Getting to Chaos
The smell hit Jianyu first. It was a mix of salt, sweat, and smoke that hung in the air like a bad smell. He could see the huge port city in front of him. The skyline was a mess of leaning wooden buildings and tall stone towers. As the docks filled with merchant ships, their sails spread out, and smaller boats bobbed in the rough water, their workers shouting orders over the noise. The narrow streets were full of people: vendors negotiating prices, kids running between carts, and beggars begging for food scraps.
"Is this where we should go to get help?" Jianyu asked, but his voice was tinged with doubt.
Tian said quickly, "Help doesn't always come in robes or with titles." He looked around at the busy crowd with wary eyes. "Keep your distance."
Getting through the busy streets was hard for them. Jianyu held the handle of his sword under his coat. He couldn't handle the noise and chaos of the city. He could hear curses and laughter mixed with the clang of metal and the clotter of waggon wheels on cobblestones. A group of guys with rough faces traded coins over a hawk in a cage in the corner. A street artist twirled a flaming baton in another, and people cheered as sparks flew everywhere.
Jianyu kept looking at a group of skinny kids standing in a row next to a food stand. Their eyes were empty as they carefully watched the seller. A shout went up, and the shopkeeper waved a broom around to scatter them. Jianyu clenched his hands when he saw it.
"Desperation keeps this city alive," Tian said in a low voice. "Anything to stay afloat."
Jianyu made a face. "And the Emperor lets this happen?"
Tian said, "The Emperor lets whatever keep the ships moving and the taxes coming in." "Now move on."
The Lin Helper
They were going to a simple tea place on the edge of the city. The words on the sign above the door were so worn that they were hard to read. The air inside was thick with the smell of roasted leaves, and the wooden walls were lit by dim light that came in through dirty windows. People hunched over their drinks, including merchants, sailors, and people who looked rough, didn't pay much attention when Tian and Jianyu walked in.
Tian showed them to a table in the corner where an older man was drinking tea. His clothes were simple but clean, and he stood with a straight back. His eyes were sharp and serious, though. He had a long scar that went from his forehead to his jaw, and as they got closer, he looked at them quickly.
"Ren Shuo," Tian said with a slight tilt of his head.
It was hard to read Ren's face as he set down his cup. "Tian." I didn't think I would see you again.
Tian pulled out a chair and said, "I don't have the luxury of surprise these days." Thought for a moment, then sat down next to him.
Ren looked at Jianyu with his sharp eyes and studied him. He spoke softly and said, "The boy." "You've kept him alive for so long." "Good job."
"Not without trouble," Tian replied. "Please help us."
Ren put his arms down and leaned back. "And why would I put myself at risk?" I almost died the last time I helped the Lin family.
Jianyu got stiff. "Your father backed you up."
Ren said, "I was a merchant." "A man of business." Your dad saw value in the people I knew and the promises he made, and I did too. But vows didn't mean much when the fire came.
Jianyu clenched his hands, which showed how angry he was. Tian put his hand on his arm to calm him down. "We're not asking you to be loyal, Shuo." Just basic facts.
Ren sighed and ran his hand over his scar. "What do you want to know?"
In a low voice, Tian leaned forward. "The Black Lotus." We need to figure out who did it.
Ren stopped moving, and his face turned darker. "You don't ask about the Black Lotus without thinking." People who do tend to go away.
Jianyu said bluntly, "We've already had a few close calls." "Stop avoiding the question and tell us what you know."
Ren looked at him for a long time, his sharp eyes getting a little smaller. He finally gave a reluctant nod. "That's a man, Yao Mingzhe." He knows the Black Lotus but isn't with them. A middleman who helps people get things done without making a fuss. He is the only one who can point you in the right way.
"Where is he?" Tian asked.
Ren was unsure. "He does his job on the water." But be careful—he has soldiers all around him, and he doesn't like it when people question him.
Tian smiled and slid a small coin purse across the table. Ren looked at Jianyu the whole time and didn't touch it.
Ren said in a low voice, "You look a lot like your dad." "But this is not the world he lived in." Watch out, boy. There are no lost ends in The Black Lotus.
Getting Scarier
As they walked back into the busy streets, the air felt cooler. Ren's words made Jianyu's mind spin. Yao Mingzhe. The name made him feel heavy, like he was taking the first step into something much darker than he had first thought.
"Do you believe him?" Jianyu asked as they made their way through the crowd.
Tian said, "I believe he cares about his own skin." That means his information is probably correct. But that doesn't make it safe.
With a nod, Jianyu tightened his grip on the sword's handle that was hidden under his robe. He caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye as they turned a corner. It was a shape moving into an alleyway. His heart beat faster.
The man whispered, "Tian." "Someone is following us."
Tian said in a calm voice, "I know." "Keep going." "Don't look back."
As they walked through the winding streets, Tian kept a steady but careful pace. As they walked down a quieter street, the sounds of the city died away. Tian stopped all of a sudden and turned on his heel. Jianyu quickly turned around and saw a person run quickly behind a stack of boxes. Tian moved quickly. He pulled out his knife and cut the gap between them in an instant.
Tian pressed the blade against the man's neck. The man, who was thin and had a scruffy beard, raised his hands in defence. "Just a messenger!" the man said in a shaky voice. "Swear!"
"Who sent you?" Tian asked for it.
The man took a deep breath. "I have no idea what his name is!" Just a client who pays well! He told them to keep an eye on you and let them know where you go.
Tian's eyes got darker. "And?"
The man looked at Jianyu and then paused. "And to keep the boy alive."
Jianyu felt fear rising in his chest and his stomach turned. Tian put down the sword and pushed the man back. He told her, "Get out of here."
The man didn't wait for a second warning before running off into one of the many streets. Jianyu spoke in a stern voice to Tian. "What was that about?"
Tian had a sad look on his face. "That means someone is watching." Someone who does not yet want you to die.
With each step, Jianyu made his determination stronger as he tightened his grip on the sword's hilt. The person in charge had plans for him, and he was determined to find out what they were.