Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 - 2017 | Page 252

The Legendary Blade of Old Shanghai
Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School , Ho , Bryan – 12

“ T his way ?” asked Tim , pointing at the flight of stairs inside the City God Temple which was located in the center of the Old City connected to the Yuyuan Garden . Tim was a trendy 11-years-old boy who loved to wear matching vest and shorts all the time . He was also quite tall with an athletic build . Having pointed at the staircase , Tim looked cautiously to his left , and then warily glanced to his right . To his right was a hallway , well decorated with paintings on the ceiling and elaborate carvings on the pillars . There seemed to be no one around .

“ Are you sure about this ?” Jack feeling all puzzled . Unlike Tim who was adventurous and daring , Jack was rather timid and shy . The boys had already sneaked pass the security guards and entered a fenced-off area that was not opened to tourists . Together they raced up the stairs , which eventually led them to a dark room .
Tall metal fences and a sign that said , Please do not enter blocked the only entrance to the room . Before the half open wooden doors were two bronze lion statues painted in bright red . “ Don ’ t worry . It ’ ll be alright ,” replied Tim as he knocked down the Please do not enter sign with his elbow . The sign fell on the floor with a clang . Tim whispered , “ Oops ,” then picked the lock on the fence with a paperclip and continued , “ Follow me .”
Tim motioned Jack forward . “ I really don ’ t think this is a good idea …” Jack began to feel worried but Tim snickered , “ Why ? Are you scared ?” Tim pushed the metal fences aside , then casually walked into the dark room . He turned around and looked at Jack who was still standing outside the room . “ Are you coming or not ?” asked Tim . Jack stared at the metal fences and took a quick glance at the sign . He sighed , and then reluctantly followed his friend into the dark room .
Jack took his flashlight out from his backpack and began to wander around . The dark room was very well decorated . The walls had paintings on them and were lined with gold on the edges . There were stone statues of warrior lining on either side of the room . Some were holding swords , while others had spears or knives . “ Check this out !” yelled Tim as he marveled at one of the statues ’ sword . “ This sword is real ! This is definitely way better than the boring rooms and architecture they showed us at the Shanghai Museum during our study tour !” Tim desperately tried to pull the sword free from the statue ’ s grasp with all his strength but suddenly lost his grip and fell to the floor . Jack ran towards Tim and helped him up .
Without any warning , the statue began to move . Its eyes glowed , filling the room with a ray of bright red light . Immediately , the eyes of the other statues glowed in brilliant blue , then followed the statue with red eyes and heavily thumped their weapons on the floor . “ The statues … they are alive ?” Tim and Jack watched in awe as the statues marched into three rows of fives .
The boys trembled and weren ’ t quite sure what had happened . Tim suspected that it had something to do with him pulling the sword from the statue . Did he activate an ancient trap ? Were the statues trying to guard something ? Tim thought for a while .