North Winds Fall (Xianxia - Survive the Protagonist)
- Thread starter azatol
- Start date
- Original
Varder
Tired Cultist
- Location
- Hell
[X] Xue Chi, please meet the Ambassador for me. I already promised Vang Bo I would take him to the Mountain Palace. With two days travel to get there, and two days back, I'll be away on Tuesday.
Vang Bo seems to know more about our actual skill so he'll be easier pursuaded to play along. Also we might get injured during a fight, and this way we'll have time to recuperate a bit.
Vang Bo seems to know more about our actual skill so he'll be easier pursuaded to play along. Also we might get injured during a fight, and this way we'll have time to recuperate a bit.
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- Location
- Michigan
Also the Fighting club is a respectable and known group for Registered tier families to practice and compete in. It's the fact that Autumn is participating in a Registered level club that's scandalous, if found out.
Her 2nd brother doesn't mind her Sword fighting expertise as long as it's a casual thing. In fact he thinks it's great way to connect with certain people like Vong Bo. But if 2nd brother found out that Sword fighting was something serious for her, he would have to step in. Also, a serious Club fight would shock all of her brothers, even Tuan.
Since Tuan's got a weapon based cultivation, he can recognize Autumn's skill, unlike the rest of the family who all cultivate administration or other non-violent things.
Autumn's brother Tuan is the only one who really knows her skill level. Maybe Vang Bo has a hint after that last strike, but he's foolishly confident that he'd best Autumn in a fight, and he's incredibly wrong.
Her 2nd brother doesn't mind her Sword fighting expertise as long as it's a casual thing. In fact he thinks it's great way to connect with certain people like Vong Bo. But if 2nd brother found out that Sword fighting was something serious for her, he would have to step in. Also, a serious Club fight would shock all of her brothers, even Tuan.
Since Tuan's got a weapon based cultivation, he can recognize Autumn's skill, unlike the rest of the family who all cultivate administration or other non-violent things.
Autumn's brother Tuan is the only one who really knows her skill level. Maybe Vang Bo has a hint after that last strike, but he's foolishly confident that he'd best Autumn in a fight, and he's incredibly wrong.
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Varder
Tired Cultist
- Location
- Hell
Are there many people who cultivate violent-related things?
- Location
- Michigan
Sure, just not many in the Imperial family. Traditionally the Princes and Princesses focused on administration (for the heir & spare), or whatever hobbies were fun for them and helpful for the political situation (for the rest).
Cultivation starts as just an offshoot of trying to get better at something that is your main focus. Like experts in our world who find a way to really excel with lots of practice and feedback, it starts as that but a bit more. That's 1st grade cultivation, which is very common.
Also 4th Grade cultivation (and higher) gives possibilities of violence for everyone. Even the Crown Prince, who focuses on supernatural powers of administration, has the ability to be violent, since he is an Early 4th Grade cultivator. The Emperor is very late stage 4th grade.
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2. Hightown
- Location
- Michigan
[X] Xue Tuan, will you attend to the Ambassador for me? Second Prince forgot that I was already supposed to take Xue Wei to the fashion show in Hightown. It's not my favorite thing to be doing, but as older sister I need to help all of the Princesses look their best.
"You better not hold back," Xue Tuan said as they were riding in a carriage to Hightown.
"I'm just glad I'm not the one taking Xue Wei for princess treatment," Xue Chi added.
It was Vong Bo, her two brothers, and the Sang family Young Master Sang Lou who had met them as they left.
"I've got business in Hightown, Crown Eyes only, mind you. So why not ride along. I'll be in and out, but I'll catch up with you,"
Autumn couldn't estimate how she'd fare in a fight with the scion. His abilities were too different from her own to get a good read, and she'd never caught sight of him using active essence based capabilities.
Xue Chi was quite talkative, "There's another auction today, we should pass by in time to find some of the biggest items on offer."
"Pham's weapons is my favorite," Vong Bo said. "They always have tons of variety and new weapons to try."
Hightown was primarily two long parallel roads, but many less wealthy merchants had shops a bit off the beaten path. Essence Street sold more cultivation aids and rare things, whereas Jade Street was a mix of shops offering beauty and decorative items, as well as practical places like Vong Bo's favorite weapon shop.
Their driver left them in front of the Rare Card emporium on Essence Street.
Categorizing cultivators was difficult, but one primary method was by dividing them between Latent cultivators and active cultivators. While Autumn had a few active essence using powers, most of her essence was locked in place to power her latent abilities.
Active cultivators like Crown Prince could make good use of Cards but they were mostly useless to Autumn.
None of their group were interested in the cards. "Autumn, will you walk with me to Pham's?" Asked Vang Bo
"We'll meet you at the auction," said Xue Chi.
"I suppose we could look around," she said to Vang Bo.
"Sure, see you there," she confirmed with her brothers.
Sang Lou ran ahead of her as she walked with Vong Bo along the cross street.
"The Honorable Young Master has something to attend to," Bo said.
Autumn watched Lou as he looked both ways into the back alleys that ran between shops. She saw her family's enforcer putting his hand on a man's shoulder.
Was that — it seemed like someone she had hosted as a guest a few months ago. Lin family, what was his name? She walked on past the alley.
Reaching Jade street, they turned left to head for the weapon shop.
"What kind of weapon do you want to look for?" Vong Bo asked her.
She was more than happy with her dao blade and training blade. But…
"Maybe a knife or short blade," she said. She had a bit of interest in such weapons.
"Have you seen a long spear, or a reaper's axe?"
"Long spear, I think the army uses those."
They passed a small food stand between the armorer and Mistress Wynn's fashion parlor.
