Cao Pi vs. Xu Shang vs. Lu Bu vs. Yiweishi

[Zhen Luo]

On The Side Of A Cliff

The cliff seems to be neverending. There is no 'top' or 'bottom', just the endless side. The incline is 30% and the ground is very rocky. Stones range in size from tiny pebbles to rocks about the size of a football (uk). There are scrubweeds growing, making the footing even rougher.

Everyone must post once before the next round can begin. Once you have formed your posting order, you must stick to it. Default time each person has to post is 24 hours.

[Ba Zeng]

The trip to the predetermined destination was so confusing that Lu Ling Qi didn't even know how she arrived on a never ending cliff side.

If I keep going uphill like this, I'm going to run out of energy to kill Cao Pi with...

Where the hell was he anyway!?

Lu Ling Qi looked around, the terrain was totally different then the central plains. "Uhhh...."

Sigh

"I think this was a sham..."

Lu Ling Qi found a big, flat rock that was sticking out of the cliff side to sit on, she placed her katars by the rock and rested her chin on her right palm.

(Do I win after today if no one posts? xD)

[Kakashi]

Getting over the mass hill Shang finally reaches atop the hill." hmmmm this looks like somewhere in Xi Liang or even XIang Ping" and raises his eyebrow to see who already was here here. A woman, Shang was confused to see why a women was up here, but seeing how he didn't know the abilities of his opponents in person but, by just hearing rumors of their abilities, he especially didn't want to take anything from this women, whom looked like she's been in a few good battles herself.

Looking in the distance was more of a soft surface type of terrain to where he was currently standing at, walked a few step, then just planted his but there, awaiting others, by folding his arms, along with his legs.

[Cao Pi]

Cao Pi gazed unnervingly towards the cliffs ahead. He had participated in similar duels as a child, fighting on the edge of rivers, tree lines and mountains in hopes of impressing his beloved father. Sadly...it didn’t.

He paused as he sought out those upon the edge of the cliff, his father’s words a reminder that no matter how hard he had tried in the past, no matter what obstacles he had overcome, it was never...ever enough.

“But today.” He said quietly, “Will change all of that father.”

He smiled and continued the rest of the trek to the edge of the field, he noticed a warrior woman standing by, a face that he had remembered seeing before, besides her, stood Xu Shang, a famous general of latter Wu and an officer of the rebels that opposed his rule.

“It is fortunate that I meet two of my enemies today.”

He smiled with his greeting, but refrained from saying anything else. He was after all, here to defeat them – not befriend them.

[Yiwèishì]

(OOC Note: I apologize for the delay... I had a medical emergency inside of the family that has been explained to both Cao Pi and Zhen Luo.)


Yiwèishì couldn't help but grin as he shifted within the back of that wagon, his eyes all but glued upon that pathway ahead. Oh truly that treacherous slope before them would face a challenge for any warrior, it's incline a constant and unchanging angle that would offer little footing fighting in either direction while the lose pebbles would merely make their footing all the more treacherous... and yet it was with a grin Yiwèishì bowed his head as he gave a silent prayer to the Tiān Gōng, Yù Huáng, and Fúdézhèngshén the God of the Earth. How could he not when the Heavens had favored him so in putting him into such a condition, granting him a terrain the veteran fighter of Mount Song would find himself at home in.

Slowly though he rose from his position at the back of that cart, his hand falling to that small cart's side as he balanced himself. Yet it was upon a agile foot he slowly maneuvered his way along that cart and towards his driver, a simple farmer with whom he had ridden. "Thank you again, Honorable Lord." Yiwèishì softly commented to the aged farmer who merely nodded his head in acknowledgment. "It's nothing to thank me for, Kong. Yet will you stop with that Honorable Lord business, I'm just a simple farmer. A Priest from the Monastery of Mount Song has little business praising me like that. It was a small enough detour when it comes down to it, just a few hours out of the way. Couldn't possibly of expected you to of walked up that incline with all that armor and weaponry even with your assistant." that farmer said with a nod of his head towards the young boy beside him, a apprentice of Mount Song.

