"Indeed, the name is ironic. Either the founder believed the residents of Cathay to be entirely unintelligent, or wanted to make the purpose of the 'monastery' entirely clear." Roland looked thoughtful for a second.
"Of those three names, Pai Mei is the most recognizable. He is Cathayan, am I correct? I remember one morning, when I was still a youth, a very wizened old man entered the monastery. He did not introduce himself - he simply challenged our instructor to an unarmed spar. Although our instructor appeared entirely surprised and awestruck at first, he seemed to understand what was going on and agreed.
The old man almost seemed to toy with our instructor, deflecting every attack, and landing the lightest of blows many times when he could have easily finished the fight there and then. Eventually, the old man defeated the instructor with a technique I have never seen since, and proceeded to instruct us in unarmed combat for the remainder of the day, instruction that I have never forgotten since. For some reason, nobody questioned the unconscious body of our instructor - just before the zenith, a few men gathered up the body and took it to the medical ward, not saying a word.
It was only afterwards that I overheard the instructor mention the name 'Pai Mei' to my personal mentor in a tone of utter reverence. I looked him up in the library, and although mentions were sparse, what I did glean told me that that old man was no less than a legend. I haven't seen him since.
I have definitely heard of the Man with No Name - the head of the college, who occasionally gave me private tuition on focus and meditation, often referred to him. I believe they were acquaintances. However, I know very little of the man himself. All I think I know - I am not sure how true it is - is that he is a reclusive master of Zen somewhere in Nippon.
Come to think of it, the founder of our monastery - which is slightly over two hundred years old - was a very mysterious man about whom we know very little indeed. We don't even know his name, except that he only stayed for a few years until the college was up and running, before disappearing without a trace... although how likely is it that they are one and the same?
As for the Sword Saint - I apologise, but I have never heard of him. Although, from the name, I wonder at you being trained by him - for if I am not mistaken your primary weapons at those gauntlets you are wearing?"
