Tang Dynasty Hunter: 1-2 Meet a Merman

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Two people appear when Pei Jin descends the mountain! In light of her Master's words, are either of them who she's looking for?

Info

• Style: No dressup component
• Event Logs: Merfolk, Zhurong, Drifter, Clasped-Handed Salute,
• Rewards: 3,000 , 1 , 1 , 1

Dialogue Choices

Note: Changing choices when replaying may cost 5

You: (Who should I help?)

• Help Xie Cheng
  • Xie Cheng's Goodwill will rise
• Help Chu Yunqing
  • Chu Yunqing's Goodwill will

Transcript

Expand for script.

• The hat falls to the ground, and the handsome features of a youth come into view. But his ears and neck are...
• You: You... You're a merman?

• Chu Yunqing: I have a name! I am Chu Yunqing

• You: (He has fins behind his ears, and scales on his neck...)

• You: (I'm looking at a real merman.)

• Chu Yunqing: ...You hit me, miss.

• His voice full of indignation, he runs off without picking up his hat.
• The man named Xie Cheng runs off after the merman.
• You: (They're both gone. Ahh, I didn't approach the wrong person, did I?)

• You: (But Master can predict the future, and she is never wrong.)

• Shielding my eyes with one hand, I look into the distance and spot two figures disappearing into the forest.
• You: (Xie Cheng is chasing Chu Yunqing. I wonder what happened. I should go after them.)

• You: (Maybe I can help one of them to stop the chase.)

• You: (Who should I help?)

Help Xie Cheng

• If I don't catch them now, I'll lose my chance.
• You: (Xie Cheng is human, and Chu Yunqing is a demon.)

• You: (As a demon hunter, I should help Xie Cheng hunt down Chu Yunqing.)

• The path is rough, and the gravel sharp. The two of them are starting to slow down.
• I grew up in the mountains, so I'm accustomed to such mountain paths. This path might as well be as smooth as a paved road to me. I soon catch up to them.
• You: I'm here to help you, Xie Cheng.

• Xie Cheng: You?

• You: You can't catch up to him. He's cast a spell.

• Xie Cheng: Oh? What if I do this?

• He leaps agilely over the rocks, his right hand on the hilt of the saber at his waist.
• You: Don't draw your blade!

• You: (What if Chu Yunqing turns out to be Master's friend...? I can't let Xie Cheng hurt him.)

• You: I will stop him for you.

• I take out a talisman and chant silently, eyes fixed on Chu Yunqing's diminishing figure.

• You: Zhurong Summon!

• A fireball launches into the air and smashes right into Chu Yunqing.
• Chu Yunqing: Aah!

• Chu Yunqing: You all are ganging up against me!

• Chu Yunqing wails, clutching his burned shoulder. Staggering back, he jumps into the lake with a splash.

Help Chu Yunqing

• You: (Xie Cheng looks like he's barely in his twenties. He is too young to be aquainted with Master.)

• You: (Master was well-traveled. Perhaps she encountered the merfolk at some point.)

• I decide to help Chu Yunqing escape Xie Cheng.
• You: Chu Yunqing! This way!

• Chu Yunqing: Huh?

• I rush ahead, leaping from rock to rock, and point out a hidden path to him.
• You: I know the mountain paths well. Go that way. I'll stop him for you.

• Chu Yunqing: What? This fellow is a fiend! How will you stop him all on your own?

• Chu Yunqing: No, we'll run away together!

• I shake my head and jump off the boulder. I take out a talisman, chant silently, and prepare to stop Xie Cheng.
• Xie Cheng: Where are you, demon?

• Chu Yunqing: His sword! He's drawn his sword! I'd better run!

• You: Zhurong Summon!

• I finish the chant, and am about to brandish the talisman when the desperate Chu Yunqing crashes into me.
• Spinning about, I lose my grip on the talisman, which lands on Chu Yunqing's back.
• Chu Yunqing: Aah! It burns!

• Stupefied, I watch as flames engulf his shoulder. He howls in pain, and hurtles towards the lake.
• You: (Did... Did I hurt him instead?)

• I hurry after him, but Chu Yunqing has jumped into the lake with a splash.

• Xie Cheng and I race to the side of the lake. We stare at the ripples...

• Xie Cheng takes a moment to digest what just happened. His eyes are wide with surprise.
• Xie Cheng: A fish tail? Why does he have a fish tail?

• You: He's an East Sea merman. Young merfolk are born with legs. Before they fully mature, their legs turn into a tail when they come into contact with water.

• Xie Cheng does not believe me. Frowning, he stares at the fish tail splashing about in the water.
• Xie Cheng: There must be another beast in the water. Or this demon is playing a trick on us.

• You: Look at his ear fins, and his neck...

