Pointing Again Toward Mystic Yellow Qi

After a moment's thought, Li Shun carefully put away the note Duan Jiuzhang had given him.

It looked like an ordinary slip of paper, but Li Shun felt there might be another mystery hidden within it, one he could not yet fathom. Duan Jiuzhang worked swiftly. In less than half a day, he had written the letter of recommendation.

Feng Guan could not contain his excitement. Before everyone, he bowed deeply to Duan Jiuzhang once more.

"Limp, come to Spirit Commandery with me," Feng Guan said earnestly.

Li Shun declined at once.

"You're going there to become a great master's disciple. What would I do tagging along?"

"My master's still in Former Tomb Commandery." Li Shun smiled.

Regret crossed Feng Guan's face. Then he solemnly promised, "Don't worry, Limp. I'll learn everything I can in Spirit Commandery. If you ever run into trouble, I'll be able to help."

Halfway through, Feng Guan realized what he had said and slapped his forehead in frustration. "Ptooey, ptooey! Listen to me! I wasn't trying to curse you..." Li Shun took no offense. He merely smiled.

On the eighth day of the third month, every official the court had appointed to serve in Yunguan County had taken up their post.

It was time for the people gathered in Yunguan County to part ways.

Duan Jiuzhang would return to the capital to report on his mission, while Feng Guan would head to Spirit Commandery.

"What about you two brothers?"

"Will you return to Former Tomb Commandery, or...?" Duan Jiuzhang asked.

Li Shun cupped his hands. "After this ordeal, we're exhausted in body and spirit. We wish to go home soon and rest for a while."

Duan Jiuzhang gave Li Shun a look that was almost a smile, but did not call him out.

Instead, he