“How did A’San and A’Liu meet?” Jade Guanyin asked Xiao Ma.
She was lying facedown on the narrow bed inside a crew cabin, naked from the waist up and exposing a broad expanse of pale skin. Xiao Ma was changing the dressing over the old wound on her back.
“Leave it alone,” she said indifferently. “I’ll be cut again in a few days anyway. Why bother treating it now?”
“Shut up.” Xiao Ma slapped her across the backside.
The masochist hummed comfortably twice before continuing to pester him. “How did they meet?”
“None of your damn business!” Xiao Ma replied impatiently.
Dissatisfied with his attitude, Jade Guanyin whined and began wriggling flirtatiously. Xiao Ma hurriedly held her down. “Stop moving! I’m applying the medicine!”
“He was once captured by me… No, the Boss ordered me to bring him in to do some work,” Xiao Ma continued impatiently. “He saved the Boss and took the opportunity to cling to him afterward.”
“Is he really your ‘adviser’? Xiao Qi Hall’s deputy manager?”
“Bullshit!” Xiao Ma scoffed. “That brat doesn’t know a damn thing!”
“What about Little Azure Dragon?”
“What Little Azure Dragon?” The hairs on Xiao Ma’s body stood upright the moment he heard the name.
Jade Guanyin tilted her face toward the cabin where Qin Hao was staying. “How did Little Azure Dragon meet A’Liu?”
“Damn it, his name is Qin Hao. Stop calling him Azure Dragon,” Xiao Ma said. “That brat saved the Boss in prison.”
“What about you?”
“What about me?” Xiao Ma slapped the gauze onto her back with moderate force, drawing a soft hum from her. “The Boss saved me!”
“The Boss was incredibly handsome back then,” he recalled with worshipful intoxication. “He descended from the sky carrying two huge blades! All you could hear was whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh as the blades flashed…”
Jade Guanyin’s giggling interrupted his recollection. “What are you laughing at?!”
“Both of them saved the Boss, but you’re the only one the Boss saved. You become unhappy whenever you mention them. Are you jealous of them?”
“Bullshit!” Xiao Ma’s face turned green.
“You, A’San, and Qin Hao—the three of you are just like A’Liu’s harem.”
Xiao Ma slapped Jade Guanyin’s backside again. “Nothing but bullshit comes out of your mouth! Who taught you Chinese? You’re part of my harem, if anything!”
With a coquettish moan, Jade Guanyin turned over and wrapped her arms around Xiao Ma’s waist. “Your Majesty, then you must favor this consort properly.”
Xiao Ma turned her back over and gave her backside a fierce series of slaps before favoring her thoroughly, exactly as she wished. Drenched in sweat, Jade Guanyin bit down on the pillow and panted. Xiao Ma forbade her from making any noise because he feared the crew members patrolling outside might hear.
He never treated her gently. Thrusting his hips with enough force to seem intent on breaking her apart, he roughly kneaded her breasts like two great lumps of white dough. Their pale and wheat-colored bodies crowded together on the narrow bed, sweat shaking loose and dripping down to soak the thin mattress. Every muscle on Xiao Ma’s body stood out, and the old scar across his flushed face looked even more savage. “When this is over, where are you going?”
“I don’t know… Mm…”
“Are you staying in Thailand?”
“Mm… Impossible… They wouldn’t want me there…”
Xiao Ma drove into her hard, forcing a startled gasp from her, and said domineeringly, “If you have nowhere to go, then get your ass back to Hong Kong. Master Ma will support you!”
Jade Guanyin buried her face in the pillow and suddenly shuddered, writhing like a fish on a chopping board. Xiao Ma knew she was close, so his movements grew even more violent and rapid, “filleting” the living fish with increasing force. The Ma family blade plunged and churned inside her while his right hand seized her “extra” organ and worked it roughly. Jade Guanyin seemed to dissolve into a mass of flesh around him, shaking violently with every thrust. She could barely draw breath and was almost senseless with pleasure.
…
At dusk several days later, the cargo vessel arrived at Bangkok Port. Golden Maitreya’s third son, Manjushri, was already waiting with a group of men. After thoroughly searching Xia Liu Yi and his companions, they invited them into a large passenger van.
Like Jade Guanyin, Manjushri had been injected during childhood with an experimental sex-reassignment drug by Golden Maitreya. Jade Guanyin’s “cultivation” had been comparatively successful, producing a strikingly full pair of breasts. Manjushri, however, had developed an almost eunuch-like appearance. He was tall and thin, with a narrow, withered face and a somewhat feminine manner. His voice was soft and high, refined yet strange.
