For the first time in Siyu's life he had money, and he had to ask himself, what does one do when one has money? He bought some treats and toys for the kids, but it didn’t make much of a dent to the coin pouch. After that, he didn’t know what to do with it.

Siyu wanders the market looking for something to buy, when his mind starts to focus, watching the people walking down the market aisles, bargaining, and making purchases. There’s a story here! He thinks to himself.

Siyu walks forward, guided by the flow of actions until he sees a man through a window of a store who was in an argument with the shopkeeper. He continues to watch the scene, hoping to learn something from the movements. Frustration, regret, and bitterness. The man has a son; he wants to give him something, but he can’t. As Siyu learns these things, the man stomps out of the shop and forcefully shuts the door. As he was about to leave, Siyu stops him.

“Excuse me sir,” Siyu says, holding up his hand to him.

“Yes, lad? What is it? I’m very busy.” The man says somewhat impatiently.

“May I ask what you were arguing about in the store? I don’t mean to be rude, but I wish to be of assistance.” Siyu says, trying to sound sincere.

“Ah? And how are you going to do that?” The man says almost rhetorically with deep suspicion.

Siyu thinks of how to convince the man when an idea occurs to him. He opens his mouth and says, “I’m a cultivator of the Earth Path; that should count for something, no?”

“Ah! A cultivator! I apologize for my rudeness. My emotions are somewhat heated at the moment; I hope you don’t misunderstand.” The man says looking down to get a good look at Siyu.

“No need for apologies, no need for apologies,” He says with a wave of his hand and an awkward laughter. “If you could tell me your story, I would appreciate it.” Siyu says.

“Ah! Yes, my story. You see, my son has been accepted into a school run by a Scholarly Order of the Earth Path, but I can’t afford the yearly tuition to send him. A series of events made it so we had to use the money we saved for his schooling, so I was attempting to sell some family heirlooms, but that louse of a shopkeeper would only buy them for 5 silver! What a cheater!” The man explains, his emotions becoming tumultuous.

“I see, I see,” Siyu says, feigning the guise of a cultivator. “I understand good sir. I may not be able to help much but take this coin pouch. Hopefully, it will be of use to you.” He says, placing the pouch in the man’s hands.

The man looks into the pouch and his eyes widen. “Ah! Thank you, sir, thank you! I won’t forget it!” The man says with somewhat suppressed emotions. Cultivators were strange folk, and Earth Path cultivators were known for their limited lifestyles and donation of their wealth. Although the man was wary, he thought he would just consider himself lucky.

“No need, no need,” Siyu says with more awkward laughter, attempting to take a step back.

“Wait!” The man exclaims. “May you leave your name good sir? I wish to tell my son the name of his benefactor.” He says.

“Siyu,” He says with a bitter grin.

“Ah, Siyu. I will remember it.” The man says with a bow, and a right fist to his heart.

After stepping away from the situation, he wipes the sweat off his brow. It did not feel good to lie about being a cultivator, but at least that money was put to some use. As the weight of the coin pouch was gone, his mind felt somewhat clearer, and a thought occurred to him; so that’s what one does with money.

…

…

Life moves forward, and the work continues. The stories start to become clearer, and it becomes easier to listen.

One day, four city guards enter the restaurant and find Siyu.

“You want me to help you find someone? Who?” He asks in bewilderment as he takes a document summarizing the case.

“A young man, named Cathus. He recently returned to the city after graduating from his studies abroad and was planning to open a shop with the help of his family. With a connection he made while studying, he planned to import Cultivation Artifacts. He has gone missing and a ransom recently arrived at the home of his family, to trade his life for a certain Cultivation Artifact, a gold pendant called Ra’s Roar.” One of the guards explains with crossed arms.

“I don’t understand; how can I be of use to you?” Siyu asks, lowering the document to look at the guard.

