>>5544775
「Morning Brynn.」You take a seat at your usual desk.「Sorry if I'm late.」As you prepare the necessary tools for work, Brynn stares at you. After a moment he clears his throat. "You, uh, can take some time 'ff. Won't be too busy this week." You direct a questioning glance towards Brynn.「Really? Wasn't there a caravan coming through soon?」He waves his hand. " 's no big deal, no big deal. Just take the week off, an' if you can come back next week come back then. If not, then I'll deal with it."

You attempt to turn the offer down, mentioning that you need to save up money, but Brynn informs you that you'll still be paid and practically forces you out. You appreciate the kindness. You don't need time to mourn and recover, like he probably expects - you're a bit too old to become useless after some death - but you are in a bad mood, and some free time to plan, and think about what comes next could be good.

What comes next... you and Nui are currently in Fogtop. The family has savings, and the two of you make a decent income, but there's still 7 years left on the loan for that cultivation manual, and you'd have to pinch pennies to make payments. Kanekatsu probably won't hold any ill will towards you during that period, given that you owe him money, can pay, and aren't a threat. But who knows.

You can think of a few plans to address the issue. The simplest, and default one, is simply to stay here, pay off the loan month by month, and wait for your cultivation to rise. 'Plan A', to use Kinzou's terminology. The second, a Plan B, would be to pay off the loan immediately, so as to get Kanekatsu off your back. It would probably require selling the home and dipping into the savings... but you'd never have to see his debt collectors again, and from then on you wouldn't have to worry about making payments. Nui would probably go along with it if you brought it up - you can't imagine she'd be happy being reminded of him every month.

The third idea you can think of is a 'tactical retreat'. Sell the home, discreetly stock up on enough supplies for a short trip, and then leave Fogtop. You could make your way to the monastery nearby, or to a neighboring town. And then just... start a new life and never pay Kanekatsu back. Perhaps a harder idea to advocate for, and one that comes with its own major risks, namely being taxed for traveling without a citizenship and being found again later, but stiffing the man seven years of payments on that cultivation manual sure does sound good.

You weigh the pros and cons of each idea for some time before coming to a decision.
>Plan A. Stay here and live as normal.
>Plan B. Stay here, and attempt to pay off the loan immediately.
>Plan C. Try to convince Nui to sell off the property and ditch town.
>Write-in

>>5544777
first off, how are our memories now unveiled, will they come faster now? still convoluted?
i feel like thats the more deciding factor to any of these plans so i guess
>Write-in
find out how good our cultivation would need to be to be accepted into a sect

>>5544777

> Plan A

Work hard and train hard, and go pay that herbalist a visit. I'd rather not beggar our mother, and I don't want to worry about debt collectors hounding us.

Ideally we'll be able to increase our earning potential over time, possibly with some of the data we're extracting from the ring. Maybe we could sell a design or invention to clear our debt.

>>5544777
>>Plan A. Stay here and live as normal.
I want to make Kanekatsu cut of his finger and then kill him.
Unfortunately I don't think we can break his mind anymore

>>5544777
>Plan A. Stay here and live as normal.

>>5544777
>Plan A. Stay here and live as normal.
Kanekatsu doesn't know we're technically a cultivator right? In that aspect we're better off. Honestly we should try to find some animals with spritutal energy to eat/cultivate off since we choose inner organs last thread. Maybe try to befriend the alchemist lady since even the simpliest posions/pills would give us a edge.

>>5544777
>Plan A

If we advance quick enough, we can recoup that money quickly.

>>5544816
Going to the herbalist for strength enhancing knowledge would be good.

>>5545002
I feel so sorry for this family. We fucked em.

But hey, knowing cultivation stories, it has to be rough before it becomes better. And we'll get dad back.

>>5544814 >>5544816 >>5544826 >>5544849 >>5544925 >>5545002
One more thing - what do you want to do during your time off?
>Exercise. Wander the woods. Get used to your body. Working a sweat will do you just as much good as cultivation, given your still-growing body.
>Stop by the apothecary's. A bit of extra money never hurt, and she appeared to be on good terms with Takigi - perhaps she'll have some work with you. And it wouldn't hurt to make her acquaintance, what with how quickly she criticized Kanekatsu.
>Head out to the farms. A few of them will be starting their first harvest of the year, and they usually need spare hands.
>Write-In

>>5544814
>first off, how are our memories now unveiled, will they come faster now? still convoluted?
I assume you're referring to the data compressed within the ring?
Only part of them are your memories, they're still being decompressed, and it will continue at the same speed unless something in the ring happens to break or wear out. It should be done with its current batch of data in a year or two.
If anyone needs more info about what exactly is in the ring, just imagine a massive amount of data compressed through some novel sci-fi compression method that decreases the space taken by 99 point ...% so that a large amount can fit within the ring. Main drawback being that the process is computationally expensive and takes a large amount of time for compression and decompression. You will eventually need additional storage media for the uncompressed data but it is not an immediate concern.

>>5545231
>Stop by the apothecary's. A bit of extra money never hurt, and she appeared to be on good terms with Takigi - perhaps she'll have some work with you. And it wouldn't hurt to make her acquaintance, what with how quickly she criticized Kanekatsu.

>>5545231
>Stop by the apothecary's. A bit of extra money never hurt, and she appeared to be on good terms with Takigi - perhaps she'll have some work with you. And it wouldn't hurt to make her acquaintance, what with how quickly she criticized Kanekatsu.

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>>5545235 >>5545285
Ultimately, the safest plan is to simply continue living on as normal. Kanekatsu has no reason to get rid of you, and you owe him money either way, so you may as well take advantage of the time given to pay it off.

...Or perhaps you could simply get rid of him before then.

But more than wishful thinking, you need to think in the present. What you can do now.

「Begin dispensing spiritual energy.」A momentary pause. Affirmative. You stop moving as your hand is filled with flashes of pain, stabbing into you from your insides. A bitter smile covers your face.「So this is what Takigi and Kinzou felt... perhaps I should've been a bit kinder to the youngling.」

You're not able to focus on your surroundings much. Your breathing deepens. You get hot flashes from the pain. Eventually, it begins tapering off though. You use your aching right hand to wipe the sweat from your brow.「That was longer than they had to deal with it.」A statement not seeking for an answer, but that gets one regardless. Affirmative. The difference in souls... You interrupt.「I get it. Just talking to myself.」The soul computer's toneless approach to conversation is a bit more annoying than you remember it being.

You navigate the heavily grown dirt paths to the apothecary's. It has been a long time - a couple years, you think. Hopefully she still recalls Takigi. As you reach the end of the trail, you hear the thunk of metal in the distance. A very familiar thunk - someone's cutting wood.

As you come to the top of the hill upon which the apothecary lives, the source of the noise is revealed: the woman herself. A sizable axe sits on her shoulder, and a pile of split firewood behind her. By the time you look at her, she's already staring at you, confused. "Who are you, kid?"

「Kinzou. Takigi's son.」She stares blankly for a moment before a look of recognition appears. "Oh. He was helpful. Shame that Kanekatsu got him killed." The woman catches herself as you glare at her.「Killed?」"Ah, well, not necessarily killed. But maybe. Murder is a big charge. Don't be too worried though. He had a bit of strength, right? Could get heavy labor instead."

You get the sense that she's trying to cheer you up, so while annoyed, you change the subject.「Do you have any work? I'm off until the 16th and can read and write.」She puts the axe inside and beckons for you to follow her. "Can always use a hand or two. Literate... maybe you could help sort out the storehouse then, but that'd take too much time to get you prepped for...no, something simpler..." She mumbles to herself before motioning for you to stop and disappearing into her workshop. The clinking of glasses and clangs of metal can be heard before she comes out with a few items in hand.

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>>5545404
"Blue Heart. Ten to twelve blue petals, orangish spots in the center, organish tint to the stem. Don't bend the stem, but the roots don't matter. If there's no orange spots, leave it - it's not mature yet. Madman's Ivy. Harmless despite the name, has THIS shape of leaf-" she tears off part of a stalk and hands it to you "-and it takes a lot to actually get anything out of it. Bring back as much as you can."

She places the plants aside and tilts a bucket towards you. A greenish-yellow liquid slowly moves inside. "Sap of the Sharwood Tree. Grey bark, really tall, and doesn't really have any lower branches. Sometimes you can see sap leaking out from the bark. You should recognize them." She pauses and thinks. "A couple more things I need, but I'd rather trust myself with those. Find what you can of those three, and I'll pay you. Got it?"

A rather hurried explanation, but fortunately you have a good memory.「Understood. Anything else?」She examines you for a moment before speaking once more. "Yeah. One more thing. You know tattoos?" 「...I don't follow.」"Like, you've seen a tattoo before, yes?" You nod. Some of the travelers who've came through have had several. "Good, that saves some explaining. If you see a rabbit with a face tattoo, don't mess with it. Been trying to catch the bastard but it's real slippery."

「A... rabbit with a face tattoo?」"Yeah. Nothing too important." She doesn't elaborate. "That's all on my end. Anything that's unclear?"「Why avoid the rabbit?」She pauses. "None of your business. Now, you'll need a bag for everything, and a bucket too, and preferably a scraper for the sap..."

With that, you are let loose into the surrounding forest.「Alert me if any of said plants appear on sensors.」No reply until you start to repeat your command. Processing resources busy. Task of non-critical importance. Directing sensory input to soul-

You feel a sharp pain in your soul. Nothing deadly, but extremely unpleasant. At the same time, you begin processing several images. The one captured by your eyes, and several more clear than that, caught through extremely small cameras embedded in the ring. 「That hurts more than I'd expect. Soul is a bit weak after the possession.」

「Cut visual feeds to one rear-facing camera and eyes.」Certainly. A moment later, the pain in your head lightens. 「Thank you. Now, time to work.」

>>5545407
The first day, you work without incident until nightfall. You don't spot any Blue Hearts, but you do manage to get quite a bit of Madman's Ivy, and find a couple of Sharwood Trees leaking with sap. A harvest you're satisfied with, although you are informed that you misidentified half of the ivy with you come back with your load the next day. Despite that minor setback you return to your work again the next day, still finding more joy from exploring the woods than tedium from collecting ingredients.

As you approach one section of the forest, however, you see something rather odd. Animal burrows - a lot of them. But all half done, barely digging into the ground before they're abandoned. Odd. As you scan the area more closely, you catch sight of something even more interesting. A rabbit... with a facial tattoo. An odd, complex set of black lines covering the left side of its face with no rhyme or reason, to be more exact. You'd almost thought the old woman was messing with you, but apparently not. Its red eyes stare at you, unblinking. Perhaps it's as curious about you as you are about it.
>Leave the area and leave it be. Best that you stay uninvolved with the old woman's rabbit chase.
>Approach it. The creature interests you.
>Make a rush and try to grab it. Surely it can't be that hard to catch.
>Stay where you are and stare back. Perhaps it will approach.
>Write-In

>>5545415
>Stay where you are and stare back. Perhaps it will approach.

>>5545415
Ya know you still had like, twenty days in the old thread, yeah?

>Make a rush and try to grab it. Surely it can't be that hard to catch.

>>5545415
>Stay and stare
>Speak "Hi there buddy"

>>5545415
>Stay where you are and stare back. Perhaps it will approach.

>>5545415
>Stay where you are and stare back. Perhaps it will approach.

>>5545415
>Stay where you are and stare back. Perhaps it will approach.

>>5545531
but it was a nice ending to the thread tho

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>>5545525 >>5545531 >>5545652 >>5545679 >>5545692 >>5545723
You stay where you are and stare at the creature. It stares back. This continues on for an uncomfortably long time, suddenly being broken when you just... can't see the rabbit anymore. One moment it was there, and the next, not.

「I didn't blink, did I?」

Confused, you step over to where the rabbit was and stomp around for a bit. There are plenty of burrows, but almost all barely started - it seems unlikely that the rabbit disappeared down one of them in that instant. As for what did happen... you're not sure. It's just gone, disappeared into thin air. You've read about mirages before. Perhaps it's something similar to that.

「I found your rabbit.」The apothecary raises an eyebrow. "Oh. You didn't catch it, did you?"「No. It disappeared.」She clicks her tongue, but doesn't seem surprised.「Why exactly are you after it?」"Besides rabbit tasting good? As I said before, not your concern. Anyways, don't mess with the thing - it's in both of our best interests."

The rest of the week goes without anymore such incidents. Near the end of the week you grow more accustomed to searching for your three ingredients, and for your trouble, have another added to your search.

「What do you use these ingredients for?」The apothecary continues to sort through what you gathered as she answers. "Which one?"「Madman's Ivy?」"Process and boil down with water, to yield a concentrate with painkilling properties. Best used for mixing into ointments. A bit of a mainstay around these parts." Intriguing.「What about the sap?」"A few things. Can be used as a binding agent when brewing medicine or as an everyday adhesive after processing. Doesn't taste too bad if you boil out the excess water."「I see! Blue Heart?」A moment of hesitation before you see her smirk. "Increases blood flow to the penis as part of certain mixtures. Paid for a good portion of this house."

"..."

She laughs at you and gives you your pay for the day.

>>5546135
Things have calmed down a bit. Nui is functional, if still somewhat distraught, although she attempts to hide it. Something inside you nags you to try to cheer her up, but you feel that your attempts may hurt more than help, so you don't dig at the issue. By the rest day you've made a nice bit of spare change from your work during the week, and learned a bit that might be useful, even if it is but passing trivia for now.

"Here's your pay. You start work up again tomorrow, right?"「Correct.」"Shame. You've been pretty helpful. Your dad was too - maybe a green thumb runs in the family."

Perhaps the affinity for the task can be more greatly attributed to the ring on that finger fit with high-resolution cameras, rather than any green finger itself, but there's no reason to mention that. "How late do you work?"「Not a full day, but longer than an apprenticeship. Halfway between lunch and sundown, about.」"Ah, then maybe... no, the intake is a ways away." The woman hems and haws for some time before saying anything else.

"Well, if you want, I guess you could help me out from then into the nights. Ah, but visibility isn't too good then, so it'd be troublesome..."
>「The arrangement sounds good to me.」If you took on a second job you wouldn't have time left for much else, but it could make for good pay and good learning. And if shifts don't go too long, you should be able to stand merging your senses with a camera with night-vision.
>「A shame. Sounds like we won't be able to figure something out.」Your time here has been interesting, but stumbling around forests and sorting through sheds is not the best use of your time in the long-term.
>「...Perhaps I can put the job at the intake on hold?」The time at the intake has been good, and something within you yearns to see those traces of the world beyond here, but you've learned what you're going to learn from such a job. A switch is in order.
>Write-In

>>5545531
Probably could've gotten two more weeks out of it, but I probably wouldn't hit a comfortable stopping point before it fell off the board. Basically what >>5545723 said.

>>5546138

>「The arrangement sounds good to me.」If you took on a second job you wouldn't have time left for much else, but it could make for good pay and good learning. And if shifts don't go too long, you should be able to stand merging your senses with a camera with night-vision.

Money! Skills!

>>5546138
>The arrangement sounds good.
>Would you tell me more about the plants as well?

Learn skills on the job.

>>5546138
>「The arrangement sounds good to me.」If you took on a second job you wouldn't have time left for much else, but it could make for good pay and good learning. And if shifts don't go too long, you should be able to stand merging your senses with a camera with night-vision.

>>5546138
>「The arrangement sounds good to me.」If you took on a second job you wouldn't have time left for much else, but it could make for good pay and good learning. And if shifts don't go too long, you should be able to stand merging your senses with a camera with night-vision.
We can always quit the one of then if nescessary

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>>5546176 >>5546194 >>5546198 >>5546237
「The arrangement sounds good to me.」The apothecary stops talking, surprised. "Working a second job at night? Hope you don't regret it kid. That wears you out real quick."「I'll watch out for exhaustion.」You can only hope that having passed through The Martial Gateway helps in that regard.

「I'll learn about the ingredients, right?」She stares at you. 「And perhaps a bit about being an apothecary?」 Instead of responding, she keeps staring. ...Was she seriously just intending on having you run meaningless errands until the end of time?

The apothecary replies hesitantly. "I suppose. But it will come out of your pay." As you make a confused scowl, she breaks out into laughter. "Just messing with you kid. Yeah, sure. Recipes are mostly private knowledge - can't well have a competitor or it would make the both of us 60% of the money - but I wouldn't mind giving you a foundation for the time being. After that, well, I'll think about it."

She calls you back as you say your goodbyes and start to head home. "One more thing kid! I'm Huo Mi. Remember it."

The next few days are as busy as you expect. Waking up, eating, exercising and absorbing spiritual energy, walking to the intake, doing paperwork, helping take inventory on caravans, lunch, and finishing out the day with more of the same. And that's only the first job. After that is gathering ingredients for Huo Mi until sundown, and then doing whatever she needs after, whether it's making a tiny dent in the disorganized mess that is her storehouse or going out and gathering more ingredients. Once that's done, you finally absorb more spiritual energy for the night, head home, eat dinner, and have a bit of free time before you sleep, only to repeat it all again the next day.

