4. A Bubbling Concoction
Chapter four
A Bubbling Concoction
Lei
The brisk mountain air swept through the medical tent’s entrance sending chills down my spine.
Duck and I had been escorted inside after our heated altercation on the mountainside.
The dark blue interior contrasted to the rugged outside—delicate silk curtains swayed in the breeze, the soft glow of lanterns illuminated the room, and the scent of incense and herbs filled the space.
Lush, embroidered cushions adorned the benches on which Duck and I reclined.
A myriad of traditional Chinese healing instruments were carefully laid out—delicate jade gua sha tools, intricately painted porcelain bowls filled with dried herbs ready for brewing, and scrolls depicting ancient acupressure points.
Once we got on the benches, several healers examined our cuts and bruises. Their skilled hands moved in rhythmic patterns, cleaning and dressing our wounds with concoctions that stung momentarily but then soon soothed.
The heady aroma of herbs, combined with the fragrant balms, began to create an atmosphere of calm, slightly easing the weight of our confrontation.
Yet, it was the ancient rite of fire therapy that left the most profound effect on the space.
The process began with the healers lighting flames within glass cups, causing small vacuums when placed against the skin. The sensations were intense. The heat combined with the tugging of my skin into the cups was at once painful yet oddly cathartic.
Any hurt I had felt before entering the tent, withered away.
Now with the cups off and the healers out of the tent, we waited for the final assessment from the head healer.
Without his final approval, neither one of us could leave.
Come on. Hurry up. I have a power-hungry sister to deal with and I’m ready to get back to Monique.
My body hummed from the thought of being near her again.
Sighing, I raised my hand and traced the surface of my chest with my fingertips feeling the strange, puckered indentations left in the wake of the fire therapy cups.
Duck lay parallel to me and bore similar marks on his rugged frame.
Hopefully, the conversation of Monique is now a simple misunderstanding that we can put in the past.
I assumed all was now clear.
Still, we both remained silent as if separated by a considerable distance. And that space between us ran thick with the uneasiness caused by our fight.
Will he truly stand to the side when it comes to her?
My eyes traveled up, coming to rest on the mythical creatures that adorned the tent’s ceiling.
Each one was famous and breathtakingly detailed.
Many weaved among clouds and flames. Their piercing stares shimmered with a mystical glow. It was like they were engaged in a perpetual ballet, their motions graceful and synchronized, narrating tales of heroic deeds and myths from centuries past.
Qinglong , the Azure Dragon of the East, famed for heralding new beginnings, soared majestically with his azure scales catching the light. Zhuque , the Vermilion Bird of the South, renowned for her elegant dance of rebirth and purification, flapped her fiery wings, leaving a trail of embers. Xuanwu , the Black Tortoise of the North, a symbol of endurance and strength, stood resilient amidst the churning mists, his shell and snake tail intertwining in a protective stance. And there was even Baihu , the White Tiger of the West, celebrated for his power and bravery. He prowled the edges with a commanding presence.
But beyond the tales of individual heroics, there was a deeper narrative—one of unity and collective strength.
The creatures—while each powerful on its own—became truly formidable when intertwined, their scales gleaming brighter and their roars more resonant.
And as I studied them, it was as if they were teaching a silent lesson—unity magnifies power, while division diminishes it.
I traced their winding paths with my eyes and found myself getting lost in their mythical world. It was a welcomed distraction from the inner chaos within me.
Why did Yan have to show up? It’s hard enough that I have to deal with our father, now here she is. What new problems will she bring?
To my surprise, Duck broke the silence. “So. . .”
Just with that one word, I noticed the hesitance in it.
I turned to him. “So?”
He stared at the creatures covering the ceiling. “We are good?”
“As long as everything is respected.”
“Alright.”
I eyed him. “Why?”
“I’m wondering something.”
“What?”
Duck looked at me. “I have a question.”
“Then, say it.”
“Did you and Moni. . .you know?”
I raised my eyebrows. “No. I don’t know what you’re asking.”
“Come on.” Duck rolled his eyes. “You know what I am asking.”
“I don’t.”
“There were a lot of moans coming from your tent, from you and her—”
“And?” I glared.