"Most delicious barbecue, right here Master and Mistress. Only 12 coins for a roast barbecue feast!"
The proprietor was a young man. His posture standing by the grill suggested to her swordsman rather than cook. She looked away and walked on.
Fear, shock and stillness overcame her as the cook shouted, "Ladyreaper"!
He had been to the club, or someone else told him of her embarrassing club nickname.
Instead of acknowledging the phrase, she hurried on ahead, Vong Bo following after her.
"What was that about?" he asked, as they passed the parlor and headed towards the weapon shop.
"Didn't want to stay near that shopkeeper if he's shouting nonsense," she said, thinking quickly.
"I'll meet you in the knives section after taking a look at a few things," Vong Bo said as they entered the shop.
She could see three more rooms full of display cases, stands and racks in addition to the entryway. She went to the room on her left, where a long glass case displayed knives and shorter swords of a wide variety.
She glanced and looked past a dozen weapons that didn't match her taste for quality. There was a leaf blade sword that caught her eye, but she was about to pass it by when she heard, "Ladyreaper."
"Bull", she said, speaking the man's nickname. He was broad shouldered and built like a bull, which must have been how the nickname stuck.
"Haven't seen you around this store, ever really," Bull said.
"Got a friend who visits weekly. He's checking the axes. If I'm going to peruse I'll look for a second weapon."
"There's lots of other options instead of using the Dao blade. With your advantages, you could look to a shorter weapon and don't worry about deflecting a strike. Anyway the guys are in the back. Just doing a little impromptu qualifier for some new folk."
This was bad, not just Bull but a whole group of Club members out back. She should have resisted the idea of coming here, if she knew Bull worked at this place.
"I can pop out there for a minute, but I haven't told my friend that I'm part of the club," she said.
"Think he would qualify?" Bull asked.
"He shops here weekly, you probably know him. Vong Bo."
"Oh that guy. Well, good luck, but come on , I'll show you the back."
The sign said Staff Only, but when Bull opened the door, it was a large training room, filled with mats and a dozen club members.
One of the new members was a woman. Nameless family, Autumn guessed. She was tossing her opponent out of the center of the room. Two weapons, one a basic longsword, and the other a wooden staff, were on the ground near the fighters. Had they agreed to fight without weapons?
Bull's assistant, Tooth, shouted, "That makes Blue our new member. We need a new name for the new member!"
But before the argument over the new Club member's nickname could start, Blue's foe ran at her. He almost got a sucker punch in, but at the last moment, Blue sent her foe crashing straight towards Tooth by stepping to the side and pushing him.
Bull stepped towards the center of the training room. "Tooth said the fight is over!"
He snapped his fingers, and suddenly Blue's foe was crashing straight into Bull instead of Tooth.
Bull was great for team fights, because of that trick. He could take the attack meant for someone else, and he was a wall, tough to move or attack. The challenger seemed to bounce right off of Bull and fall back to the ground.
"I was going to let you try out next month, but get out of here!" Bull said. "Now get!"
The challenger stood up, and went out into the rest of the shop.
"I still have a few hours left in my shift, but I spotted Ladyreaper in the shop, so I thought I'd bring her back. Anything to say, Ladyreaper?"
Autumn didn't know what to say, but she looked on at the group of fighters who fought without nonsense and pretense.
"I'm bringing my best, you best do the same!" She said, and to prove her point, she blade stepped across the training room and then back to the side of Bull.
"I'll be back in a few if you're still interested in that leaf-blade," Bull said, as she swiftly took her leave.
She met Vong Bo, who was standing, looking around in the knife section.
"They didn't have what I was looking for. Where did you go?"
"I talked with one of the workers. Come on, let's meet my brothers at the auction."
They left the weapon store, and made their way towards the Auction house on Jade street.
Bo stopped at a small flower shop and presented her with a hyacinth flower.
"It's been a lovely day with you, Xue Thu," he said. "I would like to get to know you more, sometime soon. But I promise not to break the rules like those other guys. I just… I get the sense there's more depths than I've seen. It's not about what my parents want at this point."
Even with practice, the end of a day with one of her guests was always tricky.
"We'll always have today, Bo. And I will ponder finding more time to see you. Wait for my note. This weekend, I have some business to attend to with Second Prince, and with my younger sister. But soon."
It was obvious Vong Bo wasn't planning on going into the auction house. He must not have much to spend, either his parents held back on funds, or he's already spent most of them.
"I will remember. Good Evening, Devoted Princess," he said, and he walked down the street, darting into the back alley behind Jade.
Her brothers were standing at the outermost periphery of the outdoor auction "house". A small building housed the items for sale, but the barker's helpers brought each item outside to be bidded on.
"Find anything?" she asked.
"CAN I GET ONE HUNDRED MILLION?"
Chi pointed behind him as if to answer the question. "The Ambassador from West Winds is here, and he's loaded. He may not be officially here yet, but his pocketbook is."
"Who is bidding against him to build it up so much?"
"ONE HUNDRED MILLION!"
"Park Hai!?" she said, answering her own question.
Her Eldest brother's first assistant, akin to her own Ho Junko, but a more senior figure, since he was next in line for the throne.
Which reminded her. Oh, there was her first. Her servants and those of her brothers had kept their distance, no doubt comparing notes and chatting while they shopped.
"You've got 18 million, if you want to spend it. I checked with the bank manager."
Mostly she didn't deal in cash, since her house and servants were all paid for, but she had a small stipend to buy things. She hadn't spent much, just a few small things.
"Thanks for checking that," she said to her first.
"It's a rare essence sliver, clear colored, 5 centimeters long, 2 milimeters thick," Xue Tuan said to her.
