Clear Pool.
No fishing rods had been set out today.
Taibai Jinxing sat beside the stone table without a word, watching Chen Wei bustle about.
Chen Wei worked deftly, drawing water, lighting a fire, warming the cups, and brewing tea. His movements flowed like drifting clouds and running water, without a single fault to be found. As boiling water poured into the white jade cup, the leaves of the Immortal Tea unfurled, and faint phantoms of auspicious beasts rose within the steam.
Only then did he lift the cup with both hands and slide it steadily toward the old Star Lord. "Star Lord, please have some tea."
Taibai Jinxing raised the cup and took a sip before speaking. "Qingquan, did the Third Holy Mother agree?"
"She did." Chen Wei stood properly to one side and nodded, his tone firm. "I know perfectly well how I got here. Wherever you point, High Immortal, that is where I will strike."
Taibai Jinxing set down his cup and pointed at Chen Wei twice. "You, honestly! Still so cautious. If you were unwilling, would I really hold a blade to your neck and force you to go?"
Chen Wei lowered his eyes and did not answer.
"Sit down and talk." Taibai Jinxing pointed to the seat opposite him.
Chen Wei sat as instructed, his back ramrod straight.
Taibai Jinxing's smile faded, and he spoke earnestly. "Reforming merit is by no means as simple as you imagine. The cases you handled before were, at most, immortals fighting each other. But incense merit is the lifeblood of the Heavenly Hosts of Gods and Buddhas! Every kowtow from a mortal in the Mortal Realm brings another measure of profit up here. Which temple belongs to which government office was settled long ago. Investigating them means smashing everyone's