Free Phoenix by Jeff Stone Page A

going to have to spend the night. Those ten miles will take a couple hours, both going out and coming back. From what I remember, though, there is nothing at the final destination but a small, empty valley. Why would you want to go to that place?”
    I’d been expecting this question. I had decided that since she would be with me the whole ride, I might as well tell her about the ruins. Of course, I wouldn’t tellher
why
I wanted to go there. As for the man I was supposed to find, I would deal with that topic when the time came.
    “There was a temple in that location,” I said. “It was destroyed a long time ago.”
    “Cangzhen Temple?” she asked.
    My eyes widened. “Yes! How do you know about Cangzhen?”
    “I don’t know much, only the few things my father has told me. There is supposed to be a crazy old hermit who lives in the temple ruins, but no one knows exactly where the ruins are located. Are you sure that’s the spot?”
    I couldn’t believe my good luck. Her already knowing about the man would make things much easier. “I’m fairly sure that is the location. The person who programmed the GPS said it might not be exact, but it should be close.”
    She shrugged. “I guess the ruins could be in that valley. I’ve ridden all over those mountains except down there, and I’ve never come across any destroyed temples anywhere else.”
    “Do you know anything more about the hermit?”
    “Not really. My father spends a fair amount of time in one of the villages out that way, and he hears things. People see the old man a few times a year, buying food and other supplies. My father said that he saw him once, and that he didn’t look crazy at all, just really big. Maybe people only call him crazy because he prefers to be alone, or because he often talks to himself about the glory days of Cangzhen Temple. I’ve never heard stories about him being dangerous or anything.”
    “That’s good.”
    “Do you want to talk with him or something?”
    “Maybe. I just want to find the ruins first. Do you know anything more about Cangzhen?”
    “There are legends, but they seem pretty unbelievable. Can I ask why you want to find it?”
    “No. I don’t mean to be rude, but it’s personal.”
    “Fine,” she snapped, her feistiness rising once more. “Be that way.” She grabbed the dirty dishes.
    I stood. “Here, let me help with those.”
    “No. I’d rather you didn’t come upstairs. I’ll take care of it.” She headed up a staircase at the back of the shop. She returned a few minutes later with a couple of old blankets and a threadbare pillow. She handed them to me.
    “I apologize for the condition of these,” she said, stern-faced.
    “These are great,” I replied, trying to lighten the mood. “They are much better than what I had on the bus, which was nothing. Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome. Do you think you will have a problem spending the night in the mountains tomorrow?”
    “Not at all. I love camping. My grandfather takes me sometimes.”
    “Good. I enjoy it, too.” She looked over at my backpack. “Do you have anything smaller?”
    “I have a small duffel bag, but I don’t think it’s going to help much on a ride.”
    “I have a pack that you can use. What about riding pants?”
    I frowned. “No. I had planned to hike to the ruins. Ididn’t think of riding a bike there until I came into your shop.”
    Hú Dié sighed. “You at least brought short pants, right?”
    “Yes. Several pairs. Why?”
    “Give me one.”
    “What?”
    “Just do it.”
    I rummaged through my backpack and pulled out a pair of brown cargo shorts. I tossed them to her.
    “These will work,” she said. “Now get some sleep. You are probably jet-lagged, and we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”
    “If you say so.”
    “I
do
say so,” she said, “and from this point forward, you will do exactly as I say. If you think Kaifeng is a dangerous place, you should see some of the villages and mountain