"We would have endured, Honorable Lord, and no real enemy would of allowed me a chance to rest even should I of been forced too. It would of simply been a problem I would of been forced to endure, Honorable Lord." Yiwèishì softly commented before a grin split his thick lips. "Yet if for anything I must thank you again, for you have saved both myself and my apprentice much vigor for the coming challenge. I suspect only the best warriors of the land will have been invited to attend Empresses Zhen Luo's first annual dueling tournament and thus I will need all the strength that I have. While I'm sure Apprentice Wen would thank you as well from saving him from carrying Mò up that incline." Yiwèishì would finish before grasping the young Wen's shoulder. "Isn't that right, Apprentice Wen?" Yiwèishì inquired within that ever even tone. "Yes, Master Kong." being all that boy softly grumbled leaving both that farmer and Yiwèishì to grin. After all there was still a walk downwards after the duel...

In complete silence though that trio of men rode, each lost within their own thoughts. One within the thoughts of his wife and children at home and the prices he might fetch when he finally reached the market, another within thoughts of boyhood, while a third within the bloody work ahead. Settled within the rear of that cart Yiwèishì slowly ran the palm of his hand across the gauntlet of his arm, insuring it lay within place for the third time within that hour. "Apprentice Wen?" Yiwèishì softly asked as switched to checking his other arm's gauntlets for any possible flaws. "Yes Master Kong?" that boy all but sighed out. "Would you mind passing me Empress Zhen Luo's invitation again?" he softly asked leaving that boy to lazily lean forward, his hands falling to that oiled leather canvas sack before him. His hands left to tug and pull away at those binding cords of cloth until finally it's top slipped open and in a mere matter of moments that scroll was handed over and unscrolled.

While in silence Yiwèishì, The Demon of Mount Song, examined that scroll. Just how had the Empress of Wei possibly had heard of his name? Him, a simple monk within the Monastery of Mount Song? Snorting, Yiwèishì leaned backwards within that cart. Did people still whisper of that horrid day over drinks? Did children still fantasize about that horrible massacre, unaware of it's true horrors? Did men still hold Yiwèishì as some figure of fame... Bah. Shaking his head in disgust Yiwèishì allowed his gaze to roll down that pamphlet once more onto those rules... just what was the meaning of restricting their weaponry though? Was this not a fight between warriors of varying styles? Or had the Empress of Wei developed some secret agenda to influence this fight? To possibly shift what may of been a battle of renown into one of legend? Oh well... at least now he didn't have to worry about a arrow from behind catching him. After all, he knew full well his front was protected...

Grinning he allowed his gaze to roll onto that small, perhaps foot long, chest beside him. A simple box of wooden tailoring without motif or decor with a simple bronze latch to hold it into place. Yet within it he knew possibly his greatest ally within this fight laid, a weapon far to many simply passed over. Zhōngshí, his faithful mace... truly Yiwèishì believed that to be his trump card within that fight. To introduce a style of utter brutality alongside the unforgiving steel of his shield. "Kung, I wish you luck. We're about there... believe I can see the other fighters already gathered. Hmph.. I would of presumed us to be the first here. I guess the old girl is getting a bit slower." that farmer softly commented as he leaned forward and patted his graying mule upon it's ass.

"But I wish you luck Kung, I hope to here of your triumph." that farmer softly commented before pulling upon the reins to his cart, allowing it to come to a slow halt upon that incline. "And I wish you and your family health and fortune within your future. Please tell the children hello for me, shall you?" Yiwèishì commented as he grasped that wooden box and undid it's latch... revealing that spiked mace within, his Zhōngshí. His faithful. "Apprentice Wen!" Yiwèishì suddenly barked out causing that child of eight to come alive within his seat. "You are to take our belongings and Mò a good distance away and you are to stay away from the fight. Do not get close and if the fighting nears you, I wish to see you gone. These are veteran soldiers but even a veteran has struck his own companions on accident in the heat of combat." Yiwèishì growled as grasped the handle of his mace and lifted it out of it's box. Allowing it's handle to momentarily rest upon his armored lap as he shifted that lanyard above and around his right wrist before tightening it into place. Only to slowly rise as he snatched up his wood and iron reinforced shield, his wrist left to rotate a few times to adjust to it's weight as he stepped off of that cart and onto the ground. "Honorable Master, I wish you luck upon your travels." Yiwèishì softly commented as his grasp tightened about the dangling Zhōngshí.

