Poison City

“The mountain is high, the wind is nigh; Gloom roams close, rain is in sight; Beware, beware, of the flickering light.” So read the small piece of paper tucked inside of the thin bamboo fortune stick.

“What does this mean?” Marcus asked.

“It’s a three line poem, so it’s a simple answer. But the meaning behind it - ” Wuzui frowned as he looked at Master Liaoran’s face, hesitant to say anything else.

“The meaning behind is simple: the odds are against us, but not unbeatable. ” Master Liaoran took a deep breath before answering: “So this monk thinks - at least for the foreseeable future, we don’t have much of an option if we want to make a difference. Now, what do you think, detective?”

“I think - ” Marcus hesitated: “I think - if this is the case then I’ll need to act soon. WE will need to act soon. But - but Master, I still have one more question I really need answers to, if you can enlighten me on it - ”

“What is it, detective?”

“Since you’ve been here for a long time, and you’ve seen - a lot. I was wondering if there is a way outta this - ” Marcus tried to organize his thoughts but he just could not muster up enough courage and consideration to put it eloquently yet candidly: “And I mean - not for me, but for my father.”

“This monk cannot give you an answer on that either, apologies.” Master Liaoran shook his head: “For you, the answer would be no. Because, as you can imagine, being involved with all of this entangles your life and your fate with the Qiyun of this very city. And even if you leave, there is no way to tell how simple but forceful physical separation would do to you.”

“... and because my father’s Qiyun is entangled with mine, it is difficult to tell how it would affect him when he’s out of the city and thus separating our Qiyun and fate.” Marcus shook his head and let out a heavy and frustrated sigh: “I understand now, master. Thank you.”

“It is nothing short of virtuous and kind. But - if this monk could offer you any advice on handling your relationship with your father, it is to let him be there for you.” Master Liaoran nodded: “Even if your intentions are benign and out of concern and love, leaving him out there while you go risking your life would hurt him deeply.”

“I can see that.” Marcus took a deep breath: “I still won’t bring him when we go tomorrow evening though.”

“No. That will be unwise. ” Master Liaoran chuckled: “Then it is settled. Why don’t you and your friends, allies meet here tomorrow before sundown? There’s a small and forgotten path towards the Northern District from here. If you bring your transportation, this monk will ride with you. And if this monk manages to get to the old contacts will see if they could donate some transportation.”

“Okay, tomorrow, before sundown.” Marcus nodded at the master: “And please, master, take care and be careful.”

“One moment, Marcus. This monk knows it is unlikely, but if you have the opportunity, acquiring some of these things would provide great assistance to our quest.” Master Liaoran handed Marcus a piece of folded paper - it was a short list of item names.

As Marcus turned and headed down the road, Master Liaoran coughed lightly and stumbled forward a step. Wuzui immediately went forward to hold him.

“Are you alright, Master?” Wuzui asked as he used his right hand under Master Liaoran’s left armpit to straighten the master’s back: “That was - that was more costly than I thought. What happened?”

“One thing about these three line fortune stick poems, is that they are not only accurate, but also vary in their own cost.” Master Liaoran spit some blood onto the ground before soothing his own breaths: “Just be glad this one did not really take anything irreparable - just some small parts of my inner organs. Bring me back and bring out the Wine of Ice and Fire, I’ll need to meditate to heal myself before tomorrow.”

“Of course, master.”

Master had to run a bit of distance in the dark before reaching an area where he could see human structures other than roads like office buildings, warehouses and street lights. It was not safe to take a taxi. He did not know how to hotwire a car. So after searching for a short while, he had his eyes on a humble bicycle.

“Alright, fucking hell.” Marcus took a deep breath before ripping the metal chains off the bike’s front and back tires.

Around forty minutes later. Marcus came back to the apartment arranged by Gloria and her friend. It could have been shorter, but checking tails and hiding the bike took some additional time.

“Oh my god. I thought you’d never come back!” Elvin greeted his son with a big hug, before pulling Marcus in: “Come, let’s get in. And you need to take a shower. Whatever did you do to have sweated like this? You’re kinda stinking now, you know?”

“I just need a cup of water. Then I’ll tell you all about it.” Marcus’ throat was burning and his voice was raspy. The non-stop running and bike riding had built up quite a thirst, but strangely, not too much exhaustion.

“Where’s Kevin? And Keryn and Mick?” Marcus asked as he threw his jacket in the corner of the living room.

“They - uh - they went out to check the surroundings. But they’ll be back soon!”