The two Kings stood in front of a roller door in a short, dark alley, watching the two Kam Shan Black Jacket gangsters guarding it.

  The craggy asphalt ground and weathered brick walls were damp and moulding. Yutai’s lip curled as he noticed water leaking from an overhead pipe near the wall, a trail of moss wherever it dripped. Why does Old Kowloon always smell like there’s a garbage heap around every corner?

  Beside him, Shing pressed his fingers to his nose. His gaze lifted to the gaping void between the two flanking groundscrapers of the alley they stood in, where a web of tangled wires, makeshift clothing lines, discarded lanterns, and a myriad of litter wove a mesh of haphazard obstacles.

  Yutai stepped forward and approached the two Kam Shan Black Jacket guards. Clad in intimidating black jackets, dark and wide-legged cargo pants, and white joggers, they certainly had class.

  But no one can outclass a King, he thought.

  ‘We’re here on behalf of General Denzhen, seeking an audience with Lady Feng Tong,’ Yutai announced.

  The guard on the right cleared his throat, his voice a gravelly whisper in the dim light. ‘The Aunt, yes, she’s been expecting someone from District Yu for a while now. Please follow me.’

  He turned and tapped on an intercom on the wall. Leaning in, he murmured a coded message, and the metallic gate cracked and groaned as it rolled up, stopping at the top with a thump.

  Gesturing, he led the pair into the darkness toward an ominous red glow. They reached a narrow stairwell curving up to the right, with a solitary black rail bolted to the left wall. The soft, rhythmic beat of West-Kow House music pulsed from above. At the top was the source of the crimson glow, a red neon sign spelling “Gehinnom” above an open door, the name of this establishment.

  Walking through the door revealed an club-like scene with a dance floor, DJ booth, and bar; the scene had energy, but it was devoid of life, except for three Black Jacket gangsters talking at the bar. Flashing lights coloured the space, suggesting a lively night ahead. Near the dance floor, four stripper poles stood on a raised stage.

  The guard guided them across the floor, up the DJ booth on stage and past large speakers playing music. Yutai felt the air pumping out of the speakers and quickly followed the guard as he pulled back a curtain at the rear of the stage to reveal another closed door. Walking through it, they found themselves in a dimly lit corridor, shuffling to fit side by side in the narrow space. Yutai whispered to Shing, ‘Tong is referred to as Aunt here. Show some respect, all right?’

  ‘Absolutely not,’ Shing shot back.

  ‘What? Why?’

  ‘I spent almost half that rail ride fantasising about undressing her, now you want me to call her my aunty?’

  Yutai struggled to keep a straight face. ‘It’s a title, not literal, Shing! And no one’s said she’s your aunt.’

  ‘I’m still not doing it,’ Shing said through clenched teeth as they prepared to meet the infamous Aunt Tong.

  As the door at the corridor’s end swung open, Yutai, Shing, and their escort stepped into the beating heart of Tong Feng’s domain. Her gangsters, the law enforcers of District Kam Shan, filled the expansive central room, each member decked out in variations of the signature black jackets. A grand, bifurcated staircase dominated the central space. Scattered doors saw Black Jackets walking in and out, while clusters of sofas and tables created cosy enclaves where groups of gangsters sat eating and talking.

  Yutai peered into an open door and saw a busy firing range, the sharp pops of gunfire merging with the hearty laughter and animated conversations. Many Black Jackets stopped to gawk at the Kingmaker pair, but such reactions were normal for them, and they paid no attention.

  Veering right through another door revealed a lengthy, descending staircase.

  ‘Oi, Black Jacket,’ Shing called out. ‘How much longer till we meet Tong?’

  ‘Just down these stairs, sir. Watch your step.’

  Aunt Tong’s den was buried even deeper than Kowloon’s ground level. Yutai and Shing brushed against the yellow, peeling walls, down steep, uneven steps. The air thickened into an intoxicating mix of alcohol, dama, and shuiyan smoke, triggering a sudden yearning in Yutai to smoke shuiyan himself.

  At the bottom was a closed door, which opened in response to their escort’s double knock. Both Yutai and Shing found themselves in a room with a very low ceiling, almost hitting their caps as they entered. Their escort turned around and vanished through the same door.

  The room was a testament to the march of time, the worn brown concrete flooring revealing centuries of use. Dated bulbs hung from the ceiling, and antiquated vents churned the heavy, damp air.

  Yutai caught a quiet gag come from Shing, seeing him scrunch his nose. ‘Cut that out!’ he hissed. ‘We’re in the home of someone important!’

  ‘How can any self-respecting lady ever choose to live in this… ancient dump…’ Shing muttered under his breath.

