Dugu Qiusheng's Kingdom Roleplay Thread

[Jaerdean]

Trial Aftermath

Watching his friend Mi Zun get released, Yindun Zhe promptly rose. Wondering if he was truly invisible to all but those who actually saw reason, he waved his arms in the air, kicking first one leg, then the other, as far to the sides as he could, sticking his tongue out and rolling his eyes wildly.

Not really believing that he'd get a response from the apparently blind Dugu Qiusheng and Cai Xiu, both of whom he addressed in the recent outbreak of argument, Yindun merely straightened his robes and left with the old man Nuoben at his side.

[Carpevis]

Jian knew he'd be poked fun at, knew he'd be admonished, and knew Shen wouldn't make Zao go away. It was just too convenient for Zao to stay and make him turn redder more often than the sunset every day. He heard the comment about him and was in fact blushing and tried to keep his composure as best he could as he spoke.

"I believe you have it a bit wrong, Shen. My wayward teacher disappeared on me. He went off to party and tell tall tales while I did my rounds and I left him to it. He was the one who chose to reside in some family's hut for some months and teach the kids instead." He wrote down what he wanted on a small parchment, handing it to the servant, who then delivered it to the kitchen.

Zao turned to Jian with a huff. "My student made it hard for me to be around him, what with all the pointy things around you I couldn't even bloody walk next to you. You need to do what you once did and rely on me as a bodyguard if such is your concern or maybe you might want to learn HOW to fight for yourself. How about that?" He huffed again and his tone less admonishing, more gentle towards Shen, spoke. "I'm glad to see you again though. I'm afraid Jian here will need us both if he is to be kept in line." He winked at her and sat once more, his eyes on his blushing student.

Jian grumbled to himself, knowing Zao made a good point and was glad when the servant came with tea and wine. "Always one to pick on me for my guards and lack of fighting skills but I ain't the one who is supposed to fight. They are." He gestured towards the guards and poured himself some tea along with Zao. "I'm known for my brains, not brawn, old man." He chided, hoping Zao would chill, but knowing the look on the older man's face all too well.

"Old I am, lad, but you'll be older if you don't get off your butt more often. I am so up to here with your whining." he put his hand next to his ear. "I want to train you and every time I ever tried you'd complain." He did a mock glare, unwavering, the mirth only in his eyes but the glare believable for those who had no sense of humor, like Jian.

"I hope honey marinated duck, rice or noodles, and imported fruits are good for you guys." Jian changed the subject, looking at Zao with a frown. He wanted to laugh but tried hard not to since Zao would just keep right on picking. "I told you and I'll say it again, I don't fight. They do." He raised and eyebrow, daring the old man to blabber some more, a smile tugging a little at his lips.

Zao did but looked at Shen. "What do you think? Should he learn to fight or am I wrong in my assumption that all men should have a clue on how to defend themselves? Not making you pick sides, just give your opinion, milady, else we two won't be settled." He gave Jian a look, noticing he was being far too serious lately. "Oh and smile, geesh, you remind me of your father." He knew that wouldn't be taken well but knew it was best said now. "Serious and militant he was. You, however, aren't. Glad I came back when I did." He paused, sipping the freshly poured tea. "Great pre-lunch chat eh?" He grinned now, proud of himself despite the look he was getting. It was up to Shen now....or Wei.

Shen enjoyed the banter back and forth, knowing that it was mostly in jest and obviously an old argument. Right up to the point when Zao mentioned Jian's father. Jian's face seemed to go dark and though Zao had quickly tried to cover it, Shen knew it was a sore point with Jian. She made a mental note to never tease him about his father.

"It seems to be a ritual between you two," Shen observed with a twinkle in her eye. "Is it reserved for mean times or do you indulge in it anytime?"

Wei chuckled, the sound very much like two large boulders grinding against one another. He wasn't as stupid as he looked.

[Kakirot83]

Ariea smiled as she took Suzaku's hand. She was glad that he hadn't taken her interference too badly, though she was a little baffled at why he seemed so uncomfortable with anything that she felt was just good manners. He was very polite himself, and she wasn't sure if it just had something to do with different cultures, or perhaps something deeper.

"Well Suzaku, if you would be more comfortable without being addressed as lord or sir, we can do without that. As for being nobody important, I find that hard to believe, after all, you are somebody, and that makes you important. Everyone is important, a street cleaner is as important as an emperor, for what is one without the other? Everyone in this world has worth, and you should never try to belittle that worth, even if it is aimed at yourself."