>>5546665
Today, however, your routine is interrupted. "HALT RIGHT THERE." You turn around, only to be greeted with a child with an over-dramatic flourish and an angry expression. Although you suppose you're also a child now, physically at least. It takes you a moment to recognize the boy as one of the village head's grandsons - the one who's the same age as Kinzou. Er, the same age as you.

「Ah, it's...」You trail off, hoping that he'll give his name. No such luck.「...you.」His displeasure grows deeper. "Family name Mu. Given name Char."「Char then. What do you need. I'm on my way to work.」

It seems as if the boy is going to take issue with your form of address, but he manages to hold his complaints back. "You've been avoiding me, but you cannot dodge justice forever! I've caught you!"

「Excuse me?」

"Don't feign ignorance! You've been avoiding me for the past week! Not showing up to work, and then never going home until dark - all to avoid my retribution." You want to deny the accusation, but decide against it - you feel like reason is futile in this discussion.「Why are you talking to me exactly?」

The child grits his teeth. "Your father started this blood feud by killing my cousin! In his name, I challenge you to a duel, in order to avenge my family's honor!"

"...Say something! Don't just stand there!" He seems embarrassed. Right, you did spend a bit too long gaping at him.「What do you mean by a duel? To the death?」

A scoff greets you in response. "Of course not! Honorable combat, man to man!"

That doesn't explain much more, but it seems he doesn't intend to take a life for a life at least. Not that Takigi took a life in the first place - if he should hold a grudge against anyone it should be Kinzou, for suggesting you take his body. Although you're also Kinzou, so you guess this might just be karma.
>「Sure. A duel. I'll meet you when work gets out, and we can find a clearing or something.」Best to settle this now and save yourself a big headache later, whether through taking a fall or showing off your strength.
>「If you want an honorable duel then shouldn't you talking to my father, or one of his cousins? I'm not involved in this, and I have work to get to - I'm leaving.」You have no obligation to entertain this child's delusions.
>Write-In

>>5546672
>「Sure. A duel. I'll meet you when work gets out, and we can find a clearing or something.」Best to settle this now and save yourself a big headache later, whether through taking a fall or showing off your strength.

First we fight, then we become friendly rivals to push ourselves to greater heights!

>>5546672
>「Sure. A duel. I'll meet you when work gets out, and we can find a clearing or something.」Best to settle this now and save yourself a big headache later, whether through taking a fall or showing off your strength.

>>5546672
>「If you want an honorable duel then shouldn't you talking to my father, or one of his cousins? I'm not involved in this, and I have work to get to - I'm leaving.」You have no obligation to entertain this child's delusions.

>>5546672
>Aren't you a cultivator? I don't think I could fight one of them

Lets get some info. If he is at 3rd tempering for some reason or above, lets not.
If he is 2nd or lower, lets go.

>>5546672
>「Sure. A duel. I'll meet you when work gets out, and we can find a clearing or something.」Best to settle this now and save yourself a big headache later, whether through taking a fall or showing off your strength.

>>5546899

This is plan B kid isn't it? Recently through the martial gate like us.

>>5547064
So it is. So yeah, we're fine.

Though this dick, who doesn't know we are a cultivtor is ready to throw down? What a bastard.

>>5547070
Pretty sure he is related to the guy dad got framed for killing and he is after revenge

>>5547109
Yeah, and?

Still a bastard to pick on the weak who want nothing to do with you.

>>5547128

Eh, it's a hurt confused kid lashing out at the only thing he feels like he can. Ideally we can convince him that we're both victims of the same crime, and join forces.

>>5546672
>「If you want an honorable duel then shouldn't you talking to my father, or one of his cousins? I'm not involved in this, and I have work to get to - I'm leaving.」

dont forget we dont want to stand out, and beating/dueling a kid broken through the gateway IS standing out

4-2 in favor of a duel then
Quick secondary vote on how to settle it, although I probably should've just included it in the first one - hindsight is 20/20 and all that.
>Just take a fall and let him get his anger out. You'll be bruised, but hopefully that's enough of a 'duel' for him.
>Do your best to try and win. It'll all be in private, man on man, so no need to be completely low key. You don't feel like taking a beating anyways.

>>5547260
>Defend yourself, but don't nescessarily try to win.

>>5547260
>>Do your best to try and win. It'll all be in private, man on man, so no need to be completely low key. You don't feel like taking a beating anyways.

>>5547260
>Defend ourselves but don't try to win

We can practice blocks and parries.

>>5547267
>>5547281
>>5547352
Alright, I'll take that as a majority then.
First dice of the quest, three 1d100s, DC is 60 to beat, the more successes the better.

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>5547356
I PRACTISE THE DAO OF DICE

Rolled 70 (1d100)

>>5547356
Treat it as a spar, training is always good

Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>5547356

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>>5546710 >>5546716 >>5546875 >>5546899 >>5546926 >>5547212
This is a bit of a bother, but you imagine that if you decline then it will just make the kid madder. Best to entertain his flight of fancy and give him a bit of an outlet.

「Sure. A duel. I'll meet you when work gets out, and we can find a clearing or something.」Char stretches his hand out. "It's a promise then!" You pause for a moment, but shake it, and then continue on your way.

"You haven't been asking for help as much lately." Brynn casually chimes in as you do your work.「Ah... well. I know most of the words now. Been working here for a year at this point, haven't I?」He chuckles. "Yup, about that long. Guess all the times we had to remind you how to read 'wheat' are finally sinking in."

The workday is over. Mu Char waits at the end of the wide dirt road leading to the intake, an impatient expression on his face. It disappears as you appear, and he tries his best to look solemn. "You've arrived!"「...That I have.」The two of you stand there for a moment, trying to figure out how to continue.「Uh. Let's find a clearing.」"Yeah. I'll follow you."

Eventually, you find a suitable place for your showdown: a section of the forest that's clear of trees, and relatively flat. A small brook flows along one edge of it. "A good place to decide things!" You're not quite as excited about the rather ordinary clearing, but you simply nod along.

"Here are the rules of the duel: We will both fight unarmed." You stop glancing at a large stick only a couple feet away that had drawn your attention. That's for the best.. "Neither of us will purposely attempt to seriously injure the other. One party loses if they give up, or if they're knocked to the ground."

"Any questions?"「Is there a time limit?」He shakes his head. "Not normally." Oh well.「Nothing else then. Let's get started.」

The two of you stand a few feet apart, counting down in sync. 「"3...2...1..."」A kick comes in from your left side. It's fast - or at least it feels fast. You hastily lift your arm up to block, and stumble back as you're hit. You keep your stance though. Some surprise appears on Char's face; he was probably hoping that brute force would quickly settle things.

What follows is a fight between two children with both the strength and gracefulness of drunken 20-somethings. Your 'duel' barely qualifies as even a brawl. You do your best to defend yourself without counterattacking which does, unfortunately, leave several wide, sloppy attacks completely unpunished. ...Even if your punishments may be similarly wide and sloppy. In the meantime you block, dodge, and run away from a great many attacks, which often just miss you completely.

Some minutes later, and the both of you are dripping with sweat and breathing deeply. The two of you stand only a few feet apart. One of your hands covers a bloody nose, and you have a few bruises from blocking attacks and from when you were punched in the stomach, but you're mostly ok.

>>5547547
Mu Char takes his hands off his knees and looks up at you, red in the face. "...Good...showing..." A deep breath. "Let's... finish this." He assumes a fighting stance once more, and then just runs at you, as fast as he can. Given the short distance between the two of you you struggle to respond, and end up practically jumping out of the way. Your leg catches part of him in mid air, and tangled up in each other, you both crash to the ground.

Still staring at the dirt, you make out a muffled voice. "Why don't we call this a draw?"「Agreed.」The two of you make your way to a sitting position and start to catch your breath. Now is probably your best chance to talk, with the kid calmed down.
>「My dad didn't do anything to your cousin in the first place. That was Kanekatsu. This is meaningless.」
>「Why exactly did you challenge me to a duel to start with?」
>「I should be getting to my second job. No hard feelings, and see you around.」
>Write-In

>>5547548
>「Did you really challenge me because of this blood feud thing?」
>「I'm sure my father was framed. Not just because he was my dad: The machete had disappeared weeks before, he had no reason to attack your cousin, and no murderer stands outside of the scene of the crime all night.」
>「...I enjoyed our spar though. 」

>>5547571
+1

>>5547548
>「My dad didn't do anything to your cousin in the first place. That was Kanekatsu. This is meaningless.」

>>5547571
>Support.

>>5547571
supporting

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>>5547571 >>5547817 >>5547915 >>5548086 >>5548266
「You really started this because of a 'blood feud'?」Char nods, a serious expression on his face. "Of course. Issues like that can't be left to fester. They me be dealt with appropriately. Grudges settled, and honor protected. You should do the same - deal with grudges quickly and cleanly, and protect the honor of yourself and your line."

You sigh.「'fraid I can't really do that. I'm certain Kanekatsu did it, but I can't really deal with him.」"Didn't your father work for Kanekatsu?" Why does he know th- oh, well, it makes sense that he knows something about the going-ons.「Yes, but he isn't a murderer. He doesn't have the heart for anything like that. He was just used as a fall guy. The murder weapon went missing beforehand, and he was just told to keep watch from inside your cousin's house that night, and that it belonged to Kanekatsu. The body must've been moved in after he left, since dad said he didn't run into anyone while there.」

Char thinks on your words. "I'll take you word on it for the time being. If your father did it then it was on Kanekatsu's orders, and if he was framed, then it was Kanekatsu who was behind it all the same. The true object of my ire stays the same regardless." He sighs and trails off.

"It's unfortunate though, that it's Kanekatsu."「Why's that?」"He just broke through to the 4th Tempering a few days ago. Made a big deal of it, showed off a bit. That makes him rather hard to deal with - only a handful of people in the village can compete against that."

「That's rather convenient timing. Could be related.」"It certainly could be."

Char stands up. "But I'm patient. It's not quick and clean, but give it a decade, or perhaps 15 years and I'll catch up to Kanekatsu, and then some." He turns to you. "A good fight. I'll see you around."

You nod and push yourself up, wiping dirt off of you.「I enjoyed it. Same to you.」

"You're late. And dirty."「Sorry.」Huo Mi glances you over for a moment. "Head over to the storehouse and grab the ointment on the bottom shelf, near the far right. Should be a light blue, stored in a ceramic jar. Rub some on those bruises, and that ugly nose, and then we'll get to work." As you approach the storehouse, you hear her call out from the distance. "But don't use too much. That stuff costs money!"

Around three weeks have passed since Takigi's arrest. The murder has unsettled the town, and left you with a couple glances full of malice, and more full of pity, but ultimately not changed much across the town at large. A notice sits in the town square, someone reading it aloud next to it.

>>5548480
"On the 7th month, 9th day, of Shang 485, a meeting will be convened in order to elect a new village head. Those eligible to attend and vote are as follows: Citizens of the empire who own, or have a parent or spouse who owns property, and permanent residents of the village who have passed through The Martial Gateway. The meeting will begin in the early morning, and end around noon. Finer details will be explained verbally on the day of."

News of the election spreads like wildfire in the coming days. Talk of what change it could bring to the village, the government official presiding over it, and of possible candidates, such as the queer fellow in charge of the intake, one of the farmers, the head of the sawmill, or, unfortunately, perhaps Kanekatsu.

This discussion makes you think a bit yourself. About if you can get involved, and at least get a chance to see what's going on among the upper levels of the village. You're currently hiding your cultivation, and for good reason, but the cost here is troublesome. You'd quite like to know what exactly is going on with this village.
>If you count you and your father's savings, there should be just enough to purchase a citizenship for yourself. Freedom to travel without additional taxation, to join organizations such as sects, and all the other rights associated with being a tax-paying citizen. You don't think it would be too hard to get Nui to agree to the matter, particularly given that you work with the intake, and it would allow you to vote.
>Perhaps the easiest and cheapest thing to do is just formally acknowledge your cultivation. Find the government official, have them quickly record your name and cultivation down, and take part in the vote. A bit eye-catching, but it's not too odd for children to make an early breakthrough and progress no further. You only hope that this much strength doesn't draw any ire.
>Unfortunate, but not worth paying too much attention to. You'll hear about whoever is elected to be the chief, at least, and a single vote is unlikely to do much of anything.
>Write-In

>>5548485
>>If you count you and your father's savings, there should be just enough to purchase a citizenship for yourself. Freedom to travel without additional taxation, to join organizations such as sects, and all the other rights associated with being a tax-paying citizen. You don't think it would be too hard to get Nui to agree to the matter, particularly given that you work with the intake, and it would allow you to vote.
Hopefully having the extra money doesn't draw attention.
Anyway, we have to reach 5th tempering as quick as we can

>>5548485
>Unfortunate, but not worth paying too much attention to. You'll hear about whoever is elected to be the chief, at least, and a single vote is unlikely to do much of anything.
I'd like to save up money for a rainy-day plus it's best we keep hiding our powel level. It's best if Kanekatsu thinks we're a cultivationless bug, if we reveal the fact that he we actually passed the martial gateway then he might start to see us as a potential long term threat and will nip us in the bud before we grow strong. Plus I don't think we get any benefit out of being there besides seeing how some of the town's various factions function and operate.

>>5548485
>Unfortunate, but ignore

It's really not worth anything.

>>5548485
>Perhaps the easiest and cheapest thing to do is just formally acknowledge your cultivation. Find the government official, have them quickly record your name and cultivation down, and take part in the vote. A bit eye-catching, but it's not too odd for children to make an early breakthrough and progress no further. You only hope that this much strength doesn't draw any ire.

Who knows, maybe being registered will draw in opportunities, not problems. I can't imagine the mob boss is going to see us as a threat, we're just a kid.

Besides you know if we don't vote Kanekatsu will probably become mayor.

>>5548864
>I can't imagine the mob boss is going to see us as a threat, we're just a kid.
But in the long term? It's just too risky. the dude is smart, he won't let a potential enemy get strong even assuming he thinks our MC is just 'average' talent and stagnates at the first or second tempering for the rest of their life.

>>5548887

I could see him keeping an eye on us, but we're a long way away from a confrontation. It's not like he's going to hold still either. We're certainly not going to worry about some martial gateway kid when we're at 4th tempering.

We sure as hell should avoid any sign we're plotting revenge. Pretending fear should be our default strategy.

I'll leave this vote up until the morning, and then hopefully get more out tomorrow, last couple of days have been slow updatewise.

>>5548485
>If you count you and your father's savings, there should be just enough to purchase a citizenship for yourself. Freedom to travel without additional taxation, to join organizations such as sects, and all the other rights associated with being a tax-paying citizen. You don't think it would be too hard to get Nui to agree to the matter, particularly given that you work with the intake, and it would allow you to vote.
I just don't want Kanekatsu to end up winning while our vote could have forced a tie or something

>>5549276
Weekend slowdown sucks

>Unfortunate, but ignore

remember we have a debt to pay guys and our mom isn't making great money.
If we're getting citizenship it should be so that we can get into a sect.

Buy citizenship: 2
Reveal cultivation: 1
Do nothing: 3
I'll call it there, writing.

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>>5548489 >>5548554 >>5548660 >>5548864 >>5549288 >>5549582
You'd like to go, if not to see what's really going on in the village, to simply dismiss the nagging what-if of Kanekatsu winning by one vote when you're not in attendance. But that's not realistic. One vote isn't likely to do much of anything, and you'll know who gets elected in the end anyway. If a lot of the actual proceedings stay behind the curtain for you... whatever.

The next Onesday, the start of the work week, you're off of work. Most of the people in charge of running things are at the same temple you went to for your coming of age ceremony, voting for the village head. You'd head over and rubberneck, but from what you know you wouldn't be allowed inside. If you haven't paid for a citizenship, then who governs doesn't concern you - that sort of thinking.

The morning, you take as an extension of your rest day. Eating a relaxed breakfast, wandering around the woods for a bit, and heading down to the farms to play Ousatsu with Shou and Go. Since combining with Kinzou you always win against Go, which brings you a bit of satisfaction. ...Although the fact that you still can't win against Shou may bring you more distress than such easy victories can make up for.

When the afternoon rolls around you head over to the temple, figuring that they should be about done for the day. In front of the steps leading towards the temple stands a young man in official looking armor. As you first approach he's wiping his sweat off his face with his shirt, his polearm leaning against a tree, but he straightens himself up as you approach.

"Halt, resident of the empire. The temple ahead is in use." You stop.「Thank you sir, I'm aware. Do you know how much longer it will take?」He thinks. "Not too long, I would think. They're done with the third round of voting, and should be finishing the last now." He points a thumb to a nearby tree. "The votes for the last round are posted, if you'd care to look."

「I would actually. Thank you.」You take a look at a piece of paper tacked to a nearby tree.

