Almost the moment I stood, not five feet to my right, I saw a hand reach over the edge—and slip on the smooth stone. As quickly as I could, I reached for it and caught the wrist, catching sight of Kunlun Jong's face as I began to pull him up. Fleetingly, I saw that Jue Zhu was doing the same for Bing Hei.
We sat there, on the smooth stone, for just a moment. "I got into such a fugue state that finally reaching the top startled me," said Jong, embarrassed.
"Same," said Bing Hei, "I guess I really am part of the team now, huh?"
I snorted. "At this point, I certainly wouldn't want you not on my side. I already have Shokoya to deal with. You'd be a powerful enemy too many."
"Yes, I'm counting on you to help against Lu Bao's other followers," said Jue Zhu, "and besides, you've done nothing to suggest you're not a good member of this team so far. I have no reason not to trust you."
"Hmm. So…where's the Celestial Pier?"
