Dawn light crept through the window. Yang opened his eyes. The unfamiliar ceiling took a moment to place. Then memory returned. Sun City. Grey Thorn Inn. A real bed.
Li San stirred on the other bed. Yawning and stretching.
They rose together and dressed quietly. Made their way downstairs.
The innkeeper was half-asleep at his desk. His head drooping forward. But he jerked awake at their footsteps. Blinking rapidly.
"What's wrong? Everything alright?"
"Everything's fine," Yang said. "We need to relieve ourselves. And is there a way to bathe? Clean ourselves properly?"
The innkeeper rubbed his face. "One copper coin per person for a bath. We'll have someone fill it with warm water."
Yang and Li San exchanged glances. Their travel-worn clothes were filthy. Weeks of dirt and sweat. But paying for a bath before getting new clothes seemed wasteful.
"That's expensive," Li San muttered.
The innkeeper shrugged. "If you have issues with the price, go to the public bath."
Both Yang and Li San's eyes lit up. "Where's that?"
The innkeeper gave them directions. Then asked, "Breakfast now or after you return?"
"Now," Yang said. His stomach growling.
"Why is the inn so empty?" Li San asked. Looking around the quiet room.
The innkeeper snorted. "This isn't a farm. Most merchants wake hours later. They don't rise with the sun like peasants."
He disappeared into the back. Returned with two plates. Three steamed buns each. And a cup of some drink made from yogurt and spices.
Yang tasted it cautiously. The flavor was strange. Tangy. Not unpleasant but entirely unfamiliar. But it was filling.
They ate quickly. Thanking the innkeeper. Then headed out into the early morning streets.
Sun City was different at dawn. Quieter. The merchants hadn't opened their stalls yet. Only a few people moved through the streets, workers, guards and early risers like themselves.
They found the public bath easily enough. A large building with steam rising from vents. Inside were communal pools. Separated by gender. The cost was minimal. A single copper for both of them.
Yang scrubbed himself thoroughly. Enjoying the hot water. The chance to be properly clean for the first time in weeks. Li San did the same. Both emerged feeling refreshed. Almost human again.
"Now for clothes," Yang said.
They walked through the awakening streets. Looking for vendors selling simple clothing. Most shops were still closed. But a few early merchants had set up stalls.
The prices shocked them.
"So much for a single tunic?" Li San stared at the vendor. "That's robbery!"
The vendor shrugged. "You won't find anything cheaper in this city. High markup on everything here."
They moved to the next vendor. Same prices. The next. Still the same.
Finally, one shopkeeper took pity on them. An older woman with kind eyes.
"You're new here, aren't you?" She didn't wait for an answer. "Listen. This is Sun City. Everything costs at least twice what it would elsewhere. Sure, you could get this for half price in another city. But this is the City of Gold. Prices reflect that."
Yang's jaw clenched. But he understood. Supply and demand. Wealth attracted higher prices.
They finally purchased two tunics and two pairs of pants. Simple cotton. Undyed. But clean and whole. It cost them more than Yang wanted to spend. But they needed to blend in.
"We'll only wear these when we're out," Li San said quietly. "Save them."
Yang nodded. Agreement without words.
They changed in a storage room in the shop. Their new clothes felt strange. Stiff. But clean. They looked less like ragged travelers now. More like poor residents instead of desperate outsiders.
"Now we find information about martial artists," Yang said.
They asked around. Vendors. Guards. Anyone who would talk to them. The directions were consistent. Martial Street. Three districts over.
Martial Street was impressive. Wide. Well-maintained. Buildings on both sides bore signs advertising different martial organizations. Iron Fist Hall. Flowing River School. Mountain Peak Sect. Bronze Tiger Academy.
Dozens of them. All competing for students.
Yang and Li San chose one at random. Iron Fist Hall. The building was sturdy. Well-kept. Guards stood at the entrance. Watching passersby with professional assessment.
They entered. The interior was clean. Weapons hung on walls. Training equipment visible through an open doorway leading to a courtyard.
A man approached. Middle-aged. Wearing robes that marked him as an instructor. His eyes scanned them briefly. Cataloguing their potential.