  Scattered near the sides of the den were more Black Jackets with coloured ribbons on their sleeves. Yutai realised the people in here were the source of the shuiyan and dama smoke, passing pipes to one another as they huffed and puffed, their attention now fixed on the Kingmakers.

  At the far end of the room, a diminutive, yet regal lady dressed in a sumptuous blue and gold cheongsam sat at a long dining table stretched sideways. Yutai studied her features. Shing wasn’t at all wrong about her appearance. Her face barely revealed any signs of age, save for laugh lines and a solitary forehead crease. With her high cheekbones, hair swept back into an elegant bun, and those deep, dark eyes – was she really the century-old Tong people spoke of?

  Looming behind her, a figure of imposing stature commanded the room’s attention without uttering a word. His broad shoulders dwarfed his head, giving him a formidable presence. Bandages, wrapped around his fists and wrists, marked him as the legendary Iridium-Fisted Terror, Shou Feng. This behemoth, with his shaved head, watched over the table’s proceedings. There two men of noble bearing sat opposite each other, their dark silk hanfu’s complemented by richly embroidered satin trousers.

  Shing and Yutai stood at the room’s centre, garnering frowns from several of the Black Jackets present. It appeared they had intruded upon a significant luncheon, yet their arrival stirred no interruption in the ongoing conversations at the table. So, they waited with their hands clasped behind them, as Lady Tong Feng continued her meeting.

  ‘… You scheming rodents have got smarts; I’ll give you that. Inflating your district’s water bills four times higher, only to pocket the extra money. With all the recent dam issues, almost all your tracks were covered. You two must’ve had quite the run. But all good things come to an end, isn’t that right, Lord Jud? Lord Datsi?’

  Holding court from the heart of the expansive dining table, Lady Feng pivoted her imperious gaze towards the two men without moving her head. ‘Did you really think anything happens in Kam Shan without me knowing?’

  One of the men squeaked, ‘Aunt, there has been a misunder—’

  ‘SILENCE! How DARE you interrupt your Aunt!’

  The lord flinched before dropping his gaze.

  The youthful-looking, yet formidable Aunt of Kam Shan held her fierce expression for a moment before it dissolved into a cold smile and a head tilt. She languidly picked up a pair of chopsticks beside her plate of food and began eating, while the two men peeked at her from beneath their eyelashes.

  As she savoured the final bite of rice and meat in her bowl, the Aunt looked at the two frozen men and her chewing stopped. ‘Well, eat! I didn’t cook you criminals a delicious meal only to watch it go cold!’

  The two of them jumped in their chairs, snatched their respective chopsticks and began nibbling at tiny portions of the food on their plates, not once taking their eyes off their hostess.

  Less than a minute later, the Aunt put down her own chopsticks and cleared her throat. ‘Okay, that’s enough. I have some questions, and I hate it when people eat while I’m talking to them.’

  The two men, still chewing their food, placed their chopsticks down and swallowed the last morsels.

  ‘I must say, Jud, Datsi… despite being the lord of two of my most significant sub-districts, I am aware one of you possesses a wit sharper than the other. You two rodents want some cha? Of course you do. KAANG! Bring us some cha!’

  From the back of the room, a Black Jacket gangster scuttled out the door and upstairs.

  ‘Now, while we wait for our beverages, you two have one last chance to show some honesty. Whose bright idea was it, hmm? To pilfer 12 million Hongs from under my nose?’

  Lord Datsi thrust a trembling finger across the table at Lord Jud, whose eyes bugged with terror.

  ‘Him! It-it was him!’ Datsi cried out, his voice cracking. ‘Jud approached me first! Said he knew of a way to amass a fortune without getting caught!’

  ‘D-Datsi, you lie! A-Aunt, he— ’ Lord Jud stumbled over his words, his eyes darting between the Aunt and Lord Datsi, colour leeching from his face.

  ‘Oh, shut your bumbling mouth, Jud. He’s just called you the smarter lord. Take it as a compliment!’

  The sound of a door opening resonated through the room, and the Black Jacket gangster who’d left to fetch the tea reappeared with a beautiful ceramic teapot in hand. He walked around the table, past Lord Jud’s chair, and placed it in front of the Aunt. For a moment, the blue and white teapot captivated everyone’s attention.

  ‘Brilliant. It’s cha time!’ the Aunt announced with a flourish. ‘Lord Jud, come forward and pour Datsi and yourself a steaming cup.’

  But Lord Jud just sat there, still as a statue.

  ‘Oh Light…’ Aunt Tong’s voice dipped. ‘If I have to repeat myself again, I might feel compelled to—’

  Jud sprang from his seat before she could detail any further threats. Aunt Tong gave one of her signature inscrutable smiles as he approached.