Duck shot me a look, one that carried a mix of annoyance and genuine curiosity. “Are you going to make me say it?”
“Clearly.”
Duck’s gaze lingered on me, searching, probing. “Did you. . .let Moni take your virginity?”
I stiffened. “None of your business.”
Duck frowned.
The soft sound of footsteps caught my attention.
I checked my left.
Master Wu—our head healer—entered and then approached us with measured steps.
His face was an open book. The high cheekbones served as pages of laughter and sorrow. The strong jawline provided the plot twist. A prominent scar trailed from his right brow to his cheek, pointing to his missing eye where the area was smoothly closed and skin stretched over the void.
Rumor had it that many years ago, Master Wu had been deeply engrossed in his study of alchemy—a delicate balance of science and mysticism.
One fateful day, while attempting to distill the essence of a rare and volatile flower, there was a violent reaction. The explosion rocked his lab and a shard from a broken apparatus pierced his eye.
Though he bore the scar of that accident, Master Wu never considered it a setback. Instead, he often remarked that losing an eye had given him a unique perspective. He believed it deepened his intuition and enhanced his healing abilities, allowing him to see with more than just his physical eyes.
I often wondered if that was true.
Today, he had his silvery white hair tied neatly in a traditional topknot. His sky-blue robe hung gracefully on his wiry frame.
He held a tray carrying two large glasses filled with black bubbling liquid.
A rank smell radiated from them.
What is this stuff? It better not be something disgusting.
His remaining eye was a deep shade of hazel. He got between our benches and targeted me with that one eye. “It is time for your medicine.”
I frowned. “What’s that?”
Probably noticing the apprehension in my gaze, he offered a gentle smile. “We have gone through this dance before, Mountain Master. When I tell you what is in it, you usually do not want to drank it but we both know that you must.”
I sniffed the air. “It smells nasty.”
“That is the healing properties.”
Duck snorted on my other side.
Master Wu looked his way and glared. “Do not worry, Dōngfāng Hóng, you are next.”
Duck cleared his throat.
Master Wu placed the tray on a small wooden table beside us.
The mysterious black liquid continued to bubble.
Drawing a deep breath, I slowly sat up. “Seriously, what’s in there?”
Seemingly anticipating my reluctance, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Mountain Master Lei, your position comes with many duties, some pleasant, some not.”
I let out a long breath.
Wu pointed to the glass. “Consuming remedies prepared by the head healer is one of them.”
I gritted my teeth. “What is in there?”
“Your drinking the medicine ensures your well-being, and, by extension, the well-being of the entire mountain community.”
“Yet, you are not answering my question.”
Duck chuckled softly beside me. “Just drink it, Lei. It can’t be worse than that root brew with cobra venom that we had last winter.”
I shot him an annoyed glance but turned my attention back to Wu. “Can you at least tell me what’s in it? Perhaps knowing the ingredients will make it more. . .palatable.”
Wu contemplated for a moment, then began listing, “It contains fermented wild berries and water from the mountain spring—”
“That doesn’t smell like just berries and spring water. What else is in there?”
“Crushed cockroaches—”
“No. I’m not drinking it.” I shook my head. “What is wrong with you? Just give me a damn Tylenol and call it a day—”
“Tylenol doesn’t have the beneficial properties that cockroaches have—”
“I beg to differ—”
“Studies have found that cockroaches produce secretions with antibacterial properties that inhibit the growth of various bacteria—”
“I don’t care if they are the holy grail of immortality. I’m not drinking them.”
“We have already applied ground cockroaches to your wounds—”
“Good God.” I stared down at my bandages. “What is wrong with you all? I have asked over and over—”
“Also, their antioxidant activities will help combat oxidative stress in the body.”
“I am not drinking this.”
Duck cleared his throat. “I have a question.”
We turned to him.
Duck sat up and gestured at the glasses. “Is that the main reason why the liquid smells so bad? It can’t just be roaches in there. Right?”
I looked back at Wu. “Well? What else did your sick mind come up with?”
Wu smiled. “You will not appreciate the next ingredient.”
“Why not?”
“However, if you open your mind—”
“What the hell is in there?”
Duck left his bench and stood. “Yeah. What could be worse than cockroaches?”
