First Signs Emerge

As noon approached, the number of worshippers at Ten Kings Temple gradually dwindled.

Zhao Sheng passed through a gateway into the rear courtyard and saw a young Daoist sweeping the grounds. He strolled over.

"Little Daoist, I would like to see Temple Master Qin. Is he here?"

The young Daoist looked up at the courteous Zhao Sheng and immediately took a liking to him. Hugging his broom, he whispered, "Our Temple Master is receiving guests in the Quiet Hall. If Young Master is not in a hurry, perhaps you could come back another day."

Zhao Sheng's eyes flickered as he smiled. "No matter. My sincerity is great. Please lead me to the Quiet Hall, little Daoist. I will wait outside."

As he spoke, he took a corner of broken silver from his sleeve and pressed it into the young Daoist's hand.

The young Daoist's face flushed red with embarrassment. His right hand tightly clenched the broken silver, and he looked both flustered and at a loss.

But before long, he tossed aside the broom, turned sideways, and gestured invitingly. "Young Master, please follow me."

Led by the young Daoist, the two passed around another courtyard and arrived at an ordinary little yard.

The yard was not large, no more than twenty paces long and wide. A clump of emerald bamboo grew in the southwest corner, lending it a touch of elegance.

At that moment, two men in dark constable uniforms stood guard outside the door.

The moment they saw outsiders enter, a dark-faced man immediately stepped forward to block them. "Young Master, please go back. Temple Master Qin will not receive outside guests today."

Zhao Sheng's heart stirred. "To be frank, my family has always been on good terms with Lord Chen. May I ask whether Old Madam Chen is