Deep Within the City Gate

Three days before departure, Long Tian turned the dormitory upside down.

He kept the parchment map close to his body, tucked together with the jade pendant and the protective charm, and checked it every morning to make sure it hadn't been soaked with sweat. He swept the snow off the windowsill again and again. The footprints left by that gray figure had long since been buried completely beneath fresh snow, but whenever Long Tian passed the window, his eyes would flick instinctively toward the top of the wall. He replayed the fleeting glimpse of that dark gray cloak's hem over and over. His only clue was that the person wasn't particularly tall or broad, and had vaulted the wall so lightly and swiftly that they were like a fallen leaf swept over it by the wind.

He told no one about it. Mr. Wang didn't ask, Zhao Xiaopang hadn't noticed, and he had no intention of bringing it up. Before some things were cleared up, speaking of them would only stir up trouble.

On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the academy gates were already bustling before day had fully broken.

Mr. Wang wore a thick black padded robe, with the same short sword at his waist, and led a rented carriage drawn by two horses behind him. The carriage was lined with straw and thick felt, with room enough for five or six people. Zhao Xiaopang was the first to scramble aboard and claim a seat at the back, clutching a bulging bundle. He said it contained dry rations and cotton socks his mother had packed for him, worried he would freeze on the road.

Two students from Class A arrived first, a boy and a girl, both just over seven years old. The boy was named Han Xu. His Martial Soul was the Iron Arm Ape, and his Soul Power was level eight. The girl's name was Zhou Wan'er. Her Martial Soul was the White Feather Sparrow, and her Soul Power was level seven. Both were among the best in Class A. They were polite to Long Tian, but they studied the mixed-colored Soul Ring beneath his feet with a hint of curiosity in their eyes.

Chen Hao was the last to arrive. He wore a thick dark blue padded jacket and carried a compact leather pack on his back. Standing beside the carriage, he glanced at Long Tian and nodded. Things between the two could hardly be called warm, but the needle-against-wheat-stalk edge of their first meeting had eased considerably. Chen Hao climbed into the carriage and sat on the other side, closing his eyes and pretending to sleep. He said little the whole way.

Zhao Xiaopang leaned close to Long Tian's ear and muttered, "How come Chen Hao isn't acting so cocky this time?"

Long Tian replied quietly, "Someone who keeps his neck stiff every day gets tired too."

Once Mr. Wang had counted heads, he cracked his whip, and the carriage rumbled into motion. The wheels pressed through the snow, carving two deep ruts in the official road. Bluestone Town's outline grew smaller and smaller in the morning mist. The bare old locust tree at the town entrance finally dwindled to a gray line, left far behind.

The road to Spirit City took three days, with two nights spent at post towns along the way. The first day's journey was uneventful. Aside from Zhao Xiaopang pulling out his rations for a few bites every so often, none of the passengers said much. Mr. Wang drove up front, occasionally humming a few bars of an unfamiliar tune, its desolate, lingering notes drifting into the covered carriage on the wind. Long Tian leaned against the felt, meditating with his eyes closed. The black-and-white Soul Ring in his dantian revolved slowly, a little more solid than it had been in recent days. He could feel the faint fluctuation deep within the Soul Ring growing clearer and clearer, like a seed stirring in the soil, about to burst from its shell.

On the evening of the second day, the carriage crossed a low ridge. Long Tian opened his eyes and looked ahead, where a hazy gray outline had appeared on the horizon. It was much larger than the mountains behind Bluestone Town, spreading out in layer upon layer like a giant beast crouching in the dusk.

"That's Spirit City," Mr. Wang's voice came from outside the carriage curtain. "It looks close, but there's still more than half a day's travel. We'll arrive at noon tomorrow."

Zhao Xiaopang stuck his head out to look and cried, "Wow, it's huge! A hundred times bigger than our town!"

Chen Hao opened his eyes too and looked through the curtain at the distant gray shape. He said nothing, but a rare hint of longing surfaced in his eyes. Han Xu and Zhou Wan'er crowded to the edge of the carriage cover as well, chattering about how high the walls were and how densely packed the rooftops were. The atmosphere in the carriage, chilly for several days, finally grew a little livelier.

Long Tian took a look at the outline too, his heart beating a little faster than usual. He reached up and felt the stack of things against his chest-the jade pendant, the protective charm, and the parchment. They were all still there. The words South Third Alley circled in his mind like a millstone, grinding out faint, scattered echoes.

At noon on the third day, the carriage finally reached the official road leading into Spirit City.

The dirt road gave way to smooth bluestone paving, and the wild trees along its sides became neat rows of poplars. The number of pedestrians, horses, and carriages on the road suddenly increased: peddlers carrying shoulder poles, martial artists on horseback, and young Soul Masters in groups of three or five came and went in robes of every color. Long Tian peered out through the carriage curtain, his eyes scarcely able to take it all in-he had never seen so many people in his life.

The city walls ahead gradually came into focus. They were built of enormous blue-gray stones and stood more than ten zhang high. Flags had been planted at intervals along the top, each embroidered with a design of a crossed sword and star. The city gate stood open, and the same emblem was carved above the passage, its hard lines gleaming with a cold metallic light in the winter sun. Guards stood atop the gate in neat, standard-issue leather armor, swords at their waists and solemn bearing.

