by Ino Lee
“Please remove that mask,” Gao said. “Even if we did allow such corruption, your dark skills would be most needed here. You may be able to detect an attack coming. Kai and the protection of the pool are our greatest priorities. Running off on a dead man’s quest while Shaolin is compromised does us no good. If the temple is lost, we will not recover.”
Wong took off his mask. “With all due respect, Grandmaster, I do not take orders from the temple.”
Gao looked flustered and shot Jaguan a glance.
Jaguan sighed and sat down. “Be seated, Wong. All, sit. Please.”
They sat awkwardly. Jaguan appeared deep in thought and waited another moment for everyone’s nerves to calm.
“Let us discuss matters at hand and see things plainly as they are, free of emotion. We did not foresee the strength of the Koon Gee and thus cannot accurately judge the safety of Shaolin. With the Infinity Pool unable to repel the black demons, we are susceptible to attack.”
“They came at us with one hundred demons and failed,” Gao said. “It is just as likely that was their only plan . . . but I see your point and concede we should prepare for the worst. What are our options then?”
“Restore the pool more quickly,” Dai-dao said. “The fear of attack lessens exponentially without the spirit demons.”
Gao made a face. “It will take many weeks with the monks working day and night. Even if the water is purified, I do not know if it will return to power immediately. Much of the energy has been dispersed. It clings to the mountains and some will return to the pool, but with each passing day, more is lost to the universe.”
“Is there anything that can help?” Riyon said. “Perhaps the monks can help channel the energy back?”
“Fifty monks have already been sent to meditate on the terraces to pull the energy in. The Monk Staff does more to ground the energy than anything we can do though, and when the Sword returns, it will help to a lesser degree; the shard is bonded with the metal, so does not retain the same properties as the Staff.”
“Perhaps there is one more thing that can be done,” Tengfei said. “The Sun Pool of the samurai is strong. It has gathered up enough energy over the decades to form a small shard of concentrated chi. If we can obtain it, we can use it to help recover dispersed chi and temper a new pool.”
“That would do much for us,” Gao said.
“Would the samurai lend us their sole shard?” Riyon said. “There is an inherent risk of losing it, and they have problems of their own.”
“Disturbing the shard will hinder its development too,” Tengfei added.
“If they truly understand, they will help,” Gao said. “They are indebted to us for their pool in the first place.”
“We could make it worth their while,” Wong said. “I have the Shogun Sword . . . at least Tae does. When their fabled lord passed it on to me, they lost a part of their history. I tried to give it back, but it was against their code. As a token for this purpose though . . .”
“Excellent. Not anyone can ask such a thing. Tengfei, you are known by the Shogun and young enough to make the trip.”
Tengfei nodded.
“Fortunately Tae is here,” Wong said. “She should go with you. The gift must be made from her since she is now the owner.”
“Excellent,” Gao said. “It is decided then. This is good progress. What more?”
“We can remove the thing that draws them here—the mark,” Wong said, with a hint of annoyance.
“Despite your ill meaning, that does present an interesting option. I wonder if Kai would be safer with the samurai, with his mark masked by the Sun Pool.”
“Taking him from these walls could be even more dangerous,” Riyon said. “That could be their plan. To flush him out.”
“I think we need to take my plan seriously,” Wong said. “While the unan are on the move they are vulnerable and it won’t last. They do not know about my abilities and we must take advantage. This is my chance to free Kai of the burden and I will not pass it up. I will do this, with or without your blessings.”
“Always in a rush,” Woo said. “Never consider the risks.”
“I have. If I shun the dark chi, I am just a warrior of no consequence. If I embrace it, I am an unknown element. I can hurt the Koon Gee and they will not expect it. We are always reactive. They attack the Great Wall. We react. They attack Tanjin. We react. They invade the land in search of Kai and attack the temple with a dark chi shard and we don’t know why or when it’s coming. We need to change our thinking. We need to venture into their land, find out what they are doing, and take the fight to them. We can no longer hide behind great walls.”
Wong could not tell if he was getting through.
“Someone needs to scout the Forbidden Mountains and the Dragon Pass anyway. Doesn’t anyone see this?”
He was met by a wall of pained expressions.
Woo spoke solemnly. “I think the fear of you marching against us outweighs the benefits, Wong.”
He could see consensus in the elders’ fears except for Jaguan, who appeared aloof in thought. The monk stared vacantly out the window.
“What say you, Jaguan?”
He did not answer.
“Jaguan?” Gao reiterated.
He returned to them. “I believe Wong is right.”
8
“YOU’RE GOING TO the Koon Kagi?” Kai said.
Wong nodded.
“Do you really think you can find the lo-shur?”
“I’m pretty sure. And when I do, you’ll be free of the mark.”
Kai looked east toward the horizon and wondered what the Koon Kagi was like. It was hard to picture; they were sitting on an upper terrace of the temple and could see for miles, but all he saw in its direction was the sun and the outline of mountains. He imagined a sea of masks amassing just beyond, all brightly colored with terrifying expressions, carrying knives and pitchforks, waiting for Wong to come across. He did not consider what it would even mean to be free of the mark.
