Poison City

“So - how soon’s the delivery?” In a separate abandoned apartment, an old man with a limp left leg and holding a crooked metal staff fashioned like a stick of tree roots asked Luoshan Zi. This was Ming, an old kung fu master friend of Luoshan Zi, a furious fighter with the staff, and was injured in his previous fights.

“Three hours, at most four hours.” Luoshan Zi looked out the window as she pondered her plans: “I’ve already told them to drop things off here, and the codewords will be in that piece of paper I gave you. They’ll confirm multiple times in a particular sequence before they’d entrust you with anything. But remember, only one person should accept it, using only one hand, and don’t do anything rash.”

“Of course. I’ve ordered takeout deliveries before.” Another master, with only his right eye, nodded and coughed as he polished his giant metal dao with hundreds of scratches and cuts: “You’re sure the new chef’s trustworthy?” This was Keying, another master from Luoshan Zi’s old days.

“As trustworthy as you can get from an intelligence dealer.” Luoshan Zi shrugged.

“Okay, fine.” The other two masters in the room exchanged looks: “If you’re good, then we’re good.”

“Thank you for trusting me. ” Luoshan Zi sighed as she found a corner to sit down.

“Do you expect a lot of enemies in that tunnel?” Ruo, the only female master present aside from Luoshan Zi asked: “I mean - if they’ve stuffed the sages and scholars there, they surely would have a lot of defense power around it, right?”

“But it’s also a site of ritual, with very intense energy. And if Gloria and her friends are correct about it, then a normal person would not be able to last long being so close to it. They would probably have some defense forces on the outer perimeters, though.”

“And if there are, they would be elite fighters.” Liao, the youngest master present, pupil of Master Keying and Ruo here: “I think - that’s what I’d do. And it’s what most people would do - I believe so.”

“All the more reason to go.” Keying chuckled: “It’s been so long since I’ve had an actual fight where lives are at stake, I’m feeling the rust in my bones.”

“It’s your age, old fart. You should really understand that, and take that understanding to heart.” Master Ruo scoffed: “None of us are young any more. The youngest one of our generation is Little Luoshan, and she’s - ”

“Careful there, Ruo.” Luoshan Zi chuckled.

“She’s still dashing, brave and capable as we remember.” Master Ming almost laughed out loud: “But hey - sooner or later, we’d have to have people taking after us. Well - maybe more of taking ‘over’ us.”

“If you’d taken our advice sooner, you wouldn’t be in this situation, right now your furious staff techniques are just one you away from extinction.” Master Ruo shrugged.

“Ahhhh - enough with the motherly talk - what are you, everyone’s mother and Mistress now? Geez!”

“Alright, alright! Furious masters, settle down!” Luoshan Zi raised her voice: “Any louder this building will be swarming with city agents and community collective enforcers!”

“Relax, Little Luoshan.” Master Keying shook his head: “We’re just - we’ve been shut-ins for so long, and we just need a little spice in our lives, some excitement.”

“Well, brace yourselves for a hard fight of your lives.” Luoshan Zi chuckled: “And rest up while you can. Maybe take shifts, yeah? I’ll need to head out in a minute and see if I can hear from anyone else.”

“Thank you for doing this.” Master Ruo bowed to Luoshan Zi: “But - don’t get your hopes up, and be safe. Be cautious. You want any of us to come with?”

“Thanks. But nah I’m good.” Luoshan Zi shook her head as she went to the door: “I’m quite familiar with the surrounding area, so I’d be safer on my own. And - don’t forget to take the takeout, huh? Should anyone come to us, escape and contact me via the usual means.”

“Of course. ” Master Ming nodded: “Be safe. And bring us some food or wine if you get the chance.”

“Alright, alright. ” Luoshan Zi closed the door shaking her head. The masters of her old times were indeed a handful, but they were also the few people in this cursed city she could trust, and it was a pleasure she never expected meeting them again.

With her Qi activated, she leapt through the exterior of the buildings that were close to each other. She had already gathered more hands than she expected she could, but this “dropbox” of hers and her old contacts could still mean more aid by her side. Since they would be striking an area nobody really knew what it was like, when they set out on their quest, they would need as much help as possible.

The “dropbox” was a small empty metal box at the foot of an old light pole. It was once used to store spare wires and parts for the light pole. But after a while, it became a means for them to exchange secret notes. 

Her note was untouched, and there were no reply notes in the box. Luoshan Zi could only sigh at this. If only Gloria would come with her, her odds of success would be much greater.

After waiting for a brief moment, she had to go back. It seemed that only her and the four masters would have to do.

Shout outs to my patrons:

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Jonathan

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