Chapter 72: In Pursuit of the Blind Bandit

Master Yu and Xin Fu sat across from what Xin Fu kept referring to as an informant.

Master Yu said calmly, "Tell us what you know about the blind girl."

The man said, "Yeah, a little, barefoot, blind girl came through here a few days ago with her friends. Some weird, monk-looking kid; couple of older, Water Tribe kids; and some one-eyed swordsman. Real motley bunch. They left with some freaky professor that hangs around here; he's always talking about some library he wants to find."

Master Yu stroked his chin, thinking. "Did they give any indication where they were heading?"

The man leaned forward, smiling slyly. "Maybe you could give me some incentive to remember?"

He rubbed his thumb and fingers together.

Xin Fu growled, "You suggesting I should break your fingers?"

The man hurriedly put his hands behind his back. He said, "The desert! They went into the desert! Too bad there's almost no chance they survived."

He pointed out the nearest window, and then quickly hid his hand once more.

Yu asked, "Why do you say that?"

The man snorted. "Are you kidding? If they survive the sun and the thirst, then they've got to contend with the local tribes. Sandbenders. They don't take kindly to outsiders. Even if you assume they survived that, then there's the critters. Buzzard wasps, giant scorpions and rhinoceros beetles, even sand sharks! Unless you're a native, the Si Wong is one giant death trap."

Yu sighed. Xin Fu shrugged. "That's okay. They're wanted dead or alive, anyway."

The man stood up from his chair, almost toppling it in his haste. He walked away saying, "I really don't know anything and I should really be going so bye!"

He ran out of the bar.

Master Yu turned to Xin Fu. "She is not wanted dead or alive. I'm certain that her father wants her alive."

Xin Fu shrugged again. "Whatever. Looks like we're not getting paid either way. We can't even bring Bei Fong a corpse."

Yu sighed. "I fear you are right."

Xin Fu said, "Drink?"

Master Yu nodded, a slight smile on his face. "Might as well."