Yogo Osako showed up stating that with the increasing numbers of murder occurring every night the issue had been made a top priority by Governor Shosuro Hyobu. Since the Emerald Magistrates had already been investigating the matter, she sought their help in resolving it. It was her opinion that Takuetsu or an accomplice of his had returned to town and was committing the murders for some unknown reason. She gave them his last known location and relayed orders to the Thunder Guard to inspect travel logs at the city gates during the relevant period of time.
Ichiro sought to track down a source for jade in the city, eventually leading them to the shop Southern Treasures owned by Whisper. He did have a finger of jade available, but had assumed that the magistrates were there soliciting a hand gift (G1). Mirumoto, not catching on, continued the conversation. Akodo, realizing what was being implied, left in disgust and loudly suggested finding someone else to do business with. Eventually asking for the price Mirumoto was able to pay and avoid any stain to his honor.
Additionally the magistrates talked to a monk at the Temple of Daikoku about ghosts. Learning much about the various spirit realms that ghosts can come from, the types of ghosts from hungry gaki to vengeful onryou to simply common ancestor spirits that return to Ningen-do during the annual Obon Festival. He also discussed many of the ways in which these ghosts can allegedly be placated from resolving matters of vengeance to destroying them outright, though the latter usually only banishes them for a time until they can reform in the spirit realm.
Returning to the residence, a Thunder Guardsman introducing himself as Yogo Yoshi arrived with the results of the log inspection. Taking some additional initiative he pulled and inspected records starting from the evening of Oume's death. In doing so he found a suspicious entry on that evening. In the middle of the night a wagon carrying a load of rice left the Unicorn Gate heading for a monastery in the nearby mountains. No other traffic was leaving the city at the time and the journey, only a half day, normally wouldn't call for leaving so early. In addition the name of the party authorizing the travel pass seemed to be deliberately illegible, making it impossible to track down who had issued it.
Heading off to the monastery themselves the magistrates arrived close to midnight. They asked one of the few monks still up about anyone who might have arrived around the time in question and, quite coincidentally, a new initiate, Itsuki, did arrive at that time. Supposedly he had been found along the road by the merchant and offered a ride. After being led to the novice Ichiro addressed him as Iemon and he immediately gave himself away at hearing his true name. Before he had much time to discuss the events of the past Oiwa appeared. Her form appearing first in one of the temple lanterns with the mouth slowly tearing the paper apart until she emerged crawling out of it. She turned to Iemon and, as always, asked "Do you think I'm beautiful?" A brief fight broke out with the ghost. Mirumoto first attempted to use his daisho covered in his own blood before hitting her with his Emerald Magistrate's jade sphere, both to no apparent effect. Ichiro leapt and grabbed Iemon and, together with Akodo, they rushed him out of the temple. Oiwa did not give chase as they fled down the mountain and back to the city.
Along the way Iemon was convinced to reveal his side of the story. After Oiwa's assault she was distraught and asked him if he still found her beautiful, yet when looking upon her hideously slashed face he knew he could say nothing that would bring her comfort and simply turned away from her. Shortly after Kihei brought his proposal to marry Oume. It would benefit both of them and Oiwa would be able to find a new husband. Why should Iemon bear the burden of a sickly, scarred wife along with his crippling poverty? He only needed to find a reason to divorce her. Seizing upon Takuetsu's infatuation with her he thought to have him seduce her. He would get what he had long desired, she would be provided for, and he would be free of her. All would benefit. After convincing him to go through with the scheme Iemon arranged a time when he could be absent. Yet when he returned home it was to a Oiwa lying dead on the floor with a sword through her throat. Presumably Takuetsu had been so horrified by her appearance that he could not go through with it or perhaps a fight had broken out. It was sad, but of no account as his goal of being free of her had still been accomplished. Much like his escape from poverty it was not in the manner that he had anticipated or would have preferred, but it was still what he had hoped for nonetheless. He spread word that Takuetsu must have come upon his wife and murdered her. Weeks passed until the marriage ceremony and on their wedding night he went to bed with Oume. Yet in the night he turned to look at her and instead found Oiwa in her place looking back at him. In all ways it was as if his dead wife with her mocking "grin" was there beside him. In his panic he drew his sword and slashed out at the specter only to find that no sooner had he cut a deep gouge across her neck, but her appearance had returned to that of Oume, now lying there dead. Terrified at what had occurred he fled into the night. Fearing that she would continue to haunt him if he stayed in Ryoko Owari, he arranged to be smuggled out to the monastery where he might escape her, and he had until the magistrates arrived.
After heading back into the city, the magistrates decided to track down Takuetsu so they could have the full story from everyone connected to it. They headed over to his old business and former home and it seems he hadn't been doing great even at the time. He was behind on his rent and couldn't really go any lower. This gave them the idea to look into the Leatherworker Quarter. Kasuga talked to Eyebrows and indeed he was familiar with someone matching Takuetsu's description: a broken-down opium addict living in a shack near the cemetery.
Entering the hovel it was apparent that he was the man they had been searching for. He... cried. A lot. But he didn't resist as he was brought in. He also filled in what happened when Oiwa died.
After Oiwa had been disfigured and Iemon approached about the marriage to Oume he needed to find a way to divorce Oiwa. Iemon went to Takuetsu and suggested that he act on his attraction to Oiwa and seduce her. Having been unfaithful to him would give Iemon all the excuse he needed for a divorce. He wasn't entirely happy about this, but it was probably his only chance so he took it. Oiwa would be better off with a man who loved her than with this greedy brute, he reasoned. When he showed up he did his best and it seemed like she was fairly receptive until she somewhat suddenly asked if he thought she was beautiful. Of course he did. Then, a bit tearfully, she took off her mask and asked him again. Having been previously unaware of her disfigurement he was shocked, but more because he realized that, yes, he still did. At the same time he felt guilty and go no longer go through with the scheme. He didn't know what to say. His stunned silence however drove her hysterical and before he could say anything she'd grabbed a sword and was running for the door. He tried to stop her, but in doing so there was an accident and she stabbed herself through the throat. She died there cursing her husband's name. He fled in a mixture of shock and fear at being blamed for a samurai, even if only a ronin, woman's death. His depression and guilt over it all caused him to turn to opium and he had passed the past several months in a haze.
The magistrates decided to hold everyone there and hope that the ghost would come and sort things out. Indeed, she eventually came, asked him the same questions, and when Takuetsu replied "yes" to both, she moved to slice into his face with her tanto as he made no attempt to back away. As soon as it touched the tears on his face, however, it faded away, followed rapidly by her hand, arm... and eventually her entire body. He was left with a pair of thin, silvery scars on his face. It seems that the ghost had finally found peace. Redeemed by Takuetsu's honest love.
The decision was made to let Takuetsu go. He stated that he planned to retire to the monastery and try to redeem himself and the entire incident. Iemon was allowed to commit seppuku. He did so... reluctantly. Kihei had his home and assets seized to be submitted to the imperial treasury.
There was some discussion about what to do with Haruki, the member of the Strong Arm Firemen who slashed her. The decision was eventually made that they would do what was right and deal with whatever consequences occurred. Haruki was given the option of a quick, painless death in return for the cooperation he had shown. He showed honor above his station and accepted his death without fear.
Additionally the samurai sent for from the various clans arrived:
- A Dragon samurai in his late 60s named Hiroki.
- The twin sisters Ume and Sakura. Very young Lion samurai just barely past gempukku.
- Ichiro Taiki, a large, strong, well-trained Badger samurai in the peak of his youthful ability.
- Several heimin retainers.
Regarding the future, Hitoshi also sent a letter in return. He's interested in the offer, but was just setting out for the town of Musume Mura in the Crane lands. A Mantis sailor has gone missing and, knowing that he has some sort of history with them in addition to his performance in the Topaz Championship, the clan wanted him to resolve the matter and smooth over any potential inter-clan issues. He invited his friends to come help him or expressed an interest in trying to get reassigned after he concluded his business there.
Agasha Hanori also responded with enthusiasm, yet politely informed the magistrates that his current duties in the imperial city must keep him there at present. He offered to do whatever he could in order to aid them within the court or by appealing to his father-in-law, the influential Otomo Saneda.