The indication that Qin Yuqing, even as a grandmaster, was certainly not a strong grandmaster…
Thus…
“Give it a try.”
“Best if she can be killed, if not… she should at least be subdued for a while.”
“A wise person, knowing there is a grave threat lurking in the shadows, will undoubtedly act more cautiously and prudently, not daring to stir up trouble easily.”
Having just arrived in Mansion City, Li Che did not want to cause too much trouble.
But in this life, as if on thin ice, Li Che had to be cautious, not fearing the thieves who steal, but fearing those who keep him in their thoughts…
Qin Yuqing…
Such toxic fixation caused Li Che’s hair to stand on end, breaking him in fear whenever he thought of his daughter facing a major calamity.
Thus, for the sake of peace and tranquility, Li Che had no choice but to take the risk.
Li Che closed his eyes, and when he opened them the next moment, he had regained his composure.
In the southern mists and rains of spring, the willows sway as if intoxicated by the gentle breeze.
In his black, vigorous attire, Li Che, unlike the splendidly dressed scholars who seemed to step out of ink paintings, was also refined and gentle, blending with the pervasive spring rain.
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Yesterday, Liu He and Hai Chuanying had informed him about the specific location of the Heavenly Oversight Office in Mansion City.
In the misty rain, on the banks of a tributary of the Nine Dragons River, facing the spring breeze, stood a nine-story treasure pagoda with double eaves decorated with eight treasures, the top of the tower adorned with two dragons clutching a pearl, its black tiles neatly and intricately laid out, and the spring rain gathered flowing down the edges like strands of jade beads.
Li Che walked towards the Heavenly Oversight Office, to learn about the assessment requirements needed to become a Guest Official.
Upon reaching the pavilion, he folded his umbrella, shaking off the water droplets.
Li Che stored the oil paper umbrella into his Qiankun space, then stepped into the pavilion.
Contrary to what he expected from an imperial office, there weren’t hurried figures or idle government officials; instead, it was filled with a dazzling array of flowing lights.
Within frames crafted of transparent crystal and lined with silk satin, were displayed a wide array of items.
Li Che’s gaze swept across elixirs, weapons, Divine Wood Carvings, and more…
Categorized by wooden plaques, each neatly arranged.
Li Che was astonished, “This is the Heavenly Oversight Office… not a supermarket?”
“Sir, is there anything specific you wish to purchase?”
A gentle voice came from the side, accompanied by a waft of fragrant breeze, prompting Li Che to turn his head and see a graceful young lady with skin white as jade and eyes that twinkled quietly, standing beside him.
Li Che was taken aback, as he had entered the Heavenly Oversight Office without ever noticing when this woman had appeared.
The woman looked at Li Che and smiled, “The first floor of the Heavenly Oversight Office houses products of the Tenth Capital Level, of course, there are also commonplace items of inferior quality. Please state your needs, and I can assist you in evaluating them.”
Li Che shook his head, folding his hands in a traditional greeting, “I am here to inquire about the assessment for becoming a Heavenly Oversight Guest Official.”
A trace of surprise crossed the woman’s face.
Before she could reply, a hearty laugh echoed through the area.
“Hahaha, Master Li has arrived? We’ve been waiting for you for quite some time.”
Dressed in official attire and wearing the badge of the Temple Control Bureau at his waist, Liu He approached with a smile.
Having conversed with Li Che the day before, Liu He held Li Che in high regard; despite coming from the small Flying Thunder City, his worldly manners impressed Liu He, bolstered further by Li Qingshan’s recommendation, making his first impression excellent.
The refined lady nodded to Liu He and asked, “Guest Liu, won’t you introduce us?”
“Miss Shangguan, this is Li Che, a Woodcarving Master from Fei Lei City, recommended by Elder Qingshan and here to participate in the Heavenly Oversight Guest Official assessment,” Liu He elucidated Li Che’s identity straightforwardly.
“I am Shangguan Qinghong, it’s my pleasure to meet you, Master Li. Recommended by Elder Qingshan?” the woman said with a smile.
“Alright, Guest Liu, you can go on with your tasks. I heard you received a large order to carve a statue of the ‘Eight-Armed Hell Lotus Furious Third Prince Temple God,’ quite a challenging task. I shall take over hosting Master Li,” she continued with a smile.
Liu He’s expression stiffened slightly, and he shook his head helplessly, aware that Shangguan Qinghong was favored because of Li Qingshan.
He didn’t mind, however. Turning to Li Che, he said, “Master Li, I wish you success in your assessment. Let’s go for drinks and a listen to music at Yunfang Boat some other time.”
Annoyed, Shangguan Qinghong kicked Liu He lightly, and he left with a big laugh.
“Master Li, don’t associate with him, that Yunfang Boat isn’t a reputable place,” Shangguan Qinghong said soberly, looking at Li Che, her voice sweet once more.
Li Che chuckled, his eyes twinkling.
Shangguan… from one of the Golden Light Prefecture’s Five Great Clans, a member of the Shangguan Family?
Shangguan Qinghong led Li Che to a private room in the pavilion; a stove was boiling water, filling the room with the strong scent of tea.
“Master Li, please enjoy the tea. This ‘Dragon Ridge Tea’ is grown with water from the Nine Dragons River, sweet to the taste yet fiery in the belly, as if a dragon is surging through the river, containing a touch of divinity, and an excellent flavor,” she explained.
Shangguan Qinghong had been reading and drinking tea in the room earlier and had gone to greet Li Che upon sensing his arrival.
Today was her shift, and she found reading and drinking tea during her duty quite comfortable.
Shangguan Qinghong was a formal staff member of the Heavenly Oversight Office, certified by the Imperial Court unlike Liu He and Hai Chuanying, who had become Guest Officials through passing the assessment.
“Master Li comes from Fei Lei City?”
Shangguan Qinghong poured a cup of tea for Li Che, her slender fingers converging as she pushed the tea cup towards him.
“Fei Lei City is hardly peaceful. I heard the city lord is heartless, gathering the blood of thousands of infants and seizing the Divinity of thousands of Wood Carvers, sacrificing all the city’s citizens in an attempt to elevate the Mysterious Temple to the level of the Nine Luminaries… Luckily, Elder Qingshan thwarted his schemes with a Ram Horn Hammer.”