Tie Banxian didn't expect Qin Liuxi to invite him to Qingping Temple to take up a position as a Daoist. To be honest, all of his so-called skills were learned from following an old Taoist when he was in his twenties, making him something of a mid-career Daoist learner, and they weren't even refined.
His area of expertise was conducting rituals because he had done plenty with traveling Taoists. As for reading faces, palms, and fortune-telling, he mainly relied on observation and guessing – sometimes inaccurately at that.
Tie Banxian never dared to truly consider himself a Daoist of any reputable sect. After the old Taoist ascended to heaven, he started working independently as a wandering Taoist without a fixed abode.
He knew about Qingping Temple—its peace charms were reputed to be very potent lately, which made their incense offering business thrive. Just some time ago, he had set up a stall at the foot of Qingping Temple, selling one or two peace charms.
