“How high a price would you pay
for a treasure you have always wished for?”
“This is so cool!” Shenjoon exclaimed breathlessly. “I’ve always wanted to go on a holiday here!”
“You got that right,” said Kyoden gleefully. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to
The seven young people strolled into the bustling city under the late afternoon sun, smiling and laughing away. Though
Western and eastern culture appeared to have clashed in this city. Though there were short buildings made out of wood and bricks with roofs which arched at their ends, there were concrete buildings which could be seen in a distance. Passing by a few shops, Raviex noticed that the interior design and décor of the shop largely depended on the trade and nationality of the merchants.
“Hey, Raviex, let’s check out some places here. I’ve been here a couple of times and I know some interesting places to go!” invited Kyoden spontaneously.
But before the Prince could answer, Sonia dragged the archer along with her. “We need to find a place to rest and I need you to do the talking.”
He objected, “But I refuse to be your translator! Let me go!”
“I can’t speak Haikenese,” she said dully.
“But Yexi and Shenjoon know how to speak Flamese! Most people here speak Flamese too!” he whined.
“Shut up, Kaneshiro. They are off window-shopping already.”
“I also want to go window-shopping with Raviex. Raviex, save me!”
Raviex watched him powerlessly. Christine and Lorenne giggled at the two. Out of pity, Lorenne voluntarily accompanied her sister and Kyoden. A shout for Christine caught their attention, however.
“Hey, Christine! Come here!” It was Shenjoon who was waving at them from a shop.
Raviex and Christine went over, wondering what would be the matter. When they entered the shop, they were astounded by the collections of pole weapons it held.
“Wow…” breathed Christine. She found herself wishing she actually owned every single item there was in there. Raviex inspected the weapons out of curiosity.
“Come, look at this!” Shenjoon pointed at the back of the shop. Christine hurried behind with him. The two martial arts enthusiasts gazed wishfully at an impressive Flamese pole weapon which was encased by glass. From end to tip, it was taller than the two of them.
“What would I give to own it…,” Shenjoon sighed.
“Me too… This reclining moon blade is awesome even just by looking at it,” agreed the other.
“If I’m not mistaken, it was invented and belonged to the legendary General Gan Yi who was born in the Flame Empire two hundred years ago before the Kingdom of Katelion was founded, which means it’s actually older than Letaikno,” informed Raviex who stooped over the two.
“You know about the origin of the Green Dragon Crescent Blade too?” said Christine and Shenjoon in unison.
Raviex nodded. “Of course, Sir Damien spoke about it before. A brass shaft coated with a layer of gold, made with the height of six feet ten inches and a thick, deeply curved blade forged by a famous blacksmith of Gan Yi’s time. The entire shaft is engraved with the depiction of a Flamese dragon on it and has two jade stones on each side as the eyes of the dragon. Well, it all fits the exact description of the Green Dragon. But honestly, don’t you think that it is strange for such a weapon to be found in a shop?”
“Does it matter?” Shenjoon said distractedly, completely disregarding his words. The same was with Christine. “Maybe we’re just in luck. Check out the carvings of the dragon’s scales on the shaft… It’s amazing! Not only does it prevent slipping from the hands, it’s a beautiful art altogether,” he added randomly, “Green Dragon worths forty-nine kilograms, you know.”
“Gan Yi must have been a really strong man to wield it,” Christine wondered aloud.
“History does records him as a man of strength. During the War of the Tragic Bloodshed, Gan Yi defeated the ambitious Haikenese who tried to conquer the Flame Empire. With only five thousand men, he protected the empire from the enemy who had three times the number of his soldiers. Historians believed that Gan Yi alone killed two thousand men in the war using Green Dragon,” said Raviex. “I must still emphasise that it is strange that Green Dragon is here. It’s supposed to have vanished after a few years Gan Yi died.”
An elderly man chuckled at them. The three turned around to see a Flamese in his sixties. “It looks like you have been paying attention during your history classes, young man. It is, indeed, the legendary Green Dragon Crescent Blade of General Gan Yi. A lot of my customers come to me, hoping that I would give my consent into selling this treasure to them. But I turn every single one of them down. You three would not be any exception, too.”
“Oh, no, we don’t want to buy it,” half-lied Christine, embarrassed.
“I do,” muttered Shenjoon sadly.
“Pardon me, sir, but how did Green Dragon end up in your hands?” asked the Prince politely.
“I may not look like it but I am a descendant of Gan Yi,” answered the man, patting his round belly lightly. He had a Flamese accent as he spoke in Exodian. “Naturally, it is in my possession.”