  As Lord Jud reached for the teapot, Aunt Tong’s hand fastened around his wrist with an unexpected gentleness, her long, red nails clacking together, drawing him in. What she whispered into his ear drained the little colour left on his face. She smiled and nodded, whispering away, as if exchanging trivial gossip, which caused the poor lord to shake even harder.

  The Aunt finally let go of Lord Jud’s wrist and drew back, straightening her posture. She cast a sidelong glance at Lord Datsi, still seated, whose eyes darted between her and Lord Jud like a cornered rodent.

  ‘Dear Jud, why don’t you share our little secret with Lord Datsi? I think he has every right to know, don’t you? You two are partners in crime, after all.’

  Still standing, Lord Jud’s eyes glistened with tears as he spoke to Datsi in quivers. ‘Th-The Aunt has g-given me a- a ch-ch-choice. There’s a poison in the cha—’

  ‘Oh, boo! You’ll kill all three of us with boredom before anything else does!’ Tong snarked. ‘My dear Lord Datsi, this here is what’s called an assassin’s teapot. There are several chambers holding liquids, and depending on how Lord Jud tilts it when pouring, either delicious jade cha or a deadly poison will come out. Now, as Jud was the architect behind the tomfoolery that led you both here today, he has two options: redemption by suicide, or double down on his selfishness… and choose death for you instead. Of course, if he chooses the latter, he’ll have to sleep at night knowing he doubly screwed you over. Though, considering how swiftly you pointed the finger at him, he might not feel too bad.’

  Datsi’s breathing turned erratic. All semblance of composure was beginning to unravel.

  ‘Come now, Lord Jud, go pour yourself and your friend some cha.’ The steel in the Aunt’s voice chilled the room.

  Lord Jud’s approach to the other end of the table resembled a death march. Their eyes locked, Datsi’s in silent, desperate appeal.

  Sweat dripped down Jud’s forehead to his chin, plopping next to Datsi’s plate of food. Datsi’s eyes were fixed on the teapot’s spout as his possible executioner hesitated. Then, with a decisive motion, Jud filled Datsi’s cup with a greenish liquid. Wiping his forehead with the sleeves of his hanfu, he returned to his end of the table, filled his teacup and sat back down.

  ‘After a cup of this lovely beverage, one of you will begin your journey to Sheoul, where the lakes of fire will forever remind you of the price of betraying your Aunt! Now, in the name of God, let us drink. May everyone else in this room live long, fulfilling lives!’

  Both lords raised their teacups, but Datsi hesitated, watching Jud take the first sip. By the time Lord Jud’s cup clinked back on his saucer, Datsi still hadn’t tasted his tea, lowering it from his lips instead. Everyone listening now knew what Lord Jud had chosen for his former partner.

  The Aunt scowled. ‘That’s hardly fair, darling. You’ve robbed us of a good show. You were meant to drink at the same time as Jud.’

  But Datsi sat frozen, staring with horrified fascination at the liquid in his cup.

  The Aunt’s face contorted with anger. ‘THAT IS THE LAST TIME YOU WILL CHEAT ME, DATSI. DRINK YOUR CHA OR SHOU WILL SHOVE ITS PORCELAIN SHARDS DOWN YOUR DAMN THROAT!’

  The Aunt, with her large almond-shaped eyes raging with the tempest of a storm, nodded to the hulking man behind her. At her signal, Shou Feng advanced like a sentry and stood arms crossed behind the cowering lord.

  Aunt Tong’s stern gaze bore into Datsi, offering one final opportunity for compliance, a last chance to meet his end on his own terms.

  Inhaling sharply, Lord Datsi snatched up his cup and swallowed its contents in one abrupt motion. The scalding liquid trickled from the corners of his mouth as his Adam’s apple rose and fell with each gulp. Moments later, he jerked back in his seat, hacking and weaving. Then he clutched his throat, every vein and artery in his neck and temple bulging unnaturally. His face turned blood-red, eyes jutting out their socket with his silent struggle for air. He gurgled and gasped as tears streaked his cheeks, while the mucus pouring over his lips turned to thick rivers of blood. At last, he collapsed face-first in his meal.

  The ensuing stunned silence didn’t last long as the Aunt stood up from her seat and approached Lord Jud, who was looking down. Anywhere else but at the man he’d sentenced to death.

  The Aunt sat at the corner of the table in front of him, her legs crossed over another, the same unnerving smile on her face. ‘Is it fair to allow you to leave my den unscathed, your honours and titles untouched, while poor Datsi bore the brunt of your malice and deceit? What, then, shall be your recompense?’

  With a look of utter defeat in his eyes, Lord Jud broke down pleading. ‘Please, Aunt, I beg you for mercy, for forgiveness! I have learned my lesson, please, oh please—’

  Amidst Lord Jud’s pleas, the Aunt grabbed his jaw, her fingers pressing into his cheeks to force his mouth open. With her other hand, she reached in and grabbed his flapping tongue, pinching the tip and drawing it outwards.

