Ling Yao, a traveler from Xing, insists that the Elric brothers tell him what they know about the Philosopher's Stone while sitting at a small cafe in Rush Valley. Edward and Alphonse attempt to get up and leave, but are stopped by Ling's two bodyguards, who seemingly appeared from nowhere. Ling wants to know how to gain immortality and claims it is simply for family matters, but Edward chooses to resist. He tries to punch the warrior holding a knife at his throat, but ends up getting kicked in the face. The warrior with a sword to Alphonse tells him to learn some manners, calling him a "serf." Alphonse tries to grab the sword blade, telling the warrior to watch where he was pointing that. He takes it as a threat, despite Al's attempts to calm him, and ends up getting knocked on the ground