Master Ma emerged with a gentle smile, handing Ou Zhengqing the Soul-Binding Scroll. "Since you've returned, this job is yours. Rest now—after tonight's work, come tell me about your Emei adventure."
That afternoon, Ou slept soundly. By dusk, he packed and made his way to the Orchid Star Hotel. According to the scroll, his target—a sorcerer—would appear at 8:30 PM on the rooftop. He arrived an hour early, expecting solitude. Instead, a lone youth stood at the stairwell, gazing skyward.
Ou settled in a corner under the stars. After a while, a hand slid him a cigarette. Turning, Ou saw the boy's bright grin and asked his name. "I'm Zhao Ye," the stranger offered, shaking Ou's hand. Concern flickered through Ou: with company present, how could he bind the soul? He forced a smile. "Give me a moment—I have… business. No matter what you see, stay silent." Zhao Ye chuckled, sealed his lips, and nodded.
When Ou reached the center, he opened the scroll, oriented his purple jade disk, and invoked its binding spell. A mote of light rose from the ground into Ou's gourd. He was about to seal it when Zhao Ye cried, "There's another one!" Sure enough, a second light glimmered behind Ou. Though the scroll listed only one target, Ou captured them both before resealing his gourd.
Zhao Ye's eyes lit with excitement. "So you're an underworld envoy!"
Ou merely nodded. "By rights there should've been one soul. I'll return to cancel the assignment. Goodbye."
"Wait!" Zhao Ye caught Ou's sleeve. "Let me come along—I want to see how it's done."
Reluctantly, Ou led the way down. Chattering softly, Zhao Ye kept pace until they reached the City God Temple. Ou knocked. Daozhang Ma opened the gate and froze at the sight of Zhao Ye.
"Good evening, Master Ma—I'm Ou Zhengqing's friend," Zhao Ye introduced himself with an easy bow.
Inside, Ma Daozhang offered tea. Pulling Ou aside, Ou confessed, "I don't really know him—he just insisted on following me."
Ma only smiled and gestured for Zhao Ye to be seated.