Chapter 13: A Quiet Search
Morning light entered through the small window of Rhaizen's room. He opened his eyes slowly, and for a moment, he forgot where he was. Then he remembered the bed, the wooden ceiling, and the quiet sounds coming from downstairs.
He was still in Ashveil Town.
He sat up, stretching his arms. His body felt light. There was no pain from past wounds, no stiffness from sleeping on the ground. He wasn't tired. He wasn't hungry. He felt—comfortable.
This was the first time in a long while that he woke up without danger sitting on his shoulders.
After washing his face, he took a deep breath.
"Alright… time to move again."
Today, he didn't plan to fight. He didn't plan to train until he dropped. He came to gather more information, understand the town better, and find anything that could help him in the future.
He also felt he needed to think clearly… about his path, his goals, and his next direction.
He stepped out of the inn.
The town was already awake. Merchants opened their stalls. Children ran around chasing each other. Women carried baskets of vegetables. Guards yawned as they changed shifts.
It was peaceful.
Rhaizen blended into the crowd and began walking.
---
Searching for More Clues
Rhaizen first returned to the notice board from yesterday. More papers had been added overnight. Some were job requests. Some were warnings. Some were missing people.
One caught his attention:
"Traveler last seen near the eastern woods. Family requests information."
He recognized the name of the area. It was a place he passed days ago. He wondered if the missing person had run into bandits—or something worse.
He moved on.
Another notice said:
"Wanted: Crimson Fang Bandits. Reward for any information."
Rhaizen stood still for a moment. He remembered the group of bandits he fought… and the one he killed, the First-Rate Warrior.
He wondered how many more groups were still out there.
He took note of the names attached to the notice:
Leader: Fang Varan
Second Leader: Crimson Gale
Third Seat: Iron Wolf Jintao
He memorized them.
He wasn't planning to hunt bandits right now, but he knew their names would matter later.
After that, he turned away and continued walking through the town.
---
The Town's Flow
Rhaizen stopped at a small stall selling fruits. The old woman behind the counter smiled at him.
"You're new here, aren't you?" she said.
"Yes."
"You're alone?"
"Yes."
She nodded as if she already expected his answers. "You look like a traveler. Be careful. This town is peaceful, but the world outside isn't."
Rhaizen didn't respond at first. Then he said softly, "I know."
He bought an apple, thanked her, and walked away.
He took a slow bite while observing the street.
The sound of merchants calling customers.
The smell of cooked food from a nearby stall.
The laughter of children playing tag.
The footsteps of guards walking in pairs.
Rhaizen watched everything quietly.
He had been surrounded by forests, isolation, and killing intent for so long that a simple busy street felt unfamiliar.
He sighed.
"It's peaceful… but I can't stay long."
He knew the calm around him wasn't meant for him. His life had already taken a different path.
Still, for today, he let himself enjoy the normal sights.
---
A Visit to the Herb Shop
He stopped by the herb shop he visited yesterday. The middle-aged woman was sorting tools behind the counter.
"You're back," she said with a warm smile.
"I need something," Rhaizen replied.
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What is it this time? Bandages? Medicine? Or more questions?"
"Questions."
The woman laughed gently. "I thought so."
Rhaizen stepped closer to the counter.
"Yesterday you mentioned a group called the Shadow Veins," he said. "Do you know anything else about them?"
Her expression changed slightly—still calm, but more serious.
"Only rumors," she said. "But people say they move quietly. They don't attack in groups. They don't steal. They don't make demands."
"So what do they do?"
"That's what makes them worrying. They appear, watch, and then vanish. As if they're studying something."
"Studying?"
"Yes. Like they're waiting for something to happen."
Rhaizen frowned, thinking.
"Where were they seen last?"
"Near Valehar Town. And once… near Iron Crest territory."
That was strange.
Two different places, far apart. No clear pattern.
He nodded. "Thank you."
"If you plan to go near Valehar, be careful," she said. "It's not like Ashveil. People fight there for no reason."
"I understand."
He bought a small bag of herbs and stepped outside again.
