Searches And Revelations (Wei Ming/Open)

[Jiang Wei]

As the sun rose to illuminate beautiful Jing Province, Jiang Wei was getting his trusty steed ready for another road trip. The fast pace he was traveling in was a hazard to the poor animal's health, but he didn't once complain or show signs of fatigue. A well-slept night was enough to replenish the energy for another day's push, and there was always a source of water nearby for them to drink from; this allowed Jiang Wei to maintain that fast pace. He bid farewell to the farmers he took refuge with, finished saddling up his horse and went on his way.

It had been three weeks since he left Tianshui, for good this time. After he drove back the Qiang tribesmen that wrecked the city, he went home to find his mother missing and a letter:

"My son, if you are reading this, let me tell you that I am fine. Those Qiang people did much harm to everyone else, it seems, but the spirit of your father didn't let them come near our house. While you were out there fighting, Ma Zun and the others made absolutely zero effort to protect the people, reveling in their luxuries and ignoring our pleas. This city isn't safe anymore, not with those barbarians looming about. So I will join a merchant caravan passing by and get away from Tianshui. Masters Yin Shang and Cheng Wu agreed to take their personal armies and escort us, and they are even writing letters for me and other worried relatives out there. I'm not sure where we'll end up, but I want you to know that I love you and that I am certain we'll meet again someday. I'll be waiting for you, my son."

Having read this, Jiang Wei got back on his horse and immediately departed east, out of the range of the Qiang, to look for his mother. He was aware that there was a big probability that he would never find her, but it wouldn't be from lack of trying. Guilt started to consume him as he thought that if he were there to protect his mother, she wouldn't have felt the need to escape. Then anger set in for almost losing another parent to the Qiang. But he never let himself feel sadness or despair, and always kept a glimmer of hope that he would someday find his mother.

Now Jing Province, despite its bustling cities and paradisiac landscapes, was unexplored territory for a young man from the northwest. Growing up amidst the mountains and the unforgiving cold, Jiang Wei finally got to see what laid down the river, and was stunned by the rolling fields and generally warm climate of the region. He didn't plan on staying there much longer, but he would definitely consider living there should the opportunity arise.

Spending nights with farmers gave him some understanding of the lay of the land and his location. After searching fruitlessly in Nanyang, he went south knowing that his next destination was the bustling center of Nanjun. And from a distance he contemplated the greatness of the Changjiang, the mighty river that cut across China giving life to the land. His latest hosts confirmed that he was a short distance away from the city, so he pushed his horse further to get there as soon as possible.

Then it happened. As fast as a lightning strike, as sneaky as a snake, a group of about fifteen pirates ambushed Jiang Wei on both sides as he crossed a bridge, asking for a toll to allow him to pass. At first Jiang Wei laid down his weapon and agreed to pay the toll, but the price asked was too high and he refused to pay it. As the bandits came closer, he rapidly picked his weapon up from the ground and charged at the group in front of him, hoping to confuse them enough to make a run for it. His plan backfired, though, when the pirates wouldn't budge, allowing the rear group to catch up to him. Now totally surrounded, his only escape was to jump off the bridge into the body of water below. But while he strafed back to the edge of the bridge, he was left to fend the pirates' attacks off, and though he skillfully deflected most of the blows, he still got injured in his left shoulder and thigh. Slashing in front of him first to create separation, he dove down the bridge and watched as the pirates took his horse and ran away.

As he washed up on the shore, he realized the cuts were deeper than he expected, and he felt his energy waning as the adrenaline from the jump wore off. He picked up a parchment from his boot and unwrapped it to see if the letter from his mother was wet; it wasn't exactly dry, but it was still readable. As he tried to put it back on, though, he fainted, lying unconscious with the paper in his hand...

[Deleted]

The White Princess

W E I M I N G

"May The Light guide me on the path I walk."

Garb: Traveler
Mood: Calm
Condition: Best
Post Type: Political!

The White Princess was heading back from her trip to Wu. The experience was interesting and she felt her horizons were indeed expanding. It had come time to travel towards Wei. However her entourage was growing weary and as night fell, Ming felt a strong desire to go near the river for the night. She had seen it several times in her dreams going to Wu, so perhaps it held some meaning for her journey. They eventually decided by mutual consent to set up camp along the river as she hoped.

