War (Chi Warriors Book 3)

by Ino Lee

  “What’s next?” Kai said.

  “Breakfast.”

  “Not again. It’s lunchtime. And we ate already. There’s some vegetable buns there.” He pointed.

  “No meat?”

  Kai glared. “Couldn’t afford it.”

  Wong shrugged and grabbed one.

  “Will you tell us more?” Hojin said, guardedly. “We want to learn. Can there be lesson two?”

  Wong bit a chunk out of his bun. There was some kind of pickled vegetable inside, perhaps cabbage.

  “What do you want to know?”

  “We need a plan against the Koon Gee and Blood Ninjas.”

  “Yeah,” Kai said. “You didn’t like any of our ideas, so what should we do?”

  Wong sighed. “I haven’t even been here a day yet . . . but I think you should temper your expectations.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You were right about Biyan. The security guards are Blood Ninjas and they’re hiding Koon Gee inside the tower. But things aren’t as straightforward as a normal Shaolin mission. We can’t simply breach the headquarters and expect to save the day.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I went out last night. To Biyan.”

  “Without us?”

  “You were sleeping like babies. Plus, I didn’t do anything interesting. Just gathered intel.”

  “I though you said you couldn’t be seen in Hanai.”

  “I went undercover.”

  “What do you mean undercover?” Hojin blurted. “Do you mean like a ninja?”

  “Yup.”

  “You stole our idea! You copied us and now you’re trying to steal our mission and cut us out. We should have never told you in the first place.” He glared at Kai. “I knew we couldn’t trust him.”

  Kai looked betrayed. “Is that true?”

  “Hold on,” Wong said. “First of all, I was a ninja in Hanai way before any of you. It’s not that novel of an idea. Second, I get what you want to do, but maybe should slow down and not be in such a rush to get yourselves killed.”

  “What do you mean, you were a ninja?” Hojin asked, ignoring the rest.

  “I thought he was a demon,” Ting said.

  “That wasn’t in any of your journals,” Kai said.

  Wong gave him a scolding look. “Maybe you shouldn’t be reading them.”

  Kai tensed up.

  Wong didn’t press it. “I didn’t write about being a ninja in any of the journals I kept in Shaolin. My notes are locked up here. Secrecy is important to ninjas.”

  “What clan were you in?” Hojin asked.

  “Did you not hear what I said about secrecy?”

  Hojin stuttered. “I know . . . it’s just that . . . Did you know the Blade Ninja or the Morning Storm?”

  Wong smirked. “Yeah. I knew them.”

  “Panyin said they’re dead or made up.”

  “Panyin doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

  “How do you know? What do you know about them? Can we get them to help?”

  Wong looked hesitant. “Is that where all this Flying Dragon Monsoon stuff is coming from?”

  Kai nodded. “He found your ninja dolls. He used to collect them, too.”

  “What? You touched them? They’re not dolls, they’re collectibles and in mint condition.”

  “You’re worse than Hojin.”

  “Kai doesn’t understand,” Hojin said. “We told you everything about Biyan. You owe us an explanation.”

  Wong thought about it and finished off his vegetable bun. “Tell you what. I’ll tell you everything, but you have to swear to secrecy, and then you have to trust me and follow my lead on Biyan, no matter what.”

  Hojin shook his head. “How do we know if what you have to say is any good?”

  “I can tell you how to contact the Blade Ninja and Morning Storm yourselves, and if they disagree with me, you don’t have to listen.”

  “Deal,” Hojin said eagerly.

  “Do you swear to secrecy?”

  “I’ll never tell anyone. You have my word as a Shaolin warrior.”

  “Me, too,” Kai said.

  “I’m not a Shaolin warrior yet, but you have my word, too,” Ting said.

  “Okay. Then here comes lesson two of surviving Hanai: learn how to fight like a ninja.”

  Everyone perked up.