Shenjoon gave him a quizzed look. “But Gan Yi’s a Flamese. Shouldn’t it be found in
“As time changes, people change too. Although the Flamese and the Haikenese shared an unhappy past, the two nations have moved on, even more so after the union of the Eight Powers under the reign of King Leo Katelion. It is a long and boring family history which would not be of any interest to you young people,” he smiled.
But I thought…
Then, the plump man tapped on his forehead apologetically and laughed softly. “Oh, dear, look at me. My age is catching up with me. I’m afraid I’ve forgotten to introduce myself. I am the owner of this store, Gan-Zhang Wei.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Gan-Zhang, my name’s Cedric Castillo,” said Raviex, shaking his hands but his mind was occupied, trying to recall something he was not sure of himself. Christine did the same but introduced herself using her real name. Shenjoon, however, bowed as it was in his Flamese culture to respect the elders.
“Xiăo dè jiào Shén-Jùn. Qĭng Gān-Zhāng qián bèi duō duō zhĭ jiào.” Shenjoon had introduced himself in his mother tongue, causing Mr. Gan-Zhang to beam in delight. Christine blinked blankly at the thirteen-year-old, not catching a word he said. The Prince could speak Flamese, but with limited vocabulary.
Instantly, Mr.Gan-Zhang and Shenjoon were engaged in a Flamese conversation. Christine tugged at the Prince’s sleeve and asked if he knew what they were talking about.
“Nothing much, I guess. Mr. Gan-Zhang is simply happy to discover a youth like Shenjoon to be quite knowledgeable in the traditional Flamese martial arts,” translated Raviex. “And he just told Mr. Gan-Zhang that you’re pretty good in the more contemporary martial arts too.”
Christine blushed as the man nodded in recognition in her direction. Mr. Gan-Zhang dug into the left pocket of his trousers and retrieved a silver key. “You are in luck, Shenjoon. It has been a while since the last time anyone moved me to see the Green Dragon danced again. I will let you keep the memories of wielding the Green Dragon if Miss Falcon agrees to duel you in a friendly match,” he said as he unlocked the glass casing.
Mr. Gan-Zhang and Raviex laughed as the two squealed in thrill at the proposal. The Prince understood how much the two fancied it. Neither had expressed verbally the wish the duel one another in a match but he could tell they wanted it from the time when they first met.
“Miss Falcon, I’ll take that as a positive answer. Are you two fine with it if we proceed with the match immediately?” asked Mr. Gan-Zhang thoughtfully.
“We’ve been travelling for five days straight. Are you sure you two would not like to postpone the match?” said Raviex, concerned.
“I’m okay with it. How about you, Christine?” the boy referred to her.
She grinned in confidence. “Ready when you are.”
“Ah, youth is definitely an asset,” joked the weapon trader. “Miss Falcon, you may choose any weapons found in here. Then, I will take you to a place where you can duel freely without obstacles in your way.”
While Christine went to select her pole weapon, Shenjoon placed his urn on the ground and reached both hands into the glass casing. He wrapped his fingers around the metal shaft. It was a fantastic moment for him. What fortune was this that he should be reserved the honour of holding the celebrated Green Dragon?
Shenjoon halted before he lifted it. “Umm… Mr. Gan-Zhang,” he hesitated, “why do you think I can carry such a heavy weapon?”
“Oh, but you have underestimated me. I am far more experienced in life. One look at your urn, Shenjoon, I know you have undergone trainings enough to use the Green Dragon,” said Mr. Gan-Zhang. Shenjoon was amazed. Most would have passed it as a normal urn but he had seen right through the trick of the urn.
Christine took her time in choosing her weapon. Normally, she would have stuck it out with her daggers but in this case, she was about to fight an opponent who was using a weapon which covers quite a large area.
I definitely can’t carry weapons as heavy as the Green Dragon. I need something I can come within range with the Green Dragon but not as heavy as it so I can use my agility and flexibility to my advantage too.
“This will be it,” muttered Christine in satisfaction, grasping her chosen combat weapon.
“Ah, a five feet seven inches Haikenese naginata. You are a practised fighter, I presume. Knowing how to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses is always important,” said the man as he stroke his long white beard. “This naginata’s shaft is made out of the Haikenese white oak, thus, giving it a lighter weight compared to most pole weapons.”
Besides the weight factor, she selected it because of its shaft which was oval in its cross section. It gave her the advantage of easy manoeuvre of the blade. Like the Green Dragon, its blade was curved. She had learnt back in the
“Come,” beckoned Mr. Gan-Zhang. Raviex, Christine and Shenjoon followed him down to the basement of the shop unquestioningly.
