A Prophet - Chapter 12 (Part 5)

Chapter 5 - Grandfather's Whereabouts Unknown 

Grandfather stood up. "I am he."

"Broad daylight, murdering people on the open street—take him away!"

As soon as First Boss Ba, Second Boss Ba, and the others heard this, they charged in from outside the doorway, swarming around Grandfather and roaring, "Which of you bastards dares pull a stunt?!"

Upon seeing this formation, several patrol officers pulled back their bolt actions, training the muzzles of their rifles directly at everyone's heads. "What? Looking to start a rebellion?"

Grandfather said calmly, "You officers are likely mistaken. Just moments ago, I was dining at the Xiya Restaurant and indeed ran into a shootout."

"Enough nonsense! Take him away!"

Second Boss Ba stepped forward a pace and cursed, "Your mother..."

With a rustle, more than ten additional patrol officers rushed in from outside the courtyard, every single one of them brandishing firearms and instantly surrounding the group.

Grandfather let out a stern shout, "Second Boss Ba, stand down!" He then glanced over at Zeng Jingwu and Jiang Feiyan before saying to the lead patrol officer, "I will go with you."

Deep into the night, the Muzi Lotus headquarters was brightly illuminated. The chill of autumn was desolate, and cold winds blew incessantly into the rooms.

Everyone was anxiously deliberating over countermeasures. The evening meal hour had long since passed, yet not a single person could bring themselves to think about eating. Zeng Jingwu had already contacted his informants within the French Concession, but no news had been brought back yet.

Jiang Feiyan said, "Instructor Zeng should still find a place to hide for the time being. The Japanese have made their move against Grandfather, and they will track you down soon enough."

Zeng Jingwu replied, "Grandfather's fate hangs in the balance; how could I just up and leave? I am well-accustomed to playing cat-and-mouse with the Japanese over the years. I still have several safe houses in the Southern Bund area, and the Japanese won't find them overnight. It's just... it's just that it really isn't convenient for me to stay at the Muzi Lotus indefinitely. Once I'm targeted by the Japanese, it will inevitably implicate all of you."

Jiang Feiyan hurriedly said, "Instructor Zeng is overthinking it. That wasn't what I meant at all."

At the third watch of the night, Zeng Jingwu's scout returned to report, "There is no sign of Grandfather inside the French Concession's police station, and our informants have asked around everywhere—no one was brought into the cells this afternoon."

Hearing this, Zeng Jingwu felt an immediate sense of foreboding. "That's impossible, isn't it? A homicide occurred inside the French Concession, so the French are bound to investigate. All those patrol officers who came to seize Grandfather today were wearing French armbands. How could he not be in the police station?"

Jiang Feiyan mused, "Could the French have handed Grandfather over to the Japanese?"

Zeng Jingwu shook his head. "Impossible! The foreign powers all maintain independent extraterritorial consular jurisdiction within the concessions. Over the past two years, owing to the South China disputes, Japanese-French relations have been strained. The Japanese staging an assassination against Grandfather right inside the French Concession today was undoubtedly done behind the backs of the French, specifically to dump this messy fallout onto them."

Just as they were speaking, the housekeeper entered and announced, "Mei Xuanzi has arrived."

Upon hearing this, First Boss Ba and Second Boss Ba flew into a towering rage. "We were just fucking looking for him, and now he's delivered himself right to our doorstep!"

Jiang Feiyan cautioned, "Hold on. Let's hear what he has to say first."

Mei Xuanzi walked in accompanied by two of his disciples. Stepping through the doorway and seeing that Grandfather was absent, he hurriedly asked, "Where is Grandfather?"

Second Boss Ba abruptly stood up. "I'm the one who should be asking you that!"

Jiang Feiyan said, "Grandfather was taken away by men from the police station this afternoon."

"Ah?!" Mei Xuanzi was likewise taken aback.

Second Boss Ba sneered, "Are you still going to fucking play dumb? It was you who colluded with the Japanese to assassinate Grandfather! If Grandfather suffers even the slightest harm, I'll butcher your son first!"

Sweat streamed down Mei Xuanzi's face as he protested, "Second Boss, please calm your anger! I had no prior knowledge of this matter. At the time, I was sitting right there conversing with Grandfather, and I had no idea who that gang of intruders were either. If I truly harbored a sinister plot, why on earth would I have left my beloved son as a hostage in Grandfather's residence?"

Jiang Feiyan countered, "Then how is it that the men from the police station didn't arrest you as well? You were right there at the scene."

Mei Xuanzi explained, "During the shootout, my disciples and I were scrambling for our lives. After running back to our own sect headquarters, I was terrified out of my wits and hid away in a safe spot first. Later on, realizing there didn't seem to be any further commotion, it struck me that dying in the Shanghai Bund is a common occurrence anyway—besides, the dead weren't Frenchmen... and that's why I came looking for Grandfather... Oh, by the way, how do you people know those assassins were Japanese? Are you certain?"

Zeng Jingwu glanced at Jiang Feiyan and said, "Never mind how we found out. If you had any hand in this, I guarantee you won't leave here alive!"

Mei Xuanzi let out a heavy sigh. "I truly am innocent of this!"

Second Boss Ba declared, "Until Grandfather returns, your son stays right here at the headquarters as collateral!"

Mei Xuanzi was startled. "This..."

Jiang Feiyan stated, "Until the matter is fully clarified, we have no other choice. If Grandfather Mei has no other business here, please take your leave."

Mei Xuanzi looked as though he wanted to argue further, but Second Boss Ba blocked his path, threw open the door, and uttered curtly, "Grandfather Mei, please!"

Helpless, Mei Xuanzi shook his head and departed with his subordinates.

In the latter half of the night, Zeng Jingwu headed back first, and Jiang Feiyan instructed the various Boss Ba figures to retire to their quarters to rest.

In the quiet of the night, Huang Farong kept vigil by Jiang Feiyan's side. The two women leaned back against the headboard, deep in contemplation.

Huang Farong whispered, "Godmother, Grandfather won't be in any real danger, will he?"

Jiang Feiyan let out a sigh. "Let us hope not. People in our line of work live like this—one never knows which day the boat will capsize."

Huang Farong reasoned, "He should be fine. I've read Grandfather's physiognomy: the bridge of his nose running straight down to the tip is exceptionally firm, indicating a favorable middle-aged fortune, and his longevity span reaches well past fifty..."

Jiang Feiyan offered a weary smile. "You silly girl, what time of night is it, and you're still thinking about such things."

Huang Farong blinked her large eyes and said, "Godmother, if Grandfather manages to make it back alive this time, I want to..."

Jiang Feiyan glanced sideways at her. "Want to what?"

Huang Farong smiled faintly. "I want to have a thorough, heart-to-heart talk with him."

"A heart-to-heart talk?"

Huang Farong's expression sobered into one of sorrow. "Godmother, there are some things I don't know whether I ought to speak of, nor whether I should share with you."

Jiang Feiyan looked at her foster daughter and pulled her into an embrace. "My child, is there anything you cannot tell your Godmother?"

Huang Farong leaned into her shoulder, her tears dripping down onto the quilt. "Godmother, I know both you and Grandfather had my best interests at heart when you arranged for me to marry Zhang Zizan, but... but..."

"But what?" Jiang Feiyan sensed that Huang Farong harbored a wellspring of grievances.

"But... I feel that we simply aren't suited for one another..."

"Oh?" Jiang Feiyan was startled. "Did something happen?"

"His temper is particularly dreadful, and he splits hairs over every little thing. He's nothing like the cheerful person he appeared to be when I first met him. I feel like we rushed into marriage far too quickly. Over this past year and more, we've had a dozen or so major and minor quarrels. He doesn't seem to have the faintest idea how to cherish his own wife... I'm a year older than him, so I have to give way to him in everything. And... and I feel like he's rigid and conventional in all his ways, completely lacking in drive or ambition. How can one live like that?"

"Ah." Jiang Feiyan didn't quite know what to say. "This match... this match was decided by Grandfather and me... Look, why don't I have a talk with Zizan tomorrow?"

"It's no use. He will always be who he is."

Jiang Feiyan pulled Huang Farong a little closer.

After a long silence, Huang Farong murmured, "If only I had married Grandfather from the start."

Jiang Feiyan experienced a full-body shudder. "What did you just say?!"

Huang Farong was startled by Jiang Feiyan's reaction, staring blankly as she stammered, "What's wrong, Godmother? I've only ever spoken of this to you; I haven't mentioned it to a single other soul... Grandfather is the only man in my heart. He has drive, he has wisdom, and he truly understands a woman's deepest thoughts..."

"Say no more!" Jiang Feiyan snapped in a sharp voice.

"What is it, Godmother?" Huang Farong was frightened into silence.

Jiang Feiyan forced herself to regain a measure of composure before speaking. "Child, matters of the heart are no trivial affair. A country has its laws, and a household has its rules. According to the code of our Jiangxiang School, if a sworn brother engages in illicit relations with another's wife or daughter, the punishment is execution without exception. You must not ruin yourself in such a manner, nor must you place Grandfather in an unrighteous position."

Huang Farong whispered, "I only ever thought about it in my heart. I know it's impossible."

Hesitating for a moment, Jiang Feiyan asked, "Does Grandfather know about this? How did he react?"

Huang Farong replied, "Grandfather's mind is unfathomably deep, and his emotions never show on his face. He always urges Zizan and me to get along harmoniously. I can't tell whether he genuinely hasn't noticed or is simply playing dumb."

Jiang Feiyan nodded slowly. "My child, Godmother wishes for you to live a life of peace and happiness. You must never commit a foolish mistake, or not even Godmother will be able to save you when the time comes."

Huang Farong replied heavily, "I understand."

The two women clung to one another in silence, neither speaking further as they quietly stared out at the moon hanging outside the window.

After a prolonged pause, Huang Farong asked, "Godmother, if this time... I mean, what if, heaven forbid, something should happen to Grandfather..."

Jiang Feiyan said, "Are you asking what should be done if Grandfather meets with misfortune?"

Huang Farong nodded.

Instead of answering directly, Jiang Feiyan posed a question in return, "What do you think should be done?"

Huang Farong analyzed, "Grandfather never explicitly designated a successor during his normal days. If he is no longer here, among the various Boss Ba figures in the sect, the ones who have been with Grandfather the longest are First Boss Ba and Second Boss Ba. Yet First Boss Ba has courage but lacks strategy, while Second Boss Ba is hot-tempered by nature. Zizan has only just become Fourth Boss Ba and lacks deep roots, while Fifth Boss Ba, Elder Liang, is advanced in years and frail, currently incapacitated by his gunshot wound and in no condition to stir up trouble. The only one left is Third Boss Ba—he is debonair, well-read, and articulate, though it's unclear whether the other Boss Ba figures would submit to him... However, there is an even better alternative..."

Jiang Feiyan prompted, "What alternative?"

Huang Farong offered an enigmatic smile. "No matter how vast the influence of the Muzi Lotus is, it remains subordinate to the Jiangxiang School. If Grandfather is no longer around, Godmother, you hold senior standing. The brothers of the Muzi Lotus already hold a favorable impression of you, and even Grandfather honored you with the title of Sister Yan. You could..."

Jiang Feiyan stared unblinkingly at Huang Farong. "Could what?"

"Godmother could employ the strategy of rallying and co-opting, picking off the various Boss Ba figures one by one. First Boss Ba loves wine and gambling; Godmother need only supply him with silver to drink and gamble to his heart's content. Second Boss Ba is fond of women; Godmother could patronize a few courtesans at a parlor for him to indulge himself fully. As for Zizan, I can handle him; besides, you are his mother-in-law, so he won't put up too much resistance. As for Elder Liang, the Fifth Boss, he's nursing a gunshot wound and can barely look after himself, let alone make waves. The only wild card is Third Boss Ba; that man might put up some resistance, but if all the other Boss Ba figures have already aligned with Godmother, and you offer him even greater spoils, he's an intelligent man and will fall in line... Once the deed is accomplished, the Muzi Lotus and the Crossing Sea Begonias can merge into one. Godmother could establish a branch division right here, and your daughter can help you manage it. Not only would this preserve the ancestral incense of the Jiangxiang School's Muzi Lotus branch, but the power of the Crossing Sea Begonias would expand exponentially as well. The next time the four major branches hold a grand general assembly, Godmother's voice will carry infinitely more weight!"

Jiang Feiyan glared fixedly at her foster daughter, feeling that she was entirely too clever—clever to the point of being terrifying. After a long moment, she uttered a single sentence: "Utter nonsense!"

Huang Farong was taken aback. "What is wrong, Godmother? Did your daughter say something wrong?"

Jiang Feiyan rebuked, "Grandfather's fate is currently unknown, and if you dare utter such preposterous words again, you will face strict family discipline!"

Yet as the days dragged on, every conceivable connection was exhausted—official channels, secret service networks, and the criminal underworld. Zeng Jingwu and Jiang Feiyan mobilized every single shred of human resource at their disposal, yet Grandfather remained entirely without a trace.