“Look at me, child,” the woman interrupted. She stepped closer to ShaoShu and pushed back her hood to reveal a beautiful face and long, luxurious hair. Her black eyes shone bright, and she stared deeply into ShaoShu's eyes.
ShaoShu suddenly felt light-headed, and the room began to spin. He tried to look away, but for some reason he could not unlock his eyes from hers.
“Do you know who I am?” the woman asked.
ShaoShu shook his head.
“I am AnGangseh. General Tonglong, the new Sssouthern Warlord, is my ssson. I believe you know him.”
ShaoShu nodded.
“What are you doing here?”
ShaoShu felt himself beginning to answer, even though he didn't want to. Words started to form in his mouth, and Golden Dragon slapped him on the back, bringing him back to his senses. He looked away, shaking his head to clear it.
“I asked what you are doing here,” AnGangseh repeated.
“Your question was already answered, gracious lady,” Golden Dragon said. “He is helping me. If you'll pardon us, we have work to do before tonight's event.”
“You will answer my questions until I am sssatis-fied!” AnGangseh hissed, turning to the huge man in the doorway. “Isn't that right?”
The big man nodded.
ShaoShu cleared his throat. “My name is ShaoShu, miss. I work for your son. I came here to pick up some posters for tonight's event, and I met Golden Dragon. He asked me to help him.”
AnGangseh flicked a piece of white hair from the hem of her black robe. “Golden Dragon's opponent tonight is a young man called Lei, who is now my ssson's commander in this region. I find it odd that you work for Tonglong, but you are going to help Golden Dragon.”
“If Lei had asked me to help him, I would have. But he didn't. Golden Dragon did. I had to say yes. This is the most exciting thing to ever happen to me!”
“Leave the kid alone,” said the huge man in the door way. “He's answered your questions. We have more important things to do.”
AnGangseh turned toward the man. “You will provide your opinion only when it's asked for, Xie. I have reason to be sssuspicious of Golden Dragon and anyone connected with him.” She looked back at Golden Dragon. “Tell me about Cangzhen Temple.”
“I don't know what you're talking about,” Golden Dragon replied.
“I think you do,” AnGangseh said. “I believe your real name is Long and that you are a fugitive. All Cangzhen monks have been deemed enemies of the ssstate. What do you have to sssay to that?”
“Nothing,” Golden Dragon said.
“Of course not,” AnGangseh snapped. “Let me leave you with this bit of information, then. My ssson has your precious dragon ssscrolls. He no longer has use for them, ssso I am going to burn them. Better yet, maybe I'll ssslice them into little sheets for Tonglong's sssoldiers to use in the latrine.”
Golden Dragon's jaw tightened noticeably, and AnGangseh laughed.
“I knew it!” she said. “You are Long! Wait until I tell Tonglong.”
Xie took a step into the pit arena, glaring at Golden Dragon, daring him with his eyes to make a move.
“Never mind, Xie,” AnGangseh said. “After tonight, it won't matter. Lei is going to kill him. Make sure he doesn't leave the fight club.”
“I am not going anywhere,” Golden Dragon said. “And I resent your accusations. We can discuss this further after tonight's bout. Right now, I need to complete my preparations. ShaoShu, come with me.”
Golden Dragon walked past AnGangseh and Xie with his head held high, and ShaoShu followed him into the tunnels. After several twists and turns through the torch-lit corridors, they reached a room containing stacks of event posters.
“This is what you've come for,” Golden Dragon said. “Now is not a good time to talk. Take your posters back to Tonglong and return here in two hours. Tell the guards you are my ring boy. They will be expecting you. Meet me near the pit arena again, and I'll take you someplace private so that you can tell me about Hok and the others. After that, I will tell you what you need to do to help me tonight.”
“I'll do my best to return tonight,” ShaoShu said, “but Tonglong might not let me do it. I am sorry things turned out this way for you.”
“No need to be sorry. People were bound to find out eventually. I'll just have to think carefully about how I am going to handle things after I win.”
“You really think you're going to beat Lei?”
“I don't have a choice, do I?”
“I guess not. Is there anything I can do?”
Golden Dragon shook his head. “I've gotten this far alone. I'll finish it alone. Maybe afterward I'll join up with Hok and the others. I had other plans, but they're of no use now.” He looked around and pointed farther down the tunnel. “To exit, walk in that direction until you come to a fork. Keep to the right, and you will soon find a door that leads outside. Hope fully, I will see you in two hours.” He gave ShaoShu a slight bow and walked off.