“Constellations,” Cha Ming said, nodding. “There are two star-eye patterns, with each one representing a constellation in the sky.” Their fur color varied, but their eyes did not. It was either one constellation or another. They looked curious. Thoughtful, even. Though some, both young and old, looked oddly distracted.”
“Watch it, human,” a voice said. A tall figure bumped into Cha Ming. Then another. They were a group of six guards that had gone out of their way to cross paths with them. Though he was upset at their obvious bullying, he kept himself in check. They were guests here, after all.
“I take it confronting them would have been a bad idea?” Cha Ming asked.
“Stopping them from pushing you around wouldn’t be bad,” Shneraz said. “But getting even? Terrible idea. Monkey demons won’t tolerate one of their own getting attacked. Plus, those guards you just ran into seem a little… unhinged.”
Cha Ming nodded. He’d noticed it too. It wasn’t just their angry expressions that made him wary, but the feeling of smoldering fire coming from their eyes, their bodies, and their fused souls.
They continued down the street. Stargazer City wasn’t organized like in a human city, though one main road ran all the way down to a group of buildings surrounding the central tree. Some plots of land were empty, while others were reserved for growing fruit. Others still had tall buildings made of bark or vines or other strange things. It was a demon city, and there was little structure or order.
It didn’t take them long to reach the center on foot. Once they arrived, it was Mi Fei who spoke. “As we agreed, Xiao Bai and I will go and try to gather information pertaining to the caravans and those black-haired demons.”
“Don’t worry about us,” Cha Ming said. “Shneraz will make sure I don’t make any grave mistakes.” He didn’t want her to go, especially given what had happened last time they were separated, but she was part of their team. There was only so much he could do alone; splitting up just made sense.
“Oh yeah, one last thing,” Xiao Bai said. “Don’t eat their bananas. Not even if they offer you one.”
“What? Why?” Cha Ming asked.
“Always ask for something else,” Shneraz agreed. “In fact, don’t even hint that you want to eat a banana.”
“But I—”
“Don’t!” they both shouted and covered his mouth. They pulled back, embarrassed at the stares they were receiving.
“Well, I’d better watch my mouth,” Cha Ming said. He loved bananas. He’d imagined they tasted quite good here. “Take care. Send me a message if you’re in trouble.”
“We’ll be fine,” Mi Fei said. “Xiao Bai will take care of me. I don’t need you to come charging in like last time. As timely as your rescue was.”
They parted, and as they walked toward the taller buildings, Shneraz gave him a look. “You know, it helps to be forward about such things.”
“There’s nothing going on,” Cha Ming said. “She’s engaged, Shneraz.”
“Ah,” he said. “Unfortunate. Could you not duel her prospective mate for the honor?”
“Are you being serious?” Cha Ming asked. “Is that a thing in demon culture?”
“Mostly in matriarchies,” Shneraz said. “I’ve observed humans from afar, and though the male part of your species fiercely denies it, it does seem to be the case that women run the show. I would think showing your strength at arms by bloodying a weaker male would prove your worth. Would it not?”
Cha Ming sighed. “Let’s not talk about this again. Ever.”
They passed many larger buildings. Fine establishments like restaurants and shops. All of them traded in yellow and green coins, though some bartered with strange treasures or spirit fruits. Not all demons were monkeys either. Those who weren’t treaded lightly, as they were not the dominant species in the territory.
Cha Ming and Shneraz followed their example. They took care not to get involved in any disputes and avoided any unnecessary business. They were here to see the chieftain, and doing anything other than going straight there would be disrespectful. When they arrived at their destination, Cha Ming was surprised to see that it wasn’t fronted by an entrance hall but a dirt path that led down into the roots of the massive tree overhead.
The sun was completely obscured beneath the branches, and the earth was barren. Despite this fact, there was plenty of light for them to see, thanks to the stars that hung in the branches. Tiny pinpricks of light that shone from the leaves of the massive tree. And before the tree stood a row of monkey demons with armor made of varnished wood and cured leather. A few of them wore furs. Like the guards at the entrance, they used staves as well.
