*temp ai_annoyed false *set ai_forest_event true Under the cover of the sky that starts to darken, you enter the forest, looking for Ai and her little group. Although you don't exactly know their meeting point, how far could they have wondered in such a dangerous place? It doesn't take you long to find them — as they didn't exactly tried to hide. The group, you presume of commoners, sits around a campfire, with Ai in the center. You catch her right in the middle of a heated speech. "They wield such power!" — she exclaims, the passion in her voice unwittingly captivating attention — "They possess such resources!" "And how do they wield it?" "To oppress! To enslave!" "Tell me, brothers and sisters, back in your villages, did you starve? Did you have to fight for every crumb, for even the tiniest piece of bread?" "Yes!" — the crowd shouts in unison, their expressions indignant. Ai nods. "Nobles throw away food they find distasteful — throw away! They feast on delicious meat of ferocious beasts, yet would rather throw the leftovers to their dogs than to end the hunger of the poor." "Tell me, brothers and sisters, back in your villages, did you find it cramped? Did you have to fight with your numerous siblings for a sleeping place? Not even for a bed, just for a stack of hay inside, protected from rain and snow by a roof?" "Yes!!" — the crowd shouts again, even louder. Ai nods, once more. "Nobles have hundreds of bedrooms, hundreds of enormous beds with silk sheets and soft pillows. They would rather build palaces for themselves, then construct for us a livable settlement." "Tell me, brothers and sisters, do you think it's fair? Do you think it's justified for them to act this way? Do you think we should beg them for our survival?" "NO!!!" — the crowd roars. "How are they better than us? Because their blood is purer? But since we're here, doesn't it mean that our purity is good enough? So, what makes them better!" Ai turns to *if characters_9_status = "Hostile" you and frowns. *label angry_response "Get out." — she scowls — "You're not welcome here." Dozens of gazes burn through you, clearly willing to fight you for whatever offense you've caused their leader. *choice #Beat them up. *goto beat_commoners #Leave. *label ai_leave Feeling no need to argue with her, you simply snort and return back to the sect. *goto_scene free_roam *else you and gives you a provocative look. *if mc_equipped_mask = 5 "Why don't you answer me, friend?" Understanding that she doesn't recognize you, you take off your mask and allow her to see your face. *if characters_9_status = "Hostile" Ai immediately frowns, before rage flickers in her eyes. *goto angry_response *else "Why don't you answer me, ${YM} ${mc_name}?" *choice #"Being noble is about integrity, honor and dignity." *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 9 2 "-" *set ai_annoyed true "Being nobility is about behavior." — you explain — "It's about having integrity, defending you honor and keeping your dignity. Qualities that, sadly, common men rarely possess." "And you believe nobles are [i]honorable[/i]?" — she snorts — "What a fucking joke." Before you can retort, she continues. "Even if it wasn't, why do you think the commoners lack those qualities?" — Ai asks — "It's not because we are worse people. Try being honorable when you dying of starvation, you bastard." A clapping of hands rings out. "You are absolutely correct, Sister Ai." — a voice says — "I might not be a commoner, but I had to deal with my share of contempt from those who consider themselves my betters." You turn around, wondering who it is that has butted in your conversation, and come face to face with a man whose appearance startles you to the core. *goto long_chen_meet #"Go back to plowing fields, peasants." *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 9 5 "-" *set ai_annoyed true You mockingly laugh. "You think too much." — you say to the commoners — "Leave such things to your masters. Why don't you go and do whatever it is insignificant people like you do. Plow the fields or sew some clothes." *gosub_scene subroutines stat_check "prestige" 100 *if (stat_check) These disciples know your name: ${mc_surname} ${mc_name}, the rising star of the sect, one of the brightest prospects of the new generation. Hearing your words, although many of them rile in anger, most lower their heads in acceptance. *else You are not well-known enough for these disciples to take your words seriously: they rile in anger, provoked by your condescending attitude. "How dare you!" — they scream, one more taunt away from rushing you in an attack. "And how about instead of spouting elitist nonsense, you'd shut your hole and go train instead?" You turn around, wondering who amongst these commoners is so gutsy, and come face to face with a man whose appearance startles you to the core. *goto long_chen_meet #"Maybe there is a difference — maybe not. Who cares?" You shrug your shoulders. Questions