The Fifth Degree: Practitioner of Death
Part 13
"You have done well giving me what I want. What information do you have for me today?" the man in the shadows asked another.
The other handed the man an envelope. In turn the man in the shadows handed over another thick envelope.
"Nice doing business with you. If you need anything else, you know how to reach me."
Both men left the area as quickly as possible so as not to draw attention. The man returned but not to his home. It was deep within Bejing's hidden underground. The place would not have been that unfamiliar to many, but at the same time, everyone who saw it would wonder why build such a place deep below the city. The place was a reminder of what had been lost, and yet what had yet to be regained. It was also a place for others of his kind to train in the art that he hoped to pass on to others. Though it was forbidden, and had been for centuries, he believed that all knowledge forbidden or not, had to be shared by all. There were those, like the Shaolin, who would argue that such forbidden knowledge would tempt those to use it. The Shaolin were right. The temptation was too great, but the use of such power had been done in the past, under dire circumstances, and he believed that his circumstances had been dire. He had been denied what was rightfully his, and he felt those that had denied him should be punished.
The man opened the envelope and discovered it contained several photographs. On the back were the names identifying those shown.
"So, you have come, good," he said, holding up one of the photographs. Then the man held up another, this time of a much younger man. "So, this is your son. Let's hope he does not interfere or his fate will be the same." Then he saw the third. The face looked familiar and yet he could not place the old man. A memory skirted his thoughts but it never fully came to fruition. No matter, it would come to him sooner or later. Then his eyes fell on the son's photo again. "Perhaps it is time that I show the Shambhala Master who has the greater power." The man pulled a cell phone from his robes and dialed a number. "There is someone that I wish you to watch," he said as he held up the image before him. He then explained in detail just who it was he had in mind.
"When do you want him?"
"Not for at least two days."
"You would break your pattern?" The man on the other end of the phone questioned.
"You know of my intent?"
"Let's just say I recognized your handy work, despite the lack of evidence."
"Be careful friend, or you may suffer the same fate."
"I am not afraid," the voice from the phone stated. "I've been dead before, or at least given the appearance of death. You cannot kill me that easily. Even you would not see me coming before I was to strike. Use what skills you have, and those of us will be forever grateful. The protector of Shambhala will be gone then we can move in at any time."
"Not before I get what is mine."
"Who is it that is not being careful now. You do not dictate terms to us. You would not want us to reveal to the police just who it is committing these crimes. And you certainly would not want him to find out."
"Who?"
"The old man in the third photo that was given you."
"What is he to me? He is just an old man."
"He is more than just an old man," the voice instructed. "He is related to the Shambhala Master. We allowed him to live, to seek those whom he loves. It is up to you to destroy the Shambhala Master's spirit by destroying what is left of his family."
"Why, what is so important about this old man?"
"Because he holds a secret, the truth."
"What of the truth. All I wish is my birthright."
"That is not possible," said the voice. "The Masters will not allow you to enter their domain, even if you could. You chose the path of the Chi Ru when you made your first kill when you were a child. You were trained in the art of the Chi Ru. You have reached the Fifth Degree. The Fifth Degree of the Chi Ru is a DEATH degree. You chose the method in how you would carry out that degree. Five deaths for each of the sacred five organs. You have done the first, but you have not completed the second. You must complete all to reach the level of a Grand Master. The last four deaths were not so clean. The organs must not burst through the body. Death must come from within and remain within. The final death must culminate in the utter destruction of one by destroying all five at once. You must continue in that or you will not succeed."
"I shall succeed. I shall succeed with the death of the Shambhala Master. But before I do, I shall practice on his son."
"No, you shall not," the voice on the phone warned. "Touch the son and you will destroy the Master before he is ready."
"Then who shall I take next?"
"Look closely at the old man. He holds a secret. If you wish to know that secret, seek him out."
Continues with Part 14