Mei Gi: 90 votes
Whitford Percival: 63 votes
Kanekatsu Hanawa: 39 votes
Mao Kitsugi: 37 votes
Huo Mi: 30 votes

A distant third. That relieves a lot of your anxiety towards Kanekatsu. As for the rest of the list... you don't have too much of an opinion. As you recall Mei Gi was the candidate that the agricultural distract was pushing, and Mr. Whitford is the boss of the intake. Mao Kitsugi... perhaps the candidate from the saw mill? And Huo Mi... wait, Huo Mi? You're surprised that she's popular enough to make it into the last round of voting. You'll have to ask her about that later.

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>>5549915
Over the next hour or so, some dozens of people gather outside the temple, as curious about the results as you are. The guard can no longer take it easy and does his best to look intimidating on the temple stairs. Eventually a crowd starts exiting from the temple, chatting among themselves. You can make out anger from some, and joy from others. You spot Huo Mi among everyone, and approach to get an idea of what happened.

"Oh, it's you. What'd you come for? So eager to get working you went to find me?" You ignore the banter.「Was wondering how the election turned out.」"Ahhhhh. Should've just voted then - I wouldn't have turn down one more. Not that I needed it. I won." Your mouth hangs open.

A large man standing next to her pats you on the back. "Ignore her. Fall for one of her jokes and she'll laugh to herself about it all day long." Huo Mi pretends to be angry. "Can't you just let an old woman have her fun?" "An old woman? All I see is a young lady in the prime of her youth."

"Oh, you flatterer. Although when you lay it on so thick it almost feels insulting. Alright, I'm not old, and I didn't win either. Ended up throwing my lot in with the lad from the farms since I don't like that weirdo from the intake. Mei Gi won - the weirdo only had Kanekatsu's backing, so they barely broke 100 votes."

So that's what happened. Well, you don't know anything about Mei Gi, but whoever he is, he's not Kanekatsu at least.「I see. That's good. Although, I didn't know that you were that popular - 30 votes is a fair bit.」Huo Mi puts on a smug smile.

"Of course I'm popular! Who else are people going to go to for proper medicine in this village? Sure, there's a couple of schmucks running around, but they don't hold a candle to me. That being said, 30 votes doesn't mean 30 people. That was just me and my friends - this meathead and I make 20!" You glance at the man, who smiles down at you from above.

"I should get going. Mi. Kid." The man begins stomping away in another direction, the crowd of people parting before him as if they're afraid of getting run over. You're about to ask more, but the apothecary speaks before you can. "Well, since you came, I better put you to work. Come on, no lollygagging." She speeds up her pace, which you struggle to keep up with.

The next day, an announcement is made that on the 7th month, 9th day, of Shang 485, Mei GI was elected as head of the village by a majority of 61% of all votes cast. Around that information there's plenty of formalities, about how he may serve the people well and live up to his position, and how he should be respected, and so on and so forth, but that is rather universally ignored in favor of what's important. A village head has been decided, and a sense of stability can return to the village.

>>5549925
The 7th month, 11th day, of Shang 485. An envoy arrives from the county seat with important news. A village head has been decided upon! In his wisdom, on the 7th month, 4th day, of Shang 485, the county magistrate signed a decree to appoint Percival Whitford, citizen of the empire and resident of Fogtop Village, as the village head, to safeguard its people and promote its development.

It goes without saying that the atmosphere is more awkward and strained than ever before. Two appointed village heads, both bickering over who's truly in power. What you would give to be a ring on the hand of someone watching the two of them go back and forth over whose claim was more legitimate. But alas, you'll just have to settle for hearing the small talk of those arguing about why their preferred village head is the real one.

While neither side is lacking in arguments or complaints, just those can't bring things to a close. The 8th month passes, and the 9th month starts without a conclusion to the issue. It's unknown whether a government official somewhere is trying to solve the issue and researching who's really in charge, or if it's simply been left up to the local residents to figure out themselves.

One afternoon, you arrive at Huo Mi's to begin your job assisting her for the day. Unlike usual, she doesn't come out to greet you, so you enter her home yourself. Inside, you're surprised to find her treating a nasty looking wound on her right arm. She ignores you as she struggles to combine several mixtures with her left hand, so that she can apply them to a bandage.

「You need any help?」"No thanks," she grunts.「...How'd you get hurt?」She doesn't respond for a minute, but eventually gives a strained reply. "That damn rabbit." Before you can ask further - "You don't need to know more. Just don't bother it."

Eventually, the wound is covered. Huo Mi leans back in her seat, staring at the ceiling for a minute. Then she stares at you. "Hey kid? Want to make some medicine?" You're taken aback.「Really? Not afraid that I'll hurt your business?」She makes a throaty laugh. "You, kid? You're 20 years too early for that. Hell, I don't expect you to even make anything usable. Just thought you might be able to do something simple while I'm out of commission, with, uh-" she raises her arm "-this. Not like I need ingredients for things I can't make."

「Sure!」She nods. "Good, good. Let's see what I've got that's easy. Easy, easy.." Huo Mi begins glancing through a book.

After nearly 10 minutes, she glances back to you. "Adhesive. Disinfectant. Food. Choose one."
>Adhesive.
>Disinfectant.
>Food.
>Write-In

>>5549929
>Disinfectant.

>>5549929
>>Disinfectant.
It's important to treat wounds

>>5549929
>Disinfectant

>>5549929
>Disinfectant.
wondering what of these three would teach us the most

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>>5549949 >>5549955 >>5550034 >>5550082
「Disinfectant.」You don't know the particulars of human biology, and good medical treatment is hard to come by. Best to prepare yourself ahead of time.

"Alright, disinfectant it is. Follow me to the cellar." Huo Mi leads you out of the house, and circles around back. A wooden door sits inlaid into the ground. She pulls it open with her good arm, revealing a dark room filled with boxes and sacks. Without saying anything she pops in, grabs something, and comes back out.

"This is disinfectant." She holds up an unlabeled bottle. "In formal texts, it is sometimes referred to as Aqua Vitae. It's strong enough to get the job done, and weak enough to make you feel better after the wound is dealt with.." She uncorks the bottle with her bare hands, takes a deep gulp from it, and then reseals it. "That hits the spot. Anyways, unless you want me to teach you brewing, this isn't the disinfectant you're going to make. Come on, we're done here." She climbs out of the cellar and continues on her way.

"Alright, what I'm going to teach you is really simple, don't even need to heat anything. You get the ingredients and I'll get the tools. Pearlroot is fairly common around here, you should recognize it, grab a bunch of that. After that, get some Shadblow Fruits. Big, spiky, green, have a kind of leathery skin, you should be able to recognize them. Last up, grab some... hmm, wax paper should work fine. Can't find it in the wild obviously, but it'll do."

Ten minutes later, and the two of you are in her workshop. It's the first time you've been in here, actually. Plants, powders, and other miscellany are scattered around like a tornado tore through the room. A few pieces of paper are also scattered about, information haphazardly scribbled on them. Huo Mi simply pushes everything on one half of a wooden workbench to the side in order to create a space to work in.

"This is a mortar and pestle." She places a piece of equipment on the table. "Use it to grind the Pearlroot down. You want a very fine texture, but if press down too hard then the ingredient loses its potency, so it will take a while." She glances at you, pity barely visible in her expression. "Good luck."

"Not fine enough."

"Too hard. Start again."

"I know your arms are tired. You'll get used to it."

Eventually, you get a result she's happy with. She nods. "We can move onto preparing the other ingredient then." She points to one of the Shadblow Fruits. "They're mean bastards. Spiky, hard to peel, and they taste terrible. But there is an upside. Pulverize the peel and it'll leak out a thick, syrupy liquid to create creams with. It's a little numbing, so it's good for stuff like this."

>>5550268
As you nod along, she hands you a couple more pieces of equipment. A paring knife, a rod of some sort, and a bowl with a piece of metal with many thin holes poked into it. "Pulverize it so that the liquid comes out, and don't get any peel mixed in with."

"Yes, liquid does come out, do it harder."

"Idiot, don't grind down the peel while you're at it, nobody wants rind in their wound."

"Yes, your arms will probably ache tomorrow too, keep at it."

After far too long, you have two processed ingredients. Ground Pearlroot, with disinfectant properties, and the liquid in which it is suspended. Huo Mi looks at them closely and nods. "Good job. Now mix them both together. Thoroughly. And don't do it hard, or the Pearlroot will stop working." You're handed a wooden instrument similar to a whisk and a new bowl, and left staring at the task ahead of you.

You end up mixing with too much force, leaving you no choice but to start over again. Given the time, that is left until tomorrow. The next day, after some more struggles and arm pain, it's finally finished. A single small container of disinfectant. Huo Li stares at it, taking a bit and rubbing it between her fingers. "Passable. Now, let's get something on top of it. Grab a piece of wax paper from earlier and start wrapping it. You don't want anything getting in or out, or it's not gonna keep. Yes, like that. Then we want to put it all in a container, just so that there's another layer around it, and then close that up best we can..."

A small, round, wooden container sits in front of you. The top is shoved into place and held down with string. Inside sit several lumps of a medicinal paste, wrapped in wax paper. Huo Li seems satisfied with the work, as are you. "Don't necessarily need to go this far every time, at least with the packaging, but I prefer to if I'm selling the product and it needs to last. Containers can be re-used, as can the paper, at least once or twice, although you can use other ingredients to help preserve medicine as well. A bit much, but call it a crafstwoman's pride if you will."

"To apply the disinfectant, remove one cube, spread it on a piece of bandage, and apply it to the affected wound. Keep pressure on it for some time to make sure it takes effect. For minor scratches, just get a smidge, spread it, and press down for a while. That's about it." She hesitates before continuing. "One more thing, though. That's not being an apothecary. It's grunt work, to put it a bit rudely, although doing it well still takes skill. Being an apothecary is memorizing the properties of what you can use around you, and knowing how to use all methods possible to combine them to create whatever you need, to speak more broadly than is probably appropriate. It's more freeform than following a recipe. Not that it matters in your case. Just felt like doing a bit of rambling, I guess."

She clears her throat. "Now, I'm short on Pearlroot. You know what to do."

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>>5550270
It doesn't take too long for Huo Mi's arm to recover and for work to resume per normal. The 9th month goes into the 10th, and the last harvest of the year begins to get shipped out, despite prolonged arguments between the intake and the agricultural district.

On an afternoon of note, you're helping take inventory of a caravan. In one wagon are quite a few weapons. The owner of that piece of cargo approaches you.

"You, you make good money, yes?" He doesn't wait for an answer. "Why not outfit yourself? Life on the frontier is rough, and you need something to defend yourself. Something that you can use to provide! Something to..."

The man continues his pitch, showing you a great many items. You're not in too much of a hurry today, so you entertain him as you write what's present down. Eventually, he turns towards the sale. You haggle for a bit to get to the 'real' price he's willing to sell at. A bit expensive, but not overpriced - all within range for the cargo he's carrying. It'd take a few months of your after-necessity savings to purchase one, but it could be worthwhile. Who knows what could happen.
>There's a lovely short sword on one side.
>This bow is nice. Elastic, without requiring too much draw strength.
>A spear! A bit long given your height, but good for keeping foes at bay.
>There's an axe over here. A bit hard to wield, but quite the threat if it lands a hit.
>You see something weird in the back. Something a bit like a club, but with blades attached to both sides. That must leave quite the nasty wound.
>You don't need any of this. No thank you. You'll just... find a stick or something. Get hit hard enough and it's all the same.
>You have the money - you could get a couple actually. [Specify which]

>>5550272
>This bow is nice. Elastic, without requiring too much draw strength.
Pew pew

>>5550272
>>You see something weird in the back. Something a bit like a club, but with blades attached to both sides. That must leave quite the nasty wound.

MORNINGSTAR

>>5550272
>>You see something weird in the back. Something a bit like a club, but with blades attached to both sides. That must leave quite the nasty wound.

Macuahitl get???

>>5550272
>A spear! A bit long given your height, but good for keeping foes at bay.

Poke poke poke.

>>5550272
>You have the money - you could get a couple actually. [Specify which]
Spear
It has longer reach than a sword but by gripping it closer to the tip it is also useful if someone gets too close
Bow

>>5550439
>Macuahitl get???
It's basically a Macuahitl with metal blades and maybe a little more heft to it, yes.

>>5550272
>Bow is nice

Ranged option is always needed.

>>5550272
>A spear! A bit long given your height, but good for keeping foes at bay
Sorry but I'm a massive spearguy. Plus it can technically count as a ranged weapon if we throw it so I think it's a good compromise

>>5550272
>You don't need any of this.
imagine some lil wee lad running around with a weapon of war, so much for not drawing attention

>>5550812
Hey, we're working two jobs supporting our widowed mother. Basically a grown man.

>>5550817
Also we pick up things in the forest for the alchemist, we have a reason to want protection.
I imagine bows or spears should be common enough for households to have.

Here's how the votes are for now
Bow 3
Macuahitl 2
Spear 3
Two things 1
Nothing 1

>>5550282
>>5550570
>>5550637
bow
>>5550495
>>5550570
>>5550679
spear
>>5550304
>>5550439
Macuahitl-like
>>5550812
Nothing

So, I guess the best way to break this is a quick vote on:
>Buy either a bow or a spear. [If you voted for something other than a bow or spear feel free to specify which of the two you'd prefer, if they're still tied and this wins I'll roll dice.]
>Buy a bow and a spear.

>>5551049
>Buy a bow and a spear.

>>5551049
>Buy a bow and a spear.
Might be a bit of a steep investment but it's worth it

>>5551049

> Just spear

Only poke! No thwip!

...more practically a bow is probably a great choice for us, as a practical weapon that can both hunt and finish fights before they start. But I like spears. Fighting at range lacks dramatic umph.

>>5551089
We can use the bow at long range while closing the distance to use spears.
We just need a horse and we can turn into a mongol. A horse that can cultivate

>>5551049
>Just a bow

>>5551049

>Buy a bow and a spear.

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>>5551054 >>5551084 >>5551089 >>5551223 >>5551506
So much to choose from. A bow certainly seems practical given how rural the area is - fresh game never hurt anyone. As for a melee weapon... the axe is practical, but too big for you. The sword... eh. The weird thing in back looks intriguing, but in the end you think you'll have to go for the spear. It's the only thing with a semblance of range in melee combat. A bit costly and tall for you besides, but, well, better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.

「I'll take that bow sitting on top of the box on the left over there. And the spear just next to it.」The man's face lights up, happy to have found the sale as easy as expected - there's no easier way into a young boy's heart than weapons of war. "Certainly, certainly! As for the arrows..." You think.「I can source those here. How much?」

You get quoted a decent price, but one that will probably be undercut locally, and decide to leave the act of acquiring ammunition until tomorrow. Attempts at upselling you done with, the two of you agree to meet at the entrance to the intake that night for the purchase.

The chill sets in and Fall gives way to an early Winter. Your hours begin working their way down with the occasional snowfall, and you find some time to practice with your new weapons. You don't have an instructor but you can at least get the basic idea of how to wield them down, which is better than nothing. Nui doesn't particularly approve of a young boy playing around with lethal weapons and says it's a waste of money, but the seller is gone and there's nothing to be done about it, so such complaints die down fairly quickly.

The start of the 12th month of the year. This morning, you ate not just a single bowl of porridge, but an entire pot's worth. You have torn through the wastebread in the pantry, ravaged long-lasting fruits left behind from Fall, and yet you still don't feel full. Given your knowledge and personal experience in regards to humans' stomach capacity, and yours in particular, this is highly unusual.

You grab some coin, put on your winter wear, and begin to leave the house. "Where are you going? I thought you weren't needed today, given the weather?" You rub your stomach, a massive hunger eating away at you from the inside.「I'm going to buy food. It will be quicker than cooking more.」Before Nui can say anything else you leave the house. You're too hungry to talk, and there's not enough here that you can eat without preparation.

You begin walking down the path. You need food. Where should you go?
>The intake. One of the later caravans passed by not too long ago, and they had things that could be eaten without much preparation. You'll phrase it as a grocery run.
>Huo Mi's house. She has a lot of plants - many edible. An entire storehouse, perhaps even a cellar of things to eat!
>The tavern. Food hot and ready to whoever's willing to purchase it. And you're more than willing.
>Write-In

>>5551516
Oh no, we are having a breakthrough

>>5551528
Voting to
>Huo Mi's house. She has a lot of plants - many edible. An entire storehouse, perhaps even a cellar of things to eat!
But tell her we think we are having a breakthrough and we need to eat, but we don't want to do it in a public place and draw attention.

>>5551516
>The tavern. Food hot and ready to whoever's willing to purchase it. And you're more than willing.

>>5551533
> Support

>>5551533
I support this.

>The intake. One of the later caravans passed by not too long ago, and they had things that could be eaten without much preparation. You'll phrase it as a grocery run.

