Chapter 2

After his meeting with Master Wang, Wulong arrived at the Shanghai police station. He entered the glass doors as he greeted the receptionist. Wulong bows his head in respect. This was the very same place his father worked at. He had flashbacks of sitting down at the chairs in the lobby and waiting on his father to finish up police work as he played with his toys.

"How may I help you, young man?"

"I'm here to meet with Sgt. Chong."

"Ahh, yes…" The receptionist thumbed through her files. "You're late Det. Lei's son, aren't you?"

Wulong nods. "Yes."

"I will send for him to come meet with you. Just have a seat over there on the chair. He'll be right with you."

Wulong did as told, taking a seat in the very same chair he sat in as a young child.

"Mama, why are we here?" The little boy looks up at his mother, his bright brown eyes widened with curiosity.

"Your father is about to go on lunch. He enjoys my homecooked meals!"

"So we're going to eat as a family?"

Minghua nodded. "It is very important. We might not be able to have family meals together all the time, but your father is doing good work out there."

Wulong nods. "Yes. Must be hard fighting crime on an empty stomach."

"Plus, family-time raises morale. He's going to work harder and do better as we will keep reminding him who he really fights for. I want you to remember this, no matter what happens, blood is thicker than water. Family is very important, my son."

Eventually, Zhao-Feng appeared in his uniform, immediately walking over to lift up Wulong in the air before kissing his wife on the forehead.

"Unfortunately, it is sad that my schedule conflicts with Wuzhang the Eldest." He sighed. "But it's okay." He smiled. "I have a wonderful family willing to go eat some lunch with me."

"Of course!" Wulong hugs his father. "I love eating lunch with you!"

"Lei Wulong!"

The young teen was startled as an older man in a uniform approached him, bringing him back to reality. He stands up and salutes the man before shaking his hand.

"Sgt. Chong, so nice to meet you, sir!"

"My, my… you have grown so much since the last time I saw you. You're shaping up to be an impressionable young man."

"Yes, sir!" Wulong honestly didn't know how to reply to that statement. It has been a long time since he has last seen this man. If memory serves, he was his father's superior.

"And very respectful, I see. You don't have to call me, sir, all the time."

"Um… yes… sir!"

"So, you want to follow your father's footsteps? And pursue a career in law-enforcement. We don't get many teenagers interested in this line of work. So, let me ask you? What makes you interested to join the Shanghai force?"

Wulong followed Sgt. Chong as he walked the young teen through the precinct.

"Well, it was something my Father was good at. And I barely knew him. I suppose I could give it a shot, and maybe… feel closer to my family and honor my fallen ancestors."

"I see."

Wulong nods. "Father told me that I descended from nobility. Our bloodline was said to have been soldiers who served the emperor for many centuries."

"Ah, yes. Indeed. And I'm assuming you wish to bring that name back?"

Wulong nods once more. "Yes… I also wish to serve the people as my ancestors have in the past."

"Yes. Your father had the same ideology. He became a cop because he was tired of all the injustice that his people and his family had suffered by the hands of the Japanese. As I recall, he didn't wish to join the military, as he felt that he would be serving his country better by protecting those who cannot protect themselves, instead of fighting in battle."

Wulong took note of all the uniformed officers answering phone-calls, writing up reports, and reading through some files. It was very lively as the noise of people talking almost distracted Lei from Sgt. Chong's voice.

"Yes… my grandfather… General Lei Li-Sun. He died in during an ambush in Burma in 1957."

"Very unfortunate. Too bad you didn't get to meet him."

Wulong nodded. Eventually, he was led into the office, where he sees an even older man in the same uniform, but this time his chest bore several medals, more medals than Sgt. Chong had on his left breast.

"This is Lei Wulong, the son of Det. Lei Zhao-Feng." Sgt. Chong introduced the young teen to the man in the office.

Wulong saluted before shaking the man's hand ad he stood up. "Nice to meet you."

"I'm Superintendent Song. It's a pleasure to meet you. Sgt. Chong tells me that you are interested in a career in law enforcement."

