Knight of the Sea

In the end, Fang Tinglan didn’t squeeze into Hai Lian’s bed. It wasn’t that he’d suddenly decided not to mess with the boy, but rather that Hai Lian’s rickety little bed simply wasn’t strong enough to support the weight of two adult men. Fang Tinglan decided to go downstairs and knock on the landlord’s door instead.

Madam Jinling Hua was famous around these parts for being both a landlord and a pimp. She was still attractive despite her age. Faced with Fang Tinglan’s money, she let out a breath. The coins in his hand made a familiar clinking sound. This was music to her ears. A smile emerged from behind her sagging skin.

“What type does our guest desire?”

“No, I’m not looking for girls, I only need a clean room and bed.”

Madam Jinling Hua’s gaze dropped below his waist. Fang Tinglan nonchalantly let her think as she wanted. After a moment, her eyebrow quirked up, bringing the mole besides her eye up too. She smiled charmingly.

“Well, if our guest finds that he needs something later, feel free to come find me.”

Fang Tinglan laid down for only a brief moment before realizing what Madam Jinlin Hua’s last words meant; the walls here were extremely thin. It started with other guests’ teasing tones and dirty talk, but as the night wore on, it became moans of pleasure and the sounds of bodies drawing close. After the guests had their fill and left, Fang Tinglan could even hear the girls chatting away as they removed their makeup. They discussed their guests — for example, the minister who claimed not to be tempted by women was actually fond of little boys’ gazes and asses.

“The other day in Bainiao District, I saw Lady Nanduo’s carriage. Tsk, tsk. Not only was the entire carriage plastered with gold, but the horses drawing it were snow white as well. I bet even the queen isn’t as extravagant.”

“Oh hush. No matter how much gold she plasters on that carriage, she’s still the same as us.”

“What do you mean ‘same,’ don’t you also want to be the emperor’s woman?”

The girls burst into laughter and one stretched before continuing, “Wasn’t he impotent?”

“Where’d you hear that?”

“From the Minister of the Interior that came a couple days back. Just think. Before becoming the Emperor’s woman, Lady Nanduo already had two children. If he wasn’t impotent, she would’ve had that crippled man’s child long ago.”

The girls quieted down, and the noises from the streets quieted to match. The metallic gray skies started turning white from the east. The sun was rising.

At least the girls’ gossipy stories were far more useful than Oubuli An’s legends he recited the day before, Fang Tinglan thought to himself as he yawned.

Perhaps it was due to the sounds that filled the air last night, but Fang Tinglan dreamt of warmth and desire. Strangely enough, the dream centered not around a girl, but a young man. Fang Tinglan hadn’t been able to make out the man’s face, only that he seemed to have a thin scar along his left eye. The man beneath him wore a smirk. His voice was lazy to match.

“Like what you see, Officer Fang?”

He whipped out a knife as soon as he finished speaking and struck straight towards Fang Tinglan’s heart.

“Fang Tinglan!”

Fang Tinglan woke up with a start. The heavy feeling on his chest was actually just a pillow. The speaker stood by his bed, crossing his arms and looking impatient.

“Calling you nicely just didn’t work, so I had to use your full name.”

“What happened?” Having woken up so suddenly, he was still slightly dizzy.

“Weren’t you looking for someone?” The person responded simply.

“I’m taking you to see someone who can help.”

Fang Tinglan could only force himself out of bed and deal with his actual business. He moved to lift his blankets, but suddenly froze. The sticky and moist feeling beneath him reminded him of the passionate scenes from his dream. Suddenly, the person’s face became clear.

Hai Lian…

Hai Lian was wearing a different set of clothes today. Instead of the sailor suit, he wore a loose-fitting grey top and mid-length pants that nicely outlined the boy. His exposed neck and collarbone made Fang Tinglan’s eye twitch.

“Can you wait for me outside?” Fang Tinglan put a hand to his forehead.

Hai Lian didn’t react at first. He gave Fang Tinglan a once-over, then suddenly understood.

“I thought you’d call for a girl, not take care of it yourself.”

