"At any rate, this place is too dull.

Just miserable little taking-money-easily cases, and wife-husband-lover cases and my soul is sick." "These are small matters," said Ling philosophically.

"But The Master"-- this time he spoke of the great Master, Confucius--"has said that all greatness comes from small things, and perhaps some small-piece man will cut off the head of some big-piece man, and then they will call you to find the murderer." Tarling laughed.
"You're an optimist, Ling," he said.

"No, I don't think they'll call me in for a murder.

They don't call in private detectives in this country." Ling shook his head.
"But the master must find murderers, or he will no longer be Lieh Jen, the Hunter of Men." "You're a bloodthirsty soul, Ling," said Tarling, this time in English, which Ling imperfectly understood, despite the sustained efforts of eminent missionary schools.