by Derek Dorris
Fu Xiaoli and Tao Huiqing weren't familiar with these devices. Wong Shi Hong and Xun Da knew all too well what they could do.
* * *
The sound of the Qui horses alone was deafening but with the added rumble created by the countless types of machinery which so many of them were hauling, one could mistake the sound for that of an earthquake or some other world threatening phenomenon. Priest Hou rode proudly at the front of a group of experts who had recently been placed under his command. He was feeling rather happy with himself these days. Wangchuk Drup had been made look particularly stupid by those Jade Tigers when they sent him back to Rui'In with only half of the Earthly Dragon monks and more than a few excuses. Even more pleasing to him, the Qui King had noted the Taoist’s service and took him from under Wangchuk Drup’s command, presenting him with his own albeit lesser command—him and the rest of the Yarlese’s unit of mercenaries.
Only Han Liang understood that their newfound status was only partially based on merit. It was primarily a power play suggested by Yu Guo Wei and implemented by Rui'In. Han Liang had noticed the strained relationship between master and apprentice of late. He smiled at the thought of Yu Guo Wei patting himself on the back for manipulating Rui'In into stripping Wangchuk Drup of his mercenary contingent. But wasn’t it really the king who inserted the idea into Yu Guo Wei's mind in the first place? he asked himself. Rui'In can no less afford Wangchuk Drup to have a protective shield around him than Yu Guo Wei can. Moreover, there's not a chance the Yarlese won't see Yu Guo Wei's hand in the move. As usual, the scholar had figured it exactly right.
Riding up front of his enormous force, Rui'In was considering the manoeuvres he was being forced to make within his camp. He had now determined for certain that Wangchuk Drup was the greater future threat to him. After the incident with the Jade Tigers, the Qui King realised he had little control over this increasingly powerful Yarlese and saw hatred burn in his eyes as he was compelled to make excuses for the failure of the Jade Tiger operation. I would've eliminated him there and then yet I still need him, he thought. More to the point, I still need Yu Guo Wei and that ingenious mind of his. Wangchuk Drup is needed to keep the smelly hunchback in check.
He had pushed him closer and closer to the edge of revolt so he was hesitant to further clip his wings. However, that little cadre of warriors he had surrounded himself with were a problem. So he casually told Yu Guo Wei he was looking for some strong characters to take charge of the newly arrived experts from the unorthodox side. Yu Guo Wei bit down and immediately suggested Priest Hou, Han Liang, Sing Yi, and the Lin couple. The Yarlese conveniently received word of this and so master and apprentice were fixated on each other once more.
It was surely a bone of contention yet, as he rode behind Rui'In and his Eight Knives, Yu Guo Wei was unhappy for other reasons. The Qui King had unexpectedly returned to Shaolin Temple when he heard the Reverend Tai had escaped with the help of Bai Feng. Presiding over fresh negotiations, Rui'In himself secured the surrender of Reverend Tai in return for allowing the senior Shaolin membership retreat down the mountain. Yu Guo Wei needed to completely wipe out both the Shaolin and Earthly Dragon if he was to ascend to the top of Wulin and unite everyone under his banner. By now the smelly hunchback was convinced he was going to live forever. He had taken to ingesting trace amounts of the five elements along with some rare herbs which had, amongst other things, psychoactive effects. His mind was working faster than it ever had before and he was bursting with a new abundant energy. He was certain his time was now.
Wulin had been definitively fragmented just as he planned and all bar one of the Ten Greats had been wittingly or unwittingly drafted onto one side or the other of the upcoming war. The old institutions were rocking and when they completely tumbled, there would be nobody left to challenge him as he assumed control over every expert in the country and established his own all powerful sect. With his new psychoactive compounds, he was certain he could stamp eternal allegiance into their very physiology. All he had to do was ensure that, firstly, not one of the Greats involved in this battle would survive it and, secondly, the Shaolin and Earthly Dragon leaderships would also be annihilated. The Shaolin seniors who had escaped weren't as important as the remaining Four Guardians of Earthly Dragon and he was certain the latter would be along soon enough.
