by Snake
A few houses away Seh was working with Sanfu. Sanfu was on the ground positioning a new support post while Seh was dangling from a rafter, joining two replacement beams. They were discussing Kaifeng.
“So, we'll leave tomorrow?” Seh asked.
“Yes,” Sanfu replied. “First thing in the morning. Malao and I are still moving slowly, so it will take us extra time to get to the section of the road where inns begin to appear. I'd rather not sleep on the side of the road. Too many thieves and other questionable characters lurking about.”
“I heard it will take us six or seven days to walk there,” Seh said, pulling a large wooden mallet out of his sash.
“That's right,” Sanfu said. “Probably seven. That would put us in the city on the fifth day of the fifth moon—day one of Kaifeng's Dragon Boat Festival.”
“I'm looking forward to it,” Seh said. “I've never been to a big city.” He began to pound a long peg, joining the beams to the post that Sanfu was holding.
Sanfu raised his voice. “It certainly is an experience. You've never seen so many people in your life. It's good that you'll have Mong to show you around. He's very familiar with the city.”
Seh nodded. “I want to see him again.” He paused his pounding mid-swing. He'd had something on his mind for a couple of weeks. “Do you think Mong will bring AnGangseh?”
Sanfu scratched his scraggly beard and looked up at Seh. “I don't know. She is rather … independent.”
“I noticed that.”
Sanfu looked surprised. “So you've met?”
“Yes,” Seh said, starting to work again. “Once. She introduced herself at the stronghold.”
“That's good,” Sanfu said. “Very good.”
Seh thought Sanfu sounded sincere. He decided to ask a more personal question. He stopped pounding again. “What do you think of AnGangseh?”
Sanfu's body stiffened and he looked at the ground. “Well, I… haven't spent enough time around her to form an opinion. Why do you ask?”
“I don't know,” Seh said. “I guess I haven't formed an opinion of her, either, but I entrusted her with two of the dragon scrolls from Cangzhen.”
Sanfu stared up at Seh. “You did what?”
“I met her just before Ying attacked,” Seh said. “She told me to give the scrolls to her for safekeeping, and it sounded like a good idea at the time. Do you think I made a mistake?”
Sanfu shook his head. “I don't know. It seems strange that she would want them. Maybe she was just trying to help. Weren't there four dragon scrolls?”
“Yes,” Seh replied. “I still have one scroll. Ying has the other.”
“Well, there's not much we can do about it now,” Sanfu said. “Can I see the one you have? I've seen all the Cangzhen tiger scrolls but never a scroll from another animal style.”
“Sure,” Seh said. He set the mallet down and reached inside his robe. He pulled out the scroll, careful to keep the beauty snake concealed under his sleeve. Seh dropped the scroll down to Sanfu.
Sanfu opened it. He stared at the chi meridian sketch on one side and the pressure point sketch on the other. “This is basic material that all Cangzhen monks learn. Are you sure it's a dragon scroll?”
“I think so,” Seh said. “It has dragon characters in several places, and it was among the ones Ying stole.”
“I suppose,” Sanfu said.
Seh glanced down at the sketches as Sanfu lifted the scroll up to the bright sunlight. “I—” Seh's voice caught in his throat.
“What is it?” Sanfu asked.
Seh stared at the pressure point sketch on the back of the scroll. As Sanfu held the scroll up to the sunlight, the chi meridian sketch on the front showed through and the two sketches merged together. The chi meridians became roads or rivers, and the pressure points lined up along them like landmarks.
“I don't believe it,” Seh said. “It's a map! See how it looks when you hold it up to the sun?”
“Amazing,” Sanfu said, tilting his head to one side. “It is indeed a map. Excellent observation.”
“Do you recognize anything?” Seh asked.
Sanfu shook his head. “I've crisscrossed this entire region, and I'm certain none of these places are here. Perhaps it's Canton. Grandmaster was from Canton, and he's the one who brought the scrolls to Cangzhen.”
“AnGangseh is from Canton,” Seh said. “Maybe she'll know.”
