Poison City

“My sincerest apologies. It won’t happen next time. ” Marcus bowed to the woman. This must be Luoshan Zi, Gloria’s mentor, and the “big sister” that raised her when she washed ashore into the South-Eastern District.

Luoshan Zi huffed, walked into the kitchen and took out a bottle of alcohol: “Now - spill. How long are you planning to stay here? The whole fucking city is looking for you. And the targets on your backs are really hot.”

“I - I don’t know.” Marcus lowered his head. Things could indeed get harder for them.

“Okay. Then you’d better figure it out.” Luoshan Zi took a big gulp of the alcohol in her hand: “Don’t get me wrong, I am not gonna kick you out, not just yet. But whatever business you and Gloria are doing together, if you get caught, it could burn her. So you’d better watch out, huh?”

“Thank you for your hospitality.” Elvin stepped in and tried to ease the tension: “We definitely won’t be staying for too long. We would be outta here whenever we find a safe place to hide - ”

“Actually - do you have a way to contact Gloria?” Marcus interrupted his father: “I think it would be kinda dangerous to contact her via phone or your landline here, so I was wondering - ”

“No, unfortunately, otherwise I would be somewhere else now.” Luoshan Zi sighed: “I’d suggest you call her on her mobile phone. But not from here.”

“Noted.” Marcus nodded: “I’ll, uh - I’ll call her in a minute. I - for now I need a break. I practically ran and rode a bike back here because I can’t just take a taxi. ”

“You could have hotwired a car.” Luoshan Zi shrugged.

“I don’t really know how to do that. ” Marcus sighed.

“It’s still a pretty valuable skill, even for a copper.” Luozhan Zi took another gulp: “And - if you don’t mind. I’d like to know your plan.”

Marcus walked to the coffee table and picked up his cup: “Well, I was thinking we regroup and - ”

“Wait - I’m not sure it’s safe - ” Kevin immediately interjected: “I’m not sure it’s safe to just share with - someone out - ”

“Share with someone outside of your group?” Luoshan Zi chuckled: “It’s okay, Mr. Kevin Loo. Gloria trusts me, and she obviously trusts Detective Marcus Cai of the 17th Precinct of PCPD enough to ask me to do you this favor. So I guess I am one in the know. And besides, I myself have some connections to some masters of mystic martial artists as well as powerful people in the community collective, you may actually get some additional assistance on what you’re planning to do.”

“Alright.” Marcus drank three cups of tea before proceeding to give a summarized answer: “I just met with an esteemed monk, he provided some critical wisdom to me about the situation with the city. And we have a plan to strike those who are responsible tomorrow. Tomorrow evening, to be precise.”

“By esteemed monk, you meant Master Liaoran, right?” Luoshan Zi chuckled: “You are being so secretive I was almost beginning to be upset with you. But yeah, if it’s involving the master of the Temple of Forgetfulness, I can definitely understand. And by those responsible, you mean some kind of energy building in the city, right? Which company are you going to go after? Younger brother?”

The call of “younger brother” sent chills down Marcus’ spine, he looked up at the mature woman - she did not look much older than Gloria. But upon more careful inspection, he could tell her Qi reserved and much more powerful than what he had expected. She was once a student of the master as well.

“What? You never expected a powerful monk and master of almost all trades like Master Liaoran would only have one student?”

“I never asked. And Master Liaoran never really mentioned anyone.” Marcus sighed, stood up and bowed gently to the mature woman: “It’s nice to have finally met you, elder sister. I only wish the circumstances would be better.”

“It’s okay. If the master had not told you about me or anyone else, that means he has his reasons. And he did not tell you to seek our help, which means he did not intend for past students to get involved.”

“Yes. I can only assume so.” Marcus nodded.

Luoshan Zi hesitated for a moment before relenting her pursuit of clear answers from Marcus:  “Then that’s enough for me. I, too, am saddened by the circumstances of our first encounter. Maybe later we can have another meeting.”

“I’d love that.” Marcus nodded.

“Now, maybe in just a bit you could try to contact her.” Luoshan Zi checked the clock on the fridge: “We have a tacit agreement, that when we go out for important deliveries, we should report back after a while as a codeword for people’s safety. And today - today’s special is ice cream latte. And here - ” She threw a burner phone at Marcus: “Try this before using your own phone. The battery’s almost out though.”