The Mission of Tao Meng: Part 1

 The Mission of Tao Meng Pt. 1

an Original Graphic Novel

The Mission of Tao Meng

Genre: Fantasy

Characters: Su Li (Fairy Godmother), Lang Chi Chung (Prince of Nan State), Zou Chen Jin (lady turned into a goose), Tao Meng, Zi Gu Fen (assassin sent to kill Tao Meng).

Plot: Prince Lang Chi Chung of Nan State flees the city when he discovers his guardians are arranging his marriage to lady Zou Chen Jin. A marriage alliance that will place him in the power of the Zou family. He meets the rather lazy beggar known as Tao Meng. The two of them join forces to escape their pursuers. Chi Chung is confused why a desperate female assassin would pursue Tao Meng. Why would anyone care about a drunken bum? Tao Meng's wheedling tongue sweet talks assassin Gu Fen into helping them find the legendary ghost stone. To Chi Chung's horror lady Chen Jin has followed him, even worse she is promptly turned into a goose by pathetic fairy Su Li, who claims to be Tao Meng's fairy godmother.

The Xiaoan Empire was divided into the Bei and Nan States, the north and the south. They had been feuding for generations without pause, because of this, the common people suffered greatly.

But everything was about to change when the lives of three very different people crossed.

[First: Tao Meng lowers himself out of a tower in a barrel]

Tao Meng: What have I done?

[Second: Two assassins hold Gu Fen and a child prisoner while an unseen stranger instructs them]

 Unseen Person: Do as I say or the child dies!

Child: Wha-a

Gu Fen: Coward!

[Third: Chi Chung lowers himself over a wall on a rope]

Chi Chung: Sorry stepfather, I'm not getting married today!

Chi Chung stopped midflight to drink from the river.

[Chi Chung is getting a drinking when he hears someone screaming. Tao Meng comes floating by in a barrel screaming for help]

Chi Chung: Look out for the falls!

Tao Meng: What?

Chi Chung: [covers his eyes] I can't look!

[Tao Meng's barrel drops over the falls]

[Tao Meng emerges coughing from the river and splashes ashore]

Tao Meng: Why did I ever leave my nice safe tower?

[Tao Meng starts walking only to find himself in a bog]

Tao Meng: WATER AND MUD? [He proceeds to force his way through the swamp]

Tao Meng: I. CAN. DO. THIS! [An ominous person looms up behind him]

Meanwhile...

[Chi Chung follows the river and climbs down the rocks hoping to catch up to Tao Meng]

Chi Chung: I hope he's alright. [He jumps from rock to rock]

Chi Chung: Where did he go? [He spots footprints in the mud]

Chi Chung: Ah Ha! That way!

[As Tao Meng wallows in self-pity Gu Fen leaps towards him not noticing Chi Chung coming up behind her]

Tao Meng: I just want to die!

[Chi Chung seizes Gu Fen's hair and swings her away from Tao Meng]

Tao Meng: Hey?

Gu Fen: Mommy.

[Gu Fen is tied up while the two boys shake hands]

Gu Fen: Where did that kid come from? I was assured that the target would be alone. If this is a test, someone will pay!

Chi Chung: I'm Chi Chung of Nan State.

Tao Meng: Er- Tao Meng of Bei State. I think you may have saved my life. That was you by the river too, wasn't it!

[Upon being questioned Gu Fen reveals a drawing of Tao Meng]

Gu Fen: I'm an assassin. I was paid 1,000 taels to deliver your head.

Chi Chung: WHy would anyone want to assassinate a beggar like you?

Tao Meng: No idea! Was it something I said?

Tao Meng: But if you help me find the Ghost Stone I will come quietly, provided you don't kill me!

Gu Fen: What kind of assassin doesn't kill?

Chi Chung: Don't trust her!

Tao Meng: Name your price!

Gu Fen: Double!

Chi Chung: Are you out of your mind?

Gu Fen: We have a deal! [Thinks] Idiot!

Tao Meng: Whoo hoo! Ghost Stone here we come! [Thinks] I'll be free!

Chi Chung: Ugh! Jangwa is so far away, I better come with you. [Thinks] She's certainly planning on killing him.

[The new company starts on their way]

Chi Chung: What is the Ghost Stone?

Gu Fen: Blah! Blah! Don't encourage him! [Thinks] It doesn't really exist.

Tao Meng: The Ghost Stone will grant a wish to the possessor... 

[Unnoticed by the company a Ninja from Honokoku watches from the top of a tree]

Ninja: There they are.

[The company finds there way blocked by a cliff]

Gu Fen: I know another way.

Tao Meng: Great!

Chi Chung: Don't trust her!

[After a journey of a few hours the two boys collapse]

Chi Chung: [Groaning] This looks like a good place to camp.

Gu Fen: Wimps! There is still hours of daylight.

Tao Meng: It's definitely pitch black.

Tao Meng and Chi Chung were the worst adventurers the assassin had ever met.

[The boys quarrel about the right way to cook over a campfire]

Tao Meng: Ugh!

Chi Chung: That's not how you cook!

Gu Fen: How did I get into this mess?

One morning...

[Chi Chung woke feeling more refreshed then usual]

Chi Chung: Rise and Shine!

[Chi Chung went down to the river to wash his face when he heard a twig crack. He looks up and spots Zou Chen Jin. They are shocked to see each other]

Chen Jin: Lang Chi Chung?

Meanwhile...

[Gu Fen realizes she is alone with Tao Meng for the first time]

Gu Fen: [Thinks] Time's up, Tao Meng!

[Suddenly without warning Tao Meng throws his food into the air]

Tao Meng: [Shouts] We are so close! I can feel it!

[His bowl hits Gu Fen right in the face and she drops her sword]

Gu Fen [Angrily] TAO MENG!

[Suddenly Su Li appears]

Su Li: Am I interrupting something? I just saved your life.

Gu Fen: Wha-?

Tao Meng: Wha-?

Previously...

Chen Jin: What are you... um.. er..

Chi Chung: So why... well... Miss Zou... I... well...

[As the two awkwardly try to speak Su Li appears in a flash of light]

Chi Chung: Look out!

Chen Jin: Ahhhhh

Che Chung: Miss Zou?

Chen Jin: HONK! [Thinks] A Goose? Someone will eat me. Father will kill me!

To Be Continued