There are just too many loose ends, he was thinking as he sat scratching himself, more flies around him than his horse. I had intended the Shaolin and Earthly Dragon to be taken care of by now. Rui'In is too slippery. He might kill them on the battlefield and then again, he might not. After all, he let the senior monks of Shaolin go free to become a thorn in my side later on. As far as Yu Guo Wei was concerned, the Qui King didn't properly respect the power of Wulin. In fact, from the very beginning, Yu Guo Wei had counted on that underestimation. Yet now it was working against him instead of for him.
The other glaring problem in Yu Guo Wei's mind was of course his apprentice. Wangchuk Drup has recovered from his contest with Wong Shi Hong much more quickly than I guessed he would. And he backed out of confronting Folding Wind en route to Gongsum. I misjudged that situation, he thought as he scratched again, the flies bothering him today. I was convinced that Wong Shi Hong would ride straight for Fangshen to save Fu Xiaoli; and that I could manipulate Liao Quan into fighting the Majestic Wanderer. If Wong Shi Hong wasn't killed, he'd be exhausted and probably injured and, therefore, easy pickings for me to do it safely. Ah, but the Old Wanderer had too much faith in his underlings, sending them in his place and going north instead. Wangchuk Drup probably would've felt confident enough to engage Folding Wind alone and I was counting on them injuring each other too. But the presence of Wong Shi Hong alongside Tao Huiqing was enough to scare my apprentice away. He has more self-control than I gave him credit for.
Therefore, Yu Guo Wei was arriving on the battlefield with the Shaolin and Earthly Dragon leadership still alive, along with Fu Xiaoli, Tao Huiqing, Wong Shi Hong, and Wangchuk Drup. His ultimate goal could still be achieved but everything hinged on what happened in the upcoming battle. He looked across at his apprentice, riding proudly beside him as opposed to behind him where martial etiquette demanded. It was another little manoeuvre by Rui'In to keep Yu Guo Wei off balance; but also to appease the increasingly discontent Yarlese.
Wangchuk Drup knew he was less experienced in the politics of war than either of the two seniors he was riding up front with. In reality, when he accepted his position within the Qui army, only months ago, he had little interest in it. However, it was now clear that he would have to face Yu Guo Wei at some point and that his master would inevitably insulate himself within a ring of political untouchability. So he paid attention and learned. Soon enough, he found himself beguiled by the intrigue and power plays. Though initially, he was only concerned with earning a reputation as the definitive martial master of his age, now that the Qui King had insulted him, he had set his sights on that bastard too. Why not take his entire kingdom from him? Better a godlike kung fu master on the throne than a weak advisor with a mind for war… or a smelly hunchback, Wangchuk Drup thought as he smiled to himself.
Yet the Yarlese wasn't the meticulous planner his master was. He was also far more egotistical. As far as he was concerned, he would remove all barriers himself.
Wangchuk Drup looked over at the Eight Knives and scoffed to himself. If that's who you're relying on, then you're as good as mine.
Of course, Yu Guo Wei had conveniently forgotten to tell his apprentice what he'd witnessed at Shaolin Temple—that there were really Eighteen Greats in the world. And eight of them worked together.
As the morning drifted into afternoon, the Qui war machine rolled onwards, closer and closer to the walled city. By the time all positions had been taken up, there was little left of the day. The question now became one of when—tomorrow morning or the following morning. Everybody knew Rui'In preferred to move quickly—but how quickly?
Bribes and Infiltrations
; Evening had arrived and the Qui forces hadn't stirred. Xun Da and Wu Chen were preparing to stand post at the main gate. As Xun Da watched his friend make his way up the stairs, he noted a well disguised wince. “How’s your injury, Brother Chen?”
“Oh, it's fine now, thanks. You needn't keep asking me.”
“I can't help it. It's still causing you pain, isn't it?”
“Not pain exactly.” Wu Chen scratched his head with his remaining hand. “It's a strange one. I can still feel it sometimes, the missing arm. It even feels itchy in the heat. Can you believe that? At least, I'm feeling strong enough to fight again.”
