Shen Qingqiu had not expected to be teamed up with Shang Qinghua on another mission so soon. Once he had accepted Shang Qinghua was not going to betray the sect, however, he had begun to enjoy the other's company much more. So he was in a calm mood as the mission of hunting down a demonic cultivator that was looking for appropriate sacrifices for his arts was given to them both.
Upon reciving the mission letter Shang Qinghua went to work making sure he had all his supplies stocked and the horse carrige prepared. By the time @shenjiuroleplay mafe his way to the gates, everything was already ready.
"Didi! Ready for a vacation?"
Shen Qingqiu frowned. "Perfect," he muttered. He drew out a few paralysis talismans and lead the way to prod the doors open and look inside.
It was certainly a scene. The child was bound on a table/temporary alter. There was blood still oozing from a gash on her head. On the floor a hunched elderly man was using a brush, carefully painting runes on the floor.
The nice thing about blood magic is it won't activate until it's fully completed and the sacrifice is offered. It would be easier if she wasn't already on the alter, activating the sacrificial array as soon as it was finished. But they still, thankfully, had time.
Shen Qingqiu struck with his sword, not even waiting, to strike and take the man's head.
The man scrambled, rolling across the floor, smugging his circle. Despite his age, the old man was spry.
While Shen Qingqiu chased him, Shang Qinghua rushed to the little girl and took her from the table.
Good, the child was clear. That would make this fight much easier. Shen Qingqiu kept up the quick slashes of his sword, each strike aimed to maim or cripple his target.
The bastard was slippery, dodging and bouncing narrowly out of the way. It was like he had eyes on the back of his head. He threw furniture, objects, anything to try and slow Shen Qingqiu down. Finally he ran head first into a wall. Instead of stopping though, the stone seemed to shift and melt around him, sucking him through.
Shen Qingqiu's eyes narrowed sharply and he reached out his qi to sense what was going on, trying to grasp what was around him. How was this man doing that? Was he still human?
The wall was fake. Sand colored and held together with qi. The cultivator's hesitation was just enough for the old man to push through and take off running down the street.



