---
The Town Library
Rhaizen noticed a small wooden building with a simple sign:
Ashveil Records Hall
He didn't expect a town this small to have a record hall or library, but he didn't ignore it. Information was always helpful.
Inside, shelves filled with scrolls and old books lined the walls. A skinny old man sat behind the desk, snoring lightly.
Rhaizen walked up.
"Excuse me," he said.
The old man jerked awake. "Ah—yes? What is it? New? You're new here, right?"
"Yes. I want to look at local records."
"Go ahead," the man said. "But be careful with the scrolls."
Rhaizen wandered through the shelves. Most scrolls talked about:
– Local clans
– History of Ashveil
– Trade routes
– Past bandit attacks
– Small conflicts between towns
It wasn't too useful for his long-term goal, but it helped him understand the region better.
Then he found something unexpected.
A scroll titled:
"Clans of the Southern Border: Bloodlines and Lost Families"
He pulled it out.
The scroll described several clans that used to exist in the southern lands before being destroyed or scattered.
Most were wiped out by wars or rival sects.
One name caught his attention:
The Ashkar Lineage
A family known for its strong Qi and rare talent for firebase-type martial arts.
Rhaizen froze.
Ashkar.
Ashveil.
Ash—
His name.
His heartbeat slowed.
He didn't know if it was coincidence… or something more.
He read further.
The Ashkar Lineage was said to be wiped out decades ago. Only a few survivors were rumored to have escaped, but no one knew where they went.
Rhaizen lowered the scroll.
Was this connected to him?
Connected to why Elder Kaien took him in?
Connected to what happened on that night?
He didn't know.
But he felt something heavy settle inside his chest.
A quiet question.
"Who am I… really?"
He placed the scroll back and left the hall.
---
Lunch at the Market
By noon, the market was filled with people. Rhaizen bought a bowl of noodles and sat on a bench near the fountain. The warm food helped calm his thoughts.
He listened again to conversations around him.
"You hear? Iron Crest scouts arrived this morning!"
"Really? Are they choosing people already?"
"No, they're just observing. Testing the area."
Rhaizen glanced toward the northern street. He wondered if he would run into the scouts today.
Another group near him spoke loudly:
"I heard Valehar Town had a big fight again last night."
"Between who?"
"Some gamblers and a martial artist. The martial artist was strong. Second-rate at least."
Rhaizen didn't join the conversation, but he listened closely.
He realized something.
This town may be small, but information flowed constantly through it.
If he stayed here for a few days, he could learn a lot.
When he finished eating, he stood up and walked again.
---
A Small but Unexpected Meeting
As Rhaizen turned a corner, a young boy suddenly ran into him. The boy fell backward, dropping a small cloth bag.
"Ah! S-sorry!" the boy said quickly.
Rhaizen reached down and handed the bag to him.
"It's fine," he said.
The boy looked at him with wide eyes. "You're strong, mister…"
Rhaizen blinked. "Why do you say that?"
"Because you didn't even move! I bumped you so hard!"
Rhaizen wasn't sure how to respond. He scratched his cheek.
"Be careful where you run."
"Yes!" The boy smiled, then ran off again.
Rhaizen watched him leave.
It was a small moment… but for some reason, it stayed in his mind. He wondered how many normal lives he would affect in the future—without meaning to.
He wasn't just someone wandering anymore.
He was walking a path that could change his life… and others, too.
---
A Calm Evening
As the sun set, Rhaizen returned to the inn. He washed his face, changed into clean clothes he bought earlier, and sat by the window again.
The streets outside were calmer now, lit by lanterns.
For the first time since arriving in Ashveil, he let his mind settle completely.
He thought about:
The Shadow Veins
The Iron Crest Sect test
Valehar Town
The Ashkar Lineage
His own past
His promise of vengeance
He wasn't rushing.
He wasn't pressured.
He simply thought—and the quiet helped him think clearly.
He finally whispered:
"I'm getting closer… even if I don't see the pieces yet."
No danger today.
No fights today.
No killing today.
Just information.
Just clarity.
Just quiet steps forward.
He lay on the bed and closed his eyes.
Tomorrow, the real direction would begin.
But today was a day he needed—a peaceful day that let him breathe.
A day that reminded him he was still human.