Daily life of a cultivation judge-Chapter 1085: Setting up a commission (2)
"Greetings, Sister Fan Mei," Yang Qing said, flashing a sleazy smile as he stepped into Fan Mei's office.
The room was the perfect embodiment of what one might picture when thinking of a scholar's workspace. The left and right walls were lined with shelves brimming with books, while the massive earth-deer mahogany desk—stretching across nearly three-quarters of the office's width—was cluttered with scrolls and parchments. Some were fully unfurled, others partially opened, and a few remained tightly rolled, awaiting attention.
Four spirit-cleansing and spirit-calming incense sticks burned simultaneously on the desk, their faint trails of smoke weaving upward, mingling with the scent of parchment and ink. At the desk's corner sat a small azure cloud spirit rejuvenating marble, carved into the shape of an otter. It looked oddly adorable, Yang Qing had to admit, though he'd never openly say it.
Seated behind the desk was a young woman who appeared to be in her late twenties or early thirties. She wore white inner robes paired with a black overcoat, her hair neatly tied into a bun. Bangs framed her forehead, with a few longer strands cascading down the sides of her face, brushing against her shoulders.
Her exposed skin had a smooth, milky jade complexion, and given the slightly drawn reed curtains behind her, one could easily assume that her porcelain-like fairness came from being cooped up in this very office—away from the harshness of the outside world.
She leaned over her desk, examining a document with laser focus. Even with part of her face obscured, it was plain as day that she was a natural beauty. Her scholarly charm lent an air of elegance.
"I was wondering when you'd come to see me," Fan Mei said, her voice smooth, soft, and lightly melodic.
She looked up, meeting his gaze with a gentle smile. Yet despite her composed demeanor, Yang Qing didn't miss the subtle tiredness in her eyes—a delicate, languid charm that only enhanced her allure.
"You don't look like you've rested much, Fan Mei," Yang Qing said, noting the fatigue etched on her face. It was unusual to see signs of weariness in a second-stage Palace Realm expert, yet there they were.
"An appraisal on an item demanded more than I expected. I should be good after a few hours of meditation," Fan Mei replied with a tired smile, brushing it off as if it were nothing.
"Would you care for some tea?" she added, reaching for a porcelain kettle shaped like an otter.
"Maybe she adores them," Yang Qing thought, glancing at the kettle and the similarly designed azure cloud spirit rejuvenating marble resting nearby.
"Yes, I would. But let me handle it. With how you look, you might just topple over," Yang Qing said as he stepped forward, gently taking the kettle from her hands.
Pouring the tea into two cups, he admired its pale golden-green hue. The aroma carried earthy warmth mingled with crisp, herbal notes—refreshing yet grounding.
As a devoted epicure, Yang Qing immediately recognized it as verdant ginseng tea, a blend prized for its ability to refresh and sustain spiritual qi and essence.
After pouring, Yang Qing fished out a green flamed leaf from his storage ring and dropped it into one of the cups. The leaf dissolved instantly, transforming the liquid into a rich, deep green. He then infused a wisp of his universal qi, mellowing the color slightly while amplifying the scent.
The aroma shifted—deeper, livelier. It was as if the essence of spring itself had been distilled and captured within the cup.
Yang Qing handed the enhanced tea to Fan Mei and kept the original for himself. Verdant ginseng tea was excellent for rejuvenation, but it paled in comparison to the potency of the green flame tree or his own refined spiritual qi.
Fan Mei accepted the cup with a slight nod of gratitude, bringing it closer to her lips while her tired eyes softened ever so slightly.
"Thanks," Fan Mei said, nodding gratefully as she accepted the cup. She took a quick sip, and her eyes immediately brightened. A surge of energy, filled with gentle vitality, coursed through her, washing away the lingering fatigue wherever it passed.
"This is good," she murmured before taking another sip. A faint rosiness returned to her complexion, and the lethargy in her eyes faded little by little.
"I hope you're not doing all this just so I'll increase your discretionary funds," Fan Mei said, peering suspiciously at Yang Qing over the rim of her cup. With her mouth and nose obscured, only her sharp eyes remained visible.
"I don't even have that authority," she added before taking another sip, her eyes narrowing into contented crescents as a soft, satisfied hum escaped her lips.
"What kind of person do you take me for?" Yang Qing asked, feigning hurt.
"The bribing kind," Fan Mei replied without hesitation, taking another sip between her verbal jabs.
"I'm just teasing," she finally said, flashing a small smile as she reluctantly set the cup down.
Her demeanor shifted entirely as the playful air vanished, replaced by one of focus and professionalism. An aura of calm authority settled over her.
"So, what do you need?"
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"I need a commission drawn up," Yang Qing said, his tone matching her shift in focus. He wasted no time, quickly explaining the details surrounding the Bluefin Spine-tailed Swift Escort Agency—its missing goods and vanished personnel.
"This is the route they followed, and this is where they disappeared," Yang Qing explained, handing over the jade slip Duan Ting had provided. It contained the full travel route taken by the escort team.
"What I need is any and all relevant information on that ship and its movements along the route up until it disappeared—reports, sightings, anything. I also need details on Bai Chen. Where he went after leaving the Azure Sapphire Mountains, and what he did on his way back there."
Fan Mei tapped the jade slip against her desk as she listened, her sharp eyes scanning the map displayed above it.
"Do you have any groups, organizations, or individuals in mind to handle the commission?" she asked, already pulling out several parchment sheets and scrolls in preparation.
Yang Qing rubbed his chin thoughtfully before replying,
"I didn't have anyone specific in mind, but now that you mention it, I did have a good experience with the Wind Gliding Mercenary Escorts. We can try them. As for the rest, I'll defer to your better judgment.
You're more likely to know who's good at this sort of thing than I am," he said with a slight smile.
Fan Mei let out a soft sigh, shaking her head as a bitter smile crept onto her face.
"Throwing the investigative workload on me, huh?" she said. "I knew you were up to something."
Yang Qing shrugged innocently, but Fan Mei waved him off before he could speak.
"Fine, I'll do it. But I need something from you."
Yang Qing's expression shifted. "What?" he asked cautiously.
"I need more tea—like the one you made earlier." Fan Mei leaned back, folding her arms. "If you're going to work me this rugged, I'll need at least 15 kettles' worth to make up for it. Deal?"
"Deal," Yang Qing replied without hesitation, a relieved smile spreading across his face.