For a rare moment, Fang Tinglan was speechless. Hai Lian felt he’d recovered lost ground and carelessly tossed Fang Tinglan’s jacket to the man. He gestured for the man to do as he needed, then walked towards the door. When he was about to leave, Hai Lian suddenly turned around and spoke.

“Don’t worry, I understand. After all, you’ve been at sea for half a month without the taste or touch of a female. Now you suddenly have to sleep in a place like this; nobody would be able to bear it.”

He shut the door.

Fang Tinglan gripped the jacket in his hand and suddenly sighed again.

When Fang Tinglan opened the door, he was once again the calm and composed Fang Tinglan. Waiting in the main hall, Hai Lian was examining the list Faluko had given him earlier. He shoved the papers back into his bag when Fang Tinglan approached. Hai Lian gave the man a nod of fake sympathy.

“You can get your clothes washed at the southern corner of the street. The price is not bad and the owner had his leg broken when he was arrested before, so he can only make some money this way.”

“Thank you.” Fang Tinglan noted that the boy was in rather high spirits and couldn’t help but ask a bit more.

“How can you fall asleep at night, living around here?”

“Used to it.” Hai Lian didn’t elaborate.

“Let’s go. Any later and we won’t be able to meet the man.”

“Didn’t you say he was an information broker?”

“Information brokers are humans too. They need to amuse themselves too.”

“Alright, then how long will we be standing here?”

“Depends on the stamina of the person inside,” Hai Lian answered.

The person Hai Lian intended to introduce Fang Tinglan to lived not far from the red-light district. As they walked, Hai Lian had only said that the person was known as “Mercury,” and was a famous info broker in Anwanna District. Fang Tinglan had imagined a businessman who dealt both inside and outside the law. But after arriving at their residence, he immediately discarded his previous thoughts.

Fang Tinglan currently stood in front of Mercury’s house. Behind him was a set of green windows, and beyond that sheet of glass, incessant moans could be heard. From the tearful cries to shaking sounds, it was no different from what Fang Tinglan had heard the previous night. This continued assault honestly exhausted him.

Actually, there was a difference.

Another moan floated out. Fang Tinglan couldn’t bear it any longer.

“Are they both men?”

“Don’t you already hear it?”

“…” He had his answer.

At least their stamina wasn’t too good. The two weren’t kept waiting too long. By the time the stall across the street put a new tray of pancakes on their stove, Mercury had opened his door. A young man snuck out. He flipped up the collar of his yellowish brown coat, nearly covering his entire face. Keeping this posture, he slipped past the two waiting outside and disappeared into a carriage. Hai Lian scoffed at the retreating carriage and took Fang Tinglan inside.

The room was dark and murky. A lustful smell permeated the air. The information broker was currently dressing himself. From time to time, his short hair would flash in the sunlight, only to retreat as if scared back into the darkness. Mercury seemed to be a young man no more than twenty-five years old. After putting on his pants, he heard someone entering and spoke without looking up.

“Did you forget something?”

“He left already.”

“Hai Lian?” Mercury said in disbelief.

“Indeed.” Hai Lian took a step forward. “I didn’t realize that these days you’re busy in the mornings as well.”

Despite the darkness, one could clearly hear a sly smile on Mercury’s face.

“He offered himself up, who was I to refuse?” He stood up and walked towards the two while fastening his belt.

“You’ve spent too long at sea this time. I was beginning to wonder if you’ve finally provoked Hui Sha too much and that he’d fed you to the fishes.” As he spoke, his light green eyes traveled to Fang Tinglan. He whistled.

“Who’s this?”

“A guest who just arrived. I brought him here to do business with you.”

“Which one?” Mercury laughed.

Hai Lian rolled his eyes. He didn’t bother with the man’s coquettish words.

“Help me look into this.”

Mercury took the list and skimmed it, then clicked his tongue.

“That’s a tall order… I can’t help immediately. I’ll need at least three days.”

“That’s fine, help him out first,” Hai Lian motioned to Fang Tinglan. “You haven’t had lunch, right? How about I go buy you something?”

“Pancakes are fine. Oh, I can already smell it.” Mercury sniffed the air. Finally dressed, the man winked at Fang Tinglan and smiled.

“Come, guest. Let Hai Lian run errands. We can have a nice chat.”

Hai Lian shook his fist at Mercury.