Post by Luo Hanzhai on Dec 22, 2016 18:28:36 GMT -5
''Please, sir, you just have to help us!''
''What, for free?''
''What, for free?''
Luo sat inside of a large shack in the middle of a struggling village. Seated on his stool with a hot cup of coffee before him, he would tear open a sugar packet and empty it in, followed by a small container of creamer. The elderly chief sat across from him, a grandchild on each side of his lap. ''I-...i'm sorry we haven't much money. These ruffians are to blame! We used to be a prosperous little settlement enjoying our slice of life away from the city, and we could sustain ourselves! But these...monsters, these monsters, rob us every week. If we don't pay them their tribute, they destroy our crops, kill our livestock, and, and-'' Luo would raise a finger to interrupt. ''But you can't pay me. I have to eat too, you know.'' ''Please, we would if we could. You seem like such a nice young man. We found one of your flyers advertising your work. Is all you accept money?'' ''Pretty much, yep.'' ''Uh...ah, um...okay! What about this?'' The elder had a feeling this might anger a certain somebody, but he was oh so desperate. ''What if I promised you a hot meal and some provisions to send you on your way?'' ''On my way? On my way to where, exactly?'' ''Well, you see...there's a way I believe you can grow much stronger than you already are. What about that? I can pay you in strength and a hot meal. You could do your job even better, and charge even more for your service. Mm? How does that sound?'' ''Hmm...go on.'' ''So you will listen!'' Comforting one of the upset toddlers on his lap, he would set them to the floor and shoo them outside to play to discuss business. For all his years, diplomatic skill was his most proud asset, and the reason he was the head honcho around these parts. Luo took a sip of his coffee; locally grown beans, nice and strong. This was good stuff, actually.
''Let me ask you a question, youngster.'' ''Shoot.'' ''Have you ever heard of the Turtle Hermit?'' ''The Turtle what-now?'' ''The Turtle Hermit. For ages, the Turtle School has existed alongside the Crane, offering to teach those they find worthy powerful techniques and offering unique and incredible training to its students. With the word i've caught around the South about you, I think you may be just what these schools are looking for. Broaden your experience, and bolster your strength by following my advice.'' ''Turtle, huh? But ya mentioned a Crane, too. What's up with that?'' ''The two schools follow differing philosophies, doctrines, and methods of training. While allies, they are still enveloped in a fierce rivalry; once you've had dealings with one, the other will not accept you. Even I don't know what differing techniques they teach, but I can promise you they will both offer great power. My village has had dealings with the Turtle Hermit before, but we are not fighters. All of them that we've sent were turned away or gave up on his training.'' ''Well I do like me a good challenge. You're saying this guy, this Hermit, can make me stronger? Let me rake in more cash?'' ''Without a doubt. The fact you're even considering this as payment tells me there is good in you for all of that greed. If you're as capable as word tells me, i've no doubt you'll refuse to give up if he accepts you.''
It was a tough offer, but through all the negativity of not getting paid came the possibility for investment to spread his name and make even more money. Taking a hearty gulp of his coffee, he would gently place the cup down on his dish, folding his arms. ''Fine. I'll do it. You better not be bluffin' me, gramps.'' The elder smiled cheek to cheek. ''Oh, I just knew you were the one to help us! They're going to visit tonight. I want you to hide in one of the shacks near the village's west end. They always come from that way. When they show up, give them a good trouncing, and i'll tell you where to find the Hermit!'' ''Deal. Keep this coffee comin', too.'' Luo would smile back at him as the elder scurried to grasp a large pot, refilling his cup.
''Let me ask you a question, youngster.'' ''Shoot.'' ''Have you ever heard of the Turtle Hermit?'' ''The Turtle what-now?'' ''The Turtle Hermit. For ages, the Turtle School has existed alongside the Crane, offering to teach those they find worthy powerful techniques and offering unique and incredible training to its students. With the word i've caught around the South about you, I think you may be just what these schools are looking for. Broaden your experience, and bolster your strength by following my advice.'' ''Turtle, huh? But ya mentioned a Crane, too. What's up with that?'' ''The two schools follow differing philosophies, doctrines, and methods of training. While allies, they are still enveloped in a fierce rivalry; once you've had dealings with one, the other will not accept you. Even I don't know what differing techniques they teach, but I can promise you they will both offer great power. My village has had dealings with the Turtle Hermit before, but we are not fighters. All of them that we've sent were turned away or gave up on his training.'' ''Well I do like me a good challenge. You're saying this guy, this Hermit, can make me stronger? Let me rake in more cash?'' ''Without a doubt. The fact you're even considering this as payment tells me there is good in you for all of that greed. If you're as capable as word tells me, i've no doubt you'll refuse to give up if he accepts you.''