“It's possible,” Sanfu said. “Maybe that's why she wanted them. Maybe we'll get lucky and she'll be in Kaifeng. Now let's hurry and finish up what we can here as soon as possible so that we can get a good night's rest. I want to leave before dawn tomorrow.”
Sanfu wasn't kidding about leaving before daybreak. Seh felt bad that Malao had to find the white monkey in the dark to say goodbye. As Sanfu pointed out, they would be traveling on a road frequented by humans, so it was likely Malao wouldn't see his friend for a while.
When Malao had finished his farewell, he followed Seh to the bun vendor's shop to meet Fu and Sanfu. Sanfu gave them each a tattered gray peasant's robe to change into to help them blend in, and the bun vendor loaded up a sack with enough buns for several breakfasts.
“We'll skip lunch while we're traveling,” Sanfu explained as he threw the sack over his shoulder, “and eat like the Emperor at supper time.”
By the time they thanked the bun vendor and stepped outside, everyone that remained in the village had gathered in the square to see them off. Goodbyes were exchanged, and before the sun had risen, they were on the road to Kaifeng. It was nothing more than a well-worn trail at this point, but Sanfu assured them it would widen twentyfold by the time they reached the gates of the region's capital.
“We should break into two groups,” Sanfu said as the sun came up. “Malao, since you and I are both still hobbling about, I suggest you travel with me today.” He tossed a small pouch to Fu. “Fu, you and Seh go on ahead. The pouch contains enough coins to get us all a nice meal and lodging for the night. Sometime around sunset, pick a place for us to stay. Feel free to order up some food while you wait for Malao and me.”
“I think I can manage that,” Fu said with a smile.
Sanfu looked at Seh. “There are some unscrupulous types all along this road, and the innkeepers are no exception. Be careful. If any place seems the least bit suspicious, leave and find another one. It is much better to be safe than sorry—especially out here.”
“I understand,” Seh said.
Fu didn't seem to be paying the least bit of attention. He licked his lips as if in a dream. “Do you think the inns will serve chicken?”
“For a price, they'll serve you just about anything,” Sanfu said.
“What are we waiting for?” Fu said. “Come on, Seh!” He clapped his hands once and raced up the road, reciting a menu fit for the Emperor. “Savory smoked chicken livers, pheasant feet, lark's tongue—”
Seh shook his head and followed, grateful that he didn't hear Fu list Greasy Goose.
The road to Kaifeng made for easy travel. Seh didn't have to dodge thorns or tree limbs or sinkholes. He didn't even have to check for landmarks or continuously watch the treetops for the white monkey. All he had to do was follow the road. It was incredibly boring.
After walking the entire day they had only passed a handful of travelers, all of whom were headed in the opposite direction. None offered a greeting.
The trail they had started out on had grown to an actual road wide enough for four people to walk side by side. Ruts were worn into the center, where carts of various sizes had passed, making for uneven footing. Seh wondered how Sanfu and Malao were managing with their injured legs.
The plan was for Seh and Fu to find a place to eat and rest, but so far, the few ramshackle places they'd had seen had all given Seh a bad feeling. Even the snake on his arm had seemed leery of them, so he hadn't bothered to enter any. Another one was coming into view, and the pit of Seh's stomach began to tingle. Seh shook his head. More bad feelings.
&nbs
p; “What about this one?” Fu asked.
“I don't think so,” Seh said. He looked at the freshly painted sign, its gold characters shimmering in the late-evening sun. The Divine Dumpling Restaurant & Inn.
“What's wrong this time?” Fu snapped.
“It's a little too inviting.”
Fu rolled his eyes. “It's getting late, and I'm starving. We're going in.” He pushed his way past Seh and barged through the ornate wooden door.
Seh glanced around. Something didn't feel right, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Against his better judgment, he followed Fu inside. The restaurant's interior didn't make him feel any better. It was even more inviting than the exterior. It was small but elegant. Five delicate tables were covered with fine cloth and surrounded by ornate chairs. The dark wood walls and floor were spotless. The entire place felt sterile. There were no customers.
Fu was already sitting at a table, his feet resting on an empty chair. “What do you think? I sure know how to pick them, don't I?”
