https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rVUvtw_iNc

“I remember only consenting to being a bed. Not a chair.” You say making a grab for Xin Lan who simply swaps shoulders.

“I don’t need to ask. I’m your husband.” They reply. “I have the right to grab you as I please.”

“I’m so glad the two of you managed to get remarried while I was away. Was the wedding nice?” Ming teases. “I’m sure Ren was very happy. Where is he by the way?” She asks looking around. “I thought he’d be here when I woke up.” You and Xin Lan exchange looks.

“That’s…” They start.

“It’s a long story. Best if you get comfortable.” You say as you dive into the long tale of your awakening, the exploration of the ruins, meeting with the Empress and the journey to the camp. Unlike the story you told the Brotherhood, you spare no detail in what you saw and learned. By the time you finish your tale, the sun was bright enough that you think it’s getting closer to noon. Ming remains quiet and allows you to finish your long tale before wrapping her arms around you in a tight hug.

“It’s not fair.” She says. “All this work and you end up getting banished.”

“It’s not so bad. Just look at me. I don’t belong to any country and I turned out just fine.” Xin Lan says proudly. “Besides, it’s not like anyone could stop the big guy if they wanted.”

“Hien did say it was mostly for theatrics. Appease the nobles and get their support by thinking she did a great deed. Most of them would rather make the problem go away than actually deal with it. Xin’s right. I could just come back whenever I want. I suppose barring an official pardon, this is the best thing that could have happened. Prison or death would have been the only alternatives in anyone else’s mind.” You agree. “I suppose being banished also means I have no one to be beholden to as well.”

“China is your home. You can’t just give it up like that. You grew up here. Risked your life for it. You’re still doing it now. You can’t just say it doesn’t mean anything to you.” Ming insists.

“I’m not but Xin and Hien do have a point. Regardless if I’m allowed to live here or not, that wouldn’t have stopped me from doing the right thing. Titles are just that. Titles. I won’t let them dictate what I can or can’t do.” You say. “But there’s more important things to worry about anyways.”

“You’re right but it doesn’t mean I’m happy about this.” Ming relents as she rubs her eyes. “I knew the library was lost but this…there’s no words. Who could be so evil as to do something like that? I don’t think anyone we’ve ever faced could imagine something as wicked as what you saw. There’s…there’s just no words for it.”

>What do you say?
>Ask Ming about how she became the leader of the Library. Everyone’s talking like she’s some kind of mythical figure.
>Ask Ming if she saw anything while she was out. Maybe she can help put some more pieces to this puzzle.
>Ask her if she knows anything about the land Renshu is supposedly in. Maybe she found some kind of ancient text or book while she was doing her studies.
>Write in

>>5733546
>Ask Ming about how she became the leader of the Library. Everyone’s talking like she’s some kind of mythical figure.
>Ask Ming if she saw anything while she was out. Maybe she can help put some more pieces to this puzzle.
>Ask Ming about the wards the brotherhood said she set up and what she knows of the creature so far, and share our current theory and knowledge.
Three heads works better then one, but Ming's head should count for at least two.

>>5733546
>Ask Ming about how she became the leader of the Library. Everyone’s talking like she’s some kind of mythical figure.

>>5733546
>Ask about her being a leader.
>Ask what she knows about this monster, and what she could have seen out there.

miiiiiiing

>>5733549
>>5733550
>>5733614
Our man Tai Lung is a monolith of support. Both physically as a bed or someone to lean on but also emotionally. Dude slept in the lotus position with Ming and Xin in his arms and he still wants to sit around and talk.

Let's hear what Ming's been up to.

>>5733626
At this point Boss, I think it'd take there being an active emergancy for him to willingly move.

His [martial] sister and his sister in law have been returned to him and he's finally had a bit of peaceful rest.
Shame that time and the world don't preserve such moments. Bigger shame that Renshu isn't there to complete the perfect family photo op.

“We’ll find who’s behind this all, Ming. Then we can put a stop to this madness. For everyone’s sake. We won’t let the people who gave their lives so that everyone else could escape give their lives up in vain.” You vow. “But…that brings up the question Xin and I have been wondering since we got here. How on earth did you become the Exarch? What happened?” You ask.

“Yeah. Ever since we got here, everyone is talking like you're the long lost sister of the royal family. Talking about how you can magically appear and feed everyone with just a single drop of water.” Xin Lan says. Ming raises an eyebrow at that. “Ok, well maybe not that much but people are talking like you’re some kind mythical figure.”

Ming fidgets a bit at that. “Well…maybe…I kind of lied?” She says tentatively.

“You?-” You begin.

“Lying?” Xin Lan finishes. “Now this I gotta hear. So all that talk about being as quiet as the wind was you making it up?”

“No. I am quiet. Maybe not quiet as you but I can sneak around pretty well. You don’t just travel around with the 3 of you guys without, kind of, picking up how to do it on your own. Having to keep up with you guys for so long I guess I kind of just naturally started learning instinctively. You guys just never noticed because you’re so ahead of me so naturally it just seemed like I never changed.” Ming explains.

“That does make a certain kind of sense.” Xin Lan admits.

“I figured you taught her that.” You chuckle.

“Well I guess Ren might have helped a little.” Ming admits. You and Xin Lan turn to face Ming in confusion. “I mean, it was really just a game. It just started with me trying to sneak into the kitchen for food. Then I slowly started to try to get in while he was cooking without me noticing. It never worked but now that I think of it a few things started to shift around in there. He moved a stack of plates closer to the door, especially the ones I kept telling him that were stacked too high and that they’d get knocked down easily. Then he hung a few things to dry along the path to the stairs…then he started locking doors and leaving the key on the counter behind him.”

“You seriously never noticed?” Xin Lan asks in surprise.

“I thought it was just him teasing me. Ever since Tai Lung went away he was really lonely. I figured I was just giving him something to take his mind off of things.” Ming says.

“How come Stripes gets to teach Ming how to kill people but I can’t?” Xin Lan asks you. “I could do a better job teaching!”

“Ming doesn’t know how to kill people and Renshu wasn’t teaching how to do it anyways. You were teaching her how to defend herself.. But you’re right. It does sound like he was teaching you how to infiltrate. Against someone like him, you might never have succeeded but if he was pushing you towards the techniques then you might have picked up on them without knowing. It’s more surprising that you learned without even noticing. Following our lead, putting it into practice, learning indirectly and then finally using it in the wild without a safety net. Not many people can do that Ming. I’m proud of you.” You say, petting Ming’s ears. “For what reason he did so, we won’t know until we ask him. I’m sure eventually he’d have figured out how to push you towards picking locks though I don’t know how he’d do that without giving himself away.”

“Ok, so we just never noticed how stealthy Ming really became while hanging out with us. That still doesn’t explain what you lied about.” Xin Lan points out. “Just because you can suddenly appear and disappear in the eyes of the average person doesn’t mean they find her fit to lead a city.”

