The Murderer of Suzhou

[Belial]

Spike
The old man seemed to bristle at those words, but, whatever anger momentarily burned within those eyes quickly faded as he gazed upon that muscular young man. As his shoulders seemed to sag, it seemed as if the man realized he stood no chance for Yue Shang should he press the attack. Yet, his grasp remained tight about that halberd even as he silently admitted his defeat. "What do you want?" he questioned.

[Spike]

Spike
The old man seemed to bristle at those words, but, whatever anger momentarily burned within those eyes quickly faded as he gazed upon that muscular young man. As his shoulders seemed to sag, it seemed as if the man realized he stood no chance for Yue Shang should he press the attack. Yet, his grasp remained tight about that halberd even as he silently admitted his defeat. "What do you want?" he questioned.

"As I told you, I want to know what is going on here. And, keep in mind, it has been a very long day for me, and my patience is growing thin. I'm here to help, if I can. But either way, today, I am an investigator first and foremost. So I would like to know the truth--the whole truth."

Name: Yue Shang
Stats: 67-108-25-70-53
Skills: Gongshu II, Jianshu II, Qiangshu II, Charge, Delay, Challenge*
Items: Spear of Fuchai (+3 Might, Challenge*) Armor (+7 Might), Helmet (+7 Might), Throwing Knives, Text of the Two Worlds (+1 Intelligence, +1 Charisma), Horse (+1 Speed)

[Meia]

With their legs complaining every step of the way, Cong Ma and Lady Ding Yi went about finding the governor's estate. Tiredly trudging into a bar, they questioned as to where they might find the governor and got a set of crude directions to the governor's manor. Following the directions as closely as they could, the duo soon enough found themselves at the base of a fairly moderate estate. A single servant, not even a guard, rested before that estate's sole gate and fence, a waist height affair that seemed more proper to keep animals out than any true threat. With a rather peaceful expression, the young man laid dozing in the sun baked glass and hardly stirred at the duo's approach. Would Ding Yi and Cong Ma awaken him or simply enter?

Ding and Cong Ma examined the sleeping man for a short while, casually observing for any distinctive features and such. Then she looked over at the the estate, wondering if she was at the correct place, having not expected such lax security. She decided to give the place a closer look without waking the sleeping man. They approached the entrance, with Cong Ma cautiously leading the way..

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Name: Ding Yi
Stats: 76-72-47-74-54
Skills: Civil Administrator II, Discipline II, Gongshu I, Military Administrator I, Propagandist I, Public Planner I, Sortie II, Wall I, Yueshu I
Items: None
Followers: Cong Ma; 73-72-50-57-59; Challenge II, Discipline II, Faze I, Politician I
Soldiers: None

[Zhou Yu]

Zhou Mingli and his companion had decided upon their path and now they walked towards their possible salvation or doom. It did not take long for Zhou Mingli and Tie Shuo to reach that camp's edge once more and soon enough the duo was left to stand and observe the camp. Two of the men from before had seemingly returned to that camp. One of them was a mere stick of a man without so much as a weapon in sight while the other sat upon a overturned log with a crossbow within arm's reach. Neither of those bounty hunters seemed to have spotted Zhou Mingli or Tie Shuo. Would they attempt to approach them, sneak past them, or flat out attack the two bounty hunters?

Mingli thought hard of his options. He couldn't fight these men, and he wasn't sure how well he was remembered. He didn't think he had been seen and decided to give his charm a try. He and Shuo walked slowly, their gait casual, trying to make it look as though they had gotten lost. Mingli looked at the two men as he got closer and looked at the crossbow, hoping he wouldn't be shot for being lost. He approached, staying far enough away not to be dumb and looked around.

"Hello good sirs, I was wondering if you know the way north. I was on my way to visit a friend and have found myself very lost." He put his hands up to show he had no weapon, hoping his companion did the same.

Name: Zhou Mingli
Stats: 49 - 56 -60 - 71 - 90
Skills: Artisan I, Diplomat II, Engineer I, Politician II, Poison II, Haste II
Items: Book of Shi(Jud +2), Exotic Robe(Cha +3), Jewelry(Cha +3)
Follower: Tie Shuo;76-55-69-72-36/Escort 1, Propagandist 2, Scribe 2

[Belial]

Spike
A look of honest pain crossed the old man's features as his hand loosened about that halberd's shaft. With a quivering and distant gaze, he stood there and seemed to shrink underneath the weight of his own thoughts. His shoulders sagged ever so slightly. "You are a bastard. A damnable bastard who risks everything they have striven for." the old man almost whispered. "My nephew is inside." he continued as he closed his eyes.

Meia
The young man hardly seemed of note, he was of average build and average height. Only a hint of a beard laid upon a otherwise hairless face while short locks trimmed his ears. The man wore clothing of good quality, yet, poor cloth, that served to hint at his own status. The man was likely a lounging servant, likely stealing a nap out of the sight of the house's master.

Yet, even as the duo approached the gates, the young man hardly seemed to stir. Yet, their every step allowed them to draw closer and examine the estate. The gate was unlatched and could easily be brushed open. The household was quiet and still within last hours of the day and not so much as a peep came from within. Not even the smell of a fire seemed to hint at anyone actually being in.

Zhou Yu
While neither Zhou Mingli or any of his companions had been spotted within their earlier confrontation, the young lord's voice had been heard. It was a risk to approach and confront the men, doubly so after their previous run in. Yet, Zhou Mingli had decided upon that risk and he had seized it. Approaching the camp, he began to look about. Stealing every moment he could to find the supposed carriage... He'd need to draw closer, it seemed.