"ONE TWENTY" said the ambassador.
"ONE HUNDRED FIFTY!"
The crowd died down, and the auctioneer encouraged a larger bid from the ambassador, but the ambassador was at his limit.
"WHAT AN INCREDIBLE DEAL. ONE HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION FOR THE RARE ESSENCE SLIVER. WHAT'S OUR LAST ITEM?"
One of the barker's helpers brought out the next item in a closed box. They had no idea what this one was.
"This is another item sold by our anonymous friend. It's a mystery. BEAUTIFUL BOX YOU KNOW. WHAT IF THIS ITEM IS WORTH A BILLION, WHY TAKE THE CHANCE. LETS START BIDDING AT ONE MILLION."
Autumn thought it was silly, and likely worthless, but why not bid for a bit, "ONE MILLION" she shouted.
"Hey, I wanted that," Chi said. "TWO MILLION."
"TWENTY MILLION" shouted the Ambassador.
"Well, I'm out," Autumn said to her brothers.
"TWENTY TWO MILLION" said Chi.
"THIRTY MILLION" the ambassador shouted.
"Me too," Chi said.
After a long pause, the barker said, "GOING TWICE,"
"FIFTY MILLION" It was a new bidder, her First Sister, now part of the Sang family.
That got no more takers, and the First Princess, now Mistress Sang Tia, got her mystery box.
"Let's go visit First Princess," Autumn said to the others.
"Sister, it's nice to see you!" Xue Tuan said first, as they approached.
"One moment, I'm going to open this box. I know what it is," she said.
The box was only a little larger than one that holds jewelry, and as Sang Tia opened the box, she saw what she was expecting.
"Lou!" she shouted, and the Sang family scion who had followed Autumn and Bo briefly, suddenly was standing next to her.
"Yes Princess," Sang Lou said dutifully.
"Come with me. We're finding that supposedly Anonymous seller, and finding out who stole this. The last thing that reminds me of my princess days, and someone steals it?!"
Sang Tia was pregnant, and still bore a menacing anger in her pink and white maternity clothes.
Sang Tia was a latent cultivator like her, but the best Autumn could figure was that her Eldest sister cultivated persuasion or an emotional affliction she could inflict upon someone else.
"You should accompany us as well. Some Xue influence would be of help," she said, turning to Autumn.
Vote:
[ ] Help Sang Tia find the anonymous seller and bring them to justice
or
[ ] Let Sang business remain Sang Business
Varder
Tired Cultist
- Location
- Hell
Badass.
[X] Help Sang Tia find the anonymous seller and bring them to justice
[ ] Help Sang Tia find the anonymous seller and bring them to justice
Protagonist progression
3. Pursuit
- Location
- Michigan
Of Autumn and her two brothers present, Chi was the most administratively focused. She couldn't say exactly what his Way was, though, since it was so different from her own. He wasn't puffed up with pride and ascend to the heavens nonsense like his older brothers.
Autumn knew her own days as a Princess were fading. Someday soon, Second Prince would command her to marry this Registered Young Master or that First Family's Young Master. Maybe she could hope for adventure and marry one of those West Winds ambassadors? The Crown Prince and Emperor delegated all power of controlling the rest of the family to Second Prince, so she didn't dare disturb him, and tried to accommodate his need to seem powerful and in control.
So she asked Xue Chi first. "Do you have an Imperial writ with you?"
"I have a few, Second brother is scarce with them," he said.
"What are you thinking, sister?" Sang Tia asked.
"Xue Chi, lock down the auction house under your Writ, coordinate to wrap up any loose ends. No one leaves the Auction grounds. You and I sister, and Xue Tuan, will confront the Auction master and find out who put up those items for auction. Sang Lou, do what you do."
"My sister has a brain, then," Sang Tia said, laughing. "Lou, secure this for me."
She handed the box to Lou, who quickly vanished from sight.
The Auction master was headed towards the storage building.
"Barker! We have a few questions for you," shouted Sang Tia.
Autumn ran ahead, following her sister, but she felt the surge of raw power and the flash of blinding orange light as the Writ activated, covering the whole Auction field in an invisible bubble that filled the air, and make every motion feeling like brushing up against hair or like a soft blanket on the skin.
People started to run as if they were escaping from an explosion.
"The auction house is under investigative writ. Please stay within the Auction area and you will be unharmed. Please answer any questions asked of you," Xue Chi said.
The stampede slowed, and then stopped, and Sang Tia reached the barker, stopping him.
"Who was the Anonymous seller?" Sang Tia asked.
Autumn and Xue Tuan stood behind their older sister, as backup.
Autumn looked behind her as Ho Junko had retrieved her Dao blade. She took the blade from her first, and Xue Tuan took up his shotel, the rare curved blade Second Prince had sourced for his brother. It was worth ten times over as much as her blade, but it would stay within the Imperial family, unlike her Dao blade.
Sang Tia didn't need a weapon of her own, with their backup, Autumn thought. Her older sister an active cultivator, and likely had a few Cards she could use.
"He's just some kid. Nameless family. Somehow got his hands on these things. I had no idea it was your own family heirloom, Honorable Mistress."
"How would I find him?"Sang Tia asked.
The barker hesitated, but the sight of all three of them caused him to spill the information. "He's just some kid that runs a food stand off of Jade street."
"That one!" Autumn said. "I just walked by the stand earlier with Vong Bo."
"You are staying in the Writ field. The Seller obviously had no legal means of acquiring those items. You facilitate an illegal fencing operation. I'll leave it to the Imperial investigators to decide your judgement. But you know what I think!" Tia said.