Ariea wasn't sure if she was being profound or sounding like some sort of over rehearsed special, but she felt like maybe she was trying to sound more profound then she was accomplishing. She realized she was a little too deep in thought and had kind of not said anything, and almost as quickly as she blushed did she try to smile and continue on as if she hadn't wondered off thinking again.

"Anyways, if we're being so informal, you can call me Ariea, we can pass on the Ling part, no need for a full name here. So what has brought you here to Wan Suzaku? Besides not being from China, Wan hardly seems the tourist spot right now, or so I've been told." Ariea thought back to her first arriving here and Shen Zhang's taunting of her, and she figured when dealing with this topic, maybe a little light-hearted teasing was a good way to go. "If you would ike to continue to talk and work, I would be more than happy to help out. I have had an interesting day myself up till now, and between being attacked by bandits, and doing several impromptu operations on various people, I think getting out among the city to clean it up, would be a welcome though sad change of pace." Ariea realized that perhaps that wasn't the best choice of words, and perhaps she wasn't reflecting the gravity of it all. She had no idea how Shen was so good at this, and perhaps she was playing with fire for trying. "What I mean is, umm, I'd like to diversify where I help out, since there's so many ways the people here need help. I imagine that most of my time will be spent trying to heal people however I can, and perhaps it would be best to aid elsewhere while I have the time."

She wasn't sure if that was a very good save or not, nor did she know why she was rambling on, but she wasn't sure she was representing people around here like she had hoped she would. All she could do now was wait for Suzaku to guide where he would like to spend his efforts for the day remaining in Wan.....

@ Ren Hao (Hey, taking the (e) in charming had to be good for something right? )

[Sun Jian]

Zao chuckled. "It is something we do a lot. I enjoy it and so does he, though he has a hard time grinning sometimes. Does he smile more with you, Shen?" He noticed she didn't even answer his earlier question and sighed a little. Why was it he could never get anyone to take his side on things. Jian may be younger and better looking but age and experience mattered more to Zao since that was all he had to offer.

Jian grinned now at the old man's sudden change in questioning and looked at Shen, his gaze not filled with the darkness that had been there moments before. He watched her briefly, his attention only broken by the arrival of the food. It was steaming as the lids were removed from each dish. Each plate had duck, a bowl of noodles, and fruit, the servants refilling the wine for Jian, who had drank a cup already after his tea. He looked to Wei now. "Hope you like? It's one of my favorites." He took a bite of his, closing his eyes as he savored the sweet zesty flavor. It was utterly perfect.

Zao had caught Jian's look at Shen and shook his head. He would've chided the man some more but noticed he was deeply engrossed in his food now. "Shen, how are you doing by the way? I've been so rude, worrying over my student I've given you little attention. Are you still making pretty things in the market?" He hoped by not making fun of JIan anymore he would lighten up without more chiding. He took some wine himself, drinking it a bit slower than his friend. He'd not stop him this day and he hoped maybe in a somewhat more lucid state his demeanor would change. One could only hope, Zao thought as he looked at Shen, hoping she would enjoy the food. "Jian got me hooked to this stuff so be careful. It's so good it's addicting."

@Carpevis

[Carpevis]

Zao chuckled. "It is something we do a lot. I enjoy it and so does he, though he has a hard time grinning sometimes. Does he smile more with you, Shen?" He noticed she didn't even answer his earlier question and sighed a little. Why was it he could never get anyone to take his side on things. Jian may be younger and better looking but age and experience mattered more to Zao since that was all he had to offer.

"On occasion, Venerable Zao," Shen grinned.

Jian grinned now at the old man's sudden change in questioning and looked at Shen, his gaze not filled with the darkness that had been there moments before. He watched her briefly, his attention only broken by the arrival of the food. It was steaming as the lids were removed from each dish. Each plate had duck, a bowl of noodles, and fruit, the servants refilling the wine for Jian, who had drank a cup already after his tea. He looked to Wei now. "Hope you like? It's one of my favorites." He took a bite of his, closing his eyes as he savored the sweet zesty flavor. It was utterly perfect.

Duck was something Shen knew how to cook. She had done more than her share of that kind of food preparation in the mountains, where weary ducks crossed the passes and often rested in the fields of the small valley in which she had taken refuge.

