“Oh? Getting off work so soon?” Seeing that Marcus was about to leave just around 15 minutes after his official shift ended, Captain Ko asked with a smile.

  “Yeah - yeah, I have a - a guided meditation session.” Marcus hesitated for a while, then shrugged.

  “Okay, then enjoy your time a well.” Captain Ko smiled and yawned: “I have to get back early too, my wife’s not very happy with me today because I left too early this m and disturbed her sleep. So I’d better bring some snacks back with me.”

  “Alright, have a good night then captain.”

  “Oh, and before I fet - ” Captain Ko doubled back as he was about to exit the main gate: “If you want, you try to access those blue envelope files now. Just don’t share anything with Ms. Lee yet. I find some excuse for you - some breakthrough in our iigation, a sudden inspiration, bh bh bh, just let me know when you do, then we work on what to say to the security ittee and the cilman.”

  “That would be very helpful, thank you very much, Captain.” Marodded. He still had reservations about this. Possibly something he o find a good time to do.

  Marcus’ guided meditation session was in fact his normal training session with Master Liaoran, only slightly earlier than his usual time. For he simply had more questions and favors to ask. It was beginning to bee a bit embarrassing as to how much he had gained from the Temple of Fetfulness yet did not get a ce to pay the master back. He could possibly return the favor by helping Bai Gu, or Wuzui, with certain things, possibly iure.

  “Greetings, detective.” As usual, it was Wuzui who opehe gate for Marcus: “Thank you for ing, Master will be with you shortly. He’s still in a meeting with some other donors.”

  “Ah, it’s fine.” Marcus shrugged and walked towards the inner sanctum with Wuzui: “How are you doing? Are things… going well?”

  “Namo Amitabha. Things are as they are and should be. My gratitude for your thoughts and .” Wuzui responded lightly with his right hand in a praying pose in front of his chest: “sidering how things are iy.”

  “Yeah. Hopefully things will blow over soon, well …” Marcus did not even finish his owence before shaking his head at his words: “What I say - it’d be nice if things go back to normal. I’m afraid that’s more of a daydream now.”

  “This monk definitely uands. ” Wuzui sighed along with Marcus: “Yet, it is important to have faith.”

  Marcus chuckled and did not respond directly. His usual mat was on the ground where it usually was, a down on it like he usually did.

  “Detective …” Wuzui stood on the side, somewhat hesitant in what he was about to say: “Did you retly enter something - ”

  “Yeah. This is why I came here early, earlier than we agreed.” Marodded and looked Wuzui in his eyes: “What? What do you see? Something unusual?”

  “I - this monk ot say for sure, for my cultivation has all but just begun. Something strange and are looms over you, detective. Both like dark, grim clouds. Yet a ray of light pierces through. A light steadfast and unwavering. ” Wuzui thought for a brief moment befiving Marcus his carefully worded answer: “This monk thinks, as I know you would, you have taken upon yourself to walk a strange and arduous path. This makes yht, your fire and your shadows unclear. And it is probably best for the master - ”

  “Wuzui, what did I teach you about reading the aura of others?” Master Liaoran’s voiterjected.

  “It is unbeing of a practitioner and a cultivator. I know, master.” Wuzui immediately bowed and lowered his head: “I am fully aware of my wrong doing. My apologies.”

  “Please, master, I asked him to - ”

  “sidering that Detective Cai is your acquaintahis is an uandable offense. ” Master Liaoran came in: “Your punishment is one inse stick.”

  “Uood. I’ll be right on it.” Wuzui bowed to Master Liaoran, then paced away.

  “Master, you shouldn’t - ” Marcus tried to expin: “I really did ask him.”

  “And it is very natural of you to do so, for I see why.” Master Liaoran looked Marcus up and down: “Wise and cautious decision on your part. But it’s precisely because of this, Wuzui should have been wise to not overtell and dee your request. He is far from there yet. Deciphering auras and omens without the right ability is a serious taboo. A practitioner, a monk and a cultivator should not be fused or blinded by social ditions, retions and iions. Enlighte ot be achieved, if one is obsessed with what lies in front, what’s behind and what’s uhe feet.” He sat down on his mat, gesturing to Marcus to sit in front of him.

  Marcus sighed, then sat down as instructed: “Uood, master.” Then he could not help but ask: “What - uh, what’s that punishment? One inse stick?”

  “Meditation in the pool, for the length of time enough for one inse stick to burn pletely off.” Master Liaoran smiled, pulling a small inse burner from his sleeve, and stig one inse sti it. He then used his fio light the inse stick, while looking Marcus in his eyes: “Yht something with you. Something very are, no?”

  “Yes. Indeed.” Marodded and pulled a small cloth pouch from his jacket. Ihis cloth pouch was an envelope made of talisman paper, inside of which was the piece of fabri that White Wug’s robe. He proceeded to tell the master everything that happened in his apartment plex during the night of return of the old man, including the versation he and his father had with the old man’s family.

  “Wug Robe. You’ve got a small piece of highly sought after treasure.” Master Liaoran nodded: “It is a token of gratitude. Legend says that with a full robe, you will be able to trahe boundaries of life ah. And even with this small piece, it should grant you enough prote to not be fused or bewitched by malicious beings.”

  “But - what of the visions I saw? I made sure with my father, he did not have any visions.”

  “That is something this monk ot answer yht away.” Master Liaoran sighed: “Warnings and cautions of atrocities and malice seem worthless and cliche these days. So - I should have something to tell you ime. But before that, here’s a question for you: what do you know about the cept of Qiyun?”