A pristine letter found inside of a box at an old newsstand.
Dear Mr. Carefree:
I hope this finds you well! Your suggestions have been well-received. Since then, I've received many favors and I am extremely grateful.
However, I've recently encountered some wee matters which I find frustrating. After much deliberation, I've finally decided to trouble you, and I hope that you can be so kind as to enlighten me on the matter.
I used to own several entities, all of which being operated in tip-top shape. However, you probably are also aware of the Denizens of Abundance a few decades back — the ones they call Shen, in cahoots with the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus — who all infiltrated the Xianzhou under the auspices of a Grand Fair guild to try starting a riot. I got caught up in all this with the rebels, and my business was getting worse by the day to the point of being unsustainable. I'm afraid it's on the verge of bankruptcy.
It's left me sleepless, and I have no idea what to do. It'd be impossible to cover all the debts alone. I've wracked my brain to come up with plans like fleeing to an alien planet, but I'll never escape a warrant from the Ten Lords. If things are like they seem, I'd be better off surrendering at the Hall of Karma and just ending everything!
I wouldn't mind if it were only me that's affected, but I've got kids and elders that could be in danger no matter what I do. I cannot countenance such outrageous acts, but no alternative remains: And so I seek your advice, and hope you're able to offer a few pointers. I would be forever indebted to any teachings you could offer; otherwise, I'll be off to the Hall of Karma…
*The remainder of the letter is blurry and illegible.*
[If you told the stranger to come clean.]
Dear Mr. Carefree:
I never thought that you'd write me a letter after all these millennia! Thank you for your letter. I've read it over and over again. I'm speechless at your generosity!
I'm afraid you may not know that the advisory letter you replied to was written by my grandfather. Back then, he was in a deep trouble and impatient, seeking advice from you on a way out — but he never got that reply. However, it is very gratifying that my grandfather went with the letter's choice of a “familial payback plan to forge a way out together.”
Time flies, and nearly three millennia have passed since then. Even though grandpa had since fallen from being stricken with mara and had passed on to the next life in the Hall of Karma, we still follow his teachings — and we have finally repaid the debt in full. We have finally lived up to our family name.
Grandpa used to always say: “Money has its price, but sincerity is priceless. People have their limits, but trust is limitless.” Despite grandpa's failing to receive your advice, if spirits really do exist, then he must be pleased as punch to know that you're in agreement with him!
There's too much to say in such a hasty reply. Please take good care of yourself!
[If you told the stranger to run away.]
Dear Mr. Carefree:
I never thought that you'd write me a letter after all these millennia. I am deeply moved.
I'm afraid you may not know that the advisory letter you replied to was written by my grandfather. Back then, he was in a deep trouble and impatient, seeking advice from you on a way out — but he never got that reply. In the end, grandpa could not confront his demons and was struck by mara, so he ran out on me and our whole family. After that, we managed to pay back all of his old debts. We have finally lived up to our family name.
Time flies, and nearly three millennia have passed since then. We no longer torture ourselves with wondering about his changing moods back then, or how he came to such a plight. Reading your letter today has helped me realize that you are not the same person you were three millennia ago, and it's a pity. Thinking things through, it's probably because everyone in my world is hopeless at bearing this pain of infinitude.
There's too much to say in such a hasty reply. Please take good care of yourself.