Chapter 2: Juyuan Zhai’s Gift
Soon, an old man with white hair emerged from the back hall. He exuded no aura of spiritual energy and appeared just like an ordinary person.
"Are you here to sell talismans?"
Lu An nodded slightly:
"That's right."
The old man's eyes flashed with surprise when he saw Lu An's age.
"I am Gu Chuanfei, the shopkeeper of Juyuan Zhai. May I see the talismans you have?"
"Certainly."
Lu An took out a Clear Heart Talisman from his chest and handed it over.
Gu Chuanfei held it up to his eyes and carefully examined it.
"Hmm, the talisman's glow is a light grey, first-grade low-grade. Not bad. Do you have a talisman master's certification?"
Lu An was taken aback. With a completion rate of just over sixty per cent, he was told the quality was good.
Old man, your professional judgment is questionable.
However, he didn't show any displeasure and replied calmly:
"No, I don't have a certification. What is a talisman master's certification?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Chuanfei showed a knowing expression, and the young woman beside him silently murmured "What a pity."
Generally, after drawing a first-grade talisman, one would go to the Talisman Hall to take an examination and obtain a certification as a first-grade talisman master.
The Talisman Hall, like the Pill Hall and Artifact Hall, had one in every city.
The certification was valid throughout the entire Mang Cang Continent, even in remote places like Ancient County.
"It seems this young man lacks a sect inheritance and has only managed to produce first-grade talismans through his own efforts, so he doesn't know about this matter," Gu Chuanfei thought.
The examination for talisman masters was extremely difficult. Out of ten sheets of talisman paper, at least three talismans needed to be successful to pass.
Given this young man's situation, the probability of passing was evidently very low.
Thinking of this, Gu Chuanfei lost interest but still explained about the Talisman Hall to Lu An.
After listening, Lu An's brow furrowed slightly.
"So, without a talisman master's certification, your shop won't accept my talismans?"
Gu Chuanfei casually waved his hand and said:
"Not exactly. We will still accept the talismans, but the price will be reduced."
"This Clear Heart Talisman will be purchased for only three spiritual stones."
"After all, without a certification, we cannot guarantee the quality of your talismans or confirm their origins."
Lu An frowned tightly. This price was almost half of what he had expected, which was quite different from his assumptions.
However, with the urgent need for spiritual stones for Uncle Zhao, he hesitated for a moment.
"Fine, I'll get the spiritual stones to you as soon as possible. If there's a shortfall, I'll find a way to make it up. I'd rather not get involved with Lei Er."
"Just selling at this price is too much of a loss. I should hurry and get a talisman master's certification."
Having made up his mind, Lu An took out a few more Clear Heart Talismans and said:
"Please exchange these talismans for spiritual stones."
A total of nine talismans, at three spiritual stones each, amounted to twenty-seven spiritual stones, which was still three short of the rent money.
Gu Chuanfei was astonished to see so many talismans.
"This… all these are yours?"
Lu An nodded in confusion. Was there a problem?
Old man, don't be so surprised.
Your reaction makes me question Juyuan Zhai's capabilities.
Gu Chuanfei, however, was deeply impressed. Being able to produce so many first-grade talismans indicated that Lu An was not just a novice and might actually pass the talisman master's examination.
A sixteen or seventeen-year-old first-grade talisman master, even if not a prodigy, would be worth forming a good relationship with.
Clearing his throat, Gu Chuanfei showed a hint of embarrassment and said:
"I've reconsidered. Since this is your first visit, I'll make an exception and buy at the market price. How does that sound?"
Before Lu An could respond, the young woman beside Gu Chuanfei tugged at him, clearly puzzled by his decision.
Gu Chuanfei ignored her and instead fixed his gaze on Lu An, waiting for his reply.
Seeing that the price was increased, Lu An naturally did not refuse and nodded in agreement.
He received forty-five spiritual stones, which not only covered the rent but also provided some extra for talisman-making materials.
After collecting the spiritual stones, Lu An prepared to leave.
"Wait a moment—"
At that moment, Gu Chuanfei took out a token and threw it over.
"Keep this token. If you run into trouble, try showing it. Friends in Ancient County should give you some consideration."
Lu An caught the token, which was entirely black with a large "Yuan" character in the centre.
It seemed to be some kind of identity token.
Lu An cupped his hands in thanks and bade farewell.
After he left, the young woman asked in confusion:
"Grandpa, he's not even a first-grade talisman master. Why did you give him the steward's token?"
Gu Chuanfei smiled slightly and affectionately patted her on the head.
"Yuer, this young man is only sixteen or seventeen but can produce so many first-grade talismans. He will undoubtedly be remarkable in the future. Even if he isn't useful to us, it's worth cultivating a good relationship."
Yuer pouted, unconvinced by his reasoning.
Meanwhile, Lu An, with forty-five spiritual stones in hand, arrived at Zhao Zhijiu's home.
"Knock, knock, knock."
"Who's there?"
"It's me, Yaoyao."
"Squeak—"
The wooden door opened, revealing a fourteen or fifteen-year-old young girl in a light green dress.
"Brother Lu, come in quickly."
"Dad, Mom, Brother Lu is here."
Before Lu An could speak, she started ushering him inside.
The girl, Zhao Wenyao, was Zhao Zhijiu's youngest daughter and had a close relationship with Lu An. When Zhao Zhijiu and his family were away, Lu An would often play with her.
Hearing the commotion, Zhao Zhijiu and his son Zhao Wenliang, who was learning talisman drawing, came out of the courtyard.
"Uncle Zhao, Brother Wenliang."
"Lu An, just in time. Your aunt is making lunch. Stay and eat with us."
Lu An nodded, not one to be overly formal.
"Uncle Zhao, here's the rent. I've just managed to gather the spiritual stones."
Zhao Zhijiu was surprised. To have gathered thirty spiritual stones in one morning, did he have some savings and only needed a bit more?
He didn't think too much about it and pulled Lu An into the house.
"There's no rush for the spiritual stones. Didn't you say you'd bring them tomorrow?"
Without waiting for Lu An's reply, he called out to the kitchen:
"Wife, Lu An is here. Please stew the chicken from the backyard."
"Wenliang, go buy a jar of Drunken Immortal wine. Let's have a good drink today."
Soon, with everyone's help, a table of steaming hot dishes was prepared.
Lu An clinked glasses with Zhao Zhijiu and asked:
"Uncle Zhao, you mentioned needing to borrow some money from Lei Er for a cash flow issue. Did you go?"
Zhao Zhijiu spat out a chicken bone and said nonchalantly:
"It's all borrowed. Thirty spiritual stones. I've paid off Wenliang's apprenticeship fees too."
He seemed excited when talking about the talisman apprenticeship. He continued to speak incessantly.
If Zhao Wenliang succeeded in his studies and became a formal disciple of ShenTalisman Pavilion, advancing to first-grade talisman master would be almost a certainty.
Not only would he gain respect, but their family's status would rise as well, relieving his wife from worries.
However, he then spat with irritation:
"But Lei Er is really something. He demanded daily interest and wants thirty-three spiritual stones tomorrow."
"But you arriving with the money is timely. I'll return it to him shortly."
Hearing this, Lu An's tense heart eased slightly.
Just as everyone was eating, the sound of drums and firecrackers suddenly erupted outside.
The group looked at each other in confusion.
"Whose wedding is this in the middle of the day? Yaoyao, go take a look."
Zhao Wenyao agreed and soon came back running.
"Not good, Dad. The wedding procession has stopped at our doorstep. It's Lei Er!"