《The Weretiger》


 Chapter 1

    Shinhou liked roaming through the streets of Ama¡¯al after dark. No sane non-local would think something like that, but perhaps Shinhou was not sane. Sure the city had a large imperial presence. But resources had been mostly diverted to the attack, takeover, and administration of Bessho and Akeha afterward. Other Bessho were returning to the motherland in waves, but for the poor who had fled the islands upon the Reo takeover, there was no way to make it back to the main island. The Ardans made use of these Bessho to reconstruct Reoa, and for one reason or another, they would stay on the Reo homeland.


    Shinhou was only there for another reason, a reason he would rather not think about at that moment. Such things were now the topics of tavern gossip and rumors. Sending clergy to help with reconstruction was to be expected. But while the Bessho appreciated their presence, the Reo had already begun whispering about brothers with a fetish for the native women and accepting bribes to put in a good word to Bessho officials. It was no matter. Such things were now no longer a part of his world. To begin the next chapter of his life, though, he would have to go first to the forge to pick up his spade. The smell of burning metal made his destination easy to locate.


    ¡°An interesting weapon, venerable one,¡± the forge master remarked.


    ¡°You can say it¡¯s blunt,¡± said Shinhou.


    ¡°I have never seen¡ª¡±


    ¡°Of course I did consider using a rod like any other sensible person would. But I find little balance in my life¡ªit seems appropriate to carry around something that reminded me of it.¡±


    The forge master only bowed in response. He then took the spade from its clasp on the wall and handed it to the monk. Shinhou felt the top of the spade, where someone had shaved the edge down to the neck of the blade. ¡°Though perhaps it¡¯s more balanced than it would appear. Certainly lighter with half the metal slab sheared off.¡±


    ¡°Miren! Bring the maintenance kit!¡± the forge master shouted.


    Shinhou looked to the side as a young girl appeared from the supply room with a cloth sack filled with clinking glass vials.


    ¡°A week¡¯s worth of oil and a small cloth,¡± she announced, presenting the bag to him.


    Shinhou smiled and took the sack from the girl. But as he grabbed the kit, a dark, heavy aura pressed down from above, sending him staggering backward. The girl quickly retracted her hand as Shinhou pulled away, her eyes widening in fear. For a long moment, the two stared at each other.


    ¡°Could I speak with you for a moment?¡± Shinhou asked her.


    ¡°About what, venerable one?¡± her facial expression something that resembled real confusion.


    The forge master took a step toward them, putting a hand on Miren¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I need the girl to perform her duties here, and in any case she is bound to the guild.¡±


    Shinhou could tell that the forge master, though a strict and demanding man, was nevertheless a protective one. No doubt he thought Shinhou needed her for less innocent reasons. Whatever he said, the forge master would reply with something about her needing to work without voicing his suspicions to get Shinhou to go away. But the aura Shinhou felt from her was not something he could let go of.


    ¡°I just need to talk to her here in front of the shop a moment. It won¡¯t take long,¡± Shinhou insisted.


    The forge master bit his lip and let go of the girl. ¡°You¡¯ll forgive me saying so venerable one but we are short staffed, so if she could return to her work with haste that would be best.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    The forge master nodded and walked back to the rear of the shop. Miren stepped out with Shinhou into the street.


    ¡°What sort of kai do you possess?¡± Shinhou got straight to the point. ¡°It¡¯s not something I¡¯ve ever felt before.¡±


    ¡°Water,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Water,¡± Shinhou repeated.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m from Fuchina.¡±


    Shinhou frowned, nodding slowly. He should have known from her accent, but her being from the east meant that whatever it was he felt could be something beyond his knowledge. Xian was the birthplace of kai knowledge and study, and by proximity Fuchinans could also be well versed in all sorts of esoteric sectarian techniques and martial arts.


    ¡°Who is your master?¡± he asked.


    ¡°My master?¡±


    ¡°Every kaishu has a master.¡±


    ¡°For what?¡±


    Shinhou frowned. ¡°To teach you the techniques you use.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a master. I never have.¡±


    Something like that was not possible. Shinhou might not know what techniques she knew exactly, but whatever she had was very strong. There were those with affinity who were not fortunate enough to find an instructor. Such people typically went undetected due to lack of kai cultivation. This Miren had cultivated her kai. From his peripheral vision Shinhou could see the forge master indicating something to the girl with his eyes. The girl glanced once at her employer and then bowed deeply.