Wu let out a long breath. “I believe the urine is what accounts for the overpowering smell.”
I blinked. “Did you say urine?”
“Drinking urine will detoxify the body and boost your immune system—”
“No!” Anger surged through me. “I have had enough of—”
“Lei, every time I attempt to give you your medicine, we go through this—”
“Because you keep making unnecessarily insane concoctions—”
Master Wu leaned in and his voice was soft but stern. “Every ingredient has been carefully chosen for its healing properties.”
“Urine?” I gritted my teeth. “You are a sick man.”
Duck slowly walked over and stopped by my bench. “But who’s urine is in there?”
I stared back at him in horror. “Does it matter?”
“I guess.” Duck shrugged. “I mean. . .maybe. . .I would drink my urine, but other people’s urine...”
“When would they have had time to get your urine, Duck?” I directed my view back to Wu. “It’s probably his urine. Sick bastard.”
The head healer remained calm. “Lei, you are the Mountain Master and must always be in optimal health to lead.”
“Therefore, urine is the answer?” I leaned my head to the side. “Just tell Chen I drank it, and this will all be over—”
“I will not lie to Chen.”
“I am not drinking that—”
“The path to great health is sometimes bitter. Yet, it’s a small price for the strength and vitality a concoction like this would bestow.”
I looked down at the bubbling liquid. “I’m not drinking that.”
Wu checked his watch. “Well. . .let us see how long you want to remain in this tent.”
I sneered his way.
“Until then, I will return to my tent and finish the report on you and Dōngfāng Hóng’s battle today.” Wu headed off. “The East’s historian will want the record.”
I groaned.
Chuckling, Duck called after him, “Make sure you write that I was victorious and Lei begged for his life, in which I gave him mercy.”
Wu left the tent.
I gazed at the black bubbling liquid, its pungent aroma threatening to overpower my senses. My thoughts wandered, and I found myself caught in the battle of old philosophies and personal desires.
In my mind, I could hear my father’s stern voice echoing his lessons on leadership.
“A leader stands on the principles of discipline, respect, and humility. Even when faced with decisions that challenge their desires, a true leader adheres to the rules and traditions that govern them.”
My father, despite the monster he had become in his later years, had imparted many valuable lessons that I couldn’t shake off. He believed that rules were essential to maintain order and to ensure leaders didn’t become tyrants.
To him, a leader without boundaries was a leader capable of unimaginable cruelty.
But as I looked at the glass, a profound sense of rebellion welled up inside me. Why should I consume something so repulsive simply because tradition and rules dictated it?
The very thought of swallowing even a drop made my stomach turn.
Duck’s snickers pulled me from my contemplation. “You know he won’t let you leave until that glass is empty?”
“I’m aware of that.”
“We probably could beat him up.”
“Wu?” I shook my head. “You heard the old rumors. Many say Wu is the only man that’s ever been able to beat my father twice.”
“Yet, my dad never confirmed it.” Duck chuckled. “Honestly, I think they said the rumor so we always would be terrified and just drank whatever he gave us.”
“Knowing my father and all of his smoke and mirrors with tradition. . .that could be it.”
“Yet, knowing all of that, you will still drink it.”
Sighing, I ran my fingers through my hair. “It is my duty.”
“My father is right, Lei. You are a good Mountain Master.”
I pursed my lips together.
Duck studied the contents of my glass for a moment then flashed me a mischievous grin. “Tell you what, I’ll drink yours and mine.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Why would you do that?”
Duck leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “If you tell me what happened between you and Moni, I’ll empty both glasses.”
I stared at him with disbelief. “Why is it so important for you to know?”
He shrugged nonchalantly, but there was a wicked curiosity in his eyes. “I’m intrigued.”
“Or you are still being possessive of Moni?”
“I was never possessive—”
“It’s none of your business—”
“Then, drink up.” Duck snatched his glass from the table and downed its contents in one swift motion.
I watched him in horror. “Is it as bad as it smells?”
Duck scrunched his face up in disgust and placed the empty glass on the table. He raised his finger as if to shush me and then he held his stomach looking like he might vomit. A few seconds passed before he could answer. “That is. . .by far. . .the nastiest. . .most vile. . .uh. . .that was torture. . .my throat is burning. My stomach is back-flipping.”