“That’s true. We spoke to one of the Brotherhood. The way he spoke about you was as if you were their savior.” You say. “What did you lie about?”

Ming gives you both an apprehensive look. “I…I told them Sangpo said I was the new leader. That it was his dying wish.” You and Xin Lan continue to stare in stunned silence before Xin Lan speaks up.

“WHAT?”

“Everyone was panicking. No one knew what to do and for the first week or so nobody was sure we’d live through the month. With the shock of losing their only place to live and most of the city’s leadership gone I…just spoke up. I started to do the only thing I knew how to do. Work with tight resources and medical knowledge. Ren taught me a little about spirits and rituals too so when anyone asked that’s what I said. I just wanted everyone to stick together. So I thought of the only place I could think of at the moment. If I could just give them something to look forward to. To hope for then maybe they could survive even if it meant I had to be responsible for everyone’s problems. Did I do the right thing?” She asks.

>What do you say?
>Write in

>>5733659
>In time of crisis, people do work way better being led by a single person then a council. You had your heart in the right place.
>But If I learned anything in with that debacle with the city council, is that lying, or even twisting the truth, can end up causing way more trouble then it's worth.
>It worked out well for you this time, even if I'm sure that you could have found a way to get them to work together without doing it. You are talented enough to pull something like that.
>I would recommend coming clean as soon as you could, but at this point it would likely hurt the effort, specially since they are stuck in this forest being hunted by something.

>>5733659
It's the most audacious power grab I've ever heard of. That it worked is just frankly shockling.

>"Ming I can't. . . I. . . Won't condone abusing Sangpo's death or their trust in his word. It's uncomfortable to consider."
>"But the rest of it is well executed and steered them the right way, out of danger and towards better lives. It's because I know you that you'll give up the station when they are safe and this wasn't done with ill intent that I can stomach it."

>Give the girl a hug, again.

I genuinely think Tai wouldn't have lied about it, using his force of personality and basis of leadership in the school of martial artists to push past the resistance.
But he's more forgiving of his family than anything.

>>5733688
It was certainly a panic moment on her part. Ming's taken charge before and has done quite well at it but she also doesn't have the decades of mental fortification that TL has. Given the horrible chain of events one after the other she's been through (getting stabbed through the heart, watching someone die in front of her, losing the city and her family) it's only really because of all her previous experiences with the group that she managed to keep it together enough to pull it off. But you're right, she didn't have an ill intent. She just wanted to preserve what little she could. It was less of a power grab and more of "These people just need someone to shoulder their burdens." As you can see, she's kind of paying the price physically by doing everything for the city's refugees and she herself isn't happy about it either which is why she's asking you about it.

You're right that TL would have simply taken the lead. He's gone through enough suffering in his life to be able to set aside his own pain and do what needs to be done. Plus he's learned to empathize with others because of it. He's a natural born leader and like you said, his students would have backed him up on it, along with the ladies, Mida, and the tailor.

It was just a very very bad situation she found herself in.

>>5733702
I'm not dismissing her issue, nor am I condemning her with the term power grab. I'm just genuinely shocked that she told such an outragious thing with a straight face and it was accepted.
It's madness that can only be brought on by disaster.

Anyway, Ming's only sin there is lying about an old man's last wish to abuse the trust of his people. That it was effective and helped them get this far isn't in question.

I'm just thinking longer term about how much we can approve and how much we can condemn. If we say that this is fine, we need to hold the standard the next time the chance comes up to lie about our qualifications for the greater good. And that's slippery slope territory. Best to say "I don't think it's a good thing what you did, but It's what you had to do and it's kept these people alive."

>>5733683
>support

Short write in. Brain feels like mush. Gotta tell Ming she took the wrong approach but we still love her. Write in.

"Oh Ming..." You pull the thin, tired cat into a big hug. It was always difficult to remember that not every shared the same mental fortitude as you and the others with Ming being someone who fell into the nebulous middle of both groups. Despite everything you all have been through, she was still just a regular person or rather...she was. This attack had hit everyone hard and given what she went through, nearly dying, losing the city, watching people die before her, you were surprised she managed to not only hold it together this long but that the lie was the worst thing that she had done after all this. Even so, she hung on as best she could and was doing all she could to do right by the people who placed their faith in her.

Still, you couldn't condone such a thing. Not after all the events in the Library's courtroom. "Ming, you know this isn't right. The people held Sangpo in such reverence...I can't condone abusing his memory like this. It's wrong."

https://youtu.be/kuySo0QDFis

"I didn't mean to." Ming says whimpers. "He died Tai Lung. He died for me. Look." She says pulling down the front of her robes revealing what looked like solid jade growing over her body like some kind of carapace.

"Ming what did you-" You begin but she grabs at the seam of the rock along her neck line and pulls it away like another shirt. The jadestone slips away and coalesces in her had like water before solidifying into an average lump of jade and revealing her bare chest. Even as you instinctively turn away in shame, her bare chest is seared into memory most notably the long thin line of bare skin across her left breast, a perfect cut through the heart. The fur around it grew uneven and messily much like the scar that ran across your chest. The mark of a grievous wound that no one should have survived.

File: 123asfd2133.png (1.83 MB, 1920x1080)

1.83 MB PNG

"He healed me." Ming whispers, tears running down her face. "Just like you do. He...he killed himself so that I could live. And...and he smiled while doing it!" She breaks down sobbing. "Just like you do when you do your stupid things to save people. Said that he lived long enough as it is. That maybe it was finally time to visit that old lizard. He wasn't afraid like I was." Ming rubs her face as she tries to halt the tears. You move to adjust her robes to cover her chest and it's when you notice how much frighteningly lighter she was when she wasn't being weighed down by whatever armor she conjured. "So when everyone was panicking...I couldn't. I couldn't just let everything he worked his life for to just vanish like that. I had to save everyone...and the words just came out. I stopped thinking and I haven't thought I so long...I've just...been working. I can't let them die. It's not fair. I shouldn't be here. He should here making sure everyone is safe not just running them around."

"Hey, hey. None of that." Xin Lan says as they slide down your arm to hug Ming's head. "Whatever the old man did, he did for a reason. Guys like that don't just live for hundreds of years to give it all up for no reason. You said it yourself, he was happy to do it. I bet being around so long was starting to weigh on him too. He wouldn't want you to think like that."