Sitting inside the van opposite Jade Guanyin and Xia Liu Yi, he addressed Jade Guanyin by her birth name in a shrill Thai voice. “Susin, Godfather has been waiting for you for a long time. A wanderer who leaves home must eventually return.”
Elio’s Notes: Susin is Jade Guanyin’s Thai name.
Turning toward Xia Liu Yi, he continued in a peculiar, mocking tone, “Fifth Brother, you’ve had a difficult journey.”
Xia Liu Yi shook his hand. Manjushri’s icy fingers slid into his palm like a snake, and he winked flirtatiously at Xia Liu Yi. Xia Liu Yi gave him a perfunctory smile and released him. Looking out of the window, Xia Liu Yi, who had visited Bangkok many times, realized that they were not heading toward the city.
“Has Godfather moved again?” he asked casually.
Manjushri narrowed his eyes in a smile. “Fifth Brother, don’t ask too many questions. Knowing too much is bad for Godfather and bad for you.”
Xia Liu Yi smiled as well and closed his mouth, while imagining stabbing him twice in advance.
Escorted by a sedan at both the front and rear, the van gradually left the glittering city behind. They traveled from sunset until deep into the night and had long since passed beyond Bangkok. Xia Liu Yi watched as the terrain became increasingly remote and treacherous. Beneath the moonlight, the mountain road twisted, rose, and fell, leading them into some unknown wilderness. The deeper they traveled, the more private soldiers they saw standing in groups of two or three beside checkpoints. They carried loaded weapons, wore camouflage paint on their faces, and resembled troops from an irregular army.
Xia Liu Yi knew that this was Golden Maitreya’s true main stronghold. Just as Jade Guanyin had predicted, the Thai police and Interpol were monitoring Golden Maitreya too closely, forcing him to drag her back to his lair to deal with her. His willingness to allow Xia Liu Yi into this innermost sanctuary meant one of two things. Either he was extremely satisfied with the grand gift Xia Liu Yi had presented and had increased his trust in him, or he intended to kill Xia Liu Yi and had brought him inside to dispose of him at the same time.
The van entered a parking area among the mountains. Several military jeeps stood across the wide ground, and a group of men waited to receive them. Two men stood at the front. The first was short and powerfully built, with a sinister face and tattoos covering both arms—a ferocious tiger on one and a vicious leopard on the other. He was Golden Maitreya’s eldest son, Ksitigarbha. The second was of average height, wore glasses, and possessed such an ordinary face that he resembled any passerby who would disappear instantly within a crowd. His right arm was encased in plaster and hung from his neck. This was Golden Maitreya’s second son, Samantabhadra.
Ksitigarbha had already become extremely impatient and was tossing a gleaming dagger in his hand. Samantabhadra stroked the plaster on his right arm with his left hand and thoughtfully watched the blade. When the convoy appeared in the distance, Ksitigarbha caught the dagger and aggressively led the group forward.
The bodyguard in the front passenger seat climbed out and opened the rear door. With her hands cuffed behind her back, Jade Guanyin was shoved roughly from the vehicle by Xiao Ma. She stumbled several steps before regaining her balance. When she raised her head and saw the two men, her face broke into a delighted smile. “Oh, Eldest Brother and Second Brother have both returned. It’s been such a long time!”
“Nothing is more important than having the whole family together,” she said in Cantonese before laughing loudly at her own joke.
Among all the people present, the only prisoner was laughing and trembling like a flower as though she had lost her mind. Xiao Ma jumped down behind her and slapped the back of her head. “Lunatic! Stop blocking the way! Shut up!”
He seized the back of her collar and dragged her aside, clearing the doorway. Qin Hao climbed out next. The two men took positions on either side and respectfully invited their Boss, Xia Liu Yi, to descend.
The disruption destroyed more than half the murderous presence Ksitigarbha had carefully created. He glared furiously at Jade Guanyin before turning to acknowledge Xia Liu Yi with a curt nod. Ksitigarbha and Samantabhadra spent most of the year traveling and handling affairs for Golden Maitreya. They had met Xia Liu Yi, their nominal “brother,” only a few times and felt less affection for him than for a stray dog at the roadside.
Samantabhadra walked directly to Jade Guanyin, tilted his head to examine her, then suddenly swung his hand and slapped her across the face.
Jade Guanyin spat out blood and smiled through the redness covering half her face. “Second Brother, has your hand still not healed?” Several months earlier, when she fled, Samantabhadra had been ordered to pursue her. She had broken the bones in his hand and killed more than ten of his men.
“Younger Brother,” Samantabhadra said coldly as he pinched her chin, “I wonder how Godfather will make you die.”
