Journey to the West: Starting from the Imperial Horse Stable

Heavenly Court, Imperial Horse Stables, Hay and Fertilizer Storage.

Manager Liu from the hay shed strolled in. He was carrying two baskets of fruit and had a smile on his face.

"You two have worked hard." Manager Liu placed the fruit basket on the wooden shelf next to him. "You did a good job moving the hay today. Here, take these two baskets of fairy fruit and have some when you have time."

The two baskets of fruit were indeed not in good condition. The top few "Jade Crystal Pears" had already developed faint brown spots, and the "Fire Dates" at the bottom had also lost their luster and shriveled up at the bottom of the basket.

It's obvious that it's been sitting there for some time. The person in charge didn't want to eat it himself, so he just used it as a favor.

A servant quickly put down his work and jogged over, his face full of gratitude: "Thank you for your kindness, sir. I will work hard and live up to your expectations."

As he spoke, he hugged one of the baskets of fruit to his chest. He didn't really want it, but his face showed that he treasured it.

Manager Liu nodded in satisfaction and then looked at another servant in the hay shed.

Wang Chen didn't move. He patted the non-existent grass clippings off his hands, bowed deeply to Liu Changyun, his face displaying just the right amount of respect and sincerity.

"You flatter me, sir. It is my honor to serve the Imperial Stables. Your assignment of fodder management is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our abilities and a sign of your trust in our capacity to handle these details. This is the best reward in itself. How could I possibly accept anything more from you? I would never accept this under any circumstances."

His voice was steady and clear, and every word he spoke was utterly sincere.

Manager Liu paused for a moment, then his smile widened. He patted Wang Chen on the shoulder: "Not bad, you know how to talk and you're perceptive. Keep up the good work, and it won't be long before you get a Celestial Scroll."

After he finished speaking, he actually picked up the remaining basket of fruit again, turned around with a smile, and left.

Another handyman, Li Changsheng, was left standing there, holding the basket of rotten fruit in his arms. His smile froze, and he didn't know whether to put it down or continue holding it.

Wang Chen acted as if he hadn't seen anything and turned back to continue moving the hay.

Li Changsheng stared at Wang Chen's back for a long while before sullenly placing his basket of fruit in the corner and continuing to work. However, his movements were much heavier than before.

In the Heavenly Court, there are many wandering immortals like Wang Chen.

The so-called "wandering immortals" are celestial residents who do not possess any celestial register.

The Celestial Register is the certificate of a celestial official in the Heavenly Court. Only with it can one be considered to have truly entered the Heavenly Court, and have a fixed salary, a cave dwelling, and most importantly, cultivation resources and a path to advancement.

However, the situation is much more difficult for wandering immortals without a celestial register.

Before their ascension, which of these wandering immortals wasn't born into a top sect or holy land in a minor world? Which of them wasn't a holy son or holy daughter nurtured with the resources of their entire sect? They experienced brutal competition, defeated all the geniuses of their generation, and finally shattered the void with their martial prowess, stepped over the ladder to immortality, and arrived at the legendary Heavenly Court with boundless aspirations and pride.

Then, they were dumbfounded.

Their former background and resources are worthless here. Without a celestial talisman, they can only receive a meager "spiritual energy subsidy," or spirit stones, each month. These spirit stones are barely enough to maintain their immortal bodies.

The rent for the Heavenly Court's cave dwellings is exorbitant. After deducting the rent, the remaining spirit stones are barely enough to buy some basic dew and spirit grains to fill one's stomach. Buying a pill that can help with cultivation is a luxury.

These wandering immortals can't go back. First, their ascension was so glorious back then; how could they return in such a disheveled state? Second, the Southern Heavenly Gate has strict rules; it's always been a case of "entering but not leaving." Without a legitimate reason and permission, wanting to descend to the mortal realm? It's as difficult as ascending to heaven.

So most of the male immortals gritted their teeth and became strongmen or heavenly soldiers, doing menial tasks like carrying loads and patrolling. Many of the female immortals became fairy maidens, doing jobs like serving tea and water, and attending banquets. The spirit stones they earned were barely enough to survive; they were so busy every day that they had no time to cultivate in peace.