The way I see it: tavern = cultivation exposed to the public
intake = buy food, eat it alone, cultivation stays hidden
Huo Mi = she finds out. This is a big risk to take, we're not particularly close and our cultivation at our age has big political consequences. I don't see why we should trust her with that information. Either our gamble will pay off and she will help us for some kind of future payment/favor. From village politics to something else. Or she gives us up/tries to use us.

>>5552023
That makes sense, although I saw the intake being public as well because of how much food we are going to have to buy at once.

>>5552023
I'll support this anyway

>>5551516
>The intake
staying low till we tower the clouds

>>5552035
guess you should tag your vote + dmpost then

>>5552057
Alright
>>5552035
>>5551533
>>5551516
Here

>>5551516
>The intake. One of the later caravans passed by not too long ago, and they had things that could be eaten without much preparation. You'll phrase it as a grocery run.

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>>5551547 >>5551548 >>5551911 >>5552023 >>5552035 >>5552057 >>5552061
The intake. You can buy whatever you need wholesale and eat it on the spot. Just talk about it as if you're stocking up for the winter and they'll be none the wiser. A difference of a bag or three of food isn't too a big a difference in the long-term anyways. After taking a split second to make that decision, you practically sprint out of the door and towards the intake. The heavy snow coating the ground does little to slow you down. You just want to eat, before you stomach decides to digest itself.

Without thinking, you nearly slam the door open. You find Jing Mao sitting at his desk and staring at paperwork while rubbing his temples. He turns to face you. "Oh, it's you. Morning Kinzou." Then he ignores you. It's only after a few more seconds that he turns back to you. "Wait, you aren't supposed to be working today, are you? A bit rough out there. Although I guess if you're already here-"

You directly cut him off. "「I came to buy food.」You stare at each other.「Haven't stocked up enough for the winter.」Jing Mao gives you an odd glance, but doesn't leave you waiting any longer. "Alright then. Go find Du and have him help you grab what you need from the granary - he's probably slacking off right about now anyways. Whenever you're done give the money to someone who won't just pocket it."

With that said, Jing Mao turns his attention back to his paperwork, and you turn yours to finding Du. From what you know, he's a young man. One of the loaders. Don't really interact with him much, but you know what he looks like at least. It's a frustrating 10 or so minutes as you try to ask around and track him down, but eventually, just as you're beginning to regret this trip, he turns up, hidden behind some crates. A half-finished snowman sits next to him.

「Du.」You stare at him. Deeply. You think he's uncomfortable. "...What is it kid?"「I need to buy food. Jing Mao said to have you grab some stuff from the granary for me.」 You don't elaborate further and simply gesture for him to follow you as you approach the granary. He shoots a look of regret towards his snowman, lets out a sigh, and then leaves to follow you.

「A bag of wastebread. A bag of whatever jerky is cheapest. A bag of Lovefruits, don't care about the quality. Uh...」Hopefully that's more than enough on the immediate eating front. You should get normal food while you're at it.「And five weights of grain, three of rice.」

Du nods along as you speak. "Got it. You gonna be good carrying all that back?"「Probably. I'll take a break on main street on the way back to get warm again. Be nice if I could borrow a wheelbarrow though..」He nods. "Sure. It'll be a pain in the ass to push through all this snow though - should've waited a couple days."

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>>5552100
With no further ado, the man goes to retrieve your purchase. When he doesn't return immediately, part of you regrets asking for the grains and rice - time spent getting that is more time until you can eat. In the meantime, you decide to track down the manager of the granary and pay them for all this. The quicker you're done, the better.

Fortunately, finding him is not anywhere near as much of a struggle as tracking down Du. Your purchase is made without issue, and before too long you're out of the intake and onto the dirt road leading back towards the village, struggling to push a wheelbarrow through the snow. Once you're out of sight from the intake itself, you take it off the road and a short ways into the forest. Then you take what food you need out, head a bit further into the forest, and finally satisfy your hunger.

Despite the lacking taste of your purchases - the jerky in particular just takes like salt - the spice of hunger makes it enjoyable. You down half the bag of jerky, several loafs of wastebread almost as long as your arm, and four Lovefruits before your stomach finally starts calming down. Just as you regain your reasoning, however, it acts up again. You feel sharp pains in your abdomen, and involuntarily crouch to the ground, snow covering your pants. A moment later you struggle to make your over to a nearby bush before lowering your pants and suffering through an experience that you never hope to have again.

You're not sure how long has passed. What you are sure of is that your intestines are now completely and utterly emptied. There is no longer any pain, hunger, or intestinal distress. Quite the relief. You retrieve the rest of your food and wheelbarrow, and begin returning home as you think over things.

Right now, you feel good. Like you just got filled with energy. If you're not mistaken that should have been your 1st Tempering, but it will likely take a bit before you notice all the effects - you'll look into it later today. For now, all you can draw conclusions from are the passages in your cultivation manual, which you've practically memorized by now.

The Inner Organ tempering is said to temper the five organs and six bowels. Namely, the heart, lung, kidney, liver, and spleen as the organs, and the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, gallbladder, bladder, and triple energizer, as burner, as the bowels. If you just went through your 1st Tempering, as you suspect you have, then those areas should have been tempered with spiritual energy, improving their function. What energy wasn't absorbed by said organs and 'bowels' would go to the rest of your body to be absorbed to improve your overall strength.

>>5552108
For the time you'll take this information at face value, and assume that these specific inner organs have been strengthened. As for the reality... well, you're not sure. Science is a process of many mistakes and misunderstandings, and you've yet to see detailed biological data on the human form. Once you have equipment available you'd like to perform some autopsies and verify this information, alongside investigations into the more vague comments the manual included about the yin and yang leanings of the inner organs, and their 'elemental traits'.

You stop into a shop for a second on main street to warm up, and then continue on your way, still forcing the cart through the snow. Your thoughts move away a bit from what is done, and over to what is yet to come. If that was your 1st Tempering, then it is time to decide what should be your second.
The following text is the same as in the 1st Tempering choice, just restated for convenience.
>The Meridians. Tempering the meridians may force the meridians partially open, as well as strengthening them. This can make it easier for a Body Tempering cultivator to absorb and manipulate spiritual energy, among other things. Due to the difficulty of tempering the meridians in other ways, and the cultivation benefits, those able to tend to leave it for last.
>The Sensory Organs. Tempering them improves every sense but touch, and depending on one's profession can be very useful. Their positioning within the temperings depends greatly on the type of cultivator.
>The Bones. Improves the strength of the bones, and allows one to stand strong against physical attacks. Highly valued by those who espouse an absolute defense - the type of cultivator who is fine with getting beaten and bruised, but never completely broken.
>The Marrow. Tempering the marrow can help improve recovery time, physical wellness, and lifespan, but doesn't provide many direct benefits. The manual mentions that it's often chosen as a first tempering so as to reserve later temperings for more important parts of the body. The main exceptions to this rule are the ill or physically infirm, who may prize the health benefits more greatly, or those who simply don't expect to cultivate very far, who would rather temper more useful parts of their body.
> The Skin. Among the two temperings which focus on defense, the skin tends to be more highly valued than bones due to the increased sensitivity to touch this tempering offers. Cultivators focused on weapon techniques, or who need keen senses, like to leave it until later.
>The Muscles. Tempering the muscles allows for a great increase in the amount of pure force that a cultivator can output. Brawlers and cultivators focused around purely force like to leave it for later.

>>5552109
>The Tendons. Tempering the tendons improves strength, but in a different way from the muscles. Instead of focusing on outputting the maximum amount of strength as much as possible, tempering the tendons is more about sudden bursts of strength, and control over one's body. Cultivators focused around speed, flexibility, or gracefulness, may leave this tempering until later.
>The Brain. Tempering the brain generally improves mentally recall and acuity, although the effects can vary more among individual cultivators than with other temperings - not all cultivators are smart. Often left to be one of the last temperings due to the all-round benefits and the difficulty of tempering the brain through other methods. Especially important among cultivators hoping to become administrators, those lacking in perceptivity, or those, such as weapon-focused cultivators, who highly value perceptivity.

>>5552109
>The Sensory Organs. Tempering them improves every sense but touch, and depending on one's profession can be very useful. Their positioning within the temperings depends greatly on the type of cultivator.
Sorry if I'm retarded but it's best to leave the thing you want tempered most until later for the most optimal effect right? Anyway I think this is the best middling choice since it would help us with our lady alchemist's work + having better senses would help us with a bow or avoiding sneak attacks + recon/eavesdropping.

>>5552122
>Sorry if I'm retarded but it's best to leave the thing you want tempered most until later for the most optimal effect right?
Yes, each tempering is stronger than the last so if you expect to be able to make it through all of them then you'll put off which ones you want to temper the most as long as possible as a rule of thumb.

>>5552109
Are there other ways to increase lifespan other than marrows?

>>5552161
In that case I'm going for
>The Marrow. Tempering the marrow can help improve recovery time, physical wellness, and lifespan, but doesn't provide many direct benefits. The manual mentions that it's often chosen as a first tempering so as to reserve later temperings for more important parts of the body. The main exceptions to this rule are the ill or physically infirm, who may prize the health benefits more greatly, or those who simply don't expect to cultivate very far, who would rather temper more useful parts of their body.

>>5552156
[reformatted and reposted so it only takes up one post don't mind me]
From what you know your lifespan will increase either way with your cultivation.
Every single tempering will probably make someone healthier and more likely to live longer, tempering the marrow probably just does it a bit more.
The old village chief was at the 5th Tempering and lived to 83. You do not know how this compares to others. He could've died earlier than expected, or he could've lived surprisingly long. People tend to die in their 50s or 60s in the village.

>>5552165
>>5552109
>>5552111
Using the opportunity to link to the vote
>>5552165
I always end up responding to deleted posts, I must be cursed

>The Marrow. Tempering the marrow can help improve recovery time, physical wellness, and lifespan, but doesn't provide many direct benefits. The manual mentions that it's often chosen as a first tempering so as to reserve later temperings for more important parts of the body. The main exceptions to this rule are the ill or physically infirm, who may prize the health benefits more greatly, or those who simply don't expect to cultivate very far, who would rather temper more useful parts of their body.

I'm not quite sure though as this is a long-term choice. The thing is that our current situation will not last, if we have no combat oriented-temperings kanekatsu with equivalent/higher tempering will beat us as he definitely has some combat temperings as he probably does not expect to achieve all temperings.

Wuxia, do increased temperings also give general bonii? Or is it just the effect of whatever part of the body is tempered?

Imo if there is a general increase it's still worth it to go Marrow, if not we should maybe consider something like bones or muscle.

>>5552207
>Wuxia, do increased temperings also give general bonii?
I can say this as a certainty since you'll notice within the next few days in-story. Yes, tempering some specific part of your body focuses on improving it, but it also makes you a bit faster, stronger, etc. in general, just not as much as it affects the part of your body you're tempering. This line states it best:
>If you just went through your 1st Tempering, as you suspect you have, then those areas should have been tempered with spiritual energy, improving their function. What energy wasn't absorbed by said organs and 'bowels' would go to the rest of your body to be absorbed to improve your overall strength.
tdlr; yes, it's just not the main focus

>>5552109
>The Sensory Organs. Tempering them improves every sense but touch, and depending on one's profession can be very useful. Their positioning within the temperings depends greatly on the type of cultivator.

Once again, going with marrow would most likely severely hinder our potential age. That emperor was supposedly alive for about a thousand years, so it seems that long lifespans are probable, and choosing marrow hastily would limit that potential.

>>5552109
>>5552111
>>5552122
Changing my vote to the Marrow, both are perfectly fine choices so I'm not bothered either way

>>5552109
>>The Sensory Organs. Tempering them improves every sense but touch, and depending on one's profession can be very useful. Their positioning within the temperings depends greatly on the type of cultivator.

Personally I think we should leave Meridians to last, to vastly increase further Cultivation potential. That should also increase lifespan as well, since we can better maintain our internal alchemy, for those of you who wanted to use Marrows last to do that.

>>5552108
I'm personally of the opinion that most important, in order, is;

Meridians [leave to last]
Bones
Marrow
Skin [Willing to swap places with bones if we become more weapon oriented]
Brain
Tendons
Muscles
Sensory organs [First]

I simply don't see the value of our senses being enhanced over the other, more directly beneficial sorts.

>>5552109
>The Marrow. Tempering the marrow can help improve recovery time, physical wellness, and lifespan, but doesn't provide many direct benefits. The manual mentions that it's often chosen as a first tempering so as to reserve later temperings for more important parts of the body. The main exceptions to this rule are the ill or physically infirm, who may prize the health benefits more greatly, or those who simply don't expect to cultivate very far, who would rather temper more useful parts of their body.

We need to have a discussion on what our long term plans for build is going to be. If we were to focus on ranged attacks with a bow then Senses is going to be immensely useful to be able to track targets from immense distances. If we're all in on bruiser then raw power and defence is going to be more important. No idea how much overt magic there is, but it'd probably pair great with brains in late positions.

What do we want late game?

>>5552315

I wouldn't underestimate Senses, it's probably the best tool for finding, tracking, aiming, and avoiding nasty surprises, and cultivator nasty surprises can be verrry nasty.

>>5552109
>The Sensory Organs.
simply because we have the ring making up/ enhancing our senses anyways

>>5552603
Oh yeah, that's true. The ring has cameras.
I was thinking having good vision could be useful for the bow.

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I'll leave the tempering vote open for a while since it won't take effect immediately, but I will tally up votes so far for that in a moment.
"Hey kid, got something new for you to look for. Should be able to spot 'em even this time of year." Huo Mi hands a messily scribbled note to you.「Kuri, a brown, fist sized nut. Has a hard outer shell. Grows in yellowish bushes during the fall. Often hoarded by local wildlife through the winter due to its appetizing scent, particularly squirrels. Little Green Men, a small, greenish fruit with a hard peel. Grows in the upper branches of Sharwood trees and can survive into the winter.」

You glance back up at her.「'Upper branches of the Sharwood tree'... how high up is that?」"About 10 feet."「...And you think I can get them?」"Yeah. You're useful. You can do it, don't worry." Huo Mi's response is completely flat, and the thumbs up that accompanies it unenthusiastic. As you stare at her, she adds a final note. "...But if you don't, the snow always makes a good cushion. You'll be fine."

「I... whatever. And for Kuri, I should look for squirrel dens?」She nods. "Yup. They can't eat the things anyways, but the little idiots go around hoarding them. Really makes my job harder. Or in this case, your job."

「...Nothing easier?」Huo Mi shrugs. "You've made yourself too useful for the easy jobs." So the reward for good work is more work. You feel like you've been reminded of an important lesson.「I guess I'll get going then.」You grab your coat and start suiting up. "Good luck out there. And make sure to crack those nuts before bringing them back! They're hard, but a good knock should do it."

「Do you have a hammer or something I could use instead?」

"I'll look. Later."

You don't believe that she's going to stick by that statement.

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>>5552698
The 13th month of the year starts, and the 'normal' winter season starts with it. The snows become heavier, and the weather colder. Not quite dangerous for anyone who's careful, but unpleasant and inconvenient? Definitely.

With the inclement weather work at the intake slows to a crawl, which is to expected for the winter. As for your work with Huo Mi, you thought you'd be trapped inside, perhaps helped with tidying up the workshop or storehouse, but despite your expectations she's found a way to make you collect ingredients in this weather. A freezing, tiring, and overall annoying task, but one that pays at least.

The snows stays heavy throughout the month, and combined with the early onset of winter, it makes everything feel sluggish. It feels like an eternity before New Years finally arrives and, despite the snow, the New Years festival with it. Not the 1st month, 1st day, of Sheng 486, but a day all its own, part of no month. Whether to round out a calendar or out of traditional significance, you don't know.

「This is too big.」You stare at the big, fluffy cloak that's hanging off of you. It's Takigi's. "Of course it is. But it should be fine. I tailored up the sleeves, so stay still and let me get the bottom so it doesn't drag... still, or else I'll poke you."

Eventually, the robe finds its way under control. It still looks a bit silly on you, but at least one can walk around in it. And it's soft and fluffy besides. If it weren't meant for special occasions, you'd be tempted to wear it all winter long.

The New Year's festival takes place not near the temple, like some of the other formal occasions, but across the village's main street. It's easier for everyone to get there given the snow, and allows for people to pop inside a building and warm up. It's the early afternoon, and the entire street is bustling. Stalls are set up along both sides of the road, and signage posted on many of the buildings already present, advertising food, festivities, and more.

"I'm going to burn incense and get my fortune told. I know you find that boring, so just meet back up with me later."

「Alright mom.」Now, what to do.
>Food. Food is good, and festival food sold at cost is even better. To the stalls you go!
>Games! Tests of skill and wit, ripe for the picking.
>Perhaps when it was just Kinzou he would be bored, but you're actually quite interested in getting your fortune told!
>Write-In

>>5552165
>>5552207
>>5552222
>>5552571
Marrow
>>5552220
>>5552298
>>5552315
>>5552603
Sensory Organs
On a not unrelated to the vote, I've been incorrectly putting Shang instead of Sheng on almost all of the years in this thread. After the additional month that got added for ease of writing last thread, the thing has been taking a lot of abuse.