  ‘God gifted us these wonderful tongues so we can sing worship with our living breath. And yet, you…’ Her index fingernail gently traced the bottom of his tongue. ‘Perhaps this will teach you to make better use of it…’

  Without warning, she pushed her sharp red nail into its underside, piercing it through to the top. Lord Jud shut his eyes and could only offer pitiful whines as she pulled her finger towards herself, tearing his tongue wider and wider… He moaned and squirmed, digging his nails into his thighs as his body shuddered.

  ‘Datsi had to put up with a fair bit of pain too…’ the Aunt said, with an expression of childlike curiosity on her face, ‘so perhaps…’ She twisted her finger like a screw, watching saliva, blood and fleshy fibres of tongue fill the under sides of her manicured, painted nail.

  Finally, she retracted her nail and wiped it on the tablecloth, blood streaking its whiteness. Lord Jud covered his mouth with his hands and rocked side to side in pain, wailing.

  ‘Guards, escort Lord Jud outside. He has much to reflect on tonight. Perhaps that’ll teach him something about loyalty. And return Datsi’s body to his family; let them know all his titles and riches now belong to his wife. I knew Datsi well enough to know I’ve done her a favour.’

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  As several Black Jackets shoved the disoriented Lord Jud out of the room, they carried Datsi’s lifeless body with them, bits of rice and curry still sticking to his face. Yutai and Shing cast uneasy glances at one another, still waiting to be addressed.

  The Aunt returned to her seat and whispered a jaunty tune, as if unaware there were two Kingmakers waiting. Then, as if she’d just noticed them, she jolted her head in surprise.

  ‘Oh? Two Kingmakers come from the mighty Yu Tower? Well, pardon me! How do you do, distant travellers?’ Tong’s voice, despite its steely undertone, had a delicate feminine quality that bore no hint of her age.

  Both Kingmakers bowed. ‘Greetings, Aunt,’ Yutai said with a voice crack, her recent display of cruelty still fresh in his mind. ‘My name is Yutai; this is my—’

  ‘Shing,’ his colleague interjected. ‘I mean, not his Shing, just Shing. At your service.’

  Tong Feng appraised them both from head to foot. ‘And how was the journey? Was it alright? I can’t remember the last time I had a Kingmaker set foot down here!’

  ‘The King rail made it quite brief,’ Yutai said. ‘The journey to Kam Shan is no longer the expedition it used to be. We’re here at General Denzhen’s request.’

  As though she could barely hold in her excitement, the Lady cracked a wide smile.

  ‘My name is Tong Feng, but you can call me Aunty Tong if you so desire. Makes me feel young. Even my great-grandchildren have taken to it! Anyway, what news does my Prince Denzhen bring?’

  Prince Denzhen, Yutai thought. Now that’s something I haven’t heard. Of course, the Aunt would have known the general since he and the emperor were just princes.

  Shing cleared his throat. ‘Emperor Puyin has approved some project in Kam Shan…’

  Yutai added, ‘… and we are to be at your service while your men prepare for construction.’

  ‘That’s wonderful news. Yutai, is it? And how is the Emperor, hmmm? Is he well?

  ‘Emperor Puyin is in excellent health, Aunt Tong. If you don’t mind me asking, how can we get a head start on this project? The general told us you needed some special help.’

  ‘Slow down, young one! You must both be famished. Let’s find you something to eat first.’

  Yutai shook his palms. ‘No thank you, Aunty. We had dinner before we came here. But Shing and I thank you for the offer.’

  ‘Actually, I’m quite hungry, Tong,’ Shing said, rubbing his belly over his trench coat.

  Yutai closed his eyes in embarrassment and sighed. Shing still seemed adamant on not calling her aunt. Should’ve left this fool back at the Tower.

  ‘Perfect! KAANG! Bring some of tonight’s special from the mess in a to-go box. No, bring two. Young Yutai is feeling a little too polite tonight.’ Tong winked at him. ‘In the meantime, let’s have a chat, gentlemen.’

  A Black Jacket from one of the back sofas stood up and left the room to do Tong’s bidding.

  ‘So, tell me, have those secretive little schoolgirls told you much about what I’m building here?’

  ‘Nothing at all,’ Yutai confessed. ‘But we’ve got our theories.’

  ‘Marvellous! I’m quite partial to a well-crafted theory. Let’s take a walk and discuss this further. Afterwards, I might require a small favour; no big deal for strong men such as yourselves.’ She turned her head to the side, addressing her son behind her, ‘Shou, stay here and watch over the club until I return. Make sure no one falls behind on patrol duty, or else there will be hell to pay!’ Shou’s gaze remained fixed on the two Kingmakers, his narrowed eyes brimming with distrust, and nodded.

