interrupting your busy schedule, I hope you don't take offense to the sudden invitation.

The king would have come to the branch himself but the matters in the capital have made it impossible for him to come himself. He extends his deepest apologies.." said the well-dressed middle-aged man as he performed a humble and apologetic bow.

Seeing his humble attitude one would not think he was someone just a few levels below the king or that he was a first stage palace realm expert to boot.

"It's nothing Imperial Secretary Jia Shun. It's understandable. I don't mind heading to the kingdom, i have actually never been there myself and would be honored to see the rich history of the Deer Mountain Kingdom..." Yang Qing said as he cupped my fists.

"I hope you don't mind but I will be bringing my colleagues with me. This is Su Jinjing and she is Luo Meili. 

We will be in your care.." Yang Qing added as he pointed to the duo who both cupped their fists in greeting.

"No, No, it's not a problem at all. Our kingdom is honored to be graced by your presence..

If you don't think it is beneath you, we can use my companion Meifen to travel back.." the Imperial Secretary said as he pointed to the 10-meter osprey behind him.

The osprey looked like it was cloaked in shadow flames with feathers and eyes that glistened with charming darkness like that of a polished dark-colored stone or gem.

Yang Qing instantly recognized the osprey as the Obsidian nightflare osprey, a spirit beast skilled in camouflaging itself and flying undetected. 

Yang Qing could understand why the Imperial Secretary brought it along since it could even fool the spiritual senses of a cultivator with its camouflaging skills. The one before him was at the quasi-palace stage and from its display, Yang Qing was sure it could even hide from a few first-stage palace realm experts who had just freshly broken through.

The osprey quivered slightly when its gaze fell on Luo Meili, which drew a curious look from the Imperial Secretary. The osprey behaved arrogantly even amongst other palace realm cultivators but it seemed to avoid eye contact with a cultivator who was just at the 11th stage of the core formation realm.

"The Order is truly a fearsome place.." he though to himself as he could feel a faint suppression coming from Yang Qing despite Yang Qing completely reigning his cultivation pressure.

And it wasn't always Yang Qing that he felt this way with, he felt the same with the previous branch chief and the chief inquisitor Hao Da, especially the latter who even made the king feel slightly nervous around him.

"Please.." the imperial secretary said as he welcomed the trio atop the osprey which obediently extended its wing for the trio to use as a bridge to its back which caught the Imperial Secretary by surprise as he again meaningfully stared at Luo Meili as he wondered what this gentle looking woman could have to terrify the obsidian nightflare osprey so much into obedience.

However, he immediately pushed the matter to the back of his mind as he had other matters to worry about, especially with the state of the capital after the loss they had suffered.

"I hope they don't create a scene.." he nervously thought to himself.