The Cave was bare, but Wei found it luxurious.

  However, Sarah insisted on "basic human amenities."

  Saturday was dedicated to logistics.

  First, they went to a place called "Target."

  Wei was overwhelmed. The sheer volume of goods—towels, lamps, plastic bins—rivaled the Sect's Quartermaster Hall.

  "Do we need this?" Wei asked, holding up a throw pillow embroidered with the words *Live Laugh Love*.

  "No," Sarah said, tossing it back. "We need a mattress. And sheets. And a kettle."

  They bought a simple twin mattress (Wei refused a frame; "The ground provides stability").

  They bought a high-quality electric kettle ("For alchemy").

  They bought a lamp.

  Wei carried the mattress home on his head, walking through Queens with perfect posture. Nobody looked twice.

  ***

  "Next phase," Sarah announced, sitting on the newly installed mattress in the Cave. "We have a cash flow problem."

  "I have plenty of cash," Wei patted his sleeve.

  "That's the problem. You're walking around with three thousand dollars in a bathrobe. You need a bank account."

  Wei frowned. "A Spirit Vault?"

  "Sure. A vault."

  The problem, as Sarah explained, was identity.

  Wei had none. No passport. No birth certificate. No social security number.

  "You are a ghost," Sarah noted. "Legally speaking."

  "I am very much alive," Wei corrected. "My pulse is stronger than yours."

  They went to a small, local credit union. Sarah claimed the big banks would ask too many questions.

  They sat across from a banker named Greg.

  "Mr. Han wishes to open a checking account," Sarah said professionally.

  Greg smiled. "Great. Can I see some ID?"

  "Mr. Han is a... visiting consultant," Sarah lied smoothly. "He is currently in the process of naturalization. However, we have an EIN for his LLC."

  Wei blinked. *LLC? Naturalization?* Sarah was speaking in high-level runes.

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  Sarah had spent the morning online. She had registered "Azure Cloud Wellness, LLC." It cost $200.

  "He is the sole proprietor," Sarah handed over the fresh paperwork. "And I am the authorized signer and treasurer."

  Greg looked at the paperwork. It was legal.

  "Well," Greg scratched his head. "If it's a business account for the LLC, and you're the signer with a valid ID..."

  He looked at Sarah's school ID and newly acquired learner's permit.

  "Technically, we can do this. As long as Mr. Han is just a beneficiary."

  Ten minutes later.

  Greg handed them a temporary card.

  "The permanent debit card will come in the mail in 5-7 business days."

  Wei took the piece of plastic. It was blue.

  "The Jade Token of Commerce," Wei whispered.

  "It's a debit card, Wei. Don't lose it. don't share the PIN."

  "PIN?"

  "Personal Identification Number. Four digits. Like a mantra."

  They walked out of the bank.

  Wei felt a sense of power. He held the card up to the sun.

  "So," Wei asked. "I can exchange this token for goods anywhere?"

  "Pretty much. Until the money runs out."

  "And the ID?"

  "That," Sarah grimaced. "Is going to be harder. We might need to visit the DMV. Or... get creative. But for now, you exist as a Corporation."

  Wei smiled.

  "Han Wei, the Corporation," he mused. "Ideally, a Sect is just a corporation with better martial arts."

  "Don't let the IRS hear you say that," Sarah warned.

  "Now," she checked her list. "We have a home. We have a bank. We have a job. You need a phone."

  Wei sighed.

  "Another slate? Must I?"

  "Yes. How am I supposed to summon you when the health inspector shows up?"