“Do we really have to inspect the entrance to the Serpent Path now? We don’t actually have a deadline,” said Yang Mei.

I’m with you Yang Mei, they are being unreasonable. The sun’s barely up.

“Yes, we do.” said Cixi, “We need to accomplish our goals before things become more complicated like in Pale Hill City. While Yang Mei and you kept carousing, Daiyu and I continue to ask Yen Chen questions. Apparently, the city is quite safe, but the auction is going to change that. Not only are more powerful cultivators visiting, but even the number of low-level cultivators will increase. The city lord normally keeps the number of representatives to a minimum, so groups like the Yang Family normally only have a few people here at a time. During the auction, that won’t be the case. It is only a few days away and the city has already begun to swell.”

“But couldn’t we have at least waited till the afternoon,” said Yang Mei, using a hand to block the sun from her eyes. “Some of us need to cultivate at some point. I can’t just skip every night of sleep to do so.”

“Don’ give me that sister Mei, you just wanted more time to sleep in, and don’t try to deny it. No one snores while they meditate.” said Cixi.

“I don’t snore.” moaned Yang Mei, clutching her head. “and can you speak a little quieter?”

“You reap what you sow. I don’t know what got into the two of you. We had to practically drag you back to bed. Felix, what were you thinking? Poor young Edward had to take care of you as he was the only male among us. Do you have no self-respect?”

“Hey…” said Felix, trying and failing to force a smile. “I wasn’t saying anything.”

“Because you are too hungover. Normally you are asking questions about everything. Serves you right.” said Cixi. “What kind of example are you setting for young Edward? He may be talented but if you teach him bad examples he will turn into a wastrel.”

Ugh, I just want to be left alone and hide from the sun… Edward, stop preening you little asshole!

The rest of the journey across the cracked earth to the forest’s edge was taken in silence. It was a parched land, without even the most water frugal of plants marring its surface. The distance to the looming forest was deceptively far and Felix found himself falling victim to the sun, sweat coming down him in rivulets. Only once they reached the edge did Felix give a sigh of relief and he reveled in the sudden shade of the tree line.

Ahh, so much better. What is wrong with that stretch of earth, it is unnatural. I wonder what could have happened to cause such a dramatic transition. This was not what my hangover needed.

The forest itself was thick and full of life, to the point he could barely see more than a few meters deep. The only exception to this was the goal of this excursion, the Serpent Path.

Perhaps two wagons wide, its hard-packed surface marked by wagon wheels and footprints. What had Felix cocking his head was how the road almost appeared to be a dead end.

It truly leaves up to its name if the first bend is only 100 meters in. Still, better a winding path than getting lost in the forest. I can’t imagine trying to navigate in foliage that thick.

He knelt and ran some of the dirt between his fingers.

The crushed foliage at the edges shows why it hasn’t been overtaken. It really is odd, even the dirt on this path looks like better soil than this barren zone…

“So, what do we know?” said Felix, dusting off his hands as he rose back to his feet. “I mean, I know we said we would investigate for signs of beasts ourselves and here we are. But how should we go about it?”

Daiyu pointed to the ground next to where Felix knelt. Next to the imprint of his knee, a familiar paw print was pressed into the ground.

“Oh, come on!” said Felix. “I don’t want to deal with this right now… I don’t suppose you guys think it is a different wolf?”

“Possibly.” Wrote Daiyu. “I have to admit, that I am not quite able to tell wolves apart by their paw print like you Felix.”

“Haha, very funny Daiyu. How far is this spot from, what was it? The Beast’s Claw? Wait, is that why the City is called Beasts Watch? Or have we already discussed that.”

“Yen Chen claimed last night that the city’s name was shortened from Watching Beast Merchants. Beast Claw is still a little west of this section of the woods so I feel he could be wrong, but he is the native. Do you not remember that conversation Felix?”

“Uhh…. Of course. So, if this isn’t the Beast Watch itself, then that makes it more likely that these prints are our wolf. I mean, if this was the entrance to Beast Claw, then it could be any random wolf from there? Wait, does the Serpent Path go through Beasts Claw?”

“Why would any of us know that Felix? More importantly, it shouldn’t even matter. We can’t do much about it.” said Cixi.

