“I will keep your words in mind, Sage. Be well and look forward to our return… if that is indeed the will of Heaven,” said Sun Xin as he bowed and gave his thanks.
Sun Xin, Buff Baby, Zuo Shilong, Jirgal and the two Academicians packed their mounts with supplies and provisions for the journey south. They would be sure to avoid all main roads and trade routes in order to ensure the secrecy of their mission. There were now a team of five excluding Sun Xin. Wen Xiao was the only female. She was highly skilled, headstrong, bold and attractive, and has been with the Martial Academicians since her teens. Riding close behind her was her elder brother Wen Ping who was more content sticking his nose into a book rather than training in the martial arts.
Lu Guanying looked upon the team with unease. He as uncomfortable that a traveling merchant of the lowest social class, a rogue adventurer who fancied himself a bandit lord, and an undisciplined monk who was banished from the temple would be accompanying his most valued agent. He felt that perhaps they would be more burdensome than helpful. Famin Jie was quick to observe his discomfort and made an effort to reassure him.
“By the will of Heaven, even the smallest and unlikeliest of men are able to do the greatest things. They helped turn the tide of battle in Liaodong and they had managed to emerge from obscurity only to find their way into the courts of the world’s most powerful ruler. I am sure they will be able to complete the missions for which they were called,” Famin Jie assured him. Lu Guanying nodded and smiled in appreciation for his encouragement.
The squad of six mounted their steeds and prepared to exit the city when all of a sudden, a loud shouting emerged out from one of the street corners adjacent to the Imperial District. Fung, otherwise known as ‘Big Bang’ came riding toward them on horseback, bouncing around and barely able to keep control of the steed.
“It appears that Headmaster Guanying was right about Big Bang,” said Zuo Shilong.
“I’m coming with you and you’re not going to stop me! The Imperial forges, smithies, and craftsmen are making my cannons, my rockets, my bombs, my hand guns, my land mines, and… and… that’s it,” he said counting the fingers of his left hand. “Now that that’s done, I am going with you all so that I can field test some new weapons I designed for myself!” he said erratically. Big Bang’s horse was heavy-laden with supplies and gear. He himself carried a bulky utility belt full of gadgets and tools and ammunition aside from the two large bulky duffel bags strapped to his back where hand cannon barrels large and small protruded from the openings. He still wore an awkward grin on his face but was clearly very excited to accompany Xin and his team on this crucial and dangerous mission. “What, bub? You’re going to need me and my babies!” he said pointing to his gear. Zuo Shilong face-palmed again and the rest of the crew turned to Sun Xin to seek his opinion.
“We may yet have some use for you, Fung. You have proven yourself on the mission to Liaodong and have saved my life once already. I am choosing to trust you on this mission as well,” said Sun Xin.
“Yes!” he hissed excitedly. “We’re gonna have some fireworks exploding right up their—”
“Relax,” Sun Xin interjected. “Conserve your energy throughout the duration of this operation.”
“Great, now we’re all going to blow up,” said Jirgal as he shook his head.
Xin was right. Half this mission was going to be spent babysitting a bunch of children. He was worried his patience would wear thin before they even got to the next province.
Now, the team of seven finally proceeded to exit the city. They weaved through the dense city streets, meandering through the crowds, stalls, and monumental buildings of Beijing, through the imperial and southern districts until they arrived at the city’s edge. Many refugees were making their way into the city, congesting the streets in order to seek protection behind the walls. The whole empire was on edge for the foreign and domestic threats that loomed beneath the horizon.
The team galloped out of the massive gates within the thick, high walls that snaked around the perimeter of the capital, passed by the scattered suburbs surrounding the walled city, and then headed toward the army encampments some several li from the city outskirts. The troops that patrolled the main roads and trade routes that connected the towns made way for the team and saluted them as they passed through the gate checkpoints. By noon, they faded down the lonely roads, riding out of sight.