"Xin's right Ming. What you did, you did for everyone. In the moment, you did what you thought was best and no one was in their right mind after all that. He was probably happy to know that he was leaving his legacy to someone he trusted. Maybe was even happy that the current generation was something he could be proud of. You were also a citizen of his city and he saw something in you. Something that was worth preserving. Seeing how far you've come on your own, I don't think anyone would argue otherwise. Maybe you went about it the wrong way but it pales in comparison to the sins the rest of us carry. You found it in your heart to give us a second chance and you've more than earned multiple chances. Once we finally arrive to the Valley of Peace I know you'll make the decision to set this right again." You say. "Whatever the people out there say, it's right. You're not that scared girl lost at sea. You're a hero now and someone who deserves all that praise. Let it all out Ming. When you're ready, we'll go and press forward. Like we all ways do. For those we couldn't save and for those who may yet live." Ming nods and wipes her nose on her sleeves before burying her face into your chest and sobbing. You hold her frail body close and place your forehead against her, hiding her away from all the pain and using your body as a shield against all the horrors from the world.

The three of you sit atop the table huddled together as the sun rises higher still. Time meant nothing to you and the world around you was a void so long as Ming was crying. When the sobbing subsided and Ming pulled away is when you felt ready to continue.

>What do you do?
>Continue your conversation from where you left off. You can hold off on leaving the room for a while longer.
>Take your friends and head outside. See how the construction project is going on and what the brotherhood want.
>Walk Ming through her duties. Make sure no one bothers her while she works.
>Write in.

>>5737484
>Walk her through her duties.

We're bodyguarding now

>>5737484
>>Take your friends and head outside. See how the construction project is going on and what the brotherhood want.

>>5737484
>Continue your conversation from where you left off. You can hold off on leaving the room for a while longer.

>>5737578
>>5737591
>>5737677
goddamnit.

I'll change to Taking friends outside.

>>5737484
>Walk Ming through her duties. Make sure no one bothers her while she works.

>>5737591
>>5737687
Going outside. Writing.

"Come on." You say gently. "I think it's time to see what everyone is up to. You'll see that you've made a difference."

"Yeah. Come on 'your Ladyship'. Your people await." Xin Lan teases as they scramble onto your shoulders. You ruffle Ming's hair and set her down on the floor. She pulls her hood over her face and stuffs her jade into her pocket before nodding. The three of you step outside of the door and soon enough you are almost immediately swarmed by the people of the library.

"You're Ladyship! You're alive!"

"Oh bless the gods! You're ok ma'am!"

"Madam Exarch! Gods bless you!"

You gently push people away and make some spare for Ming who simply waved and acknowledged everyone's shouts but did her best to keep to herself and stay quiet. The people were certainly much more lively than they were when you had arrived even with the project going on. The crowd grows and swells as their voices draw more people towards your location and it takes a while before you finally manage to break free of the crowd and leave the temple. You guide Ming through the camp and towards the crafting area that you had set up. "We're been working on some carts." You explain. "We're thinking of attempting to leave and having some way to transport people and their things quicker would make things much easier. Xin and I have been carving a bit of a path with the trees we've been cutting down but mostly we wanted the people to have something to work for. Brotherhood has been thinking of maybe setting up a second camp to ferry people between them but I'm not so sure."

Ming nods. "I'm not so sure either. More people spread out means there's a lot there could go wrong and we won't be able to reach them in time."

"They did suggest traveling during the day." Xin Lan speaks up. "But the woods can be weird especially once the sun starts to go down. Plan is we just make camp after camp and continue that way. Gonna be hard to find another spot like this that can hold so many people."

"Even so, I think it's best we try and deal with whatever is out there than leave it up to chance. Now that you're here, I think we have a much better shot." You say though before Ming has a chance to reply one of the craftsmen walks up to you.

"Miss Exarch ma'am. I didn't know you had returned." He says gruffly. A well built goat, the man's height threatens to over take Ming's, who already was quite tall for her species. He was one of the first to offer his help and had taken an unoffical role as foreman though many would be hard pressed to guess given that he was often seen working along side the others or shifting the heavier pieces of material. "As you can see, work is well underway. It's a bit slow given that some of us need to share what little real tools we had laying about but those with the makeshift ones are making do." He says though it was more towards Ming than you. Finally facing you directly, he continues, "We're running low on stone again. Finding rock in the size we need to work them down is already rare but some of the boys are considering breaking down the rock we have here. A few missing 'tables' and chairs' wouldn't do any harm. Others are thinking for maybe chipping away at the temple itself. Plenty of rooms and corridors that are uninhabitable. Caved in and all that. Still, it was your idea and as far as rules go. You have the final say."

>What do you do?
>Tell the Foreman to get started on breaking down some of the makeshift furniture. It might make things slightly less comfortable around the camp but it's better than going out and searching for stone. Plus you're not sure if you're comfortable dismantling what could be a several hundred year old structure.
>Have the workers start breaking down parts of the Temple. If the rooms were uninhabitable then there is no reason not to. You could use the extra stone and taking away what little spots of comfort the people have wouldn't do good for morale.
>Leave everything as is. You, Ming, Xin and Tigress can head out as a group to gather more resources. With the 4 of you, you'll surely find more than needed. Better to not mess with the camp as is anyways.
>Let Ming decide, she is the leader of the city now after all.
>Write in

>>5738751
>Leave it as it is
>Recommend that they still extend a few men to checking out the river. The water usually keeps large chunks under the currents.

>>5738751
>Tell the Foreman to get started on breaking down some of the makeshift furniture. It might make things slightly less comfortable around the camp but it's better than going out and searching for stone. Plus you're not sure if you're comfortable dismantling what could be a several hundred year old structure

>>5738751
>Have the workers start breaking down parts of the Temple. If the rooms were uninhabitable then there is no reason not to. You could use the extra stone and taking away what little spots of comfort the people have wouldn't do good for morale.

>>5738774
>>5738751
Ye

You think for a moment. "Best if we leave those options alone for now. Try looking through the river. Usually the bigger rocks tend to be held under the current. It's not too deep and they might be easier to work with than the larger ones the tables are made of. We'll leave the ruined portions of the library as well. Attempting to move the rubble around might risk destabilizing nearby sections of the temple if they're holding them up." You say as you motion to the river. As you speak you see Ming kneel out of the corner of your eye. You sense the faint presence of a sprite near the ground but without meditating you can only guess as to what she's doing.

"Check near the bend of the river. The spirits say that there is a big deposit of good quality stone there. It's easier to pull out and should be a good start for what you need." She says as she stands. The foreman's eyes widen and he nods.

"Yes ma'am. I'll get the boys on it." He says with a quick nod before turning to make his way to the others.

"You spoke to the spirits?" You ask. Ming nods.

"The earth sprites are a bit shy but they know the land better than anyone. They're the ones that helped us find which parts of the temple were the most stable. They're also the ones that helped me find the jade." She says, fishing that lump of jade she peeled away from her body out of her pockets. "If we had the ability to, I'm sure they could help us keep the lands fertile to sow some crops but we don't have that kind of time."

"Can you speak with the others? The wind, fire and water spirits?"

