The black-robed immortal had originally leapt down from the clouds intending to save lives. However, after hearing the old man's pleas and examining the child's body, his thoughts shifted slightly. He first cast a spell to protect the child's injuries, then mounted his flying sword with a long, piercing cry, charging straight toward the bandits in the city.

In the span of a few breaths, the black-robed man slaughtered hundreds of mounted bandits, leaving none alive. He then returned to the old man's side and used spells and elixirs to save the child's life before saying, "Saving you was a simple matter. I never expected you to repay me, but since you mention it, there is indeed something you can help me with."

The old man naturally nodded vigorously.

The black-robed man did not explain his reasons for killing the bandits, but it was clear from his actions that he was a man of principle—what's done is done. When he saved them, he never expected repayment; it was "a rescue for nothing." Later, when he realized he had something that could be entrusted to those he saved, he recalculated the "price," never mentioning the life-saving favor again. By wiping out the bandits and avenging the grandfather and grandson, he used this new favor as compensation for asking them to do something for him.

There was no need to ask—the grandfather and grandson were Old Smith and James Smith. As for the black-robed immortal, he hadn't even changed his clothes.

In the small courtyard behind the cooked food shop, as the black-robed elder recounted these past events, James Smith bowed deeply and said earnestly, "Thank you, Immortal, for saving my life, and again for avenging us..."

The black-robed elder interrupted in a calm tone, "Your grandfather already thanked me for saving your lives back then; there's no need to mention it again. As for the revenge, there's no need to thank me either. One favor for another—I didn't avenge you for nothing. As agreed, you are to do something for me."

At this, James Smith responded, "Grandfather told me that the Immortal never specified exactly what I was to do, only bestowed a knife and a stone, instructing me to diligently sharpen the blade. Since the Immortal arranged it so, it must have its purpose. From childhood until now, I have never dared to slack off when sharpening the knife."

James Smith was absolutely right. The black-robed elder glared at him, and James Smith smiled a bit sheepishly... He knew all the subsequent events clearly; as for the earlier rescue and revenge, his grandfather had already told him everything.

The last time he saw the black-robed elder, he was still an infant. James Smith had no memory of the man, and when he broke the bell to summon someone, he didn't know if it was truly his benefactor who would appear. So he pretended to know nothing, hoping the other would recount the past to confirm his identity. If it was indeed his benefactor, he would have no complaints about repaying the favor for his grandfather and father. But if it was a stranger, James Smith would not foolishly follow him.

"Why not keep pretending to be ignorant? Aren't you afraid I'll be angry that you exposed your own lie halfway through?"

James Smith answered honestly, "I lied before only to verify your identity, just in case. But once I was sure, I could not lie any longer, no matter what. You saved my grandfather and me, and avenged my family—such a great favor is as vast as the sky. Even if you blame me, I cannot deceive you again."

The black-robed elder neither smiled nor grew angry at these words; he simply nodded slightly. But James Smith was not finished: "There is one more thing I must tell my benefactor." James Smith then explained everything about Luo Yuan's immortal fate—how he had used the wooden bell owner's name to send a message, causing the Sword Immortal of Qingmang Mountain to stop taking disciples, and so on.

If James Smith had not spoken of this, the black-robed elder would never have known. But, as before, James Smith did not wish to deceive his benefactor.

"You did nothing wrong. Such trivial matters—don't bother me with them in the future," the black-robed man said coldly, showing no displeasure. Then he asked, "By the way, what's your name?"

"James Smith." The youth reported his name, paused for a moment, then smiled: "Because I spend all day sharpening my knife, making a clanging sound, the townsfolk gave me a nickname—Charles Smith."

James Smith smiled, and the drowsiness in his eyes vanished, his gaze becoming bright and clear. His smile was unusually pure, radiating cheerfulness and sincerity.

The black-robed elder did not find the nickname "Charles Smith" amusing; his expression remained unchanged. With a wave of his wide sleeve, he said, "Gather your things and come with me."

James Smith agreed, and after collecting his belongings, he found the black-robed man had vanished. Just as he was puzzled, a loud, clear cry sounded overhead. Looking up, he saw a giant black eagle, larger than a house, staring down at him.

The great eagle beckoned to him with its wing. James Smith suddenly felt dizzy, and when he opened his eyes again, he was somehow already on the eagle's back. The eagle immediately spread its wings and soared swiftly westward.

Soaring through the skies and gazing down at the mortal world—any ordinary person would be thrilled by such a wondrous experience. All the more so for James Smith, who was just over fifteen and still youthful at heart. Sitting on the eagle's back, he was beaming with excitement, unable to stop smiling. In his joy, he couldn't help but say to the giant eagle, "So the Immortal is actually a divine sky eagle who has attained the Dao—a celestial being in true form!"

Earlier, when the black-robed man said he would take James Smith away, then disappeared, and the black eagle appeared out of nowhere, wasn't the elder a spirit or monster? To discover that his benefactor was actually a demon in human form surprised James Smith greatly, but that was all—it didn't matter if he was demon, ghost, or monster; he was still his benefactor.

The black eagle ignored James Smith and simply flew on at full speed. James Smith tried asking a few more questions but received no response, so he closed his mouth and stopped trying to amuse himself.