Xun Da had been beside himself with concern over Wu Chen's injury. His plan to frighten the mercenaries away from the inn that night had failed and Wu Chen came out of it missing his right arm and requiring three months of convalescence. Wu Chen hadn't complained once in front of Xun Da yet the latter knew how useless he now felt. Li Jing was of critical importance to both the tactical and physical defence of the city. Wu Chen was never much of a tactician and now he could barely contribute to the physical side.
Wu Chen could see the anguish in Xun Da's eyes so he changed the subject, “Do you really think Rui'In will stage an operation tonight?”
“We've locked down the city,” Xun Da replied, grateful to be talking about something else. “Intelligence on our fortifications hasn't gone past these walls in days. At the very least, he's going to want to know what he's facing in here. At most, he'll aim to achieve some sabotage.”
“We've experts stationed all over the city. It won't be easy for him.”
“He has plenty of experts himself.”
Suddenly, the two became aware of a third presence. Turning around, they saw Fu Xiaoli standing behind them, looking past them, out into the desert. The two men were more than a little surprised. Fu Xiaoli rarely spoke to anyone other than Tao Huiqing and the female experts she'd recruited as her own personal militia.
“Xun Da,” she spoke strictly. “You've had little sleep these last few days. I'm well rested. I'll take your watch for you.”
Xun Da knew better than to argue with this unpredictable character so he simply nodded. “If you're sure Senior Fu, then thank you.” Turning on his heels, he left somewhat ambivalently.
Wu Chen was left on his own with this infamously powerful warrior, standing rather awkwardly beside her with no clue as to what to say. He was hardly the most couth of men and Fu Xiaoli had little time for anyone other than women. Amazingly, he did the correct thing and simply continued to stare out over the wall.
Eventually, without shifting her gaze, Fu Xiaoli spoke in the same stern manner, “You're probably feeling tired of people looking at you as if you're useless, am I right young man?”
Wu Chen didn't have a chance to utter some polite denial.
“Don't let anyone treat you that way. You lost your arm, what of it?” With a deafening shriek, she ripped out her blade and whipped it across the dusking sky. Catching the twilight of the evening, its blue metal seemed to dance from grey to green. “My kung fu has fared quite well for decades and I've always relied primarily on one arm. Would you like me to show you?”
Wu Chen was overawed. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he would receive pointers from a legendary grandmaster and, here before him, stood the most unlikely of all the Ten Greats offering just that. “I would be more than honoured, Senior Fu.”
They spent the next few hours practicing on the wall. This would be the only time Fu Xiaoli ever spoke to Wu Chen but, in those few hours, she transmitted some priceless skills to him that would transform his kung fu into something far more effective than anything he had ever practiced with two arms.
* * *
That night, the guards stationed close to the western gate found themselves unnecessarily distracted by Fu Xiaoli's exhibition. Luckily no enemies approached their part of the wall. Some did approach the northern entrance, however.
Scaling the wall less than five meters from the nearest sentry, two men and two women dressed entirely in black slipped past him unnoticed and began crossing the city towards the more heavily defended south side. Keeping their eyes open for any new fortifications en route was only secondary to their main mission. Their primary mission was to get to the south side store houses—specifically, the one that stored the lantern oil.
These experts weren't all that skilled in hand to hand combat. In fact, an average Wulin expert could give them plenty of trouble if he or she had spotted them skirting the various buildings and walls. Their skills were entirely in the art of espionage and undetected infiltration. They belonged to a unique sect from the great northern desert known as the Northern Sand Ghosts. Like the Jade Tigers, their services were for hire, but they met a narrower range of needs and in a manner the Jade Tigers couldn't come close to matching.
As the four sped through the darkness, they did so without kicking up so much as a pebble nor stopping for even a half second. If they came across an obstruction they weren't expecting, they moved left or right, up or down in a fluid pre-organised manner. So swift and unified were their movements, they might well have appeared telepathically linked to anyone who saw them. Of course, nobody did.
They had been brought to Gongsum specifically for this mission after Han Liang, who had used them in the past, made Rui'In aware of their existence. The Qui king had been formulating an idea in his mind ever since Yu Guo Wei had given him that wonderful compound to sedate the Earthly Dragon monks. The escape of the Four Guardians had altered that plan somewhat but with a little tinkering from Yu Guo Wei he was sure he could make even better use of his compound.
