Siyu sits in the courtyard watching the training soldiers with a cup of tea. He wanted to enjoy this leisure while he could. From the training soldiers, he could see their values, beliefs, and he could vaguely see the nature of why they chose to live their lives fighting. It was a beautiful scene, and he took in as much of this experience as he could. Siyu started to realize that when he actively watches the stories of the people around him, he wasn’t just watching; he was transforming. The foundation of who he inherently was, was currently changing. He did not notice it, but since the day he started pretending to be an Earth Path cultivator, his character has started to grow, and his identity has expanded to encompass a variety of roles. When he starts to wonder why, he can only assume that it must be necessary; for a part that he had yet to play.

As Siyu becomes lost in thought, a red-robed figure had approached him and gave a slight bow. “Sir Siyu; may I join you?” He asks.

Siyu looks up and recognizes the man; he had seen him in the training yard when he first arrived at Fort Plum. “Please,” Siyu says, gesturing next to him. “Feel free.”

The man takes a seat and Siyu pours himself a cup of tea.

“I’m fortunate to have found you before you departed.” The man says before taking a sip of tea and continuing, “My name is Radford; I am a Master of the Hell Path, by Passion.”

Siyu's eyebrows raise with slight shock. He had yet to meet a Hell Path cultivator and was unsure as to what he should expect. “How may I be of assistance, Master Radford?” He asks with a bow of acknowledgment.

“I have a daughter who fears she will never find her soulmate.” Master Radford says with an amused smile as he looks at Siyu. “It is a preposterous fear, I know. But I love the girl dearly, and if she asked for the world, there would be much I would be willing to abandon.” He continues in a slightly ominous tone.

“Why come to me?” Siyu asks, bewildered.

“Siyu Grey, the Don of Turtle Shell Inn and the Matchmaker of Fort Plum. When it comes to fate, I have yet to find a greater master.” Radford says, acknowledging the hearsay concerning Siyu.

“Only a fool would claim to master fate,” Siyu says sternly. “And I doubt I could be of much help. I have never actively participated in any matchmaking. It was strange circumstances that attributed that name to me.” He explains.

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“No matter the reason; there still isn’t anyone else to whom I can make this request. I have talked it over with Colonel Vlaire, and my daughter will be accompanying you on your journey to Fortitude Forest. I simply wished to convey my meaning.” Master Radford says, finishing his tea.

Siyu sighs and bows his head. “I live to serve.” He says.

…

…

Frey opens the carriage and steps inside, acknowledging the two passengers and the strange atmosphere within. After closing the carriage door, it began to move and the carriage fell into silence, the turning of wheels and the trot of horses lingering in the air.

After a long silence, Frey turns to Siyu and says, “Sir Siyu, introduce me to our guest.”

Siyu gives a bitter smile and says, “This is Lady Elizabeth, the daughter of Master Radford. She will be accompanying us on our journey to Fortitude Forest.”

Frey leans over to shake Elizabeth’s hand and says, “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve long heard of Master Radford’s reputation.”

“The pleasure is mine. It seems I will be journeying with Sir Siyu for the foreseeable future, and I expect we will become more familiar as we move forward.” Elizabeth says with a sly smile, her hand lingering in Frey’s grasp.

Frey’s eyes widen and he hurriedly pulls his hand away, laughing awkwardly. “Haha! No need to become too familiar though. Maintaining our relationship at a professional level is enough. Haha! Right, Siyu?” He says, redirecting the focus.

“Very professional, indeed,” Siyu says with a chuckle.

Elizabeth gives Siyu a look before focusing once again on Frey. “Frey, come tell me. What’s the story with our dear Siyu? I’ve heard him called by many names, but I’ve never fully heard his story.” Elizabeth says, sounding slightly mischievous.

“As I hear it, Siyu grew up in an orphanage and worked at a restaurant until four years ago. After that he came to the capital when the King requested a husband to be found for his daughter. As luck would have it, Siyu found me at the King’s request.” Frey answers, recalling what he knew.

“Oh? Interesting, interesting.” Elizabeth says, giving Siyu a teasing smile. “But it seems that our dear Siyu has told my father that he has never actively participated in any matchmaking. Interesting, indeed.” She says, intent on uncovering more.

Siyu simply looks out of the window and ignores the conversation. I see nothing, I hear nothing, Siyu thinks to himself.

Frey continues to say, “After that I’m told he settled at the Turtle Shell Inn and began to do favors for people. He would do odd jobs for them and invest money in their endeavors. Around that time he was given the title of Don of Turtle Shell Inn.”

“It seems like he held sway over many people in the capital to be given that title. But I’m more interested in his other title; the Matchmaker of Fort Plum.” Elizabeth responds, gazing at Siyu intensely.

Siyu turns to look away; he could sense a burning passion beneath that gaze. I see nothing, I hear nothing, he thinks to himself.

Frey suppresses a smile, saying, “Yes, I’ve heard that one too. I’m not sure how it came about, but when I asked Siyu about it later, this is what he told me. He told me that ‘His feelings were trying to find an outlet.’ Hahaha!” Frey says, letting out a burst of boisterous laughter.

Siyu looks at him in horror, and announces, “I said no such thing!”

Elizabeth also begins to laugh. “Interesting. Very interesting.” She says, looking at Siyu more deeply.

“Enough of this. I’m going to ride with the carriage driver; it’s getting rather stuffy in this room.” Siyu says with a bright red face before exiting from the carriage door.

After leaving he could hear Frey say, “Don’t worry about him. It’s just that when it comes to his feelings, he’s somewhat timid…”

Siyu's cheeks only started burning hotter.