  “The key to fighting ninjas is to be like one. Never let them know who you are or when you’re coming. The Poisoned Blood are masters of this. They will kill themselves rather than be caught. They cannot be rooted because nobody knows who they are. The Blade Ninja, the Morning Storm, they all understood this, so kept their identities just as secret.”

  “So the stories about them being dead or make believe are because their identities were secret?” Hojin said.

  “Yes.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I’m good at finding out secrets.”

  “You haven’t told us anything yet.”

  “The Morning Storm were an elite unit of the city guards. They wanted to beat the ninjas at their own game and it worked for a while, but when word got out they were actually good, they lost all effectiveness. Ninjas weren’t afraid of them and the citizens didn’t entirely trust them either—still being ninjas—so they lost the benefits of being both and disbanded.”

  “Wow. How do you know that? What about the Blade Ninja? Panyin said he was dead and might have been worse than the Poisoned Blood.”

  Wong retrieved a figurine. “Ah, the Blade Ninja. My favorite. He was more or less good, but hid that because of the lesson we just learned about the Morning Storm. So he did some good things, some not so good, and spread a lot of false information.”

  “I knew it!” Hojin said. “I knew it.”

  Kai grew suspicious. “How do you know all this?”

  Wong walked over to the center wall, triggered a hidden switch, and opened a secret door, revealing a ninja outfit with the insignia of a blade on it, a few accessories, and two swords.

  “The Blade Ninja’s not dead. He’s just been missing for a while—except, of course, for his glorious return last night.”

  Hojin’s face went blank. “It can’t be true. You collected his figurines, so you must have collected his uniform.”

  “Think about it. Our skills.” He raised his hands. “This place.”

  “He’s dead. You killed him.”

  “What’s your problem?”

  “The Blade Ninja was his hero,” Kai said. “He inspired him to be a Shaolin warrior.”

  Hojin shot him an angry glare.

  “Really?” Wong grinned proudly. “You know, Hojin, I didn’t like you much before, but now that I know I’m your hero . . .”

  Hojin dropped to his knees. “My life is ruined.”

  Wong laughed. “Stop being so dramatic.” He picked him back up to his feet. “A deal is a deal. Now that I’ve told you everything, you have to follow my lead.”

  “I want a second opinion,” Hojin said.

  “You can ask the Morning Storm, but I think you’re hiding from the city guards, and you already know what the Blade Ninja thinks.”

  “Where’s Gray Fox?”

  “Dead.”

  “This was a terrible deal.”

  “I can’t believe you never told me any of that before,” Kai said.

  “Me, too,” Ting added.

  “Some things were meant to be secret.”

  “So what do you want us to do now?” Kai said.

  “We have to storm Biyan by force and take it all at once. We have to go to back to the Shaolin warriors and city guards.”

  “Why?”

  “Because the whole district may be dirty and we need to find out everything. The Poisoned Blood
enable the Koon Gee to move effectively, disappear come morning, know where and when to strike. If we take out the Poisoned Blood, we take out the Koon Gee, but remember what I said before?”

  “No one knows anything about them.”

  “Except now. Biyan is more than anyone’s ever had to go on. A whole district concealing a secret? There are people to question and leads to trace. Not only that, but the headquarters is central to the Koon Gee’s operations. Black crows relay messages to all parts of the city. It’s the brains of their entire operation.”

  “So we were right,” Hojin said. “We have to take down that tower.”

  “All of Biyan, too, and we can’t do that alone. The minute we’re discovered, papers are burnt, secrets destroyed, people missing, and the next day Biyan is a deserted neighborhood.”

  “There’s one problem. If we go to the Shaolin warriors, Riyon and Shian won’t let us take part. We tried that already.”

  “Maybe I can talk to them,” Wong said. “You’ve earned it. I have nothing against you joining the raid, it’s just that we can’t do it by ourselves.”

  “Do you think that matters to them?”

  Wong didn’t answer.

  They looked sad and contemplative.

