#twelfth master

a/n: I've watched the movie 6 times. I'm watching it for the 7th time tomorrow because of the meet-and-greet (the producer, director and original novel author of City of Darkness) going on at K11. I've picked up some micro-details from the movie, mixed in with some personal thoughts, enjoyy:

Chan Lok Kwan first arrived in the Walled City on October 2nd, 1984, and his birthday is on September 24, 1953, as shown on his ID card. 

12th Master has this child-like wonder that makes him endearing, he still sticks stickers on his katana and short sword. (Also I'd like to think he has been keeping them for a long time ever since he followed Tiger)

Chan Lok Kwan is pretty much the most emotionally stable one among the Kowloon 4. Only lost a bit of his temper when he played Mahjong the first time with the boys though.  

Ever since that experience where 12th Master almost OD in the Walled City when he was younger, he avoids alcohol, smoking or any other harmful addictive substances. (there's a clip near the end where AV tries to offer 12th alcohol but he refused)

Boss Tiger lets 12th Master do whatever he wants, as long as he doesn’t get himself (severely) hurt since he’s gotta watch over his boss. 

someone asked this in the meet-and-greet with City of Darkness author Yu Yi: Why does King obey Mr. Big so much? He answered that the reason why King doesn’t want to disobey Mr. Big in the first place is because he acknowledges his power is much higher than him. He obeys whoever is stronger than him. 

To add up on King's part, I'd like to believe he always has the power and potential to overpower Mr. Big, yet the timing wasn't right and with how Mr. Big is so ambitious and controlling over his throne, King has no choice to stand aside.

King's attitude ticked from uncertain to overconfident. He went from having the belief where Cyclone's territory shouldn't be messed with to I can eat burning coal after he's gained his confidence from beating Cyclone, that one small encouragement from his goon, and k.o.ing his boss.

His overconfidence gets out of hand when he starts taunting in the last fight, dooming himself by biting off the blade piece.

love him tho, crazy

AV is still looking for his girlfriend through the av tapes (who got taken away by the Triads). To look for her, Shin and his underlings would watch in turns to help looking for her. The 12th Master too sometimes.

Shin's hairdo is definitely well-taken cared of by Cyclone.

My cover and interior illustration for The Criterion Collection’s Blu-ray and DVD releases. The was a dream job for me because The Criterion Collection is on every illustrator’s bucket list because of the great illustrations art directed by the best AD around, Eric Skillman and I was so stoked to work with him on an Anita Mui film. The last image was a happy accident of layers turning on and off and i’m not sure if it was used or not 

Kowloon Four: Weapons + Fighting Styles Headcanons

Author’s note: GOD the movie was so good, I've completely fallen for the movie (especially worldbuilding and characters). Congrats to the movie making to a hundred million at the box office! This movie has got to keep growing better.

This was written with a friend of mine a week ago, (but I had to watch the movie again because of the postcards, and the extra edits). Written according to our observations in the movie, combined with some knowledge of the original comic. There could be some inaccuracy or personal thought into it, but hey it’s headcanons, different interpretations. First time here, by the way. Bit of spoilers btw.

source: Stills from the film: Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024)

Chan Lok Kwan: Creativity 

Despite his expertise in combat, his biggest strength and weapon is his creativity. He improvises the use of the objects around him as weapons. Broken glass, brooms, tables, scrap metal, turning them into makeshift weapons in any way possible. He also uses his fixed surroundings, corners, walls. Thanks to his main character arc, he also has immense resilience to withstand fights, even when defeated, he’ll be ready to fight again after a recovery. 

Oh, and mouth. He bites. (He uses everything he has/finds REALLY well.) 

Shin: Butterfly knife /Motorcycle 

Precision is the cornerstone of Shin’s fighting style. His blows are swift, allowing him to finish dealing with one enemy to another. Whether you like it or not, handling his motorbike is another one of his fortes. He has great control over his motorbike, he’ll easily take down anyone or even navigate through narrow hallways. (careful shin pls (cries) that scene where he just 🛵🛵🛵🛵 up the stairs) 

12th Master: Katana 

The 12th Master is efficient with his katana. Like Shin, he’s swift with his blows, his agility is quite the honorable mention as his quick footwork motion helps him sweep goons even when he’s surrounded. Another thing is he’s very attentive to his friends and those who fight alongside him. (Like that time he helped Lok Kwan put on the Santa mask when his cover was almost blown 👀. Also seen when he’s fighting with Shin.) 