Only for Yiwèishì to slowly move about that wagon, his weapon of choice and shield held tightly within his hands as he did so. His every step firm, cautious, yet timed. Every one taken in rhythm, allowing his foot to bite into purchase before moving forward nimbly across that treacherous terrain. Foot by foot was eaten away by the second by the Demon of Mount Song as with visible ease he navigated that slope towards those he presumed to be his opponents, only for his gaze to slowly narrow. Two men stood before him... and a woman, armed just like the men. So it seemed Yù Huáng had not been overly pleased with him after all.

Forcing his unease aside though he continued to approach his fellow combatants, apparently content to approach the nearest of them. A tall and slender man of dark hair, one armed with a sword of massive proportions. One that seemingly bordered upon the insane with what Yiwèishì judged to be a almost three foot span... just what type of warrior was foolhardy enough to use such a blade? If it was properly waited for it's size it would require both hands to properly use, and even in that case would be exposed should it be properly blocked. While if it was unweighted even the blow of a sword could possibly shatter it... Yiwèishì could only shake his head in slight surprise as he continued to approach that man. Only to pause, as he cleared his throat. Allowing the man to become known of his approach. "Good day, Honorable Lord. I presume this is the gathering of warriors for Empress Zhen Luo's tournament?" Yiwèishì softly asked as he tightened his grasp about that sword as he continued to eye that monstrous sword.

[Zhen Luo]

The posting order has been established: Lu Bu, Massaih, Cao Pi, Yiweishi. This order is not to be broken.

The 24 hour rule goes into affect now. Each person has 24 hours since the last reply to post. Should anyone miss their time to post wihout first informing me, they will lose the duel and the other duellists will continue.

[Ba Zeng]

(I see your long post, and I counter with a short post! Haha beat that! )

Lu Ling Qi eyed all of the contestants as they appeared one by one. Xu Shang, the Emperor Cao Pi, and a man that really needed to shave. Most of these men had swords. Nothing as exotic as Lu Ling Qi's Katars. A weapons which, whilst deadly as a sword, were shorter, faster, and more nimble then swords.

She grabbed her katars, using the notable horizontal grip, instead of a sword's vertical grip, and stood from the rock she was sitting on. Being a woman, she was shorter then these men. She didn't let that intimidate her.

As much as she wanted to gut Cao Pi an turn him inside out. She didn't charge at him. That would've been foolish. Instead she just stood, and eyed all three of them. A four person free for all, anything could happen. At the moment, Lu Ling Qi didn't move an inch, deciding it was best to wait and see who would charge at who first.

She didn't care to exchange pleasantries with any of the men. For soon she would be fighting for a spot in the next round, with them.

[Kakashi]

Relaxing as usual Shang, awaits his soon to be opponents, with both his arms and legs folded on the rough terrain, Shangs thoughts begin to spin, while another warroir came into the setting, Shang glanced at on-coming opponent, but the look Shang gave somewhat if a misguided look towards him as it looks as though he was not from the region, though Shang didn't know him, he hoped that he give him a go in the duel today. Along with the Emperor Cao Pi, showed himself, Shang somewhat giggled, because the stories he heard about this man seemed far from the truth, Shang didn;t have a grudge from any of them, it was just a duel... a friendly to say the least. SHang then Gets up from the surface, standing with his chest out and arms folded, awaiting what is next to be in this predicament .

[Cao Pi]

Cao Pi looked past the dragon of mount song and towards the sea of pebbles, rocks and over-grown weeds that had grown there over the passing summer. The temperatures had dropped now that it became cooler, but he could still see the bending arc as the weeds fell in line over set portions of the fertile ground – a patch, he presumed that was more susceptible to the change of the four seasons.

