Match Two: Nie Mudan
The match between the wolf-masked fighter and the Huashan swordswoman turns out to be a rather close call. Both contestants seem to be equally matched, though the masked fighter is employing a style that you have never seen before. At the very least, they don’t appear to be from any of the orthodox schools. Nie Shuixian, on the other hand, has opted to use a spear in this fight. She is wielding the spear expertly, keeping her opponent at bay and controlling the stage with its reach. However, she seems unable to capitalize on her advantage, as Faceless is equally adept at self-defense.
“What thoughts do you have about the Huashan technique so far?” A cultured voice interrupts your observations. Turning, you see a handsome young gentleman dressed in elegant white robes. He is smiling at you. “I hope you have found something to help you, Young Master Guan… if that is indeed your name.”
“I am indeed Guan Shide,” you say carefully. From his posture, you can tell that the gentleman is also a practitioner of martial arts. “Pardon me, but who might you be?”
“Ah, forgive my oversight. I am Bai Jiutian of Huashan. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“The pleasure is mine, Young Master Bai.” You respond respectfully to the unexpected encounter. This is the Huashan disciple who had won the past tournaments with ease. You wonder how he knows of you. As if seeing the question on your face, he says, “After the fight against Yiling, Man Tiger Pig has become one of the hot topics amongst the disciples of the Eight Sects. You are a… friend of his, no? I was talking to Shaolin’s Xuzhan, and after some questioning he let slip that much. Of course, it is not his fault; I was rudely persistent, and I hope I have not offended.”
“No offense taken. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you much,” you say. “Man Tiger Pig is mysterious in his ways. He comes and goes like the wind, sometimes as a man, at other times a pig, even occasionally a tiger. I cannot call him a friend of mine. What of it?”
“Oh, nothing much. I just found him interesting and hoped that you would be able to tell me more,” replies Bai Jiutian. “I can say confidently that he has the potential to progress far in this tournament. It is a pity that I am not participating this year. I would relish pitting my skills against him.”
“His victory over Emei seemed more like a fluke to me,” you say. “I doubt he will amount to anything.”
“Even so, his style is fascinating. Do you know who he trained under? His moves seem to be extremely basic, but I know of no one self-taught who has that sort of power.” Bai Jiutian looks at you keenly as he asks his question.
You laugh. “I am merely an amateur in martial arts, Young Master Bai. I would not know how to differentiate one school from another. Why, I can barely tell Taishan and Kunlun apart! You are asking the wrong person, I fear. I do not see why a person could not train by themselves and attain that level of skill, however.”
“This is a youth tournament. It is improbable that anyone without a master can become that strong at such a young age,” he explains. “He would have to be a true prodigy.”
“Improbable, but not impossible,” you say simply. “The best way for you to find out would be to ask Man Tiger Pig personally.”
Bai Jiutian’s smile wavers slightly, though it remains on his charming face. “I suppose you are right.” The gong sounds – a winner has been decided. Nie Shuixian is the winner, but you had not seen how she won; you had been too distracted by Bai Jiutian.
“I shall take my leave now, Young Master Guan,” says Bai Jiutian with a slightly satisfied air about him. “I will need to congratulate my junior on her victory. Hopefully I shall be able to congratulate Mudan in her upcoming match too.”
***
The crowd cheers more loudly for you the second time you take the stage. You give them a comical bow of gratitude, soaking in their adoration. Opposite you, Nie Mudan is scowling, just as Yiling was. This is familiar; you don’t appear to have much luck with women, it seems. The pretty flower of Huashan is wielding a sabre, with a spear strapped to her back and a sword tucked through her waist sash. It looks like she will be holding nothing back. Still, judging from what you’ve seen of the fight between her twin and the masked fighter, you should be able to beat her. The flag rises and falls, signalling the start of the match.
“I don’t know who you are,” she says as she raises her sabre, “but I will not be defeated by some rogue that does not even dare show his face. If you are a real man, why don’t you fight without that silly mask?” You cock your head to one side, miming her yapping mouth with your hand near your piggy ears. Then, you effect a yawn and beckon at her to come with one finger.
Nie Mudan bristles at her failed taunt and throws no more words at you. She throws her sabre instead.
The curved weapon spins towards you. Drawing your sword, you deflect it, sending it circling up into the air. With a soaring jump, Nie Mudan grabs the sabre and chops downwards at you in one fluid movement. You parry her attack just in time, but the girl uses the force of your strike to leap away without her feet even touching the ground.
Behind you. You turn and block, but even as the blades clash she is already twirling away, moving around you for another attack.
The sabre slashes come fast and furious, never from the same position twice. Nie Mudan circles you with each attack. As you move to the side to get into position for defense, attempting to circle her in return, the two of you whirl across the ring, crossing blades constantly.
Nie Mudan’s sabre technique is quick and powerful; you continue to find few flaws to exploit, and the spinning is starting to make you dizzy. You come to a sudden stop. Grabbing the hilt of your sword with both hands, you swing wildly. The amateurish, unrefined move is easy for her to predict and parry, but she has underestimated your strength. You hit hard enough to knock the sabre from her hand, sending it clattering across the ground.
She recovers quickly. With a twirl, she draws the spear and sends it hurtling towards you. The precision of her strike is stunning – the spearhead hits the guard of your sword, wrenching it from your hand. Nie Mudan does not give you any time to pick up your fallen weapon, as she launches into a quick series of consecutive thrusts. You barely manage to evade her attacks by the skin of your teeth.
Feinting to the left, you step aside to the right to close in, but Nie Mudan casually swings her spear sideways. The shaft slams into your side, sending you stumbling.
Your opponent retracts the spear and follows through with alarming speed. The blunted spearhead is aimed straight for the center of your body. You find your footing quickly and sidestep again. The spear drags at your clothes, passing a hair’s breadth away from your skin.
This is your chance. Before she can pull the spear back, you clamp it under your arm. Clenching your fist, you bring it down hard on the wooden shaft, breaking the spear. To Nie Mudan’s credit, she does not waste any time. Even as she drops the broken spear, she has already drawn her sword and leapt towards you in a lunging stab. You grab hold of the spear head and defend yourself.
Her sword is much faster than her sabre, though it has less strength behind it. The quick moves are familiar – you remember Rong Zhiyu utilizing something similar in your deathmatch against him. Unlike his wild slashes, however, Nie Mudan’s swordplay is more refined and controlled even in its ferocity. She allows you little room to maneuver. Parrying a blow with the spearhead, you put some more distance between yourself and the Huashan swordswoman.
“Ha, are you scared?” she taunts, slightly out of breath. Her clothes have gotten slightly loose and dishevelled from her quick attacks. Your head is beginning to buzz slightly too – you wonder if is due to the Yuhua Duqing Palm – but perhaps outlasting her could be a good tactic, as long as you manage to continue evading. At any rate, you have not used any of your techniques either. Making use of your qinggong now would definitely take her by surprise.
***
A. You play keep away and go on the defensive, trying to make Nie Mudan tire herself out. You have no plans to show off your qinggong right now to anyone who might be watching. Even if you lose, you think it will be better for you to keep your trump cards a secret.
B. You use your Kuanglang Step and go on the offensive. All you need to do is succeed in a surprise attack to disarm her. Once she is without her sword your victory is assured. Winning is more important here than hiding your techniques.
C. This calls for devious cunning instead of brute force. You go for the strip – her dangling waist sash is an easy target. Stripping your opponent is not explicitly allowed by tournament rules, but it is not disallowed either. In fact, they don’t mention it at all. She’ll never see it coming.