“Fair point… It wasn’t on the map we say in Pale Hill City?”

“No. Just drop it,” said Cixi.

“You don’t have to be so harsh,” said Felix. “So, what now?”

“Now?” Wrote Daiyu. “We explore along the border and see if there are any signs of beasts besides wolves.”

“Alright, let’s get started then. I suppose that is a good a plan as any. It shouldn’t take too long to find more than this paw print.” said Felix.

----------------------------------------

Felix opened his eyes and basked in the feeling of post cultivation.

Ahhh, I needed that. It is hard to keep going day after day and finding nothing. Ten hours that first day, ten the next, and five yesterday. Yet still nothing at the border. I suppose no clue does conform to the scarce spirit beast sighting but still. I just don’t feel comfortable using the lack of evidence as evidence. Yang Mei was probably right that we should just leave. I mean, we have enough information.

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Bouncing to his feet, he stretched and felt his vertebra pop.

Still, I do feel good. Maybe I should feel out some of my moves. I don’t practice them nearly enough.

Felix grabbed his sword from the table beside his bed and fell into a sword stance. He flowed into the simple moves of [Sword of the Titan], letting the muscle memory take him.

I’ve gotten to hang out with the girls, bonded with Edward and improved my cultivation. I am nearly at essence gathering nine and the soul manual has felt great. Though the memories of different people almost feel too crisp. Super suspicious. Oh, and we will soon have contribution points from completing our mission. Things are looking up Felix, focus on that.

With a final slash, he stopped, sword held out in that final attack.

Not even breaking a sweat after all that. I love cultivation.

Felix tossed on some clothes and glanced at Edward’s still passed out form. Edward sprawled across their supposedly shared bed, somehow taking up most of it despite his small form. With a wry grin, Felix left the boy to his sleep.

Somehow that is annoying even though I mostly cultivate instead of sleep. It must be nice to be able to bank on your system to increase your cultivation. At least he doesn’t snore like Yang Mei. I didn’t believe it at first when Cixi said she makes it impossible to cultivate in the same room.

Taking the stairs three at a time from their third-floor room, he entered the bar area of the Spirit Egg. It was nearly as crowded in the morning as it was a night. The frog-eyed man spotted Felix and motioned to him in between grabbing an incoming mug.

I wonder if he has a manual for this serving style. I kind of want to learn it.

Felix weaved in between the crowd. Something made him turn and he found a woman barreling toward him, her face pointed in the opposite direction she was moving. She rammed into him at full speed but he barely moved as he used [Roots of the Earth], instead he caught her in his arms.

“Be careful,” said Felix, letting her go. “A little situation awareness goes a long way.”

The girl’s mouth opened like a fish out of water. Then she slapped Felix across the face. Stumbling, Felix caught himself and stared at the girls retreating back. He tried to ignore the chorus of nearby patron’s laughter and fled toward the bar.

Well, that was infuriating. Honestly, I am just angry I wasn’t able to dodge the slap. I doubt her cultivation was much higher than mine.

A steaming mug slid in front of him and Felix looked up to see a grinning Yen Chen.

“I see you like to wake up in the morning with more than just a mug of hot Claw. Not my personal preference but each to his own.”

“Ha, ha, ha. Very funny,” said Felix. “Can you drop it? You’ve poked fun at me for being such a lightweight that first night. You certainly don’t need another arrow in your quiver.”

“Felix, you wound me. Just because you can’t control your hands isn’t a reason for you to be upset with me. As a friend, I only want to help.” said Yen Chen. Then he leaned and whispered. “If you a really so starved of female company, I know one of my waitresses who has had an eye on you. Say the word and I can give you some help.”

“I do not have that type of problem and what do you mean I can’t control my hands? She ran into me!”

“Mmm, maybe. Still, one never knows with someone young like you. Never satisfied. Or perhaps you have something going on with one of your compatriots? Forget my offer. It must be difficult to balance so many relationships without adding more ingredients to the stew. Be careful young Felix. It is good to be young but female cultivators learn to solve their issues with their fists. As you just experienced after a fashion.”

“I am not going to dignify that with a response. More importantly, we have found nothing about the beast activity in the area. I suppose we weren’t expecting to find much but when you don’t find clues, it is hard to come to a conclusion.”