"Let's see if the little thief is still at his stand!" Tia turned to her. "Lead on sister."
As the Imperial family investigators closed in on Xue Chi to begin the business of the writ, Autumn, Tuan and Tia left the field behind. She ran right through the field without anything impeding her, and Tuan did as well, but Sang Tia had to push up against the barrier for a second before it would let her pass.
She could have blade stepped twice more without draining her essence, but she wanted to save that maneuver for any actual altercation, and she had wasted plenty of essence showing off to the Club members earlier.
Between the armorer and the fashion parlor, she remembered, and as she approached the food stand, running on the sidewalk, she was forced to spend one of her blade steps as an arrow unerringly tracked her, even after a quick side step.
Her attacker was young, surely the same Food stand proprietor who had shouted out her nickname before. She made a snap decision, he seemed to be deadly, and he knew she was Ladyreaper. It was better to silence the dangerous threat.
"What happened?" Sang Tia asked as she approached, but Autumn barely heard her, instead closing distance with her prey quickly.
A surge of pain and adrenaline filled her as the man fired his bow an instant before her Dao blade slashed at both bow and the arm which held it.
He tumbled backwards, but Sang Tia had to catch her as Autumn almost lost her balance.
"What kind of arrow?" she muttered. She felt nauseous, unsteady, dizzy, uneasy. It was like both her balance and latent magic were knocked off course for a moment.
Tuan confronted the attacker, warily, having kicked the bow away from the man. Sang Tia let go of her, but stayed back. She was no Sword cultivator, and she didn't want to hurt Tuan, no doubt.
Their foe produced a two-handed sword, lightened, more valuable that he could possibly have acquired without guile.
Tuan attacked, and instantly the stranger countered and pressed back against Tuan, and he was forced to defend suddenly and frantically.
"Thanks sister,' Autumn said, shaking her head, and taking a deep breath.
As Tuan confronted the stranger, Autumn simply blade stepped directly behind him. Impossibly, the stranger had turned and blocked her strike before she could slash at him. Finding the stranger's blade incredibly fast and his stroke keen, she barely deflected the reply. The stranger easily repositioned himself to defend against both of them.
Autumn continued her attack, striking his left side, trying to catch his blade's guard and push the man's sword to his right, leaving an opening for Tuan. They had never seriously trained to fight together, only sparring with each other occasionally, so Tuan was unable to exploit the opportunity she was trying to create.
The man was good, very good. She dodged, parried, stepped into superior positions only to find them crumble against his range and incredible reactions. Tuan could only try to strike when the stranger was unable to reply, but even then, he was pushed back.
Autumn found herself facing the surprisingly strong stranger mostly by her own blade.
He had a heavenly level of precognition! There was no other explanation, but it was impossible. Her own latent art of survival precognition was very limited, but it still saved her in club fights. The stranger's ability to nullify every truly winning strike from her was shocking, on an entirely new level from her own.
Now her left arm was bleeding a bit, and he had placed a strike at every limb and was not afraid to go after her head either. She fought frantically, disposing of any pretense of hiding her ability. Both precognition and accelerated perception were needed to barely ward off his fearsome strikes.
She was being pushed until something would break and she wouldn't be able to defend herself anymore. There was no doubt the man could cut her from head to toe in one blink of an eye.
Sang Tia finally did something to help as the fight seemed lost. The stranger's clothes caught fire and before Autumn could take advantage, the stranger was already standing on top of his grill. He ran, fire still burning all around him.
"Ladyreaper, you're on my list!" he shouted before he disappeared into the alley behind Jade street.
That was disastrous, but maybe they didn't know. It wasn't conceivable for her family to think she was the Ladyreaper. But if someone put the pieces together.
She let her left arm go limp, holding the blade loosely, and held the mid-arm where she was bleeding with her right hand.
She relinquished the blade to Ho Junko, who was conveniently right there after the fight. This was the first real use her Dao blade had seen. She had done guard position exercises, to get familiar with the Dao blade, but on a day to day basis she used the training blade.
The stranger was truly a mystery. He fought with incredible latent ability if he was truly Grade Three or lower, but if he was Grade Four, he should have easily dispatched Tuan in one blow, and then achieved a victory against her.
"What the heck was that sister?!" Sang Tian asked.
"I had the same question," Tuan confirmed.
"We should at least go through whatever he left here at the stand, and find out who the authorities say this Stand belongs to," Autumn said. Trying to redirect the conversation.
"Indeed, but sister. My question is, when did you learn to fight like that?" Sang Tian said.
She said nothing, what words could she use to get out of this one? This is why you separate things and people, so that one does not see your deeds with another.
"You didn't learn to fight like that by practice sparring with me," Tuan said. "And certainly not with the friends who visit the dojo with you."
"Whatever trouble Second Prince gives you for your battle cultivation Tuan, he gives three times to me for being a Princess interested in such things. I have my ways."
Autumn would have to go to the Family physician after this. There would be an uproar, in all directions. Including anger at her. Her cuts and scrapes and the arrow embedded in her abdomen hurt only a little, but they had to be dealt with so she didn't have any long term problems.
The food stand was surprisingly abandoned. They found nothing. The stranger had taken all of his possessions with him.
Maybe Sang Tia would give up asking about her fighting skills, but she didn't think Tuan was letting it go. How would she escape this upcoming duel with him after this?
Returning to the Auction field, they found Xue Chi standing with two investigators. They wore all black robes with little gold and orange badges that said Imperial Family Investigations.
"What did you uncover?" one of the two, who had a thick beard, asked.
"We found the likely thief. He ran after an altercation," Sang Tia said.