“I don't like it,” Seh replied.
“Whatever,” Fu said, glancing at the menu board. “House Special Dumplings. Yummm. I wonder if they'll have meat in them—”
“What kind of question is that?” interrupted a shaky, high-pitched voice. “Of course they have meat! Unlike any you've ever tasted—guaranteed.”
A frail old woman stepped out from behind a red curtain at the back of the restaurant and headed for Fu.
“How are they prepared?” Fu asked.
“In a delectable chicken broth,” the woman replied.
Fu grinned.
“How much do they cost?” Seh asked.
The old woman stopped next to Fu and bit her lower lip. She glanced at their tattered robes. “Well, normally, we charge an arm and a leg. Our House Special Dumplings really are quite special. We use a secret ingredient that gives them a full-bodied flavor.” She poked Fu in the stomach. “However, you, dear boy, look famished, and you appear to be a true lover of food. I'll tell you what—I'll give you a discount. Half price. What do you say?”
“It's a deal!” Fu said.
“Hold on,” Seh said. “We don't even know what the full price is. Stop thinking with your stomach.”
Fu untied the pouch of coins from his sash and dumped them on the table. “Is this enough?”
The old woman smiled. “More than enough.”
“Two more people will be joining us,” Seh said. “And we will all need one night's lodging as well.”
“We have plenty of space,” the old woman replied. “We can talk about the cost of the rooms and meals after your friends arrive. I'm sure I can give them a discount, too. When do you expect them?”
“We're not exactly sure,” Fu said.
The woman's thin white eyebrows rose. “Oh? Do they know to meet you here?”
Fu looked at Seh. “I didn't even think of that.”
Seh shook his head.
“I'll tell you what,” the old woman said. “I'll take a chair and sit out front while you eat. Tell me what they look like and I'll call them over. Okay?”
“Thanks!” Fu said.
The old woman smiled. “I'll get your food first. Two bowls of House Special Dumplings coming right up!”
“Excuse me,” Seh said. “If you don't mind, I'd prefer a bowl of vegetable soup or something similar. I don't eat meat.”
“Of course,” the old woman said. She disappeared behind the curtain.
Fu sat back in his chair and sighed. “Ah, this is the life. I like this place.”
“Well, I don't,” Seh said. “I sense somebody else in the back.” He stood and stepped away from the table.
“Where are you going?” Fu said. “That's probably just the cook.”
“Shhh! Keep your voice down. I want to take a look around.” Seh was casually stepping toward the red curtain when the old woman burst through it, carrying two large, steaming bowls.
“Going somewhere?” the old woman asked Seh with a smile.
“I was just… stretching my legs.”
“Please sit down,” the old woman said. “Your soup tastes best when it's hot.” She looked at Fu. “The same is true for your dumplings, dear. Eat up! I'll be back in a few moments to help find your friends.” She disappeared behind the curtain again.
“That was strange,” Seh said as he sat down. “The food came so fast.”
“You're strange,” Fu replied. “Stop analyzing everything and eat.” Fu grabbed a pair of chopsticks and a spoon and dove into his dumplings.
“Whoa!” said Fu. “These are the best dumplings I've ever tasted! The broth is really good, too. How's your soup?”
“I haven't even touched my spoon yet,” Seh said. He picked it up and began pushing around the pieces of pickled cabbage and leeks inside his bowl. The pit of his stomach tingled.
“You don't know what you're missing,” Fu said. “This is absolutely delici—” He stopped in mid-sentence, and his face went sour. Fu fished around inside his mouth with two fingers and pulled out a long black hair. He wiped it on the table and went back to eating.
Seh frowned. “Was that inside a dumpling?”
Fu nodded.
“And you're going to keep eating them?”
“Sure,” Fu mumbled between mouthfuls. “It's only a hair.”
Seh shook his head and stared at the piece of hair. “Interesting. That hair is long and black, but the innkeeper's hair is gray.”
“It probably belongs to that cook you sense,” Fu said. “Stop being so—” He set his chopsticks down and gripped the edge of the table with both hands.
