Quoted By:
"We have the What, They are cutting out the sect from their trades.
We need the Who are they selling to, which will indicate Where are the stones all going.
When did it happen?
How did it start/How is it done?
Why? What pushes a man to betray their liege.
- <span class="mu-b">We have some answers already. The When? Revenue started to dwindle down around half a year ago, came to a stop one month and a half ago - in synchronicity with where Gro Ta and Bathias are.
The Where? Well, this village is crossed by a road. Further where we came from, bandits didn't heard of them or their merchants - probably meaning it's going the other way around.
I didn't researched enough the villages further in lands - they're countless and meaningless, like sand grains in the river. About as poor as this one.</span>
- So, probably too poor to afford buying them out?
- <span class="mu-b">More likely than not. Three possibilities : we're backstabed by another Stable Lotus Harbor sect, or a village wants to get some relevance and are backed by a major Sect or the Empire itself, against us.
Last option, the bandits are the buyers. It's not likely - everybody seems relieved the scum have been cleaned. Bandits have families and a place to live, and they've been in activity before the issues started.</span>"
- Right. We need to know more. The bigger brother won't talk. The younger one knows nothing - however he remains easily controlled by his Ego. The younger girl remains. Maybe I can get her to talk?
- <span class="mu-b">Take this.</span>"
Kyo Ko hands you a few thumb-sized ornated bottles, each containing a thick grey liquid. You can almost taste the pungeant herbal smell once you uncork one to confirm what you already know.
- Body Tempering Liquid?
- <span class="mu-b">Really, you should have requested some for the mission. An amazing bargain chip for people working on their Heart Aperture. Works as a pill up to the second stage.
And if it is not consumed, well, you can just pocket it. This is your way in with the little girl.</span>
- She's not little, she's older than me!
- <span class="mu-b">Your point, little boy? Anyway. The sect records say we sent the village some Body Tempering Liquid upon request for both of the patriarch's son. He didn't asked for his daughter.
Of course, this was a favor. A favor he didn't want to repay for her.</span>"
You feel you missed something.
"Wait. Not opened her heart aperture? How do you know?
- <span class="mu-b">Well, I can see it silly! You should really have taken some time to work on some Eye Aperture skills.
Anyway, the girl is working on her Hundred Day Foundation. The elder son is better than I expected from a remote place like that : True Master, opening the Dragon Claw Dantian.
The patriarch is Battle King, First Meridian. The second boy is on the verge of opening is Mouth Aperture - but their village techniques seems to be sub-par. That means you could maybe hold your ground against him in a real fight. I'd advise to avoid though.</span>"