Yi Zaifu returns to the abandoned hut carrying the compact bundle. His injured wrist aches beneath its sleeve as he sets the bundle beside the cold hearth.
He opens the cloth and finds shipment tallies, route marks, and a bronze token stamped with a burning blade. The records name deliveries staged around the roadside inn and Cloud-Splitting Lodge.
The token identifies the Burning Blade Sect, a minor but rising sect expanding its territory through purchased provisions and false orders. The innkeeper’s Nine Peaks seal could prove the deception.
Yi Zaifu secures the evidence and hurries back along the quarry stream. Dawn has strengthened into morning, and every mile toward the inn now feels costly.
By afternoon, the roadside inn appears beyond the fields. The innkeeper remains behind his counter, while his wife sorts herbs beside the kitchen passage.
Yi Zaifu
I found who arranged the shipments. Give me the Nine Peaks seal, and I will take it with this bundle to warn the sect.
the innkeeper
Then you must see their authorities quickly. The seal is yours to carry, master, but tell me what the Burning Blade Sect intends.
“I tell him, he must keep secret what I'm about to tell him. I tell him about the Burning Blade Sect and ask if he seen anybody from the Burning Blade around.”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +0)
Yi Zaifu
Keep secret what I am about to tell you. The Burning Blade Sect arranged the shipments, using false orders and your Nine Peaks seal to hide its expansion.
Yi Zaifu
Have you seen anyone from the Burning Blade Sect around the inn?
The innkeeper closes the wooden box around the seal and lowers his voice. His wife pauses over the herbs, watching the shutters rather than the counter.
the innkeeper
I will tell no one until you reach the Nine Peaks authorities. As for the Burning Blade, I have seen no one wearing their colors openly.
the innkeeper
But three weeks ago, a traveler asked precise questions about my deliveries, the eastern road, and whether the sect ever inspected this province.
He taps the counter beside the sealed evidence, recalling the visit. His wife sets down the herbs and turns toward the kitchen passage, her expression tightening.
the innkeeper's wife
He had a burning-blade clasp beneath his cloak. I thought it was merely an old travel badge, but now I remember the red enamel.
✓ Quest Accepted
Leave the inn carrying the evidence
“I thank them and take the seal. Then I make haste to the Nine Peaks Sect.”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled +0)
Yi Zaifu
Thank you. Keep the inn secure, and I will carry the seal to the Nine Peaks authorities.
The innkeeper unlocks the wooden box and places the dark red Nine Peaks seal in Yi Zaifu's hand. He secures it beside the Burning Blade evidence beneath his robe.
the innkeeper
May their authorities recognize the truth before the Burning Blade returns. Do not trust anyone who asks for that evidence casually.
the innkeeper's wife
Your wrist is still stiff, master. Ride the road with care, and come back if the sect can spare justice for this place.
Yi Zaifu leaves the inn and makes haste along the eastern road. Fields give way to quarry hills, then steep pine slopes, while the seal rests safely against his chest.
By dusk, nine dark peaks surround a stone mountain compound marked with the sect's split highest summit. Yi Zaifu reaches the Nine Peaks Sect authorities without delay.
Nine Peaks gate attendant
State your business at the gate. That seal bears our mark, and the evidence beneath your robe appears to concern us.
Quest Complete
Discover who is paying the vagabonds to drive the innkeeper’s family away
Skill Upgrade: Stealth Mediocre→Fair
Quest Complete
Leave the inn carrying the evidence
+ New Item Acquired
Nine Peaks Seal