The Path Unending (A Cultivation Quest)

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For a very long moment, you stare at this most surprising sight and think.

Common wisdom would say that you simply followed the wrong trail. After all, no group of ordinary Seated farmers, no matter how numerous, should be able to take down a beast the strength of the Cavern Bringer. Ancestors above, the thing buried houses by accident.Slaying it would be a task for, at the very least, a team of Soldiers, if not a Farmer or two working in coordination. The idea that these anam-deprived souls slew the beast instead is… it's laughable, quite frankly.

But you cannot let your preconceived notions blind you to the truth. If you did that, you would be forgetting your Senior Sister's lessons. And that would make you unworthy of the name Caretaker and also make your Senior Sister poke you in the head- perhaps even from across the continent, though that seems unlikely. So instead you will regard the facts that you have collected without bias.

Fact one: no one harvested the Cavern Bringer. If any Artist had slain the beast, they wouldn't have let the treasure trove that was its carcass lay untapped. Any Spirit Beast would have eaten it and so would any Vestige. So whatever killed it either was too powerful to get any benefit from the body or ignorant of the riches it represented. The latter could certainly be true with the gobsmacked farmers you're staring at.

Fact two: you found no other trail leaving the Cavern Bringer's last stand. There were footprints from livestock aplenty, but you didn't find any signs of anything else noteworthy leaving the battleground. There was only the uneven path which, you can now surmise, was made by the farmers walking away from their farms and into the forest without any care for woodcraft.

Though why they were headed into the forest still leaves you puzzled. You will have to ask them when you have finished sorting your thoughts.

Fact three: the mole was slain by both an enormous headwound and dozens of small punctures that covered it head to toe. You've no clue what caused the headwound- another question for them, you suppose- but the punctures? Those could easily be caused by spears. Well, it would be easy for any spears made with anam, but these…

You narrow your eyes and focus your Sixth Sense on the weapons themselves, blotting out everything else around you with the ease of long practice.

It may be buried beneath the Cavern Bringer's blood, but the spears do have small traces of anam! It's entirely in the spearheads, and not one head is the same. You detect traces of beast, life, an ephemeral aura you think may be shadow, and even a bit of something fragrant and sweet- wait, that feels like an apple!

…is that even an aspect?

Disregarding that- and making a note to look into it later- the fact remains that the spears all have trace amounts of anam buried in their heads. It isn't much; you doubt a single drop of it would survive being cycled, but it's there nonetheless. And that means the spears could have been used against the Cavern Bringer.

The facts are clear. Either this is the most bewildering coincidence you have ever encountered, or these farmers had at least some hand in the Cavern Bringer's death.

You still have so many questions though- namely 'how'. Also, 'what'. And perhaps you will even ask 'huh?!'. But in order to answer any of those questions, you need to pause your deliberations and actually ask them.

So after another moment of contemplation, you let out a long breath and raise one hand. "Good day…" you begin, trailing off when you realize you've no idea how to address unaffiliated Seated. Should you be calling them brothers? Do you just say 'Seated'? That seems rude, but you haven't a better idea. Well, besides just not addressing them. You disregard the thought and start again. "Good day. We are from the Delving Heart and-"

Anything else you might say is buried beneath muffled thunder as two dozen knees smash into the forest lomb like they've been shoved there by the hands of angry spirits. "This humble shepherd greets the Artists!" one of them bellows out, staring determinedly down at his feet. "We, the citizens of Shi Lu Yu, are honored by your regard!"

The loud, almost screamed greeting gives you pause. You had heard that Sect Artists commanded a great deal of respect from the Seated of the Empire, but there is a vast difference between hearing it and seeing it for yourself. Awkwardly, you clear your throat and begin anew. "Um… my thanks, citizens of Shi Lu Yu. It is… nice to meet you?"

You can almost hear Mei Daiyu roll her eyes. She steps towards the farmers and inclines her head at a slight, precisely calculated angle. "You honor us with your greeting," she states, a slight smile on her lips. The farmer's eyes widen as they stare at her and one wobbles in place, nearly falling face first into the dirt by the slightest touch of Mei Daiyu's regard. "But please, rise. We-"

Before a single knee can lift from the forest floor, Mei Daiyu takes a quick step to the side to avoid Zhuan Kun as the noble presses forward to stand at the head of your group. His face is a stormcloud as he looks from farmer to farmer and his hands twitch with wrath denied. "Hours ago, something slew the Spirit Mole that made this land it's home. You will tell me what you know and you will tell me quickly."

