First Come, First Served

At dusk on the day Qing Gui obtained the mission intelligence from Zhang Chen.

"Chaoyin Temple? Not a bad place for Heart Cultivation."

Qing Gui and Tiangou appeared before the gates of Chaoyin Temple, one of the mission locations. Dressed like ordinary people, they looked like foreign tourists.

"Benefactors, it is late today. This temple is not open to outsiders. Please return tomorrow." As Qing Gui approached the temple entrance, a young monk sweeping the ground blocked their path.

"Please inform Abbot Master that the two of us have urgent business and wish to see him. It concerns the plague from forty-one years ago. Sorry to trouble you, little master." Qing Gui wore a kindly expression as he pressed his palms together and gave a slight bow.

"Please wait outside for a moment, benefactors."

As the young monk left, Tiangou could not help frowning. "Why does that monk smell fishy? Qing Gui, don't tell me you knew from the beginning?"

"No. I only noticed it just now, same as you."

Before long, the young monk returned. "The two benefactors are welcome. Abbot Master is waiting for you at Willow Immortal Pavilion."

"Thank you for the trouble."

Qing Gui smiled faintly and entered with Tiangou. The scattered aura of Buddha nature within had no effect on either of them. It passed through Qing Gui's body, while Tiangou's body continuously devoured the aura that tried to repel him.

Following the signs within the temple, the two soon arrived at Willow Immortal Pavilion in the southern section of the grounds. The pavilion stood in the middle of a pool, and an elderly Abbot stood at its center.

"Abbot Master, pardon the disturbance." Qing Gui came to the center of the pavilion and gave a slight bow.

"I heard from my disciple that the