Free Monkey by Jeff Stone Page B

ahead?”
    The soldier nodded.
    “What about the scrolls?”
    “I think Fu may have them by now, sir.”
    “Fu got out of the cage?”
    “Yes,” the soldier replied. “The other monk threw him a ring of keys and—”
    “ARRRGH!” Ying leaped off the soldier and soared into the nearest tree. From there he could see into a small clearing farther up the trail and, sure enough, there stood Malao and Fu, talking. Fu seemed confused and upset. Malao, as usual, appeared to be making jokes. There wasn't a single soldier around.
    Ying spat and sailed to the ground. He worked his way silently through the underbrush, stopping when he reached a large bush directly behind Malao. AsMalao continued his banter with Fu on the opposite side, Ying slid his chain whip out from one of his oversized sleeves. In one lightning-fast motion, he wound up and lashed out around the side of the bush at ankle-height. Ying heard the familiar
whoosh!
and a satisfying
clink! clink! clink!
Even more satisfying was the sound of air rapidly exiting Malao's lungs as Ying yanked on the chain and Malao slammed into the dirt.
    “Come here, you little knuckle-dragger!” Ying snarled as he stepped through the bush and pulled Malao toward him. Both Malao's ankles were wrapped tightly together with one end of the chain whip.
    Ying looked over at Fu, and Fu's mouth dropped open. Ying was amused to see the scabbed-over slice in Fu's cheek stretch to a point where it had to hurt. Ying glanced down at Fu's chest and saw a dragon scroll poking out. He was about to lunge for the scroll when he noticed Fu's body go rigid.
    Ying turned and saw Tonglong approaching with his men. Near the front of the group was Hok hanging from the pole.
    “FU! HELP ME!” Malao cried.
    Ying smirked as Fu leaped next to Malao and grabbed the end of the chain near Malao's feet. Fu's robe opened slightly and Ying saw more scrolls. As he prepared to launch himself at Fu, Ying heard monkeys approaching. Angry monkeys. He looked up and saw dozens of macaques racing toward him through the treetops.
    “Fire!” Ying commanded, and shots rang out fromthe
qiangs
carried by Tonglong's men. Monkeys rained down around them. A piercing screech filled the air, and Ying noticed a white monkey run off into the trees. Blood dripped from its arm. The remaining monkeys followed the white one's hasty retreat.
    Ying laughed. “Fine fighting force you have there, Malao.”
    Fu growled and said, “Finer than the men you lost at Cangzhen! At least most of the monkeys …
GRRRRR …
escaped …
ARRRRR …
alive!”
    Through the taut chain, Ying felt Fu tense in preparation for a mighty jerk. Ying chuckled to himself. The instant he felt Fu's big pull begin, Ying let go of the chain.
    Fu sailed backward and Ying soared forward toward his closest opponent—Malao.
    “Don't let him grab you!” Fu cried out.
    But it was already too late. Ying clamped down on Malao's exposed neck with a powerful eagle claw. His razor-sharp fingernails pierced Malao's skin, sinking deep into a pressure point. Ying grinned at Fu as he squeezed, his nails slicing into Malao's nervous system like thin, ragged knives. Malao slipped into unconsciousness.
    Ying watched Fu's eyes fill with fury. Ying discreetly formed an eagle claw with his free hand and took a deep breath. An instant later, Fu leaped at Ying's outstretched arm, attempting to break Ying's grip on Malao.
    Fu can be so predictable,
Ying thought. As Fusmashed into his arm, Ying released Malao and lashed out with his other hand, latching on to the back of Fu's neck with amazing speed. Fu didn't have a chance. Like Malao, Fu was unconscious within moments.
    Ying lessened his grip on Fu and removed the scrolls from Fu's robe. He addressed his men.
    “Did all of you see that?” Ying said. “That is how you take care of business! Quickly, efficiently, decisively!”
    Ying glanced over at one of the weapons carts and saw Commander Woo sitting inside it with the hatch open.