Despite his agitated appearance, there is no rage in Zhuan Kun's voice itself. There is only certainty. If these farmers know anything, the knowledge will fall from their lips like figs from a tree. There is no other choice.

The farmers hear it too. None of them begin speaking, however. Instead they all pale further, shrinking down upon themselves in the face of Zhuan Kun's presence. Several tremble, and one particularly aged sort loses complete control and collapses. The noble ignores the reaction to his presence in favor of fixing the still standing Seated with what he must imagine is a stoic expression that you are fairly certain the farmers are interpreting as a promise of death.

Mei Daiyu seems to agree. She steps forward again and lashes out, her elbow burying itself into Zhuan Kun's side- or rather, attempting to bury itself in his side. Her strike barely glances off of his abdomen. It's enough to draw his focus though. His attention shifts to Mei Daiyu who he stares down, annoyance radiating off of him like a palpable force.

Your friend barely seems to notice. She shakes her arm idly and glances at it, a slight trace of something that might one day grow up to be appreciation in her voice. "Ancestors above, what are you made of?" Mei Daiyu mumbles before shaking her head briskly. "Asking like that won't get us any answers, Lord."

Zhuan Kun's expression is unmoved. "I assure you, it has proven effective in the past."

Mei Daiyu's eyes flash with violet fire. "Oh, no assurances are necessary. I'm quite certain you are correct. But look at them; they're no warriors, and you're going to frighten their souls free from their bodies!"

"Without proper application of anam, such a feat is unlikely," comes the immediate answer. "And I know no such technique- though I will see if I can access one when we return." Zhuan Kun pauses as he seems to make a mental note to research such a skill. "And if they fear me, all they must do is tell us what we wish to know."

A scoff erupts from Mei Daiyu's throat. "Spoken like someone who has never known…" she begins before trailing off, seeming to think better of her words. "You cannot just walk up to people and make demands of them!"

"...have I not done just that? It seems possible to me."

"Spears!" Mei Daiyu groans out. "Yes, it's possible, but you shouldn't do it"

Mei Daiyu looks like she may tear her hair from her head and you turn, watching them out of the corner of your eye as you return your focus to the farmers. They are watching the byplay with wide eyes and slack jaws. With each word from Mei Daiyu, you can almost see them fall just a little bit more in love, with each response from Zhuan Kun burying that worship beneath terror.

You wait for a moment longer. But as Mei Daiyu and Zhuan Kun continue to bicker, you sigh and step forward. If you are going to learn anything from these farmers, it looks like it is up to you.

You turn your focus to one farmer in particular. He's kneeling towards the front of the group and is tracking the back and forth between your companions with wide eyes and a swiveling neck, as if he is a beast tracking a bird in flight. Unlike some of his fellows, his posture is strong and he does not seem to be near toppling over. You offer that one farmer another brief nod. "Good day," you begin again. "I am Kong Zhi, Eighth Circle Disciple of the Delving Heart. May I ask your name?"

The farmer doesn't react in the slightest to your words. After a moment's pause you clear your throat and try for a third time, and this time he seems to hear you. The farmer flinches back and stares at you in shock. One of his hands- the one not clutching a spear he likely made himself- reaches up and gestures at his own chest as he seeks confirmation that you are speaking to him.

When you give him a short nod, the farmer's chest seems to grow three sizes. He throws his shoulders back and his face beams with pride as he answers, "This humble servant of the empire is Cao of Shi Lu Yu, Lord Artist, and he thanks you for your regard!"

"It is good to meet you, Cao of Shi Lu Yu," you reply- before pausing as Cao seems to waver in place from the sheer weight of the honor you have bestowed on him for saying his name. When the farmer recovers, you continue. "My companions and I are on our way to Mockingjay and we couldn't help but notice the body of the Cavern Bringer in… are those your fields back in the village?"

"No, Lord Artist!" Cao bellows back. "My own farm lies an hour's journey to the south! The lands the beast fell in were Hiwu's!" Another farmer, several heads back in the group, starts at the sound of his name and looks around for the source. When he spots you looking at him, Hiwu blanches and turns his stare back towards the ground.