    ¡°Have a safe trip, venerable one,¡± she said in a small voice. She turned and jogged back into the forge. The forge master managed a smile and a bow. ¡°We do appreciate your business, venerable one,¡± he called from within. When Miren reached him, the forge master followed her behind a furnace and the two of them disappeared.


    ¡°Appreciate your business,¡± Shinhou repeated softly under his breath. ¡°And my contacts with the governing bodies, surely,¡± thought Shinhou. It had surprised him that the local Bessho ¡ª historically less religious than their cousins on the main island ¡ª took so well to doctrine of The Way being shoved down their throats. Obviously the Ardans felt that the arm of the temple was easier to twist than that of the Bessho Army ¡ª misguided as that belief might be. Shinhou continued on his way to the port, sifting through his memories to see if he could remember anything similar to the powers that girl exuded.


    Ama¡¯al was a dark city for obvious reasons, and that might have been a deterrent for most monks but not for Shinhou. A native beggar bared his fangs at him as he passed, but he seemed so sickly there was no reasonable chance he could attack. And in any case, several natives have been executed for assault, enough to deter anyone else in the city from trying. Though more such unsavory characters lurked in the dark side streets, Shinhou¡¯s comfortable stride seemed to act as an invisible barrier against trouble. He walked as if what he was doing was natural, and perhaps those sharing his path took that as a sign that he belonged. Shinhou felt it foolish to think that light somehow illuminates injustices, guides the brave and just, and scares away the devils. In many ways the light seemed to shine on the evil and tyrannical, while the shadows were where heroes helped the weak and defended the poor away from the sight of authorities.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.Shinhou was done with the Order. It sounded noble to say he was against collaborating with Imperial Forces which grew more oppressive by the day. Such outspokenness had certainly played a part in his expulsion, which was conducted on more contrived grounds. He could fight the charges of soliciting prostitutes and drunkenness by just denying them while paying off a few local council members. At least the latter wasn¡¯t true anyway, and even if it was, it wasn¡¯t like the tribunal wasn¡¯t filled with monks who indulged in much the same. But truth be told his faith had been waning for years. The desperation of the locals grew increasingly hard to confront and address. It didn¡¯t help that he seldom felt appreciated for it. Some of those he helped returned to thank him but they did not have much to give, even in food, considering the toll of war. But many simply took from him and seemed to look down on him as they did so. And so after burning out physically, he was now out of any sort of emotional capacity to help anyone.


    Some on the street bowed to him. He wasn¡¯t sure if this was because they knew who he was or simply a response to the shaved head and the robe. Despite his bitterness to everything the Order represented, he found himself bowing back. Who was he to take away hope from the populace? In the distance near the city square they were erecting a statue of The Enlightened One. If only He could see the state of his purported followers now, chief among them the licentious and drunken Shinhou himself. Shinhou had never tasted strong drink as his vows required. In any case the smell made him nauseous. But with all that was going on, he felt very tempted to start now; drink seemed to keep the demons at bay for the people on the street at least. Shinhou glanced at a drunken man flailing his arms and striking a brick wall while intermittently bursting into incomprehensible shouting about his miserable life. It was perhaps an easy line of logic that to keep the demons away one had to transform into a demon himself.


    Money was the most powerful god when resources grew scarce. As he approached the docks Shinhou could see men shouting at the foreman for even just a few hours of work. Some were holding up guild papers and badges ¡ª real or forged, either being useless; some were holding up their children to elicit some sort of compassionate response. To his side, an army of women were doing the laundry in front of a well-known wealthy lady¡¯s town flat. Though it was still early in the evening, it seemed like every other alley echoed the sounds of working girls and their patrons conducting their transactional agreements.


    ¡°Venerable one!¡± a woman shouted.


    He felt a slap on his hand. Years of clergy work taught him not to recoil. When he looked down, he saw one copper coin in his palm.