>>5552108
>The Sensory Organs. Tempering them improves every sense but touch, and depending on one's profession can be very useful. Their positioning within the temperings depends greatly on the type of cultivator.
>>5552707
>Perhaps when it was just Kinzou he would be bored, but you're actually quite interested in getting your fortune told!

>>5552707
>Games! Tests of skill and wit, ripe for the picking.

Win a prize for mom!

why do i feel like the next time we see mom she'll be in some sort of trouble, something that would drive drive the hero to actually leave the village and have some sort of journey

>>5552707
>Games! Tests of skill and wit, ripe for the picking.

>>5552707
>Games! Tests of skill and wit, ripe for the picking.
Time to become the WUXIA King of Games!!!

>>5552707
>Fortune told

I wanna know.

>>5552707
>>Games! Tests of skill and wit, ripe for the picking.

>>5552752 >>5552754 >>5552955 >>5553026 >>5553062 >>5553401
Alright, let's just say you play a few games and then swing buy to get your fortune told for the year.
Gonna be a bit until I can update since I have stuff to deal with, but in the meantime:
Please roll 4 1d100s. The first three are for games, the last one for your fortune.

Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>5553421
The dao of dice is blessed

Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>5553421

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>5553421

Cmon comically oversized bear!

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>5553421

Rolled 74, 75, 65, 91 = 305 (4d100)

Alright, done with life stuff, I'll eat and get writing in a bit.
Do not worry about these dice, you don't need to.

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>>5552752 >>5552754 >>5552955 >>5553026 >>5553062 >>5553401 >>5553432
Games, food, and more! So much to see, but you can't let decision paralysis stop you. You'll go for... the games. Contests of skill and wit, all ripe for the picking as long as you put the effort in.

As you wander down the street wondering where to go first, you feel a tap on you're shoulder. You turn around, and are greeted by a familiar looking boy. "Hey."「Ah. I haven't seen you in a while Char.」He frowns. "For you, it's...oh, forget it, Char, fine. Yes, it has been some time." The two of you try to think of what to say next, but quickly find yourself forced to the side of the street by the passerby, where you spot a handmade paper lantern. Large characters are handwritten on it.

The more I dry, the wetter I get.

A riddle - a show of the creator's abilities at wordplay, and of the participant's lateral thinking ability. They're often written on lanterns and hung up on occasions like this one. Certainly a challenge. But nothing that could stump you. Within a minute, you get the answer.

「It's a-」"-towel." You glance over at Char, who reached the answer a moment faster than you, and narrow your eyes.「That was pretty easy. Let's look for the next one.」He grins. "Let's."

I can follow you for thousands of lengths and not miss home.
I do not fear cold or heat, nor do I desire food or drink; but I disappear when the sun sets behind the mountains of the far west.

A far more suitable challenge. Immune to cold and heat, and unneeding of food or drink. Lacking emotions. You recall such a microorganism existing that was highly resistant to extreme temperature changes - several of such exist, probably - but that shouldn't be the answer. No, something immaterial perhaps. The reason for why it disappears must be the key...

After around five minutes, Char turns to you. "Figured it out yet?" You nod.「I believe I have. It's my shadow!」"As expected of a worthy rival. I thought much the same."

On your search for more riddles, the two of you stumble across quite the interesting challenge. Nuts suspended in a pool of water, a box full of small, flimsy nets woven from reeds sat next to them. An old man sits in a temporary stall by the setup, doing his best to warm his hands.

"Come on up, come right up kids. You get one try to pick as many nuts out of the water as you can without the net breaking. You can keep what you catch!"

「Thanks!」You grab one of the nets and appraise your targets. Some are larger and heavier than the others. Too dangerous. You'll aim for a small one first.

In one swift movement, you lift the nut out of the water. To your relief, the net holds firm. You empty it into your hand and then go for a slightly bigger one. As soon as you do the reeds start to give way, and your nut falls back into the water. A final score of one then.

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>>5553740
You turn to Char. He holds up a net where half of the reeds have split. "I got two!" You don't care much about your 'loss' here, but the same can't be said for him and his victory. Instead of bursting his bubble you just leave him with this small satisfaction and continue on your way, taking the chance to eat your nut.

「Mm. It's sweet!」Char nods. Both of you are pleasantly surprised, given that there's not too much with such a flavor out here. Only a few of the more easily purchasable fruits, when they're in season. And one more thing, which you're looking forward to later.

Your path is intercepted by another lantern riddle. The two of you stop your march down the street, hoping to solve it, joining a few people nearby who are poring over it.

Little boy red-jacket, wither away?
To the house with the ivory portals I stray.
Say will you come back, little red-coat, again?
My bones will come back, but my flesh will remain.

You... are not sure where to start with this. The speaker is asking if a boy with a red coat will return? His bones will come back later, but the flesh remain? ...Does that mean it's still there? Are coming back and remaining not the same? What is the flesh here?

After some time of standing there, blankly, you hear a well-dressed man muttering to himself. "A cherry?" You turn to him.「...Is that the answer?」He shrugs. "I don't know. It could be." With that, you and Char leave, deciding that there are better uses of your time than figuring out whatever that lantern is trying to get at.

At the end of the street is a gate that has been temporarily erected. From what you know there's some purpose regarding keeping out bad luck from celebrations related to it, but regardless of any symbolic meaning, it marks the edge of the festival grounds. But pasted on it, is a test harder than anything other - an unsolved couplet.

You only faintly recall Kinzou - well, you - inquiring to the rules a couple years ago, from a passerby. Several passerby actually - most had no idea. But one pleasant-looking old fellow did, and was patient enough to explain. A couplet is a test of literary ability. An open-ended challenge to read a posted verse, and create one that matches it. The base requirements depend on the type, but the more that it 'feels' like it fits, the better.

...And although you can read it you have absolutely no idea what would fit, nor does Char. A formal literary education is not the kind of thing someone receives in this village, particularly not as a poet. You're puzzled as to who exactly put this up in the first pl-

>>5553742
A man in flashy, foreign dress can be seen out of the corner of your eye. A furry hat with a flap on each side covers part of his face, but you can still make it out - it's the boss of the intake. Percival, you believe. He approaches the gate with large strides, a brush in hand.

A second verse is written across from the first:
Ring in the spring; landscape is splendid
Ring out the past; everything is glorious

"In hopes of a early spring." He steps back, looking proud of himself. ...Is he the one who puts these couplet puzzles up every year in the first place? Before you can roll your eyes, he spots something in the distance, and says a couple more words before taking a hurried leave. Peculiar - from what little you know of him, he likes attention. You throw a glance at where he was looking.

A few men are walking down the road. It takes a bit before you can make out their faces. You recognize one of them as a farmer from the agricultural district.
>Another argument between the two 'village heads'? You better follow along, or you'll miss out on something entertaining.
>Bickering would put a damper on such a joyous occasion. You'll go get your fortune for the year.
>Write-In
Riddles/couplet not written by me, I know my limits. Kinda wanted to write a couplet in Japanese but I was having trouble finding an example for something I'd have to translate anyways, especially for something where half the 'cool' stuff is symbols playing off of each other.
Also, I chose that last riddle because I found taken from a book from 1867 that says the answer is so obvious it's almost insulting to tell the reader, and I still can't figure out how it's a cherry.

>>5553742
The ivory portal is the mouth with teeth, the flesh is the fruit that goes into the stomach , the bone part I don't get though
>>5553746
>Another argument between the two 'village heads'? You better follow along, or you'll miss out on something entertaining.

>>5553970
Probably the pit

> Follow the men

>>5553746
>Another argument between the two 'village heads'? You better follow along, or you'll miss out on something entertaining.

>>5553746
>Another argument between the two 'village heads'? You better follow along, or you'll miss out on something entertaining.

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>>5553970 >>5554023 >>5554059 >>5554131
There's not too much to do in the village, particularly with the heavy weather. Truth to be told, watching this argument might be the most entertaining thing you do this month, the rest of the festival besides. You'd be remiss to let it just pass you by.「Follow me.」You make your way through the crowd towards Percival, who clearly stands out. A couple other sharp-eyed people do the same, clearly thinking similarly.

After making it some way down the street, Percival stops in front of a building and pulls out a walking stick out from between his belt and pants. He waves it in the air, singling at the men coming, and then steps inside. Those following stop here, but after a moment of consideration, you head inside. From the signage, it is a store - the worst that could happen is you get told to leave.

"Greetings customers! What are you looking for!" A thin man with a wild smile greets the both of you as you enter. You peer past him and glance around for a moment - you appear be in a store that sells stationary, and other office supplies.「I saw the couplet written on the gate and quite liked the calligraphy. I was thinking of practicing my writing myself, but I'm not sure yet. Is it find if I look around first?」

The shopkeeper gives you an odd glance, but decides not to stop the two of you. "Certainly. Tell me if you need assistance." The over-wide smile disappears from his face as he returns behind the counter and starts sorting inventory. Percival stands in one corner of the store, simply waiting. He stares at the two of you, but you pay him little attention, and his interest quickly wanes.

A couple of minutes later and the door opens again. A trio of large, muscular men walk in, dressed in warm, furred robes. Normal dress for new years. They lower their hoods, and then approach Percival.

"What do you need, Gi?" A deep, baritone voice can be heard in response. "Just because you're fine being called by your first name doesn't mean I have to be, Percival. It's Mei." You spot Percival shrugging with a slight smirk out of the corner of your eye. "Just a difference of customs. As you wish. Anyways, what'd you come for."

"I was hoping you'd be willing to agree with our proposition." "I believe I made my answer very clear last time. That besides..." You observe Percival pointing his cane towards the two of you and the shopkeeper from one of the ring's cameras. "Should we not take this somewhere more private? I'm afraid we'll make fools of ourselves like this, bickering about this again where we can be seen."

The deep voice responds. "No need. None of what I do is under the table. If everyone knows, so what. I just need an answer." Percival smiles. "And I gave you one. No."

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>>5554692
A man steps forward, into view. He has a scarred face, and is the largest of the three. You presume him to be Mei Gi, the elected village head. A bit of a "man's man", you suppose. "Percival, you're not the only decision-maker here. I'm in charge of the agricultural district, so I'm in charge of where our resources go too. You have until Spring to agree. We're expanding the fields either way."

Percival chuckles. "I don't think you have a say. Regardless of when the envoy arrived, the county magistrate appointed me to my position five days before your election. It was invalid. I'm in charge. You're not allowed to use my caravan to exchange for equipment with resources you don't have any say over the allocation of."

Mei Gi puts on a deep scowl and raises his voice. "If you're the one in charge, then why hasn't your dear county magistrate said something? There's been months, but no one to come and explain things. If you truly aim to form connections throughout the county, as you say, then wouldn't it be easy to get this settled? Or are you just bluffing?"

For once, Percival's expression turns to a frown. "The most recent legal code we're operating under is only half a century old. Of course there will be loopholes, and of course they will lead to awkward situations eventually. It is an official's responsibility to know when to throw their weight around, and when to leave those situations to fix themselves." He pauses. "They believe I'm capable of dealing with the situation. Dealing with you is just a test."

The two stare at each other for a moment. Mei Gi steps towards Percival, who puts a hand on his walking stick in the same instant. He tugs on it lightly, and a glint of metal can be seen from within. "Mei. There's no need to come to blows over this."

A heavy air can be felt within the store as the two glare at each other. Eventually, though, Mei Gi backs down. "Fine. I'll leave it for now. But you know the deadline. Spring." The trio step out of the store, and the atmosphere inside cools down. A few seconds later, Percival throws a glance towards the two of you. "You've already gotten quite the show. It should be time to leave." You nod, and begin making your way out. Percival wishes you farewell. "An auspicious new year to you! Char. Boy."

Soon enough you're away from the store, making your way towards where fortunes are told. Char turns to you, and excited gleam in his eye. "That was awesome! Shame they didn't fight though."

「...I think I'd rather they didn't.」You stop walking.「You know anything else about why they're arguing in the first place? You were at the vote, right?」Char shrugs. "Not too much more. Mei Gi said he wanted to increase the scope of the fields, expand local industries, and increase our power within the county through that. The weird dude said he wanted to form relationships with people from the county seat and the Verdant Mountain Sect to do that. Since then they've just been arguing about it."

>>5554703
Huh. You didn't realize they had actual, well, full policies. A bit more than you expected from such local politics - the last village head just kept to himself.「Huh. Did anyone else have one of those? Like Kanekatsu?」Char laughs. "Nah, he just said some empty words. Stuff about helping the village and all that. Nothing too specific." He pauses after that. "That old lady, the apothecary, was funny though."

You raise your eyebrow.「Really?」"Yeah. She said that if she was elected she'd embargo the Verdant Mountain Sect, and that anyone who agreed to do the same would get her vote. Had a few others with her who said the same." You don't really how to respond to that so you just don't. ...You wonder what's behind that.

The two of you collect your fortunes; small slips of paper hidden inside hunks of sweet bread with fruit inside. They turn out well - mild fortune for you, great fortune for Char. After that the two of you say your goodbyes, split ways, and you meet up with your mother.

It's an interesting New Year.

The first month of Sheng 486 is not nearly as interesting. Snow, snow, and more snow. Even Huo Mi can't make you work in that weather, and so you're mostly just left sitting at home, doing whatever. Too much free time to count, almost. You need to find an outlet.
>You practice with your bow. You have some arrows, and there's a whole forest out back, even if it is blanketed in snow. Maybe you'll even get some game, if it isn't all hibernating.
>You train your spear. Get used to the weight, range, and strength of the weapon. Not much to use it against, but a tree is as good a target as anything else.
>You wander the forests, tempering your body with heavy exercise. Even for someone who has embarked upon the path of cultivation, muscle mass is still important.
>You engage in woodworking. Despite the weather you still have plenty of workable material stored up.
>Write-In

>>5554707
>>You practice with your bow. You have some arrows, and there's a whole forest out back, even if it is blanketed in snow. Maybe you'll even get some game, if it isn't all hibernating.
>>You train your spear. Get used to the weight, range, and strength of the weapon. Not much to use it against, but a tree is as good a target as anything else.
Practice switching between them

>>5554707
>You train your spear. Get used to the weight, range, and strength of the weapon. Not much to use it against, but a tree is as good a target as anything else.
The spear is a really good rookie weapon just because of it's reach alone, let's try to have at least some kind of foundational experience with it

>>5554707
>You wander the forests,
we need to get some bodyoils from somewhere

>>5554707
>>You engage in woodworking. Despite the weather you still have plenty of workable material stored up.
this makes me happy.

>>5554707
>You train your spear. Get used to the weight, range, and strength of the weapon. Not much to use it against, but a tree is as good a target as anything else.

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>>5554717 >>5554768 >>5555113 >>5555340 >>5555477
You decide to focus your effort on practicing the spear. Procuring additional arrows for practice would be troublesome, and the weather outside is not quite sublime. Best to engage in something where you can easily head back inside and warm up as needed. Your physical condition is above average, but you're not immune to frostbite.

Your plan is to build a foundation to learn upon later within the next few weeks. Your knowledge of the spear is not only not excellent, it is essentially nonexistent. You're not quite sure what your life was like before being sent away from home, but you do at least recall some battle methods of the Apoth, and, well... many-armed, flying, telepathic insectoids with advanced technology do not use spears. In fact, it's doubtful that you ever used a cold weapon in combat. ...And doubtful that you ever engaged in combat. Wars between hives occurred, but they were rare in the later days. Unprofitable.

As for Kinzou, you've acquired a bit more knowledge from him. A spear is a essentially a piece of metal on a long stick, and you thrust it into things. Sufficient force will allow the metal to pierce flesh and inflect injury. Your spear in particular is around seven to eight feet in length, most of that being the shaft, which is made out of some sort of treated wood. Besides that, uh, you'll really just have to see for yourself what works and what doesn't. If you drill the basic knowledge into yourself, then hopefully you can build upon it in the future.

Thrust out. Pull back. Thrust out. Pull back. Thrust out. Pull back.

You're currently doing your best to avoid hitting a bush, but as close to it as possible. The best practice you could come up with for practicing aiming and thrusting. You considered using something more solid, so that you could get a feel for how hard it is to pull out, but you think this spear would break from wear and tear sooner rather than later. If that happened then maybe you could repair or replace the shaft, or someone else could assist, but... well, you don't think there are any dedicated weaponsmiths in the village and it would likely end up worse than before. Not to mention the cost of repairs. No, better safe than sorry for now.

Besides thrusting, there are several more components to your training. Drawing and sheathing the spear. Estimating the range. Getting used to the weight and heft. All in all, it can be summed up as simply knowing your weapon and the basics of how to use it. It's a bit weighty, and the length makes it awkward for you to use, but fortunately you have more than enough strength required to make it do what you need to.

