Jiang Cheng was nailing the final plank of wood on the bridge that was hours away from completion, when he was interrupted.

A hand in his shoulder stopped him.

"Boss wants you."

Jiang Cheng did not recognize this new man. He was sturdier and looked stronger than his fellow workers, who carried a leaner strength. He laid down his hammer, wiped his face with the edge of his robe and wondered what Min Qi Xue wanted now.

On the outskirts of the village, there stood two empty, run down looking buildings. This man led jiang Cheng to the one on the right.

Inside, Min Qi Xue waited for them. He twirled a long dagger in between his fingers, looking suspiciously happy. Just behind him, a large uneven shape was covered with tarpaulin.

Jiang Cheng waited silently. Min Qi Xue did not like unnecessary talking.

He rubbed the scar on his face, watching Jiang Cheng, thinking. He seemed to be deliberating something in his mind, and when he came to a decision, his lips twisted into a grimace.

With a flourish, he lifted the material off the mysterious object and threw it into the corner.

Jiang Cheng was at a loss to explain what he was seeing. He raised a brow, when Min Qi Xue caught his eye.

"I want you to fix this."

"What is it?" He asked, remembering that this man did not like questions asked.

"What do you think it is?" The dagger in his hand suddenly went flying past his head into the wooden pillar just inches away from him.

He had not flinched, but he took a quiet, deep breath in. Then he walked forward to examine the strange contraption.

It was a large wooden frame, held together by a huge spring, spikes all around the edges. He put pressure on one point, hoping he was right.

The spring jumped and this time, he did flinch, but nothing happened. The wooden beam that held it all together collapsed in a disappointing mess. He looked up quizzically to Min Qi Xue.

"It's broken."

"What does it do?"

"This is our Dragon Catcher." Min Qi Xue replied, proudly. "Only, it needs to be fixed, and soon."

Jiang Cheng felt a little sick.

"You're not afraid of blood, are you?" He continued, walking around the pile of wood. "Not everyone is cut out to be a... warrior."

Jiang Cheng considered his question. On the one hand, he wanted nothing to do with killing or trapping dragons. But could he sabotage his plans? Was it possible? How could he, without implicating himself?

"Blood doesn't bother me." He answered, thinking hard. "And I can fix this."

"Good man! Can you do it by tonight?" Min Qi Xue rubbed his palms.

"I'll try." He promised. But in his mind, he was going over ways to fail without getting caught.

*****

Jiang Cheng worked into the early hours. He wiped his face and neck with a rag, satisfied that his plan would work. He was hoping that the leader suffered from over confidence and fall into his trap.

He left the building silently and crept back to the town centre, sneaking back to his bamboo mat. Sleep evaded, but he thought about Lan Huan instead.

They had developed a secret code, so even if, in the event that the invisible crane was intercepted, the message would not be understood by just anyone. And he really, really wanted to talk to XiChen now. What he wouldn't give to be able to hear his warm voice, deep with love for only him. He longed to see his face. So many weeks had passed.

Jiang Cheng rubbed his chest, an invisible ache that wouldn't go away. At least he could send another message.

*****

Six men loaded the machine onto a cart, grunting with effort. Jiang Cheng was invited to accompany them over the bridge. He wanted to know where they were taking it.

They pulled it along, high up the mountain path, just wide enough to allow the cart to pass. Occasionally, one of them would stop and hack away the encroaching shrubbery and persistent vines preventing them from making progress.

They came to a dense wood, thick trunks of various trees surrounded them.

"You're going to catch dragons?" Jiang Cheng asked, doubtfully. "Here?"

"Yes." Min Qi Xue watched him.

Jiang Cheng reminded himself not to give anything away.

"Not today. We're not ready." He added, turning away.

Jiang Cheng wanted to ask very much why not, but he felt as if he had somehow raised suspicion in the leader and didn't want to jeopardize his own position.

They all walked back down the mountain. Jiang Cheng was disappointed that the machine wasn't tried out, but he still had time.

Min Qi Xue lingered back until he was walking beside him. Out of nowhere, he grabbed Jiang Cheng's arm and raised his sleeve up, exposing the tattoo.

They stopped walking.

Jiang Cheng stared back at the man, his heart in his throat. Min Qi Xue looked deep into his eyes. He did not blink once.

Tense seconds passed.

Min Qi Xue suddenly laughed out loudly. Jiang Cheng kept his guard up.

"I did not take you to be a follower." He said, finally.

Jiang Cheng said nothing, taking his arm back and pulling down his sleeve.

Min Qi Xue patted his back. "Now I know I can trust you."

They resumed walking down to the village. When they crossed over the bridge, he stopped Jiang Cheng from continuing to the town centre.

"Meet me in three nights. I'll be in the next house from the one we met in this morning." His tone was definitely friendlier.

Jiang Cheng nodded. He watched him walk away, wondering why this made him worry. He should be feeling happy that he was finally getting somewhere, yet in his heart, there was only a growing anxiety.