Observing Qi

Dingzhou City, outskirts.

The city was nestled between mountains and water. Ever since the court moved its capital here, it had become several times more prosperous. The surrounding population had grown along with it, and every industry was flourishing.

The eastern suburbs had once been a stretch of barren hills known to the local farmers as Great Green Mountain. They would often climb up to cut firewood and hunt game, eking out a living however they could.

Halfway up Great Green Mountain stood a small Daoist temple called White Cloud Temple.

It was called a temple, but in truth it was only a few humble earthen houses, with an unfamiliar statue of a god in the main hall. It had scarcely any residents—just one Fire-Tending Daoist and two young acolytes—and its incense offerings had been meager.

But after the court moved its capital, White Cloud Temple got a new abbot. Strange tales gradually began to circulate, and the incense offerings grew more plentiful. The temple even paid to have the path up the mountain repaired.

At that moment, two elderly Daoists were winding their way up the mountain path.

The path was difficult, and even after repairs it remained terribly rugged. Even a young man would be panting by the time he reached the top. The two old Daoists looked listless and thin as sticks, yet they moved at a remarkable pace. Before long, they arrived at the temple, their expressions calm and their breathing barely disturbed.

"Brother Daoist, what do you make of it?"

It was still early morning, and there were few worshippers about. One of the old Daoists smiled as he spoke.

"You sly old Fuchenzi, testing me, are you?"

The Daoist with a sallow face and three wisps of beard stroked his sparse whiskers. "This temple