As the first month of year ends the snow starts slowing down, and partway through the second your work resumes intermittently.

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>>5556020
The 3rd month, 2nd day, of Sheng 486. The veil of winter has fully lifted, and spring has arrived! You head to work, just like any other day... only to be greeted by an odd sight. Several dozen men, your co-workers, are crowded outside the entrance to the intake. Across from them sit a crowd of men, many of them tanned. You recognize a few - Shou and Go's fathers, and Mei Gi. Farmers from the agricultural district.

After scanning the area you spot Brynn sitting on a wheelbarrow nearby, eating his breakfast from a wooden container. He nods as you approach, talking through mouthfuls of food. "Morin'."「What's going on?」Brynn shrugs. "Dunno the specifics. I get kept 'round for some of the meetings caus' I've been here a long time, but I'm not a manager or nothing." He swallows. "That said, I can guess, roundabouts. Mei Gi wanted some farming equipment, and sum other things 'sides, from us, and said that spring was the deadline." Brynn looks up at you. "And now it's spring."

So it's about that. You don't know if there's most specifics, but... well, you get the gist of it.「What should we do?」Brynn smiles. "Dunno what yer plannin', but I'm gonna eat my breakfast an' wait for the boss. This is his problem."

Brynn returns his attention to the food in front of him.
>You guess you'll wait here with Brynn while this gets settled. Not your problem.
>You'll head over to some of your coworkers you're acquainted with and see if you can't get more of a read on the situation.
>There's a disagreement between Mei Gi and the boss, but that doesn't mean everyone is hostile to each other - Shou and Go's dads seemed friendly enough the times you've run into them. You could ask them about the situation to get another perspective.
>...perhaps you'll go back home and pretend to be sick for the day. This should all work itself out by tomorrow.
>Write-In

>>5556023
> you'll go to huo mi and ask her about her reasoning against the verdant sect
im a curious cat

>>5556026
If anons want we can put that on the to-do list regardless of the choice here, you see her pretty regularly.

>>5556023
>There's a disagreement between Mei Gi and the boss, but that doesn't mean everyone is hostile to each other - Shou and Go's dads seemed friendly enough the times you've run into them. You could ask them about the situation to get another perspective.

>>5556023
>>There's a disagreement between Mei Gi and the boss, but that doesn't mean everyone is hostile to each other - Shou and Go's dads seemed friendly enough the times you've run into them. You could ask them about the situation to get another perspective.
>>5556026
>>5556027
I'll support asking when we meet her

>>5556023
>There's a disagreement between Mei Gi and the boss, but that doesn't mean everyone is hostile to each other - Shou and Go's dads seemed friendly enough the times you've run into them. You could ask them about the situation to get another perspective.

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>>5556026 >>5556027 >>5556054 >>5556118 >>5556448
The basics of the situation are clear, but you don't know enough to really have an opinion on it. You suppose it's not something you have to care about, but since you have the chance, why don't you see how someone from the agricultural district feels about it? Shou and Go's fathers were friendly enough when you ran into them, so maybe they'd be willing to give their say on it all.

You cross the divide between the two groups. The crowd blocking the entrance glances at you warily but doesn't do anything immediately. You're just a kid, and even if you are carrying a spear the situation hasn't come anywhere near the point of violence. To make your intentions clear you wave to Shou's father as you approach.

He glances down at you as you come to a stop, and you meet your gaze. "You're, uh... I'm bad with names... Kinzou, right?"「Yup.」He quickly nods his head a few times. "Right, right, I remember. You played a pretty good game when you stopped by. Not good enough to beat this old man, but pretty good." He's referring to several games of Ousatsu that you're still trying to forget - crushing defeats, the lot of them.

"Why're you here?" He tilts his head in confusion.「I work here.」An awkward silence. "Oh. Well, I can't let you in. Boss's orders." You wave your hand in dismissal.「That's fine - it's not my job to deal with all this. I just wanted to know more about why you guys were blocking the place off.」

"I can tell you about that. What do you know already kid?"「Mei wanted some farming equipment by spring to expand the fields, and Percival wouldn't get it for him because he said that this was his caravan, and that he was the village head anyways, so it wasn't Mei's decision. Is that about it?」

Shou's father shrugs. "Those are the basic facts. Legally, the argument is over who's village head and who can make the decision to spend our cut of the taxes on making the expansion of the fields happen. I guess that determines the 'right' of it, as the county head is concerned. But I don't think any of us really care." He gestures to the crowd behind him.

"Y'see, whatever the county magistrate says affects us, but it's not the other way around. We can bitch and moan all day and he doesn't give a shit. Whatever we do, as long as we don't violate the law too blatantly or refuse to pay our taxes, the county won't help, nor directly harm us. We're just numbers on a balance sheet, a village that's out of sight and out of mind." He stops, thinking of how to phrase things.

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>>5556581
"The empire taxes all of us, but we don't get jack in exchange. No voice. Even the taxes earmarked for the village are managed by the village head. If we disagree? Too bad. And so... well, we decided that we weren't going to put with it. We made our decision, and chose our village head, and we don't care what the county has to say about it. He's our leader, and he's going to help our village have some importance within the county, unlike Mu Ren, who just sat on his hands for decades."

The conversation falters. Shou's father seems like he might continue, but then you see him turn his attention away from you. A moment later, he looks back at you and waves you away. "Looks like your boss is here. Best to get going." You oblige.

"Percival! So you finally show yourself!" Mei Gi yells and points towards your boss with a dramatic flair. His response is a loud sigh. "Mei. I told you the answer was a no, and you refused to listen. What exactly do you want from me?"

"You know what I want. Put our share of the taxes towards the purchase of hands, equipment, and seed to begin expansion of the Red Lantern fields." Percival responds over the cheers and jeers of Mei Gi's men. "I'm the village head. I'm in charge of how the tax money is spent and I do not support your plan. If you all save up the funds on your own, then fine - I'm not against extra business, particularly if it might benefit the village. But it's not your decision to make."

The jeers intensify. "Not our decision?!" "We're the ones paying for it all!" "Fuck you and your dumb hat!" After a moment, Mei Gi's voice rings out loudest among them, quieting the rest. "Regardless of whether it's your decision or mine, you're supposed to govern for the good of the village! To ensure our safety, to protect our interests, and to govern with us in mind!" Mei Gi takes a deep breath in.

WHAT ABOUT FUNNELING MONEY AND TALENTS OUT OF FOGTOP AND INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO DON'T NEED THEM PROTECTS OUR INTERESTS?!

With Mei Gi's assertion the jeers resume, louder than ever. Percival just frowns, and a general air of annoyance can be felt among your side. A moment later, he breaths in, before yelling as loudly as Mei Gi. "SILENCE, AND LET ME SPEAK." The voices quiet down, and hesitantly, Mei Gi gestures for his men to stop.

Percival speaks with an edge to his voice - disappointment mixed with annoyance. "I am protecting Fogtop's interests. You're simply too naive. We could expand the fields. That is possible. We could dump more and more funds and hands into them over the decades, until we were at our limit maintaining the things, and we were known in the county seat for our Red Lanterns, the cash crop that keeps on giving." Percival pauses, glaring at those across from him.

>>5556584
"But that's not in the village's best interest. Prosperity cannot be gained only through a hoe and some hard work, while we keep to ourselves. If we don't do our best to connect ourselves with the rest of the county, and find a way for those talented enough to go to the county seat, or to the Verdant Mountain Sect, then we have no hope. We need the human element. There is no chance of training a talented official, warrior, or merchant who lives in Fogtop their whole lives. Their talent will go to waste, and so will your work."

An uneasy silence forms between the two groups. Percival breaks it. "We could go on for hours. We have, before. I have more points, and so do you. But..." He trails off and makes a show of looking behind him. "Time is money, and the longer we talk the more we waste. It's time for you all to leave."

"So you're not going to agree?" "No. I will not agree to your demands no matter how long you keep throwing a tantrum about them." Mei Gi scowls. "Then we're not moving. We can stay here as long as need be." The men behind him join in, showing their determination.

Percival rubs his brow. "This is self-destructive. Don't you have fields to sow, or something?" Mei Gi doesn't respond. Percival takes a different approach. "I didn't want to mention this, but... what you're doing right now could be considered a crime. The empire doesn't take kindly to sowing discord, trespass, or planning revolt against a government official."

"Of course, I'm not saying that you're doing any of that - no, no, that would be far too harsh. But if the county magistrate heard of all this, well, I don't know what his reaction would be..."

The roars from the crowd are louder than ever as they curse Percival. He doesn't seem to care anymore, just making himself heard over them. "Kanekatsu and his men are about to arrive, and I know that the old woman wouldn't support you in this, even if she did vote for you. If you try to pick a fight, then you aren't going to win. The rest of the village is against you." He begins to unsheathe his blade from his walking stick. "But if you insist, then I could oblige you."

Neither of them say anything more. Nearly a minute later, Mei Gi finally gives in. "Fine. I'll leave. But you'll regret this." Silence. "Let's go."

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>>5556585
Most of the work day is spent checking the inventory, and the intake as a whole, to ensure that the protestors didn't steal or sabotage anything. To their credit, besides a comically small amount of missing food that might not be their doing, nothing seems out of the ordinary. The mood stays awkward though, and not too much gets done that day.

When your work is over at the intake for the day you take your leave and embark upon the path to Huo Mei's home. This takes you away from the intake, through the village's main road, and towards, but not to, the agricultural district before you branch off from the roads most people travel.

On a secluded section of road in a forested area, you spot a pair of young men in the woods, heading to join the road. Not particularly usual or noteworthy. That is, not particularly unusual or noteworthy until one of them exits the road directly in front of you, and then stops, in your way.

He stands not even 10 feet in front of you, and looks to be 15 or 16. He's a bit taller than you. The expression on his face shows that he's clearly in a bad mood, but about what, you couldn't know.

"You work at the intake, don't you?"
>"...Yes."
>"No."
>Ignore him and continue on your way. You need to get to work.
>Backtrack. You don't like the look of him, and the village proper isn't too far off.
>Unsheathe your spear. Something feels off.
>Write-In

>>5556587
>With Huo Mi, actually. But I don't see how that's your bussiness
>Unsheathe your spear

>>5556609
Supportan
These guys are clearly trying to make trouble, I just hope they get scared by the spear.

>>5556587
>This is about politics isn't it? I have nothing to do with it
>Just let me pass, I'm going to be late for my work as Huo Mi's apprentice
>Get ready to unsheathe the spear

>>5556609
>>5556587 +1

>>5556587
>Backtrack. You don't like the look of him, and the village proper isn't too far off.

Y'all escelating this to murder. Could be trouble. This breaks out into a fight it could reveal us as a Cultivator.

"Hey, I have debts to pay. It's just me and my mom, making ends meet. I'm just trying to survive same as you. You aren't planning on beating the shit out of a kid are you? Over shit he can't control?"

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>>5556788
>This breaks out into a fight it could reveal us as a Cultivator.
Ehhh it depends. if these two goons passed the martial gateway? Sure. Otherwise it could be just seen as two idiots thinking they can take on a youngin with a proper spear and finding out the hardway that they shouldn't have fucked around.

>>5556788
I don't know, just admitting to working at the intake and trying to go back can also mean they try to attack us while our backs are turning as well, and then we will be unarmed.
It's why I said to get ready, but not unsheathe it right now.
Also we don't really need to kill them if we do fight, and we can try to hold back

>>5556827
could try to attack
Accidentally deleted that world

>>5556796

An eleven year old beats two sixteen year olds in a fight, eyebrows are gonna raise.

We draw a spear, we're inviting them to pull knives, then we'll feel like we have to take them seriously... I'm very cautious of escelation, and adding a spear to the equation is exactly that.

>>5556609 >>5556622 >>5556624 >>5556746 >>5556788
「With Huo Mi actually. But I don't see how that's your business.」 He scrowls, clearly annoyed, but before he can respond you begin removing your spear from your back. He just stares at you with wide eyes as you unsheathe it and take it in both hands.

It's only once you're done that he manages to gather his thoughts. "What the fuck is wrong with you?!" By this point his friend is nearly through the forest, and glances at the situation. You can make out a shocked expression on his face. "What happened?" The first boy struggles to respond, not willing to look away from you.

"I-I don't know, all I did was ask a question and the brat pulled a weapon on me." He takes a few steps further back and reaches for his belt. "Keep away from me if you know what's good for you." He barely turns his head towards his friend, who is now gripping a woodcutting machete. "Fuck this. Let's go."

「..Are you not trying to attack me?」The two look at you like you have a screw loose. The older boy, holding a machete, responds. "Ambushing a kid, two on one, in the middle of the woods? What do you think is wrong with us? By the emperor, your brain is rotted with violence. You're a brute, just like your father."

The two begin heading back into the forest, leaving you to your own devices.
>You're not sure what that was about. Off to work then.
>You step after them.「Take that back.」You're not letting them insult Takigi.
>You sheathe your spear and follow after them.「Wait, I'm sorry, I overreacted. What did you want?」
>Write-In

>>5557231
>"Yes, I think that two people coming from in front and behind me, hidden in the trees at night in the agricultural district mean me harm when they ask about the intake. Get lost."

>Then head off to work.

They shouldn't be at all surprised at this, and while I don't want them trash talking Takigi, it's ultimately nothing.

>>5557308
Supportan.

>>5557308
>hidden in the trees at night
This is solely clarification:
It's mid-afternoon, even when winter just ended it will be a little over an hour until it gets dark. You work into the night for Huo Mi, but when you're going to work it's not dark out.

>>5557316
Ah, my mistake.

Still yeah, this had every reading of an ambush and given we're a kid, if we don't act first then we won't act at all against a 'superior' foe.
They'll either realise this later, or they won't and just think we are psycho. Either way, who gives a fuck?

>>5557231
>"And what should I think about two people I never met, one clearly in a bad mood, in the middle of a secluded forest, asking about the intake, after the mess that happened this morning?"
>"Anyway, I overreacted, and I apologize for that"

dont bother apologizing. they're spreading shit regardless of if we grovel before them or not. no one else will know if we were polite or not, and these people will only respect us less. just keep walking

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>>5557308 >>5557310 >>5557369 >>5557435
「"Yes, I think that two people hidden in the trees in the agricultural district mean me harm when they ask about the intake. Get lost."」

They both look varying shades of confused and angry, the older one more of the latter. The younger boy yells towards you, anger and pity mixing. "Excuse me, I must've missed the rash of politically motivated child-beatings. I don't know what's wrong with you and I don't want to know. We're leaving." He keeps his eyes on you as he backs up, seemingly afraid of being stabbed in the back.

The older teenager hesitates, clearly mad, but follows after a moment. "Last time I try to help your bloodthirsty line. Fuck you!" Unlike the other one he doesn't keep his eyes on you, clearly unafraid.

Help...? They were friendly then? Er, initially at least? Well, whatever. Not your fault. His question was so badly worded that you were bound to get suspicious, after what happened this morning. And he didn't have to overreact so much to your drawing your weapon. You continue on your way to Huo Mi's, your mind turning back to some things you want to ask her. Despite keeping an eye out, you spot no other passerby on the way.

Huo Mi glances at you as you come in. "Your morning shift entertaining?"「I guess. You knew?」She nods. "Yup. Mei Gi tried to get me in on it. Sympathize with what they're getting at, but I wouldn't touch all of that with a ten foot pole. Everything to lose and nothing to gain for me."

She stops talking and turns her attention to a book. You take a moment to figure out how to word things before speaking.「Why'd you want to embargo the Verdant Mountain Sect?」She responds with slight surprise. "You know about that? Why bring it up now?"「My friend told me at New Year's, so... just curious, I guess.」

The room falls silent for around a minute until she sighs. "Guess it's fine to mention. I don't hate the Verdant Mountain Sect or anything." She pauses, and mutters something to herself before continuing. "Well, maybe I do, I'm not sure yet. In short, I have a question that they owe me an answer to but they won't even give me the time of day. So I figure that I'll force them to pay attention to me and give me an answer. As for hating them or not, I can decide afterwards. I don't think they're all bad at least - if you plan to join somewhere, they're fine."

Huo Mi fixes her stare on you. "That enough for you kid, or are you going to keep being nosy?" She continues on without waiting for a response. "As for today's work... hell, there's probably an hour left until it gets dark, maybe a bit more. Why don't we gather Cliff Chrysanthemums? I know a place where there are plenty, but I'm a bit too big for all the footholds. Best to leave it up to you."

>>5557968
"Don't worry, I'll catch you when you fall. Let's go." You are forced to spend nearly an hour climbing up the same short cliff and harvesting small flowers from within the cliff face. Three times you fall, and three times Huo Mi catches you barehanded. By the end your arms are devoid of energy and you're just happy to be on the ground again. ...Perhaps it was a bad idea to ask about her personal life.

The next morning. A loud yell can be heard from outside your workplace. "Gather round, gather round, we need to talk." You turn to Brynn, who just shrugs and gets up. You follow. Upon finding your way outside, you see that the boss is gathering everyone up. "Is that everyone? I'm not saying this twice."

