“What's going on here?” Tonglong asked.
Commander Woo stood awkwardly, favoring his injured leg. He held the goblet in one hand and the forked stick in the other.
“You're up and walking around already, sir?” Commander Woo said. “Shouldn't you be recuperating from that blow you took to the head? I heard that the young monk called Fu used his Iron Head kung fu to—”
“I'm fine, Commander,” Tonglong said. “Thank you for your concern. Now answer my question, please.”
“I was about to prepare a special drink for Major Ying,” Commander Woo said. “But I was, aahhh, sidetracked. I still need to catch a snake, so I'd better get going.”
Tonglong looked in the goblet. “Snake blood and dragon bone?”
“Yes, sir,” Commander Woo replied.
“Foolish witchcraft mumbo jumbo,” Tonglong muttered.
“I beg your pardon, sir?”
“Never mind. Who were you talking to?”
“No one, sir,” Commander Woo said. “I was, aahhh, talking to myself. I feel foolish that you heard me.”
Tonglong looked Commander Woo in the eye. “Commander, have I ever lied to you?”
“No, sir. W-why do you ask?”
“Because I hold truth above all things,” Tonglong said. “And I would be greatly disappointed if I ever learned that one of my peers lied to me.”
“Your peers, sir?” Commander Woo said.
Tonglong smiled and put his hand on Commander Woo's shoulder. “Look, Commander. I know that I'm technically Major Ying's number one man and you're technically his number two. But the way I see it, we're equals. We have the same responsibilities and we do the same things. We're peers in my eyes. I would never lie to a peer for any reason. Peers need to stick together.”
Commander Woo looked at the ground and shuffled his feet. “You're absolutely right. Now I feel even more foolish. I have a confession to make—I was talking to a spirit.”
Tonglong's eyebrows raised. “You were? Well, that's interesting. It didn't happen to be the same spirit the men saw on the roof at Cangzhen, did it?”
Commander Woo snapped his head up. “Yes! How did you know?”
“I'm assuming it came after you because you talked to Major Ying about it. Spirits don't like that.”
“I know!” Commander Woo said. “It's a good thing you came along when you did. You scared it off. It was very unhappy.”
“I'm glad I could be of service,” Tonglong said. “Now, you'd better get going. Major is expecting his drink. He sent me to check up on you, you know.” Tonglong patted Commander Woo on the back. “But don't worry, my friend. Your secret is safe with me. I won't tell a soul what just happened.”
“Thank you, sir,” Commander Woo said. “Thank you very much.”
“Don't mention it,” Tonglong replied. “Good luck finding a snake.”
Commander Woo nodded and hobbled into the forest.
Tonglong watched him go, then tucked his long braid into his sash and squatted down. He lowered his face a hair's width above a small footprint in the dirt and inhaled. His nose recoiled, but the corners of his mouth turned up.
“Where's my drink?” Ying shouted.
“Coming!” Commander Woo replied. He limped through the darkness toward Ying, who was sitting next to Tonglong in front of a roaring campfire.
Commander Woo stopped in front of Ying and cleared his throat. “If you don't mind my saying, sir, you still have a little time. It's not yet been one hour since the sun set. I'm sure of it.”
“I believe you are correct,” Ying said. “But unlike some people around here, I'd rather not wait until the last moment for everything.”
“I am sorry, sir,” Commander Woo said as he handed the goblet to Ying. “It is my first time preparing the drink. It took me longer than I thought. It will not happen again. I promise.”
Ying smirked. “You weren't delayed by spirits, were you?”
Commander Woo stiffened. He glanced at Tonglong. Tonglong shook his head very slowly.
Ying laughed. “That was a joke, Commander. Relax! It seems reading the scrolls has put me in a fine mood. You have nothing to be concerned about. For once, you did your job. Not like our big failure Tonglong here.”
Tonglong lowered his head.
Ying raised the goblet and flicked his forked tongue across his lips. “Here's to me.” He drank the elixir in one gulp and ran his tongue around the inside of his mouth. “What kind of snake did you use?”
Commander Woo paused. “I'm not sure, sir. It was a brown ground dweller and had a triangular head like all vipers. I am certain it was a poisonous variety. Why do you ask?”