Fuck. How am I going to drink that?
I took a deep breath and steeled myself for the task ahead.
You can do this.
I picked up the glass, staring at the thick, black liquid with trepidation.
An image flashed in my mind of Master Wu yanking his little dick out and happily pissing in my glass. I bet he whistled a cheery song the whole time.
Oh God.
I could feel my stomach churning at the thought of what I was about to do.
But I knew that as Mountain Master, I had a responsibility to my people to maintain my health.
Come on. Make it quick.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, then brought the glass to my lips. The smell was overpowering, and as soon as the liquid touched my tongue, I gagged.
The taste was even worse than the smell and I had to fight to keep it down. It wasn’t liquid. It was sludge. Cruel and repugnant. I forced myself to swallow, then took another deep breath and downed the rest of the glass in one torturous go.
Dear God!!! Next time they should just kill me.
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and placed the glass back down. “I’m going to choke Wu to death. Fuck him.”
“At least you finished it.”
My stomach twisted.
I will not be able to eat at this feast.
Duck watched me. “I could have drank it for you.”
I could feel my stomach gurgle in protest, it threatened to reject the horrible liquid I had just fed it. “Yet, you needed more information than necessary.”
“I’m more surprised you are keeping that information private. You always tell me about your moments with your harem—”
“Monique is not my harem.”
“Hmmm.” Duck looked away.
“What?”
“Maybe, she did take your virginity.”
“Why does it matter?”
He gazed back at me. “Perhaps, I just want to know if my cousin has become a man.”
I searched for a bottle of water or anything that could get this taste away. “You think sex is what defines a man?”
“Well, isn’t it a rite of passage? A milestone?”
I rose from my pillows and stood next to him. “A man is defined not by what happens in the bedroom, Duck, but by how he lives. By the choices he makes, the values he upholds, the responsibilities he shoulders. By the way he treats others, especially those weaker than him.”
Duck smirked. “You’ve always been wise beyond your years, Lei. But still, I’m curious.”
“I don’t see why it matters.”
“I think that if Monique ends up being your first then she will hold more power over you than you understand.”
“Basically, you are assuming that I will be pussy whipped to the point where I will fail as a Mountain Master?”
“Pussy is a powerful drug and I’m thinking that by the way you were moaning inside your tent. . .Monique will get you addicted.”
I pointed at him. “Don’t spy on us again.”
“It was loud enough for most of the camp to hear.”
“It wasn’t.”
“It really was, Cousin.” Duck shrugged. “If she didn’t take your virginity, then what the hell did she do?”
“None of your fucking business.” I gestured at the entrance. “Do you want fight again?”
“No.” Duck held up both of his hands. “I just think you should consider. . .”
I quirked my brows. “Consider what?”
“Bringing your harem back to at least take your virginity so that if you go that far with Monique again you will be more—”
“I told you to step aside with Monique and let me handle it.”
“You did but now I am talking as your Red Pole.”
“Your title deals with your going to war for me and overseeing defensive and offensive operations not pondering the activities of my cock.”
“Monique is directly connected to Rowe Street Mob. Do you not think that we may end up going to war with them soon?”
Sighing, I looked up at the creatures dancing around the ceiling not wanting to deal with any of this.
Duck continued, “If you get hung up on Monique, that may give Marcelo some opening—”
“She won’t spy for them—”
“I must consider all possibilities—”
“Not when it comes to her.” I put my view back on him. “When it deals with Monique, you don’t think logically.”
“That’s not true.”
“You took her panties.”
Duck went silent.
“As I said before, step aside.”
Duck swallowed.
“And do not concern yourself with what she and I do, or how addictive her pussy truly could be.” I scowled. “Do you understand?”
Duck slowly nodded.
Whistling, Wu stepped back into the tent. “Aww. There we go. The glasses are empty. Very good, Mountain Master.”
I pointed at him. “That concoction is never to be given to me again. Do you understand?”
“You’re welcome, Mountain Master.” He bowed and headed over. “Now, let us finish with my assessment of you two. I’ve heard there is a big feast tonight. You two will not want to miss it.”
Groaning, I sat back on my bench.