Time passed, but how slow or quick Mulan couldn’t say. One moment the sky was a stunning shade of purple, then next it was as black as tar with a small fire trying to lick its way to the stars above. The pain in her leg all but disappeared, but she swore she felt fingers run along the wound at one point. The haziness lingered, making it hard to concentrate.
The scent of cooked fish filled her senses but her blurred vision made it difficult to see where it came from. Fingers placed a morsel on her tongue. A groan slipped out of her mouth as she swallowed the succulent meat, looking for more. Nothing had ever tasted as good. Well, maybe Kang’s kisses, but that wasn’t the same. She thought she heard the roar of laughter, but surely she was hearing things. There was no way she’d say that out loud in front of everyone.
“Here, eat more,” a voice told her, placing another piece of fish in her mouth. It took a moment to realise it belonged to Kang.
“Tell me more about the Heavenly Horses,” she asked him, swallowing the meat and groaning.
Kang placed more fish in her hand, the juices running along her palm, and settled beside her. “Centuries ago, the Han emperor Wudi transformed the country into a land of gold and plenty. Food was abundant even for the poorest peasant, and the might of the army was undisputed. Yet the threat of the Xiongnu persisted and the emperor resolved to finish them once and for all. So he sent men to the west, far beyond his borders, to bring back horses and alliances with other kingdoms against them.
“Many years passed, and no one returned. The emperor continued to send embassies, but still no one came. Finally, one man sent a message claiming that the Daiyuan owned horses that could help them win their fight. Emperor Wudi sent gold to Daiyuan, asking for these legendary horses but he was refused. Angered at this slight, the emperor dispatched an army to take one of their cities. The first attempted failed bitterly, but the following year’s campaign was successful.
“The Han seized three thousand of the Heavenly Horses and brought them back to China where they were prized above all else. They’re said to be able to outrun any other creature on land, even tigers and leopards, and smarter than most men. I had no idea Xuan Wu had some.”
The blurriness from Mulan’s faded slightly, and Kang’s face came into focus. “But why do they bleed?”
Kang shook his head, throwing the remains of his fish into the fire where the flames consumed it greedily. Behind him, the horses grazed, their long ears twitching as if they knew they were talking about them. “No one knows. I’ve heard theories that the magic contained in their bodies forces the blood out through their pores. Others claim that they contain demons who try to escape when the horses run. Personally, I don’t believe any of them.”
No one said anything for a long time as they resumed eating, the crackle of the fire and the melodious sound of the stream filling the air with nature’s music. Mulan reached for a cooking fish, her fingers missing the stick it had been impaled on the first time, but eventually managed to grab it after a few attempts.
Head clearer now she’d eaten, Mulan finally thought back to what Jiangnu had told them with her dying breath. “What could be at the end of the cave that humans shouldn’t possess?”
Chuo leaned back, the fire casting a golden glow to his face as his features creased in thought. “Some kind of magical sword?” he suggested, not that his tone said he believed it.
“Could you really destroy entire kingdoms with a single sword?” Daocheng asked, throwing another stick onto the fire. The flames eagerly consumed it.
Chuo shrugged. “History teaches us that words have the power to crush kingdoms more than any sword or bow. Perhaps its knowledge that’s contained within the cave.”
A strand of hair fell in front of Kang’s face as he shook his head, staring into the fire. “Whatever it is, my family shouldn’t get their hands on it.”
Mulan breathed in deeply and exhaled. “The Rouran sorcerer claimed they’re trying to protect the world from your father’s ambitions.”
Kang snorted, the sound abrasive and amused. “My father has longed to expand the Northern Wei kingdom, to seize Rouran and Liu Song territory and rule the entire country. Whatever else lays past their borders, Jizi would take it for himself. Their ambitions know no bounds.” He slid dark eyes over towards Mulan. “But the Rouran and their khan lie just as skilfully as they do. Never trust them.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Daocheng said. “Once we destroy the seal, no one can get into the inner cave.”
