Chapter 6 – A Lover's Quarrel

In the hold of the junk Yi Cheng wished to learn the names of his saviors. Four of them were Blue Lanterns* and told him that he shouldn’t bother remembering their names until they became Soldiers of the gang. The fifth man, who was obviously in charge of them, introduced himself as Fan Yu, Red Pole of The Five Rivers Gang.

They chatted about a wide variety of topics, ranging from their favorite flowers to shamelessly exaggerated tales of battle and fantastical training methods. Cheng knew that most of what the men said was half true at best, but he still wholeheartedly asked for more details.  

During the lengthy discussions Yi Cheng learned a few things that eased his mind a little. The first was that The Five Rivers Gang was definitely a criminal organization, but the focus of the gang was on prostitution, gambling, smuggling, information brokering, theft, protection fees and black spice*. The Five Rivers Gang rarely committed acts of murder. Cheng had been worried that he would be forced to join a gang of robbers and murderers.

The second important thing he learned was that the news of his theft and escape from prison would most likely not be spread by the authorities of Green Tree City. Jia-long had ensured him that the fear of reprisal by higher placed officials would far outweigh the desire to share information of a few escaped convicts with the rest of the empire.

The third and most important thing he learned was that The Five Rivers Gang took great effort to train their members. Two martial adepts trained the new recruits in the basics of martial qi cultivation while other fighters taught the recruits the basics of combat. If a fighter succeeded in becoming a martial initiate his status would rise almost as drastically as his power would.

A regular fighter might be able to fight two men simultaneously; he might be able to break a brick with his bare hands. A martial initiate was capable of fighting five men at the same time and could split trees. The difference in strength between the two was obvious.

Yi Cheng was almost hoping that he could join the gang now.

The hatch of the hold opened, the sudden beam of light blinding everyone who had looked up in response. The captain of the ship put his head through the opening, “It’s safe to come topside now.”

Jia-long was the first to go through the hatch, followed shortly by Fan Yu. Cheng motioned to Zhuang Guo that he could go next. After the tall skinny man had gone up it was Yi Cheng’s turn. When Cheng climbed out of the hold he was blinded by the daylight. No accidents happened since two crewmembers of the junk helped everyone climbing out onto their feet.

Once Cheng’s eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight he walked towards the portside of the ship without realizing it, stopping only when he bumped into the railing. His attention focused entirely on the surroundings.

“I would stop there,” said the bosun, “Unless you are planning to swim the rest of the way.”

Yi Cheng broke out of his trance, realizing that he had come awfully close to taking a dip in the river.

“Where are we now?” Cheng asked as he continued to soak in his surroundings.

“In the middle of the river,” answered Jia-long wittily.   

“Does it have a name?” asked Cheng seriously, ignoring the clever comment made by Jia-long.

“No official one. Who would bother naming such a little stream?” answered Zhuang Guo.

“But it’s at least a li wide,” exclaimed Yi Cheng.

“We are currently on a tributary flow of Cloud Break River,” said the captain, “The main stem is twelve li wide at its thinnest part and nineteen at its widest. This little stream barely qualifies as a river.”

“……”

“Finally realizing how impressive our Five River Gang is?” boasted Jia-long.

“I do admit that I sorely underestimated the scope of it.”

“Our branch controls large parts along Cloud Break River,” said Jia-long proudly.

“The Five River Gang is still second-rate compared to The Great River Cartel,” said Zhuang Guo while smirking.

“I am already starting to regret letting you out of that cell,” responded Jia-long.

“What gang do you belong to Zhuang Guo?” asked Cheng.

“I am part of The Three Tigers,” answered Zhuang Guo.

“Why didn’t you speak about it before?”

“Since it is a gang smaller than your average family,” said Jia-long while gloating.

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“Well… I like it. So fuck you!” shouted Zhuang Guo angrily. His skin was very thin on this particular subject.

The bickering continued, but eventually the conversation turned pleasant again.

Through his many questions Yi Cheng slowly realized that the world he had stepped in was far grander than he had thought or could have imagined. Those two and a half years travelling between Thundercloud City and Green Tree City, spending time in all cities along the way, had shown him something of the world which could barely be called a glimpse.

The hours passed swiftly. The sun was already dipping behind the horizon, but some daylight still lingered in the air. The captain ordered the crew to lower the sails. After the sails had been lowered and the speed of the ship had decreased enough the anchor was dropped.

With exception of one crew member who had to keep watch everyone went below deck, eager to crawl into their hammocks. Yi Cheng remained topside as well. He had felt Izel’s presence all day, but assumed that she wasn’t willing to reveal herself in front of other people.

Cheng’s premonition turned out to be correct. Once the watch keeper moved away from Yi Cheng a bright green light appeared in front of the young actor. When the bright light dimmed Cheng noticed that the fairy was no longer naked. His poor quality linens truly paled in comparison to her regal ensemble.  

“I almost thought that you abandoned me,” said Cheng lightheartedly.

“I had all reason to,” responded the little fairy, “but a blood contract is permanent.”

“You seem to know what it entails a lot better than I do. Could you explain it to me?” asked Cheng hopefully.

“I could, but I won’t.”

“Why not?” asked Cheng in surprise.

“It’s better if you discover it for yourself once my powers return.”

“When will that be?”

“A month or so.”

“……”

“Could you tell me about yourself?”  

“What is it that you want to know?” responded Izel, a tiny smirk lingering on her lips.

“Why are you acting so aloof?” asked Yi Cheng boldly. He had hoped that Izel would be more forthcoming in their interactions. Fate had put them on each other’s path and their union had bound them in a pact of blood which could not be broken. Answering a few questions should not be difficult, right?

“Why? I’ll tell you why,” said Izel, her cheeks flushing and her eyes sparkling with righteousness, “I waited countless millennia in that tree, praying someone would appear. Preferably someone with strength and potential, but even someone weak would do. I waited and waited. Then the heavens finally send me someone. And it turns out to be a lecherous, incorrigible idiot. His good looks and glib tongue his only qualities.”

Yi Cheng listened to Izel’s tirade from start to finish, not interrupting the fairy at any point. After she had vented her cropped up feelings Cheng extended his hand, gently placing his index finger under Izel’s chin, “Most people live and die with their music still unplayed. Our song will dazzle the heavens itself. We start off on the wrong foot, but you have a lifetime to change my tune.”  

Izel registered the first part of Cheng’s speech, wondering what he meant. She wasn’t sure, but the words changed her opinion of him for the better if ever so slightly. When she registered the latter half of his speech in her brain, she stammered, “You f-fiend! See what I’ll do to you.”   

To emphasize her statement she threw a tome towards his face. Cheng didn’t protect his face since the book wasn’t even a cun (inch) in size. When it hit him he regretted it. The tome crashed into his face with the same force a regular sized book would have.

After the tome hit his cheek, it dropped on deck. As it made contact with the wooden planks of the junk, it instantly grew in size. Yi Cheng picked it up as his other hand reached for his now bruised cheek. While he soothingly rubbed his cheek he realized that he was holding the manual of the Quintessential Spear Arts.

Cheng wanted to thank Izel for safekeeping the valuable training manual but the fairy was nowhere to be found. She had left in search of solitude. The actor could still feel her presence so he wasn’t too worried about the situation.

As a yawn escaped from his lips he realized this was as good a time as any to find his hammock.

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* Blue Lantern – Uninitiated Member of a Triad.

* Black Spice – Name for Opium.