Qingyun Mountain lay thirty li north of Black Wind Stronghold. The mountain was not particularly tall, but it possessed a certain air of spiritual beauty.
Halfway up the mountain, a Daoist temple with gray walls and green-tiled roofs stood quietly. A mottled wooden plaque hung above the entrance, bearing the words "Qingyun Temple."
The temple was not large, consisting of two courtyards, front and back. Judging by appearances, its incense offerings were rather sparse.
Lin San led ten Clones, with Zhang San and Li Xi guiding the way. By the time they reached the temple entrance, it was already mid-afternoon.
"This is the place." Zhang San pointed at the temple gate and lowered his voice. "Third Brother, that Daoist Priest Xuan Cheng has a very strange temper. We..."
"Strange temper?" Lin San grinned. "We're bandits. We specialize in dealing with anyone who refuses to submit."
He straightened his robe and stepped forward to knock on the door ring.
"Bang, bang, bang."
After a moment, the temple gate creaked open a crack.
A little Daoist boy of about ten poked his head out. His face was still smeared with stove ash as he asked timidly:
"Several benefactors... what brings you here?"
Lin San cupped his fists. "I have come under my lord's orders to pay a visit to Daoist Priest Xuan Cheng. We have an important matter to ask of him."
The Daoist boy looked over the group, his gaze lingering a moment longer on Zhang San and Li Xi.
His brows furrowed slightly. The bandit air surrounding those two was impossible to conceal.
"Master is performing his noon rites and will not receive guests." Having said that, the Daoist boy moved to close the gate.
Lin San reached out and held the door in place. "Little Daoist friend, we truly