    ¡°Thank you for the bread. This came much too late, but I found regular work with Lady Chiyoda, and I wanted to thank you for having mercy on us.¡±


    He honestly didn¡¯t remember giving bread to this woman, and was wondering if she was thinking of somebody else. But when he began to speak, Shinhou¡¯s voice caught in his throat. ¡°I¡ª.¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re busy with your duties venerable one. But could you please just say a blessing for me before you go on your way?¡±


    Shinhou felt a wave of guilt he had never felt before in that moment. Though the words almost refused to come from his mouth, he placed the coin back in the woman¡¯s hand and placed his now free hand vertically in front of him, muttering a blessing. ¡°May the light of The Enlightened One shine upon you and lead you to to the path that overcomes all of a single life¡¯s bitterness and tribulations¡­¡±


    When he was finished with the blessing, the woman put the coin back into his hands. ¡°Please venerable one. If you¡¯ll forgive me saying so it appears you are wanting for food. Eat and keep up your strength, and I¡¯m sure The Enlightened will be with you wherever you go.¡±


    Shinhou forced a smile. ¡°Yes he will protect me.¡±


    As he made to walk away, the woman stepped into his way, grabbing his sleeve in earnest. ¡°I hope you become the Abbot of Eternal Light Temple one day. You have a heart that can lead us out of this.¡±


    The Eternal Light Temple, though frequently visited, lauded, and often the setting of stories of chivalry and heroes, was in Shinhou¡¯s view a den of thieves and scoundrels. But it felt insulting and ungrateful to bring up his real thoughts to this woman. ¡°I thank your kindness,¡± he managed.


    The woman bowed. Shinhou bowed back, and then walked past her down the street. Before receiving the coin his first plan of action was to try to get passage on a boat somewhere. There was no concrete plan on where he would go ¡ª the main island, the colonies, anywhere might have worked. But even the captains who would let him on for free would want to see a letter from a respected monastery. Too many scam monks have tried to gain free passage in the past. He could perhaps pull a favor from a few higher ranking brothers who felt pity for him, and would at least help him go somewhere else. But he didn¡¯t want to risk their position or reputation in soliciting such assistance. There were few good leaders already. No need to pull down the remaining he could respect.


    With no real plan for next steps, he turned at the main road toward the only other place he went when he had no other plans. In contrast to the roads that led him there, this one felt immediately more cheerful the moment he stepped on it. Several men with wide smiles strolled in the opposite direction past him. The bright red lanterns that lined the streets lent the entire area an aura of sleepiness. At the end of the road was a four story lou building with the same hazy red lanterns hanging from the eaves such that they formed a neat perimeter around each level. Shinhou stopped at the entrance and read the gold characters on the thick, black wooden board: ¡°Tower of the Blue Flowers.¡± He flipped the coin with his thumb and caught it in his palm. After looking down at it, he stowed it away in his sleeve pocket and stepped over the threshold.

 Chapter 2. Li Zhong

    Li Zhong woke to the hustle and bustle emanating from the restaurant area across the courtyard. He could hear the sound of pottery clanking, bowls against tables, and the low hum of voices. He had drunk into the early morning that day and slept until¡ª what hour was it? The fact that the voices were not just isolated ones here and there suggested it must have been at least the eleventh hour, when a fresh wave of travelers had arrived. His leave would be over soon. It would be better to start partying now. He pulled on his undergarments and then sat for a moment. A month into autumn and the air was growing crisper and colder. Li picked out a thicker robe with a fur lining, then pulled on his socks and shoes and headed out the door.


    On his way out he passed the quarters of his lieutenants, who had doubled up two to a room. He leaned his face close to a panel on a rice paper door. ¡°Lieutenant Zhang! Lieutenant Yu!¡±


    But there was no reply. Either of them would have responded immediately if they were present, so they must have been in the restaurant or out to town. Li continued on his way down the stone path to the multi story lou restaurant which also served as a tavern.


    ¡°Captain Li!¡± the host welcomed him as he entered. ¡°Right this way.¡± The man led Li to the third floor as was befitting his rank.


    There were not many open seats anymore despite the early hour. The host spotted a smaller table with no occupants and led him over to it. Li sat down.


    ¡°What will it be?¡± asked the host.


    ¡°Small jar please,¡± Li replied, placing a string of copper coins into the man¡¯s hands.


