“Qiyun?” Marcus thought for a minute, recalling from the depths of his memory about the word. He may have heard of it, for the word did sound familiar. But eventually, he decided to stop trying and just ask the master: “I’m not sure I’ve heard of it, master.”

“It’s okay, because this is still a relatively taboo notion. And I would say, it’s not a simple idea to explain. ” Master Liaoran picked up some ashes from the incense burner and drew in the air with this very finger. The ashes lingered in the fingertrail for a short moment before they fell, but the pattern of flowing river and waterfall still registered with Marcus. “It’s the inverse of the word Yunqi, or luck. And it shared a lot of similarities, when you think about it.

“It is like airflow in the wind, like water in a lake, like sunshine. It goes through each and every one of us, living and dead, human and non-humans. It is the way things are, things were and what they will be.” Master Liaoran sighed: “I think the best way for you to look at it, as you just saw, is a river. We, as the puny fish and shrimps living downstream. We take in what the good the water brings us, and endure the bad that comes with it.”

“And - there are also certain ways for us to live better if we know the water? Or at least know how to detect bad things from coming right at us? ” Marcus asked.

“Yes and no.” Master Liaoran scooped up another small batch of ash from the burner, rubbed it on the ground and drew two circles, one small and one big, the big one enclosing the small one: “The main reason for that is this - look at these two circles, the realm and space we live in is the smaller one. We see what we can see, hear what we can hear, learn what we can comprehend. Yet there are still a lot more that are beyond our reach, not just our ability to affect, but also our ability to comprehend.

“And Qiyun, it is something that spans across all realms, the small circle, AND the big.” Master Liaoran continued, and drew several lines running through both circles: “It is itself a medium of knowledge, of information and power. Thus, if you try to take a look - ”

“It will be filled with information that cannot be understood, and could even misguide you?” Marcus frowned: “So - what Wuzui did - ”

“You’re starting to get it.” Master Liaoran nodded: “But don’t be alarmed - it’s not easy to peek through the veil separating us from the stream. In fact, almost no one can do it even if they try. All we can do is see waves, patterns and ripples. But, to dip your toe into the stream, means you’re about to face the coldness and perils of the water. This is another reason, that those who are capable of divination rarely use their skill, even if they do, it’s going to cost much more than money to convince them to do so.”

“And - since this is the case, I’d imagine a greater cost will surely incur if one wants to alter the course of Qiyun, or more ridiculously ambitiously, change their fate?” Marcus scratched his jaw: “That’s - that’s impossible right?”

“All I can tell you is that it’s not impossible. Some people tried. And at great cost to themselves and people around them.” Master Liaoran sighed: “It is beyond difficult, with measures beyond any normal human’s imagination. The cost is great. It’s ruthless. Cruel, even.”

“Okay…” Marcus went into his thoughts, he had some idea on what place this theory was going to lead to. What Master Liaoran just told him about Qiyun was vague but still easily comprehensible - it was the law of nature, or a fundamental part of it. And thus - the piece of pale white fabric was much more powerful and precious than he previously imagined.

“... that means. Wuchangs, like Deliverers but to a greater degree, are the carriers of order, or the ‘Will’ of the order, if you’d like.” Master Liaoran waited a few moments before continuing: “And deliverers - you encountered them before right? The thing that actually delivered the kill of your perp in custody?”

“That means - ” Marcus immediately looked the master in the eyes: “Either someone is attempting something really horrible, or the flow of Qiyun is seriously broken in certain areas. That Wuchang was trying to tell me about something. Should I - should I try to find that place with the altar and the dead body?”

“No. ” Master Liaoran immediately shook his head with a stern look on his face: “I think he was trying to give you a warning, maybe he wished that you, being someone who obviously had the ability and experience, could help this situation. Or maybe he was just giving you a warning. This monk cannot tell. But if that place could pose danger to Wuchangs, it would surely be way too dangerous for normal humans.”

“Well, damn.” Marcus groaned: “What can I do then, master?”

“To start, preparations.” Master Liaoran stood up: “You came just at the right time. I have another crimson talisman ready for you - you did good by giving it to that family. But they might still need your help. So, help when you can.”

“Thank you, master.”

“And, I’ll try to find some material to make better talismans - purple talismans, if possible. I must admit I have underestimated how bad things have gotten and how fast the situation deteriorated.” Master Liaoran sighed: “I’ll give you a list of things, if you get the chance to get any, please be sure to obtain it.”

“Understood.”

“Here.” Master Liaoran took out a small manual with thick oiled paper covers: “This would be your new training material from now on.”