To his north he presumed similar acts were changing, for the land was a forever investor for whatever gods had plucked at its tidings – but, before he could have enjoyed a real blessing, he noticed a woman standing to his fore, a woman, or a daughter of some famous general, a name that he couldn’t remember as he noticed her place both katars – a foreign weapon – on both of her hands. It would seem she would be the stronger of the two males besides him, but the strange general who adorned his left flank bore a presence similar to the hatred the woman had revealed when her eyes had flickered over that of his own.

He smiled, he had come for a serious duel and it seemed that both the heavens, and the participants – would grant such a thing.

“I wish you all the best of luck.”

He smiled as he smoke, gripping and clicking the blades from their scabbards, allowing his hands to pull up and release them from their cages. He stood; with two dual swords in hand (a single weapon set) and a gaze that peered deep into the minds of his enemies

It was time.

He began by charging towards Xu Shang, his pace swift – but not overly taxed, for a slim, but strong man, he went with a pace that was best suited for his genetic build. Then, he crossed both of his arms for a second, allowing his right hand to move over to his left bicep – when it touched, he released his strength and hurled his sword in a violent horizontal slash, aiming from left to right.

He had closed the gap close enough to land a blow – but it was entirely up to Massiah for how he planned to avoid, or even dodge the attack. His left hand had remained free, keeping the blade close at hand and pointing more south, so as to not pick at his sweeping attack. He would be ready should a counter be made, and all ready had he three other attacks in mind. His only hope was that the other two would give him a few seconds to unleash his fury.

[Yiwèishì]

(OOC: A quick question which I'll hope you answer in your post Lu Bu. Is she using a Bundi Dagger or a Hooded Punching Dagger? They're both Katar but they differ in size and weight, thus why I ask.)


Truly though Yiwèishì allowed that unnamed warrior, who happened to be the very Emperor whose laws Yiwèishì accepted and obeyed, to carry through with his attack without worry. For it was with a faint scowl painted across his rough, leathery, features Yiwèishì stood there for a moment allowing his fellow competitors to foolishly drain themselves so early within this competition. While with the natural grace only a man of long time habit could of possibly had Yiwèishì allowed his grasp to loosen about that shield's handle, while keeping his forearm slid through it's containing arm band, and lowered his shield until his hand lay at waist height. His left hand left to curl inwards, towards himself, until his pudgy sausage like fingers brushed against the rough material of that leather pouch which hung from the sash about his waist. His fingers fumbling with that silken draw cord, without his eyes so much as ever leaving his opponents, he slowly undid it and that pouch's lip fell open.

In a single fluid motion though his left hand submerged itself up to his wrist within that little sack, his fingers left to curl within it causing that bag's sides to bulge ever so slightly. Yet it was slowly drawing outward, and a wad of fuzzy green leaves in tow, he unfolded his hand. Revealing those freshly cut, finger length, tobacco leaves that he held. His eyes suspiciously raising to gauge his opponents he paused for but a moment to insure that woman had maintained her distance, while the man he had greeted still engaged with his desired foe... With pleasure written across his face at finding himself a moment's respite he released his grasp from around his spiked mace, Zhōngshí left to plummet downwards a few inches before that leather lanyard grew taunt and kept it hovering in place, and allowed his right hand to fall upon those leaves. While one at a time he grasped those finger length leaves and stuffed them past those bulbous lips until easily ten or twelve leaves had disappeared behind those yellowing teeth.

Only for a grunt of satisfaction to escape Yiwèishì as he began to chew upon those leaves. Munching those tobacco leaves up into a thick, flavorful, and juicy wad which he continued to work on as he patted his hand clean upon the side of his iron breastplate. Yet within a second that spiked mace was once more within that short but stout man's gauntlet clad hand, his leather covered fingers left to curl and uncurl about that mace's handle as he sought out those well worn grooves as his left hand tightened about that shield's handle and hefted it up above the ground once more.

