txolops Chapter 10 Zhao Family Talisman Master
Chapter 10 Zhao Family Talisman Master
Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.
Ji Yun was cultivating inside the house when he suddenly heard faint shouts coming from outside the island.
He finished his practice, got up, and pushed open the door to check.
The market manager was standing in front of Old Man Qiao's empty island next door, talking to him.
This is rather unusual; the market manager almost never visits people on his own initiative, except when collecting rent each month.
"Since Li Yun is here too, I'll talk to both of you at the same time."
Seeing Ji Yun leave, the market manager beckoned him over and then slowly began to speak:
"Last night, something happened at the Copper Bell Mine. A group of masked monks broke into the mine, killed many people, and looted a large amount of minerals."
"The Copper Bell Mine is also part of the Zhao family's business, so if you have any clues about the thief cultivator, you can come to me for a reward."
"A reliable lead."
"A reward of one hundred catties of spirit sand."
After saying that, the market manager went to the next house, seemingly intending to notify all the independent cultivators in the market, door to door.
I watched his figure disappear into the distance.
Ji Yun turned to look at Old Man Qiao. If he remembered correctly, his youngest son worked in the mine.
"Young friend Li, there's no need to worry. My son isn't at the copper bell mine. I found out about this last night, and there's more to it than meets the eye."
Old Man Qiao noticed the concern in Ji Yun's eyes and shook his head slightly to explain.
"What's the secret?" Ji Yun's heart stirred slightly, and he immediately pressed for an answer.
He usually lived a secluded life, focusing on his cultivation. His understanding of the outside world was limited to casual conversations with other cultivators who also set up stalls when he was out at his stall.
Most of these cultivators who set up stalls were people who never left their homes and never ventured out of the market.
Therefore, Ji Yun knew very little about what was happening outside the market.
"I heard that there are two families on the third floor of the Night Sea who are working to deal with the Zhao family."
"But the Zhao family is not simple either. They have a main family on the fifth floor of the Night Sea, so they certainly won't fall anytime soon."
Old Man Qiao lowered his voice and continued after speaking:
"The power struggles above are invisible to those below, but it's always the lower classes who suffer. Our market town may not be safe either, so we'd better be extra careful lately."
"Indeed."
Ji Yun had a deep understanding of this matter, and then asked, "Brother Qiao, have you ever heard of the Hu family?"
"The Hu family? You must be referring to the Hu family on the third floor of the Night Sea. Among the two families that dealt with the Zhao family, this Hu family is one of them."
"Why did you suddenly ask about the Hu family, young friend? We are just independent cultivators; we must not get involved."
Old Man Qiao's face showed a hint of wariness, and he lowered his voice even further.
"No, I just heard someone say it." Ji Yun didn't say anything more.
"Don't leave the market these next few days. Let's see how things go. Actually, the Zhao family treats us independent cultivators quite well. The market has always been peaceful, and they've never made things difficult for anyone."
"There aren't many stable markets like this. If the Zhao family can't hold out this time, it won't be easy for us independent cultivators to find a suitable new home."
Old Man Qiao sighed softly.
The two chatted for a few more minutes and agreed to keep each other informed should anything happen in the future, before turning around and going back to their rooms.
"This matter is of utmost importance."
"I also need to make some preparations in advance."
Ji Yun frowned and looked out the window.
He personally killed a retainer of the Hu family, and the corpse is still lying in a secret room to this day.
Although no one has retaliated or followed him so far, it's as if nothing happened.
But we must be wary.
It's best to stock up on some first-tier mid-grade talismans in advance.
In addition, you can also try drawing a first-tier high-grade talisman.
If you can successfully draw two, it's equivalent to having the combat power of a third-level Qi Refining cultivator.
"But this is not an easy task."
"First, you need to buy high-quality talisman paper that is strong enough to support it, and you also need matching spirit ink, both of which must reach the level of the third level of Qi Refining."
"Without these materials, no matter how high my skill in talisman making is, it will be difficult to draw a talisman."
"It's impossible for a rogue cultivator to have one."
"We can only go to Zhao's Talisman Shop."
Ji Yun sorted out his thoughts, took out a bag of spirit sand from his storage bag, and headed straight for the main island of the market.
……
Not long after.
Ji Yun entered Zhao's Talisman Shop.
The talisman masters were not there, and the shop was nearly empty, with only a handful of people selecting talismans at the counter.
"Fellow Daoist, are you short of talisman paper again?" the old steward greeted with a smile.
"I'd like to buy some good paper this time," Ji Yun said politely, bowing slightly.
This old manager was truly an expert in business; he treated everyone equally, addressing everyone as a fellow Daoist.
He had never neglected his customers during their previous visits to buy talisman paper.
If it weren't for his divine sense, Ji Yun would never have guessed that he was actually a cultivator at the second level of Qi Refining.