"It's excellent, Jian," she agreed as the flavor filled her mouth. She detected most of the spices used and thought she might be able to reproduce it should the need arise.

Wei tore into his duck like a dog with a bone. If it would have had feathers, there would have been a blizzard of down. The crunching of bones indicated that he was either very hungry or though they just added cripsiness to the recipe. Either way, should that pace continue, the duck population around Ru Nan would be endangered should he decide he wanted duck more often than he usually did.

Zao had caught Jian's look at Shen and shook his head. He would've chided the man some more but noticed he was deeply engrossed in his food now. "Shen, how are you doing by the way? I've been so rude, worrying over my student I've given you little attention. Are you still making pretty things in the market?" He hoped by not making fun of JIan anymore he would lighten up without more chiding. He took some wine himself, drinking it a bit slower than his friend. He'd not stop him this day and he hoped maybe in a somewhat more lucid state his demeanor would change. One could only hope, Zao thought as he looked at Shen, hoping she would enjoy the food. "Jian got me hooked to this stuff so be careful. It's so good it's addicting."

"Peng was the one who made the prettier things, Venerable Zao," Shen reminded him gently. "I'm just a pale imitator by comparison, though folks around here seem to like the things I make. Other than that, I'm doing well. Very happy to be reunited with my brothers, though I wish Pei were around more."

She glanced at Wei, obliviously and blissfully chewing through the duck, knowing that Pei was better at handling him when he got rambunctious. Fortunately, he hadn't done anything that Shen couldn't deal with - yet.

He looked up from his duck at the mention of his brothers' name, nodding vigorously in agreement with what Shen had said, then returned to his demented duck devouring.

[A Guy Named Brad]

Yu watched the exchanges between the three men and each had a tendency to fight. It was almost hilarious to him as he moved some more rubble. He heard a duel challenge and sighed, wiping his hands and getting a bit closer to the two. "Can we please not fight guys? What will the citizens think if you're quibbling amongst yourselves when you're supposed to be aiding them? Seriously if you must fight do so in the field over there and let the rest of us work without risk of injury. Please." He looked to Ariea, glad she was speaking to the foreigner and he noticed a group coming towards them, the armor quite familiar. He hoped there wouldn't be any harsh words shared between these two much longer for he had a feeling he knew who that was...

@Wan group(let's get back on task, friendly duel please, no more death today; if you do insist on dueling friendly or death, however, make sure you do it away from any others and PM a GM that is not doing a battle)

Wen stopped in his tracks at the man's words... He turned and gave him a cold look...

"What will the citizen's think!?!?!?." He couldn't believe what he was hearing... "What in the hell do you think they think when an officer of an army who just took control is removing heads from dead bodies and kicking them!? This is absurd, and if this is the way citizen's are to be treated under Lord Dugu's control, I WANT NO PART OF IT! This is the actions of barbarians, and I will not have it."

Wen then turned to Bei Sheng, pointing his sword towards the man... "Your actions show you to be no better than the barbarians that terrorize our lands, either you retrieve the head of the dead man and appologize to the woman, or we fight. Justice will be served here if I have anything to say about it."

((OOC: Friendly duel is ok with me if Samog agrees, but if too late, w/e will be fine... @ Sun Jian and Samog))

[Samog]

((OOC: Friendly duel is fine with me too. We can grab someone from the dueling thread, or young and aspiring duel runners can PM us their CVs all of which we will take under fair and equal consideration.))

"Bring it on, son!" Bai Sheng shot back. "If you wanna step to this and do the dance of men, I will gladly be your partner! I will twirl your hips around and slam you to the ground, and leave you begging for more! I will fight you all day and all night long, if that's what you want, until both of us are bloody and seeped in sweat! If you think I'm getting that widow's husband's crispy cranium back from whichever district I kicked it into you, you're crazy! I would be gone for days! You seen these legs? You seen these calf muscles? I've walked the roads of this kingdom north to south, left to right, and I have the kicking power of a dozen mules! You wanna see for yourself, c'mere... Might wanna keep those legs close together though..."

[Sun Jian]

"Peng was the one who made the prettier things, Venerable Zao," Shen reminded him gently. "I'm just a pale imitator by comparison, though folks around here seem to like the things I make. Other than that, I'm doing well. Very happy to be reunited with my brothers, though I wish Pei were around more."