AV: Fists  

Made a meme hehe

How you two met:

That night you were about to go to sleep, when you suddenly heard loud metal clanking noises outside your window.  

You opened your curtains to see what was outside -- there’s a tanned baldy (in a tank top and mustard yellow sweatpants) outside — you both exchanged a jumpscare with each other, the poor man almost fell off, but he managed to save himself by gripping on the ledge. 

You helped him up, he apologized for the intrusion and explained his situation. He was still new in the city, trying to pay his debt to Cyclone off working multiple part-time jobs. You took pity on him and let him stay for a night at your residence.   

Since then, you started seeing him more often. You’d see him delivering gas tanks and meals, helping out Fishball, working as a waiter...... You began to count the times you two crossed paths and gazed at each other.  

You’re not sure why, but you began to develop your feelings for him. You would stop by cafe entrance more frequently and try to find an opportunity where you can confess to him face-to-face, yet he always seemed so busy, so you could only watch.   

That day, as you scanned for his silhouette at the cafe entrance, he noticed you and invited you in. He treated you to a bowl of BBQ pork rice as to thank you for letting him stay over that night, but the butterflies in your stomach convinced you otherwise, you blurted out your feelings to him instantly.

He appeared speechless and bashful once you had confessed to him as if he was lost in the Walled City for the first time again, but he'll oblige.

Dating: 

Being in an intimate relationship is one of the things he least expected to happen; but with some encouragement and guidance, he’ll warm up to you slowly.

Unlike Shin or 12th Master, he would not express his feelings verbally, but he'll prove through action.

If you two happened to work together, you would help each other out. If not, he would show you the skills he learnt from his part-time jobs, marinating pork, wrapping dumplings or even welding.

Dates would stay within the Walled City. Traverse through the street corners and alleyways, have lunch together at the cafe, sometimes hang out at the cafe attic to unwind after a hard day's work.

You two would also fly kites in front of the kids. He'll be happy to teach you about flying one, like how Cyclone taught him.

Speaking of Cyclone, he would catch you two together sometimes. You catch him smirk in the distance as he puffs out smoke with his cig. Whenever he asks about you and Lok Kwan, it feels a bit like seeing Lok Kwan's parents.

Years of living in one foster home to another made him feel lost and uncertain about where he can call a place "home".

After months of living in the Walled City, even with simple quality time shared between his bros and you, he has found his sense of belonging.

12th Master (十二少) Dating Headcanons

How you two met:

You remember when 12th Master was just a young lackey of Tiger. 

You were watching over a small stall on Temple Street market, selling sticker sheets from old comic series and toy store giveaways. 

He visited one day; you still remember how his eyes beamed at one of the stickers he likes so much. Even when he didn't have the change to buy it., you gave it to him for free.

A few years passed, a few of Mr. Big’s goons were harassing you at your stall. Before they could land a hand on you, the the best fighter of Temple Street came to fend them off. 

After a fight, he came to check on you. When you asked how he noticed you were in trouble so quickly. Without hesitation, he confessed his feelings.

What's it like dating 12th Master?

His appearance makes others easily mistake him as a brat, but he deeply remembers those who changed his life for the better, friends, bosses, and you. 

Still, since he hangs out with his boss Tiger and his bros so much, he’s not sure how to treat his partner. While he maintains his element, he'll still appear playful and sweet.

His love language is more on the verbal side, he'll express himself freely and often invite you to open up too. Once you two grow closer to each other, he'll coo you into giving him affection or to evoke a reaction from you.

He mentions your name in front of his bros, if he could go on, he’ll talk about the dates you’ve gone on, the way your hair sparkles, the way you dress...... He gets really giddy when he can share about you with them. 

You thought he’s image-conscious before dating you, he tidies himself more in front of his pocket mirror. Give him compliments, call him handsome, praise his well-conditioned hair and physique. He’ll fluster, although it motivates him to look even better. 

Dates would be more on the active side, taking you to enjoy the foods on Temple Street, shop at the market, you two would help each other pick out clothes to look cool. He'll also walk you around the Walled City, though he'd also love to see your favorite places in there.

He keeps the stickers you give him and keeps them on his katana. 

He’s a pure ray of sunshine who thinks you mean the world for all the little things you’ve done for him. He's sworn to protect you for the rest of his life.