The Beggar Who Devoured Heaven

Chapter 4: The Black Gutter Gang

Running with a full stomach is a terrible idea.

Ren Kai learned this in the first ten steps. Two bowls of noodles, a plate of dumplings and a sweet bun sloshed inside him like water in a bucket. A sharp pain stabbed his side. His legs felt like wet rope.

"Left!" shouted Lu Zhen, far behind. "He went left!"

Right, said Old Crow.

"He said left!"

Exactly. So go right.

Ren Kai went right. He held the clay pot above his head and ran through the narrow alleys of the Gutters. He had known these streets since he could walk. He knew which walls had loose bricks, which roofs were low enough to climb, and which doors were never locked.

The guards did not.

He slid through a gap in a fence, ducked under washing lines, and jumped over a sleeping dog. Behind him, armored boots clanged on the stones. Someone shouted, then cursed as he fell into a puddle of something very bad.

At the end of Rope Alley sat a row of rain barrels. Ren Kai chose the biggest, climbed in, and pulled the lid over his head. It was dark and smelled of old fish.

Boots thundered past. One pair stopped right beside the barrel.

Do not sneeze, whispered Old Crow. Do not cough. And whatever you do, do not burp.

A burp rose in Ren Kai's throat like a bubble. His eyes watered. He clamped his teeth shut and held it down with his whole body.

The boots moved on.

He let out a long, slow breath. A very small burp escaped with it. It smelled like sweet bean paste.

Disgusting, said Old Crow. Well done.

They waited. The guards searched Rope Alley twice, then the next alley, then the one after. At last, their shouts faded into the night.

Ren Kai wanted to leave. Ren Lan was waiting at home, and the noodles in his arms were going cold. But he could still hear voices in the street.

"How long do I wait?" he whispered.

Until you are hungry again.

"Why?"

Because you are the only boy in Azure City who needs an empty stomach to win a fight. Old Crow sounded almost proud. Your power is not asleep, boy. It is eating. It burns through food the way fire burns through straw. When the last crumb is gone, it will wake up. Then you will be dangerous.

"How long?"

A few hours. Practice looking relaxed.

Ren Kai sat in the dark with his knees against his chest. Hours passed. The barrel grew cold. Rain began to tap on the lid.

Then he felt it.

It started as a small pinch in his belly. A tiny knot. Then it grew into a hollow ache. He had felt this ache every day of his life, and he had always hated it.

Tonight, for the first time, he was glad.

Deep in his chest, the great dark thing opened one eye.

Feed, it whispered.

The black mouth over his heart grew warm. One golden tooth glowed faintly through his shirt.

Ah, said Old Crow, softly. There you are.

The barrel lid flew off.

A lantern swung into Ren Kai's face. Behind it stood five men with sticks and chains. In front stood a huge man with a scar across his nose and a black dog tattooed on his neck.

"Well," the big man said. "Look what crawled into my barrel."

Oh no, said Old Crow. The Black Gutter Gang.

Everyone in the Gutters knew the Black Gutter Gang. They ruled seven streets and took a toll from anyone who walked through. Their boss was called Gao the Iron. He was a Spark Gate cultivator, which was enough to be a king in the Gutters, and he loved to show off his technique.

"Out," said Gao.

Ren Kai climbed out on stiff legs. He held the pot behind his back.

"You are on my street," said Gao. "The toll is ten silver."

"I have no silver."

"You have a coat that smells like a rich man's rubbish. And a pot." Gao sniffed. "Is that hot noodles?"

"It is for my sister."

"Mm." Gao took the pot with one huge hand and lifted the lid. "Cold noodles. Poor boy. Let me help."

He tipped the pot over.

Ren Kai did not move. He watched the noodles slide into the mud. The little pieces of meat. The broth that Widow Mo had made with her own hands.

Something inside him went very quiet. Then very loud.

Boy, said Old Crow, in a careful voice. Hungry is good. Angry is just angry. Do not do anything stupid.

Ren Kai stepped forward and punched Gao in the face.

It was a terrible punch. It had no skill and no power. Gao did not even blink.

"That is all?" Gao laughed. "Boys, this one hits like a wet noodle!"

He swung back. His fist was as big as Ren Kai's head. It hit like a hammer and threw him against the wall.

Pain exploded in Ren Kai's ribs. He slid down the bricks, gasping.

Get up, said Old Crow.

"I am... trying."

Try harder. He is using Iron Bell Skin. His body is hard as a bell, and you cannot hurt him from outside. But you can eat the skin.

"I do not know how!"

Touch him. Be hungry. Want it.

Gao grabbed Ren Kai's coat and pulled him up with one hand. His grin was wide and ugly. "Say sorry for the punch."

Ren Kai looked at him. He felt the great dark hunger open all the way, like a giant mouth.

He pressed his palm flat against Gao's chest.

"I am sorry," he said.

The golden mouth opened.

The air shivered. A dull gray light poured out of Gao's body, through his shirt, and into Ren Kai's palm. Gao's grin faded. His skin lost its hard shine. He suddenly looked like what he was: a soft, frightened man in a dirty shirt.

"What... what did you do?"

Ren Kai hit him again. This time the punch landed with a very satisfying crunch, and Gao the Iron fell flat on his back.

The gang stared at their boss on the ground. Then they ran, screaming, "Demon! He is a demon!" They left their lanterns burning on the stones.

Ren Kai stood alone, swaying. His knuckles were bleeding, and the noodles lay in the mud. But a strange new strength hummed in his arms. He knocked on his own forearm. Ting. It rang like a small bell.

"I will make it up to her," he whispered, looking at the empty pot.

Then a new voice spoke inside his head. It was deep and rough and very angry.

STAND STRAIGHT, YOU SLOUCHING RAT!

Ren Kai jumped.

Is that how you hold your chest? Shoulders back! Chin up! I have seen dead goats with better posture!

"Who is THAT?" Ren Kai whispered.

Old Crow sighed. That is Sergeant Pan. He taught Gao that technique long ago, before he died. A part of him lived inside it. Now it lives in you.

Hold your fists properly! roared Sergeant Pan.

Ren Kai covered his ears. It did not help at all, because the voice was inside.

Congratulations, said Old Crow, with great satisfaction. You now have roommates.