The Murderer of Suzhou

[Belial]

Spike:
"Fine, I'll fight you." the man hissed before turning his gaze to his younger companion. "It's fine." he commented in a soft voice before gazing upon Yue Shang. "I will give you your fight." the man thought to be Li Zhao growled. "Go outside, I will be there in a moment."

It was news which brought an open distress across the old man's face. "You're crazy, Zhao. You'll be killed." he hastily commented before stepping in between the two. With his halberd before his chest, the open man came to stand before Li Zhao and faced Yue Shang. "Stop and listen to what he has to say! He is not a murderer!" the old man shouted. "Zhao, you think killing this man will save any of us? Calm down."

Zhou Yu
Abandoning his attempt to retrieve the fabric, Zhou Mingli crouched and began to search for a trail alongside Tie Shuo. Yet, try for all they might, they couldn't find the trail the fellow may of taken. It had to be near the thorns considering the fabric had been found in that direction.. Yet, the exact trail couldn't be seen. It was possible whoever had snagged the fabric had forced their way through the brush and continued towards the bounty hunters' camp.

Meia
No one ever came to intercept Ding Yi and her companion. No one was ever even spotted by the duo as they continued along that trail. Even if they had seemingly been heard, no one came looking for them. It was a blessing for the duo as they sped along and followed that northwestern trail onward and onward. Yet, soon enough they came to a realization. The camp was almost out of earshot and the path didn't seem to break away naturally. Perhaps they'd need to force their way through the brush to find a proper trail towards the bounty hunters' camp. Yet, the path they had followed, seemed to run away from the camp and further west by the step.

[Spike]

Spike:
"Fine, I'll fight you." the man hissed before turning his gaze to his younger companion. "It's fine." he commented in a soft voice before gazing upon Yue Shang. "I will give you your fight." the man thought to be Li Zhao growled. "Go outside, I will be there in a moment."

It was news which brought an open distress across the old man's face. "You're crazy, Zhao. You'll be killed." he hastily commented before stepping in between the two. With his halberd before his chest, the open man came to stand before Li Zhao and faced Yue Shang. "Stop and listen to what he has to say! He is not a murderer!" the old man shouted. "Zhao, you think killing this man will save any of us? Calm down."

Yue Shang nodded to the old man. "As I told you outside, I am a reasonable man. I will listen to what he has to say. But if he cannot convince me of his innocence, then I will have to do what I came here for." He turned his gaze back to Li Zhao. "Tell me your side of things, if you will."


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)

[Belial]

Spike
"You'll have to do what ya came here for? Ya mean be the damn murderer for that spoiled ass noble?" Li Zhao hissed as he drew a dagger from his pant's hem. "Quiet!" the old man shouted. "Bo, get Zhao out of here before he does something stupid." the old man hissed before turning upon the quiet women within the room. "Perhaps you should explain things, Lady Ning. After all, you are the source of all of these problems." he commented before stepping aside, allowing a clear view of sight of the womae.

The three women stood within the corner of the room, all three showing distress upon their faces. The wrinkled old woman sat upon a small stool and the two younger women stood beside her. "Lady Ning!" the old man snapped to one of the young women, leaving the dark haired lasses to cringe. She was beautiful enough and while she bore a dress of common fabric, it was of excellent weave. While around her neck, laid a necklace of fine beauty. Slowly, almost reluctantly, she stepped forward and away from the other women and she came to stand beside the older man. As she drew closer, a fine ring of redness was apparent around each of her eyes while the faintest hint of tears stained otherwise flawless cheeks. In a soft, almost uncertain voice, she spoke as her gaze drifted away from Yue Shang and to the floor. "They are right, sir. Mister Li Zhao never murdered anyone.. he was protecting himself from my brother. My brother saw us as we prepared to flee and he tried taking me back inside. Mister Zhao attempted to stop him and.. well, my brother struck him. The two of them started fighting and my brother drew a knife. He died upon his own knife during the struggle. Mister Zhao only attempted to defend himself.."

"And it is my fault that was put into that position." she softly admitted.

[Zhou Yu]

Abandoning his attempt to retrieve the fabric, Zhou Mingli crouched and began to search for a trail alongside Tie Shuo. Yet, try for all they might, they couldn't find the trail the fellow may of taken. It had to be near the thorns considering the fabric had been found in that direction.. Yet, the exact trail couldn't be seen. It was possible whoever had snagged the fabric had forced their way through the brush and continued towards the bounty hunters' camp.

Mingli found himself at odds and went back to the bushes, figuring if someone was stupid enough to go there they had to have gone through to the camp. He went back slowly towards the camp and stayed out of eyesight if possible, using brush and trees for cover. He had come to conclusion whoever was hiding or hoarding the treasure was in that camp. Maybe the guy had been right in his face all along. Back to camp they went, but used an obscure enough route. They hoped to avoid being spotted while being able to see what was going on or if those spear guys were gone.


Name: Zhou Mingli
Stats: 49 - 56 -60 - 74 - 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

[Spike]

Spike
"You'll have to do what ya came here for? Ya mean be the damn murderer for that spoiled ass noble?" Li Zhao hissed as he drew a dagger from his pant's hem. "Quiet!" the old man shouted. "Bo, get Zhao out of here before he does something stupid." the old man hissed before turning upon the quiet women within the room. "Perhaps you should explain things, Lady Ning. After all, you are the source of all of these problems." he commented before stepping aside, allowing a clear view of sight of the womae.

