Morning mist lingered over the valley as the caravan resumed its steady pace.
The road had grown noticeably busier.
Every few minutes another group of travelers appeared, some on horseback, others on foot. Merchant caravans rattled past with wagons piled high with goods, while young martial artists walked confidently with their weapons displayed proudly at their sides.
Kael quietly observed everything.
He noticed something interesting.
Although everyone seemed to be traveling toward Azure River City...
Not everyone walked the same way.
Some strode with confidence, laughing loudly.
Some remained silent, conserving their strength.
Others constantly glanced around, sizing up everyone they passed.
"...They're all observing each other."
Kael murmured.
Morris, walking beside him, nodded.
"Anyone heading toward Azure River City around this time is likely participating in the Martial High Entrance Tournament."
"They're curious."
"They want to know who their future opponents might be."
Kael looked around once more.
"...Should I observe them too?"
Morris smiled.
"There's nothing wrong with looking."
"But don't stare."
"It's considered rude."
Kael nodded seriously.
"I'll remember that."
---
As noon approached, the road narrowed between two towering cliffs.
Travelers naturally slowed their pace.
Some chose to stop and rest while waiting for the congestion ahead to clear.
Gareth motioned toward a grassy clearing.
"We'll rest here."
The merchants quickly began preparing lunch.
Ben was already helping Clara unpack cooking utensils.
Lily wandered toward a nearby stream, carefully skipping stones across the surface.
Kael offered to collect firewood.
Within minutes...
He returned carrying a neat bundle.
Not too much.
Not too little.
Just enough.
Grandpa Elias had always said,
"Take only what you need."
---
As Clara prepared stew over the fire, Kael sat quietly sharpening the small hunting knife his grandfather had given him.
He worked carefully.
Slowly.
Every movement was deliberate.
Nearby, several young martial artists noticed him.
One of them, a broad-shouldered youth carrying twin sabers, laughed.
"Look at him."
"He's sharpening a hunting knife."
His companions chuckled.
"Maybe he plans to hunt rabbits during the tournament."
Another added,
"Perhaps Martial High has a cooking examination."
The group laughed loudly.
Kael briefly looked in their direction.
Then returned to sharpening the blade.
He didn't seem offended.
Or even interested.
Ben glanced toward him.
"...Doesn't that bother you?"
Kael looked confused.
"What?"
"They're making fun of you."
Kael thought for a moment.
"...Are they?"
Ben blinked.
"You didn't notice?"
"I was listening to the whetstone."
"...The whetstone?"
"It makes a different sound when the edge becomes smooth."
Ben stared for several seconds before shaking his head.
"...You're a strange young man."
---
Not far away...
Another group rested beneath a large tree.
Unlike the noisy youths nearby...
This group remained completely silent.
Three figures sat cross-legged.
Their matching dark-blue robes bore a silver emblem depicting a soaring hawk.
At their center sat a young man with neatly tied black hair.
His sword rested across his knees.
His eyes remained closed.
One of his companions quietly spoke.
"Senior Brother Jian."
"The caravan over there..."
"...contains several tournament participants."
The young man slowly opened his eyes.
His gaze briefly swept across the clearing.
It lingered on Kael for only a moment.
"...Ordinary."
He closed his eyes once more.
"Continue resting."
"Yes, Senior Brother."
---
Farther down the road...
A luxurious carriage rolled steadily forward.
Four well-trained horses pulled it effortlessly.
Two armored guards rode alongside.
Inside the carriage...
A young woman elegantly set down the book she had been reading.
She wore a white robe embroidered with pale blue flowers.
Her long dark hair was tied into a simple ponytail.
Despite her refined appearance...
Her eyes were calm and observant.
A maid peeked through the curtain.
"Miss..."
"We're approaching another group of travelers."
The young woman smiled faintly.
"Many are heading toward Martial High."
"It would be stranger if the roads were empty."
She returned to reading.
---
Elsewhere...
A lone youth carrying an enormous wooden staff walked barefoot along the roadside.
His clothes were plain.
His skin was tanned from years beneath the sun.
He smiled warmly at everyone he passed.
Some smiled back.
Others ignored him.
He didn't seem to mind.
---
Back at the caravan...
Lunch was ready.
Clara handed Kael a bowl of stew.
He accepted it with both hands.
"...Thank you."
As always...
He quietly enjoyed the meal.
Halfway through eating...
A shadow appeared over the table.
Kael looked up.
Standing there was an elderly traveler carrying a large backpack.
His beard reached almost to his waist.
His robes were patched countless times.
He smiled kindly.
"My apologies."
"Would you mind if I shared your table?"
Kael looked around.
"There are many empty ones."
"There are."
The old man nodded.
"But yours seems peaceful."
Kael slid slightly to one side.
"Please."
The old traveler sat down with a satisfied sigh.
"What a lively road."
"It is."
"You heading to Azure River City?"
"...I believe so."
"You believe so?"
Kael nodded honestly.
"I've never been there."
The old man chuckled.
"A first journey."
"It is."
The old traveler accepted the bowl of stew Clara offered him.
After taking one sip...
His eyes brightened.
"Delicious."
Clara smiled proudly.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear you complimenting someone else's cooking."
Ben grumbled.
The table laughed.
The old man watched everyone quietly.
Then...
His gaze briefly rested on Kael.
Just for an instant.
There was a faint flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Gone so quickly that no one noticed.
Except...
Perhaps Morris.
The elderly herbal merchant narrowed his eyes slightly.
The traveler...
Didn't seem quite as ordinary as he first appeared.
After finishing his meal, the old man stood.
"Thank you for your hospitality."
He bowed politely.
"I hope our paths cross again."
Kael returned the bow.
"I hope so too."
The old traveler smiled one last time before continuing down the road alone.
Only after he disappeared into the distance did Gareth quietly speak.
"...Strange."
"What is?"
Ben asked.
"I never heard him approaching."
Morris stroked his beard.
"Neither did I."
Kael looked toward the road where the old man had vanished.
"...He walks very quietly."
No one realized...
That the mysterious traveler had already committed the quiet mountain youth's face to memory.
Nor that this brief encounter would echo again much later in Kael's journey.
For now...
The road to Azure River City continued.
And with every mile...
More extraordinary people quietly gathered upon it.
End of Chapter 13