Magical Artifacts

"Brother, do you think I wouldn't recognize my own belongings?" 

Man Jun chuckled at Fang Yi's words. Though Man Jun's educational background was modest, his keen eyesight and exceptional memory were the reasons he thrived in the antique trade; he could never mistake the goods he had acquired.

"Fang Yi, are you in need of money?" 

Having known Fang Yi for several days, Man Jun was aware that Fang Yi possessed numerous valuable items, including the old agarwood beads he had seen. He assumed Fang Yi was reluctant to sell something inherited from his master and was using this as an excuse.

"Fang Yi, if you need thirty to fifty thousand, just let Brother Man know; I can still manage that..." 

After a moment's thought, Man Jun handed the star and moon bodhi beads back to Fang Yi, saying, "I sense some potent energy in these beads. Could they be magical artifacts your master crafted years ago? In my opinion, you should keep them..."

Having been in the antique business for many years, Man Jun had encountered many peculiar items, including numerous artifacts from both Buddhist and Daoist traditions. There were collectors in the field who sought such objects, and for a time, he frequently traveled to remote areas, seeking artifacts from obscure lama temples.

The star and moon bodhi beads gave Man Jun a sense of familiarity with the magical artifacts he had previously seen, especially when he held them; he felt a calming tranquility wash over him, even as the oppressive heat of the day seemed to dissipate.

"Magical artifacts?" 

Upon hearing Man Jun's words, Fang Yi was momentarily taken aback. After accepting the beads from Man Jun, he couldn't help but rub them between his fingers, revealing a look of astonishment on his face; these star and moon bodhi beads indeed possessed the unique energy of magical artifacts.

In Buddhism, magical artifacts are referred to as "Buddhist instruments" or "Buddhist tools," while in Daoism, they are known as "Daoist instruments" or "ritual implements." Broadly speaking, any device used in religious ceremonies—be it for prayer, rituals, offerings, or gatherings—or items carried by practitioners, such as prayer beads or even staffs used for practice, can be classified as magical artifacts.

In a wider sense, any tools used by practitioners or those with special properties can also be considered magical artifacts.

However, it is worth noting that the tools employed by practitioners during their practices often possess greater potency than those merely used for display or offerings in temples and monasteries.

For instance, the talisman Fang Yi had crafted a few days prior was a type of Daoist magical artifact; however, compared to seals, rulers, or altar stakes, the talisman contained limited energy and could only function as a magical artifact for a certain period.

"Could it be that I truly made a mistake?" 

As this thought crossed Fang Yi's mind, he quickly dismissed it. He had kept this item close since acquiring it yesterday and was certain it was one of the two strands of beads given to him by Man Jun.

"What is happening here? Oh, right, the small-leaf red sandalwood bracelet I sold a few days ago was also described as an antique. Could it be that I inadvertently infused it with energy?" 

Fang Yi suddenly recalled the bracelet he had sold at the market, remembering that he had played with it for some time before selling it. Habitually, while rubbing the beads, he would recite mantras in his mind—could this be the reason for the transformation?

"Could it be that my consciousness entering the depths of the sea of awareness caused this change?" Fang Yi pondered another possibility. During his first meditation session after the car accident, his consciousness had indeed been drawn into the depths of the sea of awareness.

According to the Daoist texts, anyone who could enter the depths of the sea of awareness without losing their wits would possess some form of supernatural ability. Yet, upon awakening, Fang Yi had felt no particular shift. Could it be that his newfound ability manifested in these beads, imbued with energy and time?

"Fang Yi, what's wrong?" 

Seeing Fang Yi sitting there motionless after receiving the beads, Man Jun assumed Fang Yi was embarrassed by his own thoughts and quickly patted him on the shoulder, saying, "If you truly wish to sell these beads, Brother Man can help you. And if these star and moon bodhi beads are indeed magical artifacts, the price will surely satisfy you..."

"Brother Man, let's not rush into it..." Fang Yi took a deep breath, looked up with a smile, and replied, "Perhaps I just mixed things up while packing yesterday? Let's hold off on selling these beads for now..."

"Alright, but Fang Yi, if you need money or decide to sell, just let Brother Man know..." 

Man Jun, unsure of Fang Yi's intentions, shook his head and said no more. As a businessman, he understood that it was perfectly normal for Fang Yi to consider selling his master's belongings.

"Sure, Brother Man, if I decide to sell, I'll definitely come to you..." 

