Zhang Lan said seriously, “I am now a Supervisor of the Taoist Court, and it is my duty to maintain the stability of Tongxian City. On such an important day as the festival, how could I possibly go back?”
“Isn’t the Taoist Court busy? How can they afford to let you wander around like this?”
Zhang Lan said displeased, “I am on duty, not wandering around aimlessly. The Court Leader knows and wouldn’t say anything.”
“Really?” Mo Hua was skeptical.
“Of course.”
Mo Hua uttered an “Oh,” then pointed behind Zhang Lan, “The Court Leader seems to be calling you over. He appears unaware that you’re ‘on duty’.”
Zhang Lan’s body stiffened instantly as he slowly turned his head and indeed saw the Court Leader signaling to him with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.
The inspection by the Court Leader was a routine of the Taoist Court.
On such important festivals, the Court Leader was also expected to take charge and inspect everywhere, to prevent Cultivators from gathering and causing trouble.
Zhang Lan, who had been sneaking around and loitering, was caught and could only offer a stiff smile in response.
Mo Hua felt a bit schadenfreude, and was just about to slip away when Zhang Lan caught her in one go, “Come with me.”
“Why should I go? I’m not from the Taoist Court.”
“You come with me to accompany the Court Leader on his inspection,” Zhang Lan didn’t want to let Mo Hua escape.
“I won’t go.”
“Many Cultivators in Tongxian City dream of having this opportunity but can’t get it. You, at such a young age, should feel extremely honored to accompany the Court Leader on his inspection.”
“Then feel honored on your own.”
It’s not like he didn’t know the Court Leader. He even sent him gifts for the festival. At times like this, there was no need to push oneself forward unnecessarily.
Moreover, accompanying the Court Leader on his inspection was both dull and restrictive, nowhere near as relaxing as wandering on his own.
But before Mo Hua could slip away, he noticed the Court Leader also signaling him over.
Now Mo Hua had no choice but to follow Zhang Lan with a sigh of resignation and greet the Court Leader.
Court Leader Zhou himself found these inspections tedious too, with most of his company consisting of elders from clans and Sects, offering insincere platitudes with forced smiles.
Dreary and monotonous.
After all these years, Court Leader Zhou had gotten used to it, but then he saw Zhang Lan and Mo Hua wandering around jovially in the distance, free and unfettered, chatting animatedly about something.
A twinge of discontent suddenly struck Court Leader Zhou’s heart.
So he waved them over, calling for both Zhang Lan and Mo Hua, wanting their company during his rounds.
Joy can be shared, just as tedium can be divided.
With the younger man Zhang Lan and the child Mo Hua for company, the inspection naturally became much more interesting, or at least less dull than before.
Mo Hua glimpsed at Zhang Lan with a woeful look—had he not held her back, she would have already run off.
Zhang Lan winked at Mo Hua, as if to say, endure this for now, and I’ll apologize to you later.
Mo Hua had no choice but to accompany the Court Leader on his inspection.
Every now and then, Court Leader Zhou would ask Mo Hua about various things, such as Cultivator customs, Monster Beast materials, various pastries and snacks, and so on.
Mo Hua answered each question in turn.
Thus, Mo Hua ended up being forced to keep Zhang Lan and Old Court Leader Zhou’s company for a day, strolling through the streets without surprises or delights.
Court Leader Zhou was very satisfied, and Mo Hua could only sigh internally.