Page 48 of The Wind Dancer
“Fu Shang has been in the game for a long time. He can sense ambushes better than a frightened animal. He can only be caught where he feels safe.”
Mei Lin nodded.
“What do you suggest?”
“We’re meeting tonight, on neutral ground. Have your men keep an eye on him. You must have at least four fangs with you.”
She leaned toward me and slowly caressed my cheek, then moved to my neck. Her lips brushed close to my ear, her breath hot as she whispered,
“You’re cute.”
She immediately pulled away and giggled.
“I have enough people to turn this city upside down. And if that’s not enough... my great-uncle is a local Wing Lord.”
CHAPTER 14
The setting sun bathed Cloud City in soft light, and a gentle breeze toyed with the hem of my robe. No matter how I felt about Fu Shang, this was a meeting between a master and an elder, and I had to follow tradition.
I walked slowly through the narrow streets of the Lower City, listening to merchants chatting as they prepared to close their shops. The street touts dutifully ignored me.
I felt uneasy despite how normal the evening felt. And it wasn’t even because I was meeting with a bastard who worked with a deranged cult. That was all settled, and I’d get his head tonight. The plan I made with Mei Lin was simple and straightforward.
Her people were already monitoring the tea house. As soon as Fu Shang and I parted ways, a chain of watchers would take over. Each observer was just one link in an endless rotation. They came and went like waves, giving him no way to tell who was following him. The Secret Chancellery had perfected this art.
I remembered Mei Lin’s satisfied smile when, after we finished planning, I asked if that was how she had found me. She didn’t deny it; her people were true professionals.
According to the plan, as soon as we found out where Fu Shang was staying tonight, we’d begin the operation to capture him. The arrows in my bracers were soaked in powerful tranquilizers. We didn’t want to miss our chance to catch this bastard. But if there was no other way, I wouldn’t falter, and I’d shoot to kill.
I snapped out of my thoughts, suddenly feeling like I was being watched.
It wasn’t obvious, just a hint of danger, like a light breeze carrying the smell of fire.
I stopped at a fruit stand and pretended to look at peaches. The saleswoman began to praise her wares with a smile, but I wasn’t listening. My fingers slid over the handle of a dagger hidden in the folds of my clothes. There was nothing particularly suspicious around, but I trusted my gut. Someone truly masterful in stealth must have been watching me.
The wind pushed at my back, as if also wanting to warn me of this. I felt a strange heat, as if there was a fire burning nearby, but I didn’t see any flames or smoke around. This couldn’t have been a coincidence, and after my dreams, I was far more open-minded about strange things like these. The feeling disappeared instantly. It seemed like someone specifically wanted me to feel that fire. But who? And more importantly, why?
I hated not knowing, but I hated dwelling on it even more. Since I couldn’t figure out who was following me, I needed toaccept it and act according to circumstances. At least it felt like I was being observed, and not threatened. I’d have to investigate it later.
The Silver Lotus Tea Room was considered neutral ground and had served as a meeting place for guild negotiations for years. No one dared to violate that.
Its owner was Old Yun’s youngest son, supposedly unconnected to the family’s criminal business. Or at least, that was the story.
As soon as I entered the establishment, covered in lotus-themed decorations, the feeling of being watched disappeared, and that made me even more nervous. Perhaps even more than meeting with the filth that sent me to my death. Taking a deep breath, I stepped deeper into the hall.
The warm glow of the lanterns enveloped me, easing my worry slightly. Here, everything felt quiet, calm, and safe. The low tables, sitting pillows, and the scent of freshly brewed tea and sweet cakes made the place feel cozy and inviting. Several merchants were sitting in a corner, animatedly discussing their business. Their voices blended with the soft melody a musician played on a zither.
Just moments later, a server came up to me and bowed respectfully.
“Young master, Mr. Fu Shang is expecting you,” she announced.
“Lead the way,” I replied and followed her.
The old snake had arrived first, claiming the position of host while casting me as the guest. This might’ve insulted mebefore, but given the scale of everything else I was dealing with, it meant nothing.
The server opened the door, and as soon as I entered the room, she left, closing the door behind her.
Fu Shang was sitting at a low table, holding a porcelain cup with utmost care. His black eyes, cold and bottomless, met mine, and I felt something otherworldly in them. Somehow, he reminded me of that poisonous porcupine demon that had appeared from the shadows.