Ming nods again. "They're all very cute but sometimes I only get bits and pieces of the others. It's not as clear as the earth ones but earth spirits tend to be more straight forward. Water spirits tend to kind of just go with what you say so you have to kind make sure they're still in the conversation. Wind ones are the hardest to speak to. They're very aloof and their attention tends to get pulled everywhere else but mostly it's just hard to get a bead on. Fire spirits are very excitable and if you don't rein them in they like to go off and do their own thing without listening to all the details."

"That certainly sounds like them." You say with a mixture of amusement and impressed. "Have you spoken to any spirits? I haven't sensed any since I woke up and I only sense sprites around." Ming's hooded face tilts in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"Sprites are like what children are to us. They've only just been born err...come into being. So they're very emotional like their dragon parents. As they grow older they sort of lose that sense of self and begin to focus more on their duty and jobs." You explain.

"I've never felt anything like that." She says as she kneels down and motions as if she was tapping someone's nose. She wiggles her fingers in the air as if she were petting something between the ears. "All I ever see are these little guys."

"I'm kind of glad I'm the only normal one here." Xin Lan says as they watch Ming curiously. "I don't think I could sleep knowing a bunch of little weirdos are watching me sleep. Frankly, I don't know how the Big Guy or Stripes do it. Now you've joined the spooky club, Ming."

"I think you're just jealous you have competition. They might be cuter than you." Ming teases.

"Nonsense." Xin Lan scoffs. "If you're done chasing ghosts, we should probably go do something else while the sun is up."

>What do you do?
>Take Ming to the kitchen so she can prepare the camp's food.
>Go find the brotherhood. See what they want with Ming.
>Ask Ming to show you the protective charms.
>Find Tigress. You haven't seen her in a while.
>Write in

>>5742855
>Go find the brotherhood

They need to be kept in the loop, to maintain a bridge of command.

>>5742855
>Ask Ming to show you the protective charms.

>>5742855
>Find Tigress. You haven't seen her in a while.

Rolled 3 (1d3)

>>5743735
>>5743086
>>5742985
Decisions, decisions. Rolling.

>>5745357
Looks like little sister is on the hunting list again

"Let's go find Tigress then. I'm guessing the Brotherhood wants to continue their conversation about escaping now that Ming's back. It'll be faster if we gather everyone up." You say. Xin Lan gives you a look of distaste.

"Do we have too? Can't we just...you know, say she got eaten or something? I mean we haven't seen her in a few days. It's possible." They ask hopefully.

"Be nice Xin." Ming says. "We're gonna be the only company she'll have for who knows how long. We're gonna need to get along."

"Now you're just sounding like the big guy..." Xin Lan grumbles. "You know she hates us, right? All she ever does is glare."

"And so do you when someone gets the last bite of food. Now behave. You're in my city now." Ming says sternly. Xin Lan looks between the two of you in shock.

"She's not allowed to do that! Tell her!" They protest as they frantically tug at your fur. "That's an abuse of power or something!"

"Technically, she is right." You muse and tuck the bunny under your arm. "If you don't behave she might have to banish you from something."

"I'm telling Ren." Xin Lan whispers as they try to cope with what was going on. You let Xin Lan come to terms with what just happened and make your way through the camp. It was going to be impossible to try and search discreetly now that everyone wanted to take a look at or speak with Ming. Though slowed down, eventually the sea of people began to give way to a few stragglers. You look around the more common spots where people went to relax or get away from the crowds but find nothing. Not wanting to head inside and into another crowd, you circle the temple where you come across a curious sight.

"Hey isn't that..." Xin Lan speaks up as their confusion and shock is renewed. You didn't like to admit it but it did take you a few moments before you comprehended what you were looking at. Sitting cross-legged and surrounded by children was Tigress. The kids all looked at her in rapt attention with a few of the younger ones even managing to cling to her arms as she held a large open book. A few feet away you see Amala and Gyaltso quietly peeling a few fruits and preparing the kid's meals. "Think she's planning on eating them all?" Xin Lan asks. Ming leans close and flicks them across the nose. Ignoring the comment, you register what was throwing you off was Tigress's soften expression. There was none of the venom or, more importantly, none of that distant stoicism she maintained in her curt and short conversations you had with her. Here she was far more relaxed and natural than you think you had ever seen her in your entire life. One could almost say she was happy.

>What do you do?
>Back away slowly and quietly. You don't want her to know that you saw her happy. She might try and silence you forever...or so Xin Lan would say. Best to let her be content for once plus it seems like the children finally have something to help them take their minds off of the situation.
>Move over to help Amala. Leave the kids to their story and see if she can fill you in on what Tigress has been up to.
>Go and approach Tigress. Maybe give her some light teasing but inform her that you're gathering everyone to continue your discussion about escaping.
>Write in.

>>5746192
>Move over to help Amala. Leave the kids to their story and see if she can fill you in on what Tigress has been up to.
Let little sis have her moment of happiness.

>>5746192
>Move over to help Amala.

Don't ruin this.

>>5746192
>Move over to help Amala. Leave the kids to their story and see if she can fill you in on what Tigress has been up to.

>>5746194
>>5746394
>>5746417
Keeping our distance. Writing.

You opt to leave Tigress in her moment of peace for the sake of your health and instead head over to where the caretakers were working. Without making a sound, the three of you swiftly find your seats next to Amala and Gyaltso. "Hey." You find yourself whispering and trying not to break the mood. Nonetheless, the two of them jump in surprise nearly dropping the food in their hands.

"Mr. Tai Lung." Amala says throwing her arms around your neck. Instinctively you wrap your arms around her to keep her from falling. "Thank you for the food." She says. "The kids have been so happy to be able to have a snack now and again. They always look forward to hearing you come back with more. I don't think I've ever seen kids get excited over a few toasted mushrooms."

"It's the least I can do. Xin and I just needed to find our own way to pitch in." You say. "If it makes the little ones happier then even better."

"Just don't let the big guy cook or he's liable to turn the kids off from food forever." Xin Lan snickers.

Ignoring them, you ask, "So what are the two of you doing?"

"We're just preparing some of the fruit you brought before it goes bad. The kids like to have it alongside the stew. N-not that your cooking is bad your Ladyship." Amala stammers after she finally notices Ming who has sat right behind you.

"It's ok." She says gently through her hood. "I know the stew is barely what most people would consider a food. So long as it's filling and keeps people going I'm glad people are eating it."

"Honestly, it's kind of a miracle Ming's food is capable of doing that. I've seen her stretch ingredients out for the two muscle heads in our group but this is a whole other level. You know how much the big guy needs to eat to keep this sexy physique?" Xin Lan says proudly as they smack your abdomen. "She's some kind of magician with food. She can even keep the flavor."

"She is the Exarch. I bet it is some kind of magic." Gyaltso says in awe. "Especially if it's good enough for Xin Lan's discerning taste."

