All right. I think we have a major decision to make and commit if not to a definitive plan, then to a certain set of goals.
Do we want to win the tournament or not? We didn't come here with this goal in mind, but I am starting to warm up to the idea. What was the reason we didn't want to win in the first place? We didn't want to provide our opponents with the information that would clue them in on how to counter us later. But it might turn out that the stealthy approach will net us a completely different result:
LWC1996 had a previous post on this which was rather spot on. You do not get to usually challenge the best disciples without first proving yourself. They won't let any nameless kook come and fight their prized students, even if he is ranting about being the Southern Maniac's disciple. They'll just send out weaker ones until they get a good measure of your level (and your techniques).
You wouldn't need to fight a lot at every one, just perhaps the first couple sects until word spreads of your reputation. There's little difference in the end, only whether you choose to build your rep at the tournament in one go (which doesn't necessitate victory as kazgar said) or do it gradually later.
I think that now is our chance to build reputation. We need to become famous so that nobody could turn down our challenge and hope to save face afterwards. Besides, it would also be a chance to claim victory over some of our targets then and there. And we would have no need to sneak around in an attempt to steal that sweet, sweet Shaolin scroll with an unarmed technique.
Since we went into this with our mask on, we should decide again on whether we keep our false identity a secret from other fighters (which is kind of hard at this point, as Shaolin monks have demonstrated), or do we keep playing a merchant until it is evident that we aren't. I think this part of the plan should stay the same - keep our face a secret from the public, but not the fighters.
Oh, and,
Baltika9, I am glad that we didn't end up stuck with a pig mask wherever we go. Wearing the thing somewhat undermines our ability to carry out covert operations in plain sight. If sneaking around and then trolling people about it without them realizing (see: Qingcheng) is to become a second nature to Jing, we need not make it harder for us to mingle with the crowd.
I am usure as to what we do when - if - we win, though. Baltika9's plan is bold, daring and crazy enough that it might actually work:
Yes. You could, say, do that and set a date almost a year later, saying you're giving them enough time to catch up to you. You'll use that time to make your own preparations. And anyone who doesn't show up at the agreed area on that date is a pussy. You'll make this challenge in front of several major sect leaders so it can't be ignored or dismissed. But you'd need to win for your taunt to be effective.
However, I believe that this will only end in a bloodbath, as I see no other way of taking them all at once except for unleashing our Yuanshi Hundun. We'll end up a criminal, and if we return to Shun's service at a later date, it won't endear the prince to the orthodox world. Besides, making challenges on a one-on-one basis will allow us to build our strength gradually, learning from our enemies and incorporating bits and pieces of their techniques into ours. Going straight against them in a glorious all-on-one fight presumes 'preparation', but what can prepare us better than a series of battles with equally skilled opponents? I'll leave that one undecided for now.
For the current choice, it is hard to go with anything but B or D. We have already invested in Qilin, so turning her down now with C doesn't sound even remotely good, and she can be of tremendous help with her, er, medications. As for recruiting the last team member, I will not delegate that duty to the Troll Queen. She'll bring in someone useless just to hear Jing growl.
I kind of like Gou Fu and I hope that a successful performance would help him solve his employment issues, and it is not like he will find a team on his own. He might end up a disciple of Shangguan Chuji if he proves himself (is the old man here to watch his best disciple fight?), and it is always good to have an acquaintance of ours near one of the Ten Swords. Besides, with his END he will tank the damage and hold off the rest of the rivaling team while we crush the opposition in 1-on-1 fights. I am also wondering if it would be a good idea to ask Qilin to give him a boost with one of her drugs without the man knowing. Probably won't end well, though.
Murong Yandi is an unknown, but Qilin considers him to be one of the best fighters, so let's take her word for it. All in all, a solid team.
I don't see many arguments in favor of the battle royale, except that it allows you to experience more opponents first-hand, but the most dangerous ones will not end up there anyway. And if we go for the win, laying low and concealing our prowess are off the table anyway.
Current set of goals:
- Win the tournament
- Get fame
- Get the scroll
- Keep your real identity secret until the end of tournament
- Continue aquiring information on the competition
- Further your alliance with Qilin
- Get to know Gou Fu better
- Get information on Shangguan Chuji and Zhanlu Sword
On that note,
B.