The route taken by Xin and the team was old and long-forgotten but was also much more scenic, albeit difficult to traverse. Gorges, flowery fields, and pristine pastures made it difficult to believe that their nation was at war or that malevolent forces threatened to consume the empire. The journey would take several days and that was time he was not so sure they had. This mission was vital, nonetheless. The capital and the Scholars knew very little of their enemies’ plans or whereabouts. Sun Xin remained mostly quiet and was just beginning to realize the amount pressure that had been put on his shoulders. He scoffed at the overwhelming task and straightened his mounted posture.
Much rested on the outcome of this mission which would determine the fate of all the people caught in the path of the Terukk. He tried not to let it make him anxious but he had to be honest with himself. His strategy was vague and hardly promising but he took pride in his ability to control the outcome. That is what he was always good at doing, but this operation was different. The Art of War said: “Know your enemy and know yourself, win a hundred battles. Know not your enemy but know yourself, win one and lose one. Know neither yourself nor your enemy, you will fail every battle.” Sun Xin knew his enemies. but with recent events, he was not so sure if he knew himself all too well anymore.
2 Know Your Friends
Not but a few hours had past when the traveling group had already fallen silent, except for Big Bang who followed a stone’s throw from their rear, singing old travelers’ hymns and tavern songs with surprising ability. It was not long before he fell asleep, snoring away on his steed which nonetheless continued to match the pace of the group. Sun Xin led them from further in the front where he could hear less of Big Bang’s obnoxious singing.
“So… I know that Sun Xin is a really important person. But, can anybody tell me who really he is? I mean, I know he’s a great fighter. I’ve seen him in combat. He’s a living weapon,” said Jirgal innocently, trying to break the awkward silence. Buff Baby and Zuo Shilong simply shrugged though wondering the same thing.
“I am not sure. Maybe he is former military or Imperial Police?” said Zuo Shilong.
“Eh… I’ve heard the stories. He’s quick but he ain’t that tough. That hat of his just makes him look dangerous,” commented Buff Baby. Wen Xiao laughed in amusement at hearing all of their comments.
“I can’t believe you haven’t figured it out yet. That man is the Wandering Wolf himself—the blue knight-errant who has been wreaking havoc in the underworld for ten years, the one who assassinates other assassins!” she said.
A look of surprise came upon Zuo Shilong’s face. “Wow, is that true? I never would have guessed he was the one. I thought the Wolf was just a legend— some new bedtime story parents told their kids so they would behave,” Zuo Shilong said with hint of excitement.
Buff Baby merely scoffed, trying to look unimpressed. “I had a feeling it was him. Didn’t want to give in to my presumptions.”
“Nope, doesn’t ring a bell,” shrugged Jirgal. “Where’d he come from anyway?”
“From what I have been able to piece together, I learned that a master of a renowned and rare sword style saved him from a village that was being ransacked by some band of powerful cutthroats twenty years ago. He found that the boy had managed to kill his attackers after they had already murdered his entire family in his home. The master took him as his apprentice and adopted him as his son. After ten years of training, Xin reclaimed his “Sun” family name, and since that time, has made a name for himself as the “Wandering
Wolf”. He has killed everyone from warlords and corrupt officials, to murderous mobsters, and even serial killers. Anyone and everyone who operates outside of moral and natural laws knows of him and fears him,” explained Wen Ping as he rode erectly on his horse.
“Is that why he’s so broody all the time? Because of his traumatic past?” asked Jirgal innocently.
“No. He is a focused warrior of great conviction. He has led a life that has made him superior to other men,” answered Zuo Shilong. “This is why I believe he does what he does, living by the sword. It gives him meaning. I watched him in the field at Liaodong Peninsula. He moved with speed and precision like none other I have seen. He had passion in the battlefield; his techniques were executed with conviction. Every maneuver was deadly,” he said with admiration as he recalled the battle. He narrowed his eyes and shook his head with approval of the memory.
“Why don’t you just marry him, monk?” sneered Buff Baby.
“You are just jealous that a man like the Wandering Wolf has accomplished more than you could ever hope in your life,” said Zuo Shilong.
