The China Divergence: Changing Path [Episode 40796]

Two days after their unfortunate 'accident' at the Cursed Springs, the Saotome son and father (now daughter and panda) and the Jusenkyo Guide were coming in view of Yaocaicun.

Genma Saotome had insisted on this detour after hearing from the guide that the renowned herbalists of this town knew some temporary cures for the Jusenkyo curses.  The guide had complied, not minding much, even if this meant a change from the common tourist itinerary, which usually includes the village of Nyuchezuu.

Of course, they could have tried to use the permanent waters of the Nanniichuan, but the guide had several qualms against this.  First, it was dangerous to mix the water of the springs — especially so shortly after being initially cursed.  Adding to the problem were the several existing 'Man Springs', most of them inducing a physical and/or personality change.  Genma had been very wary once he heard of the 'Spring of Drowned Buddhist Priest' or the 'Spring of Drowned Virtuous Man'.  Worst, the Guide was not entirely sure of which spring was which — for some reason he kept confusing the 'Spring of Drowned Twins' with the one of the virtuous man.  The recently cursed peoples were quickly discouraged to try them out by the hesitancies of the man.

There was a generic Nanniichuan the Guide was aware off, but it brought an entirely different set of problems.  This spring was considered the property of the peoples of Mount Phoenix.  Their spies had made good use of it for generations to mingle in the human population.  As such, using its water without the (unlikely) approval of the Bird Peoples could be very dangerous.  The guide felt they had already taken enough risks with the unexpected dive in the Nyanniichuan, which was considered the property of the Musk Dynasty (although the latter had stopped dipping animals in it long ago, and as such were less touchy than the Houzanjin about the matter).

So, the little group headed to the Herbalist Village, seeking a temporary — but less risky — cure for their brand-new curses.

The village itself looked like most of the small settlements in the region.  The only noticeable trait was the increased number of workshops with dried plants, animals, and weirder things on display.  The peoples, otherwise, looked much like any other natives the travelers had already seen.

The Guide had led the panda and girl to one of such boutique, where a wizened old man was idly smoking a pipe.  After a short explanation and a demonstration involving hot water, the Saotomes had returned to their normal forms and gender.  Now Genma was asking, thru the guide's translation, what remedy the ancient shopkeeper could offer them.

"Ancient one said that he can sell Instant Nanniichuan to honored customers. Mixed with water, it supplants ordinary curses without side effects for up to a day.  He also had special Waterproof Soap; this can protect for the transformation of cold water, but must be reapplied regularly."

'Damn, none of these cures last very long...' thought Genma.  "Tell him I'd like to test the stuff first, to see for myself if it's genuine...."

The Guide translated, but it inspired a smirk from the old man, who responded with an amused tone.  "Ancient one say precious merchandises are secure in the back of the shop, and he won't pick them up until he saw money first... sorry about that, honored customer."

"WHAT?  What kind of unsound methods are these?  He'll never do any business if he doesn't show more trust in his clients!" barked Genma in a haughty tone.  The Saotome father was outraged.  How could he hope to steal what they needed if the old monkey didn't let him?

Ranma was watching the whole scene from the side with an expression of utter boredom.  He was still more than a bit irked from the curse, so his father wouldn't get any help from him.  When Genma and the old man began to argue heatedly thru the Guide's intermediary, he sighed.  He knew that if they started to haggle, it could last a very long time.

"I'm going for a walk, Oyaji" mumbled Ranma as he strode away.  Anything better than to hear the old dudes throwing prices at each other.

Genma barely acknowledged his son.  As soon as he was out of hearing range, though, the Japanese con man tried to propose a marriage arrangement to the shopkeeper if he had a daughter (or even a son).  The savvy Chinese fellow just laughed and told that every of his kids and grandchildren were married, and he wasn't interested.  Genma was tempted to cry.

As Ranma idly strolled in Yaocaicun, he was of course bound to meet two of the town's most notable citizens: the twins Pink and Link.  But how would this encounter occur is up to the Fates: