In which Li Ming attempts damage control. The universe calls it "comedy."
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Morning sunlight gleamed off the brand-new stone monument like a divine joke carved in granite.
Li Ming stood before it, arms crossed, watching a group of disciples take turns bowing to it.
The inscription still burned in his mind:
"Here, our wise and dignified Master enlightened the Golden Feathered Sage, patron of thunder and breakfast alike."
Bai Guo perched on top of the monument, puffed up like a smug historian.
"You have to admit," he said, "that's poetry."
Li Ming's expression didn't shift. "It's libel."
"Libel can't be divine scripture," Bai Guo countered. "You're a legend now. People already think you can bless eggs with Qi."
Li Ming blinked slowly. "…They what?"
As if summoned by despair itself, a junior disciple ran up, cradling a basket.
"Master! We brought the Sacred Nest Offering!"
Inside: six glowing eggs.
They were humming.
Bai Guo fell off the monument from laughing too hard.
