‘I told you. Lord Ma never shuts up about how proud he is of your achievements. He even got into a fight with one of the Celestials who refused to believe you were as impressive as he claimed.’
‘What? I never heard about that.’
‘Lord Nioh had to break up the fight. Very unseemly for such high-level yaojing to be brawling in the street. Lord Nioh is very persuasive when he wishes to be. The Celestial was politely asked to leave Hell and threatened with his virtuous peaches if he were to mention your name again.’
‘But Horsey’s always berating me. I’m never good enough.’
His gaze is gentle. ‘I don’t think Lord Ma knows how else to encourage you. But there is no doubt he is proud of you.’
‘That makes no sense.’
‘Raising a child is no easy thing.’ He sucks his teeth, regards me as if weighing up a decision. ‘I was waiting for your birthday, but since we happened to meet fortuitously, it would be foolish of me to deny the Cosmos.’
From his changpao sleeve pocket, he pulls a small bundle wrapped in thin golden silk and holds it out to me with both hands, a gesture of great respect. I am stunned. He is one of the highest-ranking deities in Tian. I am a nobody.
Bowing low, I hold out both my hands to show my humble appreciation and receive his gift. The shimmering fabric is unlike anything I’ve felt before. It is smooth like silk, but has a cool sponginess to it. Like water, but dry. What is this?
‘Sea silk,’ Lord Black answers my unspoken question. ‘Spun from the fibres of clams and algae from the North Sea.’
‘Extraordinary,’ I breathe. I carefully unwrap the square to reveal a small pink pearl. It’s about as big as the tip of my pinkie.
Lord Black leans forward and blows on the pearl. It immediately swells, growing larger until it is the size of a small melon. Pale pink scales cover the surface of the pearl. I tilt the bauble in the light, and the whole thing flickers as if bathed in pink iridescent flames.
‘Is this—?’
‘A dragon pearl, yes. This one is the Longnu dragon pearl. I was tasked with keeping it safe until you came of age.’
I stare at Lord Black, and then at the priceless dragon pearl in my hand... the cause of so much mafan.
‘I thought Big Wang bought it from my mother—’
‘Buya dragon pearl? Oh child, you are too naïve. There is no dragon in Tian who would permit their dragon pearl to be bought, sold, or bartered. That pearl was gifted to you on your birth by my cousin Longnu.’
‘That’s what Brother Zhu said, but I didn’t believe him. But then why does everyone think Big Wang made it part of the deal to buy me?’
‘He did.’
‘You just said—’
‘It really isn’t my story to tell. You need to ask Big Wang.’
I suck my teeth at him, but Lord Black is unmoved.
‘So you wanted to give me the pearl? Thanks. I’d like to leave now.’
‘Don’t you want to know more about your gift? Why your grandmother wants it?’
Yes. No. I stand, irritated by the convoluted story, by still being in the dark, and the ever-present worry for Mr Lee. ‘I have to get back to the mortal realm, check on a friend.’
Lord Black chuckles into his fist. ‘Lord Ma did not exaggerate your obstinance either. The dragon pearl can make things easier and faster for you, if you will allow me to explain.’
I count to ten, allow my annoyance to settle, and then sit. I nod imperiously.
‘A tiger never births dogs,’ Lord Black mutters. ‘That pearl will grant you dragon’s sight. It is a great gift and an honour. Dragons see far.’
‘Yes, you’ve said that before. But I don’t know what that means.’
‘We see much.’