regarding statuses of commoners and nobles matter not to you — in the end, strength is what determines one's position. "Maybe there is a difference — maybe not. Who cares? Go train yourselves instead of debating useless things." "Easy to say for someone who was never limited in ${pronoun_3} growth by envious pricks." You turn around, wondering who it is that has butted in your conversation, and come face to face with a man whose appearance startles you to the core. *goto long_chen_meet #"You're right — nobles are no better than commoners." *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 9 3 "+" Giving it a thought, you realize that Ai is right: believing yourself to be superior simply due to being born with a surname is not a correct view to have. "I agree." — you reply — "Nobles are no better than the commoners." This is not an answer these people have expected, not from an heir of a noble clan: judging by their tense expressions, their tightly gripped weapons, the commoners have been ready to be riled up in anger due to your words. Instead, they are surprised, but pleasantly so. "I didn't expect Martial ${polite_address} to be so progressive." You turn around, wondering who has butted in on your conversation, and come face to face with a man whose appearance startles you to the core. *goto long_chen_meet #Beat them up. *label beat_commoners *set ai_annoyed true *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 9 8 "-" You spit on the ground in disdain. "A bunch of ungrateful fucking monkeys." — you sneer — "We gave you food. We gave you homes. We gave you an opportunity to rise up. And you dare to [i]complain[/i]?" You crank your neck and warm up your knuckles. "Your patheticness disgusts me." — you continue — "Someone needs to teach you brats a lesson. A lesson you will remember next time you decide to open your mouths." *gosub_scene subroutines stat_check "prestige" 100 *if (stat_check) These disciples, although riled up, still can't help but step back and gulp. Your name is already widely known in the sect — along with your strength. With a predatory grin, you move — only to be stopped in your tracks by a loud, authoritative voice. *else "And who do you think you are?!" — the disciples shout, ready for a fight. You sneer and step forward — only to be stopped in your tracks by a loud, authoritative voice. "You can try and fight me, if you think yourself so capable." You turn around, wanting to see who was so bold as to interrupt you, and come face to face with a man whose appearance startles you to the core. *label long_chen_meet The man is a an identical copy of you. Same ${mc_skintone} skin, same *if mc_eye_left = mc_eye_right ${mc_eye_left} eyes, *else ${mc_eye_left} and ${mc_eye_right} eyes, *if mc_hair_length != "bald" and the same ${mc_hair_color} hair as you. *else and the same facial features as you. You see that your looks shock him as well. He quickly collects himself, however, and chuckles. "It seems the rumors are true." — he gives you a smile and claps his hands in greeting — "I'm Long Chen." *set characters_14_opinion 50 [[b]Long Chen[/b] added to [b]Character Glossary[/b]] *choice #"What rumors?" Curious, you stare at him, studying the man from head to toe. "${mc_surname} ${mc_name}." — you introduce yourself — "What rumors is Martial Brother talking about?" "That amongst the new disciples, there is one that looks more like me than my own brother." — Long Chen *if (mc_sex = 0) explains. *else explains — "A feminine version of me, of course." *label chen_turns_ai He then turns to Ai, his expression changing. If to you, he was friendly and pleasant, for her he gives his most flirtatious grin and doesn't hide his raunchy goal. "Xiao Ai, it's been a while." — he says, flashing his straight white teeth — "Did you miss me?" Ai, however, doesn't play along. She rolls her eyes and shoos him away with her hand. "Stop addressing me as if we were close." Long Chen's eyes widen, he takes a step back and puts his hand on his chest. "We're not close?" — he exclaims — "But you're the love of my life, Xiao Ai!" *choice #"She already told you to stop using that name." "I believe you were told not to call her that." — you interrupt his performance, crossing your arms. Long Chen chuckles and turns to you. His gaze is arrogant and unyielding, letting you understand: if he wants to do something, he [i]will[/i] do it and there isn't a thing you can do to stop him. *if (ai_annoyed) "I don't need someone like [i]you[/i] to defend me." — Ai protests — "I'm perfectly capable of doing that myself." "And you better save your sweet talk for one of your concubines." — Ai tells Long Chen — "Don't make me throw you out." "That'd be interesting to see." In the end though, Long Chen nods and winks at her. "Alright. You're playing hard to get, but I, Long Chen, is known to be quite persistent." — Long Chen replies — "Until next time." As soon as he leaves, Ai orders you to do the