She glanced at Wei, obliviously and blissfully chewing through the duck, knowing that Pei was better at handling him when he got rambunctious. Fortunately, he hadn't done anything that Shen couldn't deal with - yet.

He looked up from his duck at the mention of his brothers' name, nodding vigorously in agreement with what Shen had said, then returned to his demented duck devouring.

Zao was glad Shen liked the duck and her comment about Peng made him somber briefly as he ate some of the duck. "Give yourself some credit, Shen. You do fine work if the people like it." He caught Jian's look at the mention of Pei and grew silent, hoping the rumors he had heard on his way here weren't true. "He'll be around, Shen. He wouldn't leave you for long without a visit I hope."

Jian grew thoughtful and spoke only after several moments of silence. "I'm sure once his diplomatic missions are done, Pei will be returning for a visit, Shen. I hope you're enjoying lunch. I must say we will have to continue the tour on a different day though. I need to do some writing and studying. After falling off a horse I have been in need of more study to make up for lost time spent with splitting headaches. If you wish you can stay the night and leave in the morning. If you do stay we could maybe study together on a subject of your choice."

He looked at Zao, noticing that look he knew too well. "Don't worry old man, you can stay too but don't think you're going to lecture me anymore today. I'll learn to fight on my own terms and just so you know I've been training with Kiju." He went back to eating, hoping the old man would leave him alone now. One day very soon Jian hoped to beat Zao in a light sparring session but it wouldn't be too soon.

@Carpevis

[Carpevis]

Zao was glad Shen liked the duck and her comment about Peng made him somber briefly as he ate some of the duck. "Give yourself some credit, Shen. You do fine work if the people like it." He caught Jian's look at the mention of Pei and grew silent, hoping the rumors he had heard on his way here weren't true. "He'll be around, Shen. He wouldn't leave you for long without a visit I hope."

Shen smiled, "It's always good to see him, though I had hoped that he would be stationed here instead of Jiang Xia so he would have more reason to visit."

Jian grew thoughtful and spoke only after several moments of silence. "I'm sure once his diplomatic missions are done, Pei will be returning for a visit, Shen. I hope you're enjoying lunch. I must say we will have to continue the tour on a different day though. I need to do some writing and studying. After falling off a horse I have been in need of more study to make up for lost time spent with splitting headaches. If you wish you can stay the night and leave in the morning. If you do stay we could maybe study together on a subject of your choice."

He looked at Zao, noticing that look he knew too well. "Don't worry old man, you can stay too but don't think you're going to lecture me anymore today. I'll learn to fight on my own terms and just so you know I've been training with Kiju." He went back to eating, hoping the old man would leave him alone now. One day very soon Jian hoped to beat Zao in a light sparring session but it wouldn't be too soon.

Shen grinned, wanting very much to take Jian up on his generous offer, but demurred.

"I'm afraid I must open the stall on time early in the morning or I may miss the whole day's worth of sales," she explained regretfully. "Otherwise I would be happy to stay.

"As for your headache, Peng always had a remedy around for things like that. Willow bark tea? Yes, I believe that is what she would give out for aches and pains of all kinds." She frowned in mock dismay, "I recall the first time I met you you had fallen over a rock. Now you fell off a horse? Really, Jian, perhaps a carriage would suit you more. It is much harder to fall off of one of those than your own feet or a horse."

She gave him a saucy wink to indicate she was joking.

Wei chuckled. More boulders ground together in an echoing valley.

"But I will take you up on your offer of study one of these days soon," she went on. "I have a lot of life I walked through unawares and should do something about learning what I have missed."

[Silverwarp]

Mi Zun's face lit up, "So you're saying that Yang Hu managed to turn the flow against the two lords with a full on coalition against them? A brilliant tactic! I can see now why he is called the "Goat of the North" by the people. He is definitely as clever as one." He noticed that Su Sheng had gone back to his meal and decided to indulge himself in his own for the
time being. Mi Jia was the first to finish and spoke up breaking the silence. "Who now rules the lands formerly belonging to Xiao Huang, lord Su Sheng? I had heard that Xiao Huang disappeared in the night and haven't heard who rose to replace him." Mi Zun stopped eating and replied to his daughter's point. "That reminds me, Su Sheng. That men you met in the tavern at Luo Yang, was named Chen Li, a former officer of Xiao Huang. He said some... rather interesting things about the disgraced man, what was your take on him Su Sheng?"