“Oouuccchh,” cracked Jirgal. “I felt that from here!”
“Ha! You are a funny little bald man. Were it not for my promise to the mentor, I would have broken you before we departed the capital.”
“Yes, that is all you know how to do—answer your problems with brute strength,” said Zuo Shilong.
“And it has yet to have failed me!” added Buff Baby.
“Anyway,” continued Wen Xiao, slightly uneasy with Buff Baby’s interaction with Zuo Shilong. “Sun Xin is not much for socializing, but he is truly a sight to behold on the field,” added Wen Xiao. “Do you remember the story of the Butcher of Shaanxi some years ago? For several months, entire villages had become ghost towns, often times completely littered with dismembered bodies. Sometimes they were hung out to dry like meat. Dozens others went missing, only to have been found far away to die gruesome, terrible deaths. The prefects did not have a clue and the government was becoming desperate. That man,” she said pointing to Xin, “brought an end to the massacre. He received no great reward, no praise, and refused public recognition other than the infamy he gained in the Underworld. He was never the same after that either,” she added. “One can only wonder about the whole story.”
“He is fueled by a passionate hatred for evil and all those who live by it… even though he continues to pay a dear price. I find such a principle to be most admirable,” commented Zuo Shilong, proud to be traveling with the legendary Wandering Wolf himself.
Buff Baby just scoffed, trying to not look impressed. “Yeah, now I can see why you didn’t fit in the Shaolin temple.”
Jirgal took notice at the faint hints of insecurity he saw in Buff Baby.
“Don’t worry, big guy. While I played dead in the battlefield I watched you fight like a rabid bear ripping up a bunch of dogs. That was impressive too,” Jirgal said with a grin, trying to encourage Buff Baby. The large man only kept looking forward but managed to smile when he thought no one was looking. Wen Xiao casually observed the four men that accompanied them and could not help but ask questions.
“You are a most curious trio. How did the three of you ever even manage to end up with the Blue Bladesman?” asked Wen Xiao.
“Mentor brought us three together. He befriended us during his northward journey from Guangxi province,” answered Zuo Shilong. “I decided to follow him to an ancient monastery in the Huangshan range. Our journey there led us to encounter Jirgal and this ‘bandit’ Buff Baby.”
“Mentor? Ah, you mean the old sage. What kind of a name is ‘Buff Baby’ for a bandit anyway??” scoffed Wen Xiao. Buff Baby frowned and bit his lips for a moment before answering.
“I was born this way—a freak of nature since birth. I was admired by many and hated by some… but I was just that. A freak. As a child I was bullied until one day I snapped and threw one of the neighborhood kids across the street. He nearly died and was never able to walk straight again. Even my parents could not bear to look at me. I ran away. As a child it was a curse but as an adult I had gained tremendous respect. I’ve yet to see a man bigger or stronger than me,” Buff Baby boasted as he proudly flexed his massive bicep. “And you will learn to give my name some respect if you don’t want to be quartered by my bare hands.”
“Relax, big man. I meant no insult,” she said shaking her head. She redirected her attention to Zuo Shilong. “You are clearly from the Shaolin Temple. Did you run away?”
“You ask way too many questions, sister,” Wen Ping interjected.
“It is alright,” assured the Shaolin monk. “I was banished from the temple some months ago. I had questioned everything and grew very tired of living the monotonous lifestyle of the monk. They grew tired of me as well until I did something that gave them the perfect excuse to drive me away. Now I am here.”
“I can’t say I blame you. I’d get pretty tired praying and exercising all day myself,” she said with a chuckle. “You mentioned a monastery in Huangshan? I’ve never heard of such a place.”
“That’s impossible. There has never been a report of a temple or monastery of sorts in that mountain range,” Wen Ping interrupted.
“Well, I can tell you for sure that it’s there and that it is quite monumental,” answered Jirgal.
“We took an obscure and unlikely path to reach it. It is a mysterious and remarkable place. I hope to return someday,” said Zuo Shilong.
