In the inner hall of a suburban residence.
Li Ling and Zhu Lisheng walked slowly, discussing once more how to deal with the Incense Perception Cult disciples.
Li Ling said to Zhu Lisheng, "This matter involves our sect, Great Qian, Li Ying, you, the mortal populace, and the Divine Dragon Cult. Gratitude, grudges, love, and hatred are linked together; karma and fortune are intertwined. Sentiment, reason, and law are all involved, so it is indeed difficult.
"But ultimately, the problem was simply that we hadn't had our hands free to deal with it before. Once we do, it won't be hard to resolve."
Zhu Lisheng said, "Please show me a way through this maze, Master."
Li Ling said, "You live in Great Qian and hold the honored position of Imperial Preceptor. Naturally, you must stand firmly upon your own foundations and fulfill your duties loyally. So even though the Incense Perception Cult has many ties to our sect and Li Ying, you needn't be softhearted.
"But ties forged through incense offerings still remain. Showing a little appropriate leniency will let you answer to your conscience and give your senior brother an accounting as well.
"You can propose to Zhao Kong and the people of the Three Offices that, from now on, every Incense Perception Cult follower they capture must have their identity verified and their culpability examined. Kill those who deserve death, and send those who deserve penal servitude away. We will have nothing to do with anyone whose crimes are beyond pardon, whom neither heaven nor earth can tolerate. But for those eligible for exile or imprisonment, do everything you can to arrange deportation or extradition and hand them over to us.
"This may provoke opposition from court ministers, but that doesn't matter. In my spare time, I studied