Quick Hand Zhang

Quick Hand Zhang, by his own account, wanders the four seas collecting rare and wonderful things. He was found strung up in a cage in the Crimson Forest, where the Mandate once ambushed the Maskwalkers, bellowing for someone to cut him down — until Soul did.

He is of the generation below Quick Hand Zhang the Elder, the old wonder who changed shape at will and left duplicates everywhere, and who has since retired from the trade. His own skill falls far short. One habit he kept: wherever he lodges, he leaves a throwing knife strung with copper coins. Whoever thinks to rob him either never finds his shadow, or ends up hung high in a tree on that knife.

He has five bodies. You could call him one man, or five. Every word Soul speaks, all five hear at once; every word he speaks is thought out by five minds together.

Four of those bodies are hidden elsewhere. Find them and he will sell more, and give a better discount. However bad the times, nobody dares touch his goods.

Solvents, metals, incense ash, talisman paper — anything with a price can be traded for. He has taken on a commission from an employer whose name cannot be spoken: recover treasures scattered across the Wulin. Each region has its own list of what is missing; bring it all back and the employer pays in things a fighter can actually use.

He owes Soul a debt. The Order was hunting Soul, and Soul still took the risk of getting him out. To repay it he gave up a road: the great bridge into Pangzhen is down, so the way runs through the Village of Lu, where a tunnel dug years ago by men of the road to move stolen goods leads straight to a tavern cellar in Pangzhen.