  “Why the long faces?” Wong said. “This is the closest anyone has ever come to learning about the Poisoned Blood and it’s all because of the three of you.” He focused on Hojin. “It’s further than the Blade Ninja could ever get on his own.”

  Hojin managed a half-smile.

  A knock rattled the door. Wong looked suspicious and checked the exits. No one knew he was there. Had the kids been sloppy and tracked down by the Poisoned Blood?

  “Expecting company?” he said.

  They shook their heads.

  “Get upstairs.”

  30

  PANYIN LOOPED AROUND blocks and cut through alleyways, markets, and crowds. He went to the top of buildings and crossed rooftops. At one point, he swiped a shawl off a stand and wrapped it around his body to change his appearance, then walked through a storefront and out the back door. He watched the exit for a while before moving on again, making sure he wasn’t being followed.

  The buildings looked unfamiliar and it took a while before he found his way to the right house and thumped on the door.

  A strange man opened the door and made him nervous. There was something dark about him and it seemed like he was holding a weapon behind his back. Had the Blood already gotten to the others?

  “Can I help you?” the man said.

  Panyin took a step back. “Um, sorry, I was just looking for the noodle shop.”

  He turned to walk away, but Wong grabbed him by the collar and pulled him inside. “I doubt that.”

  Panyin fell back and saw an axe in the stranger’s hand and frantically tried to crawl away.

  “Panyin!” Hojin yelled, running down the stairs with the others.

  “This is Panyin?” Wong said.

  “Yeah, he’s the guy we told you about.”

  Wong noticed the kids were all armed. Hojin and Kai had bows, while Ting held onto a pair of throwing bolts. They helped Panyin to his feet.

  “What gives? Why did you throw me down?”

  “Because you were lying.”

  “Cause I knew you were holding that.”

  Wong looked at his hand-axe affectionately. “Sorry, can’t be too careful with Blood Ninja involved.”

  “That’s why I’m here.”

  “What do you mean?” Hojin asked.

  “I was walking down the street with Shadow when we spotted guys from Biyan security following us. We tried to get away, but they caught up to us and took Shadow.”

  The kids gasped.

  “What do they want?” Kai said.

  “They want us to come to Biyan. They said they know we were involved in an incident with Blood Ninjas, and suspect we may be working with them. Hopefully, it’s a misunderstanding and something that can be cleared up.”

  “No way,” Hojin said. “They can’t think we’re that stupid.”

  “They just let you go?” Wong said.

  Panyin warily eyed his axe again. “Who are you again?”

  “It’s okay,” Hojin said. “He’s a friend.”

  “He’s a demon,” Ting added.

  Panyin looked confused.

  “He’s from Shaolin,” Kai said. “Kind of. Don’t worry about it for now, you can answer his question.”

  Panyin refocused. “It was crowded and I don’t think they wanted to make a scene. They probably didn’t know for sure if we already knew they were Blood Ninjas, so I played dumb. They said they would hold her at Biyan headquarters until I brought in everyone involved in the incident for questioning.” He pointed at Ting. “Especially her.”

  Hojin stepped in the way. “No way.”

  Wong quickly looked out the window.

  “No one followed,” Panyin said. “I’m sure of it.”

  “When are we supposed to be there?” Kai said.

  “Now, but I said I didn’t know where everyone was. They said if I didn’t show up by tomorrow night, they’d prosecute Shadow for conspiracy and I’d never see her again.”

  “Then they just let you go?” Wong asked.

  “Not exactly. They had someone tail me, but they picked the wrong person. I know when I’m being followed and know how to lose someone. I’ve been evading city guards all my life.”

  “Good. I’d be more suspicious if they didn’t send someone after you.”

  “What now?” Hojin said.

  Wong took a deep breath and sat on a bench by the entrance. He leaned back and breathed out.

  “Only one day.”

