Poison City

 

 

“That is a very very long shot. Especially when ” Luoshan Zi frowned: “Did he tell you how he’s gonna achieve that? Did he tell you what he’ll do? What his contingency plan is? What other forces he’s collected in order to do that?”

 

“Not really, because even he did not know yet. Everything still needs planning, and - and I believe in him. ” Gloria shook her head: “I know - Luoshan, this is a very dangerous quest. I know we don’t have a lot of information on everything. But - I trust him. I went into the depth of the old ruins with him, he shared his answers with me. And I did with him. What he’s about to do does fit with what I understand from that venture. ”

 

“Yet it doesn’t change the fact that this is a huge gamble you’re planning on doing. While at the same time you’re basically betting on this man, who was still a city detective a few hours ago.”

 

“Yes. But he’s much more than a normal cop.” Gloria shook her head: “I can tell you this no matter how many times you ask - I believe him. And I believe that he is onto something.”

 

Luoshan Zi kept her eyes on Gloria for a while, before smiling, shaking her head and backing off: “I see - you really DO believe what you’ll be doing. Then I guess we’ll have to make do without you - we still have some other masters to cover for you. And - ” She sighed as she patted Gloria on her shoulder: “You go do what you’re planning to do. What they’re planning to do. Don’t feel bad. DO bring back good news.”

 

“Thank you.” Gloria let out a sigh of relief.

 

The entire room went silent for a short while. Luoshan Zi stood where she was and began considering something. No one spoke anything. 

 

“Now - what are WE gonna do?” Ouyang Turner was the first to break the silence.

 

“I want to go with Miss. Zi.” Sue raised her hand while looking at Gloria: “I - I am no good at fighting. And I’m not good with computers. But I do know a little about rituals and arrays. So - I am assuming that I could do more to help with saving those scholars, or understanding what these people’s ploy was.”

 

Gloria wanted to say something, to dissuade Sue from even joining Luoshan Zi, but she held it back. She could never let her go along with herself and Marcus, and she could not order her to stay back. Weighing the risk, this might be a better choice for everyone - knowing what Luoshan Zi was capable of, and what her friends were capable of.

 

“I’ll go with you, Gloria.” Tae Kuo stood up: “I am not the best fighter, but I know a thing or two. And - I might just know enough to help with - with this attack on a datacenter. ”

 

“Thank you, Sifu.” Gloria nodded at Tae Kuo, then turned to Sue: “Be safe, alright? Just listen to Luoshan, she knows what to do.”

 

“And I’ll keep her safe as much as I can.” Ouyang Turner raised his hand.

 

“Alrighty, then it’s settled. ” Luoshan Zi took a deep breath: “I will head out and meet some more old friends and I will try my best to recruit them to our cause. Wait here, I will come back and meet you before we depart.”

 

“Wait, Luoshan.” Gloria raised her hand: “How are you going to head to the subway station?”

 

“I’ll need to think about it.” Luoshan Zi scratched her jaw: “It is still new information for me - but I think some of my contacts would have their own means of transportations, enough to bring all of us.”

 

“Can we head into the Northern District together, if possible?” Gloria’s voice trembled slightly.

 

Luoshan Zi gasped lightly, then nodded with a smile: “Of course. I’ll try my best to arrange it - if we can go together and split halfway, you’ll join with the master at the temple. We’ll find our way to the entrance of the tunnel. ”

 

After a quick goodbye, Luoshan Zi turned around and left. Before she walked out of the door, she turned back: “Oh, I almost forgot - an old friend of mine will be bringing some weapons and supplies to us, I will ask him to bring some here. You know, just in case. He looks a bit rough and can be a little intimidating. So you would know it’s him - but be polite.”

 

“I’m  - I’m very sorry, Gloria.” Sue stood up and bowed to Gloria.

 

“Nonono - it’s okay! It’s okay!” Gloria rushed over and hugged her friend: “You must do what you believe is right. And I must do what I believe is right. At least - at least we’re not eggs in the same basket, huh?”

 

“Yeah, yeah.” Sue sniffled and wiped the corners of her eyes: “We must come back. You must come back in one piece.”

 

“I will. And the same to you.” Gloria hugged her friend once again.

 

A short moment passed. Gloria let go of her friend and asked: “Now, where’s the box Gyuu left me?”

 

“It’s inside, let me get it.” Sue nodded and ran into the main bedroom.

 

“What - what do you have?” Tae Kuo asked - he was curious, for Sue would not tell her what was inside.

 

“If I have to guess, purple talisman paper and a brush that’s - that’s hopefully helpful in making talismans.” Gloria sighed.

 

“What - are you saying - ”

 

“I don’t know. I just hope it is. ” Gloria shook her head: “I really hope it is. Master Liaoran of the Temple of Forgetfulness asked for it, and I think that this would be it. ”

 

Sue came back with the box Gyuu Park left for Gloria - she had been able to dive into it for some time now, unfortunately she just did not get a chance to look into anything in depth. Yet if there was one thing she remembered, it would be the strange writing brush.

 

The writing brush was simple looking. It had an old and tarnished shaft, hairs of uneven length and thickness. And as she handled it and looked up and down, it seemed there was some kind of thin rod hidden inside the hollow shaft.

 

“Is it?” Tae Kuo asked with bated breath.