Chen Mo took away Zhang Long, before leaving, got a thousand taels of silver tickets.

    A common household's annual expenses are no more than ten taels of silver, and a thousand taels would be enough for Chen Mo to live out his latter years quietly.

    But, his remaining lifespan is only over a month, and the money will have to be spent wisely.

    Chen Mo first went to Baicaotang and purchased a large amount of spirit herbs and elixirs that enhance cultivation and refine physique.

    As they say, it's easy to become literate but difficult to become martially skilled. Pursuing the literary path involves reading and writing, which even poor families can quickly pick up. However, the martial arts path is much more challenging.

    It mainly involves spending money.

    Practicing martial arts is similar to heavy spending in games, requiring massive investment to enhance physical strength and stabilize meridians. Spirit herbs and elixirs that refine physique and solidify meridians are items that need to be purchased with money.

    If someone has a financial background, like Chen Mo's second brother, Chen Guang, even with average or poor talent, they can spend their way to becoming a level 9 martial artist.

    For those without a financial background, they can only rely on powerful factions, serve wealthy households as bodyguards, or join some martial arts factions.

    "The saying that ' literature is poor and martial arts is rich' is truly accurate…"

    Exiting Baicaotang, Chen Mo looked at the bundle of spirit herbs and several bottles of elixir in his hand. Although not much, they had cost him an entire eight hundred taels of silver.

    "Holding it"

    Chen Mo felt a twinge of pain, then handed over the spirit herbs and elixirs in his hand to Zhang Long. The latter reached out and accepted them, as a bodyguard, helping to carry things, was his duty.

    Although, Zhang Long was puzzled in his heart. Chen Mo was just a wasted spirit meridian and had no chance to cultivate for the rest of his life. Even if he bought more spirit herbs and elixirs, it would be of no use.

    But, he didn't ask, and Chen Mo's third son had his own reasons for doing so.

    "Take these things back and absorb them well. See if you can break through to become an eight-level martial artist."

    "Third Lord, is this...for me?"

    Zhang Long's eyes, which were usually dull, suddenly flickered with confusion.

    "I'm a defective spirit meridian, unable to cultivate. These things, if not for you, then for whom?"

    Chen Mo couldn't help but find it amusing.

    Zhang Long couldn't believe it. Chen Mo had a total of one thousand taels of silver, and he was willing to spend eight hundred taels on himself. This was simply beyond belief.

    If it were his second brother, Chen Guang, he wouldn't spend a single coin on Zhang Long. He would probably ask him if he had any spare money...

    As soon as Chen Mo and Zhang Long left Baicaotang, several young people came to the door right behind them.

    "It's odd that Chen Mo came to this Baicaotang for no reason. Also, isn't that my bodyguard Zhang Long? How could he follow him? Is that kid gone rogue?"

    The young man, dressed in the attire of a noble, stroked his chin, raised an eyebrow slightly, and looked puzzled.

    "Second Lord, I just came back from the mansion and know some inside information..."

    A servant dressed in a family retainer's attire, speaking in a mysterious manner, said.

    "You know, why don't you just say it?"

    The person referred to as "Second Lord" is naturally Chen Mo's second brother, Chen Guang.

    Chen Guang slapped the servant on the back of the head, scolding him angrily. The latter felt a bit wronged and said, "That Chen Mo has awakened a defective spirit meridian and fought with the eldest lord in the square. After returning to the mansion, the family master was very angry and let him go out to make his own way. Before he left, he gave him quite a bit of silver. And Zhang Long was requested by Chen Mo from the family master. From now on, he will be Chen Mo's bodyguard."

    Although Chen Mo is the third young master of the Chen family, both of his elder brothers look down on him. Consequently, those around them do not show him much respect either; they address him by his name instead of calling him Third Young Master.

    Of course, they would not dare to act so arrogantly in front of others. This is something only said in private.

    "To make his own way? Hmph, I think he has been kicked out of the house. Our father values his reputation too much to directly say so…However, that kid is quite cunning. He actually wants to take my bodyguard. Well, Zhang Long is just a punching bag. Let him go then."

    Chen Guang turned around and entered Baicaotang, and after inquiring with the apprentice there, he learned that Chen Mo had just spent eight hundred taels of silver in the store.

    Eight hundred taels is quite a sum of money for Chen Guang's annual allowance.

    As the saying goes, literature is poor and martial arts is rich. Martial artists have the highest expenses. The silver spent on Chen Guang alone accounts for half of the total expenditure of the entire Chen family. Chen Dewang is very careful with money, so he can't spare any for his second son, Chen Guang. He has to cut back in other areas, such as his monthly salary (example money).

    "Wow, eight hundred taels, just like that, without blinking an eye. How much silver did our father give him, and can he handle it?"

    Chen Guang winked his eyes and called in some of his handlers to investigate Chen Mo's whereabouts.

    The few handlers were very familiar with the streets of the capital. Since Chen Mo had just left, it would not be difficult to find him.

    It took no more than fifteen minutes before someone came back to report.

    Chen Guang hurriedly followed and found that Chen Mo was spending money again, buying all sorts of daily necessities. After a rough calculation, he spent over one hundred and fifty taels more.

    "Truly wealthy"

    Chen Guang secretly muttered to himself, his eyes burning with envy as he stared at Chen Mo as though he were watching his own personal treasure chest.

    "He spent another one hundred and seventy two taels..."

    Chen Mo looked at the thirty-two taels left in his hand, and couldn't help but frown. A thousand taels might seem like a lot, but without proper management, it's already almost gone.

    There are still many things that require money to be handled. Without money, it's impossible to make any progress. Where should he go to get more money?

    Chen Mo remained silent and turned into a dark alley.

    "Third Young Master"

    Zhang Long stopped walking, his eyes filled with a hint of caution.

    Chen Mo was startled, and he also stopped. "What's wrong?"

    Just as he finished speaking, a servant dressed in a family retainer's attire walked down the alley towards them. Chen Mo immediately recognized him as Chen Guang's personal handler.

    The footsteps behind them grew louder as they drew closer. Zhang Long held the spirit herbs and elixirs in one hand, his other hand gripping the peach wood sword at his waist, ready to spring into action.

    As soon as Chen Mo turned around, he saw Chen Guang and two bodyguards approaching with a proud attitude, looking down on him from above.

    "What are you doing, Second Brother?"

    Chen Mo guessed what was going on. Chen Guang, being the poorest of Chen family's three sons, had a hobby similar to Chen Jin's—he liked to help distressed women.

    Helping others requires money, and Chen Guang is the most in need of silver.

    Chen Mo has a fair amount of monthly salary and is also timid in nature, making him Chen Guang's money bag. Whenever Chen Guang asks for money, Chen Mo has to give it to him.

    Unlike Chen Jin, who is a bookworm and only talks tough, Chen Guang is a martial artist who prefers to use fists and feet. If Chen Mo doesn't give him the money, it's likely to be a severe beating.

    Since childhood, Chen Mo has been robbed of many taels of silver by Chen Guang.

    "Chen Mo, I've heard that you're leaving the Chen family to make your own way in the world. Your father has given you quite a bit of silver, and you know that in this world, one should not flaunt wealth. Carrying too much silver while traveling is very risky… How about this? I'll help you keep it in my care. When you need it, just ask me for it."

    Chen Guang rubbed his hands together, his face filled with anticipation.

    "I don't believe you, Chen Guang... Chen Mo muttered to himself. When he was a child, he really believed Chen Guang's lies and ran to ask for it. But the result was a severe beating."

    "What if I say no?"