Little Snake

"Then you won't be the first who's promised me that," Qingqing said lightly. "Look, Xie Bingyun. I don't want to make life difficult for you. I really have no care for this piece of paper. I could toss it into the river without ever reading it and have a good night's sleep after that. But since it's so important to you, it only makes sense that I drive a bargain with you."

"What do you want?" Xie Bingyu said at last, reluctantly. She watched Qingqing with watchful eyes, clutching her hand with an uneasiness she could not hide. She had seen martial artists of all different sorts, hidden weapons, but never experienced the strange art this young fellow with the laughing eyes had used. Her hand was numb yet; she could not move her fingers well. She suspected that if he wanted, he could have damaged her meridians easily.

"I'm looking for someone called Si GeJian. All I know is that he used to study martial arts and left after a quarrel with his shifu. If you can tell me where he is, I'll hand this back to you cheerfully, unread. And that's saying a lot, considering how curious I am by nature."

"It's a trap, Master," Yunsi said urgently. "Don't trust him!"

Qingqing sighed. "I say, good dogs don't make so much noise if they don't want to get cuffed. Listen, if I had really wanted to mess with you, I would simply kill you both right here, or run off with this thing. Instead, here I am wasting my breath trying to talk sense into you, because I really am only interested in information. If I had the money, I'd buy it from you nicely; but unfortunately, I was robbed recently." She shrugged. "You won't be offended, will you? I promise I won't bother you again after this. Or tell anyone."

Xie Bingyun gave a short bitter laugh. "You're not just arrogant, you don't give a damn about anything, do you? Fine. How soon do you want your information?"

Qingqing raised her eyebrows approvingly. "Now you're talking sense! As soon as possible. After hearing so much about your spy network, I'm sure it won't take you long to track down such a small fry who isn't even a master assassin or a traitor of the country."

She held up a finger. "By the way, you're not to do anything other than report to me about him. I want to kill him personally, unless you want to be so kind as to take the trouble of doing it for me for free."

"You've got nerve, speaking so carelessly to the Master. Watch your tongue, whelp," growled Yunsi.

Qingqing shrugged. "I won't take offence since you're just doing your job. But I'm afraid I'm not talking to you. Is it a deal, Master Xie?"

Xie Bingyun looked her up and down critically. "You're an interesting character, young fellow. What's your name?"

Qingqing gave a bark of laughter. "Don't try and seduce me now, no matter how mesmerized you are by my good looks. You don't need to know my name. But you can call me--Little Snake!"

"A fitting name," muttered Yunsi furiously.

"Little Snake." Xie Bingyun smiled under her veil. "You have some talents, Little Snake. How would you like to work for me? I, Xie Bingyun, collect talents the way others collect antiques and artworks. I can find a use for you."

Her eyes were as deep and fathomless as a lightless pool.

"Let's settle our deal first." Qingqing said firmly. "I appreciate Master Xie's compliment, but you're not going to distract me with flattery. Are you going to find out where Si GeJian is for me, or should I burn this little piece of paper?"

"How do I know that you aren't simply after it? You could just be lying to me to mislead me, and disappear once you have it."

Qingqing considered. "Fair enough." In a lighting fast movement, she pulled the sword from Yunsi's hand and flung the scroll into the air. As it hurtled down she sliced it neatly into two, and picked up the pieces with a flourish.

"Here. Consider this proof of my goodwill, and that I'm really not interested in this musty paper." She tossed one piece to Xie Bingyun. "If you want the other half, you'll bring me news of Si GeJian's whereabouts within two days."

"That won't be a problem," Xie Bingyun said lightly, pocketing the fragment. "Where should I meet you, Little Snake?"

Qingqing shook her head. "Ah, Master Xie. You'll have your men lying in wait for me, won't you?"

Xie Bingyun bowed slightly. "Little Snake is unnecessary suspicious."

"I'll be on a boat on the river, with a white lantern hanging in front. Remember, this other half can sink to the bottom of the same river if you try anything rash. Let's ensure a smooth transaction, so both of us can get on with our work." She tucked the other fragment away into her clothes and executed a graceful bow. "Well, I am much obliged to Master Xie. That's all I have to say, and I wish you a good night!"

She broke into a run and leaped into the air, levitating herself upwards onto the roofs with a bit of energy, and called backwards over her shoulder, "You can release your guarddog yourself, Master Xie! I'm not taking chances, he bites."

When she finally dropped down beside Dao Ge, he was snoring gently, still in the same position. Qingqing laughed to herself softly and sighed in contentment as she stretched out comfortably on the roof. Holding up one arm, she watched the moonlight shining gently on the red threads hiding under her sleeve.

"Maybe I can help you find the person you're looking for, Dao Ge. Though I can't use Xie Bingyun to find Sister Bai, and anyway I don't trust that Master Xie. She might very well kill Si GeJian for you out of spite, but he's going to die anyway so I figured it's not too big a loss even if she does."

She smiled as she ran her finger over the red threads. "You and I, we've spent enough time waiting, haven't we?"