Evelyn Spencer also knew that the courtyard in the back had been tidied up, since he had helped with the work as well. Now, hearing that they could move, he actually felt a bit reluctant. After all, he had just begun to learn the Ziwu Sutra and was eager to cultivate diligently. But what Clifford Bolton said was true: this storeroom had no windows, was cluttered with junk, and had no bed. Other than being close to the kitchen for convenient meals, it was utterly useless and uncomfortable to live in.

He agreed, and after his senior brother left, he excitedly climbed onto the bed cobbled together from benches, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began cultivating the Ziwu Sutra once again.

Although this time he didn’t have his master’s inner strength to support him, Evelyn Spencer found that his cultivation was still clear and smooth, without any hindrance. In the blink of an eye, it was dawn. His whole body’s true qi gave a slight tremor, and about four or five acupoints gently rippled, producing a faint trace of true qi.

Neither the Hunyuan Stance nor the Ziwu Sutra focused on cultivating a single meridian; instead, the qi circulated throughout the body. If a certain acupoint was naturally open, it would generate true qi. Once enough acupoints along a meridian produced true qi and the qi was abundant, that meridian could be fully connected.

These four or five acupoints were not on the same meridian, so Evelyn Spencer didn’t know which meridian would be the next to connect. However, he faintly felt that cultivating the Ziwu Sutra didn’t seem as slow as his master had said, which left him a bit puzzled.

He remembered that his senior brother had said they needed to go out to buy beds, tables, and other household items. He hurriedly got off the bed made of benches, went out into the courtyard, picked up a short stick, and practiced a set of Demon-Banishing Sword Forms.

Although he had taken Frank Henry’s personal sword, he knew this sword had a history. If someone recognized it, it could cause trouble, so he usually left it in his room and never used it for practice.

Last night, Evelyn Spencer had connected another meridian, so when he practiced the seventy-two Demon-Banishing Sword Forms, he felt even more powerful, filling him with joy.

After practicing swordsmanship, Evelyn Spencer went to find Clifford Bolton. Clifford Bolton had just finished morning lessons. Seeing Evelyn Spencer arrive, he took a money pouch—not very heavy by the look of it—tied it to his waist, and said with a smile, “Junior brother, let’s go to town and buy some things!”

Evelyn Spencer had a question that had been on his mind for a long time and couldn’t help but ask, “Does our master not have much money?”

Clifford Bolton nodded and said, “Our master left the Songyang Sect alone and didn’t bring much money. Although the Songyang Sect is large and wealthy, with businesses in every major city, since we left the sect, it wouldn’t be right to draw on their funds anymore.”

Evelyn Spencer knew they were going out to buy things today. Although he hadn’t taken out the banknotes, he did bring along the loose silver, copper, and iron coins, as well as the five large silver ingots he had taken from Paul Stewart and the others. Hearing this, he said nothing and followed Clifford Bolton out of Taiyi Temple.

The town they went to was one where Evelyn Spencer had stayed with Edward Miller for a few days, so he was quite familiar with it. There was no furniture shop in this town, only a carpenter. In such a small town, few people ever replaced their household items. The carpenter mostly made a living by repairing things for others, though he did make some furniture from time to time.

Clifford Bolton, having traveled the martial world with their master and being quite experienced, didn’t order anything custom-made. He simply picked two wooden beds from the carpenter’s stock, selected some tables and chairs, and Evelyn Spencer picked out some wooden planks. The two of them discussed prices with the carpenter, paid a deposit, and arranged for the items to be delivered to Taiyi Temple.

After finishing their business, Clifford Bolton was ready to head back, but Evelyn Spencer stopped his senior brother and said, “Senior brother, I see that our master’s Daoist robe is quite worn, and yours has patches too. I’m still dressed like a shop assistant. Why don’t we go to the clothing shop and order three sets of Daoist robes so we can all have something new?”

Clifford Bolton looked troubled and said in a low voice, “Junior Brother Spencer, I don’t have enough money.”

Evelyn Spencer laughed and said, “I have quite a bit of money on me. I’ll cover this expense.”

Clifford Bolton’s expression grew serious. He pulled Evelyn Spencer aside and said solemnly, “Junior brother, for those of us who practice martial arts, if we lose our conscience, getting money is as easy as reaching out our hand.”

“Even our Songyang Sect, which is a reputable and upright school, never resorts to force or trickery, but money still comes easily. For example, if we inform a major shop that we’re transporting goods and fly the Songyang Sect’s banner, we can travel unimpeded throughout the Great Lang region. All the local heroes who have established strongholds will give us face.”

“With just this banner, we can get hundreds or even thousands of taels of silver every year.”

“There are countless other ways to make money.”

“A gentleman loves wealth, but acquires it by proper means! Our Taiyi Temple just hasn’t had the time yet. With our master’s abilities, getting some silver wouldn’t be difficult at all.”

“Junior brother, you must never do anything that goes against your conscience.”

Evelyn Spencer felt a bit embarrassed and said in a low voice, “This money was given to me by my Master Miller. Otherwise, how could a shop assistant like me have so much money?”

Clifford Bolton smiled slightly and said, “You’re still young, junior brother. As long as you keep these principles in mind, that’s enough. I’m not lecturing you, just saying that as people, we must act uprightly to cultivate a noble spirit. With a clear conscience, we can have true dignity in the martial path!”