The street performer who fought a hothead. Xue Yong earned his living as a wandering martial artist, demonstrating sword techniques and acrobatics in market squares for coins. His nickname "Superior to Tiger" spoke to his skill, but he was a showman first - until the day Mu Chun picked a fight with him. Mu Chun, "Little Restrained," had a temper that constantly got him into trouble, the kind of young fighter who couldn't let an insult pass. Their clash became the beginning of mutual respect.

Kuniyoshi captures them locked in fierce grappling combat, bodies intertwined as each tries to gain advantage. Xue Yong, bearded and powerful in his floral-patterned robe, has the upper position, but Mu Chun - heavily tattooed in blues and whites with wave and dragon patterns - hasn't given up. They're tangled on the floor, all raw strength and determination, the kind of fight where technique gives way to pure will. Neither is backing down.

This is from Kuniyoshi's groundbreaking 1827 Suikoden series. Rather than show them as allies among the 108, he captures the moment they met - two warriors testing each other, proving their worth through combat. Both would eventually join the Liangshan brotherhood, but first they had to settle it the hard way, wrestling on the ground until respect was earned.

This is Xue Yong (薛永), "Superior to Tiger" (病大蟲); known in Japan as Byōtaichū Setsuei (病大蟲薛永). He's in a tussle with Mu Chun (穆春), the "Little Restrained" (小遮攔); known in Japan as Shōsharan Bokushun (小遮攔穆春), from the series Tsūzoku suikoden gōketsu hiyakuhachinin no hitori (通俗水滸伝豪傑百八人之一個, One of the 108 famous Water Margin heroes) 1827.

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳, 1798-1861)