"Yes. I am. I've discussed the details with Sgt. Chong and he told me to come down here for an interview."

"I see. Now, as you know, you will have to go through rigorous training and discipline for 6 weeks."

Wulong nods. "Yes. I am aware of this. But I still like to know more about this opportunity before I jump in. Considering this is something that I plan on doing for the rest of my life, I'd like to know more about this career."

"Smart boy. Just like your father."

"Yeah, I get told that a lot. I barely knew the man, and yet I'm compared to him. Nothing wrong with that, just… makes me wonder if part of his soul is inside me."

"Possibly. And your motivations for this career…?"

"Carry out my father's will. And finish his work. He requested that I become a detective like himself and bring honor to our fallen ancestors. I also wish to help serve the people the best I can."

"I see… That's usually how they start. With good intentions before their hearts become hardened and their souls become corrupted over time. You have a pure heart, but how pure will it remain?"

Wulong took note of that statement. If memory serves, his father was a bit of an… asshole. Very authoritarian and strict. He remembers hearing a story from his brother that involved his father catching a thief and when he was going to make the arrest, he snaps the thief's wrist as he cuffs the perp on purpose to teach him a lesson. He also had such a strong and intense hatred for the Japanese. Wulong recalls, he remembers overhearing a conversation upon hearing on the radio news of Heihachi Mishima starting the new Mishima Zaibatsu.

"Those damn dirty Wokou! Of course they'd be into weapons production! Because they're all just a bunch of war-hungry savages!"

Wulong knows his father is rolling in his grave right now, as the young man had a Sony Walkman that he bought after saving up his money from working in the dojo. His father used to preach about how he should never trust a Japanese man or Japanese products. But considering what had happened to his clan during World War II, Wulong understood his father's blatant racism. Would Wulong be hardened by witnessing horrors and end up as a racist extremist asshole like his father, who breaks limbs off criminals in order to "teach them a lesson".

"Corrupt cops must be a problem. I swear, I'm not going to end up corrupt. After all, I've already experienced the horrors of life and what people do. I really only wish to help." He bowed.

The Superintendent smiled. He likes this young teen's enthusiasm and naïveté. But this kids is right, he saw his own father get killed, and he saw his own mother kill herself. Though he did wonder just how strong his optimism is. He looked forward to seeing him in action.

"You have a very strong will. And that's exactly what is needed to join the police force. Cadet Lei, I look forward to seeing you on the force."

Wulong nods, shaking the Superintendent's hand. "I look forward to working under you, Superintendent Song. Is it possible for me to work here part-time as I plan on furthering my education. I wish to study psychology at the University. I have always been curious about what drives people to do extreme things and what makes people tick. And also…" Wulong paused for a moment as he looked down, thinking about his mother. "My mother killed herself a day after my father's murder. I think when I found her, she was probably dead for hours. Her corpse smelled like it… I want to understand why she did such an extreme thing. Did she not realize what her death caused?"

"Yes, of course. I think psychology is a great field to study. It will make you great at this job. If you wish to get promoted and join the upper ranks, you must go to college. I feel like psychology will help develop your empathetic abilities. It will help you assist the people."

"Of course… Father said that I was too soft. But empathy would make me a great cop. And it would also allow me to use my talents that were granted to me by the blood of my ancestors. It's my destiny to protect and serve. It's in my blood."

"Come, let's have a tour of the station. I'll show you around."

Wulong got up and followed the Superintendent as he showed him around the station.

"The decision is final! You are not going to be a cop!"

Wulong returned to his home, now at the dinner table with his sister-in-law, nephew, and brother. They were having noodles and roasted chicken for dinner along with fried eggplants and vegetables in the dish. Wulong groaned as his brother still wouldn't budge on his decision to not allow his brother into the police academy.

"You are to pursue your psychology studies in the University and become a psychiatrist!"

"Yes, I am! But I'm also going to be a detective, too! I can use my talents to its fullest potential! You said it yourself, I have an amazing gift. We both inherited it from Father. Do you think this 'gift' made him a really good cop?"