    The man received it eagerly and went on his way. Li lowered his head to the table, trying to ease his headache from the previous day. The wood was cut from some sort of evergreen tree, and it had a fresh smell to it that unexpectedly calmed the throbbing in his head. Whenever the first bowl of wine came his way though, he knew his headache would be over.


    The conversation in the entire area suddenly ended. Li Zhong lifted his head, noticing that everyone was looking toward the tavern entrance. He peered over the banister to spot a cloaked youth step over the threshold. The man ascended the stairs to the third floor hastily. At the top of the steps he scanned the area, locked on to where Li was sitting, and then stalked over, sitting on the only other stool at Li¡¯s table. Though the newcomer was wrapped in multiple layers, it was obvious from her facial features and the unease in which she moved that the traveler was actually a woman. Upon arriving at the table, she slammed her one span long dagger onto the surface. The host, who had slowly followed her on her path toward Li, stopped behind her.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am...perhaps there are some seats on the lower floors¡ª.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s quite fine,¡± Li held up a hand. ¡°I will have somebody to talk to now. Just take her order.¡±


    The host nodded slowly. ¡°I must confess that we do not have any bl¡ª¡±


    ¡°Tea will do just fine,¡± she interjected.


    The bartender nodded slowly. ¡°Yes of course. Would you like a¡ª¡±


    ¡°Black dragon tea.¡±


    ¡°Coming right up.¡±


    When the woman turned her head, Li Zhong felt a sudden shiver crawling down his spine. She was a Reo: snowy pale skin, silver hair, red pupils, with the ethereally beautiful features that her people were always rumored to possess. With Reo so poor at navigating the sea, and unable to move much during the day, those who showed up in Xian were generally assumed to be employed as mercenaries ¡ª or assassins ¡ª of Xian lords, perhaps the emperor himself.


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    Li Zhong realized too late that he was staring at the Reo woman. ¡°Forgive me.¡±


    The tea arrived shortly after along with Li¡¯s jar of rice wine. The woman took the cup and downed its contents instantly, without the usual sipping involved to cool it down. When she finished it she cradled the cup in her hands, her head bowed toward it.


    ¡°Where you headed?¡± Li Zhong found himself asking.


    ¡°None of your concern,¡± she replied without turning.


    ¡°Huh.¡± He glanced from the dagger to her. ¡°Your words and posture suggest you don¡¯t want attention and yet your actions speak otherwise.¡±


    The woman only choked once in response. Li Zhong looked through the gap of her hood, where a continuous trickle of blood was flowing from her shoulder toward her chest.


    At that moment, the door to the lou tavern burst open, with over a dozen armored men in yellow sashes and heavy dao filing in, taking their places along the walls. Someone dropped a bowl, the shattering of porcelain as if a signal for all those present to stop talking. The man at the head of the group raised a bronze seal, the words ¡°Imperial Investigation Bureau¡± etched into the metal.


    ¡°We have reports of kaishu in this area. If anyone has relevant information, please step forward now.¡±


    The owner of the tavern stepped forward from where he stood at the base of the stairs. ¡°Sir there are no kaishu here! I¡¯ve followed all protocols¡ª¡±


    The leader of the group raised his hand as if to silence the owner. He looked around the first floor, then ascended the steps to the second while his men blocked the entrance. Upon reaching the central level, he turned and looked up to where Li was seated. The leader then waved his hand forward and four of his men left their positions at the front door. They climbed up the stairs, dao swaying in their sheaths as they moved. When they reached the top, all five of the investigators then ascended together to the third floor, making their way toward Li until they formed an arc around his table.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, could you turn and face me?¡± the leader asked the Reo woman.


    ¡°I will not.¡±


    In a flash, the Investigative Bureau leader unsheathed his dao and flicked the tip of it at the edge of the Reo woman¡¯s hood. The woman grabbed her dagger and deflected the dao, denying him full visibility of her face. All four of the bureau officers then unsheathed their dao.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, you will come with us to the station to ascertain your purpose here, and that it is not to teach or utilize any kai techniques, particularly the evil and twisted ones of your people,¡± the leader declared.