It was a tough offer, but through all the negativity of not getting paid came the possibility for investment to spread his name and make even more money. Taking a hearty gulp of his coffee, he would gently place the cup down on his dish, folding his arms. ''Fine. I'll do it. You better not be bluffin' me, gramps.'' The elder smiled cheek to cheek. ''Oh, I just knew you were the one to help us! They're going to visit tonight. I want you to hide in one of the shacks near the village's west end. They always come from that way. When they show up, give them a good trouncing, and i'll tell you where to find the Hermit!'' ''Deal. Keep this coffee comin', too.'' Luo would smile back at him as the elder scurried to grasp a large pot, refilling his cup.
That night, the bandits did indeed come.
''Young ones, to your homes! Clear the street! These mongrels won't spare a single life when denied. Do as your elder says, now! Run, run to safety!'' The children and bystanders scattered from the streets, taking shelter in frantic fright. ''Young warrior?'' ''Luo.'' He smiled as he corrected the old man. ''Luo, Luo. Are you ready? One of our watchmen has already brought word that they'll be arriving right where we expect them, next to the market stalls to see what they can steal from us first. There's a small hut between the grocery and fishing stalls. You should hide there!'' Tightening the rope binding his sword, he nodded and began to walk calmly toward the structure, giving a thumbs-up to the worried crowd before they all began to scatter into hiding. Ascending a few rickety and shoddy stairs, he would wait, and watch from the window. ''Good, our swordsman is in place. Nobody do anything suspicious! If they catch wind of him, they'll do something drastic for sure! I'll handle the talking like always. Hurry now, into hiding all of you. No fussing.'' As Luo stared out of the window, he could make a out a trio of humans approaching in a tight group, with the obvious leader in front. They took their last confident steps into the village, the two lackeys breaking off to search the stalls for their tribute. The leader on the other hand approached the elder, looking expectant. The short elderly man frowned up at the fat ruffian, hoisting a large scimitar over his shoulder.
''Nothin', boss.'' ''Nothin' here neither! What gives?''
''What's the big idea, old man? Holdin' out on us again? I sure hope not.'' ''No, no, of course not!'' ''You know how this works. Money and supplies; only we're not seeing any supplies. We don't have to break anything again, now do we?'' ''B-but sir, last week you destroyed patches of our crops because they weren't ready, and you took double the money! We have nothing!'' ''That's not our problem. So if you have neither, what should we take this time to make you understand?'' Luo had taken of his own ideas to fruition in the meanwhile, sneaking out of the hut and around the numerous shacks to hide against the wall behind the trio. The bandit suddenly lashed out, grasping the old man by the collar and tossing him into the dirt. Before he could scramble away, one of the goons got a tight, stretching grip on his arm. ''If there's nothing to take, then we just have to take something from you as a reminder.'' With tears welling up in the elder's eyes, he hurriedly looked about for Luo. As the leader's scimitar raised and audible gasps came from several shacks, Luo stepped out into the open and began to advance. ''Hey! Who's that guy!?'' The old man was able to scramble away behind a stall for safety, peeking up to watch. Three on one weren't very good odds. ''Oh, are you guys here to rob these people too? Too late. Early bird gets the worm.'' Smirking as he pulled a stack of zeni from a stash he'd found and waving it, he'd put it back into its resting place. The elder looked appalled. ''How could you!'' ''You shouldn't have stomped on our territory, punk. I hope you don't ruin my money with your bloodstains! Kill this clown!''
The pair of lackeys charged at Luo, each wielding a sword of their own, however rusted and misused they might have been. When the first swing came, Luo would throw both arms apart, knocking the offender's arms off course before burying both fists into his sternum and launching him into the dirt. When the next came, he would grasp his own bound sword as a blunt instrument and block two swings before striking the goon across the chin with an off-hand punch, only to follow up by cracking him in the ribs then over the top of his head. He'd approach the second thug he'd downed earlier and give him a swift stomp to the face, knocking him out as well. ''You've got some moves for some nameless bandit. Why won't you draw? We're obviously trying to kill you!'' ''I'm not gonna draw because I don't need to. I suggest you take your little friends here and get lost. This is my town now.'' ''Arrogant PRICK!'' Luo went on the defensive as he blocked a few heavy-handed blows from the scimitar; for the guy's rotund size, he was actually pretty quick. Bracing his fist against the back of the scabbard, he would reinforce his block to hold a momentary stalemate. Smirking as he pulled the swing toward him, he'd step out of the way as the bandit stumbled flat onto his face before aligning his blunted sword against the back of the thief's neck. ''I warned you, didn't I? Now, if you wake up, i'd better not see either of you three idiots around here again. Next time, i'll draw this, and this whole town's gonna get to see your head roll.'' With a fearful, defeated whimper, the bandit would attempt to scurry off. Only moments latter, the sheathed sword would crack him on the back of his neck, putting him out for the count too.
