Tiger - Jeff Stone [35]
Tonglong's eyebrows raised. “You were supposed to lie?”
“Yes,” Ying replied.
“But Cangzhen means ‘hidden truth,' does it not?”
“Yes.”
Tonglong looked off to one side. “It seems odd that your temple is called truth, but you were asked to lie.”
“I know,” Ying said, watching Tonglong closely.
“What was the big secret?”
“Grandmaster never told us,” replied Ying, his eyes still glued to Tonglong. “But I have my suspicions. Why are you so curious?”
“I'm just making conversation,” Tonglong said, glancing over at Ying. “Also, I find it interesting. I am sorry if I have offended you.”
“I appreciate your curiosity,” Ying said. “But I have trouble trusting people.”
“If you do not trust people, you make them untrustworthy,” Tonglong said.
“I know that!” Ying snapped. “It's an old Buddhist proverb. But proverbs mean nothing to me. They are just words. Actions have far more meaning than words.”
Tonglong folded his hands. “But words can change a person's heart.”
“So can actions!” Ying raised a fist. “But I doubt you would understand my position.”
“I might,” Tonglong said calmly. “I have been through quite a bit myself.”
“Really?” Ying said, leaning forward. “My entire family is dead.”
“Mine, too,” Tonglong replied.
“Oh? What about friends? Did you ever have a best friend?”
“Yes, once,” Tonglong said.
“Did he die?” Ying spat. “Right in front of you?”
“Actually, yes,” Tonglong said.
“I don't believe it,” said Ying, looking away.
“Believe it or don't, that is your choice. I will tell you about it, if you would like to listen.”
“I don't care about your experiences!” Ying said. “And I no longer feel like talking!”
Tonglong responded respectfully, “Sir, I did not come over here expecting a conversation. I came over only to say hello. But since we're talking, I would greatly appreciate it if you would answer one or two more questions. For the men—I will pass the information along.”
Ying nodded once.
Tonglong tapped his chin. “I know that the large young monk called Fu escaped with his life, and now you've mentioned one called Hok. That is two. What are the names of the three?”
“Malao, Seh, and Long.”
“Monkey, Snake, Dragon?” Tonglong said. “Are all Cangzhen monks named after animals?”
“No,” Ying said. “Just those five are, plus myself. There was a seventh, but he is no more.”
Tonglong's head tilted to one side. “What was his name?”
Ying paused, closing his eyes. “His name was Luk.”
“Deer?” Tonglong asked, surprised.
“Yes!” Ying said, opening his eyes. “Do you have a problem with that?”
“I am sorry, sir,” Tonglong said in a sincere tone. “Please do not be offended by this, but I can't imagine a deer being a very dangerous fighter. They're so … timid.”
“You would not question the style if you'd ever seen Luk in action!” Ying sneered. “He was unbeatable with antler knives in his hands.”
“Again, I am sorry, sir.” Tonglong paused, staring into the fire. “Your voice is filled with sadness and anger. Why?”
“Luk was my best friend,” Ying replied.
“How did he die?” Tonglong asked, looking up. “Was it some kind of accident?”
“It was no accident!” Ying shouted, suddenly bursting with energy. His eyes glowered at Tonglong from the opposite side of the fire. “It was all Grandmaster's fault! Grandmaster took a group of us on a mission for the new Emperor. We killed hundreds. The Emperor wanted to reward us handsomely, but Grandmaster refused to accept anything for our efforts. The Emperor noticed my frustration and offered me a special reward if I would do him a favor. The favor required two people, so Luk came with me. Things went wrong, and Luk died.”
“Pardon me for asking, Major Ying, but how does that make the Grandmaster responsible?”
“If Grandmaster had accepted the reward and distributed it to each of us as the Emperor had offered, I would never have accepted the Emperor's request—because there would have been no request! Then my best friend would still be alive!”
Tonglong said nothing.
“Another way to look at it is