As they walk out of the restaurant, a goshawk lands on the green-robed man’s arm. The man lifts the bag to the bird, who heartily eats the meal. After the bird finishes, a green flame engulfs the bag and it becomes ashes.
“Come, let’s go.” The green-robed man says to Siyu.
Siyu follows behind the man, and walks forward quietly, allowing the man to lead him forward. The journey continues for a while, taking a few turns, and walking on roads Siyu played on as a child. As he walks forward, memories flash across Siyu's mind, and he had a strange feeling that his life was heading towards an unknown direction; a direction he never foresaw.
“We’re here.” The green-robed man says before the door.
They arrived at the city guard headquarters.
“Let’s go.” The man says opening it and gesturing for Siyu to walk in.
They walk into the building, and the man leads Siyu down a few hallways to the interrogation rooms.
“Go into the room and watch. He won’t be able to see you, but watch closely and write down anything of note.” The green-robed man says, handing Siyu a notepad and pencil.
Siyu walks into the room to see a bearded prisoner with long scraggly hair behind a glass window. He was dressed in a striped jumper and sitting in front of a table with his hands handcuffed. Siyu stares at him, and for a moment their eyes connected, but the man looks away as if he didn't see Siyu.
The green-robed man enters the room and sits across from the prisoner with a cup of tea and a map.
“Do you know why you’re here?” The green-robed man asks, placing the cup of tea and map on the table.
“No, I don’t. I'm a law-abiding man and have committed no crime. Why am I here?” The prisoner responds.
“Something was stolen from the City Governor’s home. A chalice. Do you know anything about this?” The green-robed man asks as he sips the liquid in his cup.
“I don’t know anything about a chalice.” The prisoner responds firmly.
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As Siyu watches his body and listens to his words, Siyu knew. The prisoner knew something.
“A guard says you walked by the governor’s house that night, and a witness saw you in an alley nearby digging. We went to that alley a few days after the robbery and found a hole. The soil was churned as if something was buried and dug up sometime later. Now we know you buried something in the alley, but as for what it is and where that item is, we do not know. We checked your house and found nothing. But there were enough clues there for us to know that you know where that item is. Now tell us, where is the chalice?” The green-robed man asks before taking a long sip out of his cup.
As the green-robed man interrogates the prisoner, Siyu continues to watch the prisoner’s body for the slightest movements, and when the green-robed man asks where the chalice is, the prisoner turns his head, away from the map, and that’s when it clicked. The room, the placement of the objects, and the prisoner’s body; after putting the pieces together a name came to his mind. He was not sure what he understood, but he heard a name.
Siyu continues to watch the interrogation but couldn’t gather anything else. After a long interrogation the green-robed man enters the room where Siyu was watching.
“Anything?” The green-robed man asks, still holding onto his cup.
“All I got was a name, but I’m not sure what it means,” Siyu says, unsure if it would be useful.
“And?” The green-robed man asks, waiting for me to spill it.
“Sorosis. I’m not sure what it means.” Siyu responds.
“Sorosis, eh? Interesting.” The green-robed man says, pondering the word. “That’s the name of a valley to the north-east of here. I’ll send a few men to check it out. If there are any results, I’ll make sure to pay you well.” The man says with a grin. “You can go back now. I’ll let you know the results tomorrow.” He says.
“Yes sir,” Siyu says with a bow, before leaving the room behind.
Siyu walks forward and somehow finds himself back at the restaurant. The day was not yet done, and he still had work to do.
…
…
…
The next day, the green-robed man came back to the restaurant. He approaches Siyu and pats him on the shoulder. “Haha! Good job lad. We found exactly what we were looking for. I talked it over with the governor, and they will refer to you when outside help is required with any cases they may be investigating. You can say no to these requests, but of course, would you be able to say no to the governor? Haha!” The green-robed man says in jest. “Now for your reward. This is 50 silver,” The man says, holding up a coin pouch. “You’ve earned it. If luck wills it, we’ll see each other again.” The green-robed man says, leaving the coin pouch on a table and leaving the restaurant.
Siyu stares at the coin pouch in awe, still unable to get a word out. Is it so easy to make money? He asks himself.
Siyu picks up the coin pouch and runs out of the restaurant to the orphanage.
“Sister Delaine! Sister Delaine!” He yells once he enters the orphanage. As he enters, the children hear him yelling and find him at the door.
“Brother Siyu! You came! Do you have any presents?” One of the children asks as they crowd around.
“Alright, alright. Easy. Wait for a while. I have business with Sister Delaine. I’ll be sure to buy you a few treats later.” He says with a smile as he shoos the children away.
Sister Delaine came through the door and exclaims, “What is it? No need to yell.”
Siyu walks over to Sister Delaine and hands over the pouch with a smile on his face.
“What’s this?” Sister Delaine asks as she takes a peak in the pouch. “Coins? How did you get so much? You didn’t rob anyone did you?” She asks, worried.
“No, there was this man…” Siyu says, continuing to tell Sister Delaine about what happened.
“That’s ridiculous!” Sister Delaine blurts out. “There’s no way you’re a cultivator!” She says in disbelief.
“That’s what I said, but he wouldn’t believe me,” Siyu says bitterly with a shrug. “Never mind that, though. This is for you.” Siyu says, pushing the pouch to her.
“No, no, no, child. This money is yours. I couldn’t take what you worked for.” Sister Delaine refuses, pushing the pouch back.
“But I… ” Siyu tries to say.
“Child, that needs no payment.” She says with a knowing look. “I was only doing as I should. Now go on, you’ve earned that money.” Sister Delaine continues with a smile.
“Ah, but…” Siyu says, trying to find something to say, but he couldn’t defy her logic. “Okay,” Siyu says in defeat before putting the pouch in his pocket.