((I'm finally back! It's been so long that I worry that I might repeat myself from earlier posts....))

Su Sheng listened intently as Mi Zun, then he heard Mi Jia interject, which took him a bit by surprise, since he wasn't really expecting her to be all that interested in politics. Mi Zun had spoken once more. After they spoke, Su Sheng responded to the questions.

"The now ruler of Luo Yang? I can't say. I've been reading about a proclamation that states that a person named Liu Jingjing has claimed to be rightful heir to the Han Dynasty. I don't think I believe him, I'm more inclined to think he's an impostor. After all, I haven't heard of him doing any deeds to be worthy to claim such a title. I've also heard of a man Xu Lian putting a proclamation against the soldiers of Xu Chang, a death threat, as I take it, for any of Lord Dugu's officers who is captured. It's likely one of them, to be the power in Luo Yang, but I don't think the people of the Middle Kingdom will take an impostor really well. But who knows, maybe he is indeed the true heir. I can't say for certain, but I'm skeptical until I see proof or deeds."

"As for the man named Chen Li....I'm sorry, I didn't really hear what he was saying, so I can't give you an opinion on that. But if you're referring to Xiao Huang. Well, based on the work he left behind in Xu Chang, I'd say he very much cared for his lands. I've had the pleasure of meeting him personally, as an envoy for my lord. However, he seemed very secretive, and is only willing to give as little information as possible. I suppose he didn't want to be so open with a foreign envoy, but that doesn't seem like a man who is warm-hearted. That's what I took out of the meeting with him at least. But, I gave him the benefit of the doubt because my father spoke well of him."

Su Sheng rubs his chin.

"Speaking of which, if you passed through the northwest to here, have you met Chen Wei and his men?"

[Xu Yuan]

((I'm finally back! It's been so long that I worry that I might repeat myself from earlier posts....))

Su Sheng listened intently as Mi Zun, then he heard Mi Jia interject, which took him a bit by surprise, since he wasn't really expecting her to be all that interested in politics. Mi Zun had spoken once more. After they spoke, Su Sheng responded to the questions.

"The now ruler of Luo Yang? I can't say. I've been reading about a proclamation that states that a person named Liu Jingjing has claimed to be rightful heir to the Han Dynasty. I don't think I believe him, I'm more inclined to think he's an impostor. After all, I haven't heard of him doing any deeds to be worthy to claim such a title. I've also heard of a man Xu Lian putting a proclamation against the soldiers of Xu Chang, a death threat, as I take it, for any of Lord Dugu's officers who is captured. It's likely one of them, to be the power in Luo Yang, but I don't think the people of the Middle Kingdom will take an impostor really well. But who knows, maybe he is indeed the true heir. I can't say for certain, but I'm skeptical until I see proof or deeds."

((OOC: Haha, don't worry about repeating yourself, that's basically my territory.))

Mi Zun's mouth stood agape, recovering a minute later he lightly shook his head. "You mean to say that the Han has returned to its capital of Luo Yang? If such a thing were to be true... I will need to look into this after I leave here this night. Though as for a death threat proclamation, is that not the flavor of the day? It seems the lords of the Central Plains are far too eager to kill each other than embrace peace, such a lamentable situation for the everyman." Mi Zun went back to eating before recalling another question he had of the situation in the Central Plains. "The lady Pei Chanti has apparently moved against Zhuge Dun yet I have not heard the details. Was she attacking Xia Pi, Ru Nan? All the reports had said was that she had tried to break free of Zhuge Dun's grip on the land, do you know much of the matter Su Sheng?"

"As for the man named Chen Li....I'm sorry, I didn't really hear what he was saying, so I can't give you an opinion on that. But if you're referring to Xiao Huang. Well, based on the work he left behind in Xu Chang, I'd say he very much cared for his lands. I've had the pleasure of meeting him personally, as an envoy for my lord. However, he seemed very secretive, and is only willing to give as little information as possible. I suppose he didn't want to be so open with a foreign envoy, but that doesn't seem like a man who is warm-hearted. That's what I took out of the meeting with him at least. But, I gave him the benefit of the doubt because my father spoke well of him."

Su Sheng rubs his chin.

"Speaking of which, if you passed through the northwest to here, have you met Chen Wei and his men?"

