Do you like stories with mystery and suspense? Strange and “wyrd” ones? Well, if you do, keep reading and enjoy Eggcentricsagas. If you are just joining Eggcentricsagas, you might want to start from the beginning: A La Mano: Part 1-The Treasure
Despondent, Long sighed as he turned again on the hard mat outside the door of his boss. Discipline had made him one of the best but, instead of great reward, he felt punished. His fame as a fighter had spread throughout Shanghai. Constantly being challenged, he defeated his adversaries again and again. Instead of a pillow-laden, silk-covered bed, here is where he slept to protect the gang leader’s private suite entrance. A guard dog.
His thoughts turned to Master Li and their dispute in the distant past. Challenging his mentor about his independence, Master Li surprised him and agreed. Then, unfortunately, had left Long alone in Shanghai. The young man had come to this misery all so he could be near Mingzhu, the girl of his dreams. The last he had heard was that his laoshi had disappeared into the mountains of Tibet. Long wondered if the sorcerer lived in a cave or monastery and if he could find him. But was traveling over treacherous, snow-covered mountain passes and potentially slipping to his death better than what he now endured? The weak rays of morning light began to lighten the dark hallway. Soon, another day of hell would begin.
He turned his thoughts from the current situation and reminisced about watching his teacher paint one day. This was a short time after Long had lost his temper once again and erred badly during his training. The alchemist’s watercolor was of the plum tree, bamboo, and pine; the Three Friends of Winter. Master Li was never one to talk much during instruction, preferring Long to observe instead, but this time was different. As he expertly painted a green bamboo leaf blowing in the wind with an effortless stroke, he said, “Dragon, you must learn to harness and channel your gift of fire. Become like bamboo. Grow strong, tall and straight as you reach for the sky but learn to bend and yield to forces greater than yourself.”
He turned and searched Long’s eyes. “Do not let the winds that blow around you break you in half; remain hollow and let them pass undisturbed through your heart and mind. Maintain a tranquil heart and your mind will remain clear.”
The painter added another delicate stalk with leaves. “Bamboo is the gentleman with the perfect virtues of grace and strength. The deeper your roots of honor, the better you maintain your position of advantage.”
As his master dipped his brush in water to clean it, he pointed to the empty space on the rice paper. “Remain open. If your mind is closed, it cannot be receptive or tolerant. Do not become blind but remain aware of all that you do. The balance of Yin and Yang is learning to paint where you should. It is a great skill that not all master.”
Reloading his brush in the black ink, the laoshi portrayed a dark pine in the background that contrasted nicely with the pink and red blossoms of the plum branch already depicted. “The plum, bamboo and pine have a friendship of great value; they all represent virtue and the ability to persevere in adversity.”
Silent, his mentor continued to paint as Long watched intently, not knowing what to reply. Finally, he asked, “Are you my friend, Master Li?”
“Yes. I am plum and you are bamboo. One day, the pine shall make itself known to you.”
The stomping of feet on the nearby stairs broke his reverie. Long became alert and leapt up. He grimaced when he realized that it was Niu; his nemesis from the time of their fight in the garden of Mingzhu Song’s home. Seeing Long, Niu attempted swagger but only managed to shamble and plod which made Long inwardly grin. The Ox was appropriately named.
Niu stopped and stood in front of Long. With a snide tone, he commanded, “Dragon Boy, fetch your master. The general is here to see him.” A much older, portly man in a uniform with a disdainful look on his face stood slightly behind Niu.
Gritting his teeth to avoid uttering a retort, Long turned, opened the door, and entered. He closed the door in their faces before walking across the dimly lit antechamber. His knocking brought a query from inside to which Long responded, “General Qiang is here.”
Lei heard noise, giggling, pattering and then other doors opening and closing before his boss, Rong Song, stepped out. “Tell them I am getting dressed and have the staff serve them tea in the garden pagoda. I shall be out presently.”
Long did as he was told and then stood off to the side of the structure that he had helped to build so long ago. He watched the two boors slurp their tea and cram dumplings sloppily into their mouths. Then looked away as bits of food gathered about the general’s lips and mustache and grease adhered to his fat cheeks.
When his boss emerged from the house and walked by, Long bowed his head slightly and continued to stand as a sentry. Song ascended the steps and, the men greeted each other.
They sat and, Song poured himself a cup of tea. Finally, the general wiped his face and said, “I will get straight to the point. We need to talk about your niece Mingzhu and her future.”
Next: The Mysterious World of Dr. Wu: Part 8-Captive