same. "I have no interest in conversing with someone of your views." — she says. *goto ai_leave However, he eventually gives you a nod — as if he was doing you a favor — and a suggestive wink. "Ah, I see how it is." — he comments — "Alright, then I won't bother the two of you for now. However, ${polite_address} ${mc_name}, don't take too long or your catch might be snatched away by other fishermen." "I'm not anyone's catch." — Ai protests, yet you catch her glancing at you subtly — "Goodbye, Senior Martial Brother Chen." *label will_you_stay "Will you stay with us and listen or will you be going as well?" — the slim brunette questions you as soon as Long Chen leaves. *choice #Stay. *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 9 1 "+" You sit down near the campfire, taking a spot where Ai points you to. You see her walk towards a cauldron, before she starts to scoop rice out of it and placing the food on multiple plates "You want any?" — she asks. You nod in response. In a minute, after she's done with the other commoners, she hands you a serving. You dig it into and the taste of what seems like plain rice amazes you. "How is this so good?" — you can't help but mutter. Ai gives you a soft smile and points towards a middle-aged woman nearby. "Aunty Cho is an excellent cook. We don't how she does this, but her rice is ten time better than if any of us tried to cook the same dish." "It's a shame though, that rice is about everything that she can make. Where she is from, they didn't get a lot of food variety." — Ai explains, her voice becoming sadder and sadder — "Just think, how many talents there are, how many wonderful people with wonderful skills who will never get to shine just because they weren't born noble?" *choice #"What's your plan?" "It's quite pitiful." — you affirm, looking around the commoners happily chatting with each other — "You've been organizing them. Leading them. Do you have a plan? A goal?" She sighs and looks up, at the starry sky. "No." — she responds — "I don't have one. I don't know what to do at all." "All of this-" — Ai gestures to the campfire — "Is just me trying to do the right thing. Open their eyes, show them that the world can be a better place." "How to actually make it a better place… I have no idea." "Do you it's possible for the world to change at all? For our hopes to be realized in reality? Or are these dreams of fairness and equality are just that, dreams that would forever remain only in our minds?" *label is_it_possible *choice #"Yes, it's possible." *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 9 3 "+" "I believe it can happen." — you say — "Though I doubt the nobles will let go of their power willingly." "It always comes to violence, isn't it?" — she laments — "Why can't humans talk things out? Find a compromise? Why do they result to fighting and killing as their instinctual response for solving problems?" "That's just the world we live in." — you comfort her — "We can only do our best and hope for the rest to turn out good as well." "You're right…" *label playful_tap Ai gives you a playful tap on the shoulder. Her mood cheers up, becoming slightly chirpy. "Do you want to hear a story about a rabbit, a cow and a drunk farmer? I'll promise you, you'll laugh." "Sure." Until the sun hides in the darkness of the night completely, you continue talking with her, trading stories both recent and from your childhoods. *page_break Return To Sect #"No, it's not possible." *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 9 1 "-" "I don't believe it can happen." — you say — "The nobles won't relinquish their power unless they are forced to. And even a Shangtian can't shake the Martial World alone." *label comes_to_violence "I guess you're right." — Ai laments — "It always comes to violence, isn't it? Why can't humans talk things out? Find a compromise? Why do they result to fighting and killing as their instinctual response for solving problems?" "That's just the world we live in." — you comfort her — "We can only do our best and hope for the rest to turn out good as well." "I'm tired." — she mutters — "Thank you for the company, but we need to return to the Sect now." *page_break Return To Sect *goto_scene free_roam #"I'll make it possible." *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 9 3 "+" "Whether it's possible or not, I don't care. Because I will make it happen anyway." — you declare. Your arrogance causes her to laugh, serving more as a source of amusement rather than a pillar of hope. "Well, I'm glad someone's confident, at least." *goto playful_tap *goto_scene free_roam #"The world is unfair." *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 9 2 "-" "The world is a cruel, unfair place." — you muse — "I bet many people would swap their lives with these commoners in a heartbeat." "But do you think it has to always be this way? Do you think it's possible for it to change? To become a better place?" *goto