Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4567 | Page 310

“What?” She asked, clueless.
“I w-w-work al-lone.” Zhengli said, obviously unpleased with the arrangement.
“Let me see.” Mushang took the parchment from Zhengli’s hands. She took a moment to read it. “But….why?”
Zhengli got up and walked around for a bit to calm down. It was effective at a microscopic level.
He half grunted, half sighed. “Ord-der-ders are o-orders. P-P-Please tell me-me you c-c-can at l-l-least
defe-fend yours-s-self.”
“Well, I have these…” She produced two butterfly blades from her sleeves by pushing her arms outwards and
catching the hilts. The short blades were as long as her forearm.
Zhengli sighed. He nodded. “It’ll d-do. I'll m-m-meet you l-later.”
ACT 3: EFFECTIVE ACTIVITY
FORMER OFFICER WILLIAM MADDOX DEPOSED & TO BE DEPORTED TO BRITAIN AFTER
CONVICTED OF ILLEGAL OPIUM HANDLING AND COLLABORATION WITH FRANCE
The sound of the bells and drums coming from the City God Temple were not far away. In the distance, one
could hear the clamoring men and the constant bicker of their tools building the New Northern Gate.
Zhengli was waiting in the Wanhua Chamber in the Yu Garden. He leaned on the railing, facing a blossoming
tree. He heard footsteps approach from behind.
Light footsteps. Female.
He turned around, and saw his assigned companion. Mushang walked over to him, tying her hair into a bun and
sticking through it a metallic hair pin with an onyx set into the top.
Zhengli gave Mushang a questioning look.
Mushang nodded, adjusting the butterfly blades in her sleeves.
Leaving the newspaper, they left the Yu Garden, went through a series of turns and entered into Song Xia
Street, where the official was located.
As they scanned their surroundings for any possible entries and exits, they also took account of the people around
them.
A clique of women loitering at a street corner.
A small cohort of soldiers passed by, muskets strapped to their backs.
A couple of store owners closing their stalls for the night.
The building in question was three stories high, a few of the windows were open, especially on the second floor.
Some shone light through the decorative wooden bars. Two guards stood in front of the door. The tiled roof
shone dully in the moonlight.
‘Should we approach directly or take out the guards?’ Zhengli thought as he assessed the situation. ‘Risks, risks,
risks.”
“I'm getting bored. I'm going.” Mushang said, starting to walk.
“H-hey! W-w-wait!” Zhengli sputtered, his train of thought breaking as he stumbled after Mushang.
Before Mushang was a stone’s throw away from the door, the guards unsheathed their swords to block her.
“H-hey! W-w-what are y-you doing?!” Zhengli said, catching up to her. He looked at the guards. “Please,
ex-excuse my...d-daughter, she i-i-is c-confused.”
“Please, no need for apologies.” Said another voice. The guards immediately sheathed their swords at the voice
and bowed towards him. A thin man stepped outside.
“Please, come in. My name is Luoyang.” He gently said, adjusting the zhuangzhi jin that adorned his head. “The
official has been expecting you.”
Mushang went in without any hesitation. Zhengli followed suit, doubtful. ‘Is he our contact? What a
weak-looking man.’