“But first we’ve got to find it,” Chuo reminded him.
“And not to forget that Hulunbuir is in Khitan territory,” Mulan sighed, thinking of what she’d been told of the nomadic people to the far northeast of the country. What she knew didn’t amount to much aside from the fact they remained true to their nomadic past. “It’ll take weeks to reach it.”
Suddenly, the horses head shot up, their ears twitching. Lifting their powerful front legs, they stamped down several times.
Kang rushed to his feet, stamping out the flames. Grabbing Jiangnu’s bag and helping Mulan to stand, he pulled her towards the horses. “Quick. The Rouran are coming.”
Dread slithered like ice through Mulan’s blood. The heat of the fire quickly dissipated on the cold wind now it no longer burned. “How did they find us?” she asked as Kang helped her onto the horse. Beside them, Daocheng and Chuo climbed onto theirs. The two unmanned horses set off, the shadows cloaking them from sight in seconds.
Kang swiftly jumped up and settled in front of her, the heat of his body enveloping her like a warm glove. “You want to stay and find out?”
“Not really.”
“Then let’s get out of there.”
THEY RODE ALL NIGHT, relying on the Heavenly Horses to guide them under the light of the moon and stars. Mulan clung to Kang’s waist tight as the horses changed directions every so often, making her heart jump into her throat. Racing through the darkness like ghosts, they never stopped and, thankfully, didn’t fall off.
As dawn lightened the sky and shadows on the horizon swept back enough to reveal trees and hills, Mulan felt her eyes drooping. “We need sleep,” she moaned into Kang’s back.
“We can’t. Not yet. We have no idea how far behind the Rouran are.”
The idea of travelling for weeks like this forced a groan from Mulan’s lips.
Chuo rode up beside them, the side of his face only just visible. “We can’t continue like this,” he shouted. “Isn’t there a quicker way to Hulunbuir?”
For several minutes, Mulan heard nothing but the sound of galloping hooves and the wind whistling in their ears. Finally, Kang sighed. “There may be one.”
MULAN’S BODY ACHED like nothing she’d ever experienced before, but then she’d never ridden a horse for nearly twenty-four hours. Refusing to stop, Kang had tied her to him using strips of material torn from his ever-decreasing clothes. He’d ordered the others to do the same, securing themselves to their horses anyway they could, which allowed them a few minutes sleep here and there as they continued to ride across the landscape.
At least the wound on her leg hurt no more, Mulan thought. Whatever lay in that magical medicine, it had closed the gash completely. Like the times before, not even a faint scar marred her skin.
Finally, they arrived at a large building set in what seemed the middle of nowhere. Undulating hills swept across the horizon, covered in thick patches of trees. A stone road meandered through them, disappearing from sight around a bend, whilst a small river ran alongside the eastern walls. Mulan glanced in all directions, finding no other signs of life.
“Where are we?” she asked, glancing at the sign in front of her, unable to read the characters inscribed on the plaque set high above the wooden doors set in the creamy apricot stone walls that encased whatever lay inside. Beyond, she could hear noises; voices, feet.
Kang banged on the doors, the sound echoing through the air like thunder. “The School of the Sacred Jewel,” he said, his tone as
tired as she felt.
Mulan shared a confused look with Daocheng and Chuo. It seemed neither had heard of it.
The wooden doors opened with a reverberating creak, revealing an old man within. His white hair was tied in a knot on top of his head, but his beard hung past his waist and over a slightly protruding belly that strained his simple dark blue clothes. Small deep-set eyes stared at them. “Can I help you?”
Placing one hand in the other palm, Kang bowed slightly to him. “I’m looking for Ge Chaofu.”
A hesitant look stretched over the old man’s face. “I’m sorry but the master isn’t here. You may wish to seek him at Pingcheng.”
He started to close the gates, but Kang prevented it with his hand. “Ge Chaofu has never gone to the capital. He abhors anywhere with more than a few hundred people.”