Alright then. You ignore Hiwu's sudden desire to become one with the earth and address Cao once more. "Very well. My companions and I couldn't help but notice the Cavern Bringer's body lying in Hiwu's fields. Do you or your friends know anything about the circumstances that led to its demise?"

Silence is your answer. It spreads out through the forest like a thick blanket, smothering even the sound of the farmer's nervous breathing. Sweat beads on Cao's forehead and behind him, Hiwu's staring contest with the ground intensifies. The quiet only gets deeper and more cloying the longer it continues until it seems like a physical force that is physically restraining the men and women before you from speaking.

Eventually, under your expectant gaze, Cao has no choice but to respond. His head jerks up and down like a puppets as a ragged gasp escapes his lungs. "Yes, lord," he eventually manages to get out. "We are responsible for the death you speak of."

A ripple of horror greets his words. The other farmers flinch back from Cao as if afraid he will be struck down for his raw temerity at any moment. Even the farmer himself pinches his eyes closed as he waits for doom to befall him.

You barely notice the response. You're too busy reeling at the confirmation. Logic and the elimination of other possibilities had led you here, but hearing it put into words? The shock has you rocking back on your heels. When it goes, it leaves you with nothing but burning curiosity. "I see," you answer slowly. "But that begs further questions. Namely: how?"

Another farmer, an aged one who doesn't bother taking the time to introduce himself, looks up with confusion writ large on his features. "How?" he echoes in a raspy voice. "It… we stabbed it, Lord. Many times. The beast was large, but anything can die if you bleed it enough."

"I saw as much," you answer dryly. "You most certainly stabbed it quite thoroughly. But the fact remains that flesh strengthened by anam cannot be overcome by strength and steel alone, no matter how strong or how sharp. So my question remains."

Another ripple of confusion passes through the farmers. One glances over to her partner and leans in, voice pitched low in an attempt to escape your ears. "Anam? What's that?"

"Shut it!" comes the hissed reply. "We can ask later if we live through this!"

Their bewilderment is shared by most of their fellows. Only a few farmers seem untouched by it. Cao seems to still be stunned by his own daring and is incapable of feeling anything else, while Hiwu is now attempting to burrow through the dirt forehead first. But it's another farmer that grasps your focus: a tall, swarthy fellow. The look on his face isn't confusion. It's confirmation- as if you've just put one of his deepest suspicions into words.

You pace to the side and stop, standing directly in front of the farmer. "And you are?" you prompt.

There's very little of the terror the other farmers are feeling in his voice when he answers. "I am Shim of Shi Lu Yu, Lord Artist. I thank you for your regard."

You nod at his words. "And I thank you for yours, Shim of Shi Lu Yu. Now, perhaps you can enlighten me. Do you know how your band of stalwarts were able to overcome the Cavern Bringer?"

Shim lowers his head in a gesture that could either be a nod or a bow. "Yes, Lord. The plan was mine, and I would be honored if you allowed me to tell you of it."

"Please," you answer, noticing that Zhuan Kun has stopped bickering with Mei Daiyu and is now paying the utmost attention to the conversation. "I would love nothing more than to hear it."

"It is as you say, Lord," Shim states. "We would never have been able to pierce the beast's hide with just our arms. But the mole monster has been no stranger to our fields; it's been our scourge for months! As it went about it's business of destroying everything we owned, we got to watch it, and we got to see what hurt it."

"It was never bothered by iron or wood. Whenever we tried to run it off it just ignored us and kept digging out the fields." Shim sounds almost admiring as he continues on. "But it never could ignore the other monsters. It would attack those lizards, the sheep with the sharp teeth, and even birds that shone like rainbows and anything else like 'em. It always won the fights- but it never got away without being hurt."

"Sometimes it was just a scratch. Usually it was less. But the monsters hurt the mole! That meant there had to be a way to do it! So we went out into the Forest and found whatever we could that the monsters left behind." Shim indicates his spear and you glance over, realizing for the first time that it's head is made from what looks to be a luminous eggshell. "There wasn't much, but we found everything we could- and we made spears out of it all."

You turn and look at each of the spears clutched in the farmer's hands. Sure enough, every spearhead contains a bare trace of anam. You spot another made of eggshell, several tipped with fallen teeth, a few that look to have been hewn down from bone, and one that looks to be a spire of stone the size of your hand. Not a single one of the spears has enough anam to even be the most rudimentary of materials- you're fairly certain the wool you stuffed the Nestinglights with was more potent- but even the barest trace of anam can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. If the farmers say that they used these facsimiles of charms to strike down the Cavern Bringer, you cannot gainsay them.

