Day of the Tournament Semifinals
“I was attacked by someone claiming to be Zhang Jue’s disciple,” you say. “I must have been poisoned then. Haven’t you heard of the attacks?”
Qilin shrugs. “I have, but they are really none of my concern.”
“It wasn’t my husband,” says Pu’er quickly, anxious to clear Guo Fu’s name. She must be sensitive about the allegations thrown at him. “You know that, right?”
You give the pair a reassuring nod. “Of course. If it had been him I wouldn’t be sitting here right now. I know that you have been inconvenienced by the rumours of Zhang Jue’s apprentice. Have you noticed anything strange recently, Madam Guo?” She seems unwilling to talk, but surprisingly it is Guo Fu that speaks up in his calm, slow manner. “We were attacked by people last night claiming to be from an orthodox sect.”
“That can’t be,” interrupts Yifang in surprise. “Anyone fighting would be cast out of their sect. No one would risk it! Do you know which sect they were from?”
Guo Fu shakes his head. “I don’t know which. They did not say. Still, I managed to fight them off. That is partially why we are here tonight. It is safer for Pu’er.”
You briefly wonder if Qilin knew about this when she invited the two, but quickly discard the idea. She wouldn’t be that kind, would she? “You can stay here for the night if you want,” you offer, glancing at the one you are renting the room from. She doesn’t seem perturbed by the idea. “After all, I’m already paying for the room. Two more people won’t matter.”
“No, we can’t.” Pu’er shakes her head. “That would be too much hospitality from you, Young Master Guan. Besides, it might get you into trouble.”
“I’m already in trouble,” you laugh. “A bit more won’t matter.”
“Let us accept their kindness, Pu’er,” says Guo Fu. “Just for tonight.”
“But you are fighting Young Master Guan tomorrow!” argues his wife fervently. “What if-“ Too late, she realizes the insinuation of her words. She looks at you, horrified and shamed. “I am sorry! I didn’t mean to imply any untrustworthiness on your part!”
“Don’t worry about it,” you say, waving off her concerns. “It’s expected.”
“I must apologize on my wife’s behalf.” Guo Fu bows his head. “It is my fault for being too gullible. She has had to keep an eye out for me all this while, so she is rather sensitive about such matters.”
“I said not to worry about it,” you grin cheerfully while slapping the big guy on the back. “
“If… if it is a concern,” Murong Yandi speaks up, “perhaps I may be of help. Let me watch over Guo Fu and his wife. It is not like I have anything else to do. They can continue staying at their place. I think this is what my Master would want me to do…”
“That is great,” you say, “I’ll help you out and we can take turns.” If there is an attack tonight, it could be a chance for you to capture one of the assailants and interrogate them, no matter if they are connected to the mysterious people-in-black, or if they truly are orthodox sect pugilists.
“Oh, you won’t be doing that,” says Qilin airily. “You’ll be staying right here. You want to get rid of the poison, right?”
“Is it going to take that long? I think Cao’er already knows how to remove it.” You turn to Cao’er. “I think it was the Yuhua Duqing Palm. You’ve seen it before, right?” She peers at you closely, and then shakes her head.
“…it’s similar, but different. Not the same attack Granddad healed you from… the qi is crueller… more persistent.” She doesn’t seem to be able to articulate what exactly is different, but you will have to accept her diagnosis that it isn’t the Yuhua Duqing Palm.
“Yuhua Duqing…” mutters Qilin, blushing slightly. “I didn’t know you were the sort to eat, shoot and leave without paying. How scandalous.”
“I’ve never even been there,” you sigh. “But enough about that. I need to find these black-clothed weirdos. Don’t tell me you aren’t curious.”
“I am, but…” Qilin pauses and thinks. “No, we won’t accomplish anything by running around at night trying to find them.”
“Why not?”
“Luoyang is too big and there are too many possible targets for them to attack. They could be anywhere. Even with a hundred of us, you would have to get lucky to encounter them again. You are better off resting tonight.”
“That doesn’t sound like much of a plan.”
“It’s advice. Sound advice, coming from an adult such as myself who thinks more clearly,” she grins. “Besides, why do you care if they start spoiling Zhang Jue’s disciple’s name?”
“Perhaps you should care too, seeing as you are fighting a mysterious masked fighter in the next round,” you retort. “With luck, they could turn out to be related, and you could end up in trouble too.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much about that,” says Qilin dismissively. “I don’t really plan to go up against her seriously anyway... it would be more trouble than it is worth. I’ve already completed my mission successfully and gathered enough information to work with.”
“Her?”