With utter pleasure painted across his face the fabled Demon of Mount Song finally made his first move as his tongue adjusted that thick wad of mulched up tobacco inside the side of his cheek. One step at a time Yiwèishì slowly closed the distance between himself and that brawl, his gaze switching between the embroiled male warriors and that woman within the distance. Slowly though his right arm raised, keeping that mace's ball pointed before him as if a rod, only to point his mace within the direction of that woman. A faint nod of his head given within her direction, acknowledging her as his combatant. Only for his arm to slowly lower as he continued to move forward, each footfall slow but calculated as he attempted to to insure his footing.

Abruptly pausing though, Yiwèishì came to a sudden halt. His current location putting himself all but parallel with the brawl between those two men while a mere pebble's throw away from that woman. Keeping his gaze switching between his three combatants, Yiwèishì once more gave a slight nod of his head towards that woman as he studied her weapons. Two long punching daggers, or Katars as those of the southwest had started referring to them as, was her weapon of choice... lovely. He faced a opponent both taller, even if by a matter of inches, and quite likely faster opponent whose weaponry sole purpose was to punch right through armor without shattering. Rolling his left shoulder forward though, Yiwèishì silently took courage within that wood and iron reinforced steel knowing full well it could be the only thing saving his life in a matter of mere moments.

His shield and his sure footing, brought on from years in living on Mount Song, his only true armor Yiwèishì moved forward. In a matter of moments passing up the embroiled Emperor of Wei and his opponent, Xu Shang, as he continued to advance on that woman before him. His massive shield hefted before his chest, hiding all but the very top of his face and his armored legs. While his right hand tightened about his mace as he studied that woman from over the top of his shield. Attempting to judge her every movement from how she grasped those punching daggers in a attempt to judge her next movement. What would it be? A frontal assault? Perhaps she would take him as a wizened old goat with no agility and attempt to flank him? Truly Yiwèishì hoped for the latter as with a grin he recalled more than one brigand whose fate had been sealed upon such a presumption.

One he silently prayed the woman would take as he continued to advance upon her, noting her cautiousness to advance or engage herself early. Had she hoped to prey upon himself and the other combatants after they had tired themselves? Pausing for a moment he kept his gaze focused upon that woman as he began to listen, wondering if his other two combatants was still engaged or if one had hoped to make quick work of him with his back turned. For a few moment's he merely stood there, listening for the panting of breathe and the squall of steel against steel, before moving onward. Assured his back for the moment lay secured he slowly traversed those last few feet until perhaps six feet remained between him and that woman.

Shoving that ball of munched tobacco into the side of his cheek, Yiwèishì paused to talk. "I wish you luck, Honorable Mistress. I am Kong Wu, styled Yiwèishì, from the Monastery of Mount Song and here upon the invitation of Empress Zhen Luo herself. You shall be my opponent today." Yiwèishì growled as he shifted his footing underneath him. Preparing himself for a impact or the need to suddenly twist about, to continue blocking the woman should she charge at him, as his right hand cradled the grooves of his mace. "May the Heavens bless us both in our struggle." he softly commented as he adjusted his shield before him so he could brace for a attack.

[Ba Zeng]

(OOC: Whatever the picture in my profile is. =P

I'll post later today hopefully.)

Cao Pi charged at Xu Shang. Leaving Lu Ling Qi with the dwarf. The dwarf hid behind a shield that covered most of his torso, his legs were armored, and in his right hand was the spiked mace. He approached Lu Ling Qi cautiously.

"Thats a lot of weight you have there monk." Lu Ling Qi took a step backward, "How long do you think you'll be able to chase me before you fall to your knees in exhaustion?"

Lu Ling Qi laughed, it was a somewhat mischievous laugh. She knew in the near future she would have to actually fight the dwarf. But they had just met, why not a little fun first?