• Chu Yunqing: You're pretty knowledgeable, miss. But you gave me quite a blow. It still hurts!

• Chu Yunqing shakes out his hair. Curly, wet locks fall on his shoulder. The burn is clearly visible.
• Chu Yunqing smiles at us.
• Chu Yunqing: Well? Don't believe I'm a merman? What if I do this?

• He raises his tail up high and slams it into the water.
• Water goes everywhere. Xie Cheng and I are utterly drenched.
• Xie Cheng grips his saber hilt. His expression is so cold, his face looks frozen. Water slowly drips off him.
• Xie Cheng: Come. Up. Here!

• Chu Yunqing: I'm not that stupid! Why don't you come into the water instead?

• Laughing, Chu Yunqing props his arms on the bank, the shoulder injury seemingly forgotten. His tail splashes about merrily.
• Xie Cheng: If I ever se you again...

• Chu Yunqing responds with an irreverent hum. He swishes his tail to splash water at us again.
• Xie Cheng: Watch out.

• This time, Xie Cheng and I manage to dodge the water.
• Chu Yunqing: Stop chasing me. You can't catch me anyway. So long!

• His tail curves elegantly as he turns and vanishes beneath the surface of the lake.

• You: (Chu Yunqing has escaped. I guess he's not the friend Master spoke of.)

• Feeling lost, I turn to leave, but Xie Cheng stops me.
• Xie Cheng: Who are you?

• You: I told you. My name is Pei Jin. Oh yes, my Master's name is Jiang Zhen...

• I glance at him surreptitiously: he does not react to the name. My heart sinks.
• You: (Xie Cheng isn't the person I'm looking for. Master can't possibly be wrong, can she?

• Xie Cheng: Where did you come from, and where are you going?

• Avoiding his gaze, I say I'm from the mountains, and that I'm headed to the capital to seek medicine for my master.
• Xie Cheng: You're going to Chang'an?

• Xie Cheng: I'm a member of the Royal Guard, and it's my duty to defend the city. I can't let a dangerous person like you enter the capital.

• You: What do you mean by that?

• Xie Cheng: You summoned fire from thin air. I saw it with my own eyes. You may cause trouble in the city.

• Xie Cheng: The capital is the seat of the Emperor, and it must be protected at all costs.

• You: So you wish to stop me from entering the capital? I'm merely searching for medicine to cure my master...

• A few attendants approach from behind Xie Cheng. They are bringing his horse to him.
• Xie Cheng: Your loyalty is commendable. How about this: come with me to the capital, and I will help you find that medicine.

• Xie Cheng: However, you must inform me of your comings and goings, and you may not use your powers without permission. If you do not comply, I shall drive you out of the capital.

• Xie Cheng: And once you've found the medicine, you must leave immediately. You cannot linger in the city. What do you say?

• You: In other words, as long as I am in Chang'an, I will be under constant surveillance?

• Xie Cheng: I am simply inviting you for a short visit.

• But his tone doesn't sound inviting at all. He sounds like he's commanding me to go with him.
• You: (I may have lived in the mountains for a long time. However, I still travel to town on occasion, and I am not devoid of common sense.)

• You: (I have no relatives in Chang'an, and no identification, so I won't be able to stay in an inn...)

• You: (I might get treated as a runaway or a drifter. He's afraid I might cause trouble, and wants to keep an eye on me.)

• You: (Well, I don't want to struggle to find accommodation...)

• You: Then I shall accept your offer. Thank you for your hospitality, Xie Cheng.

• Xie Cheng: Please ride on my horse.

• The corners of his mouth twitch upwards, and almost form a smile.
• You: Wait. Since this is an agreement, I have a condition as well.

• Xie Cheng: Yes?

• You: When I wish to leave the capital, you cannot force me to stay.

• Xie Cheng: You worry too much, miss. When that day comes, I will not keep you.

• Xie Cheng: I give you my word.

• Facing him, I bow with a clasp-handed salute. He returns the salute coolly before leading the way.

• I follow Xie Cheng to the residence of the Marquis of Zhennan. It is in the eastern part of the city. We enter the courtyard.
• The garden is a delightful sight, filled with exotic flowers and plants. The ornate beams and pillars are characteristic of a residence for a prestigious family.
• You: What is that there? Are they performing some ritual?

• I pass through a floral arch, and spot an altar set up ahead. A man holding a copper bell and wooden sword is reciting some incantations.
• Xie Cheng: What is this tomfoolery?!

• I follow Xie Cheng's gaze and see a sickly man seated before the altar. He looks like he's about to collapse.
• Xie Cheng: Bring my brother back to his room. And chase this ungodly scoundrel out of our residence!

• He strides forward with a cold frown, and kicks over the incense table...