The Forbidden City soldiers were well armed, but so were Tonglong’s remaining elite horsemen, lined up behind him. ShaoShu would give either group an equal chance of success if things escalated into a battle, though there were thousands more soldiers within the Forbidden City who could be called into action to effectively crush Tonglong if someone were to give the order.
ShaoShu heard Tonglong argue that he had arranged to meet Wuya somewhere outside the Forbidden City. However, Wuya had not shown up. Now Tonglong was demanding to be allowed inside to find him. Tonglong was wearing the ceremonial white jade armor traditionally reserved for China’s rightful ruler, and holding a white jade sword of similar significance. He glowed like a beacon in the bright moonlight, and seemed to think that his outfit should make the Forbidden City forces bow at his feet.
It did not.
“Do you know who I am?” Tonglong demanded.
“We do, sir,” replied the Forbidden City’s front gate battalion leader. “However, Xie has issued orders to deny you and your horsemen entry. Only Wuya can override those orders, and he is not available right now.”
“Xie!” Tonglong said. “What is he doing here?”
“He lives here, sir.”
Tonglong frowned. “I know that. When did he arrive?”
“I am not at liberty to say, sir.”
“When was the last time you saw Wuya?”
“No one has seen him for more than an hour, sir. But I have left word and can assure you that the moment he makes himself available, he will come directly here. The Emperor could override Xie’s orders, too, of course, but he has retreated to his palace suite and is likely asleep.”
“The Emperor is with me, you fool!”
The battalion leader shook his head. “No, sir. The Emperor arrived hours ago. I saw him with my own eyes. He was rumored to be with you, but that was surely just a ploy to confuse potential enemies. There is no need to continue the facade, sir.”
“Foolish man!” Tonglong barked. “Find Wuya or let me in. Now!”
“Sir, I do not report to you. You have no authority over me as long as I am within the Forbidden City.”
“Then we will have to do something about that, won’t we?” Tonglong dropped the jade sword and rushed toward the battalion leader, crossing the Forbidden City’s threshold.
The battalion leader’s eyes widened in surprise and he took a step back, but Tonglong closed the gap with astonishing speed. He bent his arms and raised his elbows straight out in front of himself, forming fists with both hands. Then he extended his index fingers and pointed them straight down at the ground.
Tonglong’s forearms and hands now looked just like the forearms and claws of a praying mantis. His right hand shot out behind the battalion leader’s neck, and he used his hooklike fist to pull the man’s face toward him. At the same time, his left hooklike fist took hold of the man’s chin.
Tonglong leaped back through the Forbidden City’s gate, dragging the stumbling battalion leader with him. He shoved the man’s chin around with a vicious twisting motion, and the battalion leader’s neck snapped.
Tonglong hurled the lifeless body to the ground.
The entire battalion of Forbidden City soldiers raised their muskets, aiming them at Tonglong.
Tonglong picked up the jade sword and glared back along the ranks. “I will pull each of you out here, one at a time, unless someone brings Wuya to me this instant. I—”
“Front Gate Battalion, stand down!” a sharp voice interrupted from overhead.
ShaoShu looked up to see a man with black hair and a beaked nose striding confidently along the top of the wall, carrying a large oil lamp. It had to be Wuya. He looked just like a crow.
Wuya’s head disappeared and, several moments later, he walked through the main gate and glanced down at the dead battalion leader, then looked at Tonglong.
“I heard some of your argument as I approached,” Wuya said. “My apologies. The men were acting on orders from someone else. I was attending to urgent matters.” He lowered his voice, and ShaoShu strained to listen. “I believe that you will find my time well spent.”
“Do these matters involve Xie and the Emperor?” Tonglong whispered.
“They do.”
“Is the Emperor here?”
“You know very well where he is. I see that you have brought a sword for me. Thank you. Did you bring the crate?”
“This is my jade sword,” Tonglong said, his voice still barely more than a whisper. “You will receive yours when you deliver the seals. I have urgent documents to draft and circulate. The crate is here, but it is no concern of yours.”