The Man They Call Shan

[Kwokinator]

Inside the Rising Dragon Inn, the restaurant is bustling with activity and the room is saturated with noisy chatter.  There are people of all kinds eating at the various tables.  Nuns, monks, lecherous men, young girls being stared at by lecherous men, biao shi escorting goods, hoodlums keeping an eagle's eyes on the biao shi for an opening to steal goods, amongst others.

A sole young man enters the restaurant, looking around.

"Can I help you?" the waiter asks.

[Edward]

Zhu-Lin takes in his surroundings, though his eyes do linger slightly longer on any attractive young women.  He turns when the waiter addresses him.

"A most auspicious name for an inn," Zhu-Lin replies.  "As you expect, I am a simple traveller in need of a meal, and perhaps lodgings as well, should your inn provide those.  Something simple would be good."

As he speaks, Zhu-Lin keeps a general eye on the crowd in case one of those lecherous men attempts anything unpleaant or one of those hoodlums attempts to enrich himself at someone else's expense.


OOC: Biao shi?

[Kwokinator]

The waiter looks at Zhu-Lin, sizing him up and how he is dressed.

OOC: Biao shi escort goods.  Think today's armoured trucks, they provide secure transport of whatever you want, pay is dependent on value of what's being transported and the risks.

[Edward]

Zhu-Lin smiles at the waiter.  "Well, what have you got to eat?"

[Kwokinator]

"That depends on how much you have, we've got everything from the lowly steam buns for lowly commoners," the waiter looked at Zhu-Lin, "Or we have the extravagant, like bears' paws and shark fin soup."

[Edward]

Zhu-Lin leans on his staff and smiles.  "My apologies, your lordship, I hadn't realized such an exalted person such as yourself had been reduced to waiting tables for a living."

"I, on the other hand, am most uncommon."  Zhu-Lin smiles even more deeply.  He does not explain himself, but watches closely in case the waiter starts something.

"Bring me a plate of steam buns, oh most exalted of waiters, and should they prove worth the price, I might chose to try your more of your menu."

[Kwokinator]

The waiter's facial features ticked noticeably at Zhu-Lin's jab.

Turning away, he makes his way towards the kitchen, muttering to himself.

Moments later, he returns to Zhu-Lin's table and not-so-lightly sets the plate of steamed buns on the table. "Here are the steamed buns, enjoy."

[Edward]

"Thank you," Zhu-Lin replies.  When the waiter's back is turned, he examines the steam buns, eating them if it appears the waiter has not tampered with them.

Zhu-Lin watches and listens to the other patrons as he eats.  I do hope something interesting happens.  There's no point seeking out adventure when adventure is bound to find me anyway.

[Kwokinator]

The waiter has indeed not tampered with the steamed buns, and it tastes... bland and tasteless with a taste of fresh, good dough.

The patrons all talk of different things.  Some talk amongst themselves about the newest killing spree by the members of the Ming Sect, some talk about the cruelty of the officials under the reign of the Yuan government and the barbaric rule of the Mongolians, one table talked about the good the Shaolin Temple has done for the martial arts world, another talked about the current rise of robbery by the shadier characters.

[Edward]

Zhu-Lin takes a closer look at the people discussing these different topics. To see if he could join one of them without intruding.

[Kwokinator]

The table that talks about the Ming Sect killings were obviously monks from the Shaolin Temple, with their telltale baldness and kasaya; the ones who are  verbally rebelling against the government were mostly the gruff type, and loud and unshaven.  

The table that is praising the Shaolin Temple sat on the other side of the room from the monks.  Nothing really stood out for them, they were just normal-looking individuals, most of them were carrying jian.  

If one were to look at the people talking of the recent robberies, one would think they were shady themselves.  It is not how they acted or how they are dressed, but rather their appearance and facial features just gave off a feeling that they are not too noble

[Edward]

Zhu-Lin approaches the table with the Shaolin monks.

"Apologies for my rudeness, honored monks, but I could not help hearing what you said about the Ming Sect.  My late master taught me to aid those less skilled than myself and hearing of these tales makes me wish to do my small part to avenge these wrongs."

"I was hoping you honorable gentlemen, whose knowledge of these vile miscreants is clearly greater than my own, could enlighten me about their whereabouts, numbers, and skills."

[Kwokinator]

"Amitapha, I would not suggest that, sir," one of the monks replied. "The Ming Sect members are legion, and many very skilled."

1. Amitapha is a Buddhist chant/greeting.

[Edward]

"I thank you for your concen," Zhu-Lin replies.  "I was not intending to face the entire Sect alone.  I merely seek to do my small part, for if nothing is done, these micreants will go on to cause further harm."

[Kwokinator]

"Amitapha, that would not be a wise course of action, sir," the monk replied. "Revenge is an endless road, killing is unnecessary and should not be done.  We shall handle the Ming Sect and enlighten them on the Buddhist ways."