Chapter 46: Finding a Place to Stay
The Celestial Master Hall was established jointly by the Three Sects, Four Gates, and Six Great Houses to better manage mystic masters and celestial exorcists. Mystic City, where the Hall was located, served as the headquarters for all mystic disciples. Twice a year, the registration and qualification exam there was the grandest event not just of the Hall but of the entire mystic world.
So when Yun Jiao and Bai Yu arrived, the whole city was bustling. The streets were filled with robed mystic disciples — some with peachwood swords on their backs, some carrying various talismans and artifacts — each exuding that unique, lofty “immortal master” air.
Because Yun Jiao and Bai Yu had left late, they reached the city just one day before the exam. By then, they discovered all the inns were completely booked. They wandered the city trying to find lodging, but everywhere was full. Just as they were about to resign themselves to a miserable night somewhere, they suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
“Old Bai! Daoist Friend Yun! Over here!”
A burly man in blue waved wildly at them. He was broad-shouldered, with a fierce-looking beard — standing out like a crane among chickens in the crowd of slender mystic disciples.
“Old Zhou!” Bai Yu blinked and looked him up and down. “Why are you here?”
“You’re coming, so of course I wanted to try my luck too!” Old Zhou grinned, then nodded politely to Yun Jiao before saying seriously, “But you two came way too late. The exam’s tomorrow, and all the inns were fully booked three days ago.” Then he turned to Yun Jiao, adding, “I figured you’d be bringing a young lady with you, so you’d definitely need a place to stay. I went ahead and reserved rooms for you.” He pointed to the inn behind him.
Bai Yu’s eyes lit up. He clapped Zhou hard on the back. “Old Zhou, thanks!” Finally, a place to sleep!
“Thank you, Uncle Zhou,” Yun Jiao said sincerely. Old Zhou was much more reliable than a certain old man back at the temple.