Hu Cheng's Test of Valor in Ancient City.

“I’m not sure we can help you.”

Hu was shocked. “What? But, I’ve heard the best thieves in the entire Ancient City come to you!”

General Yang smirked. “That is true. We are just not sure if you are that sort of thief.”

Hu couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He had risked life and limb to get past the Night Warriors, who used to be the most feared gang in Ancient City but were now a shadow of their former selves since General Yang and his army took over. Now Hu was face-to-face with one of the most powerful men in the city and he didn’t know what to make of it. What could it possibly matter if he was a good thief or not? He came to General Yang for help and this was how he was treated! It wasn’t fair, but then again nothing in Ancient City had ever been fair. As far as Hu knew, no one ever got what they deserved here.

“I just need some help getting into the Emperor’s vault! It’s only a small job … I want to steal his Dragon Pearl! It is said that whoever drinks the water from its eyes will live forever! I will be set for life, sir!” Hu pleaded.

General Yang continued to stare at him and Hu could see that behind his dark eyes, the man was thinking deeply about something. There wasn’t a doubt in Hu’s mind that he had gotten past all of the defences laid down by General Yang to reach this point in his fortress, but now he was being asked about whether or not he had what it took to succeed once inside the palace itself. That worried him more than anything else so far, because there wasn’t any way he could have known if he would be able to succeed until he was inside the palace and had seen it for himself. All he wanted from General Yang was help getting past those last few defences! All that stood between him and having his very own dragon pearl was a door … surely even General Yang could help him with that? But for some reason, General Yang wasn't helping him at all; instead, he stood there looking at him with an amused smirk on his face while Hu squirmed under his gaze like a trapped animal. Finally, after what seemed like hours but had probably only been minutes, General Yang broke eye contact with Hu and walked over to look out of his huge window overlooking Ancient City's busiest street; the street that led right up to the Imperial Palace where the Emperor lived in luxury while ordinary citizens like Hu were forced to scrape by on whatever they could find or take from others who had more than they did.

General Yang turned back around slowly before speaking directly to Hu: "Let me tell you something boy … You're going to die." He walked closer to Hu as he continued: "You see my friend … there are three things you need in order for something to work out when you're trying to do something important like steal from someone who lives a life of luxury while you starve on scraps -" Just then, General Yang stopped walking towards Hu and simply stared at him again before continuing: "… Those three things are: Good Luck … Good Luck … And finally …" He smiled broadly as he said "Good Luck." When Hu didn't immediately answer or move from where he stood next to the table where they were talking, General Yang continued: "Well? What are you waiting for? Get out of here!" *