Murim Recurve

Re'Kha extended her Wind Qi perception, enveloping the entire market under her gaze. She could expand even further if needed but didn't choose to do so for the moment. Unwilling to stand in the middle of the road for long, she quickly moved, crossing the road as she entered a decently sized restaurant.

And like always, it had a terrace without any walls, and the roof was hoisted by sturdy pillars. Re'Kha took a seat and ordered some light food that wouldn't fill her belly too much. Since she planned to sit in the area and inspect, she needed time to do so and planned to eat the light food slowly until her belly was full.

This was the reason she hadn't eaten any breakfast. The servant arrived, took the order, and went to bring in the food items. In the meantime, she focused on the people moving about in the market, trying to link them to the four individuals that had been her target.

It was hard, considering all she saw on their faces were some dark grey lines. It was hard to differentiate them easily as compared to looking them through the eye. Still, she had one target that she was able to spot better.

She was an eighty-year-old lady and the leader of their group of four. She had been the one who oversaw the release and sealing of the three Sha back then. Moreover, thanks to her age, her face had more lines than others. So, it made identifying her easier.

Moreover, there weren't too many in that age to go through in the area, so it was easier for her to focus on the old lady than the rest who were within the regular populace bracket. Re'Kha slowly extended her Wind Qi perception in the direction of the house in the water tank of which the crate with the three Sha was placed.

She planned to start from the destination, looking through the place to find that it was a household of six. It was judging by the accommodation. Currently, there was the lady of the house doing chores while the kids helped her.

They were addressed as adults from the day their Pranic Heart finished growing. Usually, a year before that, they would join one of the vocational training institutes managed by either the Royal Clan or the Elemental Clans.

And there, they would learn some professions and start working in that direction. The girls usually picked up tailoring, sewing, food rearing, etc. The boys, on the other hand, picked up blacksmithing, carpentry, stone working, etc.

There was no restriction based on gender as to what vocation they could choose. Everyone had their freedom. But there were only two vocations that had such restrictions: Guards and Soldiers.

The Guards were those that took care of crimes happening within the city and usually protected it from harm. And, only girls were allowed to join this vocation.

On the other hand, only boys were allowed to become a soldier. And, they would usually train in one of the settlements before heading to one of the forts to reinforce there.

And, unlike all other vocations, the guards and soldiers were the most fought for. After all, there was an incredible allure waiting for them there. As long as they showed talent and provided a significant contribution to the city, they would be promoted through the ranks and would get the chance to become a Harmoniser.

Most of the time, even as a Harmoniser, they wouldn't even receive a single Prana Stone for all their lives. But, as long as they were initiated, they would obtain one unit of Elemental Qi. Moreover, they would be taught the Palm Projection of their respective element.

That was all that was needed to elevate their status in society and comfortably feed their family. Moreover, having a Palm Projection didn't leave them helpless in the face of a Sha. And, that was the prime reason the two professions were fought for the most.

At present, none of the children in the household seemed to have become of age. So, they were just helping with the chores and some crafting that they could sell later for some money in the market.

Re'Kha zoomed in on their water tank but was unable to peer into it because of the layer of water in it. It was filled with Water Qi, and was bereft of Wind Qi, preventing her from seeing into it. She then backtracked from the house, looking at the faces of everyone in the street as she approached the market, jolting for a moment in surprise as she found the eighty-year-old lady. She was currently buying groceries from a vendor in the market. Trailing behind her was a young boy in his teens, possibly part of her family.

The boy carried a bag that stored all the groceries the old lady bought. He did seem to have a grumpy expression, occasionally shooting glances at a certain item of interest in an adjacent shop.

The old lady continued to buy her groceries, as if she hadn't noticed his gaze. Re'Kha continued to observe her actions, at times forgetting to eat. As it was early in the morning and wasn't the rush hour yet, no one came to disturb her or prompt her to hurry up with her eating.

Time passed in such a fashion. Re'Kha made an approximate guess based on what she had learnt on earth, 'It's been an hour.'

The boy looked downcast as he dragged his feet, carrying the heavy bag full of stuff he had zero interest in. Then, followed by a gentle smile, the old lady patted his head, motioning with her eyes at the item he had been eyeing all along.

Followed by a chirpy jump, the boy didn't even seem to mind the weight he carried as he approached the shop and bought the item. Then, the two of them began to return to their home, all the while the boy whistled a tune he had learnt recently, expressing his giddiness. The old lady chuckled from time to time.

Re'Kha spied in on their conversation, frowning as she didn't notice anything amiss, 'Until now, everything about them seems normal.'