'I really forgot about that...' Ji Wuye's brow furrowed slightly as the thought crossed his mind.

Observing Song Jia's tense posture and the determined set of her jaw, it became apparent that her uncharacteristic silence throughout the night's journey stemmed from that past mistakes weighed heavily on her mind.

While he typically wouldn't care much about such matters, a faint smile played across his lips as another opportune moment revealed itself.

"What can I get? You wronged me in front of Senior Sister Lian, Sister Song," he said, placing a hand dramatically over his heart and feigning a pained expression.

However, his crimson eyes betrayed his ruse, subtly darting toward the carriage window where the rustic scenery of Baiyun's village gradually came into view.

"This... I-I," Song Jia stammered, her cheeks flushing as she found herself flustered once more. She already owed him a favor, and accompanying him in this mission had been her intention from the start.

Essentially, the debt remained unsettled with nothing new to offer in return.

A nagging sense of familiarity caused her brow to crease momentarily. 'But why does this feel familiar?'

For some inexplicable reason, Ji Wuye's act struck her as disingenuous, a stark contrast to his usual calm and composed demeanor that only faltered during such charged moments.

Realization dawned as she recalled his identical question and theatrical display when she had pleaded for his company on this mission. The epiphany left her stunned, but rationality soon prevailed.

'That matter is that matter... now, this matter is also important,' she asserted inwardly. The corner of her mouth quirked upward almost imperceptibly, her eyelid twitching ever so slightly as the weighted silence stretched on.

Clearly, he awaited her response.

"Well… Let's save that for later," But then Ji Wuye to abruptly spoke. Following his crimson gaze, she noticed his eyes lingering intently on the scenery unfolding outside.

Without sparing her a glance, Ji Wuye swiftly stepped down from the carriage, his martial robes swishing with the sudden movement. Song Jia found herself unconsciously trailing after him, only to pause as his voice reached her ears.

"Please wait here, Uncle," Ji Wuye addressed the coachman. The coachman offered a mute nod of acquiescence.

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Snapping back to full alertness, Song Jia prepared to follow Ji Wuye once more, but his voice halted her in her tracks.

"Sister Song, what I want is for you to simply follow my lead and commands without question or disobedience. Obey my every action and instruction, and only then will I accept your apology. Is that a deal?"

Ji Wuye spoke as he glanced back at her over his shoulder, his back still turned.

Song Jia's brow furrowed as a conflicted expression flickered across her delicate features. Averting her gaze, she avoided direct eye contact, her jaw tightening almost imperceptibly as a moment of contemplative silence stretched between them.

The faint drumming of her fingers against her thigh betrayed her inner turmoil.

"Of course, this applies only to this journey," Ji Wuye added. It was then that he finally noticed the ghost of a smile tugging at the corners of Song Jia's lips as she met his intense stare with a look of delight before once again demurely casting her eyes downward.

"Fine! B-but, please don't break the moral code of Jianghu! Only then can I accept that term," she said at last, her voice tinged with unease as she intently watched Ji Wuye, awaiting his response.

Without a word, Ji Wuye turned and strode forward, his martial robes swaying gracefully with each measured step. It wasn't until a sizable distance stretched between them that his deep voice carried his reply. "Of course. For now, stay in the carriage."

...

The crisp morning light bathed the tranquil village in a warm glow as Ji Wuye made his way from the outskirts, where the main road converged with the paved brick path leading into Baiyun Village's heart.

Unlike the bustling streets of Tianji, renowned for its gambling dens and nocturnal revelries, Baiyun Village existed under the watchful stewardship of the esteemed Kunlun sect.

Vast, sprawling houses dotted the landscape, many surrounded by verdant fields bursting with a myriad of herbs and medicinal plants. Even from a distance, the fragrant bouquet of earthly aromas wafted through the air, mingling a kaleidoscope of scents that tantalized the senses.

'Moral Code of Jianghu, huh...' Ji Wuye couldn't help but muse over Song Jia's earlier words. Such tenets governed the actions of righteous martial artists but held little sway over others.

Such as, Evil Or Unorthodox Martial Artist.

Shaking his head to dispel the errant thoughts, he refocused his attention. 'Now, let's assess the situation.'

With measured strides, Ji Wuye advanced along the winding path, passing several nondescript buildings until the village inn finally came into view.

As he stepped through the entryway, only a handful of early risers occupied the inn hall, their gazes drawn to the striking figure he cut – robes flowing with a sublime grace that perfectly complemented his impeccably handsome features.

Ji Wuye's striking presence seemed to command the room's attention as even the server, in the midst of wiping down a ceramic plate, found herself momentarily enraptured by the newcomer's appearance.

"W-welcome," she managed, a faint blush tinting her cheeks as her gaze fleetingly met then shied away from his straight, unwavering crimson stare.

Leaning nonchalantly against the wooden desk, Ji Wuye's discerning eyes swept over the modest inn, scrutinizing every occupant.

Most patrons were clad in well-worn leather armor and sturdy traveling garb, with only a scattered few donning pristine hanfu robes.

Those garbed for combat sported visible bags beneath wary eyes, their tensed muscles and dirt-streaked equipment bearing the telltale signs of recent skirmishes.

"Greetings, beautiful Sister," Ji Wuye spoke as his focus settling squarely on the flustered server. She wore a modest yet vibrant pink hanfu, her neatly combed ebony tresses framing delicate features.

"M-may I help you, s-sir? Yo-you can just pick a seat, and this humble one will reach you," the young woman stammered, her cheeks deepening in hue as an unbidden blush blossomed forth.

It was the first time such an exquisitely handsome stranger had deemed her worthy of the flattering epithet, the word "beautiful" reverberating through her mind and rendering her momentarily flustered.

"Ah..." Ji Wuye's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as a look of realization flitted across his chiseled features. He had grown so accustomed to the other world customs as he was teleported to clear the challenge of the Tower that he had temporarily forgotten the customs of his own world.

"Then please, just one dumpling and a green tea," he amended smoothly, producing a single Qián from the folds of his sleeve and proffering it toward the awestruck server.

Turning on his heel, he settled into a nearby seat, patiently awaiting his modest repast while his sharp ears attended to the surrounding murmurs and gossip.

The server found herself momentarily stunned into silence, her eyes widening at the gleaming coin – its value far exceeding the meager cost of the requested fare.

"T-this is too much..." she muttered under her trembling breath. The cost of the food was only 20 Tóng Qián, while the gentleman had given her 1 Qián, equivalent to 100 Tóng Qián.

Though a mute nod signaled her acquiescence as she hastily retreated to prepare the order.