Even three miles from Warehouse Seven, the East Canal glowed red. Gongs rang in twenty-four towers. Watchmen, guild sentries, and water crews ran through the alleys with buckets and pumps.
Pei Jing went against the current with qi under his boots. Light from the fire moved across the ceiling through the drain grates. Rats left their nests and raced along the banks. The watch had gone east. The eight men left at Starlight Hall had heard the gongs and moved to the bridge as Meng had ordered. Pei Jing stopped just long enough at the north sluice to meet Song Bo.
Before going to the warehouse, he’d asked Song to find passage for Gu’s household if he could get them out. Song had booked three berths with the Southern Wind Fleet on credit. At the sluice he passed Pei Jing the tokens. They’d settle the cost at the dock.
Pei Jing came out through an overflow gate behind Starlight Medicine Hall. Inside, broken porcelain and crushed roots lay among the cedar splinters.
He found the iron hatch to the coal cellar. Meng’s wedge was still in the hasp. Pei Jing caught the end and pulled. The iron snapped.
He opened the hatch and dropped into the cellar.