"Xin's just a little glutton." You chuckle and poke at their cheek. "If you see them eat, I don't think graceful would come to mind."

"Can I?!" The brown bunny asks.

"No." Xin Lan grunts as they attempt to bite your finger. You place Amala next to you.

"So what's Tigress doing here? We haven't seen her for a few days." You ask.

"Oh! She comes by here every day. The kids love hearing her stories. I'm sure it just another thing that the children look forward to help keep their spirits up." Amala says.

"I never imagined her as someone good with kids." You admit.

"Well it was kind of awkward at the start but once the kids found out she was the Master Tigress the questions started rolling out and soon enough the stories did." Amala explains.

"Its probably because she's also an orphan too." Gyaltso says. "The kids have someone that's been what they're going through."

"Tigress is an orphan?" You ask.

"Can't be. Didn't you say she once mentioned she had a father?" Xin Lan points out.

"I would never have guessed she was adopted." Ming admits. "But I guess she's not one to really talk about herself in public."

"Hmm..." You ponder. If Tigress was adopted perhaps that is why she always got so angry at you for attempting to bring it up barring the rage she bore for you already.

"What's up?" Xin Lan asks.

>What do you say?
>Ask if Tigress mentioned who her father was. If she was adopted perhaps she mentioned it in one of her stories for the kids.
>Ask what kinds of stories she tells the kids. Part of you wonders if you're in them...and then suddenly you hope you're not.
>Let it go and ask either of the two if they can let Tigress know you're looking for her. You're not sure if approaching her in her happy place would be a good idea.
>Write in.

>>5749221
>Ask if Tigress mentioned who her father was. If she was adopted perhaps she mentioned it in one of her stories for the kids.

>>5749221
>Let it go.

I'm curious. Of course I am. But this is much like that stuck up fox back in the imperial city, we're above snooping on this sort of thing.

>>5749221
>Ask if Tigress mentioned who her father was. If she was adopted perhaps she mentioned it in one of her stories for the kids.

>>5749412
>>5749911
Asking about Tigress's dad. Writing it up in the morning.

Alrighty, let's get to snooping.

You think about it for a moment longer. Normally you wouldn't wish to pry into someone's personal life like this but Tigress wasn't willing to discuss anything. Worst of all you feared that she was not only not healing but she was getting worse. Instead of embracing her anger and pain she was simply bottling it up. Perhaps learning more about her private life could help you find some way to help connect with her and help her move forward. Though you're doubtful you can do it yourself given her hatred towards you.

Maybe Ming could talk to her. She always had a way to draw the best out of people. Maybe Renshu could as well given his upbringing. Anger was all he knew growing up. You shake your head as thinking of him reminds you of how empty your mind felt without him nearby. Finally speaking up you say, "Oh...I was just wondering if Tigress had mentioned who her father was. I've tried broaching the subject but she evades my question to put it lightly." You sigh and scratch your head. "We're not on the best of terms-"

"That's an understatement of the century." Xin Lan points out.

"...and we're going to be traveling for sometime in the future. So maybe if I got to know her better we could clear the air. She's not making it easy though and loathe that I am to pry into her personal life like this...I just don't see any other way." You admit, slightly defeated.

"Maybe you should has your father. He trained her so he's bound to know." Ming says, placing a hand on your shoulder.

"I'll double check with him before I bring it up again but I'd like to have some idea." You agree. "Has she mentioned anything?" You ask again, looking at the two caretakers. Amala and Gyalsto seem to pause but you can't tell if it's to debate whether or not to tell you or if it's to try and recall if Tigress had actually mentioned anything. A few moments later, Gyaltso speaks up.

"She mentioned it once. She said his name was Shifu."

>What do you say?
>Write in

>>5751264
Be surprised then ask
>Did she ever call this Shifu as Master as well? I don't want to make assumptions.
And if they answer in the positive.
>I guess that explain what she said about me hurting her family. Father has forgiven me, but a little sister I never met hasn't.

>>5751264
>Well that would explain things. what were the odds we'd shared an adoptive father?

You sit in silence trying to process what you heard as everything seems to come together in your mind. An uncomfortable air settles around you and your friends as Ming and Xin Lan also come to terms with what was said. "And here I thought having my family try to kill me was unique." Xin Lan says plainly as they pat your on the back. "You get used to it." You ignore them and try to put forth something coherent to say.

"Did...she...Did she say anything else about her father?" You hear yourself asking almost as if it was another person. Sensing the ill air around the group the two caretakers hesitate for a moment. Amala bites her lip as attempts to refrain from saying anything else as she peels the fruit already sensing that perhaps this was not meant to be shared. The brown bunny, however, speaks up again perhaps in an attempt to commit to what he had already done and shoulder the burden.

"Not really. Other than she said he taught her everything she knew about fighting. She said they lived up in a mountain but never specified where exactly." He says in an attempt to assuage any lingering awkwardness.

"You know she means your father." Ming says. "No one else who could have the same name as him and live in the same area. There's no point in hoping that it could be some other martial arts master. She's your little sister."

"I...yes. Yes, you're right." You admit, rubbing the back of your neck. "It seems even now I keep finding more people I manage to hurt over the years." You sigh.

"You can't just bring it up either. We need to keep this a secret." Xin Lan says. "Otherwise, who know what she'll do. She's already crazy as it is. Last thing we need is to add fuel to that." Ming shoots Xin Lan a dirty look.

"Xin's not wrong. Bringing it up to her would probably upset her. Especially if she finds out you were snooping. I think you need to keep this a secret until she's willing to say it herself." She says.

"I can't just do that. She won't talk to me, let alone even open up about something like that. Her anger runs too deep and the longer we leave it alone the more it will fester. As much as she'll hate me...I'm the only one right know that knows how she feels. Ren would know as well but...if we wait that long then it might be too late." You insist.

"I can't stop you but...Just be careful. This isn't like the other times. You could end up doing more damage if you just rush in." Ming says quietly before standing up. "I need to go. I have to get to my duties. There are people to feed and I need to see to the perimeter I set up. I'll see you later once I'm done." She says making her way to the temple and leaving you and Xin Lan behind. You glance over at Tigress who had yet to notice your arrival. The kids were clamoring around her each trying to get lifted up and held up high. The two care takers went back to quietly fixing the children's meals and now attempting to avoid your gaze.

"Well...I guess that's something else we're gonna have to deal with huh?" Xin Lan asks. "Maybe you should talk to your dad once we get back to your place. He might be able to tell you what to do. If anyone else knows Tigress then it's gotta be him right? We can just say he told us."

You don't say anything for a moment as you wonder how to proceed with this. Ultimately, you decide that for the sake of cohesion that you'd keep this to yourself. The last thing you needed was for Tigress to be furious with you as you attempted to lead these people to safety. Just another in the slowly increasing list of things you wanted to do. "For now we'll wait." You finally speak up. "Father may have forgiven me, but my little sister has not. Perhaps in the future we'll find a way to make things right."

