Immortal Connections - Chapter 32 preview

Chapter 32 - Wu Ying

“Adequate.”

The ringing endorsement from the head invigilator made Wu Ying's lip twitch in sardonic amusement. He understood that the man was not allowed to provide any further details of his results. Such information would come - if it did arrive - from the Ministers and those above him. At this time, the only question that was being raised was if he were to be allowed to take the second portion of the examination.

In this section, as the examiners repeated the same regulations, Wu Ying found himself more concerned. His skill with mortal herbs was one drawn from long years of actual experience, of training by and over decades of time. 

What little he knew of immortal herbs and techniques had been garnered from manuals and scrolls within the Lesser Harmonies Palace, trudging through the various gardens within and some testing of concepts in a plot of land offered to him. Intensely inadequate by far, at least by his standards.

Another scroll, another black string and wax seal. Cracking it open as the water clock was reset, he began to read, wincing a little at the list of questions within. Thankfully, there were fewer questions this time, only the fifty that he would have expected to start.

Unfortunately, just because the number was less did not reduce the complexity or difficulty of the questions. In fact, Wu Ying found them significantly more difficult to answer. A few, he noted, he could not even answer for he had never even heard of some of these plants.

What was a ‘Celestial Midnight Lotus’ or the difference between the ‘second and fourth heavenly realm divine water gotu kola’ and the effect of each on the Buddha Palm Glowing pill.

Brows furrowed, realizing there were at least a dozen such questions he could not answer. In desperation, Wu Ying reached to the winds, lacing his own dao into the question as he sent them spiraling outwards. 

He could see the trio of Ministers eyeing one another, but none of them moved to stop him, and though he was uncertain if such uses of his dao were acceptable, he was committed now. If they were to fail him for his actions, then let them fail him for making full use of his abilities; rather than sitting here like a faltering and petty bureaucrat.

Questions read, ink ground, brush dipped, he began to write. Answering question after question that he could manage, ensuring each question started on a new paper such that he might insert whatever information might arrive later.

Hoping that the wind, these heavenly winds that he had once rejected and that now blew through all the realms winds that mixed with the mortal ones would answer his query. A quiet suspicion blooming in his chest, as he scribbled answers on paper, the stack before him disappearing. Once again, the whirlwind of paper formed all around, even as secrets and answers were whispered to him.

As he neared the end of the stack, more paper was deposited by the silent ministers. Wu Ying listened, brow drawing down as the wind provided answers, murmuring details of plants that he might have forgotten, carrying speech and whispered secrets from across the realms.

An hour passed in a blink of the eye, the shutters of nearby residences fluttering, leaves collecting in drifts and a slow cyclone forming high above. The world turned to his request, as the silent presences of other immortals shifted, allowing his minor prompting.

By the time he was done, Wu Ying was certain. Carefully placing the brush aside, he crossed his arms, slipping hands into sleeves to await judgment. Annoyance threatened to rise, but he pushed it aside, knowing that such things were of little use. No matter what little tricks the examiners might play, railing against them would result in little.

As the last of the papers drifted down before the group, the stack of answers before the examiners, he watched as the lead examiner flipped the first over. He scanned through the papers in a cursory manner, eyes darting from word to word, drawing to sketch and then moving onwards, passing the papers to his colleagues when he was done.

When he reached the first of many single paragraph answers, he raised an elegant eyebrow. For the first time, the examiner regarded Wu Ying directly, lips compressed in a thin, unhappy line. He chose not to speak further, however, continuing to peruse the remaining documents. 

It was only when all parties had finished their examination did he speak, over an hour having passed by with Wu Ying staring at the other in silent regard, never moving, his gaze boring into the other. If it bothered the man, the head examiner from the ministry of personnel never showed it.

"Your answers have been reviewed. I believe I can speak for my colleagues in confirming that you have completed the assignment with only one irregularity." A head turned, regarding the pair. The administrator from the ministry of justice snorted indelicately, elegant eyebrows rising in taunt as the head examiner stared back at her. Deciding not to pursue the discourtesy, he continued. "A final report and your results will be compiled and provided to the Vice Ministers who will alert you of your final results and their judgment of the... irregularity."

"Thank you," Wu Ying said, cooly. 

"In the meantime, you are requested to stay in the Palace of Lesser Harmonies till judgment of your standing with the Jade Court is levied."

"Of course."

Having said his piece, he picked up the documents, tying them off and exiting the building. The lady from the ministry of justice lingered a little behind, a sardonic smile on her face as Wu Ying turned to face her.

"Your solution was impressive. Your dao unusual." She cocked her head. "How did you know that use of one's dao is not, generally, considered a violation of the rules?"

"I did not," Wu Ying said. "But it seemed to me that I had no hope of completing the examination otherwise." He shrugged. "Certainly, it was an impossible test for someone with only a few months of experience and for one confined to the palace. I felt that the Jade Court would not set such impossible standards."

That smile widened further, turning a little genuine. "Are you certain you're not interested in joining my ministry directly? Such faith in justice is quite rare, you know."

"I must decline. I fear I am not suiltable for your august company."

"Pity." She stared at Wu Ying a moment more, the pair of other examiners waiting behind her impatiently. Eventually, she said. "A dao of learning and growth. What a marvelous idea, but you are right. You probably would not fit in the end."

He inclined his head in acknowledgment, the woman turning and laughing at her companions. "Yes, yes, I know. Let us go and play our games."

In moments, they were gone, leaving Wu Ying alone. A little annoyed at an examination that contained impossible to answer questions, with locations and even plants that were neither real nor likely for someone with his knowledge and ability to learn of in normal circumstances. 

The entire examination had been meant to be a farce. An impossibility to complete, and now...

Well. Now he had showcased his dao and abilities. The question was whether that was enough, and if not, what else was he to do? Because some objectives could not be given up on.