Post by Guan Ping on May 31, 2012 23:28:16 GMT -5
If something anticipated arrives too late it finds us numb, wrung out from waiting, and we feel - nothing at all. The best things arrive on time
The days in Jiang Ling were proving difficult each passing day. To sustain a peaceful atmosphere merited blood, sweat and tears. Chaos was a hankering leech haunting the land, camouflage to the emerald chest men. Its exploits encouraged itches for steel, but its endeavours faced a barricade. The God Of War plated this barricade with prideful colors bared by Shu, but its foundation trailed from the amulet gloved warrior, Guan Ping. He was a serum, constantly treating Jing’s disease.
Guan Ping confined in his quarters, arched over a desk with his head buried in palm. The middle finger and thumb circled over both temples as he sunk deeply in thought. His muscles loosened as he savored the moment, he wouldn’t have notice how stressed he was if not for his shoulders lowering. The adrenaline had worn off, he acquired time to recoup, and for what it was worth he appreciated what short time was given to rest.
Solemn stained his lips as the other hand balancing him clutched tight on the ledge of the desk. To feel useless, unable to produce results and watch what once prospered wither away was devastating. The conflict in Jing was leaking through the creases of Ping’s hands. It strained him more so that his efforts would mean nothing once his father called for arms. Ping knew the first step to easing the God of War’s brute force, was to cease the lurking rumors spreading in their sectors.
Commoners lived in fear, timid to expose themselves outside their homes for periods of time, even with Shu officers patrolling. With disguised attacks scattered about, it raised controversy, questioning what power Shu possessed. If this continued, blood shred would begin, which what the opposing forces wanted.
”Master Guan Ping, ” The muffling voice startled the trouble warrior as he shifted his fingers off both temples ” are you there?”
As he made a full turn to face the door, he was reluctant to announce his presence. It was fear, fear of hearing failure breech his eardrums. His balance dwindled by the daring suspense, compelling his weight to be supported by the counter behind him. The blunt noise initiated another call by the servant now alarmed
”Please enter ” the shallow emotion in his words painted all over his face as he prepped for the worse. Ping noticed the servant timid to enter, edging his head through the crack of the door, as if he was interrupting. From one glance and feeling secure, the servant entered before Ping, bowing his head in cupped hands.
”What news do you bring?” The twirling of his wrist gestured the servant spit it out fast to relieve the suspense stabbing at his heart, that feeling always hurt him more than any blade could.
”Lord Ping, Your hard work has paid off. We’ve located the man infesting our lands with filth. He has not suspected us yet, but we must execute our plans fast, for the sake of your father ”
“Located the man” was the only words that recited in Guan Ping as his eyes widened with surprise. The heavens had answered his call, retribution to the commoners, the opportunity alone rabbit his heart. As the servant finally completed his debriefing on the target, Ping instantly reached for his blade slouched on the counter leg. His free hand curled fiercely, bones cracking by each finger pulling in.
”Time is dire. I will handle this personally...We leave in two days!”
Black Palm’s Tavern
”Master, are you certain this choice of action is healthy? We must exercise discernment, I feel this to be very impul- ” ”- Zhihao Xia, I will not fail this mission ” fire kindled in his eyes as he spoke sternly, his stalking gaze towards the tavern intimidated the servant, but he stood fast nonetheless, even praying that they both make it through the night. The servant hoped worst scenario would be exchange of words, but the more he observed Guan Ping, he realised it was wise to bring the best weaponry.
Guan Ping hastened his footsteps into the tavern, entering with eyes fastened for the target’s whereabouts. The amount of red glares directed his way spoke loudly, his presence stirred their spirits to no end. The tension grew the more he stepped deeper into the center, only a mad man would feel comfortable in threatening circumstances.
Among familiar figures, he finally found a seat with Zhihao across the target who also eyed him down. Ping cuffed both hands, one massaging the other while he admired the tavern’s vibrant colors. As for Zhihao, He was more concerned with the glares, contemplating who would attack him first.
”It took me three weeks to find you. These organize attacks and rumors...it..” finally his attention snapped towards the target, forcing the deadlock between them ”Stops now”
Guan Ping noticed the man ignore him to finish his drink, even taking his time to savor, disrespecting the War God’s son. The most logical choice would be to bash his face in, but Ping only masked a smile, patiently waiting as the target sipped and stared. The target was a stocky bald man with an faint orange color. His eyebrows were his most impressive feature, they were red and its ends were long enough to touch his head back. His rebel attire spoke tales of ungodly killings never told, not to mention the 9 ring dao poking out his sash screamed for blood. This did not phase Ping one bit, Thoroughly he peered down the irises before him show disrespect, those eyes lack more than the blade poking out the man.
