The Magistrate: Chapter 3 (Patreon)

Sorry for the delay, I went to bed and spent 3 hours staring at the ceiling before finally falling asleep. Chapter 3

Introductions

Three days later, Magistrate Finch walked through the doors of the ministry building in Cloud City. He was dressed in his magistrate's robes, with his mark of office on his hip, and his signet ring on the middle finger of his right hand. The clerk behind the front desk bowed as he approached, ignoring the man he was dealing with.

After fifteen years of bowing and scraping to everyone that passed by, Tobias still wasn't used to being on the receiving end of such courtesy, so he had to fight the impulse to bow lower. After glancing over his shoulder, the man speaking with the clerk stepped aside and bowed, allowing Tobias to take his place, accepting the loss without complaint.

Tobias forced himself to walk to the front. Pushing in line felt rude, but it was expected of him. "Inform Lower Magistrate Han that Magistrate Finch is here to report for his assignment."

Magistrate Ching knew of Lower Magistrate Han but hadn't met the man. He was a distant relation of the imperial family, so he was untouchable unless he was caught accepting bribes. He was someone that Tobias decided he did not want to upset. With a few words, the man could make his life a nightmare.

The clerk bowed again. "Yes, Magistrate Finch. Please take a seat while you wait."

Tobias walked down the hallway to an empty bench and sat. He had spent his entire journey through the mountains interrogating merchants to improve his understanding of where he'd been assigned and was happy to take a break. The altitude was making his head spin.

Cloud City was a sect city built on a plateau ten thousand feet above sea level in the middle of the Cloud Mountain Range. It was the poorest of the state's two sect cities, with no mortal resources or ability to farm. The high saturation of chi and the cultivation resources extracted from the mountains were the only reasons it was financially viable. That meant everything Tobias needed to live cost almost twice as much as it did in the next most expensive city in The Three Kingdoms.

Hours passed while Tobias waited to speak with Lower Magistrate Han about his assignment as the sect liaison. Cultivators were extremely distrustful of outsiders, and the sects hated dealing with the magistrates for fear of them stealing their secrets. As a magistrate without cultivation divinity, Tobias was the perfect candidate for working inside their walls, as academic understanding was only a part of cultivation he'd discovered while talking to Cultivator Ching.

Tobias had carefully studied the Zodiac Cultivation Manual many times over the past few weeks and confirmed this was true. His inability to sense and manipulate chi left him entirely blind to the cultivation world. This didn't bother him. Becoming a cultivator had never been his objective, and that hadn't changed. Getting out of poverty and living a comfortable life while helping his family was all he cared about.

It was nearly sunset when Lower Magistrate Han invited him into his office. The trappings of wealth and power covered every surface as Tobias walked towards the middle-aged man sitting behind the desk.

Tobias found the man's appearance interesting. He was slim, but strong, with handsome features that did not seem to be affected by cultivation. There was a refined dignity about him, along with arrogance. It was all a façade. Tobias had seen enough fund managers to know when someone was trying to fake competency.

As Tobias rose from his bow, Lower Magistrate Han did not invite him to sit. If Tobias had failed to understand the message the lower magistrate was sending after having been made to wait all day, he would have understood it now. The man did not like him. He did not trust him. And he did not want him to succeed in his assignment.

That was more than a little problematic.

While Tobias wasn't directly under him because of the nature of his assignment, he was under his authority because the lower magistrate outranked him. It was a confusing matter as the lower magistrate couldn't interfere with Tobias's assignment, yet could punish him for any failures he made.

Lower Magistrate Han glared at him. "I'm told you have no cultivation divinity, Magistrate Finch."

"This one does not," Tobias replied, diplomatically.

"We'll see."

Lower Magistrate Han rose to his feet and marched Tobias out of the building and through the compound to a small building that Tobias recognised. He was taken inside and had his divinity tested again. The device showed the same result as the other, a single barely glowing crystal.