    Li Zhong found himself standing to his feet, stepping forward to place himself between the investigator and the woman. ¡°She is my guest.¡± He reached behind himself and grabbed the jar of rice wine, draining half its contents before slamming it onto the table. Li then slid his right foot forward and raised his fists in a line in front of his chest. ¡°And by our nation¡¯s customs regarding guests, I cannot allow any harm to befall her.¡±


    The investigator¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Be careful sir...you are protecting an enemy of the state¡±, his hand reaching over to his sword.


    Li Zhong felt a gentle touch on his forearm.


    ¡°I can handle myself,¡± the woman said softly, pushing herself to her feet.


    Before he could protest, she removed her own bronze seal, holding it up to the bureau leader. ¡°I¡¯m here on official business,¡± she said with a smile barely masking her irritation. Li glanced at the seal; in the center was etched the characters ¡°Embroidered Uniform Guard¡±, or as some people called them, the Imperial Secret Police.


    The bureau leader quickly signaled for his men to sheath their blades. ¡°Ma¡¯am,¡± the bureau leader bowed slightly, clasping his fist. ¡°My apologies. If you see or hear anything about the abominations, inform the nearest station who will relay the information to us. That is all,¡± he said. He stepped backward and then pivoted on one foot to about-face. Then, much more silently than they had entered, the investigators descended the stairs and disappeared out through the door.


    ¡°Back to your drinks!¡± the woman shouted in heavily accented Xian. Though an air of nervousness still hung over the restaurant, its patrons did slowly return to their conversations, and soon the din of activity returned to its original level.


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.Li sat back down in his seat, and so did the woman. If her wound bothered her at all, she didn¡¯t show it. Li knew next to nothing about medical affairs, particularly concerning the anatomy of Reo. But he was sure despite their differences the woman would bleed out just like any jin would; this woman needed medical attention.


    ¡°You need to see somebody. I can cover it,¡± said Li.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for that¡± The woman winced. ¡°And you will address me as ma¡¯am. Show some decorum as befitting your status.¡±


    Li¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Ma¡¯am, you¡¯ve established your credentials, would you kindly state your business?¡±


    Instead of answering, she started to keel over backwards. Li reached a hand out and pressed on her back to stabilize her. ¡°I¡¯m taking you to the apothecary,¡± he whispered. The Reo woman only nodded in response. Li could see the sweat pouring over her brow. Her eyelids were fluttering, as if she was going in and out of consciousness.


    ¡°Can you walk?¡± he asked.


    She nodded. The woman mustered enough strength to push herself back onto her feet once more. She held a neutral expression as the two of them descended the steps. After exiting the restaurant, the two of them walked slowly through the inn courtyard and out the main gate, following the horse carts and sedans that flowed lazily through the night toward the east end of the city. When they reached the Sky Ferry Bridge, the woman suddenly collapsed against a bridge post, wrapping her arm around the top of it. Li made to support her elbow, only to have her shake him off.


    ¡°I just need a minute,¡± she insisted.


    Li noticed her breathing growing heavier. He looked around at the other travelers on the road and bit his lip. ¡°Ma¡¯am if you¡¯ll forgive me, I think I need to carry you the rest of the way. And fast.¡±


    She nodded lightly in acknowledgment. Li wrapped his right arm behind her back and his left under her thighs, lifting her up. She was surprisingly light, which allowed him to quickly move across the bridge. About halfway through, a single horse sedan stopped next to Li. He looked up to see a hand brush aside the cloth window flap. A middle aged woman¡¯s face appeared in the opening. ¡°Do you need help, traveler?¡±


    Li hesitated for a moment, but made a split second decision to trust the sedan¡¯s occupant. ¡°I would be very grateful.¡± The driver alighted from his seat and opened the sedan door. Li stepped once into the entryway and pushed himself with the Reo woman into the carriage. Inside, a servant girl was seated next to the lady, but the bench across from them was empty. Li laid the Reo woman against the end of the empty bench, then sat down right across from the lady. ¡°Apothecary Zhong, in Yong¡¯an District¡±, said Li.


    The driver nodded, closed the door, and soon they were off again. Though they started off at a trot, the driver¡¯s pace increased steadily until the rumble of the stones grew deafening


    ¡°How bad is it?¡± the lady asked.


    Li glanced at the Reo woman¡¯s collar.


    The lady waved her handkerchief toward the Reo woman. ¡°Chun¡¯er, take a look.¡±


    The servant girl hesitated.