“We were told that as a cultivator of the Earth Path, you specialized in investigation and divination. We currently have one lead; only a few people knew that Cathus owned Ra’s Roar, and the only one in the city is the caravan leader, who saw the inventory list. His name is Remus and he is staying at the Closed Mind Inn.” The guard says, pointing to the general direction of the inn.

Siyu gives a bitter sigh as he mumbles, “Why won’t anyone believe that I’m not a cultivator?”

“You have two days. If you don’t find him by the evening of the second day, we will have to go through with the exchange. In all honesty, we are fully prepared to go through with the exchange, but the family thought it would worth the try to employ your help, as the pendant in question is worth a hefty sum. Best of luck on your search.” The guard says before signaling his men to leave.

“Yes,” Siyu says with his head down, feeling his normal life slipping away.

…

…

“You were looking for me?” Remus asks after coming down from his room to meet Siyu at a table near the bar.

“Yes, I’ve been asked by city guard to investigate the hostage situation of Mr. Cathus, and if possible avoid the exchange occurring in two days,” Siyu says, watching Remus closely. “I apologize for any inexperience I might reveal; I am quite new to this role.” He says, watching carefully.

“You’re an investigator? Do you have any proof?” The man asks, closely observing my cheap attire of sackcloth clothes.

“You will have to take my word for it. I am an external consultant and cultivator of the Earth Path.” Siyu says firmly.

“Oh!” The man’s expression changed. “I apologize sir. May I have your name?” He asks.

“Siyu; Siyu Grey,” He responds with a reluctant smile. “As for the matter at hand. If you could give me the details of your caravan it would be appreciated.” He says, hoping to get to business.

“Ah, yes. I lead a caravan of two wagons and employ three helpers.” The man begins to say.

“Their names?” Siyu says, trying to direct the conversation.

“Byne, Trey, and the last one’s name is Fahl,” Remus says half-heartedly.

“Backstories, please. Start with Trey.” Siyu says with feigned authority.

“Yes, I met Trey at…” The man says, continuing to tell me his employee’s stories, and his own.

After listening to the story, Siyu rubs his chin trying to put the pieces together in my mind. “Hmm, how many items were on that inventory?” He says flippantly with no real direction.

**CRASH**

A waiter drops a dish. Siyu looks over at the plate, then his eyes are drawn to the clock on the opposite side of the room. It was two o’clock. Then it clicks, and Siyu's eyes light up. “Where can I find Byne?” He asks quickly.

Remus gives Siyu a strange look at the abruptness and answers, “He has some family outside the city walls. He’s staying there.”

…

…

Siyu watches the cottage from a distance as the city guard captain knocks on the door.

**KNOCK**

**KNOCK**

“Open up, Mr. Byne! It’s the city guard and we have some questions for you!” The captain raises his voice to say before crossing his arms and waiting patiently.

Siyu watches in silence, and on the edge of his consciousness he hears a slight creaking, then a guard yelling, “Captain! They’re running out the back!”

The captain orders, “Give chase! You and you, stay behind to search the house with me!”

The captain then proceeds to kick down the door and lead two men inside the cottage.

Siyu continues to wait…

They had caught Byne and his two cousins and found Cathus tied up in the basement. His restraints were released and he was told of Siyu's involvement in the investigation. After the matter momentarily settles, Mr. Cathus came to find him.

“Mr. Siyu, I came to thank you,” Cathus says with a slight bow of his head.

“No need, Mr. Cathus. Even without my involvement you would have been safely exchanged for the Ra’s Roar.” Siyu saya with a wave of my hands.

Mr. Cathus laughs and says “Even then, it’s unsure if the exchange would have gone smoothly.”

Siyu also laughs and says, “This operation also did not have a definite outcome. But I’m glad it worked out.”

Cathus laughs again. “Indeed, I am also glad. And you will be well rewarded for your work. May I know where to find you if I ever need your services in the future?” He asks.

“You can find me at the Heart Restaurant,” Siyu answers truthfully.

“The Heart Restaurant. I’ll remember it.” Cathus says with a smile.