”Thethh are only accuthathon, you have no proof” A dead silence, Guan Ping’s attention drew towards Zhihao who had turned away a concealed laugh. It was unexpected to find the man behind the ploys did not wield just a deadly blade, but a deadly lisp. If this mission wasn’t so serious as it was, Ping would have indirectly teased him on it...but now was not the time.
Pulling a scroll from his side, he tossed it on the table for it to roll out before them. The stocky man nudged forward in disgust as the papers rolled out to reveal his writing. The message was clear, their operations were compromised. Only time awaited Ping to proceed with a dominant fist.
The bald man’s disdainful look soured within seconds of seeing Guan Ping twist the hem of each gloves with piercing eyes gripping at his soul. ”I also have one of your men in confinement. We have enough evidence to tie you in. It’s quite clear you fucked up, you know that right? ” gradually he pushed from his seat to grow in posture. ”I won’t be taking you in. That’s exactly what your superior wants, to force my father’s hand... ”
Swords were drawn about, every red glare now armed with dead focus on Ping, yet he kept his cool, it only aroused the lips of Ping. The stocky man had already flew out his chair with a singing sword, preying on the Shu General’s move. His subordinate, Zhihao had two blades drawn, they appeared few in numbers, but the general remained smug in appearance.
”As long as I draw breath, the enemy will not have their way. MEN!”
People were going to die, allies and enemies, blood would spill, gashes cuts and all. It didn’t matter to the general, the innocence would be spared, all thanks to Ma Liang’s sly hands. Familiar figures who notice the general finally stood with hidden blades. They were specifically picked by Ping for such a massacre. The amulet general was far from crazy to enter foul grounds without aid, with numbers even, it would bring him another step closer to his goal
”General of thhu! You will die by my hanthh. Prepare yourthelf!” the stocky man lunged over the table with both hands pulling his sword for Ping. His timing was off as he was sent back flying by a thrusting kick by Ping, his bald head smacked off the table as he tumbled off, initiating clings of steel.
The sounds of blades created symphonies all over, itching Guan’s warrior side as he swung away at a man creeping for Zhihao, who had already joined the conflict, fending off two men who craved the Son of the War God. Ping easily overwhelmed the man by invading pass a blade thrust, jamming his blade deep into the gut. As easily as it sunk it, the blade was drawn out with tearing flesh, following the dying victim gasping for air with rolling white eyes.
”Don’t think you can juth kill me! The lanthh of Thuu will fall!” Ping noticed the stocky man shake his daze while pulling his weight by the table. What the hell did he say? A brow rose in confusion as the general returned around the table to anticipate the next attack. The man’s speech was now becoming difficult to understand, it had lisp thickened! Perhaps that head injury had knocked a nerve.
A thought provoked his lips let out a question, but the stocky man had slid on the table with a darting stab, mimicking a sword fish. Once again the general found an easy flaw, this time making a curving slash at the leg of the table, collapsing the table along with man.
Sheathing his sword, not a second wasted to let the eyebrow man groan. Quickly he kicked the Dao across the floor choked the stocky man the collar of his stale orange vest. Ping’s hands fastened up to his neck, even force the weak man on the tip of his toes. ”Who do you work for!? Wei?! Or Wu? Pray to the heavens you answer my right”
Not even a response, just squirming. It angered his grasp, fastening tighter by every resistance until the man yelped out ”Hold on!” he could barely hear the horsed voice all thanks to vigorous fingers digging at the subdue man. Nonetheless he’d reward the man with easing grip for his vocals to function. Guan Ping could tastes droplets of victory the more he witness the curling of the man’s lips parting to indulge his wishes, a step further to his conquest.
”Thuck you!” or so he thought, it was like a frail stomp pounded his stomach as he watch the man shift around in his choke hold. He didn’t know what pissed him off more. Not getting the answer he wanted, or the fact the man could not say “fuck” properly. ”You can say fall, but you can’t say fu-” before he could finish, the stocky man gained footing with momentum like a bull. The surprising strength became overwhelming as he felt the burn of his feet sliding along the floor. The stocky man had firm grip while press his head on the chest of the Shu general, challenging his strength was pointless. Why push against his power? When it could be used against him?
In one great motion, Ping’s left foot fell back for leverage, twisting his body to have the man fall victim to his own strength as Ping tugged him around.
The push was now in Guan Ping’s favor, and it would not be wasted. The general increased the speed in a rapid run, even lowering his body to wrap around the man’s waist. The man screamed as he knew what would happen next as the gloved warrior leaped, carrying the stocky man through the air. A ripping sound scattered along the tavern as Guan Ping pounced the man through a wooded window, ending with a loud thump on concrete. The impact cause blood to spurt out the man’s mouth and retch for air.
