White Crane Kung-Fu Mistress

Mei Xiang had been looking forward to reaching Azure City.

It wasn't a grand city as the Imperial capital was nor as gleaming with pure white snow coming from down the mountains like the cities of Kham region. It was a small city but with bluest of blue waters of the Eastern Seas, Azure City did capture a city beauty that managed to make it look like a living art piece.

Mei Xiang of course wasn't there for artistic purposes nor was she there for pleasure. She had a favor to conduct for a friend and it needed to be carried out.

"We have arrived madame" the driver of the carriage announced as it made a stop. The driver dismounted his horse to open up the door from which Mei Xiang stepped out and down with a fan in one hand and her flute in another.

The sun had just set, and crowds were already bustling to go to the latest form of entertainment if not the nearest form.

The nearest form was the Jade Lotus House, known to many as a brothel. Mei Xiang hated brothels. All they served there was vice and nothing cultural, something that Mei was raised on. But she still had an obligation to fulfill.

"You know what to do Yang?" Mei said to the carriage driver who was also her personal carriage driver.

"I know and this time I will be sober" he replied with a nod as he drove off to the nearest stables.

She reluctantly began walking towards the brothel, ready to expect the unexpected.

____________________________________________________

"You mean the Mei Xiang is here?" the old man in blue and black silks replied.

"Yes indeed" the old women dressed in red and gold clothing who was clearly the madame replied. "She has offered to play her flute music and then perform her famous fan dance. This is just as good as getting a new girl."

"If she's not a whore, then what's so great about her?" a rough looking man replied.

"That is why you are the Head Bodyguard and not a man of culture" the madame replied with a sneer.

"Mei Xiang is from the most prominent and influential family in the East" the old man replied with contempt in his voice. "Not to mention the fact that she and her family are known for their passions and promotion of art, music, food and drink. Something you are clearly ignorant of."

"I am merely wondering why she is here" the rough man replied. "Whereas you said I am ignorant of the things you stated, I am not when it comes to martial matters. She is the disciple of White Crane Master Tang Li, the same master who is said to have created the Iron Crane Style and mastered the Water Crane styles at a very young age. So, you'll have to forgive me if speak like I did a moment ago" he concluded.

"On that, you make a good point Cho" replied the old man as his right forefinger and thumb to his chin.

"Do you think the Poison Clan sent her to punish us for failing to capture the Snake Mistress?" the madame asked as she tapped the tip of her fan to her mouth.

"My people in the underworld have heard nothing so far. Plus, you did say that this is Mei Xiang is a famous woman of culture, and I have just explained to you that she is an expert in White Crane Kung-Fu." "Her affiliating with them? I doubt she would want anything to do with them" he answered with a scoff.

"I'd think it's best if we bring the Rock Hound gang in on this. They said they would do us a favor" the old man answered back.

"A good idea indeed. I'll help you get them and put them into position" Cao replied.

"I'll keep her distracted long enough" to put your plan into place the madame replied.

Cao nodded "Good but just remember that she is no fool. I've met her master before and if she's anything like him, she will not be an amateur" he concluded as he put his left hand over his left eye, even though there was an eyepatch over it.

____________________________________________________

Mei Xiang began to softly blow on her flute for the crowd at the brothel. She figured she'd start playing something smooth and relaxing like Down by the Lake under a Full Moon, a song about a woman's simple walk by the lake under a full moon. Upon completion, the crowd who had gathered around her to listened clapped. She replied with her free hand cupped over the other.

She then sat back down and began playing Ode to a Peony, a song that she had been working on about a prostitute who had just gained her freedom. Not that anyone would know what she was playing because only her and Yang knew the meaning behind the song, unlike the listeners around her that just were entertained by it and how lovely it sounded.

It was also part of her plan.

____________________________________________________

"Everything is in place" Yang replied to the men and women he gathered.

"You're sure that pimp Chang will be there?" an older man with a sharp axe replied in disgust.

"What about madame Hu? I owe her some scars" a woman with a large knife answered with contempt in her voice.

"When my mistress plays a certain tune on her flute, that will be signal to attack" Yang replied.

After Yang and Mei Xiang parted ways, he made for the nearby village. The people there were so desperate to make ends meet that they wound up selling their daughters to brothels. Old Man Chang and Madame Hu took advantage of their desperate situations while bribing local officials to make it harder for the villagers to make ends meet.

It was here that Yang was sent by his Mistress Mei Xiang to arm the villagers and rise up against the corrupt officials, as well as Old Man Chang and Madame Hu.

Once they snuck past the guards at the city gate and kept themselves to the back alleyways with the help of Yang, they awaited his signal to move in.

He heard the song Ode to a Peony being played.

That was the signal.