Today I learned how easy it was for people to fall into Xianxia style Internet Tough Guy-isms.
Anyway, people that think that humiliating them will show that we can respond proportionally must be either joking or are just completely unable to into optics. They aren't going to see it as proportional, they're going to see it as an attack on nobles in good standing as a whole and respond accordingly. If you seriously think they're going to take it as just or fair or reasonable act, you're deluded.
We're not coming out of this as good guys without serious help. We don't have the social skills, the network of alliances or the reputation necessary to spin this in our favour. The only chance we'll have to make this alright is if we get our story out first, we get it out fast and we make sure it comes out of reputable mouths and the facts need to be as in our favour as possible.
Taking their clothes does nothing to meaningfully slow their cultivation further than just taking their resources already would and generates a level of ill will that we straight up cannot afford. I know their actions have made you pop a long, hard, throbbing revenge boner and that's drawn out all of the blood that would've been going to your brains but you need to think rationally here. Speak to your doctor if it lasts longer than four hours.
The enemy can escalate in power further than we can. This is not in dispute. Bai's family can't help and even if it could, it probably wouldn't given how cutthroat it seems. The protection we have is the relative approval or disapproval of the elders. If we take it a step further and pointlessly humiliate them if a way that doesn't actually meaningfully help us or hinder them, we lose any possible approval we might have had and make it infinitely more likely that they'll turn a blind eye to any serious escalation.
Another resource we can access to prevent this sort of thing is nobles with a real sense of honour, instead of those that use it as a fig leaf to cover their asses. This means Sun Liling needs to speak out. Han Jian can't help because he's in the political and physical thunderdome with us and would only be isolating himself if he said something. Liling largely stands above the fray and has an existing connection with Bai that makes it easier to approach her. Pointlessly humiliating them will make her more ill disposed to us than she already is, which really, really won't help actually solving the root of this problem.
Besides, it's more than a little bit silly to be planning retribution before we've won this incredibly dangerous fight. Instead, why don't you channel that energy into thinking of escape routes, okay?
Another resource we can access to prevent this sort of thing is nobles with a real sense of honour, instead of those that use it as a fig leaf to cover their asses. This means Sun Liling needs to speak out. Han Jian can't help because he's in the political and physical thunderdome with us and would only be isolating himself if he said something. Liling largely stands above the fray and has an existing connection with Bai that makes it easier to approach her. Pointlessly humiliating them will make her more ill disposed to us than she already is, which really, really won't help actually solving the root of this problem.
I agree with everything you said above except the "Sun Liling needs to speak out". She has nothing to do with this. If anything, Cai Renxiang needing to speak out would be more likely, as she is the only one here with real authority (as in, arguably can order the sect leader to jump).
Also, Han Jian can definitely help. He's high up enough and well connected enough that a few words from him would get people on our side. He has done so already, and will probably continue to do so. Another possibility is Huang Da: he could totally help. I am expecting him to try and do so. Fuck the creep.
I'm also not as convinced as you are the Bai name means nothing here. For all that a lot of people are going to go against us for it... a lot are going to be wary of going against us because of it, too, especially if it becomes clear that Meizhen is truly attached to us.
This is some pretty stupid stuff. Robbing people at least made sense with Ling Qi's background and gave some material benefit so I supported it to remain with those reasons not minding a rougher journey because of it; stripping them is some heinous humiliation that I see no benefit coming out of. People say that we need to ruin anyone we fight so that they know not to, but that's just not the way people's psyches work and you can see that throughout history. People and empires throughout history have been powerful and terrifying and scared their opponents into a cowering state, but that's not one where the person or state cowering is enjoying it so you see the formation of alliances and plans, with folks who would normally squabble among each other uniting against the worst threat or else delaying action until that threat is at its weakest. That is in fact exactly what we are seeing right now, many banding together to face off against us while we're in a weakened state.
Stripping them would exacerbate that problem without actually providing more material advantage to compensate.
Almost no one say we need to ruin anyone we fight?
What most of us want to do is doing the equivalent of ransom/victor's rights by demanding compensation for the fight, which basically every cultivator in the sect does. It's not about scaring people or ruining them, it's about having some consequences.
Breaking their bones/dignity/etc, however, is about creating a blood feud. The current fight is about either lesser nobles wanting to show off or about higher nobles testing Bai Meizhen. It might be the product of old blood feuds of the Bai family, too.
