Algorhythm

The Immortal Honor: Ghost Serpents of Onan (Fantasy Kung-Fu Epic)

I'll let a round of posts from everyone go before I move the story along to the next day to meet the officers. For those that didn't get any action in - don't worry. Plenty is coming.

The Immortal Honor: Ghost Serpents of Onan (Fantasy Kung-Fu Epic)

Before 'Mr. Professional' could answer the woman, a group of people scurried out from Shami's Stop. They were armed with weapons and lanterns. The people leading the charge were no doubt warriors of some kind, confidently brandishing polearms and swords. The ones in the back were more likely vendors and average citizens that joined the mob with broomsticks and chairs. One man even had a vase raised over his head, but Old Man Shami grabbed him by the collar and snatched the item from his grasp and slapped him on the back of the head for good measure.

"What is going on out here?" Old Man Shami barked, setting the vase down before stomping forward. The sea of patrons parted to reveal a tiny man with a long white beard. Even though he was the eldest out of everyone there, there was no hunch in his back, or crook in his step.

Yuo walked forward then bowed. He took pride in the fact that he did not stumble over doing so. "Forgive us, kind Shami. We meant no disrespect to your establishment. These men lying on the ground tried to rob me. If it weren't for the kindness of these good Samaritans, I would've been in a much more graver state than I am now."

"Young Zhang?" Old Man Shami squinted, trying to identify Yuo's face past the blood and soot. "By the river of stars, you're a mess." The tension in the air softened. Some of the people from the mob chuckled and gossiped at the sight of the muddied black sheep of the Zhang family. The patrons would be hard pressed to forget Yuo's outlandish storytelling that lit up the tavern hours ago.

"Not by design. Partly." His white smile was like the crescent moon reflecting off of a dirtied pond. "You will find no fabrication in my story."

"Lies!" The thief in the blonde woman's hold cried out in a panic. "They attacked us! This she devil killed my friend, and the masked one slayed the other!"

"Just look at their clothes." Yuo said. "I'm sure Shopkeeper Ikam can recognize them."

A tall, lanky middle-aged merchant sprung at the sound of his name. With a lantern in hand, he surveyed the men's garments with eyes wide and mouth agape. "My Sky Tunics! These thieves ruined them!" Shopkeeper Ikam began kicking the dead body of the thief until he was restrained. After a moment of silence, Old Man Shami made an executive decision.

"I concur that Young Zhang is telling the truth." Shami said. "These men had violated market law. Take the two who are still breathing into the basement chambers." The mob motioned over to retrieve the man in the blonde woman's clutch, and dragged the other who was still knocked unconscious. "Round up the dead and make them presentable for the authorities."

Yuo bowed in thanks, but Old Man Shami did not return the gesture. "Your family name can only save you for so long, young Zhang. Do take care of yourself." The old man's squinting eyes gazed upon the rest of the group, showing much concern. "The night is cold. I will not have any more freezing bodies awaiting the authorities. Stay inside and please respect my establishment. That is my only warning." Shami stared long and hard at the masked figure before walking away.

"Well, quite the exciting night." Yuo turned to everyone and bowed. He felt much more sober now. Something had to be done about that. "Thank you all for coming to my aid. As you might've heard... I am Yuo Zhang." He awaited everyone's introduction before continuing, motioning everyone towards the entrance way of Shami's Stop. "Any of you here to meet a military officer named Peng Do?"

The Immortal Honor: Ghost Serpents of Onan (Fantasy Kung-Fu Epic)

Hey folks, love your posts so far. I won't be able to get one of my own up until Tuesday. Please feel free to wreak havoc in Shami's Stop until then :)

The Immortal Honor: Ghost Serpents of Onan (Fantasy Kung-Fu Epic)

Yuo won't be able to maintain this dance for long. The ground was slippery and the world was still spinning. He launched a swift back kick, sending the armed thief tumbling. As he did so, the other attacker managed to land a glancing blow on Yuo's abdomen. The punch was mitigated by a reactionary roll of his body that took some steam out of its power, but the shot registered. It was enough to make his gut rumble. Yuo instinctively tried to cover his mouth but the projectile vomit snaked through his fingers and onto the thief that had punched him.

