"What?! Brother Han, why did you do it? Do you have some beef with the entrance gate? By any chance, did you stumble into it?" Fatty Lambu asked in a surprised tone.
"Enough with your nonsense. You'll find out the reason soon. Now tell me, where did you go all this time?" Mo Han asked with a questioning look.
Lambu let out a small sigh and sat on the stone opposite Mo Han. "Of course, I went out on your task—to gather information about the auction houses," Fatty replied.
"Oh? Is there any good news?" Mo Han asked back with a bit of interest.
Fatty nodded, then said with a mysterious smile, "In Green Jade City... the Khan family, which is one of the top ten auction houses of the Twin Sun Realm, is conducting a half-decade auction in seven days," Fatty announced loudly, like a royal court assistant.
But Mo Han didn't get excited right away. "Where is this Green Jade City?" Mo Han asked with a questioning look.
"That's the problem, Brother Han. The Green Jade City is located far to the north. We need to pass through the Mountain Desert to reach that place. Reaching it in seven days is a big challenge.
Also, I promised my next month's three spirit Stones to the administration elder to get this map for reference."
Lambu took out a brown leather sheet, neatly folded, and handed it to Mo Han.
Mo Han studied the handwritten map on the leather sheet and closed it with great disappointment.
"This is too risky. Even on this mountain eagle we can barely reach this place in seven days. Do we have any other choice?" Mo Han asked Lambu.
"No, Brother Han," Lambu replied instantly. "All the remaining ones are small auctions that might not help you. The next big one will be on the next No-Moon Day. I don't think you'd want to wait that long," Fatty Lambu said, shaking his head.
Mo Han held the brown leather map tightly with clenched fists. He was contemplating whether to take the gamble or not. The journey was too risky, and in case of any mishaps, they might not reach in time.
Just as he was wondering how he could reach the Khan Family's auction house, Jia Kai opened her room door and stepped out—like an angel descending.
"I can help you… if you promise to take me with you to Green Jade City," Jia Kai said with a mysterious look.
"How can you help me? Do you know another path?" Mo Han asked without answering her request.
"No, but I have a good amount of Spirit Stones with me. We can buy some potions that can boost the strength of this mountain eagle. That way, it can fly non-stop for at least two days straight. Think about it… in this way, we can cross the Mountain Desert easily," Jia Kai suggested.
Mo Han thought for a moment, his eyes shifting toward the mountain eagle.
"Sorry… I can't make this one suffer at my hands," Mo Han replied while caressing the mountain eagle's neck.
"I think you're misunderstanding," Jia Kai objected instantly. "The mountain eagle won't feel any backlash. The potion will work perfectly to boost its strength, vigor, and even its life force," Jia Kai explained with great interest.
Even then, Mo Han remained in contemplation, afraid of putting the eagle in pain or danger.
"Don't think too much, Mo Han. After crossing the Mountain Desert, we can take a few more stops to let the eagle rest. That way, it won't feel any fatigue. Besides, you don't really have any other choice," Jia Kai said with a bit of seriousness.
After a long thought, Mo Han placed both his hands on the mountain eagle. "Sorry for doing this to you, my friend. Please help me this time. I'll definitely make it up to you with good food," Mo Han said while looking into the eagle's eyes.
The eagle, as if it understood his emotion, raised its head and let out a loud screech.
Mo Han turned toward Jia Kai with a smile and said, "I'm glad for your help, Lady Jia Kai. Let's begin our journey tomorrow morning—before sunrise," Mo Han said with a determined look.
"Yeah… finally! I'm going to explore this realm!" Fatty cried out excitedly.
"Mo Han," Lady Jia Kai called out with a stoic face. "Reaching Green Jade City is not the problem. But how are you going to afford the price of identifying your body constitution? You might need thousands of Spirit Stones. Do you have that kind of wealth?" she asked, staring into Mo Han's eyes.
Mo Han only smiled in response to her serious question. "As I said earlier—trust me, Lady. I have my own ways. I promise you, you won't be disappointed. Wealth will come at the right time," Mo Han said confidently as he walked into his servant home, holding the thick manual titled Sun Piercing Sword.
Fatty, who had finally noticed the manual in Mo Han's hands, was shocked.
"Brother Han! Where did you get that?!" Fatty cried out from behind.
But Mo Han had already closed the door without answering.
Jia Kai continued to stare at the door of Mo Han's room. She didn't understand why Mo Han was so confident about acquiring such wealth. She was a little frustrated by his mysterious side.
Realizing she wouldn't get any more information, she also turned around to prepare for tomorrow's journey.
"Sister Jia Kai," Fatty called out in a hurry.
Jia Kai turned around and stared back at Fatty with a questioning look.
"Do you know about that manual? Where did Brother Han get it from?" Fatty asked eagerly.
"You really missed the great drama. So sad... Go outside and ask any servant—they'll tell you the whole story. I don't have time now. I need to prepare for tomorrow's journey," Jia Kai said before walking into her stone house.
Fatty scratched his head with a frustrated look. "What is she talking about? Great drama? Did something big happen while I was gone?" Fatty muttered as he went out to gather information.
Don't forget to Vote Power Stones!