“He’s not here, so you can’t see him.” The old man pushed on the gates with more strength than he appeared to possess, shutting them with a thud.
Kang’s jaw tightened. Sucking in a deep breath, he kicked the gates in, sending them flying off their hinges and landing several feet behind the old man. “I don’t have time for this. Take me to him. Now.”
“There’s no need for violence, not here. This is a place of quiet contemplation. Where people can learn about the mysteries of life and heaven.” A soft voice floated on the wind. Mulan hurried to Kang’s side to see a dozen people with shocked faces inside. A cluster of wooden buildings stretched before them, smoke wafting on the wind from some. She located the owner of the voice; a small man around sixty, with a beard as white as snow. He wore his hair in the same knot as the other old man, only with a pin shaped like a phoenix speared through it. A simple hanfu in shades of blue and white adorned his body, but his eyes draw her in. Large and round, Mulan imagined them lassoing a rope around her, pulling her close. “What can I do for you, dragon prince?”
Kang stepped forward, his eyes burning with determination. “I need to speak with you, Master Ge. It’s a matter of life and death.”
How did he recognise him?
The old man’s bushy white brows shot towards the heavens. “Oh? In that case, you’d better come with me.”
As Mulan and the others stepped forward, Master Ge began walking. Mulan glanced around. Chanting sailed on the breeze, the smell of incense thick and heavy. A dog barked from somewhere and the clucks of chickens followed soon after. He led them past several buildings fashioned from wood. Through the windows, Mulan watched several men staring as they passed. “Is this a temple?” she asked.
“Not quite,” Master Ge replied. “This is the Lingbao School. My great-uncle, Ge Hong, established it many years ago after the gods bestowed the Lingbao scriptures onto him. Here, we contemplate the mysteries of life, death, and rebirth, seeking knowledge of the truth.”
“And immortality,” Kang said, tilting his head and narrowing his eyes. “Your great-uncle was obsessed with it.”
Master Ge shrugged. “That’s one way of looking at it.”
“You see it another way?”
The old man fell silent for a moment, a tightness creeping along the edges of his jaw, but continued walking. “What are you doing here?”
“We have Rouran sorcerers hot on our heels and we need to find a quick way to get to Hulunbuir.”
“The land of the Khitans?”
“Yes.” Kang stopped, forcing Master Ge to turn. “I know the Lingbao School has magical abilities. We need your help.”
“What makes you think I can help you? I’m just a lowly Daoist priest, after all.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Oh? What am I then?”
“You’re Ge Hong.”
Once again awash with confusion, Mulan flicked her gaze between Kang and the old man. “I thought he was Ge Chaofu?”
Kang shook his head. “He’s lying. He’s an immortal. I can feel the energy lingering over his skin like perfume. My mother told me stories about a humble Daoist priest who blended medicine and religion to create an elixir which granted him immortality. My best bet is that every few years, he takes a new identity, claiming to be related to Ge Hong in order to keep control of this school. Am I right?”
The old man smiled slowly. “I’ve also heard stories about you, dragon prince. Not quite as smart as your younger brother, Prince Yang, but smart enough. More honourable, too.” He sighed and shrugged once more. “I may have a way to get you to Hulunbuir but I’m not giving it to you.”
Mulan stepped forward. “Why not?”
Master Ge raised his brows in her direction, his eyes piercing. “Because I don’t wish to help. I have more pressing matters to attend to, such as washing my socks and making sure dinner is ready.”
“But the Rouran are coming,” she said, apprehension lacing her tone. “If they find us here then they’ll kill you as well as us.”
Those large brown eyes narrowed to slits. “Then you’d better leave.”
Mulan sucked in a breath, unable to believe the harshness of his words.
Kang stepped forward until only an inch separated them. “She’s right. You may survive the Rouran’s magic, but your students won’t. They’re not immortals like you. If we leave, I have no problem telling people that the great Master Ge not only allowed his followers to die, but also found immortality.”
Anger blazed within the old man’s eyes. “You wouldn’t.”
