The morning arrived with the particular clarity that comes after a decision has been made and what remains is execution.
Lin Yi knocked on Wang Hao's door at seven forty-five, earlier than Wang Hao typically appreciated being knocked on, and waited. There was movement inside, the specific sound of someone who had been awake for some time but had not yet committed to being fully functional, and then the door opened.
Wang Hao looked at him. He was holding a cup of water and wearing the expression of someone who had learned through experience that when Lin Yi appeared at his door before eight in the morning, something was about to be set in motion.
"Good morning," he said. "What's happening."
"I registered a sect last night," Lin Yi said.
Wang Hao's expression went through several things in quick succession. He landed on the one that was primarily excitement with a layer of I-knew-this-was-coming underneath it.
"Finally," he said.
"Are you joining?"
