The Nine Mortal Ways stands as one of the most unconventional factions in Where Winds Meet. Unlike the righteous paths of the Well of Heaven or the disciplined focus of the Silver Needle, the Nine Mortal Ways celebrates deception, chaos, and the art of the prank. For players looking to embrace the life of a trickster and master unique utility-based combat, this sect offers a gameplay loop unlike any other. Joining them requires navigating a web of lies—fitting for a sect that thrives on tricking the unsuspecting.

The Core Requirements and Preparation

Before seeking out the Nine Mortal Ways, ensure the character has reached at least Level 10. This is the universal threshold for unlocking sect initiations in the Qinghe region. While the quest can be tracked via clues found in Harvestfall Village, players can stumble into the initiation much earlier if they know where to look.

It is also advisable to have a decent amount of copper coins on hand—at least 1,500 to 2,000—to cover initial information bribes and "elder" requests. Joining this sect often involves a temporary hit to your virtue or reputation among more honorable NPCs, so prepare for a shift in how the world perceives the character.

Path One: The Deception at Harvestfall Village

The most common way to encounter the Nine Mortal Ways is through a quest that actively tries to trick the player into joining under false pretenses. This path is narratively satisfying as it mirrors the sect's own philosophy.

Step 1: Finding the Gatekeeper San Qian

Travel to Harvestfall Village, located in the western reaches of the Qinghe region. Within the village, locate a waiter named San Qian, typically found near the local restaurant or tavern area. San Qian acts as a filter for the sect. He will claim to have information regarding the prestigious Well of Heaven sect. To get him to talk, players must pay a bribe of 200 coins. Once paid, he points the player toward an "elder" resting under a large elm tree on the outskirts of the village.

Step 2: The Trial of the "Well of Heaven" Elder

Upon reaching the elder, the initiation quest officially triggers. The elder claims to be a representative of the Well of Heaven, a sect known for justice. However, he immediately presents a suspicious task: to prove your worth, you must retrieve a large pile of jewelry from an "old friend" of his.

This is the first major red flag. A righteous sect would rarely ask a prospective member to steal. To proceed toward the Nine Mortal Ways, follow the quest marker up the mountain to find an NPC named Zhang Yihao.

Step 3: Executing the Theft

Once Zhang Yihao is located, players have a few ways to obtain the jewelry. Using the Wind Sense mechanic is highly recommended here. It allows you to highlight the items within the target's inventory.

  • Celestial Seize: If the player has unlocked the Celestial Seize mystic skill, they can snatch the jewelry from a distance while remaining undetected. This is the safest method.
  • Direct Seizure: Enter Wind Sense mode and use the seize mechanic. Note that early-game success rates for this can be low, and players are typically limited to two attempts per day.

Once the jewelry is in your possession, the quest update will reveal a startling truth: Zhang Yihao was actually the real elder of the Well of Heaven, and the man who sent you was an impostor.

Step 4: Embracing the Chaos

Return to the first elder in Harvestfall Village. He will congratulate you on your "successful robbery." At this point, the deception is revealed: he is a member of the Nine Mortal Ways, and the entire quest was a test to see if you were willing to commit a crime for personal gain.

To join the Nine Mortal Ways, select the dialogue option: "I'll go with the flow." This signifies your acceptance of their deceptive lifestyle. If you choose "Not happy, I quit!", the elder will attack, and you will be locked into a path that eventually leads to the real Well of Heaven sect instead.

Path Two: The Midnight Blades Alternative

If a player accidentally fails or declines the Harvestfall questline, there is a secondary route via the Midnight Blades questline. This path is slightly more combat-oriented but leads to the same outcome.

  1. Locate the Injured Swordsman: Travel to the Boundary Stone northwest of Halo Peak. Lying on a nearby cliffside is a seriously injured swordsman.
  2. The Bloodstained Path: Follow the trail of blood to find an NPC named Ic Chantika.
  3. Dialogue Choice: When speaking with Ic Chantika, choose the option: "My heart is that of an Asura." This triggers the rogue token exchange.
  4. Token Exchange: By providing the correct token or following the resulting lead to the southwest Qinghe region, you will meet the sect leader and be invited into the Nine Mortal Ways immediately.

Martial Arts Mastery: The Mortal Rope Dart

The primary draw for joining the Nine Mortal Ways is the Mortal Rope Dart (also known as the Ru Yi Suo). This weapon is a mid-range, highly versatile tool that excels at crowd control and mobility.

Key Skills and Mechanics

  • Blade Bound Thread: A basic but effective ranged strike. When it hits an elite enemy or boss, it pulls the player toward the target, allowing for rapid gap-closing. Against standard mobs, it pulls the enemy toward the player, setting them up for a melee finisher.
  • Rodent's Resilience (Charging Stance): This stance consumes endurance to charge a powerful strike. While charging, the player gains a defensive buff, making it an excellent tool for trading hits in a chaotic brawl.
  • Rodent Rampage: A signature special skill that consumes "Tokens of Grace" (earned through successful tricks or combat combos). It summons a spectral rat companion that attacks alongside the player, significantly boosting DPS for a short duration.
  • Token of Vendetta: Many rope dart attacks apply this debuff. It marks an enemy, making them more susceptible to the sect's unique "Fun" interactions and increasing the damage they take from follow-up martial arts.

Sect Life: Ranks, Shop, and Reputation

The Nine Mortal Ways operates on a system called "Jianghu Fun." Unlike other sects that demand honor, your standing here increases when you prank NPCs, win at card games through bluffing, or successfully use disguises to infiltrate restricted areas.

Hierarchical Titles

Progressing through the sect unlocks titles that reflect its whimsical nature:

  1. Outer Prentice (Bogus Hero): The entry-level rank. Grants basic access to the sect shop.
  2. Inner Disciple (Noble): Unlocks exclusive armor sets and hairstyles.
  3. Core Prentice (Bogus Leader): Provides voting rights in sect decisions and increased reputation gains.
  4. Clan Master (Bogus Master): The highest attainable rank, offering the maximum number of votes and the rarest cosmetic rewards.

The Sect Shop

Located in Harvestfall Village near the elder Ni Laoshan, the shop offers items that reinforce the trickster playstyle. Notable items include:

  • Morphing Powder (8,000 coins): Used for advanced disguises.
  • Tipsy Powder (8,000 coins): A utility item used to confuse guards or NPCs.
  • Ninefold Freedom Appearance Pack (6,000 Reputation): A high-tier cosmetic set that signifies a master of the sect.
  • Begging Pose (10,000 coins): A social emote that can actually be used to generate small amounts of coins from NPCs in major cities like Kaifeng.

The Rules of Deception

Being a member of the Nine Mortal Ways isn't a free pass for mindless violence. It is a sect of cunning. There are three core pillars to their rule system:

  1. Jianghu Fun: Earned by teasing or tricking other players and NPCs. This is the primary currency for sect-specific advancement.
  2. A Thousand Faces: This refers to the disguise system. Members are encouraged to impersonate others to resolve conflicts or gain entry to palaces and dojos. Failing a disguise in a high-stakes area leads to a loss of virtue.
  3. Deceiving Heaven: This is the risk factor. If your tricks fail—such as being caught pickpocketing or failing a bluff in a card game—you lose standing within the sect. Repeated failures can lead to a -10 Virtue penalty per infraction, which may eventually trigger interactions with the game's bounty hunters or law enforcement NPCs.

How to Leave the Nine Mortal Ways

If the life of a trickster no longer suits your journey, leaving the sect is possible, though it comes with a steep price. Unlike more "honorable" sects that might require a trial of combat or a ritual of severance, the Nine Mortal Ways is more transactional.

  1. Open the Sect Menu and navigate to the character status page.
  2. Select the "Betray Master" button in the bottom right corner.
  3. You will be directed to speak with Ni Laoshan in Harvestfall Village.
  4. The Penalty: Ni Laoshan will demand a mandatory exit fee of 50,000 coins.

Once the fee is paid, you are free to join another faction, such as the Silver Needle or the wandering Vagrants. However, be aware that you will lose your sect-exclusive titles and voting rights, though you generally keep any purchased cosmetics and the basic proficiency with the Mortal Rope Dart.

Tactical Advice for New Members

To truly master the Nine Mortal Ways, one must balance combat with social manipulation. In PvE encounters, the Mortal Rope Dart's ability to pull enemies out of formations is invaluable. In the open world, prioritize building the "Deception" skill tree. This reduces the chance of being detected while in disguise and increases the success rate of the "Seize" mechanic.

When navigating major cities like Kaifeng, use the Morphing Powder to blend into crowds. This allows you to eavesdrop on NPC conversations, which often reveals secret clues for world quests that are otherwise hidden from "honest" players. The Nine Mortal Ways is more than just a martial arts choice; it is a lens through which you can exploit the game's social systems for maximum gain.

By following the deceptive elder in Harvestfall Village or finding the injured warrior at Halo Peak, you embark on a path of high risk and high reward. Whether you are pulling enemies across the battlefield with a rope dart or bluffing your way into a forbidden library, the Nine Mortal Ways ensures that your journey through Where Winds Meet is anything but predictable.