Blue walked down the street, peeking his head into every shop along the way. He finally stopped at a tavern. He walked in and took a seat at the bar. The moment he sat, he could feel all the eyes piercing the back of his head.
He was a stranger here, nobody recognized him. Blue got nervous, until a beautiful woman smiled and said hi.
"Hello, what can I get you?" She said.
"Tea, please." Blue smiled back.
"Coming right up." She turned and headed to the back.
As she did, the tavern grew restless. 5 mountain bandits had found their way to Chengdu, and headed straight for the tavern. They took a seat at the center of the room. Every patron turned their head to the corner. Two men sat. Hoods lowered over their heads. Everyone knew them. Tang Yeol, the former Tang Patriarch, and Wu Cheng, the former Wudang Patriarch.
The bandits yelled. "HEY WAITRESS, CAN WE GET SOME HELP OVER HERE?"
The young woman walked over and started taking their order. One of the bandits, reached around and grabbed the woman's butt. She swatted his arm away and slipped backwards.
Tang Yeol stood, Wu Cheng stretched his arm out. "Sit old friend, i think that wanderer is about to handle this."
The waitress fell right into Blue and onto the floor as he was sipping his tea. As she bumped into him, his hot tea splashed down his clothes.
"Son of a-." He turned and noticed the young lady.
"Are you okay?" Blue helped her up.
"Yes, thank you Mr." She exclaimed. She ran to the backroom.
Blue turned toward the bandits who were laughing. "You should apologize."
"For what? We were just havin' a little fun." The leader said.
"Because you harassed that poor girl, and made me spill my tea on the only clothes I have." Blue stepped closer.
The leader stood, picked up a chair and hurled it toward blue. Blue ducked. He let his qi come to life for the first time in a long time. Purple and green streaks appeared along his arm. He dashed and grabbed the leader's head and smashed it into the table.
"Now, are we going to apologize?" Blue looked at the other bandits.
The leader forced himself up and swung. He connected with Blue’s jaw. He dropped to one knee. Wiped the blood from his mouth and stood. He smiled and let his qi flow even more. The bandit swung again. This time blue caught it, swept the man's legs. He hit the ground.
THUD.
Blue looked at the table of bandits. As one started to stand, Blue snapped the leaders arm. As he did, other patrons stepped in. They made Blue release the bandit, and they escorted them all out of the tavern.
Blue sat back down and the young waitress brought him tea, and a plate of meat and a bowl of noodles. "Thank you, this is one me."
Blue nodded. He started to eat in peace... or at least he thought.
Across the room, in the corner, Yeol and Cheng were frozen staring at each other.
Cheng spoke first. "That..."
"Yes it's as you saw..." Yeol paused and looked at Blue. "...he carries something that doesn't belong to him."
"How is that possible?" Cheng asked.
"I'm unsure, he appears to be Haejin’s age. I'm unaware of my brother having a child outside of wedlock though." Yeol sneered.
"What other explanation is there?" Cheng looked at blue now too.
"I don't know, old friend. But he possesses qi, that only the direct lineage of my clan can learn." Yeol stood.
"No, no. Let me... you'll just make a mess." Wu Cheng stood.
As he made his way across the bar, every patron moved to the side and started whispering. He stood behind Blue and put his hand on his shoulder.
"May i sit?" Cheng asked politely.
"Will you go away, if I say no?" Blue said, mouth full.
Wu Cheng laughed, and sat next to Blue as he sighed and went back to eating.
"Quite a show you put on back there. May i ask where you learned your martial arts?"
"My grandfa-" Blue stopped. He swallowed. "What's it to you anyway?"
"No reason, but a man of your talent." Cheng put his hand on Blue's hand, and let his qi flow. "A simple third rate, taking on a second rate bandit. Well, that will garner some attention."
"I'm not looking for any attention." Blue stared at Wu Cheng.
"And yet, it found you nonetheless." Cheng smiled. "Three days from now there is a tryout for the Crimson Veil Corps. You should attend, if those are truly your only clothes, the Corps would benefit you greatly." Wu Cheng bowed, placed nyang on the bar. "Let him eat his fill." Then he walked away.
Blue waved his hand at Cheng and continued eating.
Wu Cheng met Yeol at the door. As they walked out Yeol spoke. "Well?"
"Well, I think we may need to keep an eye on him. I'll have Sa Gwan keep an eye on him when we can't."
"Did you ask him about his qi, you old bastard?"
"I did, he made no mention of Tang. In fact, he mentioned no sect..." Cheng looked at Yeol. "...I told him about the tryouts your niece is holding. If he shows the qi there. She surely will step in as the Matriarch, and we will have our answer."
After Blue had his fill, he walked around until nightfall. He eventually found himself outside the gates of Chengdu. He looked to the east, smiled and kept walking. He finally reached it. The willow tree, where he used to train with his grandfather. He looked around. His childhood home was gone, reduced to ash and rubble. He sat under the willow tree lotus style. He started to circulate his qi. "Oh yeah, this is the stuff. So much easier than Earth.
As Blue sat for hours accumulating qi, Sa Gwan watched from a bush 100 meters away. He watched Blue all night, until he finally stood and made his way back to the inn.
Inside his room Blue sat on the floor.
"Open!"
"Abracadabra."
"Hocus pocus."
"...What the hell man, why wont this system open."
The system opened that moment.
"Damnit, do you have a bell or something so I know you're coming?"
He looked at the only panel that appeared. This looks nothing like everyone else's, where's all my stats?
[Core: Ten-Thousands Poisons Qi(6 years)]
"Well, thats much faster than on Earth. I'm going to need some elixirs though." Blue laid back. He replayed Chengs offer. The Corps would benefit you greatly.
"Who was that old geezer anyways. He may be right though." Blue looked in this pouch. "Elixirs cost money, I basically have nothing. I guess the tryouts it is."