"Why can't Uncle Wulong be a cop, Baba?" Qin asked his father, jumping in on the conversation.

Wuzhang sighed, running his hand through his face. "I've already explained this to him. And I'll explain it again. Becoming a police officer is basically committing suicide. The moment you sign up, your fate is sealed!" He turned to look at Wulong. "Unlike a soldier, you will not die with honor. You will die with no pride. People will kill you for settling a dispute. They will kill you for wearing that uniform. You saw what happened to our parents. And being a cop will tear apart your entire family, too."

"It's not about honor. It's not about dying. It's about fate. Don't you see it, it's my destiny!"

"Wulong, you have the power to create your own destiny and set up your own fate. You don't have to follow Father's path that he laid out for you."

"I'm not. I'm choosing my own path. This is the path that I'm choosing. On my own!"

"I think it'd be awesome if Uncle Wulong was a cop like Zu-fu! Do policemen get killed a lot, Baba?"

"Yes, they do. You know what happened to my parents."

"I think Uncle Wulong is tough. He's a young Kung-Fu master! He can kick everyone's butt in a fight!"

"How practical is Zui Quan even in a fight?" Wuzhang asked his younger brother after slurping on some noodles.

Ming Xiao, Wuzhang's wife stayed silent and just enjoyed her noodles as she didn't want to get involved in the conversation at all. She personally would just let Little Wulong become a cop instead of causing some unnecessary drama. It's great job security and the pay is good and a great way for Wulong to earn his living. It is an honorable position, but she understood how her husband felt.

"It's very practical. I'm still learning some basic Kenpo attacks to cover-up the weaknesses of Zui Quan."

"Do what you wish. You may study Kung-Fu, but please, don't throw your life away, okay? You're the only living relative I've got."

Wulong nodded. "I won't. I know what I must do."

Later on that night, Wulong laid in his bed, staring at the ceiling as he thought about today's events. In his drawer was the letter his father wrote to him. The young man was somewhat conflicted. Reading the letter and learning about his father brought back memories. He remembered all the pain and sorrow he had when he was at the orphanage. It was all caused by one man. A man that the police couldn't catch.

"Looks like I need to figure out a name before I do anything." Wulong said to himself out loud. "But how do I get such information?"

Wulong closed his eyes to think. He wondered how he would get information on his dad's murder. And where would he go? After several minutes of thought organization, Wulong finally figured out his first move. He sat up from his bed in revelation.

"Aha! I can go check the news article in the library! The report might be able to point me into the right direction!"

Wulong then shot out of bed and grabbed a notebook. He had to organize his thoughts somehow. First, he had to figure out who the police suspected killed his father back in 1973. Then he can possibly look up their information in a phonebook and find more information about them.

The very next day, Wulong found himself at the library. He greets the receptionist who directs him to the microfilm machine. As he sat at the machine, the librarian hands him newspaper clippings on his father's murder.

"Here you go, young man." The woman smiled. "So, why are you so interested in Detective Lei's murder?"

"Well, his death intrigues me, you know?" Wulong smiles, looking at the librarian. "He was apparently one of Shanghai's best cops, and nobody solved his murder."

"Really now? Are you trying to figure out who murdered him?"

"No, not really. It's just really fascinating that after thirteen years, they still haven't found the killer. You'd think the whole entire department would pour all their resources into finding the man that killed their best detective? But it seems like the trail went cold."

"What are you suggesting?"

"It was a set-up!" Wulong shouted as he slammed his fist on the table. "Of course! Why didn't I realize this sooner?"

"What?"

"According to this article, they found his cruiser at the bottom of the Yellow River. That means, whoever killed Det. Lei was trying to hide something that was in his cruiser! And whoever it was, had the entire thing planned! I think Det. Lei was executed by a corrupt cop."

"…"

Wulong sighed with relief as he ran his fingers through his hair. "That's why Superintendent Song was talking about police corruption… he knew Baba got murdered by some corrupt cops! There's my lead!"

The librarian stayed silent as Wulong got up, kissing the woman on the cheek. "Thank you so much! You're the best!"