"We've got a Grade Three threat, possibly Grade Four. He was the operator of the Food stand between Wynn's fashion parlor and the armory. The Merchant authority should have records," Autumn said.
"That one?" said the other investigator. "He's just a harmless kid. No way! He wasn't even a cultivator, yet alone Third Grade. I knew him. Good food, good kid."
The first investigator asked, "Why do you say it's a Third grade threat?"
Autumn replied, quietly, "He had an incredible karmic or precognitive latent ability, he managed to respond to every advantage we could make happen. And when Sang Tia used her own ability to turn the tide, the man managed to leap away from us and make his escape."
"I have no idea what your own ability with the blade is. A simple Grade One fighter could prove menacing if you were a novice with a blade. Forgive me, Devoted Princess, but honestly, I don't trust that you've truly got the professional ability and discernment to know what grade our foe was," the first Investigator said.
"I can confirm her judgement," Tuan said. Autumn cringed, wondering how far his mouth would endanger her. "My sister fought the stranger when I couldn't. And I have been certified as a mid Second Grade Curved Blades cultivator. This fight was behind me, and even behind my sister. Luckily Sang Tia had a trump to change our fate."
"Fourth Princess's skill is such then. That was not widely known," the investigator said. "We'll rate this one Grade Three Plus. We don't know his appearance, since my partner here swears its not the original operator of this Food stand."
"The Crown may want to test you, and make a formal determination of your Grade status, Devoted Princess. It's good you kept such things discrete before now," the second investigator said.
Autumn groaned. Family complications were coming. But on the other hand, they at least had painted a spotlight on this mystery kid.
"I appreciate your judgment and professionalism," Xue Chi said. "But I don't appreciate mockery of our family. Anyone who knows Xue Thu knows she is no lightweight, and not one to speak of things which are outside her knowledge. Be wary!"
"I'll have to part with you here, brothers, sister. I really do appreciate that you still call me sister! Thank you for honoring that with your help" Sang Tia said, smiling. "Next week, perhaps a luncheon at the Sang Estate? Invite your siblings!"
With that, they separated, and the carriage came to pick them up in front of the Auction field. Xue Chi released the Writ field so that the auction goers could finally leave, and they left for the Imperial family estates again.
Her feelings were mixed on fighting someone with such karma or precognition. None of her maneuvers and brilliancies mattered, as he could respond to the most insanely advantageous positions with no sign of stopping.
That he had reacted to her blade step behind him, while fighting Tuan, she was still struck dumb by that. Maybe if Tuan was third grade himself, the fight would be different. If the Family had to get involved again in confronting this man, she wanted the Crown Prince's Fourth Grade Heavenly Lightning to take him down.
She didn't even know how to approach her Eldest brother, since he was rarely ever in the Palace or at his own manor, and his servants refused to give any of the Crown Prince's younger sisters and brothers the time of day.
These thoughts filled her head as the carriage returned to her house, and she said goodbye to Chi and Tuan.
She had Ho Junko get the Family physician. Between her cultivation and focus on fighting, she didn't experience the same pain Xue Chi, would have, for example, and she was more familiar with dealing with it. Even blunted blades hurt when you were struck in the middle of a heated club battle, so she was familiar.
Today was a mixed sort of day, full of interest and trouble. She was happy she got her first chance to bloody her Dao blade, after so many days of working with the training blade. Her head was filled with storm clouds when she considered the days to come. Her neat separation between Club and family might fall apart.
What do you want Autumn to do tomorrow?
Choose Three [block vote]
You must choose Duel or Honest Duel
[ ] Meet with Second Prince to get in front of the controversy from the Auction. [Spin the Auction / fight / Autumn's prowess favorably. Xue Son will ask you to attend to another Registered Family Young Master].
[ ] Take Princess Xue Wei to Wynn's fashion parlor. Introduce her to what it means to be a Princess (fashion, roles and responsibilities). [Makes the lie you told Tuan / Chi truthish]
[ ] Duel with Xue Tuan, try to Lose Convincingly [50% chance Tuan won't buy it. Trouble with your relationship with him if he doesn't].
[ ] Honest Duel with Xue Tuan, try to Win [30% chance Tuan will blab about Autumn's fighting skills]
[ ] Call on Vong Bo, inviting him to meet Monday at your manor. [Build relationship with Vong Bo]
[ ] Spend time with Xue Chi, find out more about his cultivation, and just hang out. [Chance to find out what secrets Xue Chi is hiding, plus builds your relationship with Third brother]
[ ] Look for an opportunity to talk with one of Crown Prince Xue Lee's staff members. Find a way to get a meeting with Xue Lee about the stranger. [30% chance of success.]
[ ] Visit club members, and get a little practice in before the big Club Tournament.
Autumn knew her own days as a Princess were fading. Someday soon, Second Prince would command her to marry this Registered Young Master or that First Family's Young Master. Maybe she could hope for adventure and marry one of those West Winds ambassadors? The Crown Prince and Emperor delegated all power of controlling the rest of the family to Second Prince, so she didn't dare disturb him, and tried to accommodate his need to seem powerful and in control.
So she asked Xue Chi first. "Do you have an Imperial writ with you?"
"I have a few, Second brother is scarce with them," he said.
"What are you thinking, sister?" Sang Tia asked.
"Xue Chi, lock down the auction house under your Writ, coordinate to wrap up any loose ends. No one leaves the Auction grounds. You and I sister, and Xue Tuan, will confront the Auction master and find out who put up those items for auction. Sang Lou, do what you do."
"My sister has a brain, then," Sang Tia said, laughing. "Lou, secure this for me."
She handed the box to Lou, who quickly vanished from sight.
