They departed with a small retinue of soldiers; the word was already out long before they had left. Siyu sat within the carriage with Frey, but he was not watching the scenery outside; he was watching Frey.

Frey felt the gaze and looks away from the carriage window, meeting Siyu's eyes on the opposite side of the carriage. “Something on your mind, Sir Siyu?”

“Yes. I would like to know more about you,” Siyu says.

“What would you like to know?” Frey says with a smile.

“Where you grew up, how you were raised, and your ambitions,” Siyu says, his senses heightened.

“As you know, I grew up in an orphanage. I was raised to cherish food, love my brothers and sisters, and respect my elders. I was also raised to protect what was important to me with all I had.” Frey answers, a stern look flashing across his expression. “Before you found me, my ambitions were rather normal. Grow up, find work, and support the orphanage if I could. But then I met Princess Layla, and my only ambition after that was to live my life by her side.” He continues, his expression becoming gentle.

“What about your cultivation? What does it mean to you to cultivate by Fire?” Siyu asks, hoping to learn as much as he could.

“What it means to me?” Frey ponders. “Everyone makes mistakes. The Heavenly Path, by Fire, from my perspective, is to let go. To let go of regrets and bitterness, with the knowledge that each day, we are a new person. Some things should be carried forward, while others..." He says with a smile.

“What are your ambitions in regards to cultivation?” Siyu continues to ask.

That stern expression appeared on Frey’s face again. “To gain the strength necessary so that when the day comes that I leave this body behind, I won’t have regrets.” He says.

“I see,” Siyu says with sincerity.

…

…

“Stop the carriage; the enemy is near,” Siyu says with his eyes closed.

Frey looks at him and calls out, “Stop the carriage, and look out for the messenger birds.”

…

…

After receiving the message from Fort Plum, they travel further down the road and set up camp as they were ordered to. From where the Paz soldiers had gathered, they would have to cross a hilly region north of them. The soldiers from Fort Plum have set up an ambush there, placing hundreds of archers atop the large hills. If all goes well, their party would avoid seeing any bloodshed.

And as was ideal in the military world, everything went according to plan.

They were ordered to set up camp and travel back to Fort Plum in the morning.

Siyu did not let his guard down, however. He continued to watch the scenery, looking for any changes but could find none. Only when it was deep into the night did he enter his tent, but as his head felt the touch of the pillow, an intense feeling of alarm shook him. Siyu sits up and shouts as loudly as he can, “Frey!”

An instant later, Siyu hears the sharp sound of wood breaking and metal clashing. He runs out of the tent as the soldiers move to surround Frey’s tent. Before the soldier could get into formation, the flash of a shadow could be seen as a figure moves past the encirclement of the soldiers. After leaving the barrier formed by the soldiers, the figure begins to move at an even faster speed down Siyu's left side. After seeing this, Siyu's body begins to move instinctively; he threw a sharp punch at the empty air to his right side, and the fleeing figure crashes to the ground as if an invisible hand had just punched his left kidney. The soldiers rush forward to take advantage of the situation, but before they could attack the figure had gotten up to face the soldiers. The figure weaved through the nearest soldiers, blood splashing and bodies falling, before the figure sprints away. As the figure got further away, Siyu could feel a gaze meet my eyes.

Ignoring the feeling, he sprints to Frey’s tent, finding Captain Friez bandaging Frey.

Frey looks up at Siyu and smiles. “I’m fine,” he says. “After hearing you shout I was able to move away in time and the assassin was only able to slash my shoulder. After that the soldiers came and the assassin left. Thank you.” Frey says with gratefulness.

Siyu could only sigh in relief and say, “Thank goodness.”

…

…

“He was at least an Expert level cultivator, but I expect he was at the Master level. The only reason I lived was most likely because he did not specialize in group fights.” Frey reports.

“How many soldiers were lost?” Colonel Vlaire asks.

“We lost two men, and one was heavily injured.” Frey answers.

“Unfortunate, but lucky. If it was a Master like me, your whole squad would have been annihilated, but even if I faced that assassin alone, it’s unsure who would come out the victor.” Colonel Vlaire responds. “Rest up for a couple of days and prepare to travel. We received a message from the King. Since it is apparent that Paz wants you dead, the King wants you transferred to the Demon Hunters, near Fortitude Forest. You depart in four days.” Colonel Vlaire states.

“The Demon Hunters? The monster hunting branch of the military?” Frey asks with some interest.

“Yes. Even though they primarily hunt monsters, they are sometimes dispatched to deal with dangerous criminals, as many Demon Hunters are particularly formidable against Hell Path cultivators.” Vlaire explains.

“Is it normal for these criminals to be Hell Path cultivators?” Siyu asks, unsure of the association.

“Yes and no.” Vlaire tries to explain. “In our military, many high ranking officers are Hell Path cultivators. Although Hell Path cultivators are more susceptible to a criminal lifestyle, often, that’s not the case. Many criminals cultivate the Earth Path, and some of the most dangerous criminals are Heaven Path cultivators. What can I say? People are people, I guess.” Vlaire says with a chuckle. “Now go; rest while you can.” She says with a wave.