"I do not mind if you are a swordsman." Dai Xin said with a nod to Liu. "Martial arts are martial arts, regardless of blade or fist. Though, even if you were willing to kill me..." He looked at the girl in Rikoku style dress for a moment. "You would do better to send the young lady."

He turned and walked towards the doors leading further into the temple, unworried about a mob attack or an ambush. Before he got there, however, they were pushed open, and a new crowd entered. The advanced students held the doors open and lined up, respectfully making a path for two other men. One was handsome, with well kept hair tied in a long braid--his features were such that one might use the Rikokan term "bishonen." He had a calm, collected air, and walked with impeccable posture and a polearm held in the crook of one elbow. It was a weapon known as the Nine Dragons Trident, a long staff topped with multiple blades that made it look like a weather vane, along with a trident spear-head. Out of the many weapon forms taught at the Five Wheel Striking Style, this was the most advanced and dangerous of them all.

The second man was a short, old, white haired fellow who was all smiles. He wore a simple, undecorated shirt and pants that looked more like something one might wear in the privacy of their own homes rather than at a prestigious martial arts school. The clothes were traditional and old-fashioned, and hung loosely on his withered frame.

"Master Min, I must apologize." Zhang Li said, barely managing a bow while still rubbing the spot where he'd been kicked. "This man wishes to challenge you; I could not deter him." Dai Xin bowed, as if Zhang Li were introducing him instead of making an excuse for his presence.

"Greetings, Honored Grandmaster of Five Wheels Striking School. I am--"

"Silence!" snapped the man holding the trident. He levied the weapon, the tip of its topmost blade at eye level with the intruder. "You dare presume to come here, injure our students, and expect us to listen to your ridiculous requests!? I don't know how you defeated Brother Zhang, but I for one--"

"There there, Yuen." the old man's voice was soft, but when he spoke everyone bent their ear to listen. He waved one gnarled hand at the other man, and the trident was withdrawn. Then, to Dai Xin, "Forgive our master of weapons, he's very high strung. I don't have a problem with your challenge...but it seems you've already had quite the match, eh?" He walked towards Dai Xin, and though the redhaired man perceivably tensed up, the master passed within striking range, then grabbing range, then on past towards the crowd gathered at the entrance. He looked out at them for a moment, then turned back to Dai Xin. "My, perhaps we should make this a show and charge admission." He cracked a grin that was missing a few teeth. "Tell you what, youngster. An old man like me needs time to prepare for this kind of thing anyway, and you're probably tired from coming all the way from...wherever, then having a match with Zhang. What say we do this tomorrow?"

"Thank you for your consideration, master, but I am afraid I would rather begin as soon as possible." Dai Xin turned so that he was able to look at the grandmaster, but without turning his back on the still visibly angry Yuen.

"You youngsters, always so impatient. But you know, they say it's old people who do everything early. Get up early, go to sleep early, eat early--speaking of that, it was noon not too long ago, it'll be supper soon enough!" The old man laughed cheerfully. "Mingdu has a lot of great eating places. You should go visit them, eat up hearty! After all,"

The grandmaster opened his eyes more fully, and there was an instant shift in the pressure of the air as that dull brown gaze locked onto Dai Xin's own.

"It'd be a shame if I killed you before you got to experience it."

The man closed his eyes as he smiled, and it was like a gate to hell had been slammed shut. Once again moving with a happy-go-lucky spring to his step, he turned to Liu and waved at the boy.

"Oh, little Liu, how are you my boy? Still a hit with the ladies, I see!" He waved Dai Xin over, and after he glanced back towards Yuen, the redhead walked over to join the group. "You know all the good places, since you sell 'em the meat! Show Master Dai Xin here around town, let him unwind before our match tomorrow!"

"Master Min," Yuen spoke up, "I must object to this; please, allow me to face him here, and there will be no need for you to risk your health on--

Old Min blew a raspberry and headed towards the main temple building, waving off his apprentice.

"Only thing that'll risk my health is the smell of your hair product, boy-o! C'mon, let's get the missus to make some snacks we can sell tomorrow, we'll make a killin'!" 

With one last glare, Yuen followed his teacher. Zhang nervously bowed to Dai Xin, before ordering all of the students back to their training. After a moment the crowd, too, began to disperse. There were many dirty glares directed towards the outsider, but eventually Dai Xin was left alone with this "Liu" and the two women accompanying him. He was the tallest of the four, it seemed, and tilted his head as a way of greeting.

"Hello."