>What do you do?
>Go and follow Ming as she goes about her day. She might need you.
>Gather the Brotherhood and Tigress. You can all continue your discussion while you wait for Ming to return.
>Continue chatting with the others. Maybe Tigress has divulged more information that can help you.
>Leave and go explore the woods. It's past the afternoon, perhaps you might find some more clues that can help you all. Could be risky however.
>Write in.

>>5756196
>Explore the woods, check the route ahead the we are to use for escape

>>5756196
>Gather the Brotherhood and Tigress. You can all continue your discussion while you wait for Ming to return.

>>5756196
>Gather the Brotherhood and Tigress. You can all continue your discussion while you wait for Ming to return.

You do your best to ignore everyone's looks as the group across the table stares at you while you all wait for Ming to arrive. Stare being the polite term for it, as two within the group were glaring and the rest were either awkwardly bored or simply holding back the urge to break the silence. Xin Lan was busy entertaining themselves with a piece of wire they pulled from a hidden pocket. They twist the wire around their fingers making various shapes when they spread their hands apart and splayed their fingers. It was all just an act though as you can sense the nothingness coming from them despite the look of entertainment etched on their face. Had it not been for this new ability you had acquired, you'd have been fooled too but it seems like your second little sister had buried themselves deep inside to keep from breaking the peace and arguing.

You fall back into the old habit of sighing to relive some stress and speak up, "She'll be here soon enough. I suggest if we have nothing better to do than we go over what we want to bring up to her. Fortunately, we've made a lot of progress with the carts and if we start now, we might be able gather all the essentials and get them ready to pack up should we need to move quickly."

"So are we going to start the two camp idea then?" Xin Lan asks absentmindedly as they continue to play with their wire.

"We might need to resort to that. There just isn't a way to currently move and entire city's worth of people without losing them in the woods. Still, we've cleared a decent path that movement forward won't be too much of a hassle." You admit.

"What about the river? Can't we use that?" Mida asks politely.

"It does lead in the direction we want to go but we're not sure how far it goes that way. Or what will happen once it leaves the camp."

"It's always been safe to drink. So I think it's safe to say that whatever is out there doesn't seem to hold any power over water." Mida adds. "Even if can't get into camp it could have certainly tried to do something to the water upstream."

"Maybe but it also takes quite a bit of poison to keep a river tainted. It does remind me of something I've been thinking about." Xin Lan says as they take your hand and begin tying a bow around your ring finger. "The camp is protected by whatever Ming's set up right?"

"That's Lady-" Dawa begins before being cut off.

"Don't care. Not listening. She's my big sister." Xin Lan snaps with a hint of anger in their otherwise casual tone before continuing. "Whatever she's done probably doesn't cover the whole camp. It's just too big and given how much she's doing besides keeping the camp safe, I'd hazard a guess she's trying to be as efficient as possible rather than going overboard and covering everything. It'd make more sense to set up a perimeter that the thing out there can't get through than make the whole camp impenetrable. Think of it like making a wall to surround a village than lining every street and alley with walls. Couple that with the hundreds of flames littering the area and it's easy to understand why it's safe here. Something to keep the nasties out and something to keep the nasties' nasty thoughts out. So what if we can somehow make that mobile? What are the charms but something we attached to trees? Priests can carry incense and talismans to use. Why can't we do the same but to ward away things? If we can then any convoy we make would be safe."

"While that's true Xin, there's still the group size to deal with." You point out.

"Not if we build a convoy. If every one is on a cart and said carts are tied together then there's no way we can lose people. Especially if there's four of us evenly spread apart to patrol. It will be messy since we'll be felling trees left, right and center to make room for the carts but what's a few hundred trees compared to the lives of several times more of that? Not only that but we'll have to stop often and early to make sure all our wagons can gather up for the night. But some progress is better than no progress right? Plus it's better than trying to make a boat or something."

>What do you say?
>Agree with Xin and propose that this is the plan you offer to Ming when she arrives.
>Say that they make some good points but you'd prefer one of the other plans. (2 camps, deal or distract the monster, use boats, ect.)
>Say that Xin's ideas might work on paper but they rely too much on your group. If something goes wrong in such a big group, you're unsure if it can be salvaged.
>Wait for Ming to arrive before making any decision.
>Write in.

>>5760059
>The idea is viable. I'd like to reduce the amount of trees we need to cut down, to minimise the damage to the forest. So we'd need to try and restrict the path to as narrow as we are able. This is leaving the issue of the monster outside for anyone else to stumble upon but. . . it can be dealt with later when innocent lives are not at stake.

Our current logging efforrts and pathfinding will go further with a straight road. No helping that we need to make glens to camp in.

>>5760059
>>Agree with Xin and propose that this is the plan you offer to Ming when she arrives.

>>5760059
>Write in.
>Propose to mix the mobile charms and the boat
Every river leads to sea, and once we get to once we can following the coast south.
Given how populated coasts are, it shouldn't take long until we find a village, town or city that could point us to the right direction, or simply start following the roads.
And in the case that the monster follows us out of the forest, then we would be the ones in the upper hand to hunt it down, instead of it ambushing us.
If it doesn't, we still should warn an official or a temple to send in some exorcists and martial artists.

>>5760420
>>5760247
I think these are voting for the same thing?

>>5762525
It seems like it.
Just mine has an emphasis on minimising damage to the forest, rather than creating a wide road that is easier to defend.

>>5762764
Which I disagree on. people safety has to come over a minor amount of environmental damage. Especially since we need room for carts

"It is the best thing I think we've come up with so far." You admit. "I'd much rather we move as much as possible rather than having to wait between ferrying people between camps. If we can set something up like we have here at the temple for a caravan to keep the beast at bay then we'll have a better chance of making it out of here in one piece. Still, we'll need to remain as vigilant as possible to keep anyone from falling behind." You think for a moment. "We'll need to find the strongest of everyone in camp. All these carts are going to need someone to pull them and the more people available to swap around the better. Even if they are tied together, it would be best if we didn't simply rely on the 3 of us pulling the whole thing. Otherwise we won't be able to patrol among the caravan or worst yet, be ready to defend it should anything more...conventional would to try and attack. Even in ordinary woods, there is still the chance of the desperate or greedy trying their luck on a group as large as ours."

"You can't just decide for the rest of us." Dawa snaps.

Mida raises his hands in a motion of peace. "Now now. Tai Lung was merely entertaining the idea. He didn't say it was what we were going to do."

"He might as well have. Simply because you once traveled with her Ladyship doesn't give you the right to come here and give orders as if you were in charge." She continues.

You mimic the same motion as Mida, showing your palms in a sign of passiveness. "I'm just trying to help. The more we plan the better our odds become." You say. "I'm not here to do anything but that."

