Page 43 of The Wind Dancer
By sending me to my death that night, Fu Shang had taken on more than he could handle. I understood that pain and death were part of our lives, that everyone did their best to survive. Especially in the Lower City. But sacrificing people to demons, devouring human flesh for a trace of corrupted, dragonblood-like power, was beyond my comprehension.
Fu Shang had to die. But before he did, I would make him tell me why he had sent me to that mansion.
“I’m prepared to be the bait. For both Fu Shang and the employer of the lotuses.”
She narrowed her eyes and leaned across the table, drawing closer to me. Her jasmine scent washed over me, and my heart began to beat faster. Judging by the gleam in her eyes, she was well aware of her effect on me.
“Do you understand that if something goes wrong, you’d die?” She asked with a soft smile.
“Of course. I only ask for one thing.” I grinned in response.
“Interesting. And that would be?” She asked, leaning back, and tossing her hair over her shoulder.
“When we capture Fu Shang, I want to have a one-on-one conversation with him.”
“There it is,” she smiled. It looked like a smile a cat would give to a cornered mouse. “Thisispersonal, and there’s something you’re not telling me.”
“Fu Shang was the one who gave me the job, and that’s why I’m here. I want to know more.” I nodded at the notes in front of her. “And I’m not excluding the possibility that this bastard is responsible for the death of my mentor.”
Mei Lin nodded, accepting my explanation, but didn’t say anything yet. She considered everything, weighing the risks. I could see her going over the possible scenarios in her mind.
“Alright. I’ll need time to prepare an operation plan. In the meantime.” Her hand slipped into the sleeve of her robe. For a moment, I thought she was going to throw a dagger or a needle at me... I was getting a bit too paranoid. She took out a small badge carved from jade. It looked practically ancient.
A triangle was carved on its surface, surrounded by the symbols of the five Heavenly dragons. A chill ran down my spine. It was the same symbol carved on the amulet. She held it out to me, and there was something more than just a demand in her movements. It was a gesture of recognition.
“From now on, you work for the Chancellery.” Her voice was perfectly calm, but she watched my every reaction, how I took the badge, how I ran my fingers over its cold surface. “Put a drop of your blood on it.”
“Why?” After my strange dream, I really didn’t want to get my blood on mysterious old trinkets.
“A good question. Because I said so. Or because we’re partners, Feng Lao. That’s what you call it in the Shadows, right?”
I nodded.
“Then I’ll put it another way,partner.” She emphasized the last word and smiled again. “This would activate the bond, and the Chancellery would know you’re mine. Anyone who tries to get to you now will have to answer to me.”
It took me a moment to realize how much weight this statement carried. A Claw Lord had granted me her protection. It also meant that I was much more connected to her now than if I had just signed a contract.
“And if I change my mind?” I asked, looking intently into her eyes.
Mei Lin tilted her head, her long black hair gently sliding over her shoulder.
“Then you’ll find out why even the dragonblood fear the Secret Chancellery.” After hearing that, I didn’t want to see how far I could push this.
With a quick prick from my dagger, a drop of blood fell on the pale green jade, and immediately got absorbed.
“There’s one more thing I need to tell you. The lotuses were supposed to take me to the third level of the basement of the old pavilion at the Seven Bridges for the meeting.”
“So we have three days to set a trap. You’re really starting to justify dragging this out earlier.”
“Then let me pay my part of the deal further. The dragonblood who ordered the massacre is called Lian Rui.”
For a moment, I finally saw her lose her composure. Her face twisted with rage before she pulled herself back together.
“If we manage to capture or eliminate him with your help, I will personally write a recommendation for you to receive the status of a free agent.”
I whistled. Sure, this wasn’t freedom, but it was the closest thing that the Secret Chancellery could provide.
Soon after I was on my way to my hideout. And despite how things went, I was still tense. Actually, I felt even more tense. The shadows of the streets slid behind me, and the wind swept across the roofs, carrying whispers through the darkness. The Lower City at night was the same as always. Drunks laughed hoarsely somewhere in the distance, someone was in a rush to get home and avoid trouble. I walked steadily, but I remained alert.