It was something unbelievable and incomprehensible as the older teenagers watched Shenjoon carry Green Dragon. How was it possible for him to heave an object which was taller than himself? Although he appeared strained due to the effort, he was managing the task without a problem.
When Mr. Gan-Zhang flicked on the switch for the lightings, they were astonished to see such a spacious room in terms of length, width and height below.
“I didn’t know that the shop lots in Midas come with a huge basement,” said Shenjoon to Christine. She shrugged, showing that she had the same idea. Raviex thought it was rather impossible.
“Ready?” asked Christine, slightly nervous but absolutely geared up.
“Totally,” uttered Shenjoon smugly.
“You two better keep in mind this is only a friendly match, alright,” cautioned Raviex.
“Yes, father,” drawled the boy teasingly at his advice while Christine giggled.
Raviex added firmly, “I’ll interrupt the match if I think thing’s are getting out of hand. By the way, don’t you think we should get Yexi’s permission beforehand? Hang on… where is she? I thought she was with you, Shenjoon.”
But Shenjoon and Christine were already making their way to the centre of the room. “She left for the store next door to check out some stuff, I think.”
He honestly thought it would be better to inform Yexi first. Nonetheless, the other two seemed impatient to commence the match.
Mr. Gan-Zhang rested a hand on Raviex’s shoulder. “Observe carefully. I am sure this would be a duel to remember.”
“You are certain you can handle Green Dragon?” said Christine as she performed a forward slash, the tip of the blade aimed at Shenjoon, her hands comfortably handling the naginata. Dagger was her ideal weapons but it did not imply that she was incapable of using any others beside it. She was a martial arts master after all. Even so, she was bothered by the fact that Shenjoon was obviously having the drawbacks in this match due to the mass and length of Green Dragon.
“I suppose action speaks louder than words,” remarked Shenjoon. Determined to assure Christine to give her best, he set his feet apart and swung the long weapon to the back while his left palm was thrust out in Christine’s direction. “Tao-yang Energy Cloak!”
She saw a bright red light shimmered from Shenjoon, as though he was indeed wearing a cloak of red energy. She had a hunch that it was a skill which provided him with additional strength to utilise Green Dragon to the maximum because all of a sudden, he was swirling Green Dragon upwards and downwards before his body almost effortlessly.
“Shadow Steps,” he muttered. The moment he shifted, the duel officially began. He flitted towards her in a considerable speed despite his load. He took a leap and hacked at her from above. But the girl, who was no alien in a fight of speed, blocked his blade with hers through an upward slash. Though so, the mass of Green Dragon was dire on her. She gritted her teeth as she shoved him away before her knees buckled.
I must not waste a single second.
Without delay, Shenjoon advanced on her again. But Christine was already on the move. She directed vigorous stabs at his torso. He too did not lag behind and was quick to defend himself. He retreated backwards with precise footwork while deflecting her naginata by swinging Green Dragon horizontally left and right.
The stabbings ended abruptly. Christine made an anticlockwise curve sweep at his feet. As predicted by her, Shenjoon leapt into the air to escape it. But he had also foreseen her objective. He drove Green Dragon downwards when he was still in midair to meet Christine’s incoming upward slash.
“I must say, Shenjoon, you’re really good in this,” she complimented him after hopping a few feet away from him to recommence the match.
The boy landed on his feet. “You fight equally well, Christine.” He balanced himself on his right foot; the side of his body facing her. His right hand supported the upper part of the shaft whereas his left hand gripped the centre of it at his waist. “Here I come.”
There was the same blur of Shenjoon as he moved in her direction. She was stunned that he had closed in their distance so fast. He whirled Green Dragon in a full rotation on the right side. His right hand carried on and powered the shaft to rotate on the left side. He swung it to the back and brought it forward with a fierce cut. Christine was lucky to have come to her senses to avoid all his attacks. Even the spine of the blade must be avoided for it had teeth like the saw’s and a deadly crescent hook.
Just when she thought he would continue, he staggered and for a second, he lost his firm grip of Green Dragon.
So soon?
It was as though Green Dragon was starting to rebel against its user. Shenjoon felt it became heavier in his hands. In actual fact, it was his skill which was wearing off. He ignored it and proceeded with his moves.
“He’s slowing down,” murmured Raviex in a pensive mood.
“Yes, he is growing tired,” said Mr. Gan-Zhang. “The reclining moon blade is a weapon which demands much strength and flexibility from its wielder. If the wielder is not well trained, he will experience it getting heavier and heavier until the stage where he cannot move it.”
