The sunshine was splendid, dispersing the chill of early spring. Willow branches swayed in the street, and willow catkins floated in the air.
Dressed in a black martial outfit, Li Che looked very spirited. His strong physique from practicing martial arts made his clothes appear neat and vigorous, making him quite conspicuous among the crowd.
He stopped walking and looked towards three people approaching from a distance.
With his distinctive Nezha braid, Big Head Lu Chi was all too familiar to Li Che, but the two figures beside Lu Chi made him slightly puzzled.
Dressed in official robes, with a badge representing the Temple Control Bureau hanging at their waists, the badge carved with the pattern of a small temple was easy to recognize.
Li Che’s first thought was that he might have been reported by Lu Chi, the young rascal.
However, he quickly dismissed this idea.
Because there was no need for Lu Chi to do so, Li Che had always been very gentle and amiable towards him.
Waiting quietly, the three soon approached.
“Uncle Li,” Lu Chi called out, his head shaking as he hurriedly spoke when he saw Li Che.
Li Che smiled gently.
He then turned to the other two and asked, “These two…”
“Uncle Li, they are from the Heavenly Oversight!” Lu Chi immediately provided the answer without playing coy.
Li Che was stunned—Heavenly Oversight?
In the Grand Prospect Dynasty, the Temple Control Bureau, the Heavenly Oversight, and the Divine Sect were the three massive entities. The first two belonged to the Imperial Court Forces, while the third was a Sect force.
The Temple Control Bureau dealt with mysterious temples and was a combat force, engaging in tasks like forest chopping, temple destruction, suppression of anomalies, and eradication of evil spirits—all the dirty and tedious work.
Within the Imperial Court, the Heavenly Oversight was akin to a logistical force, producing elixirs, Divine Wood Carvings, Divine Weapons, etc., earning immense wealth.
The “Great Scenic Heaven Fury Dark Flood Dragon Blood Martial Pill” that Li Che had taken when he broke through the Mysterious Vein had come from the Heavenly Oversight.
“It was the teacher who asked me to recommend you to the Heavenly Oversight after returning to the Mansion City. This recommendation spot is extremely precious,” Lu Chi said, shaking his big head hurriedly.
The two men in official robes smiled at Li Che: “Senior Qingshan recommended you for joining the Heavenly Oversight, and we are responsible for contacting you.”
Li Che bowed, and the two returned the gesture.
“I happen to be going to the ‘Fragrant Pavilion’; shall we go there and talk while we eat?”
Assured that they had no ill intentions, Li Che became even more amiable and kind, smiling as he invited them.
Lu Chi, uninterested in food, unhesitatingly chose Xi Xi over the delicacies and the Twist Car.
Li Che and the three from the Heavenly Oversight arrived at the “Fragrant Pavilion.”
The most popular restaurant in the Outer City of the Mansion City, loved by the elite for the chef’s excellent culinary skills, the dishes were aromatic and visually appealing.
Li Che, not short of money, ordered a table full of fine wines and dishes without being too frugal.
Even though the prices in Mansion City were extremely high, they meant nothing compared to the piles of gold bars and silver ingots in his Qiankun Space.
“Master Li, you are too kind,” the three men said as they sat in the private room.
A cool female musician played the zither, the sounds drifting melodiously.
“I am Liu He from the Heavenly Oversight in Golden Light Prefecture City, this is my colleague, Hai Chuanying. We are both Third-class Guest Officials of the Heavenly Oversight,” one man introduced themselves.
“Guest Official?”
Sensing Li Che’s confusion, the talkative Liu He smiled and explained, “A Guest Official needs to pass an assessment to join the Heavenly Oversight, enjoys the benefits of an officer of the Heavenly Oversight, but is not a real officer and does not hold an official rank.”
Li Che understood—it was just like the difference between contract and temporary workers in civil service.
“As Senior Qingshan ranks eighth in the Yunzhou Divine Foundation Spectrum, naturally, we take his recommendations seriously, hence we personally came to contact Master Li,” Liu He explained.
“We have gathered complete information about Master Li. In just three years, in the Xu’s Wood Carving Shop in Fei Lei City, you went from a Wood Carving Apprentice to a Woodcarving Master, capable of creating Divine Wood Carvings. Your talent is truly remarkable,” Liu He affirmed.
“Senior Qingshan’s recommendation is indeed reasonable.”
Liu He clinked glasses with Li Che, enjoying the wine, but after a sip, his brows slightly furrowed.
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“The wine from the Outer City is ultimately inferior. Although Fragrant Pavilion is the best restaurant here, this wine… is really quite mediocre.”
“Master Li, when you get the chance to come to the Inner City, I’ll treat you to the Divine Wine at Yunfang Boat.”
“Exquisite women serving warm Divine Wine that rejuvenates one’s Divinity upon drinking… such a taste… ah…” Liu He couldn’t help but praise.
The man named Hai Chuanying, however, spoke indifferently: “Master Li hasn’t even joined the Heavenly Oversight or become a Guest Official yet, and you’re already thinking about taking him to enjoy courtesans and music?”
“Haha, with Senior Qingshan’s recommendation, he is certain to pass the Guest Official assessment; it’s only a matter of time.”
“After all, such a coveted recommendation spot wouldn’t be wasted by Senior Qingshan,” Liu He laughed.
Li Che invited the three to enjoy the meal and drink as he slowly inquired and understood the situation.
“Senior Qingshan’s recommendation merely gives you the qualification to be assessed. Whether you can truly become a Guest Official of the Heavenly Oversight still depends on your abilities,” Liu He said.
“Although we Guest Officials are not true officials of the Heavenly Oversight, we still enjoy its substantial benefits. Most importantly, being under the protection of the Heavenly Oversight is crucial for someone like Master Li, who comes from the Outer City.”
“The news about Fei Lei City has already spread here. City Lord Cao Guang used the entire city as a sacrifice, aiming to elevate Mysterious Temple because of Senior Qingshan’s presence, but his scheme failed. Cao Guang died, and his son Cao Qingyuan too…
Liu He took a sip of wine and squinted his eyes.
“Cao Guang’s death is immaterial, but Cao Qingyuan’s death might not be good news for Master Li.”