“Where did you find him?” Tonglong asked.
“In the farthest tunnel reserved for fight club participants,” the soldier replied.
Tonglong paused. “Isn't that the tunnel where the round eye was being held?”
“Yes, sir,” the fight club employee replied. “After he was apprehended at the bettors’ table, we placed the round eye in one of the cells there. We should have him out momentarily.”
“Nice work, men,” Tonglong said. He turned back to Golden Dragon, who was staring up out of the pit, into the distance.
Tonglong raised his eyes to the numerous three-and four-story buildings surrounding them. Most were apartment buildings with shops on the ground floor. There was also the city's main temple, immediately to the west. This was the direction in which Golden Dragon was looking.
Tonglong turned toward the temple and stared into the setting sun. At first, he saw nothing but glare, but then three figures stepped out of the temple, into the street. One person was quite small, one was of average size, and one was gigantic. Golden Dragon had sensed them somehow.
Tonglong gripped the hilt of his straight sword, then relaxed as the figures came nearer. The giant was Xie, or Scorpion, the Emperor's personal bodyguard, while the medium-sized figure was the Emperor himself.
Tonglong had to stifle a grin when he saw the small person. It was a beautiful middle-aged woman with long, luxurious hair. One of her arms was coiled around the Emperor's arm in an affectionate embrace. It was Tonglong's mother, AnGangseh.
Tonglong bowed low when the trio approached. “Greetings, Your Highness,” he said.
The Emperor sniffed. “What do you have to report?”
Tonglong straightened. “We've found LaoShu's remains,” he replied proudly.
“Are you certain it is him?” the Emperor asked.
“Positive.”
The Emperor scratched his nose. “I see.” He glanced into the pit at Golden Dragon, who was kneeling, his forehead poised just above the muck.
“You look familiar, boy,” the Emperor said. “Have we met?”
Golden Dragon shook his head. “No, Your Highness. I have not had the honor.”
“I am sure I've seen you before …,” the Emperor muttered. He turned and ran his fingers through An-Gangseh's thick black hair.
“His name is Golden Dragon,” AnGangseh purred.
“Of course!” the Emperor said. “I am pleased to see that you survived the fire, young man. I've seen your handiwork in the ring. Most impressive. If you keep this up, you'll be in my ranks before you know it.”
“That is my dream,” Golden Dragon said, still looking down. “Thank you for the kind words, Your Highness.”
“You are most welcome,” the Emperor replied. “Now, stand up. I don't like seeing one of my most promising young men kneeling in filth.”
Golden Dragon stood and raised his head. Tong-long noticed that the boy looked slightly nervous. Strangely, the nervousness did not appear to come from the Emperor's presence. Golden Dragon seemed to be looking right through the Emperor, in the direction of the temple.
Xie, the Scorpion, cleared his throat and looked at Tonglong. Tonglong met his critical gaze.
“If LaoShu is dead,” Xie said, “then our only remaining lead is the foreign boy. Do you have any news of him?”
“We expect an update momentarily,” Tonglong replied.
Xie nodded, folding his enormous arms. “Then we will wait here with you.”
Tonglong grated his teeth and turned away. Fortunately they didn't have to wait long. A moment later, Tonglong heard muffled shouts from the pit entrance tunnel. All eyes turned to the large doorway in the pit.
A breathless young guard appeared, waving his arms frantically. “He's gone! He's gone!”
“Who is gone?” Tonglong asked.
“The round eye,” the guard said. “His cell door is open and the soldiers who were guarding him are dead.”
“Dead?” Tonglong said. “Were you able to identify them?”
“Yes, sir,” the guard replied. “The fire never made it that far. Their bodies are in perfect condition.”
“How were they killed?” Tonglong asked. “The foreigner was known to carry two short qiangs beneath his robe—”
“Don't be ridiculous,” Xie interrupted. “LaoShu's men took his qiangs when they arrested him. He was unarmed.”
“That's right,” the guard said from the pit. “I disarmed the foreign boy myself before we locked him up. Besides, they were not shot.”
“How did they die, then?” Tonglong asked. “Smoke?”