A few minutes later, he finally speaks. "I talked to Mei Gi last night, and heard mention of a couple minor squabbles. Some of the blame can be assigned to their side, some to ours, but either way, don't engage in them. Bad blood brews bad business, and it's good for nobody." You notice Percival stare at a few people to see that they get the point. A couple of men with clear bruises; a grumpy, crotchety old man who "works" in loading; you. You frown, and he looks away. That wasn't your fault.

Things settle back to a relative calm over the next few weeks, the incident at the start of spring not having much of an effect on your daily life. What does seem to have had an effect on your daily life, though, is whatever it was about the question you asked that riled up Huo Mi. Your work for the past several weeks with her has been exhausting. Climbing cliffs and trees, turning over rocks, and taking uncomfortably long hikes into the woods just to find ingredients, as if she's doing her best to find only the most exhausting tasks for you. You'd felt like she'd been doing that for a while, actually, but recently it has been more intense than ever.

Just as you finally realize that this doesn't seem temporary and are considering doing something about the issue, a ray of light peeks through the crowds; a hope of salvation from your exhaustion. "No need to go out today, I have what I need." As you let out a sigh of relief, she asks you a question. "Which is most important to you. Your own survival, the survival of others, or the death of others?"

You give her an odd stare.「...What?」 She seems to realize something and elaborates. "This isn't a test or anything silly like that, I'm not going to hold your answer against you. Just answer seriously. Which is most important to you: the ability to keep yourself alive, the ability to keep others alive, or the ability to cause others to die?"

...You guess without other information, there's nothing to do but answer.
>The ability to keep yourself alive.
>The ability to keep others alive.
>The ability to cause others to die.

>>5557971
>The ability to keep yourself alive.

>>5557971
>The ability to keep myself alive

We can heal others after, kill others after but nothing if we die.

>>5557971
>The ability to keep yourself alive.

>>5557971
>The ability to keep yourself alive.
We have a mission

I don't like how things went with those two, but it is what it is

>>5558053
correct. I didn't expect them to be friendly and got spooked, so this is quite a bad outcome. None the less, it ultimately doesn't matter.

I half suspect they are full of shit anyway, but that's my cope probably.

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>>5557974 >>5557979 >>5557981 >>5558041
Well, you can't do anything else if you die first, so naturally it'd have to be the ability to keep yourself alive.

「The ability to keep myself alive.」

She acknowledges your comment and thinks for a bit before speaking up. "I don't usually bring it up, but for a while I survived on my own, out in the woods and mountains. Didn't stop by any villages or towns unless it was an emergency. That would've been for..." A pause. "...five years, or roundabouts."

"Now, you don't have to do that, but I guess what I'm saying is I know something about survival. You don't get through months away from civilization without knowing something about hunting, treating wounds, and repairing your equipment. The whole kit and kaboodle, really - you have to be self-sufficient. Otherwise you die, even if you have a few temperings under your belt. That just makes it a bit easier."

"I can show you all that, if you want, although whether you learn it or not is up to you." You quickly accept. She grins slightly. "Hope you like being exhausted. And, uh -" she clears her throat "-obviously, none of this will be paid. Money is for services rendered, not allowance."

Fair enough.

During the next month you're shown various pieces of knowledge Huo Mi built up during her years of traveling the wilds. What exactly is edible out in the forest, and how to check if something might be edible. A few basic medicinal solutions and basic first aid. Right now you're working on how to hunt and prepare an animal. ...Which has necessitated learning how to use your bow properly, which has in itself necessitated knowing how to make an arrow that flies properly, how to replace your bowstring, and other such related knowledge. According to Huo Mi, building on a sloppy foundation just results in everything crashing down at the slightest poke, so all of this is essential. Building that foundation will definitely take a while. You just hope she doesn't decide to teach you how to carve a bow. ...Although you guess you have a bit of a headstart on that.

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>>5558401
Spring has entered full bloom and you finally get to enjoy the whether being good, instead of just tolerable. One day, you hear a message that you had nearly forgotten to expect.

...Decompression of theorized ancient technology complete. Data stored within the shell in secondary memory, for easy access. Pleasantly surprised, you stop eating your lunch. 「Display data.」Displaying all data may result in the collapse of your soul. Not advisable. Uh, right. You need to be more specific than that.「Display a subsection of extracted data.」 Understood.

A random selection of documents appears before you. Descriptions of basic locks. Applications of basic machines, like levers, the wheel and axle, and pulleys. Sketches of weapons and tools of many kinds - among them you spot a massive hammer, designed to be wielded by giants. There's also a carriage built to be pulled by one massive beast, with suspension."

It is clear that not all of it is useful, nor could it be. Beyond not being designed for humans specifically, many of the devices here are not even designed around a bipedal species. Even for what would be usable for humans a great deal of it likely already exists, if not in the exact form shown, in some rough equivalent.

But that's not to say the data here is useless. With enough resources and time spent workshopping theories and rough design documents into workable prototypes, then it could be very helpful, up to a point.

Resuming decompression of data. Additional storage media not yet required.

You guess you'll leave it to it. Although perhaps there's something else that would be useful to prioritize decryption of.
>You would like your memories back. The emptiness of your past life is nagging at you.
>Rudimentary physical cultivation techniques of your own species. Extremely unlikely to be directly usable, but perhaps they could give you a few ideas on the function of human ones.
>Techniques that require only a small amount of spiritual energy. You couldn't use them right away, and human beings are different enough you doubt you could use any of them directly, but they could offer assistance when you can mobilize spiritual energy.

>>5558402
>Rudimentary physical cultivation techniques of your own species. Extremely unlikely to be directly usable, but perhaps they could give you a few ideas on the function of human ones.

>>5558402
>Rudimentory physical cultivation

>>5558402
>Rudimentary physical cultivation techniques of your own species. Extremely unlikely to be directly usable, but perhaps they could give you a few ideas on the function of human ones.
any techniques that use spirtual energy at this stage would be useless since we're so low in terms of cultivation. Maybe after we hit our fourth or fifth tempering at least.

>>5558402
>>Rudimentary physical cultivation techniques of your own species. Extremely unlikely to be directly usable, but perhaps they could give you a few ideas on the function of human ones.

>>5558402
>Rudimentary physical cultivation techniques of your own species. Extremely unlikely to be directly usable, but perhaps they could give you a few ideas on the function of human ones.

>You would like your memories back. The emptiness of your past life is nagging at you.

This is the mysterybox option and I can't resist.

Also can we spend time looking at theoretical technology useful for bipedal mammals or some other specific categories that would fit humans? It would be super neat if we could transform Fogtop to a city or something through tech.

Just a heads up, might not be an update today, although that probably depends on what timezone is used to define "today". Was up all night working on a research paper.

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>>5558403 >>5558419 >>5558476 >>5558613 >>5558811 >>5559010
「Proceed with decompression of rudimentary physical cultivation techniques.」

Understood. Decompression commencing. With that, the voice in your mind falls silent once again, making you sigh. It's a shame that the soul computer in charge of the ring is so unfeeling. The lack of not just a joint mind, but even a mental connection with someone it wearing on you. It makes you feel isolated. Well, it can't be helped. You'll just leave it to its work and hope that you get some use out of the results.

Your learning under Huo Mi continues without too many hiccups. Fortunately your worst fear of having to carve a bow from scratch doesn't come true, but it is more than a week until you actually get to firing it.

First, you have to get used to making arrows. Selecting the appropriate cut of wood, cutting it down along the grain with your woodcarving knife, straightening with heat if needed, and then sanding and planing it are only the first steps. It doesn't take too long to get used to those, given prior experience. Cutting the nock into the end of the shaft, and waterproofing the wood so it can be reused isn't too much trouble either, for the same reason.

No, what gives you the most trouble is the arrowhead. Apparently being able to carry around a sack of say, iron arrowheads, would not be enough. No, you must learn to find a suitable pieces of flint and stone and sharpen them into shape by hand. And you must do it right. By Huo Mi's words: "An arrow is made for piercing, not for bouncing off and bruising a deer's hide because you half-assed carving the head. Do it again."

Fortunately, it doesn't take too long to get used to the process. Huo Mi still seems a bit hesitant, muttering something about teaching you about different types of arrowheads, but in the end she decides to move on. After making arrows you learn about how to make an emergency bowstring replacement and how to replace the bowstring with either that, or a spare kept on hand. With that the 'basics' finally come to a halt and you're allowed to start practicing shooting.

"Shoot!" Thwack "Shoot!" Thwack "Shoot!" Thwack

Your arms are throbbing, and your aim is getting worse. Not that it was very good to begin with. Even when you take as long as you can to steady and line up shots, they can still veer far off track. You don't have time for that right now though - Huo Mi is making you fire as quick as you can manage.

"Let's keep going for a few more minutes. I want to see you landing 10 accurate shots in a minute before we stop this training. Hopefully more." ...10 accurate shots in a minute?!「...Exactly how long do you expect that to take?」She shrugs. "Could be six months. Could be six years. Depends on you really. Now stop stalling and keep shooting, your quiver isn't empty. Shoot!"

>>5560405
It is only by summer, after a month of shooting practice, that Huo Mi is even a bit satisfied with your shooting. You can't match the high bars she's setting but, by her own admission, it doesn't take 10 arrows a minute to fell a deer. If placed correctly, sometimes it only takes one.

Today is the 6th Month, 8th day, of Sheng 486. A rest day. You're lying in the grass, just enjoying the warmth of the sun beating down for a bit. Something blocks the sun, and you open your eyes. A childish face with green eyes stares down at you.

「Char.」"Hey. Remember that thing I mentioned yesterday?" You try to recall.「Uhhh... you just said there was something in the forest.」He nods. "Yeah. And it's really cool! You have to see it!" You stay seated. 「What is it?」"That's a surprise!"
>「Alright then. Let's go.」You'd like to know what exactly it is Char wants to show you, but eh. It's not like you have anything else you need to do - let's see what's so interesting.
>「Ah, well...」It's the anniversary of Takigi's arrest in a couple days, so maybe you should stay home and keep Nui company. She could be feeling down.
>「Sorry. Already have plans.」Huo Mi said you'd be ready to try hunting pretty soon. Perhaps you could head over there and see if you could convince her into taking you out?
>Write-In

>>5560408
>「Alright then. Let's go.」You'd like to know what exactly it is Char wants to show you, but eh. It's not like you have anything else you need to do - let's see what's so interesting.

>>5560408
>「Alright then. Let's go.」You'd like to know what exactly it is Char wants to show you, but eh. It's not like you have anything else you need to do - let's see what's so interesting.

>>5560408
>「Alright then. Let's go.」You'd like to know what exactly it is Char wants to show you, but eh. It's not like you have anything else you need to do - let's see what's so interesting.

>>5560408
>>「Alright then. Let's go.」You'd like to know what exactly it is Char wants to show you, but eh. It's not like you have anything else you need to do - let's see what's so interesting.
seeyour

>>5560408
>Alright, lets go.

>>5560450 >>5560456 >>5560467 >>5560481 >>5560495
「Alright. Let's go.」You push yourself up, brushing dirt off of the back of your pants. Char starts taking off, but you stop him.「One sec, one sec. Since we're heading into the forest, let me pack.」You hear him acknowledge as you hurry off to grab your things.

A carving knife. Your bow, with a spare string. A roughly made quiver full of arrows. Half of your making, half iron-tipped arrows of someone else's making. Disinfectant. Spare rags, to be used as bandages if needed. Some dry food and a spare waterskin that Huo Mi gave you. A roughly drawn map of the area and a compass, both of which were also provided by her. That should be enough for an outing.

You return with a bag slung over your back. Char, who had been tapping his foot impatiently, looks at you. "Isn't that a bit much?" You shrug best you can with the bag over one of your shoulders.「Eh. It's a normal amount. Just in case we get lost or something.」You overlook the fact that his bag is at least as big as yours in your answer.

"Huh. Well, let's go!"

You walk over a stream and through the woods, and through the woods, and through the woods, for far longer than you initially expected. By the time Char says that you're "almost there" in response to your questions for the fourth time, the sun has moved quite the distance in the sky. All in all, you'd estimate that it's a two hour hike. Ultimately not the end of the world - you quite like hikes - but it's not what you were expecting. You're surprised that Char went this far away from the village in the first place.

Finally, Char stops. You look around, confused.「Is this it?」He doesn't reply, staring closely at his surroundings, and a dark thought overtakes you.「...Did you get lost?」

Char finally responds, shaking his head. "Nope. Up to here's a straight line, just figuring out the rest." He trails off, before pointing at a nearby tree. "That's it!" He rushes up to it and you follow. You spot a crude carving in the trunk. MU CHAR WAS HERE. Your worries are only partially dissipated.

With that Char seems to regain his sense of direction, and it's only a short walk until you spot something of interest. A smoldering campfire constructed in a small clearing, with a lean-to built into an overhang in a nearby hill. Supplies are haphazardly scattered around the encampment.

"Mister! You there?" Char half yells. An annoyed grunt can be heard and a few seconds later a man appears from the trees, scratching his head. An eye patch covers his right eye, which you can see faint scarring around. Below that, his right sleeve dangles in mid-air, lacking an arm. On his opposite side, a short sword is attached to his belt.

>>5560814

"Quiet down kid." He glances at you. "Brought a friend? My camp isn't a show." Before Char can apologize, the man gets over it. "Well, whatever. What's your name?"

「Kinzou.」He sits down and starts stoking the fire. "Got it. I'm Ken Yu." Char chimes in. "And he's part of the Verdant Mountain Sect!" You see the man roll his eyes, but he doesn't deny it. "You don't have to say it so proud like. But yeah, I am. Anyways, uh -"

He pauses, clearly hesitant. It takes him a few seconds to continue. "...you bring any food, kid?" You turn your attention to Char and watch as he removes an entire wheel of cheese from his pack, along with some bread and a sausage. Ken's grumpy mood instantly changes for the better as he receives it.

"Been out here for way too long and the whole one arm thing makes cooking a little difficult. Preciate it." He starts digging in to what's provided, paying no mind to you. In the meantime, you think of questions to ask him. It's not often you see a proper sect cultivator out here - maybe you could learn something.
>「What do you do for the Verdant Mountain Sect?」
>「Why are you all the way out here?」
>「You're a cultivator, right? Are you strong?」
>「...You need any help? Our village is just a couple hours away.」
>「How does the Verdant Mountain Sect recruit new members?」
>Write-In (Feel free to choose multiple questions for this choice, but do list them in order of importance)

>>5560815
>「...You need any help? Our village is just a couple hours away.」
>「How does the Verdant Mountain Sect recruit new members?」
> 「What do you do for the Verdant Mountain Sect?」
> Teach us!

>>5560815
>「You're a cultivator, right? Are you strong?」
>「How does the Verdant Mountain Sect recruit new members?」
>「What do you do for the Verdant Mountain Sect?」

>>5560815
>「What do you do for the Verdant Mountain Sect?」
>「Why are you all the way out here?」
>「...You need any help? Our village is just a couple hours away.」

>>5560815
>You need help?
Good protagonist gooooo

>Why out here?
>What do you do for the sect?

>>5560815
>「...You need any help? Our village is just a couple hours away.」
>「How does the Verdant Mountain Sect recruit new members?」
> 「What do you do for the Verdant Mountain Sect?」

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>>5560819 >>5560919 >>5561042 >>5561140 >>5561144
It feels a bit rude to interrupt the man while he's eating, so you stay silent and think of what you'd like to ask him later. What he does, why he's out here, that sort of thing. ...If he needs any help, you guess - he did just ask a random child for food.

By the time you think of what to ask Ken has already decimated the food in front of him, swallowing it down at a shocking pace. He pats his stomach with his one hand and then digs around in a pack before pulling an unmarked bottle out. He takes a swig. "Ahhh... nothing goes with a good meal like good drink." As you listen to him burp, you feel the inherent mystique and respect held towards cultivators begin to crumble.

You clear your throat, drawing his attention. "What is it kid? Er, Kinzou."「Do you need any help? You seem a bit, uh... famished. Our village is only a couple hours away.」Ken shakes his head. "No thanks. Not hurting for food, just good food. Can't help but burn most everything I make, and all's that left is local game and dry rations." He pauses. "Well, I'll probably stop by soon. Would be nice to restock."

After he says that Ken pulls out and unfolds a massive map, which he glances at closely. You're impressed that he doesn't struggle given only one hand to do it with. "This is just north of Fogtop, right?" You nod, and then try to get a closer look at what he's looking at. Char does the same. He doesn't stop the two of you.

"This is a map of the prefecture. In the north it gives way to the tributary states, and in the west to the plains." Char leans in, causing Ken to move away. "What about the other directions?" Ken sounds distracted as he replies, likely trying to read the map. "The next prefecture over is to the south, border set at the Heavenly River. The next kingdom over, the Kingdom of Chu, is to the east." He turns his focus back to the map after speaking, tracing it with his finger.