  Tong rose gracefully to her feet, revealing more of her exquisite, light blue and gold silk cheongsam adorned with delicate white floral patterns, which accentuated her small waist and shapely hips. Yutai’s eyes widened; he could hardly pry them away. He still couldn’t believe she was about the same age as when his great grandmother passed away.

  Instead of striding a few steps ahead, like their escort earlier, she came to a halt right between them.

  ‘Well come on then! Give me your arms as support. Don’t be shy! The streets of Kam Shan are dangerous after the lanterns have dimmed. Besides…’ Her voice dropped to a whisper. ‘There have been concerning reports of rodent attacks late at night, incidents doubling by the day. These aren’t the ones you shoo away. No, they’re different. Like the vermin that roam East Kowlooni sewers. Perhaps even larger, more aggressive. I would feel a lot safer with two dashing Kings by my side.’

  Both Kings frowned and Yutai gingerly linked his arm with Tong’s. She responded by drawing him closer. Shing followed suit awkwardly, his face scarlet as Tong’s swift tug drew him to her side. Then she strutted out of the room like a catwalk model, bringing the Kings with her. As she led them up the stairs to the main floor, her heels clacking on the short steps, Yutai caught the scent of her sweet perfume.

  ‘Now, what theories have you cooked up about our project? And be quick! I aim to have all rumours expelled and theories corrected before we reach the site.’

  Much to Yutai’s relief, Shing spoke first, ‘W-We… uh… thought it may involve the food p-production here in Kam Shan. We’ve heard of the great algae and fungus processing machines you have.’

  ‘Oh, have you? What about you, Yutai? Did you arrive at the same conclusion?’

  ‘Y-yes, Aunty. I mean, Aunt.’

  ‘My, aren’t you two sharp!’ You’re on the right path. The Zhaisheng will primarily upgrade our farming industries, but it’s not just that. There is something else, something far more concerning. Have either of you heard of Chuan Wan Dam?’

  The Kings exchanged a look before nodding in unison.

  ‘It’s the lifeblood of Kowloon, our only source of water,’ Shing said. ‘The dam is somewhere inside No Man’s Land and flows out through Kam Shan.’

  ‘Ding, correct! Because water flows into Kowloon from its western end, the Yaozhi family has historically entrusted Kam Shan with overseeing its processing and distribution. That’s why we’re the agricultural head of Kowloon. As you mentioned, the dam extends into No Man’s Land, which makes it difficult to conduct regular checks. No Man’s Paranoia is nothing to joke about, I tell you. Recently, we’ve had urgent cause to investigate the dam, because the water pressures for our farms have fallen far lower than normal.’

  In the meantime, the three reached the roller gate of the main entrance, which began its slow ascent.

  Tong continued speaking as they waited, ‘So, I sent a team of experts deep into No Man’s Land. Of course, they’d get nowhere without the Ditu, so one of your generals sent us a Kingmaker to act as their guide. Once they made it to the ancient dam, my team made a dire discovery. The dam’s centuries-long isolation since the last check-up had allowed it to fall into severe disrepair. Barely any regulation sensors were functioning, their gears almost completely fused from corrosion. We were lucky to discover this issue before it was too late.’

  As the roller door finally heaved up all the way, they stepped out into the dark alleyway, mirroring Tong’s stride to avoid tripping her. The guards outside bowed to the Aunt as she strode past them with the briefest nod of acknowledgement.

  ‘Too late? What do you mean?’ Yutai asked.

  ‘All the mechanisms I named prevent the mass of water behind the dam from inundating Kowloon,’ Tong said ominously. ‘Our researchers began calculating when the water might breach the dam. The situation took a turn for the worse as heated debates broke out among them. They couldn’t reach a consensus about when the dam will fail. One group estimated we had about 120 annui-cycles, while another believed it’d come crashing down in less than five. But do not mistake these conflicting conclusions as mere errors in their calculations! I can assure you No Man’s Paranoia played a bigger role than what these researchers admit. Is this making sense to you two?’ Both Kings nodded simultaneously. Yutai couldn’t deny what he was hearing sounded incredibly troubling. Even Shing’s expression was tightened to a frown.

  ‘After my team returned from Chuan Wan, I had quite a bit on my hands. I dispatched ten researchers, and only eight returned. One of them has succumbed to irreversible No Man’s Paranoia and has gone insane. Three others have vowed to never work for me again. And one has… lost his life recently.’

  Yutai almost whistled at how shockingly dire the situation sounded.

  ‘I requested aid from the Emperor, but he has been quite unhelpful. They’ve informed me the Kingmaker who accompanied my team collected enough data for them to work on fixing the dam themselves. Yet here I am, standing amidst unexplained disappearances and an unsolved murder, all the while I learn there’s a ticking time bomb of a dam next to us. That’s why I reached out to the Emperor’s younger brother, who is a far more reasonable man.’

