After capturing Zhu Yan, Zhang Jingmo flew for a hundred miles without stopping, traveling for a day and night before finding a mountain cave to start refining the Zhu Yan.

Zhu Yan was a spiritual creature of the mountains, naturally wild and difficult to tame. Although Zhang Jingmo had subdued it, if he did not refine it properly, he feared Zhu Yan might retaliate.  

After being subdued by Zhang Jingmo, Zhu Yan shed its fiery red color and transformed into a small sparrow with gray feathers. Except for its lively eyes, there was no discernible difference from an ordinary pet.

Zhang Jingmo sat cross-legged in the cave and started circulating the spell.

Zhu Yan curiously hopped around Zhang Jingmo, occasionally jumping on his head and pecking at his long eyelashes from time to time.

Despite such disturbances, Zhang Jingmo remained motionless until he fully consolidated the spell by circulating spiritual energy, only then opening his eyes.

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed since Zhang Jingmo left Pingrui Prefecture.

When Zhang Jingmo opened his eyes, he did not see Zhu Yan. He was not anxious, simply calling out softly. In less than a moment, he saw a flame-like red glow flying towards him. Upon closer inspection, that red glow was actually an ordinary-looking sparrow.

Seeing Zhu Yan fly back, Zhang Jingmo stretched out his finger to catch it, laughing: "You ah, are really gluttonous." He could no longer sense the life force of animals in this mountain forest.

Zhu Yan chirped twice, jumping from Zhang Jingmo's finger to his shoulder. Its temperament was lively, just like a child who had not grown up.

Looking at Zhu Yan, Zhang Jingmo couldn't help but think of Lu Guijiu who was still cultivating bitterly at Lingxu Sect. He wondered what Lu Guijiu looked like after these two years.

Logically, after obtaining Zhu Yan, Zhang Jingmo should have returned to Lingxu Sect first. But at this time, the main purpose of his journey was not the adorable little sparrow in his hand.

Zhang Jingmo softly told Zhu Yan "let's go", made a hand seal, and headed in the direction beyond the border.

On this continent, there were mainly four countries, of which the most powerful was the Zhao State controlled by the Gu imperial clan. The Zhao State was vast, with many famous immortal cultivation sects.

Zhang Jingmo's destination this time was within the Zhao State.

After flying for several days, Zhang Jingmo finally arrived at the border of the Zhao State. Upon reaching the border, he no longer traveled by wind, but changed into old clothes, rented a slow donkey, and began to travel leisurely.

If riding this slow-paced donkey to cross the Zhao State, it would probably take several years. But Zhang Jingmo was not in a hurry at all, just swaying and swaggering on his journey.

The territory of the Zhao State was vast, the border almost desolate. After entering a small border town, Zhang Jingmo found a tavern, intending to buy some food and drink.

The tavern was in stark contrast to the desolation of the border. The furnishings and decor were all exquisite. Seeing the travel-worn Zhang Jingmo arrive, the waiter showed no hint of disdain, but was very attentive, asking Zhang Jingmo what he wanted.

Zhang Jingmo casually ordered a few dishes and a pot of good wine.

The waiter acknowledged and quickly brought up the food and drink Zhang Jingmo ordered.

In the main hall, there were only three people sitting. A man and a woman were sitting in the corner talking softly, while Zhang Jingmo sat in the middle, drinking by himself. He was originally handsome and refined in appearance. Although his clothes were a bit shabby, he still exuded an aura that was out of place in this bleak border town.

Soon, the man and woman sitting next to Zhang Jingmo noticed this somewhat incongruous guest.

After a few plates of appetizers and a few sips of wine, Zhang Jingmo finished his leisurely rest and called the waiter to pay the bill. The waiter came forward with a smile and said, "Dear guest, the total is two taels of gold."

Hearing this price, the man and woman sitting nearby seemed to be stunned. The woman was about to say something but was stopped by the man.

Hearing this price, Zhang Jingmo just glanced at the waiter indifferently, then pointed to the wine pot in front of him.

The waiter thought Zhang Jingmo was asking about the price of the wine and said with a fake smile, "Dear guest, the wine here is all good wine. One pot costs one tael of gold. These few plates of appetizers can only be found in our restaurant. We've already rounded down for you. All together, it's two taels of gold."

Zhang Jingmo propped his chin with his hand and said expressionlessly, "I told you to fill a pot of wine for me to take away." With that, he casually tossed a piece of gold onto the wooden table.

The waiter seemed surprised by Zhang Jingmo's generosity. The smile on his face paused slightly, his eyes revealing hesitation. He picked up the gold, weighed it, and bit it with his teeth. After confirming it was real gold, he said, "Dear guest, is there anything else you would like?"

Zhang Jingmo said, "Add a bag of roasted soybeans, no need for change." The gold nugget was a full five taels. Buying a pot of wine and a bag of roasted soybeans, there should still be quite a bit left over. Hearing this, the waiter beamed with joy. He said, "Please wait a moment."

