by Ino Lee
Wong pursued. Trying to figure out how to beat Renshu felt odd. Though the magau was much more agile in the trees, his own pure staff-work might have an edge. If he could force the fight to the ground, he stood a chance, but Renshu would not let that happen easily.
He lost sight of the monkey king. He stopped and tried to sense movement, but there were too many magaus around—another disadvantage in the current battlefield. Perhaps he could adapt and use them to his advantage. He listened to their cackles and shouts when the intonation slightly changed, warning him of impending action. The bough underneath his feet vibrated slightly; Renshu was underneath him.
He flipped into the air and focused his strike downward—a thrust of his petrified Zhigao stave through the softer banyan wood. Though the end was blunted, the steel-like strength of his weapon combined with the force of his chi enabled the staff to tear straight through the bough, knocking Renshu asunder on the other side.
Renshu bounced off a lower branch, then landed on another. Wong dropped down and attempted to pummel him with both feet, but Renshu rolled away in time. No mercy. There was too much at stake.
They fought at ground level. Wong examined the rooted surface and second guessed his desire to move away from the treetops; the surface was uneven and knotted, providing just as many obstacles for Renshu to use his agility.
The monkey king bounced from the shadows. Their staffs thundered. Wong whirled his weapon and pivoted, striking a leg and a shoulder. Renshu dropped and curled under a root, then zipped away.
Wong maintained high ground on top of the roots. He tried to track Renshu, but once again, the magau was too wily. He dropped below and wound through the maze to pick up his trail again.
The ground was silent. Where was he? Had he gone into the trees again? He looked up and saw the magaus staring back down at him. No. He was still there.
He walked a little further and then spotted his adversary on a high root. Renshu was balanced atop his staff on one foot, one fist cuffing the other, summoning energy. A purplish aura with flames of black enveloped him. He opened his eyes, and then roared frighteningly.
In a flash he was upon Wong, kicking, punching, and lashing out with his staff. The length of his wiry frame mixed in with the staff to land multiple blows. Wong tried to escape the barrage by ducking through the giant above-ground roots just as Renshu had, but the terrain belonged to the monkey king.
The staff hammered on his back from above and smashed him into the ground. Another strike followed, but Wong rolled under a root. The magau’s ferocious howling echoed through the tunnels of connected wood, his savage strength bared for all the forest to hear.
Wong was reduced to crawling through dense cover. The magau stave poked through pockets of space. Wong’s anger swelled at his futility. The future of Tangled Root was on his shoulders, and this was his best chance to save them.
He exploded through the tree roots, dirt and splinters of wood showering the air, his body covered in a similar aura of purple and black.
“Yes!” Renshu screamed. “Don’t control. Harness. Reach me!”
Zhigao clattered like a million drum beats. Renshu jumped into the trees again and sent a crowd of awestruck observers scattering.
“Pathetic!” Renshu yelled. “You cannot touch me.”
They flew through the canopy as if they were walking on air. Wong roared and was met with the bottom of Renshu’s foot.
Renshu danced around him like a blur. Wong felt a step slow and summoned more chi. The raw energy buzzed in his ears and made it hard to concentrate, but he breathed in the chi and used it to hone in on Renshu’s movements. He unleashed his staff like a spear, which bounced off Renshu’s face to stun him long enough for a screaming back-kick through the air. Down went Renshu, also losing his staff in the process.
They collided on a lower bough and engaged in hand-to-hand combat. One blow after another was exchanged. Shiki was surprised by the ferocity and wanted to separate them, but could not disturb a match that carried the fate of the entire Tangled Root Forest.
They fought high into the canopy, bouncing around with shocking speed, neither party willing to concede. It became easier to track them by watching the displaced leaves rather than focusing on their forms. Their staggering display of power could not last forever, however, and their aura of invincibility began to dissipate and their movements slowed. Renshu made a final move and lunged at Wong, dragging him down.
They bounced on boughs, crashed through leaves, and still threw punches as they fell. They landed with a loud crash, with their aura of chi looking like a trickle of smoke from a stamped-out fire.
Slowly, Renshu returned to his feet, while Wong did not move at all.
“I win,” Renshu said. “Do you concede?”
“Damn you.”
“I accept your defeat.”
He stumbled back down again.
“That was a good fight, Wong. Your chi has evolved. I did not think that would work.”
“Just give me a minute.”
“And then what?”
“Mud pool.”
10
THE GRANDMASTER ALREADY looked disapproving. “What would you have me do?”
“Let us go to Hanai,” Hojin said earnestly. “We have to find Ting.”
“You risk too much for a single word. The echo was unsubstantial.”
“But Kai heard my sister call my name, and now Hanai is under attack. It can’t be a coincidence.”
Grandmaster Gao considered his request and wanted to reject it outright, more concerned about the pressing state of the war, but saw the desperation in Hojin’s eyes. He motioned to Shian and Riyon, who were nearby.
“I will instruct the warriors to investigate after Hanai is secure.”
Shian and Riyon were drawn into the conversation.
“May I ask what it is that we should investigate, Grandmaster?” Shian said.
“Kai heard an echo of someone calling Hojin’s name, and now they want to go to Hanai because they think it could be his sister.”
“Just because of the name?”
“Yes.”
Kai interrupted. “No. It sounded like her. I know it was her.”
“Hanai is under siege,” Shian said. “It is not a safe destination.”
“Which is why I have to go,” Hojin said.
“Me too,” Kai said. “It was my echo.”
Grandmaster Gao glared at Kai. “You most certainly will not go.”
“But I’m no longer marked. I’m meant to be there. The echo was meant for me. I can’t explain it, but something bad is going to happen unless I’m there. I might have another vision and be able to find her.”
“You will not leave these grounds. That is absolute. It does not matter that you are not marked, I will not send you into an active war zone on a whim. To lose you at a time like this when we can least afford to will be disastrous and my single worst decision as grandmaster of the temple.”
“There will be other warriors there. I hardly ever get to leave Shaolin. I’m ready.”
“You may be ready, but I am not ready to send you.”
Kai grew frustrated, unable to argue the point further.
Hojin saw him stall and felt guilty for what he was about to say. “Then just send me.”
“No way,” Kai said, annoyed that Hojin even suggested it. “If you’re going, I’m going.”
“But if Grandmaster won’t let—”
“You wouldn’t even be going if it wasn’t for me.”
“I get that, but it’s my family.”
“It doesn’t mean—”
“Silence,” Gao said, exasperated. “Am I to send children into war just because one heard the other’s name in meditation?”
“No, Grandmaster,” Hojin said. “You should send us because Kai is the one w
ho heard it.”
They stared at each other awkwardly.
“If I might,” Riyon said after carefully weighing the situation. “With your permission, I can look over Hojin. He is as skilled as the others and has knowledge of Hanai. I can use him for our mission.”
Grandmaster Gao thought about it. “I will agree on the condition that Hanai is your foremost priority. This cannot distract you. Only when your mission is complete may you pursue this endeavor.”
“I agree. The stability of the city is my main concern and the reason I volunteered to go in the first place. Do not doubt my determination—it is resolute.”
“Excellent,” the grandmaster said, and then addressed Hojin. “And you, young warrior. You have a commitment as a steward of Shaolin to protect the people and put their needs before your own. It is a burden that does not end when one faces personal turmoil. This is a volatile time. Your dedication and training has been recognized and you are called to duty. Will you answer?”
“Yes, Grandmaster. Thank you.”
The grandmaster addressed Kai last. “Continue to meditate. We can pass anything noteworthy to Hanai through the pool at Shandong, but your place is here. That is how you can best serve Hojin.”
Kai looked disappointed. “How about if Shian looks after me? We survived the Koon Kagi together and Hanai is much less dangerous. I am stronger now.”
“If I recall correctly, you were rescued from the Koon Kagi and it was not by choice. I do not doubt your skill, young warrior, but now is not the time to chase echoes.”
“My hands will be full tending to Hanai,” Shian said. “I am sorry, Kai. Grandmaster is right; there is no need for you to risk your safety to pursue this. Riyon and Hojin will see it through.”
“I’ll take care of Hojin,” Riyon added.
Kai knew the crowd had turned on him and arguing was a waste of time. He was angry. How was he supposed to grow into a Koon Gee-destroying warrior when they would never let him anywhere near danger? It’s not like he was asking to go to the Great Wall or Tanjin. The truth was it didn’t matter how small the danger was or how capable he had become—they still saw him as a vulnerable asset that had to be protected at all costs.
He clenched his teeth, bowed, and left.
“I don’t have a mark anymore, but I’m still trapped,” he said as he walked away.
Hojin knocked lightly on a door. He waited long enough to believe that no one was there, but the door suddenly opened.
“Oh, it’s the traitor,” Kai said.
“Come on—you know I didn’t have any choice. Grandmaster wasn’t going to let you go no matter what.”
Kai begrudgingly walked inside, allowing Hojin to follow. A piece of paper with ink was on his desk.
“What are you doing?” Hojin asked.
“Nothing. Just writing down some thoughts.”
“You do that now? Is that yours?” He pointed at a journal on his bed, then ran over and opened it. “I can’t believe you do that now.”
“It’s not mine,” Kai said.
“Whose is it?”
There was a pause. “Wong’s.”
His face contorted. “Why do you have it?”
“I found it in his cabin. He has a lot of journals there.”
“Really? What are they about?”
“That one is about his training and fighting techniques. Others are about making weapons, places he’s been.”
Hojin flipped through the pages with interest. “Can I read this later? Are we supposed to read them?”
“Probably not.”
They laughed.
“I don’t think he’s coming back for them,” Kai said. “So maybe he wouldn’t mind. Plus, they’re more like notes rather than personal stuff.”
“He’s not coming back?”
“I don’t know for sure. He hasn’t been back since he left for the Koon Kagi, so I’ve been taking care of his cabin.”
“Is that where you go when I can’t find you?”
“Yeah. It’s the furthest I can sneak off to without an army of Shaolin warriors following me.”
“Oh. Why didn’t I know that?”
“You’ve been training.”
“I’m sorry; I haven’t been a very good friend. I’ve been so busy.”
“I’ve been training hard, too.”
Hojin closed the journal. “Everything kind of changed for us when the unan attacked the temple, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“Well they made a big mistake.”
Kai raised a brow.
“Cause they made enemies of us,” Hojin said. “We’ll get back at them. Isn’t that what we’re training for? We’ve gotten a lot better now and can inflict some serious damage.”
Kai shrugged. “Maybe you can, but they’ll never let me leave this place.”
“Well if you’re destined to destroy them, they’ll have to let you out at some point, right?”
“I guess.”
“Then I’ll be there to thrash them with you.”
“I’ll hold you to that. Are you riding out soon?”
“Yeah. Although I won’t be riding a horse. They’re treating me like a kid. I have to steer a wagon.”
“Really?”
“Not even a good one with weapons or food. I’m hauling boring stuff like tents and medical supplies.”
Kai noted it. “They probably know you’d eat everything if they gave you food.”
Hojin laughed. “I should probably get ready. Sorry you can’t come. If you hear another echo, can you let me know?”
Kai nodded. “Good luck. I’ll definitely make sure you know.”
Four wagons were loaded for the trip to Hanai, filled with enough supplies to support a contingent of eighty-three warriors. They would be accompanied by a much larger force that was destined for the Great Wall, but would split apart further along the route when their paths diverged. If all went well, they expected to reach Hanai the following day.
Hojin sat atop one of the wagons and held onto the reins as its designated driver. Most of the other soldiers rode on horseback, since steering a wagon was seen as a more menial task reserved for less seasoned warriors, but Hojin secretly didn’t mind. He was the youngest there and enjoyed steering wagons while growing up on a farm. The ride would be more comfortable, too, since he made a cozy seat with blankets scavenged from his cargo’s tent and bedding supplies.
Preparations neared completion and a final wagon was loaded. Hojin was eager to get moving, sensing a spirit of energy and adventure in the air. Even the horses neighed and snorted, stomping the ground impatiently as they stood in place.
Shouts finally went up when it was time for the convoy to deploy, causing Hojin to gently whip the reins of his wagon to get it moving. The riders on horseback jumped ahead and a nearby wagon driver waved as they gained momentum, pulling away from Mount Shaolin at a brisk pace. Soon the excited sounds of the initial rush settled into a low, steady rumble.
The ride brought back memories of life on the farm. Hojin remembered the many trips with his dad and the very first time he was handed the reins, on a day similar to this, carrying a wagon full of lotus root. It seemed like so long ago and a stark comparison to the present, when he was no longer hauling produce, but venturing out to save a city besieged by demons.
He began to worry about his family since their farm was located just outside Hanai. What could be happening and why would Ting be calling his name? Could Kai be wrong? In his experience, it was never a good idea to doubt Kai’s abilities, and if he wasn’t wrong and his sister really did need help, then how would he get to her? Perhaps there was a chance Hanai would be stable when they got there, and Riyon would set him free. But what if Hanai were in terrible shape? What if he couldn’t find his sister?
He wished Kai was there and he
ard a voice inside his head.
“Hojin.”
He looked around, startled. “Kai?”
A blanket moved behind him, and out popped Kai’s head. “Excuse me, kind sir. How much is the ride to Hanai?”
“What are you doing here? Grandmaster’s going to kill you when he finds out.”
“Then don’t tell him.”
“I don’t think you’ve thought this through.”
Kai crawled closer to the front and hid behind a crate.
“Just keep driving.”
Shian galloped past them and Kai ducked low. Hojin’s heart skipped a beat. He smiled and waved.
“I have a bad feeling,” he said to Kai through clenched teeth.
“Just act normal. Pretend I’m not here.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I have to follow my echo and I’m tired of everyone telling me not to. This is the only way.”
Hojin tugged on a line to direct the horses around a curve. Veering off course would draw suspicion, but fortunately, most of the path to Hanai was flat and straightforward.
“You know, they’re going to be real worried when they find out you’re missing.”
“I left a note in my room.”
“With the paper and ink that was on your desk?”
“Yup.”
“What did you say?”
“Gone fishing.”
Hojin laughed. “Why did you say that? There’s no way that will work. They’ll know you’re coming here.”
“I know. I just wanted to make sure they didn’t think I was kidnapped by unan again.”
“How long do you think it’ll be before they find out? They’ll probably send a message ahead.”
“Hopefully not for another day. We should probably sneak away once we get to Hanai, just in case. At least I will. Are you coming?”
Hojin thought back to his conversation with the grandmaster.
“I don’t know. I promised to put Hanai’s needs before my own.”
“That’s okay. No pressure. You don’t have to come with me if you don’t want. I’ll just have to save your sister without you.”