Cha Ming and Shneraz had no choice but to stop. They waited a few seconds before a graying demon stepped up. His face was reddish, and he had long gray sideburns. His staff was oak and engraved in golden sigils. “What business do you have here, human?”
Cha Ming swallowed, then bowed. He took out a box and opened the lid, then held it up above his head. It let out a heavenly scent. “I, Daoist Clear Sky, and my teammate, Lord Golden Oblivion seek an audience with your chieftain,” he said. “We offer this Smoke Essence Immortal Peach, a peak-initiation spirit fruit, as a token of our goodwill.” It specifically wasn’t a banana. Shneraz had chosen it, and having been warned by Sun Wukong about monkey demons and their great possessiveness over bananas, Cha Ming now understood the decision.
The leader approached. He walked up to the box, sniffed deeply, then closed it. There were more than a few eager-looking demons in the military lineup. The leader took the box, then stepped back. He bowed lightly, and only then did Cha Ming straighten up. “The chieftain was informed of your presence the moment you entered the jungle,” he said. “You may call me Lord Graycowl. The Stargazer Chieftain will see you at his convenience, though he is currently preoccupied.”
“We would be happy to see him at his leisure,” Shneraz said.
Graycowl’s nose wrinkled. “A cutter. You reek of metal.”
“Metal is sharp,” Shneraz said with a shrug. “Good for killing.”
Cha Ming held his breath.
Graycowl grunted. “You have spine. You are a fighter. Very well, we will allow you inside with your human.” Several of the guards followed them inside, and the line broke apart as soon as they left. This was a show of force—nothing more.
What did he mean by “your human”? Cha Ming snapped at Shneraz.
Shneraz smiled lightly. It wouldn’t do for a human to order a strong demon around. Besides, you didn’t stand up for yourself, and I did. I am dominant. Therefore, you are my human.
I’m going to kill you, Cha Ming said.
You can try, Shneraz replied. We both know what would happen.
Cha Ming gritted his teeth. Fine. Let’s discuss what we need to talk about.
Demon cities were not at all like human cities. That was the conclusion Mi Fei reached after five minutes walking hand in hand with Xiao Bai through Stargazer City. Human cities were purposeful and clean, while demon cities were disorderly and dirty. Human cities had tall buildings, and no buildings here were taller than five stories. Human cities had uniform inhabitants, yet here, people of all shapes and sizes filled the streets.
In fact, demon cities less resembled a proper city and more the fringes of one, where a city had expanded to absorb a nearby town but hadn’t yet gone through any major reconstruction. In short, demon cities were awesome.
“I can’t believe there was a random amusement park in the middle of a bunch of shops,” Mi Fei said. “You called it a water park. Are they fun?”
“If you like getting wet,” Xiao Bai said. “Which I don’t. The owner probably thought it was a good idea. He’ll eventually find out if it wasn’t.”
“High taxes?” Mi Fei asked.
“Surprisingly not,” Xiao Bai said. “But if it’s a waste of space, people will let him know. Demon style.” She grinned as she punched her fist into an empty hand. “Anyway, let’s go get som
e food! There’s a kind of spicy food that’s just the best!”
“Not yet,” Mi Fei said. “We have a job to do, remember?”
“It won’t take long…” Xiao Bai said.
Mi Fei rolled her eyes and ignored the rabbit’s crocodile tears. “I just don’t want to disappoint him again. It was embarrassing, you know. Getting angry at him for interfering, then finding out he was right about me being in danger.”
Xiao Bai shrugged. “Maybe it was a lucky guess. Can’t say I blame him.”
“Am I that unreliable?” Mi Fei muttered.
“No, but think about it,” Xiao Bai said. “Everyone else had paired up. They needed help. You said you didn’t. You’ve already acted tough standing up to him and accused him of chauvinism. But then again, he’s a guy, and he’s the chivalrous type. He’s also single and good looking. He’s definitely going to charge in even if you get angry.”
Mi Fei groaned. “Now you’re going to start teasing me about things like this? Really? In case you haven’t noticed, I’m in a relationship.”
“A very lousy one,” Xiao Bai said with a shrug.