The shu general side rolled away to shake the dizziness, his vision was blurry, but he could still make out the red brow rebel. Quickly He found himself on top of the man, swinging away with both fist swiping along the cheeks. ”Talk now!” The attacks became more vicious by each swipe, pounds deepened in sound, reshaping with indents and swelling upon the face.
”I’m not the contact! The guy ith thill in the tavern in-...” The man lost consciousness, broken ribs, cheek bones , possibly a dislocated shoulder and internal bleeding. He took all the damage out of that pounce then Ping, and it did not bother the general, all that matter was the mission.
A loud yelping of a horse sounded as the gloved warrior snapped his head to see a robed man ride off. Upon whim, he spotted a horse at the entrance of the tavern and made haste to mount it. As he leaped on top, he pulled the horse in pursuit of the man
Hooves increased immensely as Guan Ping stalked the runner, the cold thrill trembling through each vein pressured him on. Wind battered his face, causing each eye lid to close slightly as he roared louder. The two ventured off into a forest, vast with scattered trees, branches and logs. The escaper showed excellent skill as he shifted his horse around trees. This was not enough to stop Guan Ping, manoeuvring through the forest was not going to prevent his prey’s escape.
He was like a tiger dead on its prey’s heels, the space closed by each roar, He would not let this figure escape his grasp so easily, He’d be damned to have worked so hard to miss this chance. The sanity of the people counted on it. Those thoughts alone madly possessed Pings engagement, not even caring for his well being. In violent rage, he leaped on to the horse of the cloaked figure and tussled about
Combinations of elbows and shoulders bashed at both his chin and rib, but it was numb by rage. For each blow to the face, The War God Son exchanged with a clean fist to the spine. Another elbow shot buzzed his ears, swinging his head back. This only angered him to respond back dirtier in attacks. ”Arghah!!” violent he swung his head forward, bashing the back of the cloaked figures head
The blow had even staggered the speed of the horse. “urgh!” the strike was finally effecting the robed man, cause now more swings were being made. Ping took yet another elbow to the jaw followed by a dagger slicing over his shoulder. This ignited his survival instincts, this needed to end before things got fatal. Quickly he interlocked his left hand along the man’s right hand that held the blade.
The hold in lock proceeded further, twisting the upper torso of the figure to have ribs of the man facing him. Pulling back, he snapped his bent fist into the side of the man rapidly.
boff, boff , boff, boff
The figure shifted every blow by the digging punches, He even felt the tense arm in lock lose its stiffness. Everything was working perfectly, until the heaven’s shifted from his favor. The heavy flinch of the horse feeling a dagger poke its skin, awkwardly knocked ping’s balance, allowing the figure to shove a packed punch into the general's face. in the motion, Ping managed to pull the hood, only getting a side glimpse of the face. With how fast he began lose complete control his fall, the figures face was merely a blur.
The fall ended with a bouncing Ping rolling along twigs and grass momentarily. His pin ball rotation halted with a slam against a tree, knocking the adrenaline driving his body. The pain sunk in tremendously, causing both arms to latch around the stomach and bodying arching in an uncontrolled shake from the brittle wood.
”...No” he spoke faint, attempting to muzzle the pain with deep breaths. It was all gone, just like that! The sorrow he felt slithered into his heart by the fading of hooves, he could not catch up...His actions were foolish.
”I can’t do this, feeling sorry for myself won’t help! *koff* It’s not over yet. Lord Liu Bei, Uncle Fei and Father are counting on me to do my part. I won’t stop!” struggling to his feet, he grunted through the pain. He could not sulk now, the people needed him to do his part! Laying down for the enemy would not benefit the land he swore to protect. His resolve empowered a dominant fist to carve the tree before him.
”Master Guan Ping, are you hurt!?”
He didn’t know how Zhihao found him, but he was glad to see a familiar face. At first he wanted to speak, but then he noticed the symbolic scroll that only came from one man. And if this scroll was written to ping...It had to of been serious. Quickly he reached out his hand for Zhihao to immediately hand it over. Reading the urgent message, it struck all nerves in his body
”.....! After we clear out the area, We will make our way to our next mission”
Next Morning, Pao Path
The path was featured like any path ventured in the lands of Jing, a long trail road pressed by high grass waving from both sides. Guan Ping had station a handful of men all prepared for his signal, all that was need was a first draw from the general. He only prayed that failure would not bite him twice, master Zhuge required this mission to be complete for his scheme. Every man laid stiff as stone with predator eyes awaiting the target.