Cai Hua’s pupils gradually shrank. Slowly yet sternly, he said, “The simplest way to achieve that state, in my experience, is to cultivate a murderous intent. Elsewise it is to possess an overwhelming desire and determination that transcends the flesh.”

Cai Hua raised his head to look at the skies and stars. With a whoosh, a light breeze swept across. The leaves in the forest all danced elegantly. It was as if a god’s gaze had at this moment, swept over this portion of the world.

His eyes continuing to watch the verdant blades, he said, “The two of you are still young, the lesson mustn’t go into the night. We will sleep now.”

Ovid turned his head and shot a glance at Cai Hua, not sure why the lesson had ended so abruptly.

Cai Hua took out a tea set from his spatial ring, boiling some water with spiritual essence, he did not pay Ovid any attention.

Anna didn’t think as much as Ovid did, reining the horses leading the carriage, she continued down the dirt road and found a good spot to camp with her preception.

Lightly pulling the reins to stop the horse, Anna entered the carriage. 

The water had finished boiling, leaving a trail of white mist and it entered Cai Hua’s teapot. At some point, the wine jug had returned back into his spatial ring, and in his hand was the sword that costed half a liang.

He rinsed his mouth with the tea and calmly said, “They’ve come.” 

Who came? It was naturally Julia’s subordinates. The people who want to seize or kill Cai Hua had arrived.

Ovid’s mood became tenser. He subconsciously took out the butcherknife, grasping its handle, he said, “Cai Hua, do you want me to face them?” 

Cai Hua sneered, “What are you going to do once you’re fighting them?”

Ovid replied, “You said earlier that everyone has weakness and flaw. I feel that if I can catch them by surprise, they would probably display more flaws.”

Cai Hua stared at him and said, “So you’re ready to charge in and kill whoever it is?” 

Ovid nodded his head in an earnest manner.

Cai Hua placed down the pot by his side and asked, “Do you know what stage that person is in?”

Ovid shook his head in an earnest manner.

Cai Hua furiously shouted, “Is being my disciple so painful that you’re willing to throw away your life?” 

Ovid was at a loss and could not decide whether to nod or shake his head. After some thought, he asked, “Is this not according to what you taught me?” 

Cai Hua sighed slowly and helplessly said, “You must first remember that I first said one needs to rely on their strength and speed. It’s fine it there is a little gap, but a thousand of you can’t match one of her.”

Ovid replied, “But your words were clear. Even the strongest person can lose.”

Cai Hua was speechless for a moment before violently rebutting, “Hypothetically, that is hypothetically possible! By your understanding, the eternal flower would be as common as cabbages!”

Ovid lowered his head in silence. After a while, he lifted his head up and asked, “Then what do I do in a situation like this?” 

The answer Cai Hua gave was simple and direct, clear and blunt, “Flee. Or if you’re good looking. Charm.”

Flee? Ovid was unable to carry Cai Hua and Ovid on his back simultaneously, even if he could, the speed was not necessarily faster than the powerful foe Cai Hua described. Those under Julia are all at least deacons who possess physics and speed far greater than an ordinary person. 

Charm? Ovid was a self-respecting person that would rather kill himself that scoop to such degree. Even if it was someone he trusted, he wouldn’t use this sort of technique. 

Not being able to flee or charm the individual, there was only one choice truly remaining: Wait for death.

Holding the butcher knife and staring at a still and motionless patch of the tall grass, at a distance where they began to blend into a sea, he waited for that person to appear.

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Time passed slowly and Anna’s back began to ache from sitting so still. She shouted into that sea of grass, “Stop acting already! We already saw you!” 

Ovid’s hand holding the butcherknife was likewise becoming sorer, he joined in Anna’s cry, “Come out already!” 

Cai Hua had no idea that the two would do such a thing. He hid his face within his long sleeves and pretended to not be associate with the two.

There was no response from the sea of grass, not even a rustle. Ovid whispered to Cai Hua, “It seems that this way of enticing the enemy doesn’t work, should we try something else?”

Since the carriage had stopped, the three had been acting. The previous dialogue was an act, the quarrel was also an act. 

Unfortunately, it had been confirmed that Cai Hua was a horrible actor, Ovid and Anna likewise.

Gazing quietly at that patch of grass, Cai Hua quietly declared, “That person has left.” 

“Eh?” Anna was rather surprised.

Cai Hua finished the pot of now cold tea, placing down the cheap sword in his hand.

Anna sat next to Ovid, who had already store away his butcherknife. She took out a deer fur blanket and covered Ovid and herself.

The sound of water boiling sounded out through the carriage.

Through the night, and the ensuing journey, Anna remained within the carriage next to Ovid and let the horses travel freely along the road. The carriage also grew quieter, though Ovid was more like returning to his former self before entering this world.

Their silence was because of that figure that was trailing them and could appear at any time. 

Just as silence is somethings stronger than words, a hidden enemy is always more frightening than those one could see.

Contrary, Cai Hua only grew silent because he didn’t have much to discuss other than some occasional lectures. No unease could be found on him as he continued to drink wine and sip tea. He was like when he had been at ‘North Weave’, very content and serene, like a retired man using his funds to tour the world. 

