Inside the Gathering of Sages Teahouse in the south of the city.
Jia Shi sat at the innermost table, one leg crossed over the other, cracking melon seeds in his hand with loud snaps.
"Have you heard? General Li's son has returned."
The nearby tea drinkers exchanged glances. Someone set his teacup on the table and leaned forward.
"Didn't he become a disciple and go up the mountain to cultivate?"
"Cultivate? My sources say that Daoist Master Taiyi, the one he follows, has ties to Xiqi.
"That child's return may not be a good thing."
Jia Shi spat a melon seed shell onto the floor, sending it in a smooth arc.
"Think about it. He was gone for five years, then the moment he came back, he made such a spectacle of himself, flying circles through the sky.
"Who was he putting on a show for?
"Wasn't it for the people of Chentang Pass?
"First, he builds up his reputation. Then, as for what comes next..."
He did not finish, but the suggestive drawl at the end lingered long enough for everyone to understand the rest.
Someone at the next table quietly added,
"No wonder that child was strange from the moment he was born... a flesh ball... red light..."
"Shh—don't talk nonsense. What if someone hears you?"
"So what if they do? I'm telling the truth."
Jia Shi leaned back against his chair in satisfaction and cracked another melon seed.
"That's not how one should put it.
"If that child truly has Chentang Pass's best interests at heart, then naturally it is a good thing.
"But what if...
"I mean, what if his heart is set on the benefits Xiqi has to offer?"
"Master Jia is right. That child has been wicked since he was young. Which neighbor doesn't