Spear and Sword Combination

Yang Guyun raised an eyebrow. "Just because of that?"

"Just because of that." Zhou Qiubai nodded, his tone resolute. "People in the martial world judge others sometimes with just one look. If you, Yang Guyun, were greedy for petty gains, how could you have cultivated such Spear Intent?"

He said it with absolute certainty and complete sincerity.

Yang Guyun fell silent.

He accepted the Spirit Bone, examined it carefully, then handed it back to Zhou Qiubai. "Put it away."

Zhou Qiubai was stunned.

"There isn't much in my Storage Soul Tool, but it isn't empty either," Yang Guyun said evenly. "You can store things with me, but let me see what else you have first. We'll keep it all together, so there's no confusion later."

Even blood brothers kept clear accounts; that was even more necessary for friends who had only just met.

Zhou Qiubai's eyes lit up. He understood that this was their way of laying their cards on the table.

After thinking for a moment, he nodded. "All right."

The two took out the items from their packs and laid them beside the campfire.

On Zhou Qiubai's side were the Spirit Bone, medicinal herbs, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Sword Talisman and Soul Crystal Card, along with some Gold Soul Coins.

On Yang Guyun's side were several changes of clothes, dried provisions and water, a pouch of medicine, several decent-quality ores, a spare dagger, as well as a map and Gold Soul Coins.

There was not much, but everything was essential for traveling the martial world.

Yang Guyun picked up the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Sword Talisman and asked, "You have ties with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

"More or less." Zhou Qiubai briefly explained Ning Rongrong's situation. "Their sect master gave this to me. It was meant to establish some goodwill."

Yang Guyun nodded without asking further. His gaze shifted to the Earth Vein Lingzhi. "This is very valuable. You don't plan to absorb it?"

"I absorbed part of it. I'll wait until we reach Heaven Dou City, refine the rest into pills, then absorb it. The results will be better." Zhou Qiubai smiled. "So, Brother Yang, do you dare take it?"

Yang Guyun glanced at him and began putting the items into his jade pendant.

Watching his swift, decisive movements, Zhou Qiubai could not help asking, "Brother Yang, aren't you curious why I trust you so much?"

"Not curious." Yang Guyun sat back down, his attention fixed on the campfire as if he had no interest in asking anything else.

"Then, sleep?"

"You keep watch."

Zhou Qiubai slowly opened his eyes.

They had said he would keep watch, but in truth, they had both fallen asleep.

It did not really matter. There were almost no wild beasts around; they had probably all been hunted down by the bandits and hunters. As for Spirit Beasts...

The fact that there was not even a ten-year-old one nearby already said enough.

He sat up, stretched his shoulders and neck, and yawned as he looked across from him.

Yang Guyun was already awake. He held his long spear and used a cloth to wipe down the shaft.

"Morning, Brother Yang." Zhou Qiubai yawned, his voice lazy.

Yang Guyun looked up and gave a slight nod in response.

He did not speak, but Zhou Qiubai could sense that his earlier wariness had faded considerably.

After making a simple meal of dried provisions, they prepared to continue their journey.

They left the forest and stepped onto the main road.

The occasional carriage and traveler hurried past.

Zhou Qiubai still wore his blue cloth robes, while Yang Guyun was dressed all in black, his black spear in hand as he walked beside him.

Yet Zhou Qiubai understood that this seemingly cold person was not as simple inside as he appeared.

During their idle conversation the night before, Yang Guyun had mentioned encountering a rare poisonous herb. He had casually remarked, "Too bad I didn't bring enough antidote pills at the time."

Before setting out that morning, Yang Guyun silently handed him a small porcelain bottle containing three high-quality Hundred Herb Pills, more than enough to counter ordinary poisons.

That sort of cold exterior and warm heart was not bad at all.

A tea stall appeared beside the road.

"Want to rest a bit?" Zhou Qiubai asked.

Yang Guyun nodded to show his agreement.

The two found a table near the edge and sat down. The old man brought them two large bowls of salted tea.

Zhou Qiubai accepted his bowl and took a sip.

Yang Guyun, meanwhile, took out his waterskin and drank his own water.

"Brother Yang." Zhou Qiubai suddenly spoke. "When we reach Heaven Dou City, do you think we should sell the Spirit Bone first, or look for medicinal herbs first?"

"Either is fine." Yang Guyun paused, then added, "But it would be best to get a Storage Soul Tool first. You're carrying too many things. It's really not safe."

Zhou Qiubai smiled. "Speaking of that, I was just about to ask. Brother Yang, how much did that jade pendant of yours cost?"

"My family gave it to me. I don't know." Yang Guyun answered calmly. "But on the market, a Storage Soul Tool of that size costs around five hundred thousand to eight hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins."

"Five hundred... eight hundred thousand?" Zhou Qiubai exclaimed, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Then how many could this Spirit Bone buy?"

"That depends on its quality and the buyer." Yang Guyun glanced at him. "A thousand-year Swift Wind Falcon Spirit Bone is not especially impressive in age, and it is speed-type. Its market price is around one hundred thousand. Since it's a leg bone and can be replaced, it might sell for three hundred thousand at auction if you meet a buyer who urgently needs it."

Zhou Qiubai's eyes immediately lit up. "Three hundred thousand?"

"Mm."

"Doesn't that mean... I'm rich?" Zhou Qiubai rubbed his hands together, his face full of anticipation. "Three hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins could buy so many medicinal herbs, so many..."

"You're quite greedy for money," Yang Guyun suddenly cut in.

Zhou Qiubai froze, then admitted it openly. "Yeah! I'm greedy for money. What's there to be embarrassed about? When you travel the martial world, what doesn't require money? Eating costs money, lodging costs money, buying medicine and resources costs even more. I'm not some young master from a sect like you, with a family supporting me. If I want to survive and grow stronger, I have to earn money."

There was no attempt to hide it in his voice, nor was there the slightest shame on his face.

Yang Guyun looked at him, the corners of his lips lifting faintly as though in appreciation. "Openly greedy."

"Of course." Zhou Qiubai took a sip of tea and said proudly, "A gentleman loves wealth, but acquires it honorably. I earn money through my skills—guiding people through the Star Dou Forest, helping them hunt Spirit Beasts, saving people. Those are all honest trades. I don't make dirty money, and I don't do things against my conscience. But what belongs to me, I won't give up a single coin."

Yang Guyun nodded. He said nothing more, but clear approval showed in his eyes.

After they finished their tea, Zhou Qiubai paid and gave the old man several extra Soul Copper Coins.

The old man thanked him profusely and watched them leave, his face filled with gratitude.

Today's good deed was complete.

"Greedy for money, but not stingy," Yang Guyun commented.

"Money is earned, not saved," Zhou Qiubai replied with a smile. "Spend what should be spent and save what should be saved. It's fine to be frugal with yourself, but you can't be miserly toward others—especially old folks."

Yang Guyun fell silent for a moment, seemingly considering his words. "Your personality is interesting."

"Interesting, right?" Zhou Qiubai raised his brows smugly. "Everyone needs a few flaws. Can a person without flaws still be human? Even immortals have tempers, much less ordinary people like us."

"I have flaws too." Yang Guyun rarely took the initiative to continue the conversation.

"Oh? What flaws?" Zhou Qiubai asked curiously.

"I don't talk much."

Zhou Qiubai burst out laughing. "How is that a flaw? Talking less is good. Talking too much annoys people. I talk too much myself, and sometimes even I find it annoying."

The two chatted and laughed as they continued eastward.