“I think it’s too dangerous.”
“It’s dangerous here too.”
“But you’ll be in their home.”
“The Koon Kagi isn’t so different than it is here. We’ve hidden behind the Great Wall for so long, the image of it has become a thing of people’s nightmares. In reality, the same sky covers our heads, there are forests and animals and streams, just like here.”
Kai remained silent for a while.
“I can do it myself.”
“Do what?”
“Destroy the lo-shur that marked me.”
“Really?”
“I shot an unan straight through the mask last night without seeing it.”
“You sensed it?”
“Yeah. My eyes . . . I think my chi caught fire.”
“Really? How?”
“Hojin was in danger.”
“That’s good. That’s often how it happens—your chi elevating to protect your friends. You’re progressing faster than anyone could expect. We should celebrate it.”
“That’s okay. I’m not in the mood to celebrate.”
“Do you see what I mean by learning to shoot by sense rather than sight now?”
“Yeah, so you don’t have to go to the Koon Kagi for me. I can go and fight myself.”
“Somehow I don’t think you’re quite ready to storm the Koon Kagi.”
Wong was amused by his declaration and smiled. Kai hated it when he treated him like a kid.
“I want to leave you something to celebrate your chi fai elevation,” Wong said.
“What?”
“How about my shuriken discs—the cutting cable?”
Kai knew how much it meant to him. “I don’t even know how to use them. You’ll need it in the Koon Kagi.”
“I want you to have it
in case.”
“In case what?”
Wong didn’t answer. Kai didn’t like the tone of their conversation.
“Give it to me after you come back, even though I don’t want you to go in the first place.”
“Your objections have been duly noted.”
“Does that mean you’ll stay then?”
“No.”
“What happened to my objections?”
“What objections?”
“Sometimes you’re so hard to talk to.”
“You’d be surprised how often I hear that.”
Kai rolled his eyes. He also hated it when he was being serious and Wong acted like a kid.
Wong laughed, then felt bad for joking around. He turned more serious.
“I’m sorry. I’m not just going for you. I’m going for me. I need to figure some things out.”
“What things?”
“It’s complicated. I’m not even sure.”
“That makes no sense. Why do you have to go there to figure things out?”
“Because I don’t know what else to do.”
Elder Woo came onto the terrace.
“Ah. That’s where you are,” he said, walking in short steps with his monk staff, which also doubled as his cane.
Wong whispered to Kai, “Whatever you do, don’t leave me alone.”
Woo held up his hands. “I come in peace. Have I not earned a moment of my young pupil’s time? Before he storms off into the Koon Kagi?”
“Okay Kai, you can leave.” Wong dropped his voice to a whisper again. “But come back.”
Kai felt unsettled about their conversation. He grudgingly left. “Try to listen.”
“The boy speaks wisdom, Wong,” Woo said.
“He is an insolent rule breaker who wasn’t supposed to be playing in the warriors’ quarters.”
“Then he is like you, and the more reason to listen.”
“Good point. I can’t argue that.”
“I am not here to argue or to dissuade you. Just talk.”
“Sure then. What do you want to talk about? What’s on your mind?”
The elder took a seat beside him. “What does it feel like to wear the mask?”
“It feels . . . strange. When I wear it, I see as the unan do. Not through my eyes, but a different sense. I can’t see as far, but I have a greater peripheral feel to the environment. It’s hard to explain.”
Woo thought about it. “Explains why they are so crafty and evasive. But what more? How do you feel?”
He looked down at his mask, which he realized hadn’t left his side. “This mask. I feel energy and power. Maybe anger. I don’t know.”
The elder shook his head. “I will not lecture as promised. I know you are tired of my nagging about your affinity to dark energies, but I hope you understand the danger of this path. You must fear it.”
“I do.”
“Do you? Power and energy is one thing. Emotion and anger is something different. Something that can change you.”
Wong took in his words. “I understand. I never wanted this. I never wanted any of it.”
“That was not why I came here. I am worried about your state of mind. Why do you choose this path? This plan?”
“To free Kai.”
“Is that why?”
“Yes, why else?”
“If that is your reasoning, be strong, resolute. Sharp. Focused.”
“Am I not?”
“You have been moping in your cabin. Not the Wong I know. Do not venture into the evil land because you are defeated. Do not go because you have given in to darkness. Go because you are resolute to end Kai’s mark. Go to destroy this demon and to have victory for Shaolin. Go with a clear mind or this dark energy will consume you. Go because you are Wong.”
Wong nodded thoughtfully and wondered if the elder overheard his conversation with Kai. Probably. The sneaky old man.
“I will be resolute. Thank you for your counsel, Master. As always.”
The elder grimaced and wondered if any of his words got through. “Are you sure?”
Wong smiled. “Your words have been duly noted.”
Jaguan funneled his chi into the Phoenix Staff and felt energy radiate from the tip’s burning ember. He whipped it forward and made several slashes, then re-radiated the tip for good measure. The staff was quick and light in his hands. It did not have the same punch as the Staff of Shaolin, but it was crisp, sharp, and responsive. He liked the change of pace. Given that the Monk Staff was needed in the efforts to restore the pool, he could not bring it with him—but at least this was a more than adequate replacement. The fact that the weapon belonged to Tienkow only made it more appropriate.
