>>5754589The man standing in the doorway was young, perhaps around your age. Like his sister, his hair was red and tied back behind him. He wears a roughcloth cloak, with worn black clothes underneath. You notice a sword on his belt as well, hiding under his cloak. Ming was giving her brother a hug, the young man smiling to see his family again. When you turn the corner with Jin, though, he seems confused.
"Grandfather, I'm home. Who is this?" He asks. You notice that his accent wasn't quite as thick as the others. There were traces of it, but he doesn't quite drawl his words the way his sister and grandfather do. You can see a flicker of concern in his eyes, no doubt because of your damaged state of dress.
"Ah! Grandpa found him outside the village. This is Shu, when he found him he was like this."
"...Honglang did this, didn't they? Are you hurt?" Shen asks, a sternness in his eyes when he says that name.
"...I am fine, thank you for your concern." You reassure him.
"Hmph, still. You look like they tried to kill you! Don't worry though, they won't be trouble for much longer!"
"<span class="mu-i">Shen.</span>" Jin sternly interrupts. "I told you to let go of these foolish ideas. When you left for the city, I'd hoped you would wise up and help us save up to leave the village, not-"
"And leave everyone else here to <span class="mu-i">die?!</span>" Shen rebukes angrily. "You know they'll just raze the village if you leave!"
"I can stay, you and your sister should-"
"<span class="mu-i">Absolutely not!</span>" Shen shouts. You get the impression this is not the first time they've argued over this. "Besides, I'm stronger now! The Burning Heart Brotherhood accepted me as a disciple, now I can fight them!"
"You'll do no such thing!" Jin shouts. "Do you want me to lose my grandchildren too?!"
"So what, we should hide in fear until Wong Li decides he doesn't need us anymore?! Maybe you're still scared, grandfather, but I'm not! I can fight them now!" Shen boldly declares, drawing his sword and holding it in a dramatic pose as if to emphasize his point.
The moment he draws his weapon, a wave of rapid thoughts run through your mind. You analyze Shen, his posture, his grip, his stance, <span class="mu-i">everything</span>. Within seconds, you hear thoughts in your head of every flaw in his stance. His feet were too far apart, his balance was terrible, and other such revelations. All of it leads to one conclusion, you don't know why you know it but you realize one absolute truth.
This man will die if he fights, you are certain of it. He is not as strong as he believes he is.
>Stop him>Offer to join him>Side with Jin, it would be better to just leave>Write-in 