I run a casino in the immortal realm.

The ten-day seclusion consumed 250 spirit stones.

When Zheng Yifei opened his eyes, the spiritual energy in his dantian was nearly twice as concentrated as it had been ten days ago.

With all five spiritual roots operating simultaneously, the spiritual energy within his body flowed into his dantian like five streams. Although he was still far from reaching the fifth level of Qi Refining, his progress was clearly visible.

The efficiency of a high-grade spirit-gathering array plate is indeed incomparable to that of a low-grade one.

He got up and stretched, his joints cracking and popping. He walked to the Spirit Spring Well, drew a bucket of water, and poured it over himself from head to toe.

The icy spring water sent a shiver down his spine, instantly revitalizing him.

The formation was functioning normally, and the consumption of spirit stones was within the expected range. There were no signs of fighting or destruction outside the courtyard gate. The Iron Fist Sect did not launch a full-scale attack.

This shows that Zhang Biao's words had an effect.

Zheng Yifei changed into clean clothes and started a fire to cook a pot of spirit rice porridge.

During the meal, he took out the mask and talisman that he had hidden in a secret compartment before going into seclusion and examined them one by one.

There was a knock on the courtyard gate.

Zheng Yifei unlatched the door.

Zhang Biao stood outside the door, holding a pheasant in his hand, a smile plastered on his face.

"You've emerged from quarantine?"

"Just released."

Zhang Biao shoved the pheasant into Zheng Yifei's arms: "Want a drink today?"

Zheng Yifei placed the pheasant beside the stove and glanced at Zhang Biao.

During his ten days of seclusion, he was not completely isolated from the outside world. The array had a sensing function, and every time someone approached the courtyard wall, the array plate would emit a slight vibration.

There were three tremors in ten days. The first one was on the second day of his seclusion, when Sun Liang brought people to investigate—he felt the spiritual energy backlash from the formation that time.

The second and third times, Zhang Biao stopped briefly outside the wall as he passed by.

Sun Liang heard everything clearly from inside the house that time.

The soundproof array only prevented sounds from the courtyard from spreading outwards, but it did not prevent him from using his spiritual power to amplify his hearing and capture external sounds.

He heard every word Zhang Biao said while covering for him on the wall.

"Brother Zhang, there's no rush for martial arts."

Zheng Yifei dusted off his hands and said in a more serious tone, "I'm so grateful for your care during my seclusion these past few days, Brother. Today it's my treat at Zuixianlou. Let's have a good meal together."

Zhang Biao's eyes lit up.

"Drunken Immortal Pavilion? That's a restaurant in the central district; a meal there costs at least ten spirit stones."

"I can afford it."

Half an hour later, on the second floor of Zuixianlou.

Zheng Yifei ordered a pot of premium bamboo wine and a table full of dishes, the aroma of which could be smelled all the way across the street.

Zhang Biao rubbed his hands together, almost drooling.

"Brother, where did you get the spirit stones during your ten days of seclusion?"

"The money I saved up before."

Zheng Yifei poured him a drink.

Zhang Biao didn't investigate further and started drinking from the bowl.

After downing two bowls of wine, he wiped his mouth and lowered his voice: "While you were in seclusion these past few days, the Iron Fist Sect investigated you thoroughly, and Sun Liang personally led a group to your doorstep."

"Know."

"You know?"

Zhang Biao was taken aback.

"The formation is sensitive; I can hear everything that's happening outside."

Zheng Yifei placed a piece of duck meat in Zhang Biao's bowl: "I owe you a favor for what you said on my behalf, brother."

Zhang Biao waved his hand: "Don't talk about owing or not, we're neighbors. But Sun Liang isn't someone you can fool. Just because he hasn't found any evidence yet doesn't mean this matter is over. Be more careful when you go out in the future."

"Um."

After eating and drinking their fill, they left the restaurant. Back at their rented room, Zheng Yifei spent half an hour teaching Zhang Biao three basic close-quarters combat stances.

These are all practical combat moves that were dismantled from various countries' fighting styles in my previous life—elbow strikes, knee strikes, and chokeholds.

There are no fancy moves; they all target the most vulnerable parts of the human body.

Zhang Biao learned very quickly. Having spent years fighting monsters, his physical coordination and reaction speed were top-notch. He mastered the basic moves after practicing them ten or so times.

"That's enough for you. Practice the rest slowly. Once you've mastered these three moves, I'll teach you how to counter your opponent's attacks."

"Okay."

Zhang Biao clenched his fist excitedly.

Zheng Yifei was preparing to go out and make money.

