53: Chapter 52 Temporary Inspection 53: Chapter 52 Temporary Inspection Hou Niao had been idle for several days, with nothing particular to do, so he spent his time clutching a Daoist Record, hastily making up for his deficiency in common knowledge about cultivation.
“To study the Dao, one must read extensively, for within books lie paths as precious as jade, and houses of Immortals.”
That day, as dusk was drawing near and his shift was about to end, Inspector Huang strolled into the detention room,
he swept his gaze across the room and said, “There’s a sudden inspection at the broad street’s pleasure quarters, which one of you will accompany me there?”
Nobody spoke up; nobody lifted their head as if they hadn’t heard anything at all; this wasn’t quite the normal attitude of subordinates toward a superior, but in the Cultivation World, the future meant everything.
The assignment was uninteresting and embarrassing, so nobody was willing to go.
Left with no choice, Inspector Huang’s gaze fell on a certain individual who, though the oldest among them, had the least seniority.
Seizing the opportunity, Hou Niao stood up, saying, “Since I am new here, I should contribute my efforts.”
Relieved, Inspector Huang let out a sigh.
Even Cultivators, including himself, were disinclined towards such tasks, so he could understand everyone’s sentiments; yet, rules were rules, and someone had to do the work.
It wouldn’t do for everyone to shrink back like turtles, would it?
“As for the patrol of the broad street, it’s all outlined in the government office’s handbook.
Have you read it, Disciple Hou?”
Hou Niao nodded, “Strict where necessary, lenient otherwise, stop at mere hints, I know.”
Inspector Huang nodded in satisfaction, “Good, go to the courtyard and call a team.
Don’t dawdle; the sooner you go, the sooner you return.”
With a bow, Hou Niao left to arrange things, while Inspector Huang watched over the young masters, each one with an air of nobility about them, and sighed helplessly.
The Quanzhen Sect had a curious tradition of extremely conservative attitudes toward matters of pleasure, which was rather astounding for a sect that outwardly claimed to be a Demon Sect.
Even the most morally and ceremonially ostentatious Daoist States would turn a blind eye to such matters, yet here in Shan Country…
Of course, over the millennia, what was once ironclad law had gradually loosened, from strict punishment without leniency to combined penalties and education, to the current formality of occasional spot checks—more about keeping up appearances than enforcement.
Such an action had less significance than even chicken ribs—it was all for the sake of upholding that sliver of tradition.
…Upon arriving in the small courtyard behind the hall, which was ostensibly for housing the governmental office’s horses and livestock, and was also the gathering place for the lower ranks of the office workers, Hou Niao’s arrival sparked surprise among the constables and coachmen.
High-ranking Cultivators had no reason to come here unless it was for…
the experienced constables could guess what it was: at this time, gathering people usually meant only one thing, and by the timing, it was about due.
Seeing everyone’s eager eyes fixed on him, Hou Niao could only smile wryly in response.
Cultivators would avoid such tasks like the plague, whereas for mortal constables it was quite the opposite—such missions were opportunities to make a quick profit.
In terms of benefits, was there a better place in Jin City than the broad street?
It was safe, pleasing to the eyes, with good food, drinks, and easy pickings, without the worry of resistance—this was the task they relished most.
Hou Niao cleared his throat lightly, “For duty on the broad street, I need a team; who is willing to…”
Immediately, three team leaders, Yi, Bing, and Ding, pushed forward.
Such an opportunity was too good to miss.
Even if they personally weren’t concerned, the constables under their command wouldn’t just let it go.
Inspector Huang had four teams under him, with only Team Alpha composed of Energy Induction disciples; the rest were led by team leaders whose positions, nominally, were higher than ordinary constables’, but if one considered the status of a Cultivator…
Therefore, every time there’s a significant action, a team of cultivators from the Energy Induction stage would follow, just to handle possible conflicts with other cultivators; although they are not leaders, the head of the team would still try to curry favor with these young cultivators—who knows what status they might hold in the future?
Hou Niao had a bit of a headache, he wasn’t familiar with these people, and it wasn’t easy to show partiality.
“Everyone is very enthusiastic and diligent with government affairs, which is good; if it weren’t for the rules, I would want to take everyone with me…
The wide street inspection happens once every half month, how about this—teams from Yi, Bing, and Ding can take turns, starting with team Yi this time?”
Some were disappointed, but no one objected to Hou Niao’s arrangement—it was fair, as long as he could make it work.
The fifteen members of team Yi left energetically in single file, following Hou Niao, with team leader Lao Liao being particularly assiduous next to him,
“Inspector Hou, what are the regulations for this operation?
Just give the order, and the brothers will surely handle everything perfectly without causing you any trouble.”
Hou Niao couldn’t help but smile, “What regulations could I have?
It’s just a normal patrol; Lao Liao, you have the experience, just follow the rules, and make sure not to go overboard, that’s all!”
Lao Liao’s smile was so wide his eyes disappeared; he liked upper cultivators who were sensible, who didn’t act arbitrarily or pretend to know things they did not, which spared a lot of disputes; in a city like Jin City, with a strong cultivation atmosphere, how could they dare to be reckless?
As long as these little ancestors didn’t mess up, things wouldn’t spiral out of control.
Those young upper cultivators, however, they were a problem—young and full of pride, which could be a headache to deal with.
These mortals also had to think about cleaning up after the cultivator masters, which they disliked.
This was Hou Niao’s first time working with a new inspector, and now he seemed not too bad?
South City has wide streets, North City has gambling houses, East City has marketplaces, and West City has docks.
Drawing from the mountain, living off the water, these are the major places where the four city areas make most of their profits.
Hou Niao followed behind the team; he didn’t plan on being conspicuous, letting the constables do their own thing as they were experienced and knew their limits.
This was a very bustling street that became brightly lit at nightfall, extraordinarily lively, where rich gentlemen started gathering from all directions, making it South City’s most stunning scene.
Wide street had dozens of brothels; of course, there were also many taverns, where food and pleasure flourished.
South City’s government office could definitely not check each place one by one during their night patrol, as it would defeat the purpose of spot checks; this really tested the clerks’ acumen, how through just a dozen or so spot checks could they extract the maximum amount of benefit?
Their experience was to look at the number of guests; a high number of guests meant abundant resources, and brothel owners, in order not to disturb their guests, would often resolve conflicts quietly by paying off problems.
As for how to judge the number of guests, that was the constables’ skill and not for outsiders to know.
The items for inspection were numerous, among which the most important were the validity of the brothel licenses, if there were any suspicious persons, and whether there were any girls under the age of fifteen as customers.
In the cultivation world, maintaining one’s vital essence is not essential, but it certainly affects cultivation, especially for young people who have just embarked on the Daoist path.
Quanzhen Sect is particularly strict about this, considering it an issue related to the success rate of their own disciples’ cultivation.
The night inspection went smoothly; the constables’ judgment was seasoned, and their handling was appropriate—they were able to reap benefits without causing too much resentment.
Hou Niao just followed behind with a look of leisure, as if he were an outsider merely watching the excitement.
…With nature and pleasure as constant companions, wherever there are streams and mountains is home.
When asked about the matter of longevity, I silently respond with nothing but a gesture towards the falling flowers.