“It wasn’t always lousy,” Mi Fei said. “I’m still angry at Clear Sky, you know. He rubs me the wrong way. I don’t know what it is. And I can’t help but think you’re egging me on to spend more time with his fox friend.”
“Fox brother,” Xiao Bai said with a grin.
“The things I have to deal with,” Mi Fei said. “Anyway, don’t even suggest it. I have enough problems to worry about without you trying to set me up with someone so arrogant.” She sighed. “I wonder what Brother Longshen is up to.”
“Probably doing a job he hates and listening to his parents,” Xiao Bai said. “You know the drill.” And she did know. Wei Longshen talked about it every time they spent any time together. He’d changed a lot over the past few years.
“It wouldn’t be so bad if he actually got a job he likes,” Mi Fei said.
“With great power comes great responsibility,” Xiao Bai said mockingly.
Mi Fei raised and eyebrow. “Is this a reference I’m supposed to understand?”
“Nothing you’d get,” Xiao Bai huffed. She was strange like that sometimes. “Oooh, have you noticed it yet?”
“Noticed what?” Mi Fei asked.
“Watch,” Xiao Bai said.
Mi Fei and Xiao Bai had long since distanced themselves from what Xiao Bai called a Tree of Life, choosing instead to wander through winding streets and strange but shifting city sectors, circling around to eventually reach a relatively wealthy part of the city. While there were many species of demons in Stargazer City, the majority were monkey demons. Aside from those in the honor guard that had welcomed them, there didn’t seem to be much compartmentalization between species, except for perhaps their living quarters. After all, it didn’t make much sense for lizards to live with mammals, especially when said lizards might live underwater.
Among the monkey demons, the Star-Eye Monkey Clan reigned supreme. They were relatively wealthy and tended to live together. It was those same monkeys that stared at them as they walked through the streets. None of them had black fur like those they’d seen before, but all had deep-black eyes. To gaze into them was to look upon the stars. The constellations in their eyes didn’t just resemble the real thing. They were the real thing—she could tell via her Concept of Jade Moon and Starry Skies.
Two constellations. Two variations of the same type of demon. The Builder and the Warrior. According to Xiao Bai, the split was fifty-fifty. Yet she didn’t see many builders in this place. She saw only warriors, and they reeked of anger. Was it her presence they resented? Or was it the rabbit demon who dared enter their section of the city? It was difficult to say. It was even more difficult to avoid them, and none of them would step out of the way to let them pass.
Why are they so aggressive? Mi Fei asked as they pushed through the crowd. No one harmed them, of course. They’d received a bark medallion upon entering the city that served as a pass for her and even Xiao Bai. It afforded them certain diplomatic privileges, though that didn’t stop anyone from shoving them around.
Probably because they’ve been fighting. Xiao Bai said. A lot.
Demons fight all the time, Xiao Bai, Mi Fei said.
Not as much as they have, Xiao Bai said. Indeed, it was only now that she looked that she realized the population here was disproportionately young. There were many older folks in the streets, though they bore scars, and some were even missing limbs. Demons could heal just about any wound given enough time, yet here were so many wounded who hadn’t recovered.
Where are the older warriors? Mi Fei asked. Having many younger warriors was normal, but usually, stronger cultivators survived. They were a strong but durable minority, as few as they were.
Probably burnt out or dead, Xiao Bai said.
Burnt out? Mi Fei asked. She frowned as she looked at the glowering individuals. As a species, they all looked similar. Their eyes all had a reddish glow, and none of them were friendly. Yet some were calmer than others. They seemed fresher. They had more life in them. The angrier ones seemed weary. Worn out. Ragged. Like someone who’d worked all their life with nothing to show for it. What happened to them?
Balance, Xiao Bai said. As a species, Star-Eye Monkeys are powerful. They are strong and intelligent, and they possess two variants that aid them in specific situations. The Warrior constellation in their eyes, for example, is great for battle. Through it, they can channel the power of the stars. It gives them strength, boosting their demonic cultivation temporarily. They can fight above their level if they have to.
And the price? Mi Fei asked.
You’ve probably guessed it, Xiao Bai said. Every time they use their powers, it exhausts their potential. Using it too many times can even cause one’s cultivation to regress. Small bursts are the smartest way to use their powers, since overuse will result in weakening and aggression.