He remembered the outcry of the council when he told them he would make the journey with Wong. Their reaction was not unexpected; when two of the temple’s most powerful warriors trek off on a death mission while Shaolin lay in tatters, there is bound to be objection. But Wong was not the warrior he once was, and they could not know for sure how the mask would affect him. Only the Shoukoo was strong enough to keep Wong from turning or have a chance against a fully manifested lo-shur demon if the situation called for it. Once he made the council concede that Wong’s plan had merit, they reluctantly let him go as insurance and seemed even more sure of their decision after Wong started to protest—he claimed he did not want a babysitter. In the end, they all realized if the plan succeeded, they would be able to protect Kai and strike the Koon Gee a vicious blow without risking a great loss of life.
He donned a darker robe for covert travel rather than his temple whites and hung five vials of untainted chi water around his neck; a monk did not need much for battle. He grabbed the Phoenix Staff.
A temple steward awaited him at the base of the temple, holding onto the reins of the Shoukoo’s steed—a mahzing, a great wild horse with streaks of green and brown, colored like nature itself. Only his ability to psychically connect with animals could tame such a beast.
“Master, your horse,” the steward said. “Provisions for your journey have been packed. The others await you by the shore.”
“Excellent, thank you,” Jaguan replied.
He rode past the courtyard and through the northern gates, acknowledging the camped warriors along the way who cheered his passage. After winding nimbly down the mountain and a brief canter to the water, he reached the others by the shore. Grandmaster Gao, Elder Woo, Wong, Tae, and Tengfei all conversed atop a wooden platform. Xiong kept watch nearby with a squadron of warriors.
Pressed up against the side of the platform was a sea turtle large enough to carry fifty men. Its shell was the size of a small island. Clumps of barnacle clung to its sides and a bamboo carriage was strapped to the top of its shell by thick strands of Yaje silk.
Tengfei touched the creature’s great horned head and connected with its mind.
“We are ready,” Tengfei finally said. “The turtle will bring us to Yomai. His name is Du Lai.”
Tae gaped. “Every time I visit Shaolin and think I’ve seen everything, something more improbable happens.”
“Not that improbable,” Grandmaster Gao said. He pointed in the distance. Three more sea giants roamed the bay. “They will keep the shore safe.”
“Are they enough? Can Du Lai be spared?”
“Yes, three will suffice. One can be spared. Bringing back a chi shard is a worthwhile endeavor and Du Lai will get you there faster than any boat.”
“The trip to the samurai will be just a few days,” Tengfei said. He gestured to Tae. “Come, let us board.”
“Safe travels,” Gao said as they stepped onto the giant creature’s shell.
“As to you. You bear the more dangerous task,” Tengfei replied.
“I believe we each know our role in this plan, but it is Jaguan and Wong who b
ear the most risk . . . Tengfei and Tae will bring back a chi shard, Woo and I will keep Kai safe and see to the restoration of the pool, and Jaguan and Wong will venture east to the Koon Kagi to destroy this demon.”
“A most dangerous task indeed.” Tengfei bowed. “Safe travels then, Jaguan and Wong. I wish I could come with you.”
“You have a mission too—safe travels,” Jaguan replied.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” Tae said to Wong.
Wong grinned. “I don’t know how to do it any other way.”
“Find the daemon. Kill it.”
“I will.”
Du Lai pushed off from the platform. They pulled away faster than a galley with its sails full of wind, propelled by each massive stroke of the turtle’s flippers.
“Now it’s time for our journey,” Jaguan said.
Another mahzing was brought to Wong. The wild beast stared at him uncomfortably and snorted. When Wong took a step forward, the beast pricked up and shifted aggressively.
“This is going to be a fun trip,” Wong said.
Jaguan patted the horse on the neck. “Calm, friend. We require your service.” The Shoukoo’s eyes flashed briefly. “Mahzings are perceptive creatures, Wong. Come at ease. Connect with it, or it will be a difficult journey. They can sense negativity.”
“I have my own way of dealing with them.”
He fumbled in his pack and pulled out a pear.
“I bribe them.”
9
WIND BLEW PAST their faces as the mahzings streaked across the grasslands. To ride one was novel for Wong, because the beasts were usually too unwieldy for him to handle on his own. His current steed had in fact tried to buck him off more than once, and would have succeeded if not for the calming hand of Jaguan.
The beasts’ high-pitched squeals sounded like gusts of air whistling through a narrow mountain passage. Wong was always surprised and fascinated by the sound, expecting a more guttural and raw intonation like one from a war stallion, but figured it made sense that something so much faster would sound like the wind.
They raced through the day and said little. Jaguan was focused on directing the mahzings, lest they run astray, and Wong was careful not to get thrown off by them. He pulled a cloak over his head and rode in a daze, half-asleep and dizzy from the sunlight, his shoulder aching from Gaiman’s spear wound. They did not worry about coming across unan during the day and out in the open, but perhaps come nightfall if they crossed more covered paths.