Jade Guanyin giggled in his grip like a delighted little hen. “Preferably from too much pleasure.”
Manjushri was the last to leave the van. He looked at his two brothers. “Where is Godfather?”
…
Godfather was inside a meditation chamber deep within the bamboo forest.
Xia Liu Yi sat cross-legged in the outer hall with his other three “brothers,” drinking tea. Four expressionless death warriors stood behind them carrying guns, while Xiao Ma and Qin Hao had been stopped outside the hall.
Even from outside, they could faintly hear the endless screams and gasps coming from the meditation chamber. The sounds had continued for more than half an hour and were nearly hoarse. Xiao Ma’s fists clenched and trembled, and his teeth began grinding together. Qin Hao observed the activity inside with a cold expression. Quietly lifting one hand, he discreetly pressed it against Xiao Ma to restrain him.
As the sounds within gradually weakened, Xia Liu Yi began worrying that Golden Maitreya might genuinely torment Jade Guanyin to death. Glancing at the others, who appeared entirely accustomed to it, he casually asked, “Does Godfather do this inside the meditation chamber to imitate the Joyous Buddha?”
“Getting impatient?” Ksitigarbha sneered contemptuously. “When Godfather grows tired of playing, he’ll naturally call you inside.”
“If Fifth Brother is so eager, why not go inside and find Godfather yourself?” Manjushri asked in his shrill voice, gesturing invitingly toward the chamber.
Samantabhadra continued stroking his plaster cast with a wooden expression and ignored them.
Xia Liu Yi smiled. “How could I? Brothers, please have some tea.”
He straightened and poured tea for all three men. It was English black tea, which looked absurdly mismatched inside the Chinese-style bamboo tea hall. The incongruity perfectly reflected Golden Maitreya’s warped and bizarre personality. He was a major drug lord who had adopted a Buddhist name and built himself a meditation chamber in which to indulge in depraved sexual acts, as though he intended to cultivate himself into an evil Buddha: a vast belly that contained every venomous deed beneath heaven, and a bloodstained mouth forever open to devour every decent soul in the world.
Before Xia Liu Yi finished pouring, Golden Maitreya issued an order in Thai from inside. Manjushri rose with a giggle and called to his subordinates outside. Two men entered, followed him into the meditation chamber, and soon emerged dragging the blood-covered Jade Guanyin between them.
Jade Guanyin was completely naked, her body covered in whip marks. Golden Maitreya had ravaged her lower body with various implements until it was mangled and streaming with filth. Her two large pale legs dragged across the floor, leaving a trail of blood.
Her tangled hair concealed her face, and her head hung without any reaction. It was impossible to tell whether she remained alive. However, Xia Liu Yi had clearly understood Golden Maitreya’s earlier command. Manjushri was to take her to the torture room for a thorough interrogation. Golden Maitreya had apparently only abused and vented himself upon her for the moment, leaving her half alive so that he could force her to reveal where she had hidden the important documents she stole.
Manjushri dragged the unconscious Jade Guanyin out through the hall, passing directly before Xiao Ma and Qin Hao. Qin Hao once again discreetly restrained Xiao Ma. Xiao Ma had stopped trembling, but his eyes were as red as blood. He lowered his head to conceal them while keeping his gaze fixed upon Manjushri and the others, carefully observing where they took her.
Golden Maitreya spoke again inside the chamber, this time ordering his other godsons to enter. Xia Liu Yi quickly exchanged a glance with Qin Hao before following Ksitigarbha and Samantabhadra inside.
The meditation chamber was sparsely furnished, containing only a Buddhist altar, a low table, and a meditation cushion. The three sticks of incense before the altar had already burned away. The low table bore the marks of a body having lain and struggled across it, along with suggestive fluids. Beside it stood a row of bloodstained implements.
The smell of incense mixed with semen, sweat, and blood, producing an indescribably nauseating odor. Xia Liu Yi held his breath and looked toward Golden Maitreya, who sat in a wheelchair beside the low table, as well as the two death warriors standing within the shadows behind him.
“Godfather.” Xia Liu Yi pressed his palms together and bowed respectfully.
Golden Maitreya reclined with his eyes closed. His face remained flushed from recent excitement, with a thin layer of sweat upon it. In a tired, hoarse voice, he said, “You’re here. Sit.”
Xia Liu Yi glanced around the room and saw no chair. Understanding what Golden Maitreya meant, he knelt upon the meditation cushion, positioned as though worshipping the great Buddha before him. Ksitigarbha and Samantabhadra stood behind him on either side like two guardian deities.