“You’re trading one temple for another?” Wen Xiao asked.
“Well, I do not plan on staying on the road for the rest of my life. I liked it there. I felt free and at peace.”
“I don’t want to call you a liar but I still have my doubts as to the existence of this monastery,” said Wen Ping.
“Someday I shall take you there,” Zuo Shilong told him.
It became awkwardly silent for some time until Buff Baby cleared his throat to continue the conversation. It did after all help pass the time.
“So, you wanted to be a merchant now, did you?” he asked turning his attention to Jirgal. “Peddling the goods of artisans and craftsmen is not much for social status, especially in this dynasty.”
“Meh,” Jirgal shrugged. “Who cares about social status when you’re filthy rich? That was the plan anyway. I wanted to be like those fat merchants who mastered the art of trade and money-handling,” he said, almost in a daydream. “I wasn’t going to let what people thought of my ‘Menggu ancestry’ keep me from achieving the Ming Dynasty dream. Oh, to live large and in charge. The fair ladies of the city would be pining to be my betrothed,” he said grinning from ear to ear as he rested his chin on his hand.
“How can you conduct business if you are unable to read?” asked Zuo Shilong.
“I know just enough to sign small contracts and work with numbers. It’s adequate to get by. My grandmother was Han and she taught me such things.”
“You Menggu ancestry leaves you open to bigoted treatment. That must affect your chances of success,” Buff Baby thought aloud.
“I do what I have to. I can’t exactly change my pronounced features,” Jirgal said pointing to his face. “I can’t hide who I am even if I wanted to. Can’t say I was doing so well as a merchant. People say I’m too gullible and not clever enough. I say screw ‘em. I was going to have my day soon. Instead, I’m here with you guys.”
“Fate may have something else in mind for you, friend,” remarked Buff Baby. He turned his head to the rear of the group. “What about him? What’s his story?” Buff Baby asked, pointing his back his thumb toward Big Bang.
Wen Ping and Wen Xiao turned their heads to see him asleep on his horse. “Even we don’t want to know,” they said simultaneously.
As a storm brewed from the east, the team proceeded to a remote inn frequented by travelers and popular with merchants. It was on the far side of the mountain,
found only through a winding path that diverted from the common trade routes. The air grew cold fairly quickly and the wind began to pick up speed.
“This is Golden Dragon Inn. The man we seek frequents this place so we will stay here at least until the storm passes. The inn keep is an old friend,” Xin informed the team.
“Did you hear that?” said Jirgal. “He has friends!”
Zuo Shilong nudged his elbow and gestured for him to shush. They parked the horses in the nearby stable and entered the building which was lodged snugly against the shallow mountain slope surrounded by trees and large rocks. The inn’s dining hall was empty, save for a couple of hungry travelers who consumed bowls of hot soup and did not notice the heavily armed company as they entered. Big Bang lagged behind as he struggled to shake the grogginess from his long nap.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the long-lost lone wolf finding its way back to its den!” The middle-aged innkeeper emerged from the cellar with a cheerful grin. He greeted Sun Xin with a fist-in-hand salute as he bowed. “You’ve caused quite a stir in these parts, friend. Word has it that you’re helping the Ming Army fight the pale invaders?”
“Is nothing I do a secret anymore?” Xin said as he returned the salute. He was glad to see a friendly face from better times past. “It is good to see you too, Tong.”
“News travels fast nowadays, especially if it’s about you,” he laughed. He scratched his head as he turned his eyes toward Sun Xin’s most unusual companions. “I’ve never known you to travel with company. Off to some all-important mission? Or are you finally getting soft and lonely traveling the old roads?” he chuckled. He greeted the rest of them in acknowledgment of their presence… except for Big Bang who seemed to have been locked in a daydream.
“I wish I had more time to catch up with you, old friend, but we’re not here just to sample your famous soup.” He leaned closer to Tong and spoke in a lower tone. “I’m looking for Bai Lang… and it is sort of urgent.”
Clash of Alliances Page 4
