“Xiàwǔ chap shjean,” Tea time, he orders.
His tea will be poured by his newest pet. The women are chosen each night, hand selected for his morning ritual. He saves the most exquisite for himself, and this fourteen-year-old girl is no exception. Tea, bath, massage, and brushing. It is a two-hour morning of washing, combing, and oiling before he leaves for his weekly appointment with the barber before collecting his payments from the laundry.
His hair is perfectly combed and shiny. The child combs his beard and oils it, while he closes his eyes with a sigh. At forty-three years old, his body is a perfectly honed tool. Muscular and hairless he dresses in steamed black pants, long sleeve black shirt, and mandarin collar. Each day he dresses in the custom clothing. It is lined with a lightweight chain mail, meant to protect him from stabbing. Next, his black hat which is lined in curved steel.
“Shi-yoiu,” he calls, and the girl opens his wooden case of weapons. He fills his clothing with blades, hatchets, stars and more. All custom made for this purpose. Gently, he traces a finger down her porcelain cheek. “You have pleased me,” Shi bows and backs away as he turns to gather his pistols. He tucks them inside the gun pocket sewn into his black shirt.
Shi-yoiu traditionally pours his tea and kneels on the wooden floor beside him, completely nude. Her waist-length black hair covers her body, and he smiles.
“Pour one for yourself, drink with me,” he orders, and her black eyes fly open wide.
With trembling hands, she pours the tea, “Have I displeased you, Master Chen?” she whimpered.
“Not at all,” he takes the small vial from his pocket and pours it into her cup.
"My father said…" Yung snaps an order, and the big brute of a dog begins to growl behind her. Shi-yoiu is shaking violently as she lifts the cup.
"Your father stole from me, and he must pay. Giving you up was…unexpected, but I'm afraid more is required. Drink, and it will be painless, or I will feed you to my pet… I would prefer to avoid the mess.” He sips his tea and smiles gently at her.
He sees the shift in her eyes, a flicker of a warning indicating her choice and he is ready when she lunges at him with his short blade. Hidden in the length of her hair she thought she could kill him. The dog attacks and drags her backward by her arm. His jaws close around her throat with a sickening crunch. He holds her until all movement stops.
Yung watches as he sips his tea. Checking the time, he again knocks on the door and waits for the corresponding knock before unlocking it. “Deliver her body to her father at the laundry, while I’m at my appointment. Make sure to get his payment.”
As he walks down the four blocks to the barber, his guards surround him. They are prepared for any fight. Today he has five bodyguards with him. The other three will be delivering the package. Yung whistles as he walks inside the shop. Two men stand guard out front while one stands inside. Two more are sent to the back door.
“Good Morning, Master Chen,” the old Chinese barber murmurs with a bow.
"Yes, it is. I need the usual," As his trim is finished the barber begins to shave Yung. He frowns when he hears the raised voices outside.
“Master Chen, the Chinatown Laundry is on fire,” his guard informs him.
“Hot towel?” The barber asked.
“Of course,” he leans back as the towel is applied. Yung doesn’t bother removing the towel. “Tell the two out front to go assist them and help with the wounded but be sure to recover my cash.”
“Yes, Master Chen.” He gives the order before returning to his post.
More noise erupts outside, and voices again raised, feet pounding, sirens begin blaring and again the guard dashes outside to seek the source. “A fresh towel, Master Chen?” he removes the towel and replaces it with a freshly heated one.
“Yes,” he snaps as the guard returns again.
“The Central Street Laundry is on fire now, but they believe they have it contained.”
“I see. Central Street is behind in payments, leave them. Send in one of the guards from the back to watch the front.” Immediately they do as he commands.
The barber begins to sweep the floor, while Master Chen is relaxing. When the back door opens, and voices sound out a third time, Yung angrily jerks the towel from his face and finds himself glaring into the barrel of a cocked pistol.
“Yung Lin Chen, you are under arrest,” Chase snaps. One pistol is pointed at the barber the second is shoved into Yung’s cheek. “Get up, slowly. Keep your hands where I can see them.”
Yung leans forward to get up, “Who are you?”
“Doesn’t matter,” he tells the barber to leave.
"It's my lunchtime anyway," he snorts. "Don't make a mess!" He runs out back just as Jack rushes inside.
"Cuff him, Jack," Chase orders and this time both pistols are pushing into Yung's face. Jack moves over and jerks both arms behind his back. "I've dreamt of this moment," Chase said softly.
“I am U. S. Marshall Chase Rivers, you are under arrest for kidnapping, murder, rape, and whatever else I can find on you.”
Yung just smiles as Jack begins pulling out his weapons. He tosses them into the sink before finding the pistols. He tucks them into his belt and nods to Chase.
“Ah, the infamous Marshall, where is my Irish prize at? I have waited a long time to meet Miss Bronn…” Chase punches him, knocking him to the ground.
“You aren’t fit to speak her name,” he turns to Jack, “tie his legs up and gag him.” Rev enters and
