“The mountain is high, the wind is nigh; Gloom roams close, rain is in sight; Beware, beware, of the flickering light.” So read the small piece of paper tucked inside of the thin bamboo fortuick.

  “What does this mean?” Marcus asked.

  “It’s a three line poem, so it’s a simple answer. But the meaning behind it - ” Wuzui frowned as he looked at Master Liaoran’s face, hesitant to say anything else.

  “The meaning behind is simple: the odds are against us, but not uable. ” Master Liaoran took a deep breath before answering: “So this monk thinks - at least for the foreseeable future, we don’t have much of an option if we want to make a differenow, what do you think, detective?”

  “I think - ” Marcus hesitated: “I think - if this is the case then I’ll o act soon. WE will o act soon. But - but Master, I still have one more question I really need ao, if you enlighten me on it - ”

  “What is it, detective?”

  “Since you’ve been here for a long time, and you’ve seen - a lot. I was w if there is a way outta this - ” Marcus tried tanize his thoughts but he just could not muster up enough ce and sideration to put it eloquently yet didly: “And I mean - not for me, but for my father.”

  “This monk ot give you an answer on that either, apologies.” Master Liaoran shook his head: “For you, the answer would be no. Because, as you imagine, being involved with all of this entangles your life and your fate with the Qiyun of this very city. And even if you leave, there is no way to tell how simple but forceful physical separation would do to you.”

  “... and because my father’s Qiyun is entangled with mi is difficult to tell how it would affect him when he’s out of the city and thus separating our Qiyun and fate.” Marcus shook his head a out a heavy and frustrated sigh: “I uand now, master. Thank you.”

  “It is nothing short of virtuous and kind. But - if this monk could offer you any advi handling your retionship with your father, it is to let him be there for you.” Master Liaoran nodded: “Even if your iions are benign and out of and love, leaving him out there while you go risking your life would hurt him deeply.”

  “I see that.” Marcus took a deep breath: “I still won’t bring him when we go tomorrow evening though.”

  “No. That will be unwise. ” Master Liaoran chuckled: “Then it is settled. Why don’t you and your friends, allies meet here tomorrow before sundown? There’s a small and fotten path towards the Northern District from here. If y your transportation, this monk will ride with you. And if this monk mao get to the old tacts will see if they could donate some transportation.”

  “Okay, tomorrow, before sundown.” Marodded at the master: “And please, master, take care and be careful.”

  “One moment, Marcus. This monk knows it is unlikely, but if you have the opportunity, acquiring some of these things would provide great assistao our quest.” Master Liaoran handed Marcus a piece of folded paper - it was a short list of item names.

  As Marcus turned and headed down the road, Master Liaoran coughed lightly and stumbled forward a step. Wuzui immediately went forward to hold him.

  “Are you alright, Master?” Wuzui asked as he used his right hand under Master Liaoran’s left armpit thten the master’s back: “That was - that was more costly than I thought. What happened?”

  “Ohing about these three line fortuis, is that they are not only accurate, but also vary in their own cost.” Master Liaoran spit some blood onto the ground before soothing his owhs: “Just be gd this one did not really take anything irreparable - just some small parts of my inner ans. Bring me bad bring out the Wine of Id Fire, I’ll o meditate to heal myself before tomorrow.”

  “Of course, master.”

  Master had to run a bit of distan the dark before reag an area where he could see human structures other than roads like office buildings, warehouses and street lights. It was not safe to take a taxi. He did not know how to hotwire a car. So after searg for a short while, he had his eyes on a humble bicycle.

  “Alright, fug hell.” Marcus took a deep breath before ripping the metal s off the bike’s front and back tires.

  Around forty mier. Marcus came back to the apartment arranged by Gloria and her friend. It could have been shorter, but cheg tails and hiding the bike took some additional time.

  “Oh my god. I thought you’d never e back!” Elvied his son with a big hug, before pulling Marcus in: “e, let’s get in. And you o take a shower. Whatever did you do to have sweated like this? You’re kinda stinking now, you know?”

  “I just need a cup of water. Then I’ll tell you all about it.” Marcus’ throat was burning and his voice was raspy. The non-stop running and bike riding had built up quite a thirst, but strangely, not too much exhaustion.

  “Where’s Kevin? And Keryn and Mick?” Marcus asked as he threw his jacket in the er of the living room.

  “They - uh - they went out to check the surroundings. But they’ll be back soon!”