Mi Zun smiled at the young politician, "You had not arrived yet Su Sheng, it is excusable, he spoke of Xiao Huang as a strange man, an idealist who wished for peace and bounty of the everyman. Though I suppose his most recent action shows that to have been merely a mask... Which of these lords can truly be trusted? Can any of them? Each lord and lady seems to put on a show of honor and integrity, the only one I have truly seen that present in was Yu Houyi, with the unmarred innocence of a child. Dugu Qiusheng acts as a spoiled child, who puts on a show for the grand amusement of others. Ma Qingcao... well I cannot say anything truly. The man has an amazing countenance and the most cynical man of this land works under him, and apparently is a good friend of the lord's."

Mi Zun took a long sip of the tea from his cup. It was Mi Jia who next spoke, "Have you ever met a man named Yindun Zhe, sir Su Sheng? He is a top advisor of sorts to Ma Qingcao." Mi Zun nodded his head towards the last thing Su Sheng had asked. "Lord Chen Wei was the first man I had met when I first returned to this land. It was he and his soldiers that broke the news of the Han's fall to me... A good man, with a great lineage to support his claim of control over Liangzhou. Also a great friend of Yindun Zhe, who is a master judge of character due to his cynical nature.Though his ambition..." He shook his head as he looked down with a melancholy smile on his face. "It will only be a matter of time before Dugu Qiusheng and Chen Wei clash, if Chen Wei is still embroiled in other war he may be swallowed by the two pronged attack of Li Jun and Dugu Qiusheng. If he is able to secure his borders and win allies elsewhere he may be able to turn the tide, but it is not a promising prospect."

[JG Chan]

Wu Po Wen vs. Bai Sheng

Round 1
WPW: 100 HP, 93 War, 133 AP
BS: 100 HP, 75 War, 75 AP

Wu Po Wen shoots an Arrow and hits, dealing 5 points of damage and an injury. (BS -5 HP, -5 War)
Bai Sheng shoots an Arrow and hits, dealing 5 points of damage and an injury. (WPW -5 HP, -5 War)
Wu Po Wen attacks and hits, dealing 11 points of damage. (BS -11 HP)
Bai Sheng attacks and hits, dealing 8 points of damage. (WPW -8 HP)

Round 2
WPW: 87 HP, 88 War, 113 AP
BS: 84 HP, 70 War, 55 AP

Wu Po Wen attacks and hits, dealing 13 points of damage. (BS -13 HP)
Bai Sheng attacks and hits, dealing 8 points of damage. (WPW -8 HP)

Round 3
WPW: 79 HP, 88 War, 113 AP
BS: 71 HP, 70 War, 55 AP

Bai Sheng Counters Wu Po Wen's Double Strike, dealing 7 points of damage. (WPW -7 HP)
Bai Sheng attacks and hits, dealing 6 points of damage. (WPW -6 HP)

Round 4
WPW: 66 HP, 88 War, 63 AP
BS: 71 HP, 70 War, 30 AP

Wu Po Wen attacks and hits, dealing 12 points of damage. (BS -12 HP)
Bai Sheng attacks and hits, dealing 7 points of damage. (WPW -7 HP)

Round 5
WPW: 59 HP, 88 War, 63 AP
BS: 59 HP, 70 War, 30 AP

Bai Sheng attempts a Shout and fails.
Wu Po Wen attacks twice with Double Strike, dealing 12 and 11 points of damage and one injury. (BS -12, -11 HP, -11 War)
Bai Sheng attacks and hits, dealing 6 points of damage. (WPW -6 HP)

Round 6
WPW: 53 HP, 88 War, 3 AP
BS: 36 HP, 59 War, 5 AP

Wu Po Wen attacks and misses.
Bai Sheng attacks and misses.

Round 7
WPW: 53 HP, 88 War, 3 AP
BS: 36 HP, 59 War, 5 AP

Wu Po Wen attacks and hits, dealing 13 points of damage. (BS -13 HP)
Bai Sheng attacks and hits, dealing 5 points of damage. (WPW -5 HP)

Round 8
WPW: 48 HP, 88 War, 3 AP
BS: 23 HP, 59 War, 5 AP

Wu Po Wen attacks and hits, dealing 13 points of damage. (BS -13 HP)
Bai Sheng attacks and hits, dealing 6 points of damage. (WPW -6 HP)

Round 9
WPW: 42 HP, 88 War, 3 AP
BS: 10 HP, 59 War, 5 AP

Wu Po Wen attacks and hits, dealing 15 points of damage and knocking Bai Sheng out. (BS -15 HP)

Final
WPW: 42 HP, 88 War, 3 AP
BS: -5 HP, 59 War, 5 AP

Wu Po Wen wins!