"These are all top-quality talisman papers."
The old steward led Ji Yun aside, took out several reams of talisman paper, placed them on the counter, and let Ji Yun choose.
Ji Yun glanced at it.
These are all ordinary talisman papers, which can only hold mid-grade first-level talismans at most.
"Is there anything better?" Ji Yun asked tentatively.
"Of course we have them, but they're a bit pricey." The old manager remained friendly, not asking any further questions, but offering a gentle reminder.
"I want to see."
Ji Yun persisted.
The old steward said no more, turned around with a normal expression, and took out a black wooden box from deep inside the counter.
He placed the wooden box on the cabinet and gently opened it.
The box was lined with soft brocade, on which three stacks of talisman paper were neatly arranged.
"What's the price for this?"
Ji Yun pointed to the middle.
He scanned the stack of pale yellow talismans in the middle with his divine sense. It was clearly better than the other two. Perhaps he could give it a try.
"One sheet of 150 catties of spirit sand."
The old steward remained calm, his expression revealing no emotion.
"It is indeed quite expensive."
"I don't have enough spirit sand on hand, so I'd like to sell a few talismans. Please take a look, senior."
Ji Yun took out several talismans and placed them on the cabinet, unfolding them one by one. They were the exquisite sword energy talismans he had drawn earlier.
"Did you hand-draw this yourself?"
The old steward was slightly surprised and looked Ji Yun up and down carefully.
"Yes." Ji Yun nodded frankly.
"Fellow Daoist, it seems you've only had the talisman-making technique for a little over two months, yet you've already created such exquisite sword energy talismans?"
"How old are you, fellow Daoist?"
The old steward's smile slowly faded. He took a deep breath, cupped his hands in greeting to Ji Yun, and asked a question.
There is a significant difference between premium talismans and ordinary talismans.
Once activated, the former can unleash the full power of a cultivator at the corresponding level, while the latter is merely an ordinary attack.
Same ingredients.
However, their power is several times different.
In terms of drawing difficulty, the two are worlds apart.
"Seventeen, if you don't believe me, you can test my bone age directly."
Ji Yun stretched out her arm.
His move was somewhat rash, but it perfectly reflected the mindset of someone his age who didn't want to be looked down upon.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony."
The old steward immediately raised his hand, grasped Ji Yun's wrist, and probed with a wisp of spiritual energy to test it.
He stopped after a moment.
His eyes were filled with deep surprise.
In fact, he had heard about everything concerning talismans in Zhao Family Village.
The boy's name was Li Yun.
Five days after acquiring the talisman-making technique, he successfully drew a sword energy talisman.
He didn't just manage to draw one by chance; he became so engrossed that he started a business selling them every day.
If that were all, it wouldn't be anything special. The sword qi talisman is a low-grade first-tier talisman, and it's not difficult to draw.
Before purchasing "Fifteen Ways of Talismans," this person may have learned other talismanic arts and was not necessarily a beginner in the art of talismans.
But today is different.
To create exquisite talismans, one must thoroughly understand their characteristics, which often requires years of dedicated study.
Many talisman masters are unwilling to delve into the subject, nor may they possess the talent to explore the Dao of Talismans.
This child is only seventeen years old.
They were already able to draw exquisite talismans.
Regardless of whether he had any prior experience with talismans, this alone is enough to demonstrate his exceptional talent in talisman drawing.
"How is it?" Ji Yun asked proactively.
He had two purposes in doing this.
Firstly, it provides an excuse to buy talisman paper.
Secondly, try to find a powerful backer and connections.
In the depths of the Night Sea, connections are especially crucial; without connections, even money can't buy good things.
Take talismans as an example. Good things circulate among the upper echelons. Without access to the upper echelons, ordinary cultivators can't even see them.
If we want better talismans and spiritual ink in the future, we can only start with the Zhao family.
The Zhao family has a good reputation among independent cultivators.
He had dealt with Zhao Jiafu's shop many times and found the prices to be very fair, and the old manager was also very kind.
Furthermore, he has already formed a karmic bond with the Hu family, so he can only start with the Zhao family.
The talent displayed this time wasn't groundbreaking; it was a good opportunity to test the waters.
"Young friend, your talent is truly astonishing. My Zhao Family Talisman Shop will accept these talismans."
"I am also giving you this yellow-patterned spirit paper in the name of Zhao Family Talisman Shop."
"I wonder if young friend Li would be willing to become a talisman master at my Zhao family's talisman shop?"
"You only need to draw a certain number of talismans each month, and the talisman shop will pay you a salary based on the quantity. There are no other requirements."
The old steward smiled and pushed the talisman, worth 150 catties of spirit sand, forward.
Talisman masters are not short of money, and talisman shops are even less so, but this action already shows considerable sincerity.