Lower Magistrates Long's displeasure increased as he marched Tobias back to his office and took a seat, grinding his teeth. "Magistrate Finch, you have been assigned to Cloud Sect's state assignment hall. The state frequently needs the assistance of the sect's cultivators, and it is your job to secure this assistance. If you fail to perform your duties, you will be replaced."

Tobias heard the unspoken command behind the last sentence. The lower magistrate wanted him to fail, and he wasn't being subtle about his wishes.

Lower Magistrate Han continued talking. "You will have no authority beyond what the sect gives you and will be required to abide by the sect's rules. Attempt to abuse your station, and you will quickly discover how little power you have."

"This one will abide by the rules," Tobias replied, playing dumb. In this life, he was still only fifteen, so it was a believable act. Using his youth and feigned ignorance against those who meant him ill was half the reason Tobias had been able to rise to his new position. The other half was hard work and diligence, and eighty-seven extra years of experience to draw upon.

Lower Magistrate Han stared at him for several seconds, annoyed that he seemed not to have understood, before deciding spelling it out would be a step too far and too incriminating. He picked up the bamboo tube sitting on his desk. "Here are your assignment papers. Present them to the outer sect gate at dawn tomorrow. They will explain your assignment in further detail. You are dismissed."

Tobias internally sighed.

The outer gate was located at the top of a three-thousand-step staircase, known as the Cloud Steps. With the thin air and his poor health, he'd have to climb most of the night to reach it by dawn.

***

The following morning, Tobias ate a cold pork bun while he watched the sunrise from the top of the Cloud Steps. The thin air made it hard for him to catch his breath, and his aching muscles made it harder to enjoy the view, but he eventually did both. The perfectly straight staircase led down to the city's main road, which ran through the city centre all the way to the city gate, offering an astounding view of everything as the sun rose.

From up here, the city looked insignificant.

Tobias let himself enjoy a few more minutes before pushing himself to his feet and dusting away the crumbs. Two weeks of eating well couldn't fix a lifetime of abuse, so he'd paid a porter to deliver his meagre belongings to the sect by midday. He could see the man in the distance, beginning his climb at the base of the staircase.

Tobias shook the stiffness and cramping out of his arms and legs before he comported himself to make the short walk to the gate. All he wanted to do was sleep, but he had work to do.

Elder Show, the gate guardian, was a very handsome man who didn't look a day over twenty-five. He sat on his stool beside the entrance, enjoying the view. In his right hand, he held a large mug of tea while a fluffy white cat circled his feet, brushing its head and tail against his shins.

Tobias bowed. "Magistrate Finch greets Elder Show."

"Elder Show greets Magistrate Finch. Now, why are you here?"

Tobias quickly stepped forward and offered his assignment papers. Elder Show took the papers without a word and reviewed them. He then provided Tobias a piece of paper that appeared in his hand out of nowhere.

It was the first real sign of cultivation being real that Tobias had ever seen, and it left him shocked. His experience trying and failing to hit Cultivator Ching had been odd, but it wasn't the same as seeing something appear from nowhere.

"Place your signet ring against the paper."

Tobias understood the request. Elder Show wanted a copy of his seal to authenticate it, if necessary, but he was too dumbfounded to react.

Elder Show cleared his throat when Tobias didn't respond.

Tobias quickly pressed his ring against the paper, trying to ignore its mysterious appearance and the lack of ink. He wasn't surprised when an impression of his signet ring was left on the paper, because of its mysterious appearance, but he was filled with a small sense of wonder.

Elder Show finished looking through the paperwork. "Are you aware of the sect rules, Magistrate Finch?"

"No, Elder Show. This one did not request this assignment, and this one had little time to prepare."

"Of course not. It is we who requested you."

Tobias decided to play dumb again. It would give him insight into how openly he could discuss the matter. "May this one ask why?"

"In the past five years, three lower magistrates have held the position you now hold. Each attempted to use their position to steal our secrets and was executed for their actions. The blood price for the life of a lower magistrate is not small, so we requested a magistrate who could not access the knowledge we protect."

Tobias bowed. "Thank you for answering this one's question, Elder Show."