Ming spent some time alone with Epona in thought as she often does. They had passed several groups of other travelers since leaving Wu. Most were poor and struggling. Some spoke of how great life in Jian Ye could be if they could be merchants there. Ming thought how good a leader Sun Quan seemed. What of those who had nothing to give and were left stranded in such a climate that he offered? Perhaps he did have it thought out... Wei Ming found herself suddenly quite a ways away from the camp. Looking very flustered, she gently prepared to guide Epona back when her pale eyes saw a body along the river!

Her mind raced as she thought of what The Light was trying to show her before. She had to try to save this man! She ran to his side and rolled him onto his back with all her strength. His body was wet and cold. He must have been swept from quite a distance. Ming knew from some old medical books her great grand mother had how to check for life signs. Luckily, he was alive. Ming sighed in relief as she tried to make out his face in the dark night. Her hair created a reflected the like of the moon. Which certainly helped a little. He was a rather attractive young man about Ming's age. She was not sure this was okay actually. And thought to go get Hua Gui.

It was as she backed up a little off him, that she saw his hand clasped around a piece of wet paper. It could be something private and important to him considering his tight grip even while unconscious. Wei Ming began to think about who he was as she sat in the night.

[Jiang Wei]

Jiang Wei dreamt. And in his dreams he was a young boy spending time with his mother, asking her why his father wasn't around anymore. But as distressed as he got that his father wasn't there, he always felt safe with the soft embrace of his mother, always found motivation in her support, always found a haven in her lap. Now this young boy had grown up, his aspirations had changed, but the motherly figure that had been there all his life wasn't there anymore. So Jiang Wei had a nightmare.

He woke up shivering, due to the combination of his wet clothes and the cold night. He grasped the paper in his right hand, glad to see it wasn't lost in the river. As he regained his senses, though, he realized he wasn't alone. And his first instinct was to stay in guard, thinking it could be wild animals or bandits there to pillage his body. But that couldn't be farther from the truth, as his eyes set upon a young lady with hair the color of the moon sitting by his side. And though he was startled, there was something so calm and soothing about this lady, something that made him believe with all certainty that he was completely out of danger. As he fell back to reality, he thought to introduce himself and his plight, uncharacteristically bowing before a stranger, though one that may have saved his life:

"Hello, it is very nice to meet you. My name is Jiang Wei and I traveled all the way from Tianshui in search of my mother. On the way to Nanjun I was ambushed and attacked by bandits, and washed up on the shore here." Now that he was totally conscious, he realized the lady looked younger than him, and he couldn't help but ask, "I appreciate your help very much, but what is a lady doing out here alone? If the days are treacherous in this region, I can only imagine how the nights are."

[Deleted]

The trip was long and hard on the aging warrior, Sure he could handle fighting in battle easily but he couldn't say that for his back after countless days of traveling, of course he wouldn't complain but  it be nice if he could lay in a proper bed for one night. Wei Ming and Hua Gui had made camp earlier in the day after he had decided to do some hunting and brought back an elk for a proper dinner much to Wei Ming's dismay. After dinner Hua Gui had decided to enter a deep meditation n an effort to rid the sin from his body as he believed the heavens never forgave him for his past crimes. He imangined Wei Ming had gone to sleep or take a walk if she wasn't meditating with him.

After a few hours of his deep meditation, Hua Gui was awaken by his senses, knowing something was wrong and of course he knew like usual Wei Ming was in the middle of it although you couldn't say he was surprised much from Wei Ming's activities anymore. He arose from his humble spot and looked around only too see Wei Ming next to a corpse.
"Go figure....ugh" Hua Gui sighed before joining his two hands together forming his Tiger hand seal, showing his Chi forming a faint aura around his body before his Chi wandered to his feet.

"Tiger Release!...Hasting Dragon!"

Hua Gui yelled to himself in his mind, with this technique he have his chi be concentrated to his feet,allowing his to move far quicker for a short period of time. He had no choice as it would of taken far too long to go on foot naturally. Hua Gui's boots began to show a faint aura around there structure as Hua Gui looked in Wei Ming's direction and took off faster then a arrow being fired from a crossbow with him being next to the two in less then ten seconds. 


As he stood behind Wei Ming as the corpse, revealed to be a boy still alive although he was injured despite the other two somehow not noticing, I guess it was time for him to Show Wei Ming something new she would most likely want to learn next but only after the boy spoke to her.