“Xiao Liu did well this time,” Golden Maitreya said without opening his eyes. “What reward do you want?”
“This is only what Xiao Liu should offer Godfather,” Xia Liu Yi replied.
“Oh? You don’t want a reward?” Golden Maitreya spoke as faintly as someone murmuring in his sleep. “Then Godfather is curious. I sent six of my Twelve Divine Generals to Hong Kong, along with more than a dozen subordinates, and they have now been out of contact for five days. Could it be that you took them for yourself as a reward without asking me?”
“Godfather, you’re falsely accusing Xiao Liu,” Xia Liu Yi replied calmly. “I only know that Jade Guanyin killed two of them. I know nothing about the rest. Perhaps they’re still aboard a ship returning here?”
Golden Maitreya’s wrinkled face broke into a smile. At last, he opened his eyes and fixed Xia Liu Yi with a seemingly amused gaze that would make an ordinary person’s blood run cold. “Xiao Liu, Godfather is very curious. Who gave you the courage to defy me? Who persuaded you to deceive me?”
He suddenly raised his eyes toward Samantabhadra behind Xia Liu Yi. “Did you truly believe Godfather didn’t know what you were planning?”
Samantabhadra’s expression changed. His right hand abruptly emerged from the plaster cast, but before the concealed gun could point toward Golden Maitreya, the already-prepared Ksitigarbha kicked it away. Ksitigarbha immediately closed in, drew a blade from his waist, and drove the dagger into Samantabhadra’s abdomen.
At the same moment, the two death warriors behind Golden Maitreya drew their guns and aimed them at Xia Liu Yi as he attempted to attack Ksitigarbha.
Blood soaked Samantabhadra’s clothing. He released a pained groan as Ksitigarbha pinned him firmly to the ground. The two death warriors forced Xia Liu Yi back onto his knees.
Golden Maitreya rolled his wheelchair toward Samantabhadra. Ksitigarbha seized Samantabhadra’s hair and lifted his head, allowing Golden Maitreya to slap him brutally across the face.
Golden Maitreya pinched Samantabhadra’s bloodless face and spoke with the warmth of a loving father. “Did you truly believe Godfather didn’t know that you pretended to be injured and deliberately allowed Xiao Yu to escape? With your help, she stole Godfather’s belongings. Then you cooperated from inside and outside, brought Xiao Liu into the plan as a diversion, and plotted against Godfather. Samantabhadra, Samantabhadra—your wings have hardened, and you’ve cultivated a golden body. Do you intend to replace Godfather as the Buddhist lord?”
Samantabhadra clenched his teeth and remained silent. He had always been like this—someone who vanished the moment he blended into a crowd, burying countless schemes deep within his heart.
Golden Maitreya expected no response. He affectionately patted Samantabhadra’s face, straightened, and turned toward Xia Liu Yi.
“Xiao Liu, you’ve always been obedient and listened well to Godfather. Yet this time, you followed your older brothers in causing trouble. Godfather is deeply hurt. What benefit do you gain from offending me?”
With the two death warriors restraining his arms, Xia Liu Yi sneered. “You sent someone to kill Azure Dragon.”
“Did such a thing happen?” Golden Maitreya asked in surprise. Then he shook his head, as though remembering. “Oh, yes. Godfather is old and has a poor memory. Such a thing did happen. Did Xiao Yu tell you? That makes sense. Only this matter would cause you to throw a tantrum at Godfather. I remember that you and Azure Dragon were extremely close. But you should thank me. If Azure Dragon hadn’t died, how could you have become the Boss?”
Xia Liu Yi struggled violently in fury, but the two death warriors forced his head against the floor. Half his face pressed to the ground, leaving him in a thoroughly humiliating position. “Godfather!” he roared through heavy breaths. “Xiao Liu will not escape death today, but even if I die, I want to die understanding the truth. Azure Dragon honored you for so many years. Why did he have to die?”
“This matter has nothing to do with you. Why are you so persistent?”
“Azure Dragon saved me and raised me. He was as close to me as a brother by blood. Godfather claims to be a bodhisattva. Surely you can grant me this small measure of compassion?” Xia Liu Yi suddenly laughed bitterly at himself. “Perhaps knowing the reason will make my death even more painful.”
Golden Maitreya smiled with warm benevolence. “Very well. Since you are Godfather’s son, Godfather should naturally show you a little more ‘compassion.’”
He rolled his wheelchair toward the Buddhist altar, reached behind it, and drew out a photograph. Studying the three young faces upon it, he slowly returned and tossed it beside Xia Liu Yi’s face.
“Azure Dragon had to die because he found this photograph—and discovered who killed his biological father.”
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