He quickly gets up and leaves the library. As he left Wulong had to figure out his next move.

"According to the articles they said that his death was Triad-related." Wulong said as he wrote down notes in the journal. "I think there was an inside man at the police station. I think he probably gave the boss information on Baba's whereabouts. And maybe Mama got scared and killed herself. She probably knew who the murderer was, but she's dead."

Wulong sighed. While he was hoping to solve the mystery behind his father's death, he also needed to figure out why his mother killed herself. He had a hunch that it was more than just his mother missing her husband.

"She didn't seem to be the type whose world would fall apart if she suddenly lost her husband…"

"Hello, Wulong-renxiong!"

Wulong turned to see his "fiancèe", Wang Xiao Hua. She was an energetic and spirited girl. Her black hair was done up in ox-horns as she wore a pink qipao. She is Master Wang's granddaughter and possible wife for Wulong. Although the long tradition of arranged marriages were suddenly declared illegal (and a lot of other ancient Chinese traditions), thanks to Chairman Mao, it still didn't stop many families from practicing it. However, the marriage between the two wasn't really "arranged"; it was more of pushing them in the right direction of their true fate.

Personally, Wulong isn't interested in Xiao Hua. He's five years her senior and she's very child-like. He wasn't interested in a relationship with little girls, but perhaps maybe if they paired him up with a more mature woman closer to his age, he wouldn't mind. The matchmaker declared the two to be a perfect match. Only because Wulong was an Earth Monkey and Xiao Hua was a Water Ox, making them the best pair, according to the Chinese Zodiac. Also, since the one-child policy is strictly enforced by Chairman Mao, Master Wang felt that it was best to pair his granddaughter up with a descent of the Lei bloodline. Not only to symbolize the strong friendship Master Wang had with Wulong's forefathers, but also to produce a worthy heir to his dojo. With Wulong's ability to pick up different fighting styles on the fly, and Xiao Hua's gifted talents in Piguaquan, their child would become a very powerful Martial Artist.

"Hello, Xiao Hua!" Wulong greeted, quickly putting away his journal.

"I see you just came from the library. Are you getting ready for the university entrance exams?"

"Well, um… actually… I should probably do that…" He smiles as he rubs the back of his head nervously. "Actually, I'm looking into my father's murder."

"Oh…"

"And you know, my mother killed herself, too right after."

"What are you thinking?"

"I think maybe my mother knew who killed my father. I think that's why she killed herself. She knew that the killer knew she knew that he killed her husband."

"What?"

Wulong smiled, placing his hand on Xiao Hua's shoulder. "Basically, my mother killed herself so that she would die on her own terms instead of getting murdered by the same man who murdered my father."

Xiao Hua gasped.

"If memory serves, my mother was a very prideful and stubborn woman. She would do a stunt like that…" Wulong sighed. "I suppose that's where I get it from."

"So, what are you going to do now?"

"I guess I am just going to somehow get access to the case files that the police have."

"I can help!" Xiao Hua shouted with excitement.

"It's illegal, but the man who killed my father has to pay!"

"How does Mr. Lei feel about this?"

"I haven't told him anything but he made a huge fuss when I wanted to join the police academy."

"But that's your dream!"

"I know… and I support my brother's dream."

"Where are you headed, anyway?"

"I'm thinking about getting more information from Elder Brother Wuzhang."

"And then…" she tilts her head.

"Maybe I can go ask around the police station and see if I can find information on my father's killer."

"Can I come with you?"

Wulong let out a slight laugh. "Ahh… well… I mean, I am just asking questions. But it might get dangerous."

"I can handle myself!"

"I don't doubt it, but the man who killed my father will probably go after you, too. I don't think I can live with myself if anything ever happened to you."

Xiao Hua blushed. "You do have feelings for me, Wulong-renxiong!"

"No, it's just that I care about your safety. Nothing more. Nothing less."

"Well, I suppose we should go see Mr. Lei then!"

Wulong was not looking forward to this. But his brother so far is his only lead.

I'll find him, Baba! I promise!