The Auction master was headed towards the storage building.
"Barker! We have a few questions for you," shouted Sang Tia.
Autumn ran ahead, following her sister, but she felt the surge of raw power and the flash of blinding orange light as the Writ activated, covering the whole Auction field in an invisible bubble that filled the air, and make every motion feeling like brushing up against hair or like a soft blanket on the skin.
People started to run as if they were escaping from an explosion.
"The auction house is under investigative writ. Please stay within the Auction area and you will be unharmed. Please answer any questions asked of you," Xue Chi said.
The stampede slowed, and then stopped, and Sang Tia reached the barker, stopping him.
"Who was the Anonymous seller?" Sang Tia asked.
Autumn and Xue Tuan stood behind their older sister, as backup.
Autumn looked behind her as Ho Junko had retrieved her Dao blade. She took the blade from her first, and Xue Tuan took up his shotel, the rare curved blade Second Prince had sourced for his brother. It was worth ten times over as much as her blade, but it would stay within the Imperial family, unlike her Dao blade.
Sang Tia didn't need a weapon of her own, with their backup, Autumn thought. Her older sister an active cultivator, and likely had a few Cards she could use.
"He's just some kid. Nameless family. Somehow got his hands on these things. I had no idea it was your own family heirloom, Honorable Mistress."
"How would I find him?"Sang Tia asked.
The barker hesitated, but the sight of all three of them caused him to spill the information. "He's just some kid that runs a food stand off of Jade street."
"That one!" Autumn said. "I just walked by the stand earlier with Vong Bo."
"You are staying in the Writ field. The Seller obviously had no legal means of acquiring those items. You facilitate an illegal fencing operation. I'll leave it to the Imperial investigators to decide your judgement. But you know what I think!" Tia said.
"Let's see if the little thief is still at his stand!" Tia turned to her. "Lead on sister."
As the Imperial family investigators closed in on Xue Chi to begin the business of the writ, Autumn, Tuan and Tia left the field behind. She ran right through the field without anything impeding her, and Tuan did as well, but Sang Tia had to push up against the barrier for a second before it would let her pass.
She could have blade stepped twice more without draining her essence, but she wanted to save that maneuver for any actual altercation, and she had wasted plenty of essence showing off to the Club members earlier.
Between the armorer and the fashion parlor, she remembered, and as she approached the food stand, running on the sidewalk, she was forced to spend one of her blade steps as an arrow unerringly tracked her, even after a quick side step.
Her attacker was young, surely the same Food stand proprietor who had shouted out her nickname before. She made a snap decision, he seemed to be deadly, and he knew she was Ladyreaper. It was better to silence the dangerous threat.
"What happened?" Sang Tia asked as she approached, but Autumn barely heard her, instead closing distance with her prey quickly.
A surge of pain and adrenaline filled her as the man fired his bow an instant before her Dao blade slashed at both bow and the arm which held it.
He tumbled backwards, but Sang Tia had to catch her as Autumn almost lost her balance.
"What kind of arrow?" she muttered. She felt nauseous, unsteady, dizzy, uneasy. It was like both her balance and latent magic were knocked off course for a moment.
Tuan confronted the attacker, warily, having kicked the bow away from the man. Sang Tia let go of her, but stayed back. She was no Sword cultivator, and she didn't want to hurt Tuan, no doubt.
Their foe produced a two-handed sword, lightened, more valuable that he could possibly have acquired without guile.
Tuan attacked, and instantly the stranger countered and pressed back against Tuan, and he was forced to defend suddenly and frantically.
"Thanks sister,' Autumn said, shaking her head, and taking a deep breath.
As Tuan confronted the stranger, Autumn simply blade stepped directly behind him. Impossibly, the stranger had turned and blocked her strike before she could slash at him. Finding the stranger's blade incredibly fast and his stroke keen, she barely deflected the reply. The stranger easily repositioned himself to defend against both of them.
Autumn continued her attack, striking his left side, trying to catch his blade's guard and push the man's sword to his right, leaving an opening for Tuan. They had never seriously trained to fight together, only sparring with each other occasionally, so Tuan was unable to exploit the opportunity she was trying to create.
The man was good, very good. She dodged, parried, stepped into superior positions only to find them crumble against his range and incredible reactions. Tuan could only try to strike when the stranger was unable to reply, but even then, he was pushed back.
Autumn found herself facing the surprisingly strong stranger mostly by her own blade.
He had a heavenly level of precognition! There was no other explanation, but it was impossible. Her own latent art of survival precognition was very limited, but it still saved her in club fights. The stranger's ability to nullify every truly winning strike from her was shocking, on an entirely new level from her own.
Now her left arm was bleeding a bit, and he had placed a strike at every limb and was not afraid to go after her head either. She fought frantically, disposing of any pretense of hiding her ability. Both precognition and accelerated perception were needed to barely ward off his fearsome strikes.
She was being pushed until something would break and she wouldn't be able to defend herself anymore. There was no doubt the man could cut her from head to toe in one blink of an eye.
Sang Tia finally did something to help as the fight seemed lost. The stranger's clothes caught fire and before Autumn could take advantage, the stranger was already standing on top of his grill. He ran, fire still burning all around him.
"Ladyreaper, you're on my list!" he shouted before he disappeared into the alley behind Jade street.
That was disastrous, but maybe they didn't know. It wasn't conceivable for her family to think she was the Ladyreaper. But if someone put the pieces together.
She let her left arm go limp, holding the blade loosely, and held the mid-arm where she was bleeding with her right hand.