"Hello, it is very nice to meet you. My name is Jiang Wei and I traveled all the way from Tianshui in search of my mother. On the way to Nanjun I was ambushed and attacked by bandits, and washed up on the shore here." Now that he was totally conscious, he realized the lady looked younger than him, and he couldn't help but ask, "I appreciate your help very much, but what is a lady doing out here alone? If the days are treacherous in this region, I can only imagine how the nights are."

Hua Gui walked out of Wei Ming's shadow

"She is not alone, She is with me.....and apparently always finds something dangerous or interesting when am not looking over her"

Hua Gui sighed once more

"Boy you are injured lay still for a moment and I shall treat you....Watch carefully Ming, you may learn something."

Hua Gui once more joined his two hands together, this time forming the Ram hand seal with his Chi once more becoming visible to the naked eye once more. Once again his body began gathering his Chi into his hand, showing a strong white aura as it built like a flame around his hand making the Ram hand seal. After a few moments he slammed the palm of his hand against the boy's chest, he meant no harm to the boy but he couldn't miss.

"Ram Release!......Jilie Healing!"

He yelled out by instinct, with the white aura traveling from his one hand holding the seal to the palm of his other hand against the boy's chest with his chi soon following. As Hua Gui's Chi traveled through out the boy's body, the faint white flame like aura took shape around his body as the boy's exterior and interior wounds were completely healed in moments after Hua Gui's Chi entered the boy's body. As soon he finished the healing process and took his hand off the boy's chest, Hua Gui nearly collapsed from using much of his energy to heal the boy. It had been a number of years since he had performed that technique and now his body had aged, not able to take the same punishment since he was a young monk. After a few moments of struggling to get on his feet, he looked at the two looking a bit battered

"Ther....there better not be any flirting or romance"

He let out a hard lough before caoughing


"If you want to court, you can do it properly....I know how young people work"

He laughed once more

"If not, good night to you young man and if somehow the light....recruits you, you be under my command"

He turned around and began walking back to there camp hoping to get some proper sleep, he wasn't expecting to have to use such an advanced Chi technique tonight. As he walked back, he turned his head with his eyes seeing the gossipy two 

"Am off to bed now, Be sure not to get into trouble or....find anything else interesting"

He waved his hand as he made his way back to the camp.

[Deleted]

The White Princess

W E I M I N G

"May The Light guide me on the path I walk."

Garb: Traveler
Mood: Calm
Condition: Best
Post Type: Political!

After Hua Gui used his strange chi powers on the young man, Jiang Wei, he left the two as quickly as he appeared. Ming was always surprised of the things he was saying and doing next. It was truly stunning what kinds of people and the abilities that some possessed. Was the Light imbalanced? She stopped the thought for now and focused on the current matter. She hoped Gui did not startle him even more than her appearance did.

"Jiang Wei... you are very fortunate to have survived. The technique Master Gui used may not be enough without you resting. I am Wei Ming of Chang Sha. Although I am not actually born in the city. I lived near it my whole life. The world is a dangerous place as long as people continue to live divided. If one does not endanger themselves by seeing the land and all it toils under. Yet also what it offers those faithful in a better future. How can they hope to learn or even make a difference? "

She did not stress the fact she was a Wei. It was a blessing and a curse depending on the situation. Perhaps he would recognize the name, it was unimportant to how she dealt with others. Ming wanted to help this man but was also on her own journey. Her great grand mother would have helped for certain. While all her ancestors were meaningful to Ming. It was she that Ming felt the most pride for. Truly the Light was attached to Ming because of Wei Sun's good deeds.

".....I have a small entourage that accompanies me on a pilgrimage of sorts. We are heading to all of the great kingdoms that have begun to gain relevance in this chaotic time. It is a journey of learning and to help those who are lost like yourself. We could help you find your mother or perhaps the clues we need to help you accomplish the task for yourself."

Wei Ming was quite in control of her thoughts and emotions tonight. She didn't become overly flustered by Hua Gui's teasing comments, nor did she lose herself in thought... at least not too much! A odd moment. Perhaps the Light was guiding her tonight.

