A Masked Warrior {Wei only?}

[Sarugaku Jouten]

A male road on his horse at full speed. Behind him a rather large force of men behind him, quickly the male halted at the gates of Luo Yang. The male lifted his head upward, the troops lined up with the city wall and the male shouted outward. "Cao Cao, I have come to shape a new empire with you! If you so happen to agree with me let us go and conquer this land!" The male shouted out toward the wall, hoping that someone would hear and tell Cao Cao.

His force lined up behind him in formation. The male had on a black mask, now he would have to wear it to cover the shame that Yuan Shao had given him. One day he would face Yuan Shao once more and this time hopefully, end him. Head moved upward toward the wall, waiting once more.

[Cao Ren]

It hadn't been long since the former capital of Luo Yang had been successfully restored and reconstructed by Cao Cao's most amazing ambition and leadership. Of course, Zixiao had contributed in a small portion of the work, as he considered it himself. The laws had been reinforced strongly, and crime had been suppressed. It had been Zixiao's own task to make sure that worked out well. And even now, he was still on the lookout for anything out of place in the tight security within the city.

"One can never be too sure."

Zixiao was walking along the top of the walls of Luo Yang's main gate when he suddenly noticed the figure beneath them, a rider looking up at them. An entire army followed close behind. His voice could easily be heard in the silence, the loud yelling reaching every pair of ears on the walls. The man was an unknown person, without name, without much significant signs, and without a face, hidden behind his black mask, for some reason. Who was he? His purpose was supposedly to join Cao Cao and serve him...

"Open up the gates for now, and escort him tightly before Lord Cao. Don't attack unless attacked first, but keep an eye out for him.

"Have the army camp outside the city for now, as is the traditional way of avoiding possible misunderstandings or trouble."

[Sarugaku Jouten]

The commander bowed his head in a small motion before raising his right and gesturing toward the right. This meant for the army to camp toward the right. This of course was something they didn't like, after what had happened at Yuan Shao's palace how could they possibly trust him alone in a massive city again, this lead to a few of them shouting out and trying to convince him to stay with them, or take a few of them along. "Lord Jouten please! I wish to protect you, who knows wha--"

"SILENCE! Go and make camp, I will be fine. The last time I wasn't ready for what was going to happen. Now I am prepared for anything. Go and make camp." The men proceeded to follow orders and set up toward the right of him, along side the wall. With the gates opening the male came in alone, the only things with him were a horse and his twin blades.

During the crossing of the gates the male could tell that this was a magnificent city, one that looked like it had been though much but yet had retained a lot of what it had originally been. This was very interesting and even though he wanted to know more his wondering mind would have to come to a close for a moment. Even if their commanders orders were to simply guard him and to escort him he wouldn't trust them enough to relax.

[colby]

Cao Cao sat in the palace at the time, indulging in a casual cup of wine whilst tending to the more mathematical problems of "Wei", his kingdom that soon would raise above all. Being the only man of political and more intelligent needs within the army left him with the more boring of tasks until such a man could surpass or match him. None of which who could, physical and strong men were drawn to him. Which he didn't mind, it was where he lacked. The fierce and brutal men would be his officers upon the battlefield.

"My lord, a masked general has come to the city seeking your audience. His army has been asked to camp outside by Cao Ren. What are your orders."

Cao Cao wetted his lips, turning his attention away from his simple maths book in which he kept his calculations and schematics before wiggling his nose. He arose, placing the book up a table a few meters away before stepping down from the throne. An army? Cao Cao stepped towards the balcony looking outside, several hundred men perhaps a few thousand. Not really an army, however enough to cause dismay and trouble.. not something that Cao Cao wanted.. at least not here. He wrapped his tongue around his mouth, preparing himself with an encounter with this "masked man".

"Send him to me at once."

A strange thing to wear, maybe he was one of them Southrons. They were obscure, piercing themselves and wearing native and weird masks or maybe he carried some sort of disease or had something to hide. Cao Cao scratched at his brain, teasing himself to predict this man before he had even entered. Either way he was most welcome to assist him, gently rolling his hand over his face awaiting his deliverance.

[Sarugaku Jouten]

The male was lead toward the palace. A rather large place which looked to be very lavished. The male dismounted, still escorted by the forces of Wei. The look in his eyes were those of one who has seen a lot and been though enough that he would be prepared for anything. He shut off his mind from his silly side, trying to think straight and clear in order to say what he really meant to say instead of some random jiberish. The male waited at two large doors, this was Cao Cao lived, the great ruler of Wei. The male waited for a few moments.