  Navigating the tight alleys at ground level was a challenge. Their path snaked and twisted, rising and dipping with uneven stairs everywhere. Hazards lurked at every turn: jutting construction rods, low-hanging shop signs and tripwire-like pipes strewn across the walkway. As they passed a shopkeeper pulling down his shutters, his gaze lingered on the two Kings escorting Tong. The flickering neon sign above his shop dulled as he retreated into the backroom.

  ‘Aunt,’ Yutai ventured. ‘What do you need from us both?’

  Tong’s eyes sparkled with mischief. ‘Oh, you’ll find out soon enough. Are either of you skilled in investigation? Ah, what a silly question, of course you are. I recall the notorious women-butcher of Kam Shan, who terrorised the streets of West Kowloon. No girl was safe. It’s no wonder it took a Kingmaker to track him down and kill him. The legends that surround your people… the very thought makes me feel alive.’

  Yutai felt a tinge of frustration at Tong’s roundabout way of saying a simple thing, while Shing used his free right arm to scratch the back of his head, almost tipping over his cap.

  ‘And how does that relate to us?’ Shing asked.

  ‘The women-butcher was brought to justice long before either of us was born,’ Yutai added. ‘If you want us to go running around solving unfinished murder cases, we don’t have the resources, time or even the specialised training needed.’

  ‘Light… this small talk was a mistake,’ the Aunt muttered under her breath. ‘I just shared a thought that crossed my mind, which is a testament to my respect and admiration for you Kings. I had assumed all of you were as talented as that Kingmaker, but judging by your reaction…’

  ‘Then what is the favour?’ Yutai pressed.

  ‘You’ll see… oh, a left here, and we’ll be at the algae farms.’

  The trio veered off into a side alley, the first deviation from the winding and narrow main street. They paused at the entrance to a building, where a Black Jacket stood at attention with a large rifle in hand.

  ‘Welcome, Aunt.’ The guard greeted her with a deep bow.

  ‘Has anyone disturbed the scene? I found two handsome Kings who volunteered to help.’

  No, we didn’t, Yutai quipped in his head.

  The guard swung open the double doors, and they ascended the steps beyond. On the way up, Yutai noticed a trail of dried blood under his feet, leading to the first level. He glanced at Shing, who gave him a brisk nod. It led through an open door on the first floor, revealing the inside of an enormous, empty warehouse. Raw materials – metal beams, gears and enormous batteries – were scattered across the floor. The ceiling was at least six stories high. It was still early in the pre-construction phase for the farms. This would be the first site for the Emperor’s Zhaisheng in the west, which would ignite his great renaissance.

  Black Jacket gangsters were milling around the warehouse making calls, some shouting into their communicators and engrossed in pressing tasks, while others huddled at the centre of the warehouse, gawking at something in the floor. Yutai made a sound in his throat and jerked his head to draw Shing’s attention; the streaks of blood led to the small crowd of Black Jackets. Lights flashed intermittently from the crowd – some snapped photos, while others just stared. At what, Yutai couldn’t yet see.

  As they approached the commotion, Yutai felt Tong tighten her grip, as if she was now holding them out of a genuine need of protection. Whatever they were approaching was clearly unsettling her.

  The Black Jackets bowed to Tong as they passed, but she acknowledged none of them, instead locking her gaze on the small crowd ahead.

  ‘… murder…’

  ‘… It was the Yang…’

  ‘… Kingmakers are here now…’

  Yutai heard these words float in the air, part of the myriad telephone conversations going on around them.

  Upon reaching the crowd, the Black Jackets parted to grant passage to the trio. Tong released her hold on the Kingmakers as they came upon the gory spectacle where the dried trail of blood ended.

  A violently mutilated body lay before them. Vicious stab wounds were spread across the neck, torso, arms, and legs. More than twenty, Yutai thought. No, at least fifty; some of them overlap.

  Entrails spilled from the gut and even bones were exposed in part. The corpse was still clothed in a lab coat and plain black trousers, yet the bloodied garments were somehow in a better state than the body that wore it.

  Yutai had to avert his eyes, as a wave of nausea swept over him. However, Shing stood resolute beside him, absorbing the grim scene sprawled across the floor. It looked as though a monster had had its sadistic fun with the corpse.

  ‘That was Dr Chinh, found just a few hours ago, right here,’ Tong spoke with regret and sadness. ‘He was to be the lead engineer for the new farms, a champion for the Zhaisheng in Kam Shan. He was also the research lead at Chuan Wan Dam. We haven’t even had the chance to notify his family yet.’

  ‘Do you know who could have done this?’ Shing asked. ‘Yang wanting to piss all over the Zhaisheng?’