“What's wrong?” Seh asked.
“All of a sudden, I feel… strange …,” Fu said. “I—” Fu's eyes rolled back, and his head slumped forward.
“Fu?” Seh whispered.
Fu was out cold.
I knew something was wrong, Seh thought. The dumplings were drugged. I'm sure my soup has been drugged, too. What is that woman up to?
Seh decided to play along. He quickly spooned some of his soup into Fu's bowl so that it would look like he'd eaten some. Then he narrowed his eyes to slits, let his head flop to one side, and slowed his breathing.
A few moments later, Seh saw the old woman appear from behind the curtain with an equally frail old man at her side. The woman held a gigantic cleaver. The old man held a large meat hook in one hand and two coils of rope in the other.
The old man looked at Fu and whistled. “Get a load of that mountain of flesh! The heavens are smiling on us today. He'll stuff enough dumplings to feed an army. Not much meat on the other one, though.”
“Free meat is free meat,” the old woman said. “I'll take whatever I can get. You should be able to salvage at least a couple of fillets from the skinny one.”
“What about their friends?” the old man asked.
“They said their friends don't even know they're in here. If the others are as scruffy as these two, they'll never think to look inside an establishment as fine as ours. And if they do show up, we'll add them to the menu, too.” The old woman cackled. “Let's get to work.”
Ying stood before the gates of the Emperor's summer palace, preparing for the accolades that were sure to be the reason behind his special invitation. He had destroyed Cangzhen and taken the bandits’ stronghold. It was time to celebrate.
This was, after all, a place for relaxation. Business was for the main palace in the Forbidden City, hundreds of li to the north. Ying was ready for a party— in his honor.
Ten thousand things ran through Ying's mind. First and foremost was, What's taking this fool guard so long to open the gates?
When the gates eventually opened, Ying rushed in, eager to greet the Emperor. However, after two steps, he stopped, frozen in his tracks. Ying found himself at the far end of what had to be the most magnificent courtyard in all of China.
Thousand-year-old cypress trees stood alongside ankle-high flowers only hours old. Elaborately designed pagodas wrapped
themselves seamlessly around natural rock formations that were shaped like Chinese characters. Peacocks roamed freely along the footpaths, and songbirds filled the trees. The centerpiece was a massive man-made lake in the shape of a lotus flower.
Ying had heard rumors that the Emperor had squandered untold fortunes to create this sanctuary for himself and his closest advisors and that it was the most beautiful place beneath the heavens. Until that moment, Ying had dismissed the rumors. However, he now believed every word. He was standing at the edge of it, and he had been invited.
Ying closed his eyes and took a deep breath, soaking it all in. Instead of feeling peaceful, though, he sensed someone focusing on him from the lake. Ying opened his eyes and squinted in the bright afternoon sunshine reflecting off the lake's surface. He saw the silhouette of a lean man in an orange robe.
“What are you waiting for?” the man by the lake purred. “I don't have all day.”
Ying scowled. It was General Tsung, the leopard-style kung fu master and former Shaolin monk who had successfully destroyed Shaolin Temple—and almost choked Ying to death.
“What are you doing here, Spot?” Ying asked as he walked along the path beside the lake toward Tsung. Tsung's orange monk's robe flapped in the breeze.
“I suggest you reconsider the manner in which you address me,” Tsung said. “I outrank you, and we both know I'm the superior fighter. One more comment like that and I'll have your head.” He turned and began walking toward an enormous building on the far side of the lake. “Follow me.”
Ying bit his lip. There was no point in making a scene in front of the Emperor. At least, Ying assumed the Emperor was nearby. “Where is everyone?” he asked.
“There are soldiers stationed at regular intervals along the compound walls,” Tsung replied. “You can't see the men or the walls because the Emperor went to great expense to ensure everything was hidden from view with evergreen foliage.”
“I mean, the Emperor and his other guests,” Ying said.
Tsung raised one bushy eyebrow. “There is only one guest. A judge. He and the Emperor are waiting inside the palace for you. There is a special chamber designed specifically for situations like yours.”