In his small wait the doors slowly swung open, the presence of a ruler was known though out the hall ways of the area. It was the presence of Cao Cao, what a mighty figure which stood above him. Even if praise wasn't something he normally did it was still quite a sight. The male stood tall, twin swords on his back, the mask wrapped tight against his face. He was dressed in a tightly wrapped black leather armor. One of which it would allow him to be quick and fast, yet give him the protection he would need from far ranged attacks.

"Hello, Lord Cao Cao. My name is Sarugaku Jouten I hail from the lands Wu Wei. I come to give you the helping hand you need in order to win this war. I come with my forces to help you crush those who stand in your way. I come for bringing the world that we both want into reality." The males optics never changed they still gave off that look as he awaited a response.

[colby]

Cao Cao smiled, it was always nice for me to offer him their services.. ones of skill and fueled with such hatred. Just the sense of revenge and hate filled the air as the man walked in. Cao Cao was appleased that such strong emotions existed in the man.

"Ah, Master Jouten. If you are as fierce as you look, then speak no more. I shall have you prove yourself none the less."

He doubted the man would let him down, however he couldn't help but be interested in the mask. He had heard the stories from the north of Yuan Shao and this man.. vicious rumours he doubted were true.. but he never would underestimate Yuan Shao.. the bastard was a cruel and he was bigheaded.

"I've heard i'm not the first of the Governors you've run into?"

He laughed offering the man a drink, he didn't consider himself an equal of Yuan Shao. Though they had been childhood friends.. Shao was nothing but a relic of a past. A man who would be thrown away for his crimes against the Emperor. He didn't have long to live anyways and Cao Cao would see him dead. He doubted the man infront of him could resist a nice cold plate of "revenge". Cao Cao couldn't say he wouldn't mind seeing Yuan crawling around on the floor, crying and pleading for him life like the dog he was. He pushed around too many people and what goes around comes back around - he couldn't expect to get away with such things and upset so many people.

"Lend me your blades and i shall grant you whatever you wish."

Terms and conditions applied of course, aswell as contribution. He wasn't going to give anyone what they didn't deserve however, he was a man of justice and returning favours. If this man proved worthy he would be ranked and given better things, stronger forces and more income.

"I have to ask, the mask? Is it necessary?"

The man was younger then Cao Cao, therefore he had nothing to worry about due to his facial appearance.. atleast thats what Cao Cao thought. Little did he know the mans nose and ears had been removed due to Yuan Shao's poor hospitality.

[Sarugaku Jouten]

With a nod of displeasure the male turned his gaze back up to Cao Cao. "Indeed you are not the first I have run into, there has been one more. This male that I ran into is the one who forced me to wear this mask."

The male stood up straight and took a straight bow in front of the male. "Then so be it, my blades shall be those of Cao Cao's. Use them as you see fit and I shall carry out every order of your command my lord." When the male finally came up from the bow Cao Cao had a look on his face, a curious look on his face. In Sarugaku's mind his brain was scrambling from one thought to another, the males eyes got wide once Cao Cao asked him about the mask. It would appear that this would be the first time he took it off since the last bath he had, no one had ever seen his face except for the riders that went with him. The males hands moved upward toward the sides of his mask, fingers gripped it a bit before pulling it down completely. The males nose and right ear were missing completely.

"This is what Yuan Shao did to me." The males expression was once more cold and empty, it would appear that the male wanted to strike down Yuan Shao any way he could.After a few seconds had past the male pulled the mask up once more, he was ashamed of his once beautiful face.

[colby]

For once in Cao Cao's life, he was almost disgusted. Yuan Shao. The bastard. It would seem Cao Cao would need to resort to even more ruthless methods now seeing that Yuan Shao was going to such extremes. Cao Cao bowed to the man, still alive after all the suffering. A thick scar patched around the mans nose, removed still with the skin growing back, completely mutilated. The mask was required, clearly. Cao Cao would not longer question it, the man had been through alot and clearly proved his worth to Cao Cao.

"Revenge will come, do not seek it. Seeking revenge is like seeking an early grave."

Karma was a bitch sometimes. Revenge would come, for all of Shao's actions.. justified or not the man was stuck with this horrific scar on his once beautiful face. Cao Cao stirred his tongue inside his mouth a little.

"Wield your blades in the name of honour, ambition and revenge. I shall do the rest. You cut the path and i'll lay the bricks. Welcome Master Jouten, to my forces."

He laughed, greeting the masked man to his forces. He had alot to fight for and Cao Cao was willing to fuel the fires of hatred for him. Such strong feelings and expressions would be promoted into "war juice" offering only death to his enemies. Emotions were things needed upon the battlefield, no matter what anyone else said. Emotions could fortify or crush an army.