AnGangseh smirked. “I am counting on it.”

Outside, Xie's horse whinnied loudly, and the sedan chair came to an abrupt halt.

“What is going on?” the Emperor demanded.

“It appears to be a messenger approaching, sir,” Xie said. “He wears a soldier's uniform. Please remain inside until I determine whether or not he is a threat.”

The sound of pounding hooves drew near, and AnGangseh pulled her wide black hood over her head. She leaned out the window and saw a man racing toward them on a horse. The horse was heaving, its sides thick with sweat and its mouth foaming.

Xie positioned himself well away from the sedan chair and hailed the rider. The rider slowed and finally stopped before Xie. He dug through a large bag attached to his saddle and handed two items to Xie. One was a small scroll. The other was a square wooden box with sides roughly the length of Xie's forearm. Xie shook the box, and the rider grimaced.

“Is there a problem?” Xie asked.

“No, sir,” the rider replied.

“On your way, then,” Xie said.

The rider left, and Xie headed for the sedan chair atop his horse. He handed the box and the scroll to the Emperor through an open window and retreated, muttering something under his breath.

AnGangseh looked at the items and grinned. The small scroll was obviously for her. Its wax seal contained the imprint of a cobra. As for the box, it had been quite ornate at one time, but now the tight-fitting seams were stained with dark brown blotches, and the fine hinges were corroded. On the lid was a clump of hardened wax imprinted with the image of a mantis.

“Do you recognize these seals?” the Emperor asked.

AnGangseh nodded. “The ssscroll is for me. I believe the box is for you.”

“What's in it? It is surprisingly heavy.”

“Good news, I think,” AnGangseh said. “Aren't you going to open it?”

The Emperor looked at her hesitantly. “It smells awful.”

“I'll do it, then,” she said, taking the box. “Let me ask you a question first. How would you feel if you no longer had to deal with HaiZhe, the man you just referred to as ‘uncouth’ and a ‘pest’?”

“I don't know. I suppose that would depend on who were to replace him.”

“What about my ssson?”

The Emperor's eyebrows rose up. “Tonglong? I am sure he could easily find justification to unseat HaiZhe, but HaiZhe is far too cunning to ever let anyone get close enough to even talk with him, let alone demand that he step down.”

“What if Tonglong was to eliminate him?”

“Tonglong eliminate HaiZhe and become the Southern Warlord?”

“Perhaps.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I am sssaying that Tonglong is very ambitious,” AnGangseh said, “and he happens to be in the area. He is certainly up to sssomething. Anyone who wronged his father had better be wary. HaiZhe was on that list. Do you know about Tonglong's father?”

“I do,” the Emperor said. “My family may be on that list, too. I have cousins in the south.”

AnGangseh stroked the Emperor's arm. “Then you should keep your eyes open. I will do the sssame. If I notice anything sssuspicious, I promise I will notify you immediately. All I ask in return is that you remember me as the one who is looking out for you.”

“I suppose I should never underestimate anyone,” the Emperor said. “Least of all a former Fight Club Grand Champion like Tonglong. Just how far is he willing to go?”

AnGangseh tapped the side of the box and smiled. She pried the lid off with her sturdy fingernails and handed the box to the Emperor, her black eyes sparkling. “I believe this may answer your question.”

The Emperor took the box and looked inside. As he came to realize what he was staring at, its nauseous odor striking him square in the face, he choked violently and hurled the box out the window.

AnGangseh caught a glimpse of HaiZhe's pale head as it tumbled from the box, and a smile slithered up the side of her deadly beautiful face.

Never underestimate anyone, indeed.

CHAPTER 19

KA-BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Charles was shaken awake by the sound and concussion of cannons being fired from a ship's broadside. There could be no mistaking that unearthly sequence that rolled like thunder in the distance.

“All hands on deck!” roared Captain Rutger, and Charles heard feet pounding above and around him.

“What is happening?” Hok asked from across the dark cabin.

“We're under attack,” Charles said, jumping to his feet and strapping his pistols across his bare chest. “You three stay down here. This is a gunfight. There is no place for kung fu up there.”




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