“You didn’t actually go into the woods, did you?” said Yen Chen, his smile evaporating.

“What? No! People have made it quite clear that it is a death sentence.” said Felix.

“Not exactly,” said Yen Chen.

“What do you mean?” said Felix.

“Well, there is an old saying that describes the rules to entering the Endless Wilderness. ‘A meter and you’re safe. Five meters and you risk it all. Ten meters and you die.’ The residents of the forest can only be pushed so far. Still, there are those who will enter a few meters to look for fortune.”

“So people do enter!” said Felix.

“A few. Even then, the mortality rate is high. Only those who are down on their luck do since there really isn’t much to be found. Oh, and those who work with the City Lord but they will not help you. Their movements are sanctioned to meet merchants from the Serpent Path.”

“How much help would they really be?” said Felix. “I mean, at this point we have combed over miles of the border and we can’t do that for the entire border. It would take years.”

“While those familiar with the woods won’t go deep, those that live often develop skills and knowledge for seeing things you and I won’t,” said Yen Chen, tapping his nose knowingly.

“Okay, you’ve convinced me. Who would you recommend then? I was even considering leaving today and I don’t have time to look for help.”

“As I said there aren’t really that many people who do it…mmm… Perhaps the Yang Family?”

“Excuse me? What do the Yang Family have to do with the woods?”

“They are just one of the few established powers that actually risk it.”

“This isn’t the same family in Pale hill City?”

“It is. They keep a few people here year around.”

“Yeah, no. I would rather not work with them,” said Felix. “If that’s it, then I think we will leave.”

“Wait… You know what? I actually do know someone.” said Yen Chen, a smile spreading across his face. “I will even get in touch with them for you. Don’t worry, this person has years of experience with the woods. I can even get them to meet up with your group by noon today.”

---Break---

Oh, fuck me.

“It’s you!” said the woman.

Yep, I am going to kill Yen Chen.

The entrance to Beast Watch was deserted at the moment except for the guards, who were eyeing their group and the red faced woman glowering at Felix. Felix tried to keep the annoyance from his face as his group gave him questioning looks.

“I wouldn’t have taken the job if I knew you were involved!” continued the woman.

“What is she talking about?” said Yang Mei.

“She ran into me and then slapped me in the face this morning. Be careful, she is one who repays kindness with violence,” said Felix.

“What? You groped me!” said the woman.

“Oh, so that’s what happened,” said Yang Mei. “I know you said this person would be recommended by Yen Chen but we should look for someone else. I don’t think we trust someone with such bad character.”

“Hey don’t ignore me.” said the woman.

“And why shouldn’t I!” said Felix, finally turning to face the woman. She actually took a step back as she met his eyes. “You pull that crap this morning and now you are still doing it? Fine, whatever. Believe what you want. Either way, we need someone who is familiar with the edge of the wilderness to help us look for clues. Do you want to help or not? If not, I am more than happy to find someone else.”

The woman bit her lip and looked between him and his other companions. Cixi was the only one that appeared slightly sympathetic while Yang Mei glared at the woman. Daiyu didn’t even look at her. Felix just tapped his foot and waited.

I never realized that getting falsely accused of something was a pet peeve of mine.

“Well?’ said Felix.

“It won’t be a problem.” said the women. “you just wanted to investigate signs of beast activity, right? Come on, let’s get this over with.”

“Wait,” said Yang Mei.

“What?” snapped the girl. “Are you going to say I am a liar?”

“Hardly,” said Yang Mei, rolling her eyes. “I just want to know what qualifications you have that make you worth our time.”

“My father used to work for one of the patrols that went after the spirit beasts that occasionally go on a rampage outside the Endless wilderness. He taught me what he knew before he passed, and I was forced to be one of the herb collectors at his passing. You won’t find a more experienced person for seeing the signs who isn’t under the employ of the city lord.”

“Then why aren’t you working for the city lord. Does he not look after his own,” said Felix

She glared at him but wilted as he met her gaze.

“My father offended people he shouldn’t have before he died. I found doors closed to me after his passing.”

Wel… I suppose this should work. Man, I just want to do this and leave. I’ve had enough of this mission.