"There we go. I'm on the right track then." He folds up the map again before putting it back into a cylindrical container.「On the right track for what?」"Ah, that..." Ken trails off. "Just some work for the sect, and why I'm out here. Don't worry about it."

「What kind of work do you do for the sect?」Ken thinks to himself for a minute before replying, gnawing on what's left of the sausage. "I'm an Outer Elder. I work in 'Enforcement'. In practicality, means that I take care of whoever the sect asks me to. Usually criminals." He stretches. "Don't have too much work, but when I do it's a pain."

Char perks up, clearly not having known this. "Awesome! If you're an elder, does that mean you can recruit people?" Ken raises an eyebrow. "Are you worth being recruited?" Char nods furiously. "Watch this!" He begins punching and kicking the air - some sort of martial arts routine. Sloppy, but more than what you can do, you suppose.

>>5562076
"Just passed the martial gate? Or first tempering?" Char's chest puffs up with pride. "I just reached the first tempering!" Ken nods to himself. "And you said you're 12, right?" "12 and a half!" Ken thinks for a second. "Well, if you can break through to the third right now, on the spot, tell me and I'll put down what I'm doing to bring you back."

Char's previous bravado is replaced with disappointment. Seemingly feeling bad, Ken tries to cheer him up. "Well, you can still join. Or try, at least - can't guarantee anything. Assuming you want to enter the sect itself, trials are in the spring and fall. Start of the 4th month and middle of the 10th, I think."

「How do those work?」He turns to you and shrugs. "Like any sect recruits I guess. They check your cultivation and citizenship, do a few tests between the applicants, have an interview. If you want to apply to work in the surrounding town - cooks, laborers, stuff like that, then just the interview and showing off your ability."

「An interview?」He nods. "Yup. Boring, but it needs to be done." He lowers his voice. "...Dunno why I had to help with all of them last time though."

Ken makes smell talk with the two of you for a bit longer before saying that he has something to do and that you should leave. Char's a bit hesitant, but you oblige, and leave him to whatever he's up to. If it's related to his work, you'd rather not interfere.

The two of you part ways once you reach the village and you don't do much for the rest of the rest day, cultivation excluded.

During the week, the first harvest takes place in the agricultural district. The intake prepares for the incoming rush of caravans in and out, trading the local cash crop of Red Lanterns in exchange for more practical goods. That doesn't happen.

The agricultural district harvests the crop. And then they keep it. They sort them out, pack them, and store them all in the largest building they can find, a gathering hall. After a few days, you, and the rest of the lower-level employees, hear of the standoff. If the will of the agricultural district is ignored and their needs not cared for... then they will simply stop contributing. It is their crop to harvest, and their crop to decide what to do with.

This act, it seems, is finally enough to force Percival to negotiate. He can be seen wandering around the intake with an annoyed expression, but it quickly becomes known that he is talking terms with Mei Gi despite that. The situation is tense, but it seems like things are coming to a close, at least.

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>>5562079
One night, you wake up early. No light can be seen creaking in through the gaps in the home, or through the door - it must be the middle of the night. Annoying, but not too unusual. Being early to bed means you also tend to be early to rise. You quietly sit up, leaving the family bedding, and creep out the door. A bit of brisk night air should wake you up. Perhaps you could go for a short walk.

Upon stepping outside, you stop. You can make out a massive plume of smoke in the distance. Much more than would be given off by a campfire. No, something has to be up in flames. Based off the direction it's either one of the woodcutter's homes or something in the agricultural district.
>Go towards the smoke. If something's going on, then you should help.
>Stay where you are.
>Write-In

>>5562083
>Wake up Mum
She needs to be aware and able in case there is a retalitory attack.

>Go towards the smoke, fast
We should help. We're not going to be very liked for showing our face, maybe even accused of setting the fire if they notice us there before them. But I don't see that as reasonable deterrent to us helping out our fellow villagers.

the good will is nice, and we're not a complete monster. Just an alien.

>>5562083
>>5562086 +1

>>5562086
Support.
What happened with the forest guys is still on my mind, but we got to help.

>>5562086
supportan

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>>5562086 >>5562116 >>5562121 >>5562318
You should wake up Nui before you go. At the least, she should be aware of where you're going.

「Mom. Wake up!」You shake her slightly, and she stirs. "Uh - what's going on?! Why are you -" You cut her off.「There's a big fire towards the west. I'm going to hurry over and see if I'm needed. Keep an eye out in case something happens.」You leave immediately after saying that, Nui's voice fading into the distance. "A fire? Wait - that's dangerous!"

It's extremely dark. Scattered rays of moonlight piercing through the trees' crowns are the only thing stopping it from being pitch black. As you do your best to run through the forest, a root catches your foot, tripping you. You barely manage to catch yourself before you keep running. But you don't slow down - there's no time to lose here. Sentient lives may be at risk, and the death of such life without equal benefit is lamentable.

As you struggle through the forest, eventually, it becomes not quite as dark. A faint light in appears in the distance, from the direction of the smoke. You follow the guiding light, picking up speed. Eventually, the trees give way to a wide field, and you can make out what's going on. A massive conflagration in the distance, engulfing a similarly large building. The faint figures of men surround it, scurrying about wildly. You rush to join them.

The brightness of the flames becomes glaring and the figures in the distance clear to the eyes. Many dozens of people rushing about carrying buckets and making ditches, doing everything they can to stop the flames. Men, women, and children all.

You don't know where the water source is, so you grab a shovel and join a group of men building a firebreak. One man strains and grunts as he struggles to drag a plow along, while the others use their shovels to clear anything that could serve as fuel out of the way. A wide path of dirt is slowly built along a field of grass.

There's not much time to process your surroundings as you work. You're in a field. Everybody is rushing back and forth. Many of them seem exhausted, but they keep moving. You can see the veins bulging from the forehead of the man pulling the plow. The firebreak is getting there - it should be wide enough to stop the fire from easily jumping across it at least, if not long enough yet.

Smoke starts drifting over occasionally. It gets hotter. You're covered in sweat and want a drink. It will have to wait. Eventually, you spot something in front of you. It's a little hard to see through the smoke that's drifting over, but after a moment you make it out. It's Mei Gi, almost running forward while pulling a plow behind him, several strongmen alongside him. After a couple of minutes they meet up with your group and the firebreak is finished. Not too soon either - 10 more minutes, and all that work could have been for naught.

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>>5563241
Mei Gi shouts out orders while catching his breath. "The breaks on both sides are done, and the roads on the other two cleared. If your house is in the burn zone but not on fire, get help retrieving what you can and leave immediately. If not, help gather water." Only a moment later everyone runs off, getting to their new tasks despite their exhaustion. You follow after one of them at random to help.

You're not sure how long you help to ferry water. It's long enough to make your arms feel like they're going to fall off. The fire burns down very slowly and the breaks need to be watched on all four sides just in case, to make sure that it can't jump over. By the time the blaze starts dying down, the sun has risen. There are still flames - lots of them - but less than before. The smoke starts clearing, and you can at least get a glimpse of what's left.

Torched houses, almost a dozen of them, still crackling and falling apart. A massive rectangle of flames, burning wood, and coals in the center of it all - likely the origin of the fire. An exhausted horde of people in the three-digits, many covered in soot. A depressing sight, but you suppose that the worst is over with.

An old woman comes around, carrying food and drink. You thank her, receiving a bowl of porridge and a skin of some sort of greenish liquid. It has a sharp, acrid taste, and you can only say that you hate it. The sheer flavor of it forces away some of your tiredness and brain fog though, so you drink it all down regardless. Your stomach's protests go unheard.

With the rise of the sun, many more people gather. Those from the sawmill and the woodcutters first, and then a trickle of those from the center of the village, which is furthest away. Nui comes in the early morning, and lectures you. You can't quite process all of it, and in the end you're not sure if she's chiding you or praising you. You think it's both.

At some point you spot Mei Gi walking along, looking hale and hearty despite the exertion. He notices you, and offers a small nod before continuing on his way. You glance at where he's going and see your boss, Percival. He looks upset.

You stare at the two. They talk quietly for a moment before parting ways. An hour or so later, a carriage arrives with supplies. Sleeping bags, food, et cetera - whatever is needed, really. You help unpack it all. Those affected accept it without any pretenses. Everyone is far too tired for those.

Around noon, you leave. You're still not quite sure what happened, nor if you were able to help all that much, but you're satisified. Even the few nods and tired, muttered thanks you received from the men you were working with were more than you expected or needed.

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>>5563245
You take the rest of the day off. Nui seems concerned by your appearance but you simply tell her you're fine before dragging yourself into the bedding and falling asleep. You're woken up for dinner, and stay awake for a bit before going back to sleep again. Despite the half a day that has passed since everything, your body is truly exhausted.

The next day. Everything aches and you have a slight cough, but you're alright besides. You go to work, as per normal. There, you can finally listen to enough small talk from those not personally affected to put together what actually happened.

The gathering hall storing the first crop of the season caught on fire. Probably torched by someone, given how quickly it went up in flames. Afterwards, another nine houses followed it. All in all half the yearly harvest; the homes, possessions, and land of a couple dozen people; and several of the guards who were watching over the gathering hall are all lost. As for the guards in question... the agricultural district is still looking for them. Whether they got caught up in the fire and are buried in the ruins or if something else happened, they don't yet know.

Near the end of the workday, you happen to hear another piece of gossip. One more worrying than any of the others. While taking inventory of one of the storehouses, a great many things were found missing, with only one commonality between them - they were flammable.

Someone committed arson, and they used the intake's resources to do it.

You don't get much time to think about this information before it's time to head to Huo Mi's. All you really know is that this is all... concerning. When this news gets out, not if, it will cause an uproar. And you're not looking forward to it.

Huo Mi seems to think the same. "Hey, kid, I have an idea. Why don't we go on a bit of a hunting trip? You've got most of the basics of basics besides butchering down, and nothing better for learning than getting to put it all into practice." She clears her throat. "And besides... heading out into the woods for a week or so sounds like a good idea right about now. Troublesome things are brewing."

You consider the suggestion.
>Well, why not. A hunting trip will do well for your skills, and you don't like the current situation in the village. You'll some time off.
>Not right now. You should stay in the village while everything is working itself out.
>Write-In

>>5563246
>>Well, why not. A hunting trip will do well for your skills, and you don't like the current situation in the village. You'll some time off.

>>5563246
>Well, why not. A hunting trip will do well for your skills, and you don't like the current situation in the village. You'll some time off.

>>5563246
>Well, why not. A hunting trip will do well for your skills, and you don't like the current situation in the village. You'll some time off.
I'm kinda worried about Kinzou's mother but I doubt she out of all people would become a target for obvious reasons.

>>5563246
>Why not?

We don't have the power to act yet. This is a good break, and hope that mum will be fine.

>>5563262 >>5563292 >>5563306 >>5563366
Alright, hunting trip it is. Can I get three 1d100s?
Difficulty of 50, the more passes the better.

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>5563670

Rolled 20 (1d100)

>>5563670

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>5563670
YEEEEEEART

>>5563728
You saved this roll

>>5563728
SEVEN THOUSAND BLESSINGS ON YOU WISE SAGE

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>>5563262 >>5563292 >>5563306 >>5563366 >>5563728 >>5564092
A week in the woods does sound like a nice getaway from whatever headaches are likely to crop up in the near future. You'll go for it.

「Works for me. How much should I bring?」She shrugs. "You should know best. Just bring what you'll need. Remember to keep weight down or else you'll regret it."

With that decided, you're sent off to start your preparations. Brynn and the rest of the older workers get off a bit later, so you head to the intake first to schedule your time off. Best to get it out of the way while everyone is still there so that you don't bother anyone.

"So you want the week of the 15th off? Kind of short notice, but not a big deal. Got it. Remember to come back afterwards - there's always paperwork waiting." Jing Mao scribbles a note down without looking up at you. A moment later, the sheet of paper it's written on disappears into the forest of papers covering his desk. ...You hope he doesn't lose it.

Nui is a bit more worried about the outing, and seems to intend to load you up with enough food to last nearly the entire week in the woods. You reassure her though, making sure she knows that Huo Mi will be there and that she knows what she's doing. It is only after a mighty effort that you manage to get the size of your pack down to a somewhat sane amount.

Birdsong fills the early morning air as you arrive at Huo Mi's, still getting the tiredness out of your system. After circling around the house you spot Huo Mi in the back, tending to her garden. She glances at you for a moment before turning her attention back to it. ...And then looks back at you, for longer this time.

"I know I said to that you should know best, but, uh..." She trails off. "You brought too much." You smile awkwardly.「It, uh, wasn't my choice. Mom kind of made me take it...」"Ah. Well, you can leave part of it in the house. In the meantime, I'll finish up here."

About an hour after dawn. You're both all ready to go. You carry a relatively small pack while Huo Mi, despite her warnings about weight, has something much larger. A piece of wood thrown across her back with two bags strapped down to it. One almost bulging full, and the other completely empty. You look at her load questioningly and she just laughs. "Weight is a problem for you. Not so much for me."

The pair of you leave the village and keep going due west through the morning. Familiar forests turn unfamiliar, even though the vegetation is pretty much the same. By the time you take a break in the afternoon, you might just be further away from Fogtop than you've ever been before. You try to stay composed, but the mere thought makes a bit of excitement well up within you.

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>>5564414
"We're on a good pace. Should be good to reach camp before dark." Huo Mi speaks through a mouth full of food: bread, cheese, and few odds and ends you gathered from the forest besides.「Reach camp?」"Yup. Have a few places hidden away for outings. Wouldn't call them comfy, but they're better than nothing."

The two of you finish eating quickly and continue on your way. All the walking makes you a bit tired but thanks to your first tempering, it's only just that bit. You'd imagine that most of the villagers would have no choice but to take a longer break by now. The thought brings you a bit of pride, although remembering that you still need to get stronger wipes that pride all away again.

Regardless of any tiredness, you're finding the whole experience rather relaxing. The two of you just walk through the forest, occasionally talking, occasionally listening to the surroundings. Sometimes you stop to gather food or ingredients. It's pleasant.

As Huo Mi is in the midst of explaining the uses of a particular plant you spotted, she cuts herself off and stops. She gestures for you to do the same and leans in. "I hear game. Follow me." Saying that she crouches down and starts creeping along. You follow, doing the best you can to stay silent.

The two of you stare out from a bush. A deer stands some distance away, eating at the grass. The angle isn't the best, but... "You could get a shot." As Huo Mi whispers she points to your bow. You follow the prompting and pull it out.

It takes a while for you to feel confident with lining up the shot. It's all harder when you're trying to hide like this. Eventually you do have the arrow nocked and everything lined up though. You adjust your position, getting ready to let loose - and the deer turns to stare at you.

You're startled and loose the arrow immediately, hoping to get the deer before it can run off. A meaty thunk sounds out as arrow hits flesh, barely managing to bury itself at the top of the deer's back. Too far up. As the creature lets out a sound of distress you go to ready another arrow, but Huo Mi acts first.

The deer is already running off by the time you hear the swish of an arrow shooting through the air, but that prevents little obstacle. An arrow lands in its side, causing the deer to stumble and crash into a nearby tree. Huo Mi bolts up. "I'll finish it. Drag my pack over."

>>5564419
By the time you get her massively overweight bag over you find that the deer is dead, its throat slit. Huo Mi crouches next to it. "Time to show you how to work on a real piece of meat. If you don't want it to rot, we'll have to act quick. First, let's get the arrows out."

What follows is a bloody, but interesting process. Huo Mi had gone over the basics beforehand, but the real thing is very different. You have to be painstakingly walked through the process of removing the arrows, cutting the deer open, taking out organs, and prepping meat.

It takes a while, and a few mistakes, but eventually you get the job done. At that point Huo Mi wraps the prepared meat up in part of the hide and then hurries you along, wanting to hit the camp so that you can start preserving it all before it spoils.

Everything smells like blood and salt right now - your nostrils are absolutely filled with the scent of both. You'd put something in your nose to block it all, but, uh the chance for that is long past. No, right now you're busy slicing and curing meat, and it's going to be some time until you get to wash off.

Huo Mi watches on from the side. "You're getting it. Not a fan of how the end result tastes, but it's the most practical when we're moving around." Huo Mi pats her giant bag, now a bit deflated. "Brought plenty of salt." She falls silent for a couple minutes, just watching. "Where do you want to go from here? I was thinking of either meandering up to the northwest, or heading due south of here."

「What's there?」 "Well, to the northwest, there's a temple or monastery we could stop by. I'd say we could offload any spare game on them, but I don't remember if they're vegetarian or not. As for the south, there's a small mountain. Should be a pretty doable climb if we take the time. I think there was something special about it, but for the life of me I can't remember what."
>The northwest it is. You'd like to see some corner of civilization that's not Fogtop, even if it's only a couple days over.
>To the south. You've never seen a mountain before.
>Write-In