“Should we not stop the match then?” asked the Prince.
“We do not have to, Cedric. He knows his boundary. If I am not mistaken, he has four minutes to exploit.”
Four minutes? How does he know?
Raviex frowned. However, he looked back at the arena once he heard a thump on the ground. Shenjoon had fallen on a knee and became motionless while still clinging onto Green Dragon. Christine thought that it was a hoax to trick her into letting her guard down. A few seconds later, she and the two spectators knew the boy was encountering some difficulties.
They rushed for him to check on his condition. “Shenjoon, are you alright?” asked Christine anxiously who was the nearest to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Christine. I can’t go on with this match,” apologised Shenjoon. He sounded a lot exhausted than he should have been. Raviex guessed he was taking the toll for wielding such a massive weapon for his age and such an exertive skill.
“It’s okay, silly, it’s only a friendly match,” comforted Christine.
“This is my fault. I should not have made this request. You are too young to use Green Dragon,” said Mr. Gan-Zhang shamefully.
Shenjoon inhaled deeply and exhaled. “You are not to be blamed, sir. I have only reached my limit. My condition now is because of my own incompetence. After a short rest, I will be fine.”
Raviex glanced at his digital watch. “The others will be looking for us soon. We must go back up to the shop. Mr. Gan-Zhang, if you do not mind, I will help you return Green Dragon to its glass casing,” he offered. The shop owner nodded and thanked him. “Can you walk, Shenjoon?”
The boy passed Green Dragon to him and then, gradually, stood up. “My strength is coming back. I’m feeling well,” he assured him.
Lifting the forty-nine kilograms pole weapon for himself, Raviex would not have believed that Shenjoon could battle using it if he had not seen the scene personally. Just carrying it was arduous enough a task for him. Swirling it was out of the question.
Christine put her naginata back where she found it as instructed by Mr. Gan-Zhang. But she doubted anyone would want to buy it now that it was used. On the other hand, Mr. Gan-Zhang smiled satisfaction as he carefully locked the glass casing.
“You have made an old man very happy today, you three youngsters. It has been a while since I had any company,” he said gratefully.
“We thank you for your generosity and time as well, Mr. Gan-Zhang. You were right. It was truly a match to remember,” told Raviex as he shook hands with him. Christine grinned at Shenjoon who were also pleased with the Prince’s compliment.
After bidding Mr. Gan-Zhang their goodbyes (and a respectful bow from Shenjoon), they walked out of the shop. The first person they ran into was a panicking Yexi.
“Yexi!” Shenjoon called out.
She reacted to his voice and was washed over by a wave of relief when she saw her husband safe and sound. Yexi hastened her steps to him. The three were shocked to find her at the verge of tears.
“Yexi—”
“Where were you!” she practically yelled at him.
Raviex and Christine looked away guiltily. Shenjoon, however, was stupefied for Yexi was never one who would lose her calm terribly.
“But we were just—”
“Do you know how scared I was when I couldn’t find you, couldn’t feel your presence… couldn’t hear your heartbeat?” she chortled on angrily.
At this point, the Prince and the other were curious. From Yexi’s words, she might have just the same said that they had died or vanished from
The Flamese did not understand why she had said so and assumed that she was being ridiculous and over protective. But he was tongue-tied as she embraced him. Her trembling shoulders told him that she was sincerely afraid.
“I… I’m sorry, Yexi. I thought you knew we were just next door in the weapon shop,” explained Shenjoon softly, a little red on the face that she was hugging him in public. Moreover, by-passers were ogling at them. “Please… don’t cry.”
Yexi dried her tears, regaining her self-control. “What are you talking about Shenjoon? What weapon shop? The shop you entered was a pottery shop. I thought you wanted to compare the pots there with you urn.”
“Are you kidding me, Yexi? You know I always boast about my urn being the best. Besides, you must have seen wrong. I entered a weapon shop. Raviex and Christine were there too!” he corrected her but gasped abruptly. “My urn! I left it in Mr. Gan-Zhang’s shop!”
He wheeled around to go collect his urn but found himself facing Raviex and Christine’s back. “Err… excuse me?”
They did not budge; rooted to the street they were standing on. Shenjoon frowned at their unsettling stillness. He skirted to Christine’s side. The couple’s faces expressed utter shock and were drained to the last drop of their colours. He looked ahead. What his brown eyes captured next sent his stomach churning terribly and the hair on the back of his neck standing on their ends.
The shop which they had visited only a few minutes ago was gone like a ghastly ghost.
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