Which would lead to them using their powers more often, Mi Fei concluded. A destructive cycle.
It’s very addicting, Xiao Bai agreed. Their species is powerful. Tough in a fight. Any queens they produce are very strong. But in the end, this is what happens when they get pushed to the extreme.
As she spoke, an angry-looking man pushed past them. “What’re you looking at?” he growled. He shoved Mi Fei and stomped off. She spun angrily but froze when she saw many angry eyes reaching for their staves. Right. Demon weapons. They’re all armed.
“Let’s go,” Mi Fei said to Xiao Bai.
They pushed through the crowd, only stopping to buy snacks on the way. The shopkeeper was reluctant to sell, but Xiao Bai was aggressive. And apparently rich. They walked away from the crowded areas but remained in the district. They needed to find the other, more friendly variety of monkeys: the builders.
“In a sense, they remind me of myself,” Mi Fei said to Xiao Bai.
“How so?” Xiao Bai said. She was eating a stick of skewered and roasted fruit. They were surprisingly firm.
“I keep going full throttle,” Mi Fei said. “I have poor energy control. I use it all up, and I can’t even help it. Then I end up in danger if you’re not there to save me.”
Xiao Bai swallowed. She threw away her snack stick but didn’t reach for another. “Yeah, you need to work on that. If you want to survive long, that is.”
Mi Fei’s eyes widened. “Am I that bad?”
Xiao Bai shrugged. “I’m not comparing you to anyone else. Let me ask you a question: Have you seen how much trouble happens around you?”
“Trouble does not happen around me,” Mi Fei said. “Name one time.”
“Getting lost in the forest and almost getting eaten,” Xiao Bai said.
“That hardly counts,” Mi Fei said.
“Bad blood between your family and Wei Longshen,” Xiao Bai said.
“That’s not really my fault,” Mi Fei said. “It was his family that decided this, and then there wasn’t enough energy in the ri
tual…”
“Cao Clan messing with your boyfriend at his party,” Xiao Bai said. “Both of those Cao Clan youngsters are bad news for you, and one is even a karmic anomaly. There are bad things happening behind the scenes, Mi Fei. This mission is just an appetizer. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have to run away within the year.”
“What are you talking about?” Mi Fei said.
“Last month, I ate six people who tried to assassinate you,” the rabbit continued. “I scared off about three dozen nobles who wanted to try being unpleasant with you in the most inappropriate of ways. Just the other day, an alchemist found out you had a Grandmist core and wanted to see if he could use it to create a pill.”
“Are you serious?” Mi Fei asked. “An alchemist? Is that the best story you could come up with?”
“It’s all true. Honest.” Xiao Bai looked innocent, but that was the way she was. She always liked to exaggerate.
Mi Fei sighed. “Exaggerated trouble and potential curses aside, I clearly need to solve my stamina issue. Any ideas how?”
Xiao Bai shrugged. “Practice.”
“So you’re finally willing to spar with me?” Mi Fei asked.
“Hell no. I have way better things to do,” Xiao Bai said. “Plus, you have a sword instructor willing to do that. I wish I had a personal punching bag.”
Mi Fei’s eye twitched. “I want to practice with him, but whenever I fight with him, he calls me a brute and tells me to learn techniques.”
“Then why don’t you?” she asked.
“Because they’re not fun. They’re not me.” Mi Fei said. She sighed. “I don’t like constraining my style to techniques. I just want to be free. Whenever he tells me what techniques I should be learning, I feel like I’m talking to my parents.”
Xiao Bai took a bit bite out of another one of her skewers. “Doesn’t seem like I can help you with anything, then. Try not to die too fast, I guess. It sucks to die from a soul bond.”
Mi Fei could only move on to another topic. Xiao Bai took very few things seriously. Even her own death didn’t seem to faze her. “Is that one of them over there?” she asked. They’d reached a more rundown area of the same district. There weren’t many people in the streets, but all of them had the same black eyes with pinpricks of light.
Crown of the Starry Sky: Book 11 of Painting the Mists Page 26