Ji Li thought to himself ‘If both of them also advance to the Essence Awakening Stage, while I progress in my cultivation, then our group will consist of three Intermediate Eunuchs, and if I am telling them to do things in next mission, it will be much more effective since their authority wouldn’t be any lower than mine, making them more flexible.

I already felt how much respect the people had towards me, but they, barely a rank lower, were only seen as sheep doing their orders, which isn’t to my taste at all. I will make them so that that no one can disrespect them at all, and even try to distance them from me, because of their value.

That way, people will understand how strong our bond is, and be even more fearful, as the combination of three Intermediate Eunuchs is much stronger than a single, although still less than a Senior Eunuch, we will at least complete our missions effectively.

The biggest benefit would be the strength and variety of things we can do with three different Talents, as my Talent will probably only shine later and not show too much of an effectiveness currently. At most, I would be able to grow the garden better… I should visit the back yard soon.’

After the small inner monologue, Ji Li looked at the duo that was immersed in their thoughts, making a decision, which Ji Li freed them of “You don’t need to consider it, just do it in preparation to be of more support to me. With three Intermediate Eunuchs, we will surely be a force to be reckoned.

Don’t forget that although we returned to the Eunuch Palace and may relax as long as we take on some tasks, that would stop us from advancing quickly. Which of the eunuchs that became High Eunuchs, and more was lazy?

Don’t tell me you are thinking of the Indifferent Imperial Eunuch? Remember that even he had acted according to the Grand Imperial Eunuch’s call at that time and had solved many missions and tasks of that time, which gained him his title in the first place.”

With no real chance to reject, Shixuan and Qianyu, who had to admit that Ji Li’s plan was, as always, good, they just replied in unison “Big brother, please proceed with your exam! We hope you return safe and healthy! We are sorry for being too useless!”

Ji Li became a bit shy, so he turned away and dismissed them “What are you taking the exam for? I am only going to take a simple test that is supervised by many to ensure my safety! Do you guys think I am running from home and joining the military! Hah! You wish I would be gone! Just wait till I am back, and the training begins, it seems that you have become lax!”

Leaving them shivering, Ji Li hurried out of the Yard before he stopped in the outer yard and thought to himself ‘Wait, let me think, I totally forgot the examination hall of the inspection palace! Lucky me I memorised the whole map… so it’s…’

Ji Li slowly remembered that the hall was supposed to be close to the Main Palace as many would be close to the Main Palace, as it was the centre. He thought of the map and realised that it was in a separate building standing alone just an hour of walking away, to the left of his Yard were the administrative buildings, and parallel to it were some important Halls, where it was.

Ji Li walked there leisurely, passing by many eunuchs that weren’t in a rush either, he didn’t start any small talk, but he did occasionally nod. The lifestyle inside of the capital was very relaxed, unlike the town where he had to think of his next steps, he could just live his life however he wanted, as long as he fulfilled some basic tasks.

The thought satisfied him greatly, because he would basically live just like the other eunuchs in the capital, living without worry after the exam. Well, he would live like that, but make sure that stone and monkey didn’t neglect even a second of their training before they were allowed to have fun.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

…

Soon, he arrived at the audit hall and entered, once again he was met with the same scene of a reception and some tables to wait, but he became used to how the eunuchs handled the administration work, so he just told the receptionist the reason for his coming and sat down. He was drinking his favourite tea, while thinking again about the tea he had planned to do.

‘If I do my tea properly, then a tea that tasted like sparking wine will come to be. The eunuchs rarely ever drink alcohol, although it wasn’t forbidden, they more often than not enjoyed other things, but wine was the exception.

If I make tea that tastes like wine and even better, then I am sure I could get some plus points from the people that didn’t like the fact that wine is an alcoholic beverage and denied drinking it, and at most drunk it secretly. With this, I am sure I can do great’.

It didn’t take long for the receptionist to tell Ji Li that the audit team has already prepared, and that there were some others taking their exams. The exams weren’t only for those that wanted to be promoted, but for everyone.

In the past, it was not so strict, and the eunuchs began to decline because they were behind in knowledge or had less elegant behaviour. Because of that, there was a new system implemented in which every and all eunuchs would be tested if they are currently not in a mission.

They would individually get letters from the examination hall every few months to years, asking them to come and register for an examination whenever they had time. Usually, the examinees would do so in around a month, often taking the time to study, and then take the exam.

It was simple work that wasn’t difficult, so many people just did so, and it did affect the overall educational abilities of the lower ranked eunuchs. At least, the Examination Hall was busier than before, not being left to rot for months and then burn during the time for promotions each year.

Ji Li only had to wait for some time before a room was available for him, after all, he would only need to take part in the usual written examination, where many others could be present too. He entered a room with several other participants, and they sat down in several tables in the room.

In front of them was a larger table where several papers were waiting to be taken. Two eunuchs entered and greeted them "May the emerald tree shine forever, we are the Intermediate Eunuchs assigned to oversee the examination.”

They went to the table, took the papers and separated them as they gave each participant two papers where they could write on. Then, they walked behind the table and said aloud “We will be announcing the questions, and you shall write down the answers.”

And so, the first question was about to be announced as the participants took an ink and brush from below the table and positioned themselves to begin writing “The first question is: When you are assigned to a mission, what do you have to prepare?”

The question was very vague and could be filled in a long winding way, while it could also simply be described in a few sentences. It wasn’t too difficult of a question and was of the first category of questions, procedures of the individual eunuch.

Ji Li decided to make a check-point-like list, in which he wrote down the several steps and the sequence in which he would make them. He had already done a mission successfully, so he didn’t worry about not being able to give the right answer.

1. Take the mission from the Mission Hall

2. Organize manpower needed for the mission

3. Prepare tools and other things needed

4. Go out to the mission place

5. Make reports about the arrival and scene

6. Take the first steps of the mission

7. Do the mission to the best of your abilities

8. Report back regularly, make emergency reports if needed

9. Finish up the mission and make a last report

10. Return back and make a full detailed report

At this point, Ji Li didn’t think there was need to add anything anymore. He had already written down the steps, and surely, he could write more, but what was essential was already there. The most important was to always keep the Eunuch Palace in the know of what happened and never act bravely in any situation if possible.

Ji Li didn’t want to say anything anymore, so he put the paper to the side of the table, signalising that he was finished. The overseeing eunuchs nodded and took his paper before his seating neighbour could take a peek, and they had already started reading the answer.

The senior eunuchs looked a bit surprised, as normally the paper would be fully written and the examinees would write as much as possible to take the save way, as in a long text, at least a thing or two would be correct. That was the usual approach, and nothing was wrong with that.

The eunuchs didn’t think too much about Ji Li’s answers, as they wouldn’t be grading it. They themselves were only Intermediate Eunuchs, so obviously it would weird if they had the responsibility of decided to bring some to the same rank as themselves.