Sun Liang pushed the door open and came in.

"Oh, Little Zheng has emerged from seclusion?"

Sun Liang stood with his hands on his hips, looking Zheng Yifei up and down, a lukewarm smile on his lips: "I thought you'd run away after being locked up for ten days."

Zhang Biao's expression changed, and he subconsciously took a half step in front of Zheng Yifei.

Zheng Yifei reached out and patted Zhang Biao on the shoulder, signaling him not to be nervous, then grinned at Sun Liang with a particularly honest and simple smile.

"You must be Boss Sun. I've already paid three months' rent, why are you running away?"

Sun Liang's gaze swept over him from head to toe.

"You should know the rules of Wutong Lane, right? Each household has to pay a peace fee of five spirit stones per month."

Without hesitation, Zheng Yifei deftly took out five spirit stones from the bag and handed them over with both hands.

He adopted a very humble posture, even bending slightly as he handed over the spirit stones.

Sun Liang took the spirit stone, weighed it in his palm twice, and then put it into his sleeve.

He didn't leave immediately, but tilted his head and looked at Zheng Yifei.

"Little Zheng, what are you doing in Suzhou, a rogue cultivator from Heishan Market? How are you going to make a living?"

This is not a question asked casually.

Zheng Yifei knew exactly what was going on. Sun Liang hadn't found out anything about the disappearance of the three men, Old Smoker, but his suspicions hadn't been dispelled.

Every question he asks now is a test.

"To be honest, Boss Sun, I came to Suzhou to learn how to draw talismans."

Zheng Yifei's smile remained unchanged, his tone carrying a hint of flattery: "I learned a little bit of the basics from someone in Heishan Market, and I wanted to come to Suzhou to find a master to formally become an apprentice, but the threshold for talisman shops is too high, and I'm still running into walls everywhere."

"Learn to draw talismans?"

Sun Liang looked him up and down again, his gaze lingering on his hands for a moment.

The hands of a talisman master are different from those of an ordinary cultivator; those who hold a pen for a long time will have ink stains and calluses on their fingertips.

But it's understandable that there were no ink stains on his hands after ten days of seclusion.

"Learning talismans is quite expensive in terms of spirit stones. Where will you, a rogue cultivator, get the money?"

"Given to me by my family."

Zheng Yifei answered without hesitation: "My family runs a security escort agency in Heishanfang City, Zhenwei Security Escort Agency. Have you heard of it, Boss Sun? Chief Escort Zhou is my uncle. I came here this time on my uncle's escort team."

Zhenwei Escort Agency.

Sun Liang chewed on the name, his expression remaining unchanged.

Zhenwei Escort Agency was one of several escort agencies that traveled between Heishanfang and Sujiafang. It wasn't very famous, but it did exist.

"Zhou the镖头 (bodyguard/escort)? The one at the ninth level of Qi Refining?"

"Yes, that's him."

Sun Liang nodded and didn't ask any more questions. He patted Zheng Yifei's shoulder with considerable force, causing Zheng Yifei's body to sink half an inch.

"Alright, study your talismans properly, stay in Wutong Lane, and let me know if anything happens. The Iron Fist Sect will protect you, so don't cause any trouble for me outside."

"No, no, thank you, Boss Sun."

Sun Liang turned and left, with two of his men following behind.

After walking about ten steps from the alley entrance, Sun Liang didn't turn his head. He whispered to Ma Qi beside him, "Check Zhenwei Escort Agency and see if what this kid said is true."

"clear."

Ma Qi noted it down and quickened his pace to catch up with Sun Liang.

In Wutong Lane, Zhang Biao watched the Iron Fist Sect members walk away, then turned to look at Zheng Yifei.

"Are you really related to Chief Escort Zhou of Zhenwei Escort Agency?"

"Um."

Zheng Yifei walked into the courtyard without changing his expression.

Zhang Biao followed for a couple of steps, hesitated, and ultimately didn't ask any more questions.

After the courtyard gate closed, Zheng Yifei's smile vanished.

He leaned against the door, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the door frame.

He had no blood relation to Zhou Biaotou, and telling this lie was like telling a time bomb.

Zhenwei Escort Agency does indeed frequently run the route from Heishanfang Market to Sujiafang Market. If Sun Liang wants to investigate, he should have results in at most half a month.

half a month.

He must accomplish two things within this time window.

First, purchase enough Golden Sword Talismans, Vajra Talismans, and Swift Travel Talismans so that you can deal with Sun Liang if he notices anything amiss.

Next, we need to find Chief Escort Zhou and cover up this lie.