"Ack!" The thief cried out. Yuo experienced a moment of clarity, like time had stopped to present an opening in his attacker's guard. He power stepped forward and unleashed a snaking jab followed by a short, but powerful, closed right hand fist to the jaw that knocked the thief unconscious before he dropped to the ground. Yuo lost his footing in the follow through and slipped on the mud, causing him to fall face forward onto the thief he had just knocked out. Sigh...

Just as he hit the ground, he remembered that the armed thief was still behind him. As Yuo rolled onto his back in a defensive guard, he saw that the armed man had been swiftly dispatched by someone else. The figure was oddly clothed with a mask and garments that he'd never seen anyone from Daokai wear. This night was getting crazier by the second.

"T-thanks!" He clumsily got onto his feet and glanced back at the woman, who dismantled one attacker, and was now holding the other in what looked to be a painful arm submission.

"Let me go you wench!" The thief winced in pain as his left arm was kept bent in an awkward position.

The Immortal Honor: Ghost Serpents of Onan (Fantasy Kung-Fu Epic)

Thanks bud.

The Immortal Honor: Ghost Serpents of Onan (Fantasy Kung-Fu Epic)

@Zero Hex Sounds good. I plan on incorporating the lore of Nine Peaks from Meng's sheet if that's okay.

The Immortal Honor: Ghost Serpents of Onan (Fantasy Kung-Fu Epic)

"Yes." Yuo said, pushing off of the ground and sliding up against the cobblestone wall until he was completely upright. "You fight well!" He drew a hand close to his mouth to shield the woman from his cough. As he did, he saw that his skin was caked in mud. He felt thick globs of wet earth weighing down on his feet, and dirt smeared on his face and beard. Some of it must be blood. He smiled at the absurdity of his appearance then gave a slight bow to the woman.

"Thank you for your help." He looked over her shoulder and saw that the men had sprung to their feet, looking like they wanted to go for another round. He groaned. "Can't we have a conversation in peace!" Yuo realized that he was still slurring his words. He silently nodded to himself, identifying that he wasn't sobering up at all. "Geez, that tavern wine is demon urine!"

Yuo's hazy brown eyes met his rescuer's concerned face, both for him and the thieves, who were now charging at both of them. He saw the blade flicker in the moonlight, the same blade that was pressed up against his neck moments before. "You shouldn't be running with sharp objects!" Yuo barked at the armed thief like a parent chastising his kid. He clumsily dashed forward and closed distance between him and the knife man. The thief stabbed at Yuo's torso, but he only caught air as the Wine Viper twirled to the side. A second assailant came into the mix, throwing punch and kick combinations as the bladed thief desperately swung in Yuo's direction. His fluid movements were loose and free flowing, dodging and deflecting with a drunken grace that seemed to agitate the attackers more. The other two thieves ran past them to fight the woman. One of them unsheathed a machete while the other opened the attack with a flying jump kick.

The Immortal Honor: Ghost Serpents of Onan (Fantasy Kung-Fu Epic)

@Therealslayer

---

North Central - Outside of Shami's Stop

"Get off him, cowards!"

The beatings seized. The chilly air and intoxication made Yuo feel numb to any of the pain that was inflicted. His headache somehow disappeared, so that was a relief. He looked around. It was hard trying to make out the silhouettes cast from the oil lantern mounted from on top of the trade station wall. Its warmth drew most of his attention than anything as he remembered the heat felt from the cobblestones. Yuo dragged himself toward the wall to meet its embrace once more.

"Oh? Who be this?" One of them catcalled. The four men had their complete attention on the woman, approaching her like a pack of wolves. "You want trouble little hero?"

"Get her!" The one with the short blade ordered. All four of them pounced at her like rabid dogs.

The Immortal Honor: Ghost Serpents of Onan (Fantasy Kung-Fu Epic)

@Jerkchicken Nice job. Nian Dong is accepted! Go ahead and post him in the character tab section before posting.

The Immortal Honor: Ghost Serpents of Onan (Fantasy Kung-Fu Epic)

Hey @Therealslayer, Yuo and the four thugs are actually outside of the trade station and not at the Inn.