EDIT: basically, I don't think we are seeing anyone inthread proposing to try to scare them into terror, so the whole argument is a bit of a strawman.
Almost no one say we need to ruin anyone we fight?
What most of us want to do is doing the equivalent of ransom/victor's rights by demanding compensation for the fight, which basically every cultivator in the sect does. It's not about scaring people or ruining them, it's about having some consequences.
Breaking their bones/dignity/etc, however, is about creating a blood feud. The current fight is about either lesser nobles wanting to show off or about higher nobles testing Bai Meizhen. It might be the product of old blood feuds of the Bai family, too.
EDIT: basically, I don't think we are seeing anyone inthread proposing to try to scare them into terror, so the whole argument is a bit of a strawman.
You honestly don't see how breaking their bones/dignity is about trying to ruin them?
While a minority opinion it is certainly an opinion that is there
You honestly don't see how breaking their bones/dignity is about trying to ruin them?
While a minority opinion it is certainly an opinion that is there
It's not about trying to ruin them or make them cower in terror, it's about revenge. I don't agree with that opinion, but that opinion is not born from a desire to be effective or some such, it's born from a desire to hate the people who hurt our friends. It's emotionally driven, and it's not going to ruin them at all.
Anyway! People have been talking about alliances and stuff. So, apparently, standard squad size is 5 people, and it's apparently considered perfect to have a healer there. So!
Leader: Ling Qi
Extremely mobile explosive force: Bai Meizhen
Range: ??? Maybe we poach Gu Xiulan?
Defensive with debuff: Su Ling
Healer: Li suyin
Now, there can be a few variations. It's very possible that Bai Meizhen won't be staying post sect because of familial reasons, and Han Fang could maybe get her role. Likewise Lu Sing might be better for that role instead. Gan Guangli is also a very possible 'tank' role.
The thing is? We need someone who is good at range.
It's not about trying to ruin them or make them cower in terror, it's about revenge. I don't agree with that opinion, but that opinion is not born from a desire to be effective or some such, it's born from a desire to hate the people who hurt our friends. It's emotionally driven, and it's not going to ruin them at all.
Personally I figure Cui will settle it for us because the snek is probably not feeling so charitable. At least one of them is going to have semipermanent damage from this, so if that happens we just loot them dry and leave the poison as sufficient punishment.
Do we want to bother looting them more than just anything that immediately looks tremendously beneficial? I don't imagine an 8v2 fight will leave us in a decent state and we were already in a rush to get to the medical center. Spending the time to gather baubles seems like it would allow for more vultures to gather and for Meizhen to continue weakening.
Anyway! People have been talking about alliances and stuff. So, apparently, standard squad size is 5 people, and it's apparently considered perfect to have a healer there. So!
Leader: Ling Qi
Extremely mobile explosive force: Bai Meizhen
Range: ??? Maybe we poach Gu Xiulan?
Defensive with debuff: Su Ling
Healer: Li suyin
Mmm, I'd say that Ling Qi is Infiltrator + Buffer + Soft Crowd Control, by her current Arts, a pretty opposing triple-roles.
Suyin... She feels like 50-50 on whether she gets drafted or not. Considering her family is only mortal wealthy, instead of cultivator wealthy, it could be that they are paying the Sect tuition fees through the nose, but on the other hand, it is also possible from her personality that she might insist on taking the draft after the Sect tuition is done instead.
Su Ling is clearly a draftee... But her role is odd... She is racially great at scouting, and clearly has skills in hunting. But racially she is also good at illusions... And fire. She is kind of a D&D Ranger mixed with Sorcerer?
Ling Qi feels like a Saboteur. Going beyond enemy lines and destroying supplies or having specific targets. Su Ling also sort of feels the same, what with scouting/hunting/illusion.
Li Suyin I think, if she manages to stay in the sect, will most probably end up being in the military. She wants to be a noble cultivator, and the military is maybe the one place where she can hope to find more of this. Also, as you said, not wanting her family to ruin themselves.
Do we want to bother looting them more than just anything that immediately looks tremendously beneficial? I don't imagine an 8v2 fight will leave us in a decent state and we were already in a rush to get to the medical center. Spending the time to gather baubles seems like it would allow for more vultures to gather and for Meizhen to continue weakening.