"Before you enter our sect, you should know that your standing is equal to that of a core disciple. Core disciples are recognised by the three gold bands around their cuffs. Elders like myself have four, nascent soul elders have five, and the sect leader has six. That is all you need to know to avoid trouble, but I suggest you inform Elder Po of your ignorance. He will correct this for you."

"Thank you for the advice, Elder Show."

Those weren't empty words, Tobias was grateful. Navigating this new world was going to be difficult for him.

The elder gave him a warm nod. "Welcome to Cloud City Sect, Magistrate Finch. Ask one of the outer disciples to guide you to the assignment hall and remember them well. Though they may be your junior now, they could one day be your senior, and they will remember any kindness not returned to them."

Tobias paused to consider the elder's advice. What he said was entirely different from everything he knew of how this world worked, but this was not the world he knew. This was the cultivator world, where divinity and talent could take you far.

He decided to bow again. "Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Elder Show. This one will not forget what you have done for them."

"You learn quickly. Elder Po will appreciate that."

Elder Show turned and watched the sunrise, wordlessly dismissing Tobias. Tobias bowed one last time and then walked through the gate.

A large, wide road framed by statues of men and women cut through the massive staging ground before arriving at a beautiful stone arch. The sight of the female status surprised Tobias. He had learned on his way here that Cloud Sect was a purely male sect.

Tobias took his time to stop at each statue and read the inscription before moving on. He didn't know who the statues belonged to, but they held a position of prominence, and it was only polite to show respect when visiting another's home.

Tobias assumed he would be assigned here for many years, if everything went well, so it was wise to give the sect as much face as he could from the beginning. His actions didn't go unnoticed, and more than one disciple stopped in the distance to watch him before continuing with their morning. It took him more than an hour to reach the last statue, and by that point, a disciple had been waiting for him to arrive for thirty minutes.

Tobias glanced at the disciple's cuff as he bowed before him and counted one gold ring, which meant he was an outer disciple. The outer disciple was a handsome young man in his late teens. His skin was slightly tanner than a noble's would be, but not as tanned as a peasant's, so Tobias guessed that he had been some sort of merchant before he joined the sect.

He had long, black hair that fell to his waist and strong cheekbones and chin. His eyebrows were hawklike and sharp, giving the impression of someone who was always watching. He was several inches taller than Tobias, but only average height, not the towering figure that most cultivators seem to be.

"This one is Outer Disciple Wo, Magistrate. How may this one be of assistance?"

"I need a guide to the state assignment hall."

"This one will show you the way."

Disciple Wo didn't take Tobias directly to the state assignment hall. Instead, he took him on a tour of the outer sect, explaining each building and its purpose. Only after that did they climb the three hundred steps to the inner sect gate and begin the second half of the tour. By the time Tobias arrived at the assignment hall, he could find his way to every important location in the inner and outer sect.

By then, Tobias also understood the significance of Elder Show's suggestion to remember those who had helped him. Disciple Wo was doing everything he could to curry favour and remove Tobias's ignorance as politely and diplomatically as he could.

"Can this one help you with anything else?" Disciple Wo asked as they entered the assignment hall.

"Can you point out Elder Po?"

"Elder Po is the esteemed elder reading in the corner, Magistrate."

"Thank you for your assistance, Disciple Wo. You may return to your day."

"If the magistrate should need anything else, you know where to find this one."

Disciple Wo had pointed out the large house where he lived during the tour, so Tobias would know where to find him.

"I'll remember."

Disciple Wo bowed and exited the assignment hall. Tobias straightened his robe and then made his way to Elder Po and bowed. The elder chose not to acknowledge his presence.

Tobias remained in place, not saying a word. The elder continued to stare at his book. Tobias continued to stand. Time continued to pass beyond merely keeping a junior in their place. Tobias did not take offence, but he did get annoyed. He quickly quashed that feeling. It was not his place to get annoyed at anyone.

After several minutes, a core disciple exited a back room and walked over, tapping Tabias on the shoulder, and beckoning for him to follow. Tobias considered his options before following the man to the other side of the assignment hall.