Dawa opens her mouth but Tigress finally speaks up. "I think that's enough. We'll get nowhere just arguing and this is going to go in circles. It's clear that we all agree who is in charge. So I say we stay quiet and wait for her to arrive." You remain silent. Tigress was right, if an argument broke out now then no doubt Xin Lan would join in to defend you and any attempts to keep a civil conversation would vanish. Even so, you pull your hand from Xin Lan's hands and ruffle their ears. Thankfully, it doesn't take long before the sounds of footsteps approach the door. Everyone's attention turns to the door as it swings open and in steps Ming still wearing her hood over her head.

"Everyone is here. That's good." She says softly before making her way to the nearest seat. Despite her attempts to hide, you can tell she is favoring her leg even more than she was before. Her voice is quieter but the softness is an attempt to hide the slight rasp in it. It was clear she was exhausted. Every step seems heavy and sluggish but she still manages to sit up straight in her seat. You and Xin Lan cast glances at each other but say nothing and instead opt to sit closer to her. "We got a plan. Sort of." Xin Lan speaks up and relays their idea. Ming listens politely and nods along as they speak but says nothing for a moment.

"Do you think we can do something like that?" You ask.

"If we're going to make a caravan then we're going to need a lot more then just a handful of talismans. We might need a few dozen just to cover us all. If we could be all closer together then we would need less. The problem is keeping them going. After a few days the charms wear down and the enchantment fades. To make a new set we'd have to stop for a while remake them. With the amount we'd need, we'd be in a precarious situation." Ming replies.

"Can't we simply make them ahead of time? Perhaps stop a day or so before we are out of time and spend it making more charms?" Tigress asks.

"We could but the issue comes from the ritual itself. It...takes a lot to make them." Ming says.

"We'll do it. Whatever it takes to assist you." Dawa says standing up. "Just tell us what we must do."

"She got a point. If we can all pitch in then it'd make things much easier on us all. No use in taking it all on yourself." Xin Lan says. "If we can learn how to do it then it's less work you gotta do. We can rotate if we have to."

"It's not just that. These charms are...well they're kind of unstable." Ming admits. "They're not like the kinds you see in temples and shrines. I'm not entirely sure how to properly make them myself." She pauses and thinks for a moment, her head dipping down slightly. "It's kind of like...I'm putting a bit of myself into the charms and that bit is forcing everything that I don't allow out of the camp. Think of it like a 'No Visitors' sign but for the soul. It's kind of embarrassing to be honest. If Renshu saw how crude they were I'm not sure if he'd laugh or be disappointed in me. But the important part is that they are made of me. Everyone's Chi is unique...in a very spiritual sense. If two of us were to follow the instructions to the letter...there's no guarantee that the charms themselves wouldn't simply tear one another apart by trying to expel one another. Intent is a powerful thing and one subject to infinite interpretations. It's why rituals take years and years to master and why they have such esoteric ingredients and steps. It's to focus the intent and meaning into something different practitioners can replicate despite their differences."

"So...it's not viable?" You ask.

"We'd be stopping a lot more than you probably expected but...I think I can manage." Ming says though her tone seemed to indicate otherwise. "However, it does bring me something I wanted to bring up. Now that you're here I feel much more comfortable doing so. I want to confront what's been chasing us."

"WHAT?"

"There's a ritual. One I came across while browsing some of the deeper parts of the library when I was studying spirits. It was used in the past to seal away evil spirits and demons. With you guy's help, I think I can use it to finally put all this to rest." Ming says. "Tai Lung has the ability to find me. He's the best candidate to act as a decoy while Xin and Tigress help me set up the ritual area." She looks at you and takes your hands into her thin fingers. "It'll take...maybe a day or 2. The process is complicated and I've spent the last few weeks gathering, saving what little I could spare, in order to do this. We only get one shot. Can you do this?"

"What about you? Ming you said so yourself. These things...they take a lot out of you." You say but leave the rest in the air. Ming had done her best to hide her state from the rest of the camp and you didn't want to jeopardize it all by letting it slip out. You can hear the smile in Ming's voice as she replies.

"I know but...worst case I'll be out for a few days. Maybe a week or so." She lies. You turn to look at the others. It seemed besides Xin Lan, only Tigress seemed to notice it but she says nothing. The rest of the Brotherhood seemed to be too in shock to notice.

"My Lady, I cannot in good faith send you out again to face that monster!" Dawa exclaims. "If you wish to use that...man as a sacrifice then so be it but we can't lose you!" Even the rest of the Brotherhood, albeit reluctantly, agree but all they can produce is a mumble. Ming shakes her head.

"I'm sorry but...I can't just leave this be. We've never turned our back to a problem we knew we could solve. We've never simply took the easy way out because it was there and I don't intend to make this the first time. Please...I need your help. I can't do this alone." She says looking at you all.

>What do you say?
>Write in.

>>5763454
>How many days do these current wards last?
>If that's what you wish Ming.

If ming is asking for our help, I'm going to give it to her. She has studied, she knows the risks and it will stop this forest being a death trap for everyone present and everyone future.
But we're not going to be stupid.

She needs to rest up until the very minute that they need to start preparing the ritual, to have the most out of her.
And while I'm on about it, heal her leg. We're fast. Really fast. Even an injured leg should allow us to keep pace or outpace the monster.
And I'm hoping it will restore a bit of her Chi in the process.

>>5763454
>Very, let's us hunt down this monster. Once it's gone, there will be no need for the charms after all.
>Just don't forget that we are always here to support you Ming.
>>5763555
We get knocked out every time we heal someone, might be best to do it after we deal with the monster, if at all.
Healing the child's broken leg got us out cold for 4 months, Ming's leg will likely be less, but it still means that both she and us will be out of comission, and we have a time limit to get out of China and start heading north.

>>5763591
no, you're confusing wound transference for accelerated healing.

We can accept her wound and not heal it, still awake and functioning. It's just that the wound would still be hurting us.
If you wanted to heal it, yes, we would be out for like half a week, maybe more depending on severity.

If she can walk on it, even if it hurts, then we can survive using it.

>>5763624
Oh yeah, I forgot they aren't a package deal.
However, it might be better to let Ming have the injured leg for now, because I think we taught her a ranged style, or was it a needle throwing style? Anyway, it means that we could carry her and she could still fight, or even use her potions and magic.

>>5763630
Missing the point I'm making.

It's not her leg I'm out to heal, it's an incidental part. I want to fix her leg, and allow the Chi we impart to her, to strangthen her Chi so that the strain of the ritual won't kill her.

>>5763640
But couldn't we do the chi transfer without healing leg part? I agree that it might be a good idea, I just don't want to be the bait in a fight against a monster with a injury.

>>5763642
I mean. . . we can try. I just have a feeling it won't be pleasant.

So lets try that.