She relinquished the blade to Ho Junko, who was conveniently right there after the fight. This was the first real use her Dao blade had seen. She had done guard position exercises, to get familiar with the Dao blade, but on a day to day basis she used the training blade.
The stranger was truly a mystery. He fought with incredible latent ability if he was truly Grade Three or lower, but if he was Grade Four, he should have easily dispatched Tuan in one blow, and then achieved a victory against her.
"What the heck was that sister?!" Sang Tian asked.
"I had the same question," Tuan confirmed.
"We should at least go through whatever he left here at the stand, and find out who the authorities say this Stand belongs to," Autumn said. Trying to redirect the conversation.
"Indeed, but sister. My question is, when did you learn to fight like that?" Sang Tian said.
She said nothing, what words could she use to get out of this one? This is why you separate things and people, so that one does not see your deeds with another.
"You didn't learn to fight like that by practice sparring with me," Tuan said. "And certainly not with the friends who visit the dojo with you."
"Whatever trouble Second Prince gives you for your battle cultivation Tuan, he gives three times to me for being a Princess interested in such things. I have my ways."
Autumn would have to go to the Family physician after this. There would be an uproar, in all directions. Including anger at her. Her cuts and scrapes and the arrow embedded in her abdomen hurt only a little, but they had to be dealt with so she didn't have any long term problems.
The food stand was surprisingly abandoned. They found nothing. The stranger had taken all of his possessions with him.
Maybe Sang Tia would give up asking about her fighting skills, but she didn't think Tuan was letting it go. How would she escape this upcoming duel with him after this?
Returning to the Auction field, they found Xue Chi standing with two investigators. They wore all black robes with little gold and orange badges that said Imperial Family Investigations.
"What did you uncover?" one of the two, who had a thick beard, asked.
"We found the likely thief. He ran after an altercation," Sang Tia said.
"We've got a Grade Three threat, possibly Grade Four. He was the operator of the Food stand between Wynn's fashion parlor and the armory. The Merchant authority should have records," Autumn said.
"That one?" said the other investigator. "He's just a harmless kid. No way! He wasn't even a cultivator, yet alone Third Grade. I knew him. Good food, good kid."
The first investigator asked, "Why do you say it's a Third grade threat?"
Autumn replied, quietly, "He had an incredible karmic or precognitive latent ability, he managed to respond to every advantage we could make happen. And when Sang Tia used her own ability to turn the tide, the man managed to leap away from us and make his escape."
"I have no idea what your own ability with the blade is. A simple Grade One fighter could prove menacing if you were a novice with a blade. Forgive me, Devoted Princess, but honestly, I don't trust that you've truly got the professional ability and discernment to know what grade our foe was," the first Investigator said.
"I can confirm her judgement," Tuan said. Autumn cringed, wondering how far his mouth would endanger her. "My sister fought the stranger when I couldn't. And I have been certified as a mid Second Grade Curved Blades cultivator. This fight was behind me, and even behind my sister. Luckily Sang Tia had a trump to change our fate."
"Fourth Princess's skill is such then. That was not widely known," the investigator said. "We'll rate this one Grade Three Plus. We don't know his appearance, since my partner here swears its not the original operator of this Food stand."
"The Crown may want to test you, and make a formal determination of your Grade status, Devoted Princess. It's good you kept such things discrete before now," the second investigator said.
Autumn groaned. Family complications were coming. But on the other hand, they at least had painted a spotlight on this mystery kid.
"I appreciate your judgment and professionalism," Xue Chi said. "But I don't appreciate mockery of our family. Anyone who knows Xue Thu knows she is no lightweight, and not one to speak of things which are outside her knowledge. Be wary!"
"I'll have to part with you here, brothers, sister. I really do appreciate that you still call me sister! Thank you for honoring that with your help" Sang Tia said, smiling. "Next week, perhaps a luncheon at the Sang Estate? Invite your siblings!"
With that, they separated, and the carriage came to pick them up in front of the Auction field. Xue Chi released the Writ field so that the auction goers could finally leave, and they left for the Imperial family estates again.
Her feelings were mixed on fighting someone with such karma or precognition. None of her maneuvers and brilliancies mattered, as he could respond to the most insanely advantageous positions with no sign of stopping.
That he had reacted to her blade step behind him, while fighting Tuan, she was still struck dumb by that. Maybe if Tuan was third grade himself, the fight would be different. If the Family had to get involved again in confronting this man, she wanted the Crown Prince's Fourth Grade Heavenly Lightning to take him down.
She didn't even know how to approach her Eldest brother, since he was rarely ever in the Palace or at his own manor, and his servants refused to give any of the Crown Prince's younger sisters and brothers the time of day.
These thoughts filled her head as the carriage returned to her house, and she said goodbye to Chi and Tuan.
She had Ho Junko get the Family physician. Between her cultivation and focus on fighting, she didn't experience the same pain Xue Chi, would have, for example, and she was more familiar with dealing with it. Even blunted blades hurt when you were struck in the middle of a heated club battle, so she was familiar.
Today was a mixed sort of day, full of interest and trouble. She was happy she got her first chance to bloody her Dao blade, after so many days of working with the training blade. Her head was filled with storm clouds when she considered the days to come. Her neat separation between Club and family might fall apart.
What do you want Autumn to do tomorrow?
Choose Three [block vote]
You must choose Duel or Honest Duel
[ ] Meet with Second Prince to get in front of the controversy from the Auction. [Spin the Auction / fight / Autumn's prowess favorably. Xue Son will ask you to attend to another Registered Family Young Master].