Kang’s lips curved dangerously. “Wouldn’t I? I’m sure all the nobles at court would love to know that they could find the secret of eternal life at the Lingbao School. Just imagine it – kings and princes, dukes and generals – they’d never leave you alone. They’d bug you until the end of time to give it to them. If you don’t, you’d spent eternity in a hole, locked away in isolation until you’re forced to reveal the secret.” Kang patted him on the shoulder. “But of course, we’ll leave. We wouldn’t want to outstay our welcome.”
Turning around, Master Ge stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Wait,” he said, his voice thick. His eyes warred with what to do until finally he spat. “Fine. I’ll help you.” Kang’s smile grew wider. “On two conditions. You never tell anyone about me.”
“Agreed.”
“And two will need to stay behind.” A loud sigh escaped from his lips and his features became strained at Kang’s frown. “We’re not warriors and only a few of us have any magical capabilities. We’ll need help against the sorcerers. Besides, the device can only take two a month.”
Device?
Chuo stepped forward. “I’ll stay.”
“So will I,” Daocheng said, his face resolute.
Kang nodded in their direction. He turned back to Master Ge. “You may want to evacuate your students.”
Master Ge returned the nod and called to a nearby man half his age wearing the same dark blue robes everyone else wore. “Gather everyone up and send them into the mountains. Don’t wait for me and don’t let anyone return for three days. Better make that five.” As the man hurried off, Master Ge began walking towards the south. “Follow me.”
Leading them past more simple wooden buildings, the sound of panic infused the air as students started gathering supplies and running through the network of pathways. The dog’s barking grew louder, and the chickens squealed.
A few minutes later, they arrived in front of a large building with only two small windows. A powerful magical force encased it. With a wave of his hand, the spell dropped. Master Ge ushered them inside.
The room stood bare of anything except for a single table and shadows that danced in the corners. Slithers of weak light bathed the table, hitting a single red jewel that sat in the centre. No bigger than the size of her fist, it shone with a lustre she’d never imagined. “What is that?” she asked, unable to take her eyes from it.
“The Sacred Jewel,” Master Ge said quickly pulling drawers from the table and gathering pouches. With swift fingers, he sprinkled herbs on the wood and arranged them in a circle around it. “We’ve always said the s
acred jewel was the knowledge of the world around us, but it was this that granted me the powers of immortality. But there are other properties it contains as well. If you ever find me again, I’ll tell you about how I found it. Whoever is going, stand on either side and place your fingers on top.”
Unease stirring in her belly, Mulan positioned herself at one end of the table. The scent of fresh herbs filled her nostrils, almost making her sneeze. Kang stood opposite, his face lined with exhaustion but resolve still burning bright within his eyes. He placed his fingers on the jewel; Mulan did the same.
Tendrils of energy wrapped around her fingers, warm and thick. Master Ge inhaled deeply. Chuo stepped forward, tying Jiangnu’s bag to Mulan’s belt beside her sheathed jian. “You may need this,” he whispered.
“Be safe,” she said in a low voice, emotion coating her words as she glanced between the two friends she was leaving behind. “Don’t die.”
Daocheng gave her a weak, sad smile. “I promised you I wouldn’t, remember.”
The sound of chanting started rose on the air, mingling with the sharp tang of ginseng, the sweetness of horny goat’s weed, and willow bark, along with several others she couldn’t place. Fingers of magic moved over her wrists, climbing up her arms and across her shoulders as if embracing her.
A mixture of emotions coursed through her veins – panic, fear, fatigue – as she glanced at her friends. “We’ll find you. We’ll -” but her words were cut off as the magic consumed her, swallowing her down its warm gullet and away from the world.
Thirty-Three
The world returned in a flash of blinding white light that morphed into sombre tones of greens, blues, and browns. The magic released its hold on her, taking her exhaustion and pain as it went but leaving behind an energy that lingered through her body, like a thank you gift for using it.
Honour, She Obeys Page 37
