And night fell. The troupe stopped at a clearing and set camp. They all stretched as they got down from the carriage.

Jin was in a bright mood today. He managed to find a non-suspicious merchant troupe that was planning to go all the way to the capital. It would take a month but it would be safe and inconspicuous. There were many cultivators guarding the group but they were weaker than him. They could not discover his real identity as a cultivator.

If he learnt at least one thing through all his time running away, it was that mingling with mortals helped a lot when it came to hiding himself. At the very least, they would never have the slightest clue about his true identity as 'Jin'.

As he had entered his carriage, he was quite surprised that one of the other travelers was a beauty. Then again, it did not matter too much to him. She was pleasing to the eyes but that was it. Being swayed by appearances was not in his habitude.

The other passengers were a mother and her little daughter. He spoke mostly with that woman as the other was rather cold. To the point that she closed her eyes after only a few moments of travelling. A shame. He could have probably learnt a lot more about this continent and the recent events from that one. Beauties were always the center of attention and, from that, learnt many things about all kinds of random events. Jin believed that one not to differ from the norm. A few men, probably those in heat, must have told her many secrets...

He did not manage to get her to discuss with them unfortunately. Still, he managed to learn a lot from that mother. Usual price rates on common commodities were always an indication on the prosperity of a place. And that woman knew quite a bit thanks to her husband's job. Jin managed to learn quite a lot about the prices of certain minerals. Did he need any? No. Would he? Maybe.

In any case, he believed that knowing more would never be detrimental. Something might seem useless but if the day came that he needed that information and he had it, it would no longer have been useless.

As he stretched himself after getting off the carriage to imitate a mortal, he saw the beauty simply moving past.

The ring on her finger did not mean that she was a cultivator as the mother also had one. However, the fact that she got down without the slightest change in pace and such... Jin realized right away that this one was also a cultivator. And considering that he had not sensed her power at all, she was stronger than he was.

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He would have to be wary of her from here on out.

As he looked at her, Lady Olivia chuckled next to him and stated: "She certainly deserves to be gazed at. Quite the beauty is she not?"

Jin returned to his fake mortal self and laughed awkwardly, faking embarrassment as he stated: "She certainly is"

After a bit more banter, they moved to join the rest of the passengers that sat on planks used as chairs. People were waiting for the caravan's men to prepare the meal. Later on, they would go sleep within the tents being pitched by the guards.

Accommodation, Food and Transport all in one package. At the very least, this was a good deal.

After he finished his meal, he got up and stated he would go to the bathroom to the one that asked. A man named Joris that sat next to him this time and with which he had a nice chat. A carpenter who enjoyed talking about how to build houses...Nothing short of the ordinary but interesting in its own way.

That being the case, Jin did not leave due to a physical need. It was because he had been called aside. By the red-head. She sent a small and faint trace of spiritual energy. One that those weaker than him probably would not have been able to notice.

As he guessed, he saw her standing with her back to a tree. Compared to earlier, she had a sword at her waist this time. He was on guard as usual but for now, he could not detect any murderous intent from her.

He asked: "How may I help you, Lady Ame?"

She snickered and stated: "Enough with that charade. Are you going to the capital for the yearly recruitment?"

He nodded. There were no reasons to lie yet. He did not know what goals she had but he did not think she wanted to harm him. They did not know each other after all.

She stated matter-of-factly: "Give up, you are too weak. At best, you can become a random soldier"

He nodded. While he disagreed, he did not really care about being underestimated by that woman. A random stranger meant nothing to him as long as they harbored no evil intent towards his person.

As the silence continued, he asked: "Anything else? Otherwise, I will be going back"

She placed her hand on the handle of her sword as she said: "I say it for your own good, young man"

He frowned slightly at her movement more than her words. 'Young' was something he was not. At least, compared to her. They were probably around the same age. But he was more interested in what her action meant. He asked: "It should not matter to you?"

She sighed and stated: "You don't have to worry about the Church coming after you so you don't need to join the royals. They won't come after you so, don't feel forced to join a faction, okay?"

Jin glared at her instantly as he coldly spoke: "Who are you?"

She sighed, as if she expected that reaction, and told him: "I was the one that you left behind without a glance as you jumped into the array. Now, I have no interest in you or what you plan to do but... Hm...Just know that the Church won't come after you so...Hm...No need to feel pressure to join a faction or something?"

Jin looked at the woman who seemed to be having difficulties expressing herself. There was a lot to digest from her words.