With that, he quickly retreated.

The woman who witnessed this scene nearby, seeing the waiter leave, seemed unable to hold back. She walked up to Zhang Jingmo and said, "You've been ripped off!"

Zhang Jingmo looked at the woman in surprise, "Ripped off?"

Seeing Zhang Jingmo still looking confused, the woman said in exasperation, "That wine and appetizers, even in this border area, wouldn't cost more than one tael of gold. You actually gave him five taels..."

Zhang Jingmo looked puzzled, "Is five taels a lot?"

The woman said angrily, "Five taels is enough for ordinary people to live without worries for a lifetime!"

Zhang Jingmo seemed a bit dazed, obviously not quite understanding what the woman was so angry about. He frowned as if troubled and mumbled, "But my master told me... when I come here, however much others say, I should give that much."

The woman sighed, "Your master told you this? Then he really is—" She was about to say something but saw the waiter walking over with the wine and bag of soybeans. So she had to shut her mouth and returned to her seat in low spirits.

Zhang Jingmo still frowned, like a enlightened fool. He said, "Waiter, you didn't deceive me about the price of this wine and food, right?"

Hearing this, the waiter pretended to be angry, "Running an honest business, what we detest most is deception. How can you say that without any proof!"

Zhang Jingmo, scolded in this way, seemed a bit at a loss. He mumbled a few apologies, put the wine and soybeans into his bosom, got up and left.

After Zhang Jingmo left, the man and woman also settled their bill and left the restaurant. However, despite ordering a tableful of dishes, their bill was not as expensive as Zhang Jingmo's bag of soybeans.

As soon as the woman left the restaurant, she complained to the man beside her, "Brother, why didn't you let me speak? That restaurant was clearly ripping people off... I could see that person didn't seem to be someone who frequently travels the jianghu, so you just let him get scammed like that?"

The man said coldly, "There are so many injustices in the world, can you handle them all? Besides, do you still not understand whose business that restaurant is under?"

Hearing this, the woman showed an embarrassed expression. She actually wanted to do a good deed, but didn't have the courage, after all, they really couldn't afford to offend the owner of this restaurant.

Just as the two were talking, they saw that refined man who had just left the restaurant being grabbed by the old madam from the brothel across the street. His face showed an awkward expression as he struggled constantly, but he was actually unable to break free from the old madam's grip. It looked like he was about to be forcibly dragged into the brothel.

The woman was just saying this to her brother when she saw this scene. Unable to stand by any longer, she stepped forward and shouted at the old madam, "What are you doing?"

Seeing the woman's fierce manner, the old madam's movements paused. She smiled falsely and said, "Oh my, what can I be doing... isn't it all out of good intentions? Could it be that you know this young gentleman, miss?"

The woman said, "Yes, he's my friend. Let him go now."

Hearing this, the old madam was unwilling to let go. She said, "You haven't even asked this young gentleman if he actually wants to go in or not, how can you just decide for him? I could see this young gentleman was very curious about the brothel. Isn't that right, young gentleman?"

Hearing this, the woman looked at the man being held. She saw him struggling constantly in the old madam's grip, his face flushed red. Seeing the woman look over, he cried out like he had caught sight of his savior, "I don't want to go in, I don't want to go in!"

The woman glared at the old madam again.

Seeing this business opportunity lost, the old madam was very dissatisfied. She snorted, shot the woman a few vicious looks, then turned and left, swaying her hips. After the man was released by the old madam, he kept hissing in pain.

The woman stepped forward to take a look. She saw that after the man rolled up his sleeves, there were actually several black and blue handprints on his jade-white arms.

The woman stared at the man's arms for a while. Unable to resist, she reached out to touch them. Sure enough, they felt very nice, as exquisite as congealed lard. But like this, those few black and blue handprints stood out even more. The woman frowned and said, "Do you not know any martial arts at all?"

The man said aggrievedly, "Martial arts? Isn't martial arts something that only exists in storybooks?"

The woman said, exasperated at his uselessness, "What's your name? What did you come here to do? Do you know that your little life could be casually taken here??"

The man said blankly, "I'm called Chen Baicang, I came to Zhao State to find someone... Lady, thank you. May I ask your name?"

The woman was just about to say her name when she saw the man who had been standing to the side the whole time step forward to stop her, then say, "There's no need to know our names. We will be leaving here tomorrow."

Zhang Jingmo opened his mouth slightly, seemingly frightened by the man's unreasonable attitude.

Seeing Zhang Jingmo's stupid appearance, the man said coldly, "This is not a place that good men and women should come to. If you want to keep your life, you'd best return early."

After saying this, he grabbed the woman beside him who still wanted to say something more to Zhang Jingmo, turned and left.

This only left Zhang Jingmo standing there alone, staring off in their direction for a long time. In his eyes seemed to be filled with grievance and lack of understanding.