foot inside that house someone was going to kill me.’ Bai Shen fell into step beside him. ‘I might have risked it since you’re still an invalid, but I decided to spare you losing two fights in one month.’
‘At least get a real sword.’
The sword in Bai Shen’s hands was ornamented with glass jewels. The blade was meant to dramatically catch the light while on stage rather than do any real damage.
‘I intend to run long before it comes to any fighting.’ Bai Shen sheathed his prop sword into the scabbard at his belt.
Not that any of the others were equipped for a fight either. The stable boy had a knife in his belt that he used for cutting rope and Huibin’s size alone posed as a decent warning, but they were there for appearances only. In the words of Sun Tzu, excellence consisted of breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
The four of them continued on towards the North Hamlet and beyond to the seedy border of the gambling dens. There seemed to be a few more people wandering the streets that day. Fei Long recognised the pedlar hauling the basket to the corner as a member of Bai Shen’s troupe.
‘I asked a few of the fellows to come around,’ Bai Shen said. Then, after a pause, ‘What were you thinking going alone into that wolf’s den? Have you offended so many people that you think you have no friends left?’
‘This is my problem.’
Bai Shen snorted. ‘That head of yours, Chang Fei Long, it’s hard as rock. I don’t understand what goes through it.’
Fei Long once thought to abandon his old comrades when he had left his reckless, spendthrift days behind him, but he hadn’t considered the virtues of friendship and loyalty.
‘I owe you a debt,’ he admitted soberly.
‘Forget about debt and duty for a moment, fool. There are more important things in life.’ For once, Bai Shen cast aside his usual humour and bravado.
‘The sun rises in the west today. Li Bai Shen is lecturing me,’ Fei Long said.
‘Snow falls in the summer. Chang Fei Long is making a joke.’
They were nearly at Zōu’s mansion.
‘I thought for sure you would have woken up by now,’ Bai Shen said.
‘What are you saying?’
‘You know what I mean. You know who I mean. Look at the two of you circling like lovesick youngsters. It’s not hard to decide what to do, Fei Long. It’s not hard at all.’
Despite his irreverence, Bai Shen had shown himself to be a true friend. It was the only reason Fei Long allowed such a personal line of questioning.
‘You only see what’s on the surface,’ Fei Long warned.
‘I know what I see.’
The guards at the gate recognised him and before long they found themselves standing before the Bull in his sitting room.
Zōu tapped his thick fingers together and regarded the bruises still visible on Fei Long’s face. ‘Why, Lord Chang. Have you gotten into some sort of unfortunate accident?’
Anger was a sign of weakness. Fei Long kept his under control. ‘Unfortunate indeed.’
‘I knew something must have happened when I didn’t receive your payment. From what I’ve heard, Lord Chang’s son is nothing if not forthright and honest. A man among men.’
So the crime lord was choosing to draw out the predicament for his enjoyment. Fei Long knew then that he hadn’t merely been robbed so that Zōu could keep him under his thumb. Zōu had done it because Fei Long had dared to stand up to him.
‘You’ve got about all the money you’re going to drain from the Chang family,’ he said plainly.
‘Ahh…then how will you repay your debt, being such a straightforward and honest man?’ Zōu surmised.
‘You must have something in mind.’
The crime lord’s narrowed gaze sparked with greed. ‘I like your style, Chang Fei Long, though it could use some refinement. Coming here like this so stubbornly after being beaten nearly to death takes spirit.’
Complimentary and taunting at the same time. Fei Long refused to respond. Instead he waited for Zōu’s proposal impassively.
‘I need someone relentless like you,’ Zōu continued with glee. ‘Someone to collect on a few debts from borrowers who are not as straight and honest. I’ll give you a percentage of each payment you extract until your debt is gone.’
‘No.’
Zōu raised his eyebrows. ‘You really have no negotiation ability. No subtlety at all.’
‘If I’m to dishonour myself as your underling, I might as well lose face completely. I’d rather fall to my knees and beg assistance from those powerful friends of my