Chapter 27: Joining

Lu An frowned and looked at the two without speaking.

Ying Chang realized his rudeness and quickly explained, "I apologize for my abruptness. However, this matter is of great importance, so I hope Brother Lu can answer truthfully."

Lu An led them into a secret room he had designed specifically for making talismans, where no outsiders would disturb them without permission. After pouring tea for both of them, he spoke slowly, "Brother Ying, why are you asking about this?"

Ying Chang glanced at Fang Ling, who nodded, and then said, "To be honest, my wife is from