Chapter 8: The Bell on the Wrong Side

The bell Luo wanted to ring hung beyond Ji's comfortable reach.

That was the point, although Ji took too long to admit it.

Her friend had entered the single-hand demonstration beside the river court.

Each entrant chose a bell and made it sound without touching its metal directly.

The smallest bell hung over a narrow counter beside the judge.

A larger one waited above a gate, its rope tied at shoulder height.

The largest stood across the court behind a thick wooden rail.

Ji would have chosen the smallest and made the result look deliberate.

Luo walked to the middle gate and tested the rope's loose end.

Her ankle no longer needed the walking stick on level paving.

She had left it beside Shen rather than accept Ji's arm.

Ji understood the message and still disliked the distance between them.

A first ring could work by touch, which made the hanging rope important.

There was no rule against using the rope already joined to a bell.

Second-ring entrants preferred to send a bright pulse through open air.

The crowd could see that method and cheer before they heard a result.

Luo had chosen something almost entirely concealed inside the gate's old wood.

Ji watched her look for the place where the rope rubbed.

Then a bell sounded behind them, loud enough to turn both women.

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