“No, I don’t know anyone by that name.” The man said.

“You sure?” Zen said. “I heard she is somewhere here.”

The man shook his head no.

“Well, if you hear anything, come find me.” Zen said. “I’ll have some coin for you.”

The man left. Zen sighed.

“Hey, are you the guy asking around about my master?”

Zen heard the voice behind him.

“Who wants to know?” he said turning around.

The person standing behind him was a member of the Red Dragon Sect. He wore the regular uniform and his shiny, combed hair curved up into a quiff in front of his face.

When they saw each other instinct forced them into a fighting stance. They each recognised the other’s stance.

Zen was the first to realise who he was looking at. His eyes widened as he said the name. “Ao Li?”

“So you do know me.”

“Duh, we shared we shared a room together back at the academy.”

Ao Li tilted her head in confusion. “You’re Wang Zen!”

They both got out of their fighting stance and laughed, their heads thrown back as their laughter echoed in the alleyways.

They both together through the town. Their blue and red uniforms a stark contrast from each other.

“No wonder my body just told me to get ready for a fight when I saw you.” He said.

“Yeah, last time we met, we beat the crap out of each other.” Zen said.

“Heh, you’ve become modest Wang Zen.” Ao Li said. “I mean I’d say it was pretty close but you won.”

Zen shrugged. “Deng Ai did tell me you were with the Red Dragon Sect. Never thought I’d see you here.”

“Deng Ai told you huh? I haven’t spoken to him in a while, since he joined your cousin and his girlfriend.” Ao Li said, feigning swooning.

“Girlfriend? Oh, you mean Jao Fuu.”

“Yeah., he should really just tell her how he feels about her.”

“I’m just wondering why Fuu is so oblivious to it.” Zen said.

“He should just come out and say it!” Ao Li said. “He is always saying how Jao Fuu is too good for him and he’s a commoner but she is a noble, blah blah blah.”

“Well… he’s not wrong, you know.” Zen said.

“But that’s not what makes someone a good partner.” Ao Li said, louder than before. “Deng Ai is smart, honest and strong in his own ways.”

“But Fuu is strong in the right ways. She is brave and loyal to her family… most of her family anyways,” Zen said just as loud.

“Well, like I told Deng Ai, he is a catch and a good man. Any girl who rejects him is not worthy of him nor anything!”

“Jao Fuu is also a good person. If she doesn’t like anyone, than they are probably not right for her and should work on themselves!”

“I don’t care, don’t talk crap about my friend!” Ao Li said, stopping and glaring at Wang Zen.

“Well, don’t talk crap about my cousin!” Zen said, glaring right back.

“Wang Zen!”

Their attention was drawn from each other to Yi Nou running towards them.

“Wang Zen,” Yi Nou said when she reached them. “I thought all you guys were teammates.”

Zen frowned in confusion at the question. “We are.”

“Then what is wrong with those two?” she hefted a thumb over her shoulder, pointing at Lao Lu and Deng Dandan who were walking closer. “Things are so awkward between them, you’d swear one stole the other’s boyfriend or something.”

“Whose the girl?” Ao Li said.

“This is Yi Nou from the White Stork Delivery Sect. She’s the one I was telling you about, earlier.” Zen said.

“Wang Zen, you are back… and without Yun Ip Chun.” Lao said.

“Uh… yeah, we got split up but I may have found someone better. This is my former classmate and roommate at Goixi Academy, Ao Li.” Zen said, gesturing towards Ao Li.

“You attended Goixi Academy?” Dandan said.

“Geez, don’t sound so surprised.” Zen said.

“If it makes you feel any better,” Ao Li said, taking out a comb and running it through his hair, “he did drop out.”

“Oh! That makes more sense.” Dandan said. “The fact that you got in such a famous school is amazing in itself.”

“Thanks, Dandan!” Zen said angrily. “Anyways, I told Ao Li about our problem. He might be able to help.”

“Yes,” Ao Li said. “My master has a lot of pull here. If I relay the message, that should help thing moving along if this… Wei guy is unable to.”

“Thank you, Ao Li. That would be much appreciated.” Lao said.

“It might take some time though.” Ao Li said. “Regent LanFen is very busy, so you should try and find some place to hole up.”

Lao nodded. “We’ll find an inn we can all stay at.”

Ao Li shook his head no, “All of the inn are full to the brim with us Red Dragon Sect members. I doubt you’ll find any.” Ao Li smiled and leaned in closer to Lao. “But I don’t mind hosting you… uhm… Captain Lao isn’t it?”

“Nice try but no,” Zen said. “We’ll be able to find our own room and board.”

“Ah, that’s where I come in!”

Everyone looked at Chun.

“Unlike some people on the team, I was being useful.” He said. “I found the perfect place for us to stay at.”

Ao Li leaned closer to Zen. “Is it me, or is he drunk.”

“No, but he’ll get there soon enough.” Zen sighed.

They split up with Ao Li. He asked them to wait until tomorrow night for an answer. Until then, they followed Chun to the place he found that they could stay in.

Chun stopped and gestured towards the building. “Behold, our accommodations while we’re in this stink town!”

“This… This is a tavern.” Zen said.

“Correction, my friend.” Chun said, putting his arm around Zen and pulling him closer. “It is an all night, all day tavern. It never closes!”

“And where will we sleep?” Lao said. “Does it have an inn?”

“No, but we can just get a table. Drink until we pass out and wake up the next day and order more drink and food!:

“Doesn’t sound like we’d get much rest, Chun.” Zen said.

“Yeah, sounds like a good way to make yourself sick too.” Yi Nou said.

“Chun, you are one of the most useless men I’ve met.” Dandan said. “Which is saying something since all men are useless.”

Lao turned and began walking away, “Follow me. We’ll try and find a resident to take us in. Otherwise, we’ll have to camp on the streets.”

“But what about my plan…”

“Quiet, Chun!” Lao glared at him.

Chun fell silent and stiffened up.

“You have wasted enough of our time, so you will keep quiet and follow!” Lao said turning and continuing to walk. “Now, let’s go.”

Lao found an old man entering his house. Lao stopped him.

“Hello, Sir.” She said. “We are looking for a place to rest while we are in town. Would you mind hosting us?”

“I have no space,” he said, about to close the door.

“Please, Sir.” Lao said, blocking the door from closing with her foot. “We are willing to pay and we’ll try not to be any trouble.” She said, offering him a handful of silver coins.

The man took a moment, then agreed. Opening the door for them.

The old man showed him around the 5 room house.

“I see you have both men and women.” The old man said. “You can take my son… the empty room at the end of the hall and the one opposite it. Please, do not cause me any trouble.”

Lao clasped her hands and bowed. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

“No need to thank me. You are paying me after all.” He said before retreating to his room.

They closed the door to their room.

“Finally, I can summon Shibi.” Zen said, drawing out his scroll.

“What? No, Shibi is meant to stay on the outskirts.” Lao said.

“No way. I gave him the code that I would summon him as soon as possible.” He said. “This is as soon as possible. I invoke the Zen-Shibi contract…!”

“Wang Zen, wait!” Lao tried to say.

“I summon Shibi!” He completed.

There was a pillar of light and Shibi materialised. He roared in anger and the room was instantly filled with his heat and killing intent. He swiped at Zen, sending him flying into a wardrobe, that he obliterated upon his landing.

He roared again, causing a stream of fire that filled the room!