Fang Yi chose not to mention that Zhao Hongtao was also interested in purchasing the beads. With his own questions still unresolved, he stood up and said, "Brother Man, if there's nothing else, I'll head home to prepare. My teacher is coming over for dinner tonight..."

"Alright, I bought some groceries at noon and put them in the fridge; just help yourself..." Man Jun nodded. After tasting Fang Yi's cooking, he preferred not to eat out. Earlier, he had simply reheated the leftovers from yesterday.

"Got it, Brother Man, I'll be on my way..." With a mind full of questions, Fang Yi was eager to leave the shop. After bidding farewell to Man Jun, he stepped outside.

"Hey, it's not even three o'clock yet; why are you cooking so early?" After Fang Yi left, Man Jun glanced at the clock on the wall and paused. It was just a matter of frying a few dishes—there was no need to start so soon.

"Fang Yi, are you really not coming tonight?" As Fang Yi reached his stall, Fatty once again inquired about dinner plans.

"I'm not going, Fatty. You and San Pao can manage the stall; I need to head home. My teacher is coming over later..." Fang Yi shook his head, having simply come by to inform Fatty and San Pao of his early departure.

"Alright, just don't regret it later..." Fatty nodded, but as Fang Yi was about to leave, he suddenly grabbed him and asked, "By the way, what about those beads? I see you're still wearing them around your neck?"

"Yes, Fatty, I might have taken the wrong ones..." 

This was the second time Fang Yi had lied today. "I was packing my master's belongings yesterday, and I might have mistakenly put on the star and moon beads he left behind. I'm heading home now to check if the ones Man Jun gave me are still there."

At this point, Fang Yi couldn't be certain whether the changes in the beads were caused by him, and the notion seemed absurd. Even if he were to confirm it, he wouldn't share this with Fatty or San Pao, as such abilities were beyond the realm of ordinary understanding.

"Ah? Are they left behind by the old Taoist?" 

Upon hearing Fang Yi's words, Fatty slapped his thigh, looking visibly frustrated. "If I had known, I wouldn't have joined the army. If I had been by the old Taoist's side before he passed, who knows, I might have received some treasures too..."

Fatty didn't doubt Fang Yi's words much, as he had indeed seen several strands of beads while Fang Yi was sorting through things. However, at that time, Fatty had no idea these items held value and hadn't paid them much attention, so he couldn't differentiate them now.

"With that time spent daydreaming, you might as well sell a few more beads..." Fang Yi chuckled, glancing at Fatty. "If you don't sell at least ten before heading home tonight, don't brag about being a sales genius..."

"Hey, don't provoke me, brother! Ten beads it is..." 

Fatty's eyes sparkled with mischief at Fang Yi's words. "San Pao sold two this afternoon, and just now, when you went to find Man Jun, I sold five more. I'm only three short of your ten!"

Fatty had a knack for turning the mundane into the extraordinary. Earlier, a tourist group from a university in the northwest had visited the market, composed of intellectuals.

While the teachers were browsing, San Pao had employed his silver tongue, suggesting that wearing a bracelet was a fashionable statement. It seemed to imply that any teacher who didn't wear one while lecturing would lack authority.

Fatty's persuasive words left several teachers dizzy, and since the bracelets were reasonably priced at over two hundred each, they could afford them. Consequently, three teachers bought them on the spot, and upon returning to their group, two more male teachers came over to purchase one each.

"Fatty, you're quite impressive..." After hearing the story of how Fatty sold the beads, Fang Yi was left speechless, realizing that the business world might indeed be Fatty's true calling.

"This is just the beginning! Just wait until I bring home a girlfriend tonight..." Fatty beamed with pride, but he only spoke such bravado in front of Fang Yi and San Pao. When faced with a girl, he would likely find himself at a loss for words.

"Alright, Fatty, I believe in you. You must keep pushing forward..." 

Fang Yi gave Fatty a thumbs-up, casually taking the keys to Man Jun's shop from around his neck. As he turned to leave, he added, "If you find a girlfriend today, I'll rent you a place to enjoy your two-person world tomorrow..."

"Hey, are you looking down on me?" 

Fatty protested loudly, but seeing that Fang Yi had already turned away, he quickly shouted, "Hey, I need a month! Give me a month, and I'll definitely find a girlfriend..."

"Fine, a month it is..." Fang Yi was eager to return home and validate the mystery of the star and moon beads, leaving no time for idle chatter with Fatty. He readily agreed.