I knew it was foolish thinking, but still, hope swelled in my chest.
“Three of the five warriors will be selected from the New Order,” Nezha declared, which set off more murmurs from the warriors.
“What about the other two?” Ren asked.
“They’re not gonna take some Jade Society clowns, are they?” Ashley muttered not so quietly. I shot her a dirty look.
“That is none of your concern.” Erlang Shen turned his three-eyed gaze to Ashley. That shut her up real quick.
A motion parted the crowd. The men, women, and children bowed their heads toward the person making his way past them—Xiong.
The old man got onto his knees, pressed the palms of his hands together, and bowed low to the gods.
“Guanyin, Nezha, Erlang Shen,” said Xiong. “Thank you for gracing our Chinatown with your presence and for delivering the news of the quest.”
“You’re welcome,” said Guanyin.
“We regard the gods with the utmost respect and welcome you to stay in the New Order for as long as you desire. To answer your call would be our greatest honor. Tonight, my young warriors will duel to determine which three are the worthiest of embarking on this quest.”
“D … duel?” I whispered to Ren.
“Sounds, uh.” He gulped. “Fun.”
“The Duels are a New Order tradition going back five hundred years. The young warriors—those who have yet to come of age—must challenge one another, prove their capabilities to their elders, and earn the right to go on a quest,” Xiong elaborated. “It’s been fifty years since we last hosted the Duels, warriors, and this, the Ninety-Sixth Duels, shall be the grandest yet.”
“Sweet. I’ve always wanted a fight to the death,” Ashley whispered.
“You’re joking,” Ren said shakily. “She’s joking, right? About fighting to the death?” He turned toward Jordan, sweat beading his forehead.
Jordan flashed a reassuring smile. “’Course Ashley’s joking. Worst that’s happened in the past were people getting hospitalized for months.”
“Well, that’s fine,” I squeaked.
“The Ninety-Sixth Duels will be a rigorous and dangerous process,” Xiong was saying to a rapt audience.
Ashley added in a pointed whisper, “Not something you’d want to try if you’ve only been here for half a year.”
I rolled my eyes. As if I even wanted to duel people to go on another quest for the gods. I didn’t have another brother to lose on this one.
“Very well,” said Erlang Shen. “We’ll soon see which of you young warriors are worthy to take on this quest for the gods. Don’t dally. Remember—you only have until tomorrow.”
Erlang Shen brought the end of his spear down against the ground, and the floor shuddered beneath us. A bright golden glow enveloped the three gods. In moments, the glow faded, and the statues of Erlang Shen, Guanyin, and Nezha became stony and still once more.
Xiong clasped his hands behind his back and drew himself to his full height.
“Stand, New Order warriors,” he commanded.
Everyone obeyed, a wave of warriors straightening and clasping their hands behind their backs.
These guys were intense. Mao, the mistress of the Jade Society, had let her warriors train casually. She’d been more interested in reminding everyone that the demons no longer existed, and, oh yeah, that Alex and I, who’d known all along that they did exist, were worth less than the dirt beneath the warriors’ shoes.
“It’s been many, many years since we’ve had the honor of hosting gods in our temple and taking on a quest for them,” said Xiong, “but all of you have learned in your training about the proper protocol for such an occasion.”
“Shì!” shouted the warriors in unison. Yes.
“Tonight after dinner, you’ll show up to the training arena to prove your worth and honor as warriors.”
“Shì!”
Xiong nodded gravely. “Dismissed!”
The New Order warriors bowed and rushed out of the temple. Their momentum knocked me sideways, and I would’ve done a spectacular face-plant onto the ground if Ren didn’t steady me.
“Thanks,” I said.
“Ren,” Xiong called. “A word, please.”
“Think he’s gonna chew me out for being tardy,” Ren groaned. He shuffled away, his shoulders slightly hunched.
But I’d been late, too—and Xiong hadn’t called me over. Weird. Many warriors ran between Ren and me, pushing and shoving me toward the door.
“Where’s everyone going?” I asked as I followed Jordan and Ashley out the temple doors.
“Home, where I should have been all along,” grunted a man with a huge black beard and mustache—Mr. Wan, the grouch of the New Order—as he shoved past us. “Outta my way.”
The warriors cast wary looks in our direction as they filed out of the temple. Reminders that the three of us weren’t as welcome as we would’ve liked to be. I still hadn’t figured out what Ashley and Jordan had done to earn outcast status around here. The adults refused to talk about it, and the kids I’d managed to bribe with White Rabbit candy had said something vaguely about witchcraft. Then they’d burst out laughing. So basically, I lost a bunch of perfectly good candy and learned nothing.
“Where is everyone going?” I turned to Jordan this time.
Jordan’s jaw was set. “Well, there are only a few hours before dinnertime. I imagine everyone’s going to warm up for the Ninety-Sixth Duels tonight.”
“Warm up?”
“Yeah, you know, sharpen their weapons, work on their battle cries, conquer a few small nations … Ah Qiao likes to impersonate a monkey.” Jordan pointed toward the young boy, who was hooting and scratching his armpits. “Don’t ask me why.”
“You don’t need to prepare, since you won’t be participating in the Ninety-Sixth Duels, Faryn.” Ashley smirked. “You can just go relax for a bit. Enjoy the show when Jordan and I wipe the floor with the competition.”
“C’mon, Ashley.” Jordan gave his little sister an exasperated look.
Ashley rolled her eyes and turned away from me but didn’t say anything else. If there was only one person around the New Order who she’d listen to, it was her brother. If only Alex had been so obedient to me.
“How are you