The core disciple dropped his voice to a whisper that Tobias could barely hear. "Elder Po can sleep with his eyes open. He's not ignoring you. He's asleep. Only those who work in the assignment hall know that he can do this." He didn't wait for Tobias to reply before hurrying off.

Tobias considered what he'd been told and then waited an hour for the assignment hall to clear of anyone who had seen him waiting to speak with the elder.

Once they had left, he went back to Elder Po and bowed again. "Magistrate Finch greets Elder Po."

Elder Po immediately turned to look this time, moving so smoothly that it appeared he'd been reading. "Papers."

Tobias handed over his assignment papers.

Elder Po checked them over. "Do you understand your assignment?"

"This one does not understand his assignment or how a sect functions and apologises for his ignorance."

Elder Po rose to his feet. "Follow me then." They crossed the hall to a large set of doors along the left wall and entered a room with a beautiful desk. "This is your office. The magistrate records are stored through the doors behind your desk, with a second set of doors that lead to the sect archives. There, you can find any information you need on anything related to your assignments. If you cannot find what you need through those doors, the information likely doesn't exist or is something only I have access to."

Elder Po walked to the desk, and a thick scroll magically appeared in his hand. "This is a copy of the sect rules. Memorise it." He placed the scroll on the desk, and another appeared in his hand. "This is a copy of our sect's etiquette. Memorise it." He placed it beside the other, and another appeared in his hand. "This guide explains your duties here. Memories, it." He placed it on the table and turned to Tobias. "In our sect, great achievement is rewarded. You will be tested on what you have learned in ten days. If you pass, you will be allowed to begin your assignment, and I will personally reward you with resources to improve your cultivation."

Tobias frowned and carefully considered the elder's words. He was offering a reward for being capable of performing his assignment faster. That was not the same as being rewarded for performing his duties, which would be considered a bribe. It was still too close for Tobias's taste.

Tobias bowed. "Elder Po, your offer could be interpreted as bribery."

Elder Po immediately scowled. "Is this how you chose to interpret my goodwill?"

Tobias considered the other man's words again before deciding that a terrible relationship with him was better than execution. “Yes, Elder Po.”

Elder Po sighed. "Without an acting magistrate, our disciples cannot take state assignments, and a third of our sect's external funding remains cut off. Our sect wishes you to be able to perform your duties as soon as possible, so I am willing to reward you if you can do this in as little as ten days. I will give you this in writing, with my seal, if that is what you require to feel comfortable."

Tobias nodded. "If you give the offer to me in writing with your seal, I will happily accept it."

Elder Po smiled. "That took guts."

"Corruption is the second fastest way for a magistrate to get themselves killed."

Elder Po chuckled. "What's the fastest way?"

"Seeing something you shouldn't."

He nodded his agreement. "Spend the rest of the day studying the scrolls I've given you. At sundown, I'll send someone to show you your residence. The assignment hall is open from dawn until dusk, and I expect you to be here during that time, unless you have no assignments to fulfil. I'll see you again in ten days, Magistrate Finch."

***

At sundown, Tobias had to climb another three hundred steps to reach the core disciple's section of the sect, so he was out of breath and sweating when he arrived at his residence. The private compound was located on the far side, near the next set of stairs, and required an additional three miles of walking. Its position indicated that he had the highest standing among core disciples, as it was across the road from the sect leader's first disciple's residence.  

As he entered his gate, his shortness of breath and the thin air made him think he was seeing double. He counted six large buildings connected by covered and lit walkways and surrounded by verandas and gardens. It looked like something out of a Chinese period drama.

It was a mansion.

Five servants bowed as he entered.

"We greet Magistrate Finch," they said as one.

They rose from their bow.

A middle-aged woman, the first female he'd seen since entering the sect, then stepped forward and bowed again. "Hostess Nang greets Magistrate Finch."

Tobias returned her bow with a much smaller one. "Are you in charge?"

"This one is," she replied.

"Is this compound the traditional residence of the magistrate assigned here?"