"I see," you slowly answer. "Those would perhaps be able to penetrate the beast's hide. But… how were you even able to strike at it? With it's speed and mobility, it would be miraculous for you to hit it once, let alone as many times as you seemed to."

From there, the rest of the farmers begin to chime in. Perhaps sensing that you're not preparing to end them for their daring to exist, more and more details begin to flow. And the picture their words paint is honestly impressive.

The Cavern Bringer, it seems, had a taste for honey, likely from the hives of nearby spirit bees. It would frequently destroy anything between it and a beehive before tearing the comb down and consuming it whole. The farmers, after watching it gorge itself in an orgy of syrup and stingers, concocted a way to use the beast's love against it, and seeded the ground near the beehives with every last toxic plant they could find. When the fields of death bloomed, the bees harvested the pollen from the noxious blossoms, and passed the small touch of death contained within onto their honey.

From there, it was just a matter of waiting. The Cavern Bringer eventually discovered the tainted hive and tore it down, swallowing comb and bee alike in it's haste. The effects of the poisonous treat ensued soon after; the Cavern Bringer was rendered foolish and almost drunk from the meal. It had tunneled through field after field in a wild, zig-zagging course that ended with it colliding with an underground stone that even it couldn't dig through. When it had emerged, it had been woozy and bleeding from the head- which is when the farmers struck.

"Ingenious," you muse. "But why go to all the trouble? Surely you knew that an Artist would come to slay the beast. Why risk yourselves and your land?"

A scoff erupts from Shim's throat before he can stop himself. "We requested aid long ago, Lord, and we have heard nothing."

"It takes time for even the fastest message to travel," Mei Daiyu chimes in, worry clear in her voice. "And your mission only just arrived in our halls. Had you waited just days more, the beast could have been dealt with without risk to yourself or damage to your lands."
"Shim is, if anything, understating matters, Lady Fairy," Cao chimes in again. "When he says we called for aid long ago, we called for aid… it must have been nearly a year ago now. We needed help, and when none came, we had no choice but to stand alone."

"The Seated must stand!" a voice calls from the back. The words bring a half-hearted cheer from the gathered throats, though some cast wary eyes at the three of you and remain silent.

You turn and glance at your companions, both of whom meet your eyes and offer a slight shrug. Those words bear the sound of a practiced slogan, one you doubt that any of these farmers came up with themselves, and it's not one any of you are familiar with. But then again, that hardly seems to matter right now.

Further questioning reveals very little else. The farmers conceived this plan months ago, made the spears in secret, prepared their tainted hive, and then proceeded to wait. When their plan proved more successful than they imagined mere hours ago, they left the body behind to venture into the forest and clear their lands of the toxins they had unleashed- and to stash their spears in a safe place.

"Why hide the spears?" you ask. "Are you afraid someone will steal them from you?"

Cao looks at you as if you've grown a second, even redder head. "Lord Artist, these spears helped strike down a monster. Other villages would give their eye teeth for a single one! And if they don't, then the tax collector will not be happy. Such weapons are… frowned upon by Mockingjay. If they were found in our homes, we would have to pay a fine at the very least."

"A fine?" another farmer calls. "They wouldn't stop there! They'd take half the crop and the spears besides if they didn't just run us off the land! Better to hide 'em for when we need 'em again."

A murmur goes through the crowd and you pause, looking around at all the faces. It sounds almost ludicrous, but you cannot see one face that isn't convinced that the ramshackle spears they've made are unto artifacts of power, well worth risking everything to maintain. You bite back a chuckle and shake your head. "I'm certain you have your reasons," you say. "But I must admit, it seems a bit far-fetched. Your spears are… cunning work, but I cannot imagine anyone seeking them out to-"

"I want them."

"-steal them. It- wait, excuse me?"

The words are so sudden that you almost miss them. When they do register, you spin and look at their source: Zhuan Kun. The noble scion is staring at the spears with a determined look on his face, heedless of the horror his words have caused in the farmers.

