(Please, collections and recommendations are really important to me.)

In the marketplace within the city of Placidium.

Jia Ruo and Neeko were sitting at a breakfast stall, sampling Placidium's specialty: porridge made from seven different grains.

According to the stall owner, this traditional Placidium dish had to be prepared starting from the early morning.

First, three types of coarse grains were placed in a large pot and slow-cooked for two to three hours with seasonings. When customers arrived, a portion was taken and put into another small pot, with the remaining four types of fine grains added. It was then brought to a boil over high heat for a short while before being served.

So much attention to detail, Jia Ruo marveled inwardly.

The porridge was soft and sticky, with an overflowing aroma. Paired with a few refreshing side dishes, it was truly the best gift to welcome a beautiful start to the day.

No wonder they say Ionia loves peace. If everyone could live as prosperously and comfortably, enjoying life's pleasures, who would go looking for trouble?

Jia Ruo praised the stall owner's craftsmanship and drank three large bowls, feeling exceptionally satisfied.

The Weaver watched him with a sigh, "Being able to eat is a good thing, it means you're healthy. When I was young, I could eat more than you in one sitting."

Jia Ruo chuckled. While Neeko was still slowly savoring her meal, he started chatting with the Weaver.

"How long have you been at the Hall of Tranquility? The Hall of Tranquility is the headquarters for the Placidium Sheriff, right? What do the sheriffs usually do?"

"I was transferred here when the Hall of Tranquility was established, so it's only been about two or three years."

The Weaver organized his thoughts and continued, "You know, Ionia spent twelve years and sacrificed countless lives to repel Noxus. The war is over now, but many people's mindsets have changed. They've come to prefer using violence."

The Weaver nudged his chin. Jia Ruo followed his gaze towards the center of the marketplace, where a patrol of Warrior Monks was marching.

"Originally, these Warrior Monks were enough to maintain order in Placidium. But now, emergency incidents have increased drastically, and the Hall of Tranquility was established for this very reason. Work hard, young man. The future of Ionia is in your hands."

Having said so much in one go, the old man felt a touch of melancholy.

He shook his head, as if trying to shake off the gloom.

"Let's go. I still need to learn from Neeko. Let's head to the training ground at the Hall of Tranquility. It's spacious there and won't disturb the citizens."

The Weaver paid for the meal first, then casually led Jia Ruo and Neeko to the Hall of Tranquility and entered the training ground.

"Then let's begin. Old grandpa, watch carefully!"

Neeko said, slowly activating Plant Growth Spread. The Weaver, meanwhile, focused intently on sensing the magical elements around Neeko.

Actually, Jia Ruo had also learned Plant Magic from Neeko before.

Even while training in the Way of the Unseen with the Sword Saint, he would occasionally practice it. After all, who wouldn't want to be a mage?

Although he couldn't grasp any real tricks, he would still shout out in a chuunibyou manner, "Wood Style, Deep Forest Emergence!" and then use all his Magic Power to create a miniature version of Neeko's ultimate move.

Jia Ruo leaned to the side, watching the enthusiastic Weaver, and wondered: Neeko's magical talent was innate, could he really learn it just by watching?

Perhaps the Weaver has some secret art for manipulating magic, otherwise, why wouldn't I have noticed anything after Neeko followed me for so long?

Forget it, I haven't even mastered Wuji, so I shouldn't worry about things I can't control.

Jia Ruo stood up. The Weaver would definitely not finish so early.

So he decided to go find Elder Percy first.

"Yo, you guys are here."

Speak of the devil, a large hand patted Jia Ruo's shoulder.

"Master Percy, good morning."

"Mhm, what are they doing?"

Percy acknowledged Jia Ruo's greeting and turned his gaze to the Weaver and Neeko in the Training Ground.

"The Weaver said he wanted to see how Neeko uses Plant Magic, he wants to learn Neeko's techniques."

"Sigh."

Percy's already low voice deepened further.

"His wife passed away early, and his two sons were sacrificed in the war. Now, only Plant Magic and his weaving skills give him something to hold onto."

I didn't expect the old Weaver to have such a story.

"Since I ran into you, let me brief you on the Marshal's duties."

Percy remembered the important matters.

"The main mission of the Hall of Tranquility is to assist Warriors Monks in maintaining order and resolving sudden violent incidents. Our Hall of Tranquility currently has about two thousand members. Excluding logistics, there are twelve hundred active Marshals. Of course, most of them are not in Placidium; the northwest of Ionia needs them more. The Navoli Brotherhood there is very restless, and bloodshed occurs daily."

"Then how many Marshals are left in Placidium?"

"Less than two hundred. If it weren't for the lesson from the War of Standing Tall, I would have sent them all out. Placidium has enough Warriors Monks; it's the villages and small towns that need help the most."

Percy seemed to have said these words many times, his tone fluent and firm.

"Next, I'll tell you about the system of the Hall of Tranquility. Excluding the Marshals maintaining order in various regions, the remaining two hundred Marshals in Placidium are divided into two categories: the Guard Group, who patrol Placidium with the Warriors Monks, or the Investigator Group, who pursue wanted fugitives. Which one do you want to be?"

Jia Ruo thought for a moment and replied, "I want to join the Investigator Group."

"Why?"

"I just don't want to patrol."

Percy: "..."

And so, Jia Ruo became a member of the Investigator Group, and Neeko became his partner.

In the future, they would pursue fugitives for the Hall of Tranquility together.