((Nice match, and well-timed Counter there, but the difference in build is just too great, I guess. Questions/comments are welcome, and good luck next time. ))

[A Guy Named Brad]

Seeing Sheng collapse after his last strike, Wen sheathed his sword and spat on the ground next to Sheng...

"Somebody wake him up so we can get back to work."

((OOC: Thanks JG Chan.))

@ Wan group

[Samog]

((OOC: Yes, thank you, JG Chan!))

Unflinching, Bai Sheng had faced down Wu Po Wen in the field, well away from the common people and the other officers -- as Yu had requested. They had faced each other down, standing tall amidst the tall grass, and even though Bai Sheng was several years his opponent's junior, he did not demonstrate even the slightest deference as each waited for the first move in their showdown. The sun, hanging high in the spring sky, beat down on the two warriors, as if blessing them and their courage with a well-lit day for their duel.

It is said that great minds think alike, but considering Bai Sheng's mind was not great by any stretch of the imagination, it must have been just coincidence that both men reached for their bows, pulled back arrows and let fly. Each ended in but a graze, hardly distracting either duelist as they narrowed the distance between them. Wu Po Wen struck first, slicing a nasty gash across Bai Sheng's shoulder, but Bai Sheng responded with a hit of his own, jabbing the older man in the side. They exchanged blows again, and once more, both men connected, with Wu Po Wen having the advantage -- whether it be in experience, strength, or both, it was impossible to say.

It may have been innate skill that Bai Sheng saw what was coming next -- but more likely it was serendipity. Whatever the cause, the consequence was that Bai Sheng blocked the attempted double-handed blow with his blade. He allowed a smile to form across his face, if only for the moment. Knocking Wu Po Wen's blade aside, Bai Sheng thrusted the hilt of his sword into Wu Po Wen's stomach, knocking him back a few steps. No time was wasted because of the counter, however, and Wu Po Wen attacked promptly afterward, and Bai Sheng after that.

Hoping that he might use the power of his voice to unnerve his opponent, Bai Sheng let out a loud and guttural shout -- which did not faze Wu Po Wen in the least. All it succeeded in doing was lowering Bai Sheng's defenses so that another two-handed strike could land, knocking Bai Sheng to his knees. He felt like one of his ribs had broken in the process. He channeled the surge of adrenaline that followed into a potent response, although it was nothing compared to what had just been done to him.

The two kept swinging at each other, missing at first, but once they found their grooves again, it was back-and-forth once more. However, if the result had not been decided before the duel, it was most assuredly settled now. He took a couple more hits, but on the third blow, Bai Sheng slumped to the ground, his sword falling out of his hands. His eyes rolled back -- not in death, but in unconsciousness. He was still breathing, as evidenced by the steady rise and fall of his well-built chest. Wu Po Wen sheathed his sword and spat out a wad of saliva, which thankfully landed on the ground beside Bai Sheng and not on him.

It was to be assumed that since the duel did not happen in the city itself but rather outside it, as Yu had insisted, there was no one to wake Bai Sheng up after he was knocked unconsciousness. Rather, he did so on his own, feeling a feeling not too unlike he had experienced after his most intense drinking sessions -- except combined with a sharp pain in his chest, along with a wide range of bruises and cuts. He let out a low, long groan as he gradually lifted himself up from the ground, coughing up some blood in the process. He wiped his face, leaving a crimson streak along the back of his forearm. It hurt to even breathe. With some effort, he got one leg upright, then the next. He picked up his sword and put it in its cover. Although pain washed over his body with every step, he staggered back towards Wan, where the other officers were gathered.

"I need a drink," he said. "Just a drink or two and I'll be right as rain." He found a crate to sit on and pulled off his armor and the tunic beneath it, so his bare and hairy chest was exposed. Ugly, purple bruises were already starting to form in several places, including the spot where his ribs had been thumped -- but not broken, as he had thought. "Ugh," Bai Sheng said, inspecting his own injuries. "That hurts." He looked at who was there, perhaps Xiaolong or Yu. "Is there any alcohol around here? A bar or anything?"