"With these, two score Seated were able to slay a beast in the realm of the Farmer," your companion states. "In my hands, they should be capable of far more. I will take them and strike down a beast at least half again as strong as the Cavern Bringer with each one. This will be my penance for not arriving fast enough to slay the beast myself."

With his piece said, Zhuan Kun stalks forward, hand extended. He plucks a spear from Cao's hands as if taking candy from a small child and weighs it. "Imbalanced," he mutters. "This will be a true test."

Despite his words, you don't think you've ever heard Zhuan Kun happier. But his happiness is the farmer's worst fear. Some of them clutch at their spears as if they were their dying children while others point them at Zhuan Kun as if they think they can send him to meet the Cavern Bringer.

"Zhuan Kun!" Mei Daiyu protests. "They made those spears; if they wish to hold onto them, then you've no right to their possessions! You cannot just take their property!"

The noble pauses where he stands, another spear clutched in his hand. "I do not seem to be having any difficulties," he answers.

"I am not having this conversation with you again," Mei Daiyu growls out. "Give the spears back to the nice farmers, Zhuan Kun. If you really want them, talk to them and come up with a fair price!"

Her words seem to bewilder and confuse Zhuan Kun. "Fair… price?" he mumbles, sounding like he's heard those words before, but never put in that specific order and context.

"She's suggesting that you buy the spears, Zhuan Kun," you chime in. When that does nothing to alleviate Zhuan Kun's sudden confusion, you continue. "Purchase them? Like you would a charm? Or something you saw at the market? I'm certain that the good people here could be convinced to part with their weapons for a fair and reasonable cost."

One of the farmers looks like he doesn't like that idea at all, but he shuts up when Shim digs an elbow into their ribs. The farmer's eyes shine with renewed interest as he stares up at Zhuan Kun. "Yes, if you wish to purchase our humble wares, we can certainly come to a fair and equitable arrangement."

Still, Zhuan Kun seems unmoved. You try again from a different angle. "Zhuan Kun, when you see something you want in the market, what do you do?"

"I obtain it," comes the immediate answer.

You wait, but no further elaboration seems to be forthcoming. "And they just… let you take their things?"

"Of course," comes the guileless response. "They are most pleased that they are going into hands that will cherish them. Some may protest, but Yi Tai has words with them. Afterwards they've no qualms…"

Zhuan Kun trails off as an idea suddenly occurs to him. "Ah…I see."

He flicks his wrist. The air around him shimmers and a thick satchel falls to the ground. The noble opens it quickly and begins rifling through it, revealing dozens upon dozens of sealed scrolls. Each one has a single word emblazoned on it, words which Zhuan Kun's eyes read quickly before discarding the scroll and moving onto the next one.

Eventually, he finds what he's looking for. Zhuan Kun stands, clutching one scroll titled 'economic transactions', and allows the others to vanish back into his stasis ring. He breaks the seal and skims it quickly, nodding as the words flow into his mind. When he finishes, the scroll rolls back up and Zhuan Kun gives one, decisive nod.

Then his arm moves and you're hit in the chest by something heavy. You catch the object before it can hit the ground and find yourself holding a thick purse that practically sags through your fingers.

"Is… what?" is all you can ask.

"In order to obtain goods or services, equivalent services or currency must be exchanged," Zhuan Kun states. "That is my collection of currency. Use it to purchase these spears for me. Please."

You trade another look with Mei Daiyu and open the purse, revealing-

-ancestors above, that is a lot of silver.

There are few bronze talents within Zhuan Kun's purse. They're there, of course, but they are like small blights upon a field of pristine silver. Instead of your normal, familiar currency, Zhuan Kun's purse is filled with brilliant silver talents, each worth ten of their lesser cousins.

"...spears," Mei Daiyu mumbles as she looks over your shoulder.

You can only agree- and look up to meet the suddenly avaricious eyes of the farmers.

Zhuan Kun, not knowing or caring about economics, has asked for you to use his money to purchase the farmer's spears. They will take any offer you make, but the offer is still yours to decide. What price do you set?
[] One bronze talent per spear. It's not much, but it should be enough for the farmers to get back on their feet and repair their livelihood.
[] Three bronze talents per spear. In truth, it's more than a length of wood with a near-material strapped to it is worth, but it will be enough to let the farmers get through the season- and probably the next one too.
[] One silver talent per spear. It's an outlandish price, but you- or rather, Zhuan Kun- has the resources to be generous.
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