I suspect we won't have a choice on what to do at the end but that, if we win, we'll go directly to the medecine hall after looting them.
Thinking that taking two more minutes to loot would put Meizhen in danger, however, is very silly, especially if she just stomps on them. It's even sillier if we manage to finish looting before FVM is down. Keep in ming Meizhen is not 'weakening', she is just slowly getting better.
It's not about trying to ruin them or make them cower in terror, it's about revenge. I don't agree with that opinion, but that opinion is not born from a desire to be effective or some such, it's born from a desire to hate the people who hurt our friends. It's emotionally driven, and it's not going to ruin them at all.
Anyway! People have been talking about alliances and stuff. So, apparently, standard squad size is 5 people, and it's apparently considered perfect to have a healer there. So!
Leader: Ling Qi
Extremely mobile explosive force: Bai Meizhen
Range: ??? Maybe we poach Gu Xiulan?
Defensive with debuff: Su Ling
Healer: Li suyin
Now, there can be a few variations. It's very possible that Bai Meizhen won't be staying post sect because of familial reasons, and Han Fang could maybe get her role. Likewise Lu Sing might be better for that role instead. Gan Guangli is also a very possible 'tank' role.
The thing is? We need someone who is good at range.
I do like the idea of poaching Han Fang, even if it's wildly improbable. Really hoping Ling Qi breaks through to Silver body soon, so she can be muscle bros with Han Fang. Who knows, her "Possible hidden ability?" might have something to do with her unusual height and she'll be as tall as him after breaking through! Seriously, she's a female who's been living on the street eating only what she can scavenge and steal for basically all of her pubescence; being taller than most guys her age is weird, even accounting for the female tendency to start their growth spurt a bit younger.
Also, I hope Fan Hang binds a chatterbox for his spirit because I'm awful.
Please, @yrsillar. Please. Have Ling Qi have growth spurts as long as she keep having breakthrough in her body cultivation before her normal growth is ended. Please.
She needs to be tallest.
I think we should not strip them naked or break their bones. We should try to get Bai Meizhen to spare them and if she still insists on maiming them, try to persuade her by suggesting that the attackers should be punished enough by having their heads shaved completely bald including their eyebrows and no more.
'Flying anything' does. It doesn't matter if it's Sword, Saber, playing card, a tree or whatever'. My bet on the best item though is a Flying Li Suyin.
Still going too far with the hair idea. Humiliating them isn't the answer. Just stick to normal looting. Making what could end up being a playground squabble or a minor grudge escalate beyond standard looting speaks of making enemies for little gain relatively. Our age group are teenagers you think they'll be rational and go 'Oh I just got shamed in public guess I'll backoff...' Hah seems like a good way to get the weight of all their political connections to be brought down upon us. Then there's the fact that then they'd be justified to get revenge in a similar manner. If we don't adhere to boundaries they won't either. What happens if they literally just decide well fuck the consequences We'll just jump her without Meizhen around or someone else does. The Sect is meant to stomp out this kind of behavior...stop trying to encourage it. Escalating grudges don't work in a realistic Xianxia setting which this is trying to be true to. Even then until we have enough power to ignore the potential consequences we shouldn't be taking actions like that anyways.
I think we should not strip them naked or break their bones. We should try to get Bai Meizhen to spare them and if she still insists on maiming them, try to persuade her by suggesting that the attackers should be punished enough by having their heads shaved completely bald including their eyebrows and no more.
Heck, escalating grudges doesn't work in standard Xianxia... unless you're the protag. The genre is overflowing with examples for why being a rampant knob doesn't end well.
Running away wouldn't solve this. It would mean abandoning one of her friends, and it wouldn't even solve anything. This wasn't like before where she could count on her own obscurity making the aggressors forget about her if she escaped the initial conflict. She simply didn't have that any advantage anymore. She had made herself stand out and now all she could do was deal with the consequences.
...She was tired of running away anyway, and these people pissed her off. Maybe becoming a cultivator had worsened her control on her temper, but she really just wanted to beat these people down. Bai Meizhen was worth ten of these hypocritical assholes. She would just have to trust that the girls reputation was true to life. Her flute appeared in her hand, drawn directly from her new ring, and she blew the first note of her melody, calling on the mists once again. She would see just how brave this bunch was.
