Something Beautiful and Wicked

The next morning, Shi Yen woke up before the sun rose. She headed towards her Master's training studio, where she parked by the side of the small building.2

Shi Yen then passed by a street pole and paused. She turned her head slightly, glancing at an old reward sign with the edges worn out, nearly falling apart. It was offering a handsome amount of money on the information in regards to the 'Empress of the Underworld.' And attached was a photo of a woman wearing the mask of a lion.

Shi Yen disregarded it, heading inside the studio, meeting with her Master. She began to stretch and practice her Wushu training for the day.

She had been training since she was fourteen years old, right after watching her parents spar together, mesmerizing her with how lethal and beautiful they looked.

With her legs slightly apart, she held one of her fists at the top of her hipbone; her elbow shoved back as she stretched out her other arm, twisting her fisted hand, punching out, over and over again. Then with her curled fists, she swung out her arms over her head, striking downwards with her balled hands forcefully.

From the corner of her eye, she could feel her Master's hard, watchful gaze on her.

She then stretched out her arm, palm out, thumb tucked in. She struck forward, twisting before the end of the strike and starting with a new. She grunted when she slid her legs apart, placing one hand over the other. She swiftly spread one of her legs further, bringing down her hand by the leg in a drop stance, drawing one knee up slowly. She moved like waves of a smooth current.

She exhaled a sharp breath, standing to practice her sidekick. She rose one of her knees, thrusting out beyond her waist, spreading her arms as she kicked, switching sides as she kept going.

After one hour, she paused to take a break. She collapsed to the ground, taking out her bottled water, and her Master saw some conflict rise in her.

"When are you going to tell her?" Master Wong questioned her, knowing that something clouded her mind. Shi Yen thought that she had moved on from her past, but some things were too persistent.

"My sister knows I'm training in Wushu," responded Shi Yen sarcastically as she sat up, taking a sip of water.

Her Master rolled his eyes, not amused. She knew what question he was really asking. Shi Yen used to be a member of the Underworld, the Empress of the Underworld, a title she upheld shortly after her parents died. During her time, she wore Qipaos, tight leather, and opera masks to keep her identity securely hidden, even from her sister, Shi Ailin. She'd disappear during most nights and return before first light. Sneaking out was easy, but functioning on a few hours rest was a bit difficult.

"I don't know," Shi Yen added. "Do I need to tell her? I am not part of the Underworld anymore."

Her Master had grey-white hair, dark and bottomless eyes, and lines that suggested he was a happy man, once, long ago.

"Yenni. You should come clean to your sister. You can confide in her," Master Wong said. Shi Yen flinched at her name, but she didn't bother correcting him.

"I've been with them for five years. It's been a few months since I left, burying that part of me. It's a world not easy to escape from, and the worst part...there were times where I didn't want to leave. So excuse me for not wanting to open up that part of myself, Master."

It's disrespectful to speak to one's Master that way; however, Master Wong had been in the family her whole life. He was her father's trainer and best friend.

Master Wong was the only person who knew her inside and out; therefore, if Shi Yen allowed herself, she may have even considered him a second father-figure.

"If you don't tell your sister, there may be a time where she will find out on her own. And what then? She will be overcome with anger, and it may be unforgivable."

Shi Yen considered it. She and Shi Ailin had found out their father was the Emperor of the Black Society, also known as the Underworld after he died. Shi Ailin was overcome with anger while she was frozen with shock.

Master Wong had said he was obligated to let them know, as children of the Emperor, since they may be interested in succeeding their father. He did it, despite being against it himself, not wanting to encourage young women who had their whole lives ahead of them.

Shi Yen then questioned Master Wong like rapid-fire. Master Wong had told them that their father blended into regular society as a business tycoon and a loving father. But he held dark secrets that got him to be the person they almost didn't recognize. Master Wong had his secrets too. He knew of her father's Underworld life the entire time as his second and partner-in-crime. In some ways, it astonished Shi Yen while it daunted Shi Ailin when they received the news.

It forced Shi Yen to recall what her father once said to her, 'You don't earn a billion dollars. You take it.'

Shi Yen remembered having an internal battle. She had always dreamt of following her father's legacy, no matter what he did. She felt like joining the Underworld may help her understand a part of him she didn't know before. And she was desperate for answers. What happened to her parents? Were they killed? Why? To this day, she still doesn't know.

Shi Yen sighed, exaggeratingly. "No one has to ever find out, including Ai. I've left it behind. Plus, if I told her the things I've done, she wouldn't see me as the sister she relies on. If I told her that I used to be part of the same world that might have taken my parents away, she wouldn't look at me the same. But it wasn't like I had a choice. I was twenty when my parents died and when I was vouched for. I was young, bitter, angry, and I wanted answers."

"Sometimes, I wondered what your true motives were your majesty," Master Wong replied formally. "You seemed to have hated the Underworld, and yet you were enchanted with it."

"I understand," responded Shi Yen. "But do not refer to me as 'your majesty.' The Empress is dead."

Her Master gave her a curt bow of his head. "The Empress is dead only in the word of mouth and rumours. But here you are, and I am loyal to you and would do anything you say."

Shi Yen stood up. "In certain situations, I should be the one that's devotedly loyal to you." She then positioned herself in her guard stance.

Her Master then said, "It was the Shi family that looked after me. I was indebted to your father, and now to you," he said. "—And you should practice with a staff today."

"Then practice with me. My uncle visited me last night, and he insisted that I'd go husband-hunting," Shi Yen replied.

Her Master laughed. He picked up two thin staffs and passed one of them to her. She caught one with her hand.

"Why would you need a husband?" questioned Master Wong.

"That's what I thought," replied Shi Yen, spreading her legs slightly apart. She brought down her staff, meeting his powerful vertical defence. "Though, I don't think there's a man in this earth who's not afraid of me in the business world or the Underworld."

"It's not a terrible idea," said Master Wong, twirling his staff. "A union would help derail the police or any of your enemies from finding you if they caught wind that you're still alive since you faked the Empress' death."

"I've been doing pretty well without anyone finding me. Plus, another person succeeded me. They should worry about the new Emperor and not some 'dead' woman," she replied breathlessly. She twirled it over her head, picking up the momentum, grunting as their staffs clashed. "But yet, again, I can't marry anyone without being honest about my unordinary past."

Master Wong smiled. "Then be honest," he told her.

Shi Yen abruptly stopped, and if Master Wong didn't quickly pause his movements, he undoubtedly would have harmed her.

"That requires trust," she told him.

"Is that so bad?" replied Master Wong.

Not wanting to continue the conversation, Shi Yen curled one hand against her flat palm, bowing in front of Master Wong. "We're done for today," she told him, stalking past him.