Arriving just across from the warehouse, the four Sand Ghosts stopped for the first time and hid behind an old disused building. The two guards at the door of the warehouse looked strong and not to be trifled with. The Sand Ghost in charge—known simply as Da—was a slender woman around thirty years old with an icy demeanour. She slid around the back of the disused building to count exactly how many guards the warehouse had. In charge in her stead, the eldest of the group, a middle aged man named Ba was anxious about the young man and woman behind him. He had said nothing to Da earlier but he had noticed a tension between the two that had him puzzled.
As he peered around at the warehouse, the two behind him shared a look that did neither or them any favours. Di was a young girl of eighteen who had grown up under her uncle Ba’s tutelage alongside Lu, a nineteen year old man who was taken in by the Sand Ghosts after being orphaned as a child. Di and Lu were always by each other's side until last summer when a handsome scholar of wealth and refinement required the Sand Ghosts’ services for a spot of thievery from the Imperial Liu palace. It wasn't a difficult mission so Di and Lu were sent alone and they stayed at the same inn where their paymaster was staying. Lu noticed Di’s reaction to this man’s refined charm and had come to despise him for it. When carrying out their mission, he was nearly caught when he accidentally dropped a dagger in the vicinity of an imperial guard. Such an error would've been enough to have him expelled from the Sand Ghosts but because Di felt responsible for his state of mind, she didn't report it to Ba like she should have.
After Di and Lu returned home to the northern desert, Lu felt his young companion was distracted for a time but eventually she seemed to forget the scholar—that was until a contingent of Sand Ghosts were summoned to the western desert by the Qui King. On arriving at his army’s camp, Lu learned the same scholar was behind this mission and noticed immediately the same change in Di’s character. Once again, she only had eyes for the interloper.
Han Liang was more than happy to flirt with the young girl if only to pass the time. To him, she was no better than a peasant, far below his status as a nobleman. Of course, he noticed the disharmony his presence created between Di and Lu but, so self-involved was he, he simply laughed it off.
Now, as Di and Lu stood behind the older Ba waiting for their leader to return, Lu was fuming mad. This had Di especially worried f
or she knew—in such condition—Lu was liable to make another mistake. This mission was critical. If they failed, then the Sand Ghosts’ impeccable reputation would be ruined. In order to calm him down, she reached over to Lu and placed a gentle arm on his hand and smiled. However, that just irritated Lu further. He wanted to hiss at her but, as he saw Ba turn back towards them, he bit his tongue and controlled his breathing.
Da returned within minutes and led them back around the disused building to a less guarded side of the warehouse. After removing two black ropes with cloth covered hooks tied to one end, Da and Ba proceeded to swing their hooks noiselessly to the top of the warehouse. Within seconds, the three younger Sand Ghosts were scaling the warehouse wall and darting onto the roof, leaving Ba behind to stand lookout. Da led the other two to a loose slate in the roof and silently removed it. As they prepared to slip in from above, Da suddenly paused. A bucket of incredibly fine sand was hanging from the ceiling not ten centimetres from where they entering. It was highly unusual but she was soon smiling to herself as she realised exactly what it was for. She pointed it out to the other two, threw a rope down to the floor, and slid down past the bucket. The younger two followed.
As they were sliding down the rope, they saw hundreds of similar buckets hanging from the ceiling, exactly as Da anticipated. They made the floor and got to work. Each of the women had about two hundred small sachets of Yu Guo Wei's sedative on them and, lifting the lids on the barrels of lantern oil that were nearest the main door, they emptied a sachet into each one. Lu was larger in frame so he was carrying three hundred sachets on him. As he divided the extra hundred among the women and himself, he saw Di’s hand reaching out to receive her share. He inadvertently pulled his hand away as if withdrawing from her touch and one of the sachets fell to the floor. It was a minor sound that most wouldn't worry about but, to Da, it may as well have been an explosion. Her eyes shot at him like daggers.