  ‘That’s what scares me, Shing. If it’s the Yang, they are privy to sensitive information: the identities of my most important researchers and scientists, pioneers of the Emperor’s Zhaisheng, and how to get to them. They would know of the great farms being built here. They may also be privy to the dam’s neglected state, and that it may destroy us all within an unknown number of cycles. If they even dared make this public… with enough evidence—’

  ‘They’ll undo everything,’ Yutai finished her sentence.

  ‘You said if it’s the Yang,’ Shing added. ‘Who else do you suspect?’

  ‘Most of my team believe the supernatural is chasing them, haunted from their time in No Man’s Land. I’ve had them all checked for No Man’s Paranoia. Apart from one researcher, all their cases are mild, yet they’re all convinced something is stalking them.’

  Shing scoffed. ‘Well, then obviously, that’s not what’s—’

  The Aunt snapped instantly, ‘Do not “obviously” me, King! If you believe Kowloon only deals in the obvious, even my stupidest Black Jacket is brighter than you!’

  Shing’s jaw twitched, but he remained silent.

  Sensing the tension between the two, Yutai intervened.

  ‘If it really is ghosts, this is out of our job description. But if it’s Yang, even then, we’re fighting them all across Kowloon as is. Since we conducted Operation Searchlight, it’s been an uphill battle.’

  ‘Yutai, my dear, I don’t need you to dismantle the Yangs in Kam Shan or necessarily solve this murder at all. However, if you can find out how a prestigious and accomplished researcher like Chinh was targeted, slain and dumped in the middle of Kam Shan, you’ll likely uncover larger plots within the Yang. I have at least five other researchers of almost equal importance now terrified for their lives. All I ask is that there is no repeat of this. At the very least, my district will be indebted to you.’ Her wide-eyed plea and slumped shoulders were a stark contrast to the indomitable sass Yutai associated with her.

  He drew in a steadying breath and braced himself to confront the grisly sight of the poor doctor once again. This must be the secret assignment General Denzhen wanted me to take care of. ‘Okay, Aunt. For starters, the rest of your researchers aren’t safe,’ Yutai said, now fully accepting this assignment.

  Tong pivoted towards Yutai. ‘We’ve already arranged protection for the team.’

  ‘Good. Any idea when Dr Chinh was last seen alive?’

  While they talked, Shing crouched down in front of the slain corpse, his gaze narrowing on the wounds of the body.

  ‘I last saw him two cycles ago,’ Tong told Yutai. ‘He approached me as a final plea about his conclusions regarding the dam. To take appropriate measures to protect Kowloon. He was convinced we were all going to die. But his colleagues had already warned me about his crazy predictions. Especially Dr Jode, who disagreed most fervently with Chinh.’

  ‘Who’s Dr Jode?’ Yutai asked.

  ‘One of the other nine researchers who also went with him into Chuan Wan Dam. She was a vocal critic of his research while there.’

  ‘And did Dr Chinh live here in Kam Shan?’ Yutai asked.

  ‘His permanent residence is in Kam Dong, a sub-district not too far from here. But, with the arrival of the Zhaisheng, he was staying in his apartment at his old university quarters, here in the capital. He spent many nights locked up there, away from his family.’

  Yutai nodded as his brain started piecing together the clues, his mind shifting gear into detective mode, scrutinising every titbit of information he received.

  ‘I’ve found most of the doctor’s possessions.’ Shing’s comment caught their attention as he rummaged through the doctor’s coat. ‘Wallet, ID cards, even some Hongs. But his apartment card is missing. You’d expect a researcher of Dr Chinh’s stature…’ Shing’s hand, half-buried in the doctor’s inner coat pocket, removed a ring full of keys.

  ‘… would always carry his apartment card on his key ring.’ His observation hung in the air.

  Even the Black Jackets who were silently listening around nodded amongst themselves.

  ‘Then perhaps a visit to his university quarters might bring answers. I don’t have the slightest clue where his apartment card could be,’ Tong said.

  ‘That sounds like a good idea, Yutai interjected. ‘A victim’s residence is the best place to start any mystery. Let’s try and piece together a timeline. What cycle are we on?’

  ‘13th,’ Shing replied curtly. ‘But his internal temperatures tell me his heart stopped beating on the 12th. Perhaps late that cycle.’

  ‘So, Aunt Tong sees him on the 11th because he wanted to appeal a decision made by Kam Shan University. He dies some 42 hours later.’

  Right then, a Black Jacket gangster walked over to the Aunt and tapped on her shoulder, holding two boxes of hot food.

  ‘Not me, you fool; give it to the Kingmakers,’ the Aunt snapped.

  ‘Yes, Aunty, sorry.’