[Silverwarp]

Mi Zun's mouth stood agape, recovering a minute later he lightly shook his head. "You mean to say that the Han has returned to its capital of Luo Yang? If such a thing were to be true... I will need to look into this after I leave here this night. Though as for a death threat proclamation, is that not the flavor of the day? It seems the lords of the Central Plains are far too eager to kill each other than embrace peace, such a lamentable situation for the everyman." Mi Zun went back to eating before recalling another question he had of the situation in the Central Plains. "The lady Pei Chanti has apparently moved against Zhuge Dun yet I have not heard the details. Was she attacking Xia Pi, Ru Nan? All the reports had said was that she had tried to break free of Zhuge Dun's grip on the land, do you know much of the matter Su Sheng?"

Su Sheng raised his eyebrows at Mi Zun's notions. He didn't think the Han had returned, but if that is something Mi Zun needs to see for himself, then so be it.

"Well, without war, there is no peace, is there? Who among the rulers would stand down and willingly accept surrender to another force, even with all the prestige and strength in the world? I find it hard to believe that someone would do so in these times. But, I just hope that you are not disappointed if what you are looking for in Luo Yang is not truly there."

"As for the Zhuge Dun and Pei Chanti situation. I'm not sure what exactly happened, but I think it had something to do with the deal the two sides had months ago, wherein Lady Pei would hand over custody of Ping Yuan to the former lord, Chen Ping, for a duration while Lord Chen was fighting Lord Yu in the north. He would return it when his business was settled. Well, considering the loss of Ye to Lord Yang, it seems to me that Lord Zhuge gave Shou Chun in compensation for Ping Yuan. However, it's just my speculation, since I have no connections with those governments."

Mi Zun smiled at the young politician, "You had not arrived yet Su Sheng, it is excusable, he spoke of Xiao Huang as a strange man, an idealist who wished for peace and bounty of the everyman. Though I suppose his most recent action shows that to have been merely a mask... Which of these lords can truly be trusted? Can any of them? Each lord and lady seems to put on a show of honor and integrity, the only one I have truly seen that present in was Yu Houyi, with the unmarred innocence of a child. Dugu Qiusheng acts as a spoiled child, who puts on a show for the grand amusement of others. Ma Qingcao... well I cannot say anything truly. The man has an amazing countenance and the most cynical man of this land works under him, and apparently is a good friend of the lord's."

Mi Zun took a long sip of the tea from his cup. It was Mi Jia who next spoke, "Have you ever met a man named Yindun Zhe, sir Su Sheng? He is a top advisor of sorts to Ma Qingcao." Mi Zun nodded his head towards the last thing Su Sheng had asked. "Lord Chen Wei was the first man I had met when I first returned to this land. It was he and his soldiers that broke the news of the Han's fall to me... A good man, with a great lineage to support his claim of control over Liangzhou. Also a great friend of Yindun Zhe, who is a master judge of character due to his cynical nature.Though his ambition..." He shook his head as he looked down with a melancholy smile on his face. "It will only be a matter of time before Dugu Qiusheng and Chen Wei clash, if Chen Wei is still embroiled in other war he may be swallowed by the two pronged attack of Li Jun and Dugu Qiusheng. If he is able to secure his borders and win allies elsewhere he may be able to turn the tide, but it is not a promising prospect."

Hearing Mi Zun say "good man" and Chen Wei in the same sentence, made him feel a little disgusted. But he then went on to answer Mi Jia's question and then commented on Mi Zun's statement.

"Yindun Zhe? Yes, I have met him. We studied together and taught each other skills. He taught me the basics on agriculture and I'm grateful to him for helping me be able to develop agriculture in the south. We didn't have much to say, as we focused on learning during the times we were able to meet, since we were both busy men. As for Chen Wei, it is interesting that you mention he and Lord Dugu will clash. I can't say what will happen, but then Chen Wei has made himself quite a few enemies and indeed his ambition......Well, as I returned to Xu Chang, I've heard some unsettling reports about his attack on the gate my lord held at Mian Zhu Guan and at the same time, he attacked Wu Du and Han Zhong. Chen Wei did not have to attack us at Mian Zhu Guan at all, we were at peace with him, but he chose to, for no justifiable reason I can think of. I certainly wouldn't trust anything he says, if he is willing to attack in such a fashion. Just be careful if you are going to Luo Yang and be ready to depart in case his army strikes. I would definitely worry about someone lacking virtue taking control of the Middle Kingdom."