Lu Ling Qi didn't introduce herself to the dwarf monk. There was no need to, pleasantries were behind them. Instead, she actually turned around and started to walk uphill again. Unafraid of the cautious dwarf. The distance between them widened, then the dwarf wished her luck. What a gentleman. Lu Ling Qi bent down, her entire backside in the view of the dwarf, the took her right katar off and held it with her left hand. Then she reached down and grabbed a rock the size of a modern day baseball.

She stood upright again and turned back around towards the dwarf. She showed him the rock, "Tell me Kong Wu, would you be angry if I placed a few dents in that shield of yours?"

[Zhen Luo]

Massiah is the first person to be out of the duel. He missed his posting time by almost 48 hours. I did not recieve anything from him asking for an extension, The new posting order is as follows: Cao Pi, Yiweishi, Mikey. Cao Pi is up now and he has 24 hours from this post.

[Cao Pi]

Cao Pi advanced swiftly upon his enemy, both sword arms ready as he continued through with his attack. His enemy had back-stepped and then countered with a thrust of his own, but his blade was deflected and repelled to Cao’s right with his spare sword.

“Impressive.” He muttered, before lunging forth again, this time Massiah tried to do the same deflection, but as he did Cao Pi kicked out with his leg, temporarily lowering the man’s defences. Afterwards, Cao Pi rammed his free sword into the man’s leg, tearing away the muscles of the thigh before yanking the blade free.

He stepped back whilst his enemy fell.

It was then that he turned upon the encounter of the two other warriors, he had seen the dragon of mount song offer praise to his enemy, and whilst he had already dispatched one of his adversaries, it had seemed that these two had yet to even begin fighting.

He lowered his stance, sheathing his left sword within his right scabbard, with his right hand still clenched to his blade; he dropped his position and gazed wearily ahead at the two warriors. Let them move, he thought – for soon the three of them would dance in a swordplay none of them would forget.

[Zhen Luo]

Yiweishi has asked for an extension. He has until 5pm EST to post.

[Yiwèishì]

(Short post is short! I was in bit of a rush, sorry.)


With a grin Yiwèishì returned the gaze of that woman as she stood a small distance off, her punching dagger now held within her left hand, as her right cradled that baseball sized rock. Oh just what was this? "Honorable Mistress." Yiwèishì softly growled out as he continued to suck upon that wad of chewing tobacco. "I do believe you're forgetting a single fact." that dwarf would shot off as that grin spread all the wider across his leathery features. Those yellowed teeth having been stained a dark brown by the juices of that tobacco, "Throwing that rock will get you disqualified, Honorable Mistress. However if not for that fact I would welcome you to try." Yiwèishì commented with a soft chuckle. While in a growl he would bark, "Yet you must be daft to believe a rock like that would so much as dent this." Yiwèishì snarled as he lifted up his left arm, and thus that massive wood and iron reinforced shield. "If this thing was designed to take a blow from a arrow, spear, or even a Ji without so much as cracking I would dare say you without a sling couldn't do much with that rock."

However Yiwèishì couldn't help but tense as that scream echoed across the mountainside. A scream of wounding and a soft thud against the earth which sent rocks falling... had one of his opponents already fallen? Keeping his shield in place, and position towards that woman, he slowly twisted about to his right. Swinging his back away from the downward path and towards the solid wall of earth, while bringing his front to face that empty abyss. Yet it was with his shield in place he stole a quick sidelong glance before forcing his attention back onto that woman as a grin spread across his face. It seemed the silent man who had ignored his original inquiry had already dispatched his foe. Perhaps the man was just to have his ego to have already cut down a man had selected by the Empress of Wei, Mistress Zhen Luo.

"Honorable Mistress." that old dwarf asked as he continued to maneuver himself away from his foe, and closer to the shelf of that cliff. "It would seem one of our opponents has already been taken out while his foe is now free to rest. I would dare not attempt to press your pride, Honorable Mistress, yet perhaps we should add some spice to this rather cautious duel of ours. After all we wouldn't dare wish to be shown up, nor leave our other opponent out of this mix. Wouldn't you dare say?" Yiwèishì cooed with a grin as his right hand tightened about the handle of his mace.