“I think so,” Hok said. “How do you plan to get his attention?”
“The old-fashioned way,” Bing replied. “With war.”
Hok blinked. “War?”
“More like strategic battles. Small battles where only the Emperor's soldiers will be involved.”
“Why don't the people just stand up for themselves?” Hok asked. “There are far more people than soldiers, right?”
“That will never happen. The average person doesn't know how to defend himself or herself.”
“You could teach them,” Hok said.
Bing shook her head. “That would be a waste of time. One of my former brothers tried it and failed miserably. I warned him it wouldn't work, and in the end it cost the life of someone close to him.”
“Really?” Hok asked.
Bing nodded. “My former brother opened a school right here in Kaifeng. He taught kung fu. Most of his students were reckless young men, and instead of using their training to protect themselves, they used it for unethical purposes. I witnessed it firsthand and confronted my brother, along with his number one student. The student took offense to my accusations and challenged me to a fight. It was an unfortunate situation.”
“What happened?” Hok asked.
“I killed him.”
“You what!”
“Hush!” Bing said. “Keep your voice down. I had no choice. He was a threat.”
“What was he doing that was so unethical?”
“Stealing,” Bing replied. “The students had formed a band of thieves and the number one student was their leader. They were quite dangerous.”
“They were bandits?” Hok asked.
“No, thieves,” Bing said. “Bandits take action against the powerful in order to help the weak. Thieves simply steal for themselves.”
“I see,” Hok said. “What ever happened to your brother?”
“He ran off after the incident. I've been looking for him ever since.”
“Do you think he is a thief, too?”
“I don't know,” Bing replied. “Perhaps he is, or maybe he is simply ashamed. Either way, I hope to find out someday. This was several years ago, and no one I know has seen him since. There have been rumors that he still lives in this region. People claim to see him occasionally, sitting in trees with a snow-white monkey. They refer to him as the Monkey King.” Bing paused. “There is something else I should probably tell you. He is your brother Malao's father.”
Hok's thin eyebrows raised.
“If you ever see your little brother again,” Bing said, “tell him I am sorry it worked out this way for his father.”
Hok nodded. She couldn't help but think about her own father, and wonder what kind of situation he might be in. She cleared her throat.
“Could you tell me about … Father?” Hok asked. “I'd like to know where he is now.”
“I don't know where he is,” Bing replied. “He doesn't stay in any one place very long.”
Hok wasn't satisfied. She didn't know why she was feeling so bold, but she decided to press further. She took a deep breath. “If you did know where Father was, would you … tell me?”
“Of course,” Bing replied. “Do you feel like I am withholding information from you?”
Hok shrugged.
Bing looked Hok in the eye. “I am sorry if you feel that way. It is not my nature to talk much. And for your own protection, it is best if you don't know too much about what your father and I do. However, I feel you deserve to know at least a few things about your father.”
Hok felt her cheeks flush. “I would really like to see him someday.”
“I am certain he will welcome you with open arms. He still owns the ship you grew up on, you know. Do you remember it?”
Hok grinned. “Yes, I remember. What is he using it for now? Or is that something you can't tell me?”
Bing glanced around and lowered her voice. “He still uses it to transport large quantities of goods. Before you were born, it was a merchant vessel moving goods between China and his homeland. Now he uses it exclusively for the Resistance. Most recently, his cargo has been qiangs.”
Hok frowned. She wasn't expecting to hear that, although it made sense if the Resistance was going to wage war at some point. She couldn't help but think about all the death and destruction caused by qiangs at Cangzhen and Shaolin.
“They are terrible weapons, I know,” Bing said. “But they are essential for the future of our cause. The Emperor has used them extensively this past year, and no one can argue with the results. Explosive powder was invented in China hundreds of years ago. We have been using it since in fireworks and other forms of entertainment, but men from your father's side of the world recently figured out a way to harness the powder's power for destructive purposes. They invented qiangs, and brought them here. Your father is well versed with these weapons.”