The three women stood within the corner of the room, all three showing distress upon their faces. The wrinkled old woman sat upon a small stool and the two younger women stood beside her. "Lady Ning!" the old man snapped to one of the young women, leaving the dark haired lasses to cringe. She was beautiful enough and while she bore a dress of common fabric, it was of excellent weave. While around her neck, laid a necklace of fine beauty. Slowly, almost reluctantly, she stepped forward and away from the other women and she came to stand beside the older man. As she drew closer, a fine ring of redness was apparent around each of her eyes while the faintest hint of tears stained otherwise flawless cheeks. In a soft, almost uncertain voice, she spoke as her gaze drifted away from Yue Shang and to the floor. "They are right, sir. Mister Li Zhao never murdered anyone.. he was protecting himself from my brother. My brother saw us as we prepared to flee and he tried taking me back inside. Mister Zhao attempted to stop him and.. well, my brother struck him. The two of them started fighting and my brother drew a knife. He died upon his own knife during the struggle. Mister Zhao only attempted to defend himself.."

"And it is my fault that was put into that position." she softly admitted.

"If that is true, how do you explain all of the gold that was stolen?" Yue Shang questioned her, lowering his spear.

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]

Meia
No one ever came to intercept Ding Yi and her companion. No one was ever even spotted by the duo as they continued along that trail. Even if they had seemingly been heard, no one came looking for them. It was a blessing for the duo as they sped along and followed that northwestern trail onward and onward. Yet, soon enough they came to a realization. The camp was almost out of earshot and the path didn't seem to break away naturally. Perhaps they'd need to force their way through the brush to find a proper trail towards the bounty hunters' camp. Yet, the path they had followed, seemed to run away from the camp and further west by the step.

Considering the slow and fruitless search leading to this time, leaving the best lead they had was not an option. Cong Ma first looked for the most viable spot to cut through the forested area, keeping to as straight a path as possible (in case they need to retreat, they could just turn around and run back to the path.) with Ding Yi following a few feet behind him. They still want to know details about the camp and the guardsmen. Hopefully spying on the campsite from this distance and with the thick natural cover, the two would remain unspotted.
---------

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

[Belial]

Zhou Yu and Meia:
The search had seemingly soured for both of the duos. Both of them realized the camp possibly held the key to their success, but, a question remained. Just how would they reach it? Both of the duos decided upon a single approach. To enter the camp from an unexpected side and to investigate, to spy upon the men of the camp and find a possible means of discovering the fabled chest. To reclaim what was stolen to benefit themselves, obviously.

Ding Yi and Cong Ma had already passed the camp. They had progressed to far and the camp was well out of sight. Thus, breaking through the brush, they sought upon a southward path to bring them to the back of the enemy camp.

Zhou Mingli and his companion Tie Shuo had already approached from the north. They both realized an approach from the camp's rear might be beneficial and they sought on their path...

It seemed fate itself had conspired to cause that moment. For, just outside of the camp's outer edge, the duos collided. As Cong Ma and Ding Yi pushed aside the underbrush and stepped forth, Zhou Mingli and Tie Shuo emerged from the opposite side of the road... The duos had met and both saw one another. But, a question remained. Would they fight for their prize? Or, work together?

Spike:
"I took it." she softly whispered before growing silent, obviously troubled as she turned her gaze aside and looked upon the ground. "I thought I might use it to buy an estate in the north... May.. we go outside and speak, sir? In private?" she questioned before glancing at the aging soldier, Bo, Li Zhao, and the rest of Li Zhao's apparent family.

[Spike]

Spike:
"I took it." she softly whispered before growing silent, obviously troubled as she turned her gaze aside and looked upon the ground. "I thought I might use it to buy an estate in the north... May.. we go outside and speak, sir? In private?" she questioned before glancing at the aging soldier, Bo, Li Zhao, and the rest of Li Zhao's apparent family.

Yue Shang nodded and gave the young woman a reassuring smile. "Yes, I think that would be best."

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]

Zhou Yu and Meia:
The search had seemingly soured for both of the duos. Both of them realized the camp possibly held the key to their success, but, a question remained. Just how would they reach it? Both of the duos decided upon a single approach. To enter the camp from an unexpected side and to investigate, to spy upon the men of the camp and find a possible means of discovering the fabled chest. To reclaim what was stolen to benefit themselves, obviously.

Ding Yi and Cong Ma had already passed the camp. They had progressed to far and the camp was well out of sight. Thus, breaking through the brush, they sought upon a southward path to bring them to the back of the enemy camp.

Zhou Mingli and his companion Tie Shuo had already approached from the north. They both realized an approach from the camp's rear might be beneficial and they sought on their path...

It seemed fate itself had conspired to cause that moment. For, just outside of the camp's outer edge, the duos collided. As Cong Ma and Ding Yi pushed aside the underbrush and stepped forth, Zhou Mingli and Tie Shuo emerged from the opposite side of the road... The duos had met and both saw one another. But, a question remained. Would they fight for their prize? Or, work together?

Cong Ma took a good look at the two men when they came to view right in front of him and Ding Yi. They certainly did not look like guards or mercenaries; in fact they appeared to be diplomats or some sort of administrative officers. Whoever they were, it was not a good time to talk. Cong shot a rather stern look at the two whie bringing his index finger to his lip, indicating to them not to breathe a word. While Ding Yi eyed them, albeit looking a little confused by their presence, she could only guess that they were also working for lord Guan.

Cong Ma then reverted his attention to his original plan, which was to spot and survey the camp from a distance, breaking through more foliage if required. Ding Yi too seemed to shrug off the unexpected meeting and filed behind her bodyguard. The two men were free to follow, or go their own way.

---
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]

Mingli remained quiet at he spotted the two, his mouth clamping shut at the impulse to speak. He shushed his companion and stayed where he was, low enough not to be seen. He would ask questions when the time was right. For now, following the example of his would be companions, he hoped, would be a good idea. He watched intently the camp that lay ahead of them.

Name: Zhou Mingli
Stats: 49 - 56 -60 - 74 - 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