Luo would put the blade back at its resting place on his hip, then withdraw the wad of zeni as he approached the elder. ''Couldn't pay me, eh? No zeni, right?'' ''Please, it's all we have!'' ''Easy, I wasn't gonna take it. I already made an agreement with you.'' Smiling as the elder realized he was joking and smiled back, he would take the money from Luo and pocket it to hide it somewhere later. ''Have a couple of your strong laborers dump these guys out in a field somewhere. If they think i'm here playing king, they won't be back to bug you again.'' ''Thank you so much, Luo. My wife has been preparing your provisions, but you had me worried.'' The old woman approached with a smile, handing Luo a good-sized bag of fresh bottled water, coffee grounds, vegetables, noodles, and preserved meat. The couple would bow in gratitude. ''And now about this...Turtle Hermit? Do you know where I can find him?'' ''I do. Come back inside with me. I've prepared more coffee for you, and we're going to set up the guest hut for you to sleep in tonight. I've already got some of our laborers doing what you suggested. When those thugs wake up, they'll be far from here indeed i'd reckon!'' The elder's wife disappeared into the living room to watch game shows on a shoddy old television under a warm blanket, while the elder himself scooted Luo a fresh cup of that amazing coffee before sitting down with him like before. He would withdraw an old map, rolling it out across the table.
''Good show out there, Luo. I've no doubt in my mind you have the strength and goodness in your heart to take plenty away from the Hermit's teachings.'' Luo smirked as he sipped at his coffee, keeping his eyes on the map with an appreciative nod. ''Now, you see this stretch of islands here, yes?'' Tapping his old wrinkly finger on an island cluster, Luo would follow his movements. ''They say the Hermit gives his teachings somewhere among that cluster. Never been there m'self, of course. Too old for all that anymore. But somewhere in those islands is the Hermit you seek. I can't guarantee if he'll take you on as a student or not, that remains up to you and the Hermit's own judgement, but I have a good feeling about your meeting. Call it elderly intuition, if you will.'' Luo would withdraw his own map and a pen, finding the same cluster and giving it a wide circle. ''Thanks, gramps. I appreciate the info. I'm gonna give it the best shot i've got.'' ''No no, Luo. Thank you. I knew there was good in you past your greed, and you proved it today by giving back what little money we had left.'' ''Ah, shucks. What can I say? I had to make the act look convincing. How did you guys gather up so much stuff to give me, anyway?'' ''Everyone from the village donated when they heard you agreed. It just kept coming and coming. My poor wife could barely handle bundling all those supplies together; as soon as she finished wrapping up one donation, two more showed up. You'll be the talk of this town for a long time, Luo. You've done a fine deed today.'' Rolling up his map and sticking it back in its place in his mostly disorganized and jumbled bag, he would finish his coffee. ''I'll show you to your shelter for the night. I suppose you'll be gone come morning, am I right?'' ''Yeah. It's a big world out there and all, and i'm not done seeing it.''
''That's a shame. Know that we send you off with our best regards, and don't hesitate to come visit us sometime down the road. You'll always be welcome with us. You're a good-natured young man, and that's a rare quality these days.'' Following the old man, he would point two huts down from his own, and sent Luo on his way with a shake of the hand and a respectful bow. Luo would return it with his own practiced bow and make for his shelter, finding the inside to be more comfortable than he expected. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he'd withdraw that map again. Tapping his finger on the cluster of islands, he would smirk to himself.