  The man bowed and handed them their warm boxes of food with a pair of chopsticks taped to the lids. After seeing the body, Yutai had lost what little appetite he had, but Shing cracked open the lid right away to eat. Yutai planned to give his box to Shing after they were out of sight. Both Kings thanked the Aunt, and Shing started gobbling down his food – rice with curried algae and roasted mushrooms. Yutai couldn’t take his eyes off the body and wondered how Shing could compartmentalise the food he was eating after having just rummaged through someone’s intestines; even his hands were still bloody. He tucked the boxed food away inside his coat’s pocket.

  Yutai gazed up at Tong. ‘Aunt, could we have the contact details of someone close to the doctor? A colleague or family member you think he might have seen or spoken to before he died? If it’s family, I prefer you break the news of his death first before giving me the phone.’

  Tong nodded and turned away. ‘KAANG! Get me the doctor’s wife… what was her name… Ah Lam! Get her on the line. Now!’

  The same Black Jacket whipped out his communication device and keyed in a number code.

  Soon enough, someone handed Tong the device, and she began breaking the dreadful news.

  Yutai caught the faint echo of wailing at the other end of the line – a reminder of the grief he’d avoided delivering.

  Shing was still eating, while Yutai reflected on the facts of the case. A rushed murder that was designed to intimidate Aunt Tong. A targeted strike on the Emperor’s Zhaisheng – while the Yang were running around trying to convince everyone Kowloonis needed to return to the surface world. The motives lined up well; every lead pointed towards their handiwork. The hard part would be figuring out how the Yang had done it all.

  ‘… here, please talk to one of the Kingmakers.’ Aunt Tong tapped on Yutai’s shoulder and handed the communication device to him. He rubbed it against his trench coat to clean it, took out his left cochlear implant, and placed it in his ear.

  He’d expected sobbing… and sobbing there was.

  ‘Hello, ma’am. My name is Praefect Yutai and I’d like to extend my condolences—’

  ‘I don’t care about finding his murderer! I just want him back! I want to release his body into the Memorial Pipes, as was his wish!’

  ‘Ma’am, I understand your pain, and we’ll do everything possible to return his body once we—’

  ‘NO! His soul is suffering every second he isn’t in the Light! I want him back now!’

  ‘Please try to understand, ma’am. This murder is much larger than your husband. We believe he was targeted because of his connection to an important project. One that would’ve improved many lives. He’d want this.’

  ‘Don’t you dare speak on behalf of my husband! I don’t care for his selfless virtues if they’re the reason for his death. He should never have worked for that bitch! She failed to protect him!’

  Yutai wished Tong had better prepared the widow before transferring the call as he was untrained in consoling a grieving spouse. Her cries had now transformed into venom towards whoever was listening. Gritting his teeth, Yutai focused on what he needed, and nothing more.

  ‘I am truly sorry, but we cannot return the body until we solve this issue. We Kingmakers view his murder as a threat to Kowloon, and if you don’t cooperate, not floating him down the Memorial Pipes will be the least of your worries. Ma’am.’

  A deep, shaky breath resonated over the line as the doctor’s widow regained her composure.

  ‘Understood. Please tell me what you want to know.’

  ‘Thank you. Did your husband contact you after the 11th, two cycles ago?’

  There was a moment of silence before she spoke once more.

  ‘Uh, no. He was on semester period, so he’s always away from home. But his work with that bitch had taken over his life. Normally, he called every dimming… yet the last three cycles, no calls…’

  Her words disintegrated into wails once more. Yutai knew he could offer no solace; she needed time. ‘I’m sorry…’ Yutai cut the line and returned the device to the Aunt.

  ‘Get anything useful?’

  ‘He ceased contact with his wife after his last meeting with you.’

  ‘You know what that means, Tong?’ Shing said as he closed the lid to his box, wiping the corners of his lips with his sleeve.

  Aunt Tong regarded Shing with a raised brow. ‘Excuse me?’

  ‘Since it seems you were the last person who spoke to the doctor, you have a lot to tell us about that meeting with him. Now, I don’t want you to get offended by this, but if we’re going to do this right, everyone is a suspect. That means you and your incredibly intellectual Black Jackets too.’

  Yutai could tell that subtle jab at the end was Shing’s way of getting back at the Aunt’s earlier comment. But she didn’t brush over the remark, her gaze locked on Shing, as if about to pounce.

  ‘That Kingmaker coat of yours has done well to protect your confidence. Be careful when that protection runs out, Shing. But if it means both of you will quit your excuses…’ The Aunt cracked a smile. ‘Then interrogate away, oh lord inquisitor.’

  ‘That won’t be necessary, Aunt,’ Yutai said in a rush, not wanting a squabble to break out. ‘Let’s visit the doctor’s quarters first, then we can plan our moves from there. Could we trouble you for a Black Jacket guide?’