"Xiao Lian, help the others pin the peasant down," the apparent leader snapped as the mist engulfed them. "Du Xi, activate your formation, now!"
Ling Qi felt a bit of dread in her gut, her instincts for danger screaming at her as the blue glow on the rearmost girls hands expanded outwards in a bubble, washing over the two archers and the boy with the pike, setting their eyes ablaze with a blue glow, and causing the fearful trembling in their hands to cease.
At the same time, the murmuring boy with the pike rapped the butt of his weapon on the ground, and a circle of golden characters flared into existence around him. In response ephemeral chains burst from the ground around Cui, whipping around blindingly fast to coil around and slam to the ground the rearing serpent. Even as Ling Qi quietly crept away from her original position to get a better vantage, she felt the fear in her gut intensifying, had she made a mistake? What was she thinking, fighting this many people at once, she was already down an ally and things had just…
"Arrogance," Bai Meizhen's voice cut through her music and the other sounds like a frozen whip. "To think such a paltry spell could hold a daughter of Bai. Was this your grand plan?" Ling Qi glanced at her friend and shuddered, Bai Meizhen's eyes glowed like golden fire even in the darkness induced by her mist, and the girl had drawn a weapon from somewhere. It had a handle like a sword, but rather than a blade there simply four long flat shining strips of paper thin metal. Her shadow had grown into a dark pool at her feet, and Ling Qi could feel the other girls qi pulling hungrily at her mist drawing moisture from the air to form a mantle of dark waters around Meizhen's shoulders and behind her head, casting her face in further shadow.
At the same time, Cui let out an enraged hiss from the other side, and Ling Qi felt a pulsing ripple of qi in her bones at the same time a loud sizzling reached her ears. The shining chains, holding the serpent corroded rapidly along with the dirt and grass around her, until a single flex of the serpents muscular coils shattered what remained in a hail of rapidly dissolving fragments.
However, her escape did take time, precious seconds that gave the three boys and one girl armed for melee time to close the distance, and for the archers to draw back their bows.
Ling Qi could tell that her attempt to hide herself had failed when she saw the arrowheads train on her position.
Dark qi flooded her limbs as Ling Qi smoothly dodged the first arrow, which crackled with fiery qi, and the second, which felt oddly heavy as it passed over her shoulder when she ducked, not interrupting her song in the slightest. If her mouth wasn't occupied, she would have grinned savagely as she heard one of the archers curse her in the mist.
The other four had converged on Bai Meizhen, they still seemed relatively confident, despite the failure of their companions spell, had it only been meant as a momentary distraction to keep Cui occupied while they ganged up on her? Worry still churned in her gut, she hoped Meizhen would be fine for a few seconds until she could start the next part of the song and distract them.
The group of four split apart as they approached, the one who had done the talking let out an encouraging war cry that seemed to steady his companions hands even as two of them split apart to flank her, bodies blurring under the effects of their movement arts. The third passed the leader straight on, and brought his sword down in a diagonal slash.
It passed by Bai Meizhen without touching her as she swayed to the side, a contemptuous expression on her face, even as the other two approached. A twitch of her weapon hand brought out a nerve wracking scream of metal on metal as the strands of her weapon snapped out, guided unnaturally by the unseen force of her qi. His sword, aimed for a straight thrust, passed under her arm and he cried out in pain, blood spurting from his chest as your house mates strange weapon raked across, shredding his robe and the armor beneath like paper even as dark earthy qi flared, preventing the wounds from being more than skin deep.
Simultaneously, the third boys weapon struck, and this time Bai Meizhen's perfect dodge… was rendered imperfect, as her knee buckled slightly, throwing her off just enough that the boys sword scoured across her shoulder, sheering off a few more tattered shreds of her sleeve, but otherwise leaving her unmarked, protected by her own deep blue qi. It was enough to make the lingering feeling of fear from her initial technique fade though, even as Ling Qi saw her expression of disdainful fury grow darker.
For an instant, Ling Qi hesitated on what to do next, whether she should continue her song or shackle their enemies with the wind. The mist would fade in a short time if she stopped true, but something told her that this battle would be decided one way or the other before it fully faded. To that end, she flicked her wrist and threw, a streak of white flying from her sleeve toward the back of the boy Bai Meizhen had wounded.