“Oh, a woman can sniff out another woman easily. My nose is particularly sensitive. Besides, I already spied on them fighting during the preliminaries – they are definitely foreign-trained. I’m not sure why they are here, of course, or why they’re hiding themselves.” It looks like Qilin has come to the same conclusion that Cao’er has from her own experience.
“How do you know that?” asks Murong Yandi.
“In my family business we encounter all sorts of people,” says Qilin unabashedly. “I’ve seen their style before… it is Persian. Really, all of you should get out and see more of the world. Whatever it is, I doubt they’re connected to Yuhua Hall of all places.”
After a while, Guo Fu and Pu’er take their leave – the girl appears to be getting tired after a long day. Murong Yandi goes with them, making good on his word to guard them. You are left in the room with Qilin, Cao’er and Yifang, having finally convinced the Miao girl to help you keep an eye on Nameless.
“So, aren’t you leaving?” you say impatiently.
“We still have to treat the poison in your body,” says Qilin.
“How do you plan on doing that?”
“You must be feeling numb right about now, aren’t you?”
You are.
“Don’t worry,” smiles Qilin nastily. “I took special care with your bowl. It wouldn’t have been mixed up with theirs. Of course, I had to up the dose to make sure you weren’t going to secretly run out on us to don your silly mask and prowl the rooftops after you started talking about mysterious criminals. Didn’t notice, did you?”
“Why… do you need… to paralyze me… for treatment?” You force out the words, resigned to your fate.
“Well, I didn’t originally plan it for treatment.” Qilin gives Cao’er a slight nod. “I owed her a favour. But I think we can do that another day, can’t we?”
Cao’er nods in return. “…Jing won’t be in good condition if he is poisoned. I’ll wait till he is recovered.”
“What are the two of you doing?” says Yifang fearfully.
“Right!” says Qilin cheerfully, energetic despite the hours growing late. “Little nun,” she calls out, “you might want to look away if you don’t want to break your vows.” Qilin and Cao’er begin stripping your paralyzed body, peeling away the layers of garments you have on you. The both of them are clumsy about it, though Cao’er is giving off some rather concerning giggles as she does so. Yifang begins chanting a sutra loudly, her eyes shut tight against the impure activities taking place in front of her.
As you are rendered topless, Qilin gives a whistle of appreciation. “Looks like someone has been keeping himself in shape… and what’s with these scars?” She runs her fingers lightly across your scarred back in wonder. “Did you get it while training with Zhang Jue?”
“…no, it was already like that when I first met Jing…” says Cao’er. You certainly can’t reply anymore.
“Interesting,” muses Qilin. She flicks your back hard. “Now, Cao’er, shall we begin?”
***
Surprisingly, you feel much better on the day of the semifinals. Qilin and Cao’er’s less than tender ministrations were strangely effective, though it seemed to tire them out rather quickly. They had spent the rest of the night in Qilin’s room, dragging Yifang along with them – the poor nun seemed rather dazed after your treatment was over, probably having succumbed to temptation and sneaking some peeks at the procedure.
When you arrive, Qilin is already in her Xiaoxiang disguise and has blended into the crowd smoothly. She claims to have a plan in place to unmask Nameless, but isn’t telling you anything about it for now. You wonder if you should seek her out and offer any help you can. Murong Yandi and Guo Fu haven’t arrived either – they could just be late, but you are slightly concerned that they may have run into trouble.
Before you can decide what to do, however, Yifang walks up to you, her face blushing furiously as she remembers the events of last night.
“I-I bring word from the Abbess. She, Grand Taoist Zhengchong, and Abbot Fangzhang have summoned you. It’s about what you said last night.”
“You told them?” You stare at her. All of them had agreed to keep it a secret last night, including Yifang.
“Of course I told them. It is only right that we refer to their wisdom in such matters,” replies Yifang.
“You promised,” you point out, grinning slightly.
“W-well, I… anyway, I told and that was it! I’m sorry!” She looks even more similar to Cao’er when she pouts, finding no way to reconcile breaking her promise and her duties to the Eight Sects. It is not too much of a problem for you – you had expected her to inform the Abbess, at least, but Miecao bringing in the heads of Wudang and Shaolin is something you had not predicted. Still, you wonder if you should heed the summons.
***
A. You head off to try and help Qilin with her plan against Nameless before their fight. You are intrigued by this Persian fighter, and would like to see what you can uncover. They must have a reason for appearing in masks.
B. You are slightly concerned that Murong and Guo are still not here. You head out to find them, hoping that they have not gotten into trouble. The people harassing Guo Fu cannot be ruled out as being connected to the ones in black.
C. You heed the summons of the Abbess. This is not something you can turn down lightly, and an excellent opportunity for you to finally meet the two strongest martial artists in person. They might know something you don't.