"It is, Magistrate Finch. The state has approved its use. I have the documentation if you require it."

"I do."

She pulled out the documentation and indicated that another servant should step forward with the lantern. Tobias read through the paperwork, checking that everything was in order. The documentation, which was over three hundred years old, designated this compound and its facilities as the lawful magistrate's residence, not a bribe.

Tobias handed the documentation back. "This seems to be in order."

"How may we be of assistance?" Hostess Nang asked.

"I would like a meal and a bath before bed."

Hostess Nang gave the orders, and the other four hurried off. "Follow me, Magistrate. I will show you where you can dine with a view of the garden."

Tobias tucked his hands behind his back and strolled beside the older woman. He had many questions, and she seemed like the right person to ask. "Is there a reason for the grandness of this residence?"

"Your standing is equal to that of the highest-ranked core disciple, so to maintain your dignity, your residence must equal theirs. This is a matter of sect protocol. Nothing in this compound belongs to you, Magistrate, and I am not your servant. I serve the compound. If the compound has guests, their care comes under that service. We will take care of you, and you are welcome to use any of the compound's facilities, but you must pay for your basic needs. That includes food, clothing, and cultivation resources."

Tobias relaxed. This was about giving face, and he understood that. Also, as a guest, he was limited by what he could do here. "How much will it cost to cover my needs?"

"May I speak candidly with your Magistrate?"

"Yes."

"Cloud City is an expensive place to live. The sect is even more expensive than that. All our food is imported and must be carried up the Cloud Steps. The only culinary item you will find cheap here is spirit beast meat."

"I have no interest in extravagance."

Hostess Nang turned to him. "Magistrate. I am aware of your limited cultivation divinity and your inability to cleanse your meridians. Spirit beast meat is a natural source of chi, and consuming it is akin to taking a weak cleansing tonic for someone who has not cleansed their meridians. One serving a day will help you grow your cultivation, adapt to the thin air, and keep your body and mind strong. I mention this because I consider it an investment in your success."

The way she said success told Tobias she was more informed than he was. "You're aware of Elder Po's offer."

"The sect called in many favours to bring someone like you here. They do not wish to see this investment fail. I've been made aware that you will have special needs."

"How much will the spirit beast meat cost me?"

"It will cost you one and a half teals every ten days for a single portion daily."

That was an unreasonable amount to spend on food, but Tobias considered it anyway. Elder Po had given him a written proposal and outlined his reward: a bottle of ten stomach meridian cleansing pills worth one hundred forty silver teals. Three-quarters of his wages in the short term to improve his chances of gaining this reward was worth it.

With those pills, he could clear his family's debt with a little left over.

Tobias reached into his pocket and offered Hostess Nang his last silver teal. "I'm unsure how I'll be paid while I'm on this assignment, so here's what you need for the first few days."

Hostess Nang smiled but did not move to take the coin. "You are not the first magistrate I have hosted. If there is anything you need to know, all you need to do is ask."

Tobias paused and then laughed. "Forgive my ignorance. Hostess Nang, how does this all work?"

She laughed with him. "Like the core disciples, the sect takes care of your salary. Your money is deposited into an account that you can access or authorise me to access. I can then purchase everything on your behalf and give you a copy of your accounts whenever you ask."

"In that case, you have my approval."

"I mean no disrespect, but you seem a little overwhelmed, Magistrate."

"I am. This is my first assignment, and I am far from home."

Her face softened. "That must be difficult. Would you prefer to call me Aunty Nang?"

Magistrate Park had taught Tobias how to spot a spy. Due to his young age, they would likely appeal to his emotions. Aunty Nang was clearly here to spy on him.

Tobias forced a smile. "I'd truly appreciate that, Aunty Nang."

***

Half an hour later, Tobias was sipping a cup of herbal tea that would help alleviate his altitude sickness while allowing his dinner to digest. The tea was a far cry from the quality he was used to. His grandfather might have been a terrible businessman and farmer, but the wild tea plants he'd found in the Three Step Hills in his youth were apparently second to none. Their complex flavours put everything Tobias had tasted since becoming a magistrate to shame. He was seriously missing his grandfather's tea and his company. The old man had been the only member of his family who understood him and the only one he could share an intellectual conversation with.