Anna had already attained perception but Ovid’s vigilance was even greater than hers, his sight above the grass discerns all things. Because of this, the massive pressure on the two was shared.

As the horses pulled the carriage, the climate began to grow cooler, the grass by the road grew taller until one cannot look above them without standing on a tall platform. It was not as cold as the Great Dividing Range, but the ground has permafrost and remanents of snow could be seen on the dirt path.

Seeing these unfamiliar grass, Anna recalled the capital should have little green sprouts budding plentifully around this time. This was the only year that she had not seen the scene, making her recall that four weeks should have already passed since they left the city of Juliana. Anna was not an old man so she did not sigh in regret.

Exactly four weeks and five days after leaving Phalaris, some hundred miles away from the city, the horses were allowed to rest for a bit. The starry sky shorn brightly as Cai Hua stepped out of the carriage. 

Using the sword as a brush, he sketched out a map on the ground. He had used his preception and scanned a large portion of the continent before stepping foot, so he was very familiar with this area. 

“Julia should not have expected I have returned north before recovering my injuries, and after leaving behind the guard’s corpse, she would have sent most of her subordinates to the Vitlu peninsula and it’s surrounding plains. Moreover, the speed we are moving at is actually faster than most deacons and priests, since they could only increase their speed for a short while.”

“The best way to escape a complete encirclement is through feints, you must attack to misdirect and break out unexpectantly. Though if you’re is not completely encircled, they can then pierce through the weak spots and escape through harsh terrain and detours. If you can’t escape, the only thing left is to pick a good position and hold out for as long as possible.”

Ovid sat on the side, listen intently at Cai Hua’s words.

Over the past five days, he had taken this sort of position many times. Cai Hua would leave the carriage and give off an air of wisdom. By now, he had thought Ovid the orders and proceeding of battle, how to scour for supplies, instilling discipline, tactics and even marching columns. 

Ovid asked after Cai Hua placed the cheap sword in his spatial ring, “Why are you teaching me these things?” 

“On the path of the sword, a sharp mind is most important.”

Ovid stayed silent for a little while before saying, “But… didn’t you say simplicity is most important?

Cai Hua said angrily, “Can we still talk properly?” 

Ovid had originally wanted to ask how marching orders and foraging is related to a sharp mind. However, after seeing Cai Hua’s angry appearance, how could he dare say that? Thus, he replied sincerely, “Yes.” 

Cai Hua squatted down and said, “Let me continue. The sharpness of one’s mind is directly parallel to the sword.” 

Ovid asked seriously, “Are you saying that to project the sword intent, one requires keen and acute?” 

Cai Hua thought about it and said, “In a way?” 

Ovid asked, “So is it a yes or a no?” 

Cai Hua stared into his eyes and said, “Anyway, it’s about the sharpness of the mind. With a sharp mind, you will have a sharp sword.”

Ovid lowered his head and said, “Yes.” 

Cai Hua coughed twice and said, “Anyway, it’s also because you’re my disciple, so you need to be multi-talented. I hope that in the future, you would require these skills like I once did, but it’s important regardless.” 

This made Ovid feel that Cai Hua was really a respectable person, and possess a demeanour worthy of an immortal. “Why must it be these things?” 

Cai Hua calmly looked back at him, and then suddenly smiled, “You’re not used to such sappy scenes, so you intentionally soured it.” 

Ovid replied, “Yes.” 

Cai Hua said, “This is the first time for me as well. In the future, don’t ask these sort of questions.” 

Ovid looked at him and earnestly stated, “Cai Hua, I feel like you are a good person.” 

Cai Hua looked back at him and seriously said, “In the future, don’t say these words. Your good looks will be your downfall if you continue. Moreover…”

“I’m not a good person, to begin with, I’m not like those jianghu heroes who help those in need. I’m a volatile person who kills others the moment they offend or displease me.” 

“But you really can’t say it like that… and although the words I said did have that purpose, I’m really not interested in the subject of the military.” 

“It seems like you don’t believe I would kill you because of these words.” 

“I’m not a fool. I could tell that you expended the last of your strength to kill that guard. Or else we wouldn’t have to travel through this offbeat road.” 

Since this conversation no longer had a purpose, Ovid no longer had a reason to speak. Under the starry skies, Ovid joined Anna in preparing dinner and tending to the horse pulling the carriage.

Cai Hua gazed at the two youth moving about through the tall grass and closed his eyes. He slowly stroke the porcelain cup in his hand, pondering over some matter.

The night continued to march on. After a bowl of carrot soup, the three returned to the carriage and placed blankets over themselves.

After a silent night, the sun gradually appeared. The wind in the north was always chilly, but the morning wind more so, bringing with it the smell of wild grass and dew. It would bring anyone a relaxing effect, and the horse strode along the dirt path in a careful way, traversing an untold distance.

In the endless field of feather grass, it would be extremely difficult to spot anyone. Were it not for Ovid’s exceptionally sensitive ears, he would have not noticed a figure.

It was an ordinary-looking woman. She was wearing a pure white robe, deflecting off the morning light. 

This robe, Ovid had already seen before, he had seen in on the papal heavy cavalry.