[Jiang Wei]

Before the girl could answer his inquiry, a middle-aged looking man came out from behind her; in any other situation this would have looked menacing, but Jiang Wei didn't even have time to feel menaced. "Boy you are injured lay still for a moment and I shall treat you....Watch carefully Ming, you may learn something." And with these words the man slammed his hand on Jiang Wei's chest, allowing curative powers to be infused in the young man's body, closing his wounds and revitalizing him. Now it was all a surprise, as it happened fairly quickly, and Jiang Wei was impressed with the knowledge that this man possessed in order to be able to do these things. He had read some books and heard tales about men utilizing the body's vital energies and channeling them to perform all kinds of techniques, but he had never seen one with his eyes, much less had one used on him. And as quickly as he arrived the man left, but not before dropping some insinuating comments that made the timid Jiang Wei feel a bit uncomfortable.

So Jiang Wei was alone with the girl again. She said her name was Wei Ming, but it definitely didn't ring a bell; maybe because Jiang Wei lived his whole life distant from her hometown Changsha, all the way to the northwest in Tianshui. She also showed to have an understanding of the technique the man had just performed on him, as she recommended that he take a rest after being submitted to it. At least he didn't feel physical pain anymore, only a mild discomfort in his arm and leg, a numbness caused by the blows dealt to him and also maybe the healing process he had just went through. But what she said after startled Jiang Wei more than any other thing that day: "The world is a dangerous place as long as people continue to live divided. If one does not endanger themselves by seeing the land and all it toils under. Yet also what it offers those faithful in a better future. How can they hope to learn or even make a difference?"

It surprised him because the girl seemed much younger than him, and he was already considered young in the military ranks, and she showed such awareness of the world around her. Later, he would meditate on these words and comprehend that she spoke the truth. Up until this moment, the only world he had ever known was the one immediately around Tianshui, and the only problems he had ever seen was the occasional Qiang roving attack and people getting lost in the mountains. His journey to find his mother, while still in its infancy, showed him a glimpse of everything else that happened in the land; people losing their harvest to plagues, people drowning attempting to cross rivers, people losing everything, up to and including their lives, to bandits... It was a very delicate balancing act: the land tries to advance forward, thus solving some of the existing problems but creating more problems that the next generation will have to deal with. But to those who believe the cycle will someday break, the reward is worth fighting for.

For now, Jiang Wei fixed his eyes on Wei Ming. There was something about her that made him want to believe in her, follow her to the ends of the earth. Not a blind faith sort of thing, but rather an unrelenting charisma that emanated from her face. She was saying: "I have a small entourage that accompanies me on a pilgrimage of sorts. We are heading to all of the great kingdoms that have begun to gain relevance in this chaotic time. It is a journey of learning and to help those who are lost like yourself. We could help you find your mother or perhaps the clues we need to help you accomplish the task for yourself."

Now, Jiang Wei wasn't someone who took decisions impulsively, so as she invited him to join their pilgrimage, he thought twice about his desire to follow her. The first thought that came to mind was that it would be better to travel in a group than alone. The second was that these people weren't simple travelers, they had a long-term goal and they knew what they were doing. Finally, he spoke: "Wei Ming, thank you and your friend for the help. I know not everyone would stop to check on a body laying on a river bank, and that act may have just saved my life. About this pilgrimage... I'm sure your intentions are noble if you're undertaking a task of such magnitude. I would be honored if I could join you and your entourage." It came in a deep, respectful tone, something that Jiang Wei knew well how to do.

[Deleted]

The White Princess

W E I M I N G

"May The Light guide me on the path I walk."

Garb: Traveler
Mood: Calm
Condition: Best
Post Type: Political!

The fact he accepted meant he was a trusting man. One who still had faith that people still were good of nature in this world. Wei Ming took a moment to quickly place a hand to her chest and speak a soft praise to the Light. She lightly placed a hand on Jiang Wei's hand and gave another short prayer. Then she looked at him as she stood.

"I do not know if you believe in a higher power. However things such as what just transpired are like small miracles. Remember that as long as your beliefs are just and good. I think you will succeed in finding out what happened to your mother. I trust in the Light and in my companions that our journey will have a positive outcome."

Ming gestured to a distant campfire.

"The camp is that way. We should probably get you a change of clothes and some food. One of my attendants are very good at cooking with limited materials!"

Wei Ming looked genuinely happy to have made a new companion. She hoped to help him with his problems and also learn more about him in later days.

(OOC: This thread can close unless Jiang Wei would like to continue.)

[Jiang Wei]

(OOC: I think the continuation is implicit, Jiang Wei returns to camp and joins Wei Ming's entourage. To me the thread can close too.)