Marcus paused, took a look around and measured the positions of some of the tombstones and distance between them. It appeared that they did form a pattern - like slightly curved lines radiating out from a common center.

  “You’re right. We need to be careful.” Marcus took a deep breath: “Keep your steps light and - take only small steps.”

  “What? Oh - nevermind.” Liaowu was confused but still followed Marcus’ instruction: “And - keep your eyes open, okay? I am not an expert in this, but I don’t think graves forming this kind of line patterns is a good thing.”

  “Yeah, naturally. ” Marcus nodded as he pushed through some more weeds that were almost taller than him.

  The structure of the rusty water tower appeared less unstable the closer they came. Chilly wind blew through the area, yet the tower stood still without even a little bit of swaying. The entire structure did not make a whining sound at all, only those from when the tree branches, leaves and flying rocks hit it - something only very sturdy structures could do.

  “If you are here. Then come already.” A familiar hoarse male voice came from before them: “Come.”

  An unsettling feeling arose from Marcus’ heart. This voice was familiar - too familiar, in fact, he for a moment did not want to believe what he was hearing. He stepped up his speed forward, even throwing the caution of keeping steps small behind so that he could approach the voice quicker.

  “Who’s that?” Liaowu had to speed up in order to not be left behind.

  “You stay behind and hide. Don’t come out unless it’s safe.” Marcus did not answer, and simply shook his head.

  Liaowu wanted to ask why, but after seeing Marcus’ stern yet somewhat unsettled look he just sighed and stayed where he was. If he was to hide, his current position could be a good place to start looking from, as he was not standing on any stones, and he had some grass around him to cover his figure.

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  “Ah, Marcus.” Bulu Wang, now in a ragged taoist cloak, holding a slightly crooked metal staff and with his left eye behind an eyepatch, greeted Marcus with a smile: “I thought one day we would stand before each other. Just never thought it would be like this.”

  “What happened?” Marcus asked, his breaths were out of rhythm and his lips quivered: “WHAT HAPPENED!?”

  “A lot. ” Bulu Wang coughed and laughed: “Nothing that I’m proud of, unfortunately. But - I guess the more interesting and important question is: why are you here? What happened to you?”

  Marcus took a few deep breaths and stepped into the ground that was cleared of weeds and bushes but littered with broken tombstones and ceremonial wooden plaques. “Did the community collective force you to do this? What do they even have on you for you to do this?!”

  “There are only two ways a man can be coerced to do horrible things like this without regret.” Bulu Wang slowly circled around the cleared ground, as if helping Marcus study the surrounding area: “One is for the family to be held hostage. And the other, is when he’s captured by a painfully great ideal, a grand drea, a genuinely honorable task.”

  “And for which reason did you choose this?”

  “Both.” Bulu Wang sighed: “I did it for both. Now, tell me, Marcus - after what you have done in the city, after what you’ve seen - ”

  Before Marcus could respond or react, Bulu Wang’s already shot at Marcus, with his meta staff thrusting right at Marcus’ chest.

  “ - did I choose wrong?!”

  The metal staff crashed against Marcus’ palms. Bulu Wang’s Qi exploded, throwing Marcus back several steps. He followed with two quick jabs, aiming at Marcus’ shoulders. Marcus had no choice but to defend, blocking each attack with his forearms. The impact forced him back some more, and left his arms almost completely immovable for a brief moment. His muscles ache, his tendons hurt. Both these attacks might have cracked his bones.

  “What is with you? Can’t even muster up enough power to fight your old mentor?” Bulu Wang spat and raised the metal staff at Marcus: “Bring up your Qi! Have you no pride, Stone Tiger?”

  “I don’t wanna fight you.” Marcus panted, while pushing his Qi through his arms to alleviate the pain and reactivate his muscles: “I just - I just want answers.”

  “And do you know if you’re ready for those answers?” Bulu Wang raised his metal staff, ready for a sweeping attack: “What brought you here, at this time, Marcus? ”

  “I followed Master Liaoran and we went into a datacenter in the Northern District.” Marcus stood straight: “There are two groups of us - one group went to the datacenter, while the other went into a tunnel, to save all the scholars and monks abducted by those people.”

  Surprise flashed through Bulu Wang’s face, but he instantly collected himself: “And did you achieve what you went out for?”

  “We did.” Marcus panted: “Now - can you tell me what happened?”

  “You already know.” Bulu Wang shook his head: “It’s very simple - it’s the only way to keep my family safe. And the city - the hell with it. I have no interest in saving it at all.”

  “What’s the great task you speak of? You haven’t told me that.” Marcus frowned: “And - I do need to ask - that woman who hung herself after finding out her son’s missing. You wouldn’t have anything to do with that, would you?”