The boy jerks and doubles over, gasping in pain as the knife embeds itself in his lower back and Ling Qi took hold of his qi, the wind around them growing fierce and blowing back against the movements of the boy and his comrades. It is almost enough to distract from the scream that erupts ahead of her as The boy with the pike falls to the ground, frantically tearing at his burning and sizzling robe, his qi flaring wildly and quickly beginning to fade. Going by the sizzling dirt and grass around him Ling Qi blamed Cui, who had once again reared up angrily and slithered closer to the ranged foes.
...She was still over ten meters away though. Could the serpent spit her venom? That was terrifying.
She didn't have time to worry about that though, because she had arrows to dodge.
Ling Qi once again wove out of the path of the projectiles, relishing the looks of increasing panic on the boys faces as the arrows thudded into the dirt behind her, despite the shudder that went up her spine as one of them burst into a sudden blaze. That would have hurt. Behind her, Bai Meizhen went on the offensive, her weapon's strands snapping out with a metallic hiss and coiling around the sword of one her attackers to rip it from his hands even as her free hand snapped out, striking the boy across the cheek with a simple open handed slap.
Ling Qi didn't have any time to be bemused by her friends choice of attack though as the force of the blow sent the boy tumbling to the ground, and then he screamed. Wailing in pain like a man who had been set aflame. Ling Qi could see the inflamed red of the handprint on his cheek and the way tendrils of red spread further under his skin.
...She hoped Bai Meizhen remembered not to go too far. The boy who was wounded fell next, falling as the watery mantle over her shoulders exploded outward in a rain of icy needles that peppered the area around her, making the other two flinch back as well. Their counterattack gained them little except another painful repudiative slash from Bai Meizhen's blades that sent one of the two boys stumbling back with much reduced qi.
Ling Qi smiled to see the archers and the girl with the gloves falling back, looking ready to run. She would have to see if she could put a stop to that, they didn't deserve to run after this stunt. Going by Cui's continuing path, the serpent agreed with her.
Then the area around Bai Meizhen exploded in a plume of dust and grit, blasting her mist away from the girls position. Her eyes widened in alarm when she saw Bai Meizhen flung from the mist to sprawl on the ground. A moment later, the dust cleared enough for her to spy it's source. Kang Zihao stood in the center of a small crater, standing tall and serene as he always did in Zhou's lessons. In one hand he had a shining steel shield embossed with the imperial crest in gold, and in the other he held a tall, straight spear with a red tassel just below the blade.
Her dread returned at the sight of of one of the top ranked cultivators in Zhou's lessons, and she suddenly had a feeling she knew why these eight had the courage to insult Bai Meizhen so.
"How pitiful," the handsome boys calm and charismatic voice echoed out over the sound of falling grit. "For one of such status to abuse their lessers. Have you no shame, serpent of the lakes?"
"Do not speak to me of shame," Bai Meizhen spit in response, struggling to her feet. Ling Qi felt a spark of fury when she saw how badly her friends legs were bleeding again. "Do you think me a fool? I had wondered why these curs had elected to bare their teeth so."
"It is my duty to protect the people of the empire from traitorous vermin," Kang Zihao responded smoothly, his posture not changing a bit. "Much as it is fathers to protect our holy empress. I can no more ignore their plight than he would an assassin's knife, and is that not what your entire clan truly is, serpent?"
Bai Meizhen drew herself up, staring down imperiously at the young man despite the difference in their height. "Do not speak as if your family holds a position of pride fool. The Empress will tire of your father in time, just as she has her other playthings. Do you truly think you are something special Kang Zihao?"
For the first time his expression changed, a simple narrowing of the eyes. It happened at the same moment that he spun, deflecting Cui's fangs with his shield and throwing the furious serpent back. "I will bandy no further words with you, serpent. Let us see how well you do without your servant blinding the opposition."
Bai Meizhen's eyes widened in alarm at the same time that Ling Qi's did. She pushed off the ground, willing the mist to darken further and hide her as she leaped back, but it wasn't enough, she felt the pulse of qi as the spear wielding boy appeared in front of her, weapon drawn back to strike. His spear blurred through the air, and though Ling Qi did her best to track it and move, she did not think she would be fast enough.
Her vision exploded into whiteness as a muffled boom sounded, but there was no pain as she had expected there to be.
Instead, there was a familiar, and very loud voice, tinged with strain. "VILLAIN! SUFFER THE WRATH OF LADY CAI!" She opened her eyes in time to see Gan Guangli, towering over with Kang Zihao's spear clutched in a fist the of a small keg, blood trickling from between his fingers and blazing white light shining from his skin. More importantly, she opened her eyes in time to see her sometimes partners other gigantic fist slam directly into her attackers damnably handsome face.
Kang Zihao skidded backward a full five meters, heels digging furrows in the dirt and blood trickling down from a split lip, a furious scowl on his features. "What is the meaning of…"
"What is the meaning indeed," a cold and measured voice rang out, cutting him off. Ling Qi craned her neck to see the source, and unsurprisingly, she found herself looking up at Cai Renxiang, standing atop the ridge on the far side of the path, palms planted on the pommel of the blade buried in the dirt in front of her. She was illuminated from behind by a blazing corona of white light, casting her long shadow across the path. The girl had discarded her disciples robe as well, in favor of a shining white gown with gold hems and embroidery, and the image of a red and gold butterfly's wings splayed across the bosom of the garment, the top of its wings stretching up to her shoulders. "Is this the honor of the capital Kang Zihao? The use of a flimsy pretense to strike at a wounded peer?"
Ling QI managed to straighten up, fighting down the panic she felt at being around so many who were out of her league. It looked to be one shared by the two young men who had engaged Bai Meizhen but were left standing, they looked distinctly regretful as they slowly tried to creep away. The ranged attackers had fled long ago at this point.
Bai Meizhen's venomous gaze was fixed on Kang Zihao's back, and Ling Qi felt a stab of concern out how coldly murderous her friend's expression had become. "It is good to see that there is at least some civility in this place," she said softly, glancing up at Cai Renxiang, and studying the other girls angular features for a moment before returning her gaze to Kang Zihao's back. "I had begun to think all the empire outside of the thousand lakes had degenerated into barbarism."
"You cannot mean to side with this," Kang Zihao said, gesturing to you and Meizhen, looking just a bit nervous. "Lady Cai, please understand the statement you are making. I struck only for the good of the Sect, and of course, the province of Duchess Cai. The presence of one of the Bai…"
"I care not for your petty excuses," Cai Renxiang responded flatly. "I am in no mood for such things today. I have witnessed so much cowardice and dishonor this day that my stomach was turned, and now, upon seeking out one of the few who I expected to be worthwhile for a duel of honor, I find him engaging a pathetic display of banditry? Attempting to strike down a citizen of my Emerald Seas without mercy? Begone from this place, and reflect on the shame of your actions."
Ling Qi blinked, was the shining girl referring to her? Gan Guangli still stood in front of her like a gigantic shield, glowering at Kang Zihao, and so she was beginning to calm down and think. It only made her worry more though, she felt like she was intruding into something she had no business being involved in.
Kang Zihao squared his shoulders defiantly, but she could see his eyes tracking from Bai Meizhen to Cai Renxiang, and then over Guangli and herself, and his own quivering 'allies'. "I see," he said finally. "You make an error, Lady Cai. I will however respect your will in this. If I amy collect my followers…"
"You may take those who still stand," Cai Renxiang's domineering voice cut him off again. "The others will pay the price of loss for their shameful ambush."
Kang Zihao's expression darkened greatly, and Ling Qi saw the grip on his spear grow white knuckled, but he in the end he nodded once curtly, and gestured for the two boys who still stood to follow him. She disliked the idea of them getting away, but if Bai Meizhen wasn't going to speak up in this situation, then neither was she.
"I thank you for your assistance Lady Cai," Bai Meizhen replied somewhat stiffly, her eyes still fixed on the rapidly retreating back of Kang Zihao.
"It is no more than my duty," The other girl replied dismissively, turning her gaze to the two of them. Ling Qi dipped her head respectfully as the other girls intense gaze passed over her. "Guangli, help them gather the belongings of this trash and move it from the road," she cast a disgusted look at those who had been knocked out of the fight. "Bai Meizhen," she then continued, turning her focus back to the serpentine girl, who had Cui once more coiled at her feet. "Recover well. I will challenge you when you have healed."
"It will be my honor, Lady Cai," Bai Meizhen responded politely, and with more respect than Ling Qi had seen her give another person before. "Are you well Ling Qi?" She then asked in a quieter tone, scanning Ling Qi for injuries.
Ling Qi fidgeted awkwardly as she found herself studied by both her friend and the steadily shrinking young man in front of her. Cai Renxiangs gaze burning a hole in her back didn't help either. "I am fine, they weren't able to land a hit on me," she replied with a bit of pride. "Gan Guangli… Lady Cai, thank you very much," she added, remembering Meizhen's lessons and giving each of them an appropriate bow.
Cai Renxiang simply nodded seriously in her direction, while Gan Guangli's stern expression turned cheerful for a moment. Ling glanced away, flushing slightly, why did Gu Xiulan have to put such thoughts in her head.
They turned to practical matters after that, between her efficiency and Guangli's ability to carry everything, stripping the losers of their valuables took only a short time. Bai Meizhen took the time to sit down and catch her breath while they did so, While Cai Renxiang exited in a flare of light to do whatever it was intimidating glowing people did.
They didn't have anything near as interesting as her previous opponents. It seemed they had chosen not to carry most of their valuables with them to this ambush, so it was really only their talismans that could be looted. There was nothing of particular interest to her, so she would likely just sell them off for red stones. Bai Meizhen didn't seem to care either way.
Gan Guangli seemed to have taken his lady's command as one to follow them to the market though, carrying the goods as they went. It was a bit comforting honestly, and Ling Qi suspected that was the point. If someone attacked them again on the way, it would be a direct insult to her as well.
Once she and Meizhen had gotten to the medicine hall, Ling Qi found herself in the awkward position of Meizhen insisting paying for her own wounds to be healed too. Despite the fact that her own healing was going to cost over a hundred spirit stones, apparently Sun Liling's techniques were incredibly difficult to heal from. She could do little but accept though, even as she promised herself to pay the other girl back for the twenty odd stones spent healing her completely.
The sale of the talismans did not take long either, as Ling Qi had enough shopping for one day.
+85 Red Spirit Stones
With her newfound wealth tucked firmly into her storage ring, Ling Qi thought she had quite enough of this day and only hoped those following would be a little less stressful. She supposed she would have to find a new home along with Bai Meizhen soon though. Camping at the vent tonight was fine, but she didn't want to do it every night.
Dexterity 9/25
Stamina 11/20
Wits 10/15
Presence 1/15
Manipulation 2/20
Composure 2/20
Stealth 8/12
Expression 2/12
Intimidation 1/ 3
Persuasion 6/9
Dodge 6/12
Throwing Knives 4/12
Bai Meizhen: ooo
-Good Friend
Gu Xiulan: oo
-Friend
Gan Guangli: o
-Grateful
Kang Zidao: oo
-Fear, dislike
Hong Lin: oo
-Dislike
Argent Peak Outer Disciples: ooo
-Envy, Wariness
You Have FIVE actions for the following week
Select which resources you would like to use in your plan
[] You haven't spent much time with him, but Han Fang seems nice, try to get to know him better?
[] Spend some time with Gu Xiulan try to work out what has her so bothered by Li Suyin
[] Train with Han Jian and his group
[] Look into how Su Ling and Li Suyin are doing and cultivate at the vent
[] Talk to Han Jian see if he has any advice about the current 'political' situation
[] Talk to Bai Meizhen about Huang Da and the other troubling people you've met lately
[] You are grateful to Guangli for saving you...maybe you could do something for him? You can cook a little.
[] Look into sending some money to mother
[] Go House hunting with Bai Meizhen
[] Explore the mountain
[] Head to the market for some shopping
[] Try to puzzle out the tokens left from the test
[] Visit the Archive
-[] Search for a technique
-[] Study formations
[] See about getting some payback, start scouting out the homes of those who have offended you
[] Breakthrough to Silver
[] Cultivate on your own
-[] Physical
-[] Spiritual
-[] Qi
-[] Meridian (which one?)
-[] Art(Which one?)
AN: Two hour vote moratorium, as is usual for turn votes.
Admittedly, it was victory via The Biggest Fish intervention, but we forced them to have to play their real hand and had the actual bait under control, and came out more or less unscathed, and without setting anyone on fire either.
