“I sincerely apologize, Master Ji, it’s… my first time paying for protection,” the owner put the crinkled red envelope on the table with two trembling hands.

“You are new. I understand.” Ji chewed deliberately. He dug the toothpick into the last piece of mochi and left it there before pocketing the envelope.

The owner bowed repeatedly as Ji stood in front of the shop and held his fingers to his mouth. With a deep intake of breath, he blew an auric bubble that formed a whale. The people passing by immediately scattered as the whale took form, and a mother scurried back to pull away her curious child.

“How much for the mochi?”

The owner tried to hide his surprise by bowing deeply. “For you, Master Ji, it is free. On the house!”

Ji tilted his head and looked at the menu, then laid a handful of coins on the table before plucking the last mochi from earlier.

“I sincerely hope your business will prosper under our protection.”

The streets of ZhiXia were always packed even in the mornings as the residents went about their businesses and errands in the shadow of YiZhi Mountain.

“Ah, Master Ji,” waved another owner as Ji ducked his head in. “I have your envelope ready! Did you want the usual? Salted or sweet?”

“Salted.”

He ate, watching the throngs of citizens pass by. “Different salt?”

The owner bobbed his head, “An astounding palate. Unfortunately, the ongoing war has reached HaiFeng last month — the merchants tell me that they can only secure salt from the Northern Mines at the same price.”

Ji considered as he chewed silently. “They said the leader of the Dao is peaceful.”

“Well, rumor has he is,” acknowledged the owner, “But the merchants aren’t rushing to go back. Some think the Bloody Prince will attempt to retake Haifeng and none are willing to risk their caravans.”

“I see.” Ji stood up and placed several coins on the table.

He went outside and finished blowing the mark of protection, but then the owner rushed out. “Master Ji, your change!”

“Keep it. I sincerely hope your business prospers under our protection.”

And Ji continued his route, asking about each shop owners’ supply situation as he collected their payments, ordering his favorite snack as he went.

“The springiness is different,” Ji commented to another owner.

“I apologize, Master Ji. The Red Army had burnt all of HaiFeng’s fields when they retreated and the ashes have been tainting the River Jiang; we have been using water from the wells instead, provided by Sanctuary.”

“I thought RainBringer had put out the fires.”

The owner bowed his head, “Certainly, all praise RainBringer, Queen of Dragons. But ashes remain even after a divine rain. They are washing into the Jiang, and I dare not use that ashen water for food I serve to customers until I see the silver carps return. This may take several weeks, if not months.”

Ji chewed and swallowed, then left his coins on the table and blew another bubble whale. The colors glinted in the afternoon glow, attracting the eyes of the few children that passed by.

Dusk came, and he found himself at the Street of Red Lanterns.

HuaLang Chamber’s Madame personally greeted him with a bow as she presented the week’s red envelope.

“Master Ji, won’t you come rest inside today~?” she laid a gentle hand on his forearm as he blew the bubble whale and affixed it to their sign. “Why, two of my Flowers felt light-headed last week upon seeing you outside the window and refused to see any customers for several days.”

“Light-headed?”

The Madame’s eyes widened that he answered even as she covered her mouth with her fan. “Indeed, light-headed. After all, what Flower does not desire to serve a handsome man like —”

“Show them to me.”

“Oh, of course!” the Madame snapped her fan closed, and beckoned Ji inside HuaLang Chamber. “Master Ji is…requesting my Flowers that felt light-headed last week?”

Ji nodded.

“Certainly~” she whistled at an attendant, “Will Master Ji follow the Petal inside?”

He was brought to a dimly lit room, thick with the cloying scent of perfume. Ji waited for the Petal to close the door before he walked to the brazier and pulled out the incense.

A gentle knock on the door was followed by the Petal’s voice, “Master Ji, your Flowers are ready.”

“Come in.” Ji ordered.

The girls glided in.

“Sit,” he rolled up his sleeves and lifted the candle before turning to them. He gazed at their expressions, then added, “…and relax.”

The girls looked at each other, and did as he bid them.

He walked up to them and held the candle up so he could see them. Beautiful, but trembling.

“May I look at your faces?” Ji asked.

The girls looked upwards at him, and he gently tilted the first girl’s chin upwards as he examined her eyes and face.

“The two of you fainted last week,” he stated, as he dropped her chin and inspected the other’s eyes.

“Um, yes,” replied the first girl. “Master Ji, should we undress?”

“Just the top, and turn your backs to me,” Ji instructed. The girls turned around and shrugged off their veils and clothes. “I will touch your backs. It may feel hot, but do not panic.”

He pressed his palms against their backs and concentrated. Disrupted meridians. He gently probed around and was satisfied that he found no traces of drugs in their bodies. The Madame had kept her word to him.

He retracted his hands. “Both of you two are sensitive to leyline disruption.”

“Leylines?” asked the second girl, visibly confused.

“Put your clothes back on.” Ji turned around to give them privacy as he explained. “RainBringer calls upon the leylines for divine rain. Your bodies react to the change. Rest for a week.”

“We cannot rest for another week,” the first girl lowered her head, “Madame has already given us several days to recuperate.”

“I will talk to her.”

The girls looked at each other and then stammered their thanks. Ji paused at the door. “Stay warm — and avoid rice wine for a month.”

He left and asked for the Madame.

“I had thought it bizarre that you would finally accept my invitation after so many years, Master Ji,” the Madame hid her lips behind a fan. “And to think that the rumors about Mochi Big Brother are true.”

Ji ignored her teasing. “Avoid using the river water for tea and request Sanctuary for access to the wells. I will put in a word.” He put a stack of coins on the table.

“And these are…?” the Madame asked cautiously, eyes glowering at the coins.

“Consider those two Flowers bought by me for the week and let them rest.”

The fan closed with a snap. “Master Ji, this is far more than —”

But Ji was already at the door.

“I sincerely hope that your business will prosper under our protection.”