The travelers’ shelter rests beneath the broad willow, its plank walls glowing with firelight. Wújì arrives with every copper spent, while evening smoke curls above Mistress Han’s cooking fire.
Mistress Han
You look as though the road charged you more than coin. If you can work, I can offer supper and a place on the floor.
Mistress Han, a middle-aged woman with warm brown skin, tightly curled black hair pinned back, and a broad, sturdy frame beneath her faded brown apron, a sturdy middle-aged woman in a faded brown apron, gestures toward stacked firewood and a water barrel. Her practical gaze pauses over his cuts, then moves on.
Luo Meiying
Those are not road scratches. Mountain stone, perhaps? You should clean them before dust and sweat turn minor wounds into a serious problem.
Near the shelter’s open side, Luo Meiying, a slim young woman in moss-green and slate-grey robes, sorts dried plants across a cloth. Her sharp eyes linger on his bruising.
Mistress Han
Ignore her sharp tongue, lad. She has been buying herbs all afternoon and examining every guest as if they were one more ingredient.
Luo Meiying
And yet I am the only person here who can tell whether those injuries need more than clean water. Decide quickly. The light is fading.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure a modest refuge at the travelers’ shelter
“Zhāng Wújì Wújì bows respectfully to Mistress Han. “Thank you, Mistress Han. I would be grateful for the work and a place to rest. I have no wish to impose on your hospitality without earning it.” He glances toward Luo Meiying and then down at his injuries. “She is right. I should tend to these before they worsen.” Wújì carefully sets down his provisions and rolls up his sleeves. “I know a little about treating injuries. If you have clean water and some basic medicinal supplies, I can take care of them myself.” He pauses, then looks toward the stacked firewood. “Afterward, please show me what needs to be done. I will do my share before I rest.””
SUCCESS (Legendary Healing Arts, rolled +0)
Zhāng Wújì
Thank you, Mistress Han. I would be grateful for the work and a place to rest. I have no wish to impose without earning it.
Zhāng Wújì
She is right. I should tend to these before they worsen. If you have clean water and basic medicinal supplies, I can care for them myself.
Wújì bows to Mistress Han, sets his provisions safely aside, and rolls up his sleeves. With clean water, cloth, and a small bundle of herbs, he cleans and binds each injury carefully.
Luo Meiying
Your hands are steadier than most travelers’. That treatment should keep the wounds clean. Do not waste the remaining salve.
Zhāng Wújì
Afterward, please show me what needs to be done. I will do my share before I rest.
Once the bandages are secure, Wújì carries water from the nearby pump, splits the smaller logs, and stacks the firewood beneath the shelter’s eaves. He works quietly until the evening supply is ready.
Mistress Han
That is more than enough for supper and a place on the floor. Wash your hands, lad. I will have a hot bowl ready, and your provisions can stay beside you.
Quest Complete
Secure a modest refuge at the travelers’ shelter
“Zhāng Wújì Wújì washes his hands and accepts the bowl with both hands. “Thank you, Mistress Han. Your kindness is more than enough.” He settles near the edge of the shelter and eats slowly, careful not to waste a single bite. His injuries ache beneath the fresh bandages, reminding him that the journey has taken more from his body than he would like to admit. After finishing his meal, his attention drifts toward the herbs Luo Meiying has laid across the cloth. He recognizes several of them immediately, but says nothing. Instead, he watches quietly, trying to understand what she is searching for and why she has gathered such a particular collection of medicinal plants. Only after a while does he speak. “Miss Luo, forgive my curiosity. You seem to be looking for something specific. If it is not too troublesome to ask, what kind of herb are you trying to find?””
SUCCESS (Legendary Healing Arts, rolled +0)
Zhāng Wújì
Thank you, Mistress Han. Your kindness is more than enough.
Wújì washes his hands, accepts the bowl with both hands, and settles near the shelter’s edge. He eats slowly, saving every bite while fresh bandages ache beneath his sleeves.
When the bowl is empty, his attention returns to Luo Meiying’s arranged herbs. He recognizes several varieties but keeps silent, studying the gaps between them and her careful sorting.
Zhāng Wújì
Miss Luo, forgive my curiosity. You seem to be seeking something specific. What kind of herb are you trying to find?
Luo Meiying
Curiosity is less troublesome than ignorance. I am looking for a silver-veined frostleaf, preferably one grown above a spirit spring. Its leaves should carry three intact veins.
Luo Meiying turns one dried leaf between her fingers, then compares it with the others. Her expression sharpens as she notices how closely Wújì has been observing.
Luo Meiying
It is used to stabilize a cooling elixir, but ordinary frostleaf will not do. Have you encountered one on the western road, traveler?
✓ Quest Accepted
Receive Luo Meiying’s assessment of Wújì’s injuries
“Wújì gives a small bow, setting his empty bowl aside. “I have seen herbs along the western road, though I cannot say that I encountered one with three intact veins. I would not want to mislead you.” He carefully adjusts his sleeve, revealing only enough of the bandaging for Luo to examine the injuries. His expression remains calm. “As for these wounds, you are welcome to have a look. I treated them as best I could, but I am no expert in judging how mountain injuries heal.” He sits still and lets her examine them, quietly observing her methods rather than interrupting.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Perception, rolled -2)
Zhāng Wújì
I have seen herbs along the western road, though I cannot say I found one with three intact veins. I would not want to mislead you.
Wújì gives a small bow, sets aside his empty bowl, and carefully adjusts his sleeve to reveal only the cleanly bound injuries. He remains still as Luo approaches.
Zhāng Wújì
As for these wounds, you are welcome to examine them. I treated them as best I could, but I am no expert in judging how mountain injuries heal.
Luo Meiying
Good. Do not move. I will check the bruising first, then the edges of the cuts. Tell me if pressure becomes intolerable.
Luo loosens the outer cloth and studies the bandaging, then tests the surrounding skin with precise fingertips. Her method is orderly, beginning with warmth, swelling, and discoloration before disturbing the dressings.
One section has adhered to a shallow cut. As Luo lifts it free, the wound opens slightly and stains the cloth with fresh red. She replaces the dressing with a measured strip from her own supplies.
Luo Meiying
Your treatment was competent, but this binding is too tight here. The injuries are clean and healing. Change this dressing tonight, and avoid steep climbing until the skin closes.
Quest Complete
Receive Luo Meiying’s assessment of Wújì’s injuries