Tobias put down his empty cup and sighed.

Aunty Nang had failed to inform him that the beast meat he could afford was from the least desirable cuts. The portion he had eaten had come from a cloud ram's shin skin, a little bone marrow, and a bit of stomach lining, basically scraps and offcuts that were created when the animal was butchered. His chef had smothered it in sauce, so it was an enjoyable experience, but it wasn't what he'd expected, considering how much he was paying.

Tobias turned to where Aunty Nang sat sewing in the corner of the room. The extra material he had been given for additional magistrate robes had arrived with his belongings, and she had begun making them without being asked.

He had spent his meal considering how he wanted to deal with the woman and the impression he wanted to make. "Aunty Nang, it seems like you have been informed about me. I would like to know what you've been told."

She paused to consider her reply. "I've been informed of your cultivation divinity, age, and the offer Elder Po made to you. The sect may have looked into your background and family, but did not share this information with me if they did."

She was less informed than Tobias had assumed, or she was lying. A few seconds passed while he thought over what he would say next.

"Aunty Nang, what would you say if I told you I was not like other people?"

She smiled. "To become a magistrate on your first attempt would prove this true."

"And what would you say if I told you my father was a serf and that I received my education by assisting the local teacher and listening to his classes."

Her smile vanished. "Then I would say you are not like other people."

"Then I am not like other people."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"I've spent the last ten years preparing for the magistrate exam because it was one of the only ways to escape poverty. I aimed to become a minor bureaucrat and get lost in the state's bureaucracy. I had no dreams of becoming a powerful cultivator, and I still don't, yet now I'm the state's liaison to Cloud Sect. I know everything I need to live invisibly as a minor bureaucrat. I know nothing about what I need to do as a sect liaison. Would you be willing to help me with that?"

Aunty Nang's smile returned. "I'd be happy to help with that. When would you like to start?"

"Would tomorrow evening work? I didn't sleep last night, and I'm having trouble staying awake."

"Tomorrow is fine, but let me point out your obvious faults, so they don't cause you problems tomorrow."

Tobias nodded, offering his approval.

"You flinch every time I bow to you."

"I do?"

"You do. You also drop your gaze like I'm your superior. You need to stop doing both."

"That will be difficult. My father had to beat both of those actions into me, and it was one of the few times I was a slow learner. That is not me speaking ill of my father. It was necessary and saved me from worse injury."

Tobias spoke the truth. He held no anger toward his father for the beatings. He had when he was very young, but that had disappeared the first time he'd seen another serf beaten to death for not showing enough respect to a travelling imperial officer. His father had been trying to protect him in the only way he knew how. If he hadn't beaten him, Tobias likely would have been killed or crippled for his disrespectful eyes.

Aunty Nang nodded. "I heard no disrespect for your father in your words. When you are born low, teaching your children to survive is a curse. Are your parents aware of your success?"

"My parents aren't aware that I can read. They think I've gone to the next town over to find work for the Summer. My grandfather knows, though."

Aunty Nang paused. "Why hide the truth?"

"When you stare at the dirt all day, you dream of better dirt and never understand those who dream of the sky."

She nodded. "You are not like other people, Magistrate Finch. I would like to continue this conversation, but your stomach meridian has begun to absorb the chi from your meal. I can smell the impurities in your stomach pathway beginning to leave your body through your breath, and if we don't get you in a bath quickly, you will need to be scrubbed down and your robes laundered."

Tobias rose to his feet. "Will this happen after every meal?"

"Any meal where you eat spirit beast meat and have uncleansed meridian pathways."

Tobias began to notice the smell coming from his breath. "How do cultivators deal with this?"

"Some learn techniques which allow them to push the impurities from their skin, but most prefer to cleanse their meridians while in the bath."

"Why the bath?"

"A simple solution to a problem is usually the best."