Passing the Sword, Receiving the Sword, and Asking the Sword

The little Daoist temple was called Yellow Flower Temple. It stood at the westernmost edge of Mirage City. Yao Xianzhi led Chen Ping'an through one winding turn after another, and at last, with a Capital City Prefect's seal, they were allowed inside. The temple had been converted from a Buddhist monastery. From the founding emperor onward, every emperor of the Great Quan Liu family had held Daoism in high regard. They did not reject Buddhism, but when Emperors and Generals and other powerful dignitaries showed little interest in its teachings, temples large and small, from the capital to the provinces, often ended up sewing wedding clothes for Daoism. Heavenly Palace Temple outside the capital, built by imperial decree under the previous dynasty, was an exception. The ancient monastery was far older than the Great Quan Liu family. On the way here, Chen Ping'an had heard from Yao Xianzhi that the old Duke Shen was now its foremost patron.

Yao Xianzhi pushed open the temple gate. Perhaps because the little temple could not afford a Spirit Officer Hall, images of two Spirit Officers had been pasted on its front doors. The doors creaked as Yao Xianzhi opened them. Once they had crossed the threshold, the Capital City Prefect shut the doors himself, turned, and said casually, "Besides Liu Mao, whose Daoist name is Dragon Continent Daoist, there are only two young Daoist boys here to sweep and cook. Both children are orphans with clean backgrounds, but neither has much talent for cultivation. Liu Mao taught them the essentials of Daoist practice, yet they still can't cultivate. It's a pity. Their daily Breathing and Exhalation exercises are really just play. Still, they're at Liu Mao's side. Even if they can't become immortals, that isn't entirely a bad thing."

Chen Ping'an nodded. A