  A light knock rapped on the door—three steady beats that seemed calm rather than urgent. Still, the disturbance was enough to freeze everyone in the room.

  “Sure, why not?” Wong said sarcastically.

  He sat up and re-gripped his axe, while Kai and Hojin pulled back on their bows, Kai covering the back entrance. Wong turned and opened the door. His jaw dropped.

  “Ah, um. Hi.”

  Riyon stood in the doorway. “Hello, Wong. I hear you’re back from the Koon Kagi. I suspect you know why I’m here.”

  Wong didn’t answer and instead opened the door wider and waved him through with his axe.

  Hojin relaxed his bow and his face went pale. “Master.”

  “Aha,” Wong said. “I knew it. So Riyon’s your master.”

  Riyon held up a hand. “Please, Wong.”

  “How did you find us?” Hojin said.

  “How do you think?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “It was the smoke bombs. I thought to myself, Where would they get smoke bombs? Then I heard Wong was in the city and made the connection. I knew he once lived here.”

  “We have a lot going on, Master Riyon,” Kai said. “You have to hear us out.”

  “No. I do not. The last time I listened, you disappeared in smoke. We are going to Central Command right now and you’re going back to Shaolin.”

  “We can’t, you don’t understand,” Panyin said.

  “I don’t know who you are, young man, but this matter does not concern you.”

  “If you won’t listen to us, listen to Wong,” Kai implored.

  “Wong?” Riyon said. “Yes. Let’s ask Wong.” He refocused on him. “What are you doing here with Kai and Hojin? Why have you not brought this to our attention?”

  “I just got here last night.”

  “I see. So you must have been on your way, then? It is already past noon.”

  “I haven’t even had time for morning tea.”

  Riyon shook his head. “This is serious. You should know better. You are of Shaolin and cannot hide behind this guise of darkening c
hi to shirk your responsibilities.”

  “That’s not true. I’m a demon. The rules of humanity no longer apply to me. I can do whatever I want.”

  Riyon looked angry. “Do you think that will work with me? Do I look like masters Gao or Woo? I demand that you take me seriously.”

  Wong looked overwhelmed and took a step back uncertainly, then grinned. Smoke exploded around his body and when it cleared again, he was gone.

  “Oh, come on,” Hojin said.

  Wong returned again shortly through the back entrance. He claimed that he needed to scout the perimeter for Blood Ninjas, fearing Panyin had not completely shaken his tail and Riyon might have drawn unwanted attention.

  They gathered around the table again. Riyon finally agreed to listen to their story, wanting to understand more of what they had discovered in Biyan. He carefully listened to Ting’s tale and the events leading up to Biyan, Hojin and Kai’s scout on the rooftops, Wong’s nighttime surveillance, and finally, Panyin’s story that morning. Riyon was patient through the entire process, occasionally probing with a question or two, then stepped away from the table and walked into the back garden when the story was complete.

  Hojin got up after a little time had passed, but Wong stopped him.

  “Give him some time, Hojin.”

  “But he’s my master. I betrayed his trust. I should speak with him.”

  “I know, but let me talk to him about Biyan first. He’s had some time to think on it. Apologies can come later.”

  “What are you gonna say?”

  Wong shrugged. “We’ll see.”

  “You know what we have to do, right? We have to save Shadow.”

  “Please,” Panyin said. “They’ll kill her if we don’t show up.”

  Wong paused. “Don’t worry, I won’t leave the girl to die. You have my word.”

  “Word as what? A Shaolin demon?”

  Wong secretly liked the way it sounded. “My word is my word. No matter what I am.”

  He stepped outside.

  “Is it safe to come out?” he said.

  Riyon sat on a bench. “Seriously, Wong. You must do a better job with your gardening.”

  “You must not have seen the slug garden. It’s spectacular.”

  He took a seat perpendicular to the elder.

  “Interesting times, is it not?” Riyon said. “Back one day and already the world is falling apart. You must already miss the wilderness.”