    ¡°Did you not hear me?¡± the lady snapped.


    Chun¡¯er bowed her head in acknowledgment and leaned forward, pulling the hood back from the Reo woman. When she did so the fabric peeled off like dragon fruit skin, the continuous flow of blood forming an adhesive against the Reo woman¡¯s shoulder. It was a lot worse than Li had thought. Chun¡¯er then reached two fingers out toward the woman¡¯s Central Treasury and Shoulder Bone points, striking them so hard the Reo woman bounced twice in her seat. She seemed too weak to notice, only wincing and muttering in response. Chun¡¯er reached into a pouch and pulled out a few glass jars of herbs. She extracted a pinch from each of them and then popped the mixture in her mouth, chewing it. She then spat out the wet mixture carefully into her hand and shoved it into the Reo woman¡¯s wounds. The woman groaned.


    Li stared at Chun¡¯er. Kai techniques were strictly forbidden under the standing Imperial Decree. Of course there would be practitioners still alive who hid their techniques, but he was at a loss as to how someone with such strong technique could exist so freely in a major city.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure we can both agree on the need for discretion to assist your companion here,¡± the lady interrupted Li¡¯s thoughts. Her voice carried with it a thinly veiled threat.


    Li held his fist in his hand and bowed. ¡°This one below is unaware of any abnormalities her ladyship refers to.¡±


    The lady nodded in satisfaction. ¡°That¡¯s what I like to hear. Chun¡¯er, check that the bleeding has stopped.¡±


    Before she could do so, the window behind the driver¡¯s seat opened up. ¡°Madam, trouble behind us.¡±


    The lady¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You will listen to me very carefully. Your companion is going into the bench you are seated on. You will¡ª¡±


    ¡°I will speak to whomever will come as I must move around the city a little longer yet.¡±


    ¡°Then what is your name?¡± asked the lady.


    ¡°Li,¡± said Li. ¡°Captain Li.¡±


    ¡°Best be ready, Captain.¡±


    Li rose from his seat and hooked his arms under the Reo woman¡¯s. He then kicked up the bench seat, revealing the spacious compartment beneath it. Li placed the woman inside, readjusted the seat, and sat back down.


    Soon after the driver slowed to a halt. The sound of multiple pursuing horses could be heard slowing down as well. One mounted horseman approached the sedan. A few seconds later, the Investigative Bureau leader from earlier appeared in the window, looking inside. He clasped his fist and bowed deeply. ¡°Lady Feng, terribly sorry for this. I¡¯ve heard reports of the Reo woman coming this way. One person claimed she entered a sedan matching your description.¡±


    ¡°How dare you!¡± she shouted, waving her handkerchief so swiftly Li was expecting it to crack against the man¡¯s helmet. ¡°Captain Li is a soldier in my husband¡¯s army. I happened to meet the captain in town while running some errands, and he is riding with us back to our estate. You, sir investigator, are souring the mood.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Lady Feng but it is something I must check. Captain Li, where is your companion from earlier?¡±


    ¡°We were talking about details involving a secret case. We walked together to the Sky Ferry Bridge and parted ways. I do not know where she went. Perhaps you can check the Embroidered Uniform Guard station?¡±


    ¡°We just came from there, and the garrison commander does not know of such a woman in his unit.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps she came from a different unit.¡±


    The investigator frowned. ¡°I do not think so.¡±


    ¡°The details of the case appeared legitimate, investigator,¡± Li insisted. ¡°Though I can¡¯t tell you about them, of course. This is all I have for you.¡±


    The investigator looked from Lady Feng to Li, and then back to Lady Feng. ¡°Lady Feng, will you please send a runner to the station if you come across such a woman? We need to confirm her credentials once more.¡±


    Lady Feng tsked. ¡°You know I would.¡±


    The man bowed deeply again. Lady Feng closed the window flap, and soon they were off once more, reaching the end of the bridge and continuing into the eastern part of the city. When Lady Feng seemed satisfied they were far enough away, she relaxed her shoulders and leaned back into her seat.


    ¡°Captain Li, there are no Imperial Assassins this far south. And I am certain no Reo is part of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, based on my sources.¡± She glanced at the bench seat. ¡°Your companion has some explaining to do.¡±