Mr. Wang stopped the carriage at the gate. A guard came forward, checked a document, and let them through. The moment the carriage entered the gateway, the light abruptly dimmed. The sound of the wheels rolling over stone slabs bounced back and forth beneath the arch, filling it with a low rumble. Long Tian looked up at the stone walls sliding slowly past on either side, and it was as though a drum in his heart had been tapped lightly once.

Once inside the city, the scene before them changed again.

The broad main street was a good four or five zhang wide. Houses and buildings stood close together on both sides, two- and three-story structures of wood and stone arranged at varying heights. Signs and banners jutted from the storefronts, fluttering in a riot of colors. Pedestrians thronged the street: wealthy merchants in magnificent brocade robes, travelers carrying packs, Soul Masters in cloaks, and children chasing and tussling in groups of three or five. At the street corners, vendors selling hot noodle soup, candied hawthorns, and Soul Tool parts called out one after another, while steaming aromas filled half the street.

Zhao Xiaopang was already dumbstruck, his mouth hanging open. Han Xu and Zhou Wan'er also clung to the carriage cover, staring without blinking. Chen Hao wasn't looking outside, but Long Tian noticed his ears twitching slightly. He was clearly listening to the sounds outside too.

After several turns, the carriage stopped in front of a three-story building made of gray brick. A plaque above the entrance read "Inn." The frontage was small, but clean and tidy. Mr. Wang jumped down and said to everyone, "Let's settle in first and rest for the night. The exchange gathering starts tomorrow at the Martial Arts Square in the east of the city. You're free this afternoon, but don't go too far. You must be back before dark."

Zhao Xiaopang was the first to jump down, clamoring to go explore the streets. Han Xu and Zhou Wan'er were eager to go as well. Long Tian got out, carried his bundle inside, and put it down. When he came back out, Zhao Xiaopang was already waiting at the entrance. Chen Hao was there too, unexpectedly, leaning against the wall with his arms folded.

"You're going too?" Long Tian asked Chen Hao.

Chen Hao glanced at him. "Just taking a look around. It's my first time here. I can't very well stay cooped up inside."

The four of them went out onto the street together. Zhao Xiaopang led the way, darting this way and that, drawn to a candied hawthorn stall one moment and squatting in front of a Soul Tool shop the next, staring blankly at little mechanisms that glowed. Han Xu and Zhou Wan'er followed him, chatting and laughing. Long Tian walked at the back, his gaze seemingly wandering over the streets and alleys on either side. He paid attention to the street signs-the alleys toward the east of the city were mostly marked "East First Alley" and "East Second Alley." He couldn't see those toward the south yet.

After half a shichen of wandering, Zhao Xiaopang lingered in front of a baked flatbread shop, unable to tear himself away. Han Xu and Zhou Wan'er went over to choose their flavors too. Chen Hao stood waiting a few steps away, and Long Tian took the chance to walk over to him. Lowering his voice, he asked, "Chen Hao, do you know how to get to the south of the city?"

Chen Hao looked at him, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes, but he asked nothing more. He only gestured with his chin toward the end of the street. "Follow this main street south. After two cross streets, you'll reach the southern district. What, are you going over there?"

"Yes, I have something to do."

Chen Hao fell silent for a moment, then pulled a small scrap of paper from his sleeve. He quickly drew a few strokes and handed it to Long Tian. "I took a rough look at a city defense map before we came in. There are lots of alleys in the south, and it's easy to get lost. Keep this in mind." Several lines crossed the paper, marking the main street and a few branching roads clearly. He had also marked the location of South Third Alley with the tip of his pen.

Long Tian was taken aback for a moment. He accepted the note. "Thanks."

"Don't read too much into it." Chen Hao turned his head away, the roots of his ears reddening slightly. "I'm worried that if you get lost, Mr. Wang will blame me for not keeping an eye on you."

Long Tian smiled and put the note away. Zhao Xiaopang came running back with four flatbreads and thrust one into each person's hand. The warm fragrance of sesame and baked dough wafted up at them. Long Tian took a bite. It was filled with brown sugar, sweet and so hot that he kept blowing out breaths.

The winter sun hung above the city gate tower, slanting westward. Its light spilled diagonally across the bluestone street, stretching the group's shadows long. A clatter of iron came from the street corner, ringing clearly even from half a street away. Long Tian looked toward the sound. At the entrance to a narrow alley hung a crooked old wooden sign, bearing several large characters whose black paint had nearly all peeled away:

"Old Chen's Blacksmith Shop-forging swords, sabers, and farm tools; repairing and fitting Soul Tool components."

Long Tian stopped in his tracks.

The alley entrance was no more than twenty paces away. The wooden sign swayed slightly in the winter wind, while the clanging of iron came continuously from deep within the alley. Listened to long enough, it had a surprisingly peaceful rhythm.

With a mouthful of flatbread, Zhao Xiaopang asked indistinctly, "Long Tian, what are you looking at?"

Long Tian looked away, took another bite of his flatbread, and chewed slowly. Warm sweetness spread across the tip of his tongue. "Nothing." He turned around, his face as calm as ever. "Come on, let's go back and rest. We still have matches tomorrow."

The four turned and headed back the way they had come. Long Tian's steps were steady, but the jade pendant against the skin of his chest seemed a little warmer than before.

Deep in the alley, the clanging of the forge stopped for a moment, then started again. The sound carried half a street to Long Tian's ears, strike after strike, like someone hammering on years of silence.