You're gonna try an give Ming some of your Chi? A-anons! You have to wait til marriage before you put your Chi in someone! Just ask Xin, they'll tell you all the little details.

>>5764241
It's. . It's. . uhhh.
IT'S FIXING HER INJURIES, NOTHING LEWD!

Jokes aside, is the plan to heal her or to simply lend her chi and give her an energy boost? First one you can do no problem, second one...you've never even considered such a possibility.

>>5764724
The second one is likely what she needs the most help with. And I don't want to distract a monster while limping.
I guess it will probably will make us tired with we pull it off though.

>>5764724
the second.
It's gonna be innovation, especially since as I understand it the spiritual energy isn't going to mesh, so it'd need to be consumed and subsumed.
But we know it's viable. The bat could do it.

"No." Xin Lan says firmly. "We should just go and forget this. We have a plan already."

"Xin, we can't just let this go. If we do this then it means we don't need to rely on the plan. We'd be free to just leave at our own pace." Ming insists.

"No. I just got you and the big guy back! I'm not gonna risk losing you again. Make someone else do it." Xin Lan says, crossing their arms and dropping the act. Ming gently reaches out and pulls them close, burying their head in her chest.

"It'll be alright." She murmurs gently as she strokes their ears. "You know we don't do that. We do it because no one else can. I know you're scared but deep down you know we have to do this. Otherwise we'll never be able to look at anyone in the eyes again. How are we gonna bring hope to everyone if we decided that, one time, decided to abandon everyone?" She leans forward and obscures both of their heads with her hood. "Just have faith. We'll get through this. Together." Ming holds Xin Lan tightly and looks up at you.

"How much time you need to prepare?" You ask.

"A few hours but it's better that we leave tomorrow. The longer we have before dark then better." Ming replies. "We can leave in the morning."

"But what about us?" One of the Brotherhood asks. "We should go with you. The more people the better."

Ming shakes her head. "No. If the people see that all of the people they look to for guidance leave then panic will settle. If it's just us then they'll assume it'll be business as usual. Tai Lung and Xin Lan have already made a habit of leaving the camp for supplies. If they come with me then it'll seem like we're continuing to do so."

"But...what if the rabbit is right? What if...what if you..."

"We won't."

---

With most objections shut down the meeting came to an somewhat abrupt conclusion. Everyone milled about for a few moments longer but when it was evident that Ming was not going to change her mind, the remaining members of the group save for Tigress slowly made their way out. You were honestly quite impressed at how your stubborn streak was rubbing off on everyone who you spent an extended amount of time with. Once the room was clear and everyone had left, Xin Lan speaks up.

"You're gonna die aren't you?" They ask.

"I'm not going to die." She reassures them.

"But you did lie." You speak up as you set your chair in front of the door to block it. "That much was clear."

Ming pulls down her hood to reveal her tired face. It seemed like all the energy she had earlier had been washed away and replaced in what looked like the weight of years of responsibility. "I did." She admits, her gaze steady. "More times than I care to admit. But it's either that or everything falls apart." She runs her fingers through her hair and lets out an exhausted sigh. "Frankly, you guys are the only people I can be open with."

"What's going on Ming? Really?" You ask.

Ming goes quiet as if to process her thoughts. "...I've seen what's out there." She finally speaks up."And it's not some demon or evil spirit. It's people." She looks out the window, her gaze distant. "Some kind of horrible...amalgamation of souls. Like...they were pressed together into a ball of..." Her voice gives away. "Whatever it is...there's nothing left. Nothing but pain, fear, and confusion. I'm not even sure it's aware of what's it doing. I'm not even sure if what we're going to do will put it at rest or if there is anything left to be put to rest. If we were to tell...if word got out...then these people will have nothing. What is there to come back to? They have no home, they don't know if they'll ever be able to come back, they can't even properly mourn their lost loved ones and now...they don't even have loved ones to guide to the afterlife. No one can over come that and it's a secret I'll take to my grave."

Ming's gaze returns to the present and it hardens. "You helped me realize something Tai Lung. As I wandered the camp, as I saw everyone finally have some semblance of hope and peace...I might have made a terrible lie to get to where I am right now but I've done everything I can to keep them safe. I tried to keep my distance and to stay impartial so that one day I can relinquish leadership to someone who deserves it but that doesn't change the fact that I am their leader here and now. I'll die if that means keeping everyone safe. As my penance and my promise to them. It's time I stop hiding behind you. This time, it's my life that's on the line." She looks at Xin Lan apologetically. "I'm sorry Xin..."

"Why?" They ask quietly. "We can just leave..."

Ming sets Xin Lan down. "Because they're afraid. Just like you are. Because they lost someone close to them and unlike us they don't have the luxury of seeing them ever again." She wipes away the tears from Xin Lan's eyes. "This is the first time you've ever been afraid of losing someone, isn't it? The first real time you've felt it deep in your heart. Don't ignore it...you know why we have to do this. Not just to see Renshu again. We're more than just our personal goals. It's so they never have to be afraid like you are ever again. Even if it means that we need to shoulder all their pain and fear ourselves."

You open your mouth to say something but Ming stops you. "I do have to do this and I will. Otherwise I've learned nothing while traveling with you. How many more people am I going to let die for me before I'm willing to truly risk myself for the sake of others. Until I do so, everything that comes out of my mouth is just talk."

You nod. "Then I can't stop you." You say simply. "But you're exhausted and like you said, this may cost you everything. So we need to make sure you're as prepared as can be." You think for a moment. "All I can offer beyond the physical is...my Chi. You're exhausted and I don't think a full night's rest will be enough. Not if we all want to see it through tomorrow's night. I'll give you what I can." Ming's face falters for a moment.

"Tai Lung I...we can't..." She says.

"Why not? I'm willing to risk everything as well." You say.

"Taking someone else's Chi...it's...blasphemous...It goes against nature itself." She says.

"You're not stealing it. I'm offering it. Chi flows through everything in life. Taking a life is one thing but if it's offered? Is that not the same as taking someone's injuries on themselves? It seems like everyone has been telling me that I need to learn the make the difficult choices no one else will. If you truly want to be a leader then so do you." Ming looks at you worried for a moment before she hardens her gaze again.

"Alright..." She says quietly. Turning to Xin Lan and Tigress she says, "I need you to gather some things for me. The quicker we get this done the more time we have to rest for tomorrow."

>How much Chi do you give to Ming? Write in how choose to do it.

>>5769807
>Enough to get colour back in her cheeks. And I dunno, put our hands on her back and just kinda push the Chi through what meridians we can find?

>>5769807
>We just need to give her enough fuel so that she can more easily function. First i would use our chi as a sort of echo location/pulse to see if any of her meridians are imbalanced and try and fix them.

>if they aren't Imbalanced I would try and let our Chi flow into from the root meridian at the base of the spine and from their flow upwards.