Calling out to the men within the camp, those bounty hunters stiffened and turned. Yet, they made no outward aggressive signs. The only hint of hostility was a scowl upon the stick of a man's face. "Way north, ey?" the scowling man questioned as he rose from his seat. "You're headin' the right way, ya are. Come on through and pass." the man announced.

Yet, by the time the man had made his proclamation, Mingli believed himself to have found his goal. While not the carriage itself, it seemed a crude path had been broken from the side of the road and into the underbrush...

[Spike]

Spike
A look of honest pain crossed the old man's features as his hand loosened about that halberd's shaft. With a quivering and distant gaze, he stood there and seemed to shrink underneath the weight of his own thoughts. His shoulders sagged ever so slightly. "You are a bastard. A damnable bastard who risks everything they have striven for." the old man almost whispered. "My nephew is inside." he continued as he closed his eyes.

"Nephew...?" Yue Shang asked the man, his eyes narrowing on him. "Who is your nephew and what is he doing here? Tell me everything."

Name: Yue Shang
Stats: 69-108-25-73-53
Skills: Gongshu II, Jianshu II, Qiangshu II, Charge, Delay, Challenge*
Items: Spear of Fuchai (+3 Might, Challenge*) Armor (+7 Might), Helmet (+7 Might), Throwing Knives, Text of the Two Worlds (+1 Intelligence, +1 Charisma), Horse (+1 Speed)

[Belial]

Spike
The old man had discovered a seemingly newfound vigor as he suddenly lurched forward. Nearly hauling Yue Shang off of his horse before he could react, the old man held Yue Shang there by grasping at his very breastplate. "Swear to me," the old man nearly hissed, "swear to me you will listen to everything before you judge! Swear to me or I'll kill you!"

[Spike]

Spike
The old man had discovered a seemingly newfound vigor as he suddenly lurched forward. Nearly hauling Yue Shang off of his horse before he could react, the old man held Yue Shang there by grasping at his very breastplate. "Swear to me," the old man nearly hissed, "swear to me you will listen to everything before you judge! Swear to me or I'll kill you!"

"I am not an unreasonable man," Yue Shang assured him. "I will listen to everything you have to say. I give you my word."


Name: Yue Shang
Stats: 69-108-25-73-56
Skills: Gongshu II, Jianshu II, Qiangshu II, Charge, Delay, Challenge*
Items: Spear of Fuchai (+3 Might, Challenge*) Armor (+7 Might), Helmet (+7 Might), Text of the Two Worlds (+1 Intelligence, +1 Charisma), Sapphire Pendant (+3 Charisma), Throwing Knives, Horse (+1 Speed)

[Meia]

The young man hardly seemed of note, he was of average build and average height. Only a hint of a beard laid upon a otherwise hairless face while short locks trimmed his ears. The man wore clothing of good quality, yet, poor cloth, that served to hint at his own status. The man was likely a lounging servant, likely stealing a nap out of the sight of the house's master.

Yet, even as the duo approached the gates, the young man hardly seemed to stir. Yet, their every step allowed them to draw closer and examine the estate. The gate was unlatched and could easily be brushed open. The household was quiet and still within last hours of the day and not so much as a peep came from within. Not even the smell of a fire seemed to hint at anyone actually being in.

How curious...Ding and Cong detected the smell of a fire from within the house, and this fellow was napping outside? Ding and Cong looked at each other, rather bewildered. Motioning for his charge to stay behind him, Cong Ma cautiously proceeded to step into the house from its main entrance. If the coast is clear, they will go in to investigate, first to find the source of the fire.

---------
Name: Ding Yi
Stats: 76-72-47-74-54
Skills: Civil Administrator II, Discipline II, Gongshu I, Military Administrator I, Propagandist I, Public Planner I, Sortie II, Wall I, Yueshu I
Items: None
Followers: Cong Ma; 73-72-50-57-59; Challenge II, Discipline II, Faze I, Politician I
Soldiers: None

[Zhou Yu]

While neither Zhou Mingli or any of his companions had been spotted within their earlier confrontation, the young lord's voice had been heard. It was a risk to approach and confront the men, doubly so after their previous run in. Yet, Zhou Mingli had decided upon that risk and he had seized it. Approaching the camp, he began to look about. Stealing every moment he could to find the supposed carriage... He'd need to draw closer, it seemed.

Calling out to the men within the camp, those bounty hunters stiffened and turned. Yet, they made no outward aggressive signs. The only hint of hostility was a scowl upon the stick of a man's face. "Way north, ey?" the scowling man questioned as he rose from his seat. "You're headin' the right way, ya are. Come on through and pass." the man announced.

Yet, by the time the man had made his proclamation, Mingli believed himself to have found his goal. While not the carriage itself, it seemed a crude path had been broken from the side of the road and into the underbrush...

Mingli was happy, very very happy, but he kept his demeanor calm as he nodded to the men. He wondered if these men knew about the path and decided it would be best to come at it from a different direction. He decided to go through the camp and see what he saw for clues(he knew they were up to no good) and would circle back around once out of sight to get to that crude path if possible. He didn't look at it and made sure to be out of arm's reach of the men. He was charming, not stupid.

Name: Zhou Mingli
Stats: 49 - 56 -60 - 71 - 90
Skills: Artisan I, Diplomat II, Engineer I, Politician II, Poison II, Haste II
Items: Book of Shi(Jud +2), Exotic Robe(Cha +3), Jewelry(Cha +3)
Follower: Tie Shuo;76-55-69-72-36/Escort 1, Propagandist 2, Scribe 2