"Can I help you?"
"We want to learn about martial arts," Yang said.
The instructor's expression didn't change. "You understand the ranks?"
Yang shook his head.
The instructor sighed. Like he'd explained this a thousand times before. "Anyone entering is called an Initiate. The first real rank is Martial Fighter. Then Martial Artist. Master. Grandmaster. King. Emperor."
He pointed to symbols on the wall. Characters Yang couldn't read. "Each rank requires training. Dedication. Time."
"How much does it cost?" Li San asked.
"Two silver each to become an Initiate," the instructor said. His tone matter-of-fact. "And once you reach Martial Artist rank, you serve the organization for five years."
Yang felt like he'd been punched. "Five years?"
"Minimum," the instructor confirmed. "Longer for more advanced training and support. The school recoups its investment by hiring out graduates. Security. War. Whatever clients need."
"That's insane," Li San said. His voice rising. "We'd be bound for years!"
The instructor's expression turned cold. "Nothing is free. All martial organizations have such procedures. This is Martial Street. The whole street is full of organizations. Ask around. Take any better offer you find."
His tone made it clear he didn't think they'd find one.
They left. Frustrated. Angry.
The next organization quoted the same price. Same contract length. The one after that was more expensive. Three silver per person. Seven years of service.
They visited half a dozen places. Each one the same. Some were wealthier. Better facilities. Those charged more. Required longer contracts. Up to twelve years for the most prestigious academies.
Yang and Li San walked back to Grey Thorn Inn in silence. Defeated.
Then settled on their beds. Facing each other. The disappointment heavy between them.
"Five years," Li San said quietly. "Minimum. At another's mercy. Forced to fight whenever they command."
Yang stared at the ceiling. His chest tight. "Is it hopeless?"
He tried urging his inner instincts. Seeking guidance. Direction. Anything. But they remained silent. No pull. No warning. Just quiet.
"Was this all for nothing?" Yang continued. His voice hollow. "Did we come all this way just to find there's no path forward?"
"Yang." Li San's voice was firm. Cutting through the despair. "Don't lose hope."
Yang looked at him.
Li San sat up. His young face serious. Determined. "There are more training centers. We haven't checked them all. We'll go through each one until we find one willing to take us without a contract like that."
"But they all said…."
They all said everyone does it," Li San interrupted. "That doesn't mean everyone actually does. There might be exceptions. Smaller schools. Independent masters."
He leaned forward. His eyes intense. "And if there's nothing in Sun City, there are other cities. Other empires. We'll go there. Months. Years. Decades. We'll find a way. But not if you despair now."
Li San's voice grew stronger. More passionate. "Stay strong, Yang. We've both come from small villages. But I'm seeing now that the world is a large place. Why bind ourselves to hope in one place? We'll find where we belong. No matter how long it takes."
Yang felt something loosen in his chest. The tight knot of despair beginning to unravel.
Li San stood. Crossed to Yang's bed. Put a hand on his shoulder. "Whatever happens, we deal with it together."
Yang opened his mouth. "Li San, thank you…."
"Don't," Li San interrupted. Squeezing his shoulder. "Don't thank me or I'll punch you. There's no thanks or sorry among brothers."
Yang smiled. Despite everything. Despite the disappointment and uncertainty. He smiled.
"You're right," Yang said quietly.
Li San smiled back. Warm. Genuine. "Of course I'm right. I'm always right."
That got a laugh from Yang. Small but real.
"Together then," Yang said.
"Together," Li San agreed.
They sat in comfortable silence. The weight of their situation still present. But manageable now. Shared between them instead of crushing Yang alone.
The world was large. Sun City was just one place. If this city held no opportunities for them, they'd find another. Keep searching. Keep moving forward.
Yang had survived years alone in the forest. Had crossed an impossible mountain. Had found family in Yunxi Village and friendship anf brotherhood in Li San.
He could survive disappointment. Could adapt. Could keep going.
As long as he wasn't alone.
And looking at Li San, at his brother in all but blood, Yang knew he wasn't.
They'd find a way forward. Together.
No matter what it took.