[center][h3][color=c4df9b]Shrine of an Forgotten God, Henan[/color][hr][/h3][/center][b][i]Vanished[/i][/b] [@Kidd][@Feyblue][hr][color=d65e5e]"That'd be great," [/color] Sima thanked Yifang, [color=d65e5e]"I have a rough map there, but I can't read maps for the life of me."[/color] 

He paused for a brief moment as he rubbed the back of his neck. While Sima lacked an internal compass, he wasn't daft. Something about what Yifang said didn't sit right with him. Like it was a surprise to both of them that someone was there. He gave Yifang a quick palm and fist salute as he walked past her. After all, it wouldn't be uncommon for a criminal to try to hide in a dilapidated shrine.

He entered the shrine and came face to face with the girl inside.

...

...

She didn't ring any bells.

Sure, she had a few distinctive things about her. Strange eyes. Dishevelled clothes. He would have immediately been reminded of a wanted poster if she was described on one. He did keep track of them, after all. Yet, none came to his mind. Whoever the girl was, Sima had no idea who.

Rubbing the back of his neck once more, he lowered himself to the same height as the girl. A smile uncharacteristic of his rugged face formed.

[color=d65e5e]"You must have had a rough time, haven't you?"[/color] 

[center][h3][color=6ecff6]Xincai, Henan[/color][hr][/h3][/center][b][i]The Little Scholar That Could[/i][/b] [@Zeroth][hr] The scholar sighed. Well, it was unfortunate but realistic. A warrior with shining blade coming to escort her across the country for essentially free was wishful thinking indeed. Well, at least the only person who came to help her was nice about it. The little scholar gave the man a smile.

[color=f7976a]"Then I shall take you up on your offer. But hmm..."[/color] The little scholar seemed to be lost in thought already as the tears in her eyes seemed to vanish. [color=f7976a]"Xincai does lack offices of governance, so your only hope here would be an information broker. While that information would likely be common if the sect is renowned, it would still cost a decent amount. Well, in that case, you could check with one of the beggar sect members--those with knotted rope-belts--or one of the merchant informants. Alternatively, you could ask around random people, but their willingness to help and quality of information would be a bit dubious..."[/color] The scholar paused. [color=f7976a]"That is to say, I don't know where they are either. They'd likely be west of the province if they are an orthodox clan and east if they're unorthodox. That's the extent of my knowledge without current access to my father's library."[/color]

Well, the scholar did turn out to be a touch long-winded when she wasn't on the verge of tears. With Hyun-Woo carrying some of the scrolls, the two left towards an inn. Preferably, one that kept rabble away. Golden River seemed like it wouldn't have too many roughnecks inside...

[hr][b][i]The Hunt for the Madwoman[/i][/b] [@Restalaan][hr]
[color=ffee8c]"G-gwaa!"[/color] The bald man yelped. He certainly wasn't expecting help from a demon. He wasn't expecting a demon at all! Though, he did realize in some time that it was just someone in a mask rather than some sort of demonic entity. Even so, he was already at the point where he would have made a deal with an otherworldly entity to get out of his current predicament. To him, it didn't quite matter who he was asking. As long as it wasn't [i]her.[/i]

[color=ffee8c]"Well-"[/color] the bald man began to recall his story. [color=ffee8c]"Me and the lads 'ere just going our own way between jobs, y'know? Then all of a sudden, this insane freak pops out of a tree and starts tossing around poison. I slipped away before she got me, but my boys..."[/color] The bald man clenched his fists. [color=ffee8c]"She's probably torturing them as we speak!"[/color]