Malao nearly crashed into Fu. “Careful, Pussycat. What are you doing?”
“Something strange is going on,” Fu said. “I want to stop and think for a moment.”
“Don't hurt yourself,” Malao replied. He giggled.
Fu ignored the comment. He bent over and examined the ground. Malao leaned over next to him.
“Are you sure this is the right trail?” Malao asked.
“No,” Fu said. “The cage was covered with blankets the whole time the soldiers carried me. However, the boot prints on this trail are fairly fresh. I think this is the trail that will lead us back to the village.”
“Do you really think the Governor knows the way to Shaolin Temple?” Malao asked.
“I hope so. Otherwise, I don't know how we'll ever find it.”
“Do you think—”
Fu stood and stared at Malao in the darkness. “Please stop with the questions, Malao. I'm trying to figure out what's going on with Ying.”
“Ying?” Malao said. “Ying was out cold. Believe me.”
“I believe he was out cold. Otherwise, he would have ripped your leg to shreds for sticking your nasty foot in his face. Still, something just doesn't feel right.”
“What do you mean?” Malao asked.
“Think about it,” Fu said. “The only thing between us and the scrolls was one lousy soldier. And why did they leave Ying by the fire like that?”
“Ying probably fell asleep there after drinking the mushroom spores and everyone was afraid to touch him. You know how much he hates to be woken.”
“But why was there only one soldier on patrol?”
“I think there were supposed to be two,” Malao said. “I saw another one sleeping in the shadows.”
“What?” Fu said. “What did he look like?”
“I don't know,” Malao replied. “It was dark.”
“Did you notice anything about him? Was he short and stocky? Tall and skinny? Did he wear armor? Or an elegant robe?”
Malao shrugged his shoulders. “I don't know. All I saw was a straight sword. What does it matter?”
Fu slammed his fist into his palm. “Tonglong! I knew something was going on!”
“Tonglong?” Malao said. “Ying's number one man? Oh, yeah! He carries a straight sword.”
“That's right,” Fu said. “I bet Tonglong knew Ying was unconscious and that we would return. He was probably awake the whole time, making sure we got the scrolls.”
“Making sure we got the scrolls?” Malao said. “You think Tonglong is on our side?”
“Maybe. Remember when he helped us escape in the forest by loosening my bindings and letting me head-butt him? Well, he really didn't have to. I never told you this, but Tonglong had already repaid his debt to me for sparing his life back at Cangzhen. After Ying killed Grandmaster, Ying was about to attack me again. However, Tonglong distracted him and I escaped. He saved my life and repaid the debt.”
Malao scratched his head. “Maybe Tonglong didn't realize what he'd done at Cangzhen.”
“I doubt it,” Fu replied.
“Hey! Maybe Tonglong was a secret friend of Grandmaster's!”
“Don't start with that secret-operation nonsense, Malao. I heard enough of it from Hok.”
“No, it may be true,” Malao said. “I didn't get a chance to tell you, but I recognized the leader of the bandit gang Seh is now traveling with. I'm positive I saw him at Cangzhen four or five times with Grandmaster. You would remember him, too. He's a giant of a man.” Malao paused. “I never saw Tonglong at Cangzhen, but he does remind me of someone. I just wish I could remember who. …”
Fu cocked his head to one side. “Now that you mention it, Tonglong reminds me of someone, too. Do you think Tonglong is some kind of spy working against Ying?”
“I don't know,” Malao said. “You're the one who thinks more is going on. If you ask me, I think I had a great plan to steal the scrolls and it worked. You're just jealous.” He giggled.
Fu shook his head and looked around. He yawned. “I'm getting tired, Malao. You want to take a break?”
Malao stretched. “I guess. Do you think it's safe?”
“I think so. If Tonglong wanted to get us, he would have come after us already. Ying didn't even flinch beneath your disgusting toes and the man I knocked out will probably stay unconscious until morning. As long as we don't sleep too long, we should be fine.”
“All right, then,” Malao said. “I am pretty tired.”
“Me too,” Fu replied. “I'm going to sleep on the ground. I don't think I can handle sleeping in a tree.”