Wang Chen is such a free spirit.

However, he had only been in the Heavenly Realm for a few years when, thanks to his quick wit and ability to read people, he secured a temporary job at the Imperial Stables. This was much better than those who served as strongmen or heavenly soldiers.

Although temporary servants in the Heavenly Court are naturally the scapegoats, and are the first to be blamed when something goes wrong, this job also means getting one step closer to the celestial register.

If you can please the clerk in the government office, you might have a chance to fill the vacancy and get that coveted celestial register someday.

Just like in the Imperial Stables' hay and fodder shed, besides Wang Chen, there was only Li Changsheng. Li Changsheng arrived earlier than Wang Chen, starting work before dawn every day and not returning until late at night. No matter how dirty or tiring the work was, he would volunteer to do it, afraid of not showing enough enthusiasm.

Wang Chen privately commented on Li Changsheng's behavior with only three words: "What the hell are you talking about?"

Just now, when Manager Liu brought over those two baskets of rotten fruit, Li Changsheng happily accepted them, but after hearing Wang Chen's words, he realized that he had been outdone.

He glanced at Wang Chen furtively, and seeing that Wang Chen didn't react much, he made an excuse, grabbed the basket of fruit, and slipped out of the hay shed, probably to go and pledge his loyalty to Steward Liu Changyun again.

Wang Chen pretended not to see it and continued to carry the hay at a leisurely pace.

They were really carrying it with their bare hands.

Although the fodder used to feed the celestial horses is much more precious than ordinary grass from the mortal realm, it is light and soft in texture. Since they are already in the form of wandering immortals, it is the easiest thing for them to do to lift and transport it by using a trace of immortal power.

But Wang Chen insisted on carrying each bundle by hand, stacking them neatly. In his own words, "Only by carrying fodder by hand can you feel its texture and weight, and arrange it so that every vein is aligned in the most suitable direction. At the same time, you can also carefully appreciate the high standards and strict requirements set by the person in charge."

These words infuriated Li Chang. He realized that no matter how hard he tried, he was always outmatched by Wang Chen when it came to "getting things done." However, this time, he felt he might have gotten his revenge. He had just gone to see Liu Changyun and learned some news:

Tonight, Lord Bi Ma Wen is hosting a banquet and has invited several stewards and their capable servants to attend.

Manager Liu from the hay storage facility asked the village head to tell Wang Chen the news so they could go together tonight.

However, Li Changsheng decided not to tell Wang Chen this news yet. It would be best if Wang Chen didn't know and missed it. Even if he couldn't keep it a secret in the end, telling him at the last minute wouldn't give him time to prepare anything.

Wang Chen looked in the direction Li Changsheng had just hurriedly left, and couldn't help but find it amusing. "You still want to hide something from me? I already know what you're trying to do."

He deliberately raised his voice, as if talking to himself, or perhaps to Li Changsheng who had just returned: "Sigh, after my shift ends, I still have to go to the Carriage and Horse Management Office to report the accounts. I don't know why they're rushing me there, it's like they're saying that if we don't report it today, our Imperial Horse Stables' fodder supply will be cut off tomorrow. It's really annoying."

Li Changsheng's ears twitched, but he didn't reply. He just lowered his head and worked even harder, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Go on, go on, go report the accounts. It'd be best if you worked until late at night."

Wang Chen stopped talking and continued tidying up the hay. He did know about the banquet that evening, but he had no desire to go.

Just now, when he was helping Liu Changyun deliver an insignificant document to the new Bi Ma Wen (a low-ranking official in charge of horse grooming), he inadvertently caught a glimpse of the new Bi Ma Wen's profile from a distance.

With a hairy face and a thunderous mouth, he was squatting on the railing, scratching his ears and cheeks, wearing a rather ill-fitting celestial official's robe that looked crooked.

Wang Chen's heart skipped a beat at that moment.

Thinking of attending this stable boy's banquet at a time like this? Wang Chen silently shook his head.

Whoever wants to go can go. I'm not getting involved in this mess.