Riverside Rest
When you arrive at the meeting spot the next morning, just outside the gates of Yangzhou, Nie Wuxing eyes your entourage warily, a frown creasing his brow. He seems to be looking at Yunzi. “So, Xu Jing… you are travelling with the Holy Maiden of the Fire Cult?” he asks, rather authoritatively. In front of all of his followers he probably feels that it is required of him to have his usual airs of being the leader of the orthodox sects.
“This is extremely disreputable, even for you,” chimes in Liu Ye, the leader of Kunlun Sect. His friend, Su Cheng, agrees quickly. “Why would you bring a murderous foreign witch along with you?”
Yunzi’s face turns red in anger, preparing to retaliate with a word or two, or even perhaps a choice attack to their faces, but you wave one finger quickly in warning, causing Armaiti to hold her back. She whispers in her Holy Maiden’s ear, attempting to get the furious girl to calm down. “Many things have happened in the past few years. As it so happens, I have heard that the Fire Temple is no longer as belligerent as it once was, and I thought this was a good way to allow them to understand how peaceful the land is under the protection of the Eight Sects,” you explain.
“Is that so? Are you not merely bewitched by that foul slattern?” gestures Su Cheng angrily.
“Your mother is a slattern!” spits Yunzi vulgarly in response, and you sigh. Su Cheng takes a step forth, apparently so offended that he is willing to come to blows over it. When he realizes that no one else has come forward, however, that single step appears to be all he is willing to take.
“That is quite enough, my friends,” interrupts Nie Wuxing. “As orthodox pugilists we must demonstrate restraint and mercy. Just be careful around the Holy Maiden so that we can keep the imperial treasure safe, and I think all else will be fine. Xu Jing, you will ensure your group does not come into conflict with my people, will you not?”
“If you did not want any conflict in the first place, you should have shut your stinky mouth and not asked about the Holy Maiden’s presence,” says Xuezi loudly. She has been in a rather bad mood ever since returning from Taoying Island.
“I… what?” Nie Wuxing steps back, stroking his beard in alarm at the child’s outspokenness. He seems to be at a loss about how to respond; should he lecture her for her foul mouth, or treat her like a gentle, caring uncle?
“Perhaps we should be moving on,” says the Sword Saint calmly, appearing behind the orthodox contingent with his disciple.
A wave of murmurs spread throughout the pugilists as they turn to salute him and notice his missing arm. Su Liaojing gives you – or rather, your arm – an impassive glance.
Nie Wuxing seems rather taken aback at Shangguan Chuji’s arrival. “Chuji shidi, I… did not expect to see you here. And… your arm…”
“I had a terrible accident, which is the real reason why I had to miss the Conference,” lies the Sword Saint with a straight face. “I am very much in favour of Xu Jing’s idea that we present the Xuanyuan Sword to the Emperor, however. Will you allow me to accompany you on this journey, Nie shixiong?”
“Xu Jing’s idea… yes,” mutters Nie Wuxing.
“I can see no reason why not, dear Shangguan,” smiles his wife, who has remained quiet thus far. “We have not travelled together for many years.”
“Thank you,” bows the Sword Saint politely.
“By the way,” continues Madam Nie, “Minyue? Where are you? Your master is here. Come, it is rude to hide. Shuixian, where is she?”
One of the Huashan twins coaxes an unwilling Zhang Minyue out in front of the Sword Saint. “H-h-hello again, Master Shangguan. How have you been?” she stutters, not willing to meet his eyes.
He stares at her blankly for a while, before the light of recognition flashes in his eyes. “Oh, right. You. Thank you, my good disciple. I have been well.”
As the purported master and student begin an awkward conversation for the benefit of those around them, you unconsciously twitch the right arm that he has so kindly bestowed upon you. Cao’er’s technique was sublime – though you had to painfully remove what was left of your own arm, it seemed to be a divine miracle that you could even move this donated arm. The process of fully joining the arm was excruciating, and even now it did not feel anywhere near as comfortable as your old one… still, she had assured you that it would improve quickly with time. For now, you still had problems channelling your qi through your new right arm.
***
The trip to present the Xuanyuan Sword began without any further issues. Even though the journey was ostensibly to be conducted together, the orthodox pugilists seemed to keep their distance from you. Liu Qi and Su Liaojing have stayed with the group, along with their masters, but the rest of the younger pugilists have departed for their respective mountains. Bai Jiutian has kept a quiet distance from you, seemingly deep in thought, while the Twin Flowers constantly stare at you with a mixture of suspicion and irritation.
Zuo Qingfeng and You Lanhai had left a note saying that they had been informed of their children’s new location by an Imperial agent, and rushed ahead by themselves. They had thanked you for your intercession with the Emperor, and hoped that they would meet you again on better terms in the very near future.
Qi Liuwu and Jiu Mou, keeping a low profile after their victory over Chief You, are also travelling separately to Xiangyang with a small group of their most loyal beggars. It looks like they plan a decisive strike to end this beggar civil war.
Of Master Zhang there was no news, but you have an uneasy feeling that he might choose to appear at the worst possible time.
In the meantime, you reach your first stop, barely a day away, at the riverbank. Storm clouds are gathering above your head, and the water level of the river has risen to a risky mark. It looks like you can only start travelling along the river, towards Xiangyang, tomorrow; the boatmen are refusing to go anywhere at the moment. While awaiting the boats, you would have the opportunity to rest at a riverside shelter built specifically for travellers.
It is not a very comforting shelter – even if spacious, the building is nothing more than four walls and a roof. As the rain begins to fall over your head, spattering against the tiles, you wonder if you should take the opportunity to chat with someone. It might also be a good time for you to consider your future training; though most of your time will be taken up with teaching Qilin, you think you can still squeeze in some light practice here and there.
***
Your practice will focus on:
A. The new arm you have, attempting to get back into shape quickly and to see if you can derive any new insights from its presence.
B. Further developing the Wuxiang Qiankun Skill, delving further into its mysteries and potential.
***
You approach someone to talk to (pick three):
I. Chi Qilin
II. Cao’er
III. Yifang
IV. Song Lingshu
V. Yunzi and Armaiti
VI. Xuezi
VII. Guo Fu and the Wu Brothers
VIII. The Sword Saint and Murong Yandi
IX. Bai Jiutian
X. Huashan Twins
XI. Nie Wuxing
XII. Madam Nie
XIII. Liu Ye and Su Cheng
XIV. Liu Qi and Su Liaojing
XV. Zhang Minyue