The pair of lackeys charged at Luo, each wielding a sword of their own, however rusted and misused they might have been. When the first swing came, Luo would throw both arms apart, knocking the offender's arms off course before burying both fists into his sternum and launching him into the dirt. When the next came, he would grasp his own bound sword as a blunt instrument and block two swings before striking the goon across the chin with an off-hand punch, only to follow up by cracking him in the ribs then over the top of his head. He'd approach the second thug he'd downed earlier and give him a swift stomp to the face, knocking him out as well. ''You've got some moves for some nameless bandit. Why won't you draw? We're obviously trying to kill you!'' ''I'm not gonna draw because I don't need to. I suggest you take your little friends here and get lost. This is my town now.'' ''Arrogant PRICK!'' Luo went on the defensive as he blocked a few heavy-handed blows from the scimitar; for the guy's rotund size, he was actually pretty quick. Bracing his fist against the back of the scabbard, he would reinforce his block to hold a momentary stalemate. Smirking as he pulled the swing toward him, he'd step out of the way as the bandit stumbled flat onto his face before aligning his blunted sword against the back of the thief's neck. ''I warned you, didn't I? Now, if you wake up, i'd better not see either of you three idiots around here again. Next time, i'll draw this, and this whole town's gonna get to see your head roll.'' With a fearful, defeated whimper, the bandit would attempt to scurry off. Only moments latter, the sheathed sword would crack him on the back of his neck, putting him out for the count too.
Luo would put the blade back at its resting place on his hip, then withdraw the wad of zeni as he approached the elder. ''Couldn't pay me, eh? No zeni, right?'' ''Please, it's all we have!'' ''Easy, I wasn't gonna take it. I already made an agreement with you.'' Smiling as the elder realized he was joking and smiled back, he would take the money from Luo and pocket it to hide it somewhere later. ''Have a couple of your strong laborers dump these guys out in a field somewhere. If they think i'm here playing king, they won't be back to bug you again.'' ''Thank you so much, Luo. My wife has been preparing your provisions, but you had me worried.'' The old woman approached with a smile, handing Luo a good-sized bag of fresh bottled water, coffee grounds, vegetables, noodles, and preserved meat. The couple would bow in gratitude. ''And now about this...Turtle Hermit? Do you know where I can find him?'' ''I do. Come back inside with me. I've prepared more coffee for you, and we're going to set up the guest hut for you to sleep in tonight. I've already got some of our laborers doing what you suggested. When those thugs wake up, they'll be far from here indeed i'd reckon!'' The elder's wife disappeared into the living room to watch game shows on a shoddy old television under a warm blanket, while the elder himself scooted Luo a fresh cup of that amazing coffee before sitting down with him like before. He would withdraw an old map, rolling it out across the table.
''Good show out there, Luo. I've no doubt in my mind you have the strength and goodness in your heart to take plenty away from the Hermit's teachings.'' Luo smirked as he sipped at his coffee, keeping his eyes on the map with an appreciative nod. ''Now, you see this stretch of islands here, yes?'' Tapping his old wrinkly finger on an island cluster, Luo would follow his movements. ''They say the Hermit gives his teachings somewhere among that cluster. Never been there m'self, of course. Too old for all that anymore. But somewhere in those islands is the Hermit you seek. I can't guarantee if he'll take you on as a student or not, that remains up to you and the Hermit's own judgement, but I have a good feeling about your meeting. Call it elderly intuition, if you will.'' Luo would withdraw his own map and a pen, finding the same cluster and giving it a wide circle. ''Thanks, gramps. I appreciate the info. I'm gonna give it the best shot i've got.'' ''No no, Luo. Thank you. I knew there was good in you past your greed, and you proved it today by giving back what little money we had left.'' ''Ah, shucks. What can I say? I had to make the act look convincing. How did you guys gather up so much stuff to give me, anyway?'' ''Everyone from the village donated when they heard you agreed. It just kept coming and coming. My poor wife could barely handle bundling all those supplies together; as soon as she finished wrapping up one donation, two more showed up. You'll be the talk of this town for a long time, Luo. You've done a fine deed today.'' Rolling up his map and sticking it back in its place in his mostly disorganized and jumbled bag, he would finish his coffee. ''I'll show you to your shelter for the night. I suppose you'll be gone come morning, am I right?'' ''Yeah. It's a big world out there and all, and i'm not done seeing it.''
''That's a shame. Know that we send you off with our best regards, and don't hesitate to come visit us sometime down the road. You'll always be welcome with us. You're a good-natured young man, and that's a rare quality these days.'' Following the old man, he would point two huts down from his own, and sent Luo on his way with a shake of the hand and a respectful bow. Luo would return it with his own practiced bow and make for his shelter, finding the inside to be more comfortable than he expected. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he'd withdraw that map again. Tapping his finger on the cluster of islands, he would smirk to himself.
''Come tomorrow, we're gonna see if you're all that you're cracked up to be.''