is_it_possible #"What's the point of whining about it?" *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 9 3 "-" "You complain, complain and complain. What do you expect to happen? That the world would suddenly change, become a better place just because you want it to?" "I have bad news for you, girlie. It won't." — you assert — "Our world is rules by strength. By violence. If you want change, then you must be willing to be brutal to those who wish to stop it." *goto comes_to_violence #Leave. "I have matters to attend to." — you answer, clasping your hands and giving her a slight bow — "Farewell." *page_break Return To Sect *goto_scene free_roam #"Don't even think such dirty thoughts, you bastard." *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 14 2 "-" You cross your arms and give him a wrathful look. "Don't even think such dirty thoughts about her, you fucking bastard." Immediately, his head turns and his cold, unyielding gaze fixes you in place. His arrogant stare relays a message: if he wants to do something, he [i]will[/i] do it and there isn't a thing you can do to stop him. "I'm thinking lots such thoughts right now. So what?" *label ai_interrupts_scuffle You clench your fists in rage, but before you can retaliate, Ai interrupts the two of you. "Enough." — she protests — *if (ai_annoyed) *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 9 1 "-" "Both of you, get out. You're not welcome here." "Alright. You're playing hard to get, but I, Long Chen, is known to be quite persistent." — Long Chen chuckles — "Until next time." *label ai_ask_leave As soon as he leaves, Ai expects you to do the same, impatiently tapping her fingers. *goto ai_leave "Goodbye, Senior Martial Brother Chen." "Alright. You're playing hard to get, but I, Long Chen, is known to be quite persistent." — Long Chen chuckles — "Until next time." *goto will_you_stay #Let Ai handle it. You decide not to interfere, letting Ai handle this situation by herself. "Yeah? And what about the dozen of your other concubines?" Long Chen chuckles. "There is no need to get jealous. I love all my wives equally." "You can love them as equally as you want, I will never become one of them." — she firmly states — "Goodbye, Senior Martial Brother Chen." "Alright. You're playing hard to get, but I, Long Chen, is known to be quite persistent." — Long Chen chuckles — "Until next time." *if (ai_annoyed) *goto ai_ask_leave *else *goto will_you_stay #Punch Long Chen. *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 14 6 "-" The way he talks to Ai [i]irks[/i] you. It irks you so much, you wind up your arm and throw a punch towards his very punchable face. *label chen_suprised His widen widen as you catch him off-guard, believing his name and reputation to be enough to prevent any violent escalations from your side. Still, the suddenness of your attack doesn't prevent him from catching your fist with ease. "You must be a thorough fool to believe this was a good idea." — he says, puzzled — "However, I, Long Chen, never let an offense be unpunished." The last of his words are said with such arrogance, such resolution, that for a second a hint of an aura forms around his body. You don't get to dwell on the feeling, however, as Long Chen breaks your wrist and kick you in the chest, sending you flying until you collide with a tree. *gosub_scene subroutines add_injury 8 "What are you doing?!" — you hear Ai's shout — "Get out! Out!" "What? $!{pronoun_1} was the one who started it." "I don't care! I won't tolerate such needless violence." "Fine. I'll see you later then." As soon as he leaves, Ai walks to you. She sits down and inspects your hand, before shaking her head. "You'll need to make a trip to the infirmary." — she says — "Now would be a good time. Maybe you can think about how to behave on your way as well." Sighing, you stand up and return to the sect. *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 9 1 "-" *goto_scene free_roam #"Why do we look so similar?" Curious, you stare at him, studying the man from head to toe. "Why do we look so similar?" "Now, that's a very good question." — replies Long Chen — "I have a theory, one that's highly plausible, but I think we both understand why such things cannot be said without certain proof. I'll look into it later on." *goto chen_turns_ai #"I wasn't talking to you. Piss off." *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 14 3 "-" "I wasn't talking to you. Piss off." — you angrily say, not paying him any more attention. Long Chen laughs, before his cold, arrogant gaze fixes you in place. "Oh, but I [i]was[/i] talking to you. Now that's a dilemma, isn't it?" *goto ai_interrupts_scuffle #Punch him. *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 14 6 "-" Something about this guy [i]irks[/i] you. You're not sure what, but the irk is so potent, you wind up you arm and throw a punch towards his very punchable face. *goto chen_suprised *goto_scene free_roam