After hearing the shopkeeper's words, Cheng Yu promptly bought two thousand jin of feed for Niu Niu.
While the shopkeeper instructed his assistants to prepare Niu Ba's feed, Cheng Yu took the opportunity to ask,
"What was it that the gentleman led out when I arrived?"
The shopkeeper smiled.
"Judging by that question, this must be your first visit to the Eastern Continent?"
Cheng Yu nodded slightly.
"That's right. This humble Daoist came from Baiyue Prefecture."
Understanding dawned on the shopkeeper, and he nodded before smiling again.
"That explains it...
"It's nothing unusual, really. It was a member of the Demon Race, though not the Demon Race under the Demon Dynasty. Ever since the Peacock Great Sage sealed the pass with his own body, birds, beasts, fish, and insects here in the Eastern Continent have occasionally cultivated into spirits, becoming wild demons. Unaware of the dangers, these wild demons enter human society and inevitably violate Humankind's laws and customs. Once captured, some are disciplined and supervised directly by the imperial court, while the rest are sold to the Spirit Beast Pavilion to serve as beast slaves.
"If they meet a kindhearted master, it might even become a heartwarming tale."
As he spoke, he handed Cheng Yu a small box containing all of Niu Ba's feed.
Cheng Yu took it, thanked him, and left the Spirit Beast Pavilion.
Then he visited another shop and bought a map.
After giving it a quick once-over, Cheng Yu paid and took the map with him.
On the way back to the inn, Cheng Yu silently calculated how long his remaining money would last. Once he had a rough estimate, he sighed helplessly. He would have to find a way to earn some travel money.
It was already pitch-black when he returned to the inn.