[ ] Take Princess Xue Wei to Wynn's fashion parlor. Introduce her to what it means to be a Princess (fashion, roles and responsibilities). [Makes the lie you told Tuan / Chi truthish]
[ ] Duel with Xue Tuan, try to Lose Convincingly [50% chance Tuan won't buy it. Trouble with your relationship with him if he doesn't].
[ ] Honest Duel with Xue Tuan, try to Win [30% chance Tuan will blab about Autumn's fighting skills]
[ ] Call on Vong Bo, inviting him to meet Monday at your manor. [Build relationship with Vong Bo]
[ ] Spend time with Xue Chi, find out more about his cultivation, and just hang out. [Chance to find out what secrets Xue Chi is hiding, plus builds your relationship with Third brother]
[ ] Look for an opportunity to talk with one of Crown Prince Xue Lee's staff members. Find a way to get a meeting with Xue Lee about the stranger. [30% chance of success.]
[ ] Visit club members, and get a little practice in before the big Club Tournament.
- Location
- Germany
[X] Meet with Second Prince to get in front of the controversy from the Auction. [Spin the Auction / fight / Autumn's prowess favorably. Xue Son will ask you to attend to another Registered Family Young Master].
[X] Take Princess Xue Wei to Wynn's fashion parlor. Introduce her to what it means to be a Princess (fashion, roles and responsibilities). [Makes the lie you told Tuan / Chi truthish]
[X] Honest Duel with Xue Tuan, try to Win [30% chance Tuan will blab about Autumn's fighting skills]
[X] Take Princess Xue Wei to Wynn's fashion parlor. Introduce her to what it means to be a Princess (fashion, roles and responsibilities). [Makes the lie you told Tuan / Chi truthish]
[X] Honest Duel with Xue Tuan, try to Win [30% chance Tuan will blab about Autumn's fighting skills]
[X] Meet with Second Prince to get in front of the controversy from the Auction. [Spin the Auction / fight / Autumn's prowess favorably. Xue Son will ask you to attend to another Registered Family Young Master].
[X] Take Princess Xue Wei to Wynn's fashion parlor. Introduce her to what it means to be a Princess (fashion, roles and responsibilities). [Makes the lie you told Tuan / Chi truthish]
[X] Honest Duel with Xue Tuan, try to Win [30% chance Tuan will blab about Autumn's fighting skills]
[X] Take Princess Xue Wei to Wynn's fashion parlor. Introduce her to what it means to be a Princess (fashion, roles and responsibilities). [Makes the lie you told Tuan / Chi truthish]
[X] Honest Duel with Xue Tuan, try to Win [30% chance Tuan will blab about Autumn's fighting skills]
- Location
- Singapore
[X]Take Princess Xue Wei to Wynn's fashion parlor. Introduce her to what it means to be a Princess (fashion, roles and responsibilities). [Makes the lie you told Tuan / Chi truthish]
[X] Honest Duel with Xue Tuan, try to Win [30% chance Tuan will blab about Autumn's fighting skills]
[X] Visit club members, and get a little practice in before the big Club Tournament.
[X] Honest Duel with Xue Tuan, try to Win [30% chance Tuan will blab about Autumn's fighting skills]
[X] Visit club members, and get a little practice in before the big Club Tournament.
[X] Meet with Second Prince to get in front of the controversy from the Auction. [Spin the Auction / fight / Autumn's prowess favorably. Xue Son will ask you to attend to another Registered Family Young Master].
[X] Take Princess Xue Wei to Wynn's fashion parlor. Introduce her to what it means to be a Princess (fashion, roles and responsibilities). [Makes the lie you told Tuan / Chi truthish]
[X] Honest Duel with Xue Tuan, try to Win [30% chance Tuan will blab about Autumn's fighting skills]
[X] Take Princess Xue Wei to Wynn's fashion parlor. Introduce her to what it means to be a Princess (fashion, roles and responsibilities). [Makes the lie you told Tuan / Chi truthish]
[X] Honest Duel with Xue Tuan, try to Win [30% chance Tuan will blab about Autumn's fighting skills]
Varder
Tired Cultist
- Location
- Hell
[X]Take Princess Xue Wei to Wynn's fashion parlor. Introduce her to what it means to be a Princess (fashion, roles and responsibilities). [Makes the lie you told Tuan / Chi truthish]
[X] Meet with Second Prince to get in front of the controversy from the Auction. [Spin the Auction / fight / Autumn's prowess favorably. Xue Son will ask you to attend to another Registered Family Young Master].
[X] Visit club members, and get a little practice in before the big Club Tournament.
[X] Meet with Second Prince to get in front of the controversy from the Auction. [Spin the Auction / fight / Autumn's prowess favorably. Xue Son will ask you to attend to another Registered Family Young Master].
[X] Visit club members, and get a little practice in before the big Club Tournament.
[X] Meet with Second Prince to get in front of the controversy from the Auction. [Spin the Auction / fight / Autumn's prowess favorably. Xue Son will ask you to attend to another Registered Family Young Master].
[X] Take Princess Xue Wei to Wynn's fashion parlor. Introduce her to what it means to be a Princess (fashion, roles and responsibilities). [Makes the lie you told Tuan / Chi truthish]
[X] Duel with Xue Tuan, try to Lose Convincingly [50% chance Tuan won't buy it. Trouble with your relationship with him if he doesn't].
Honest duel feels out of character to me.
[X] Take Princess Xue Wei to Wynn's fashion parlor. Introduce her to what it means to be a Princess (fashion, roles and responsibilities). [Makes the lie you told Tuan / Chi truthish]
[X] Duel with Xue Tuan, try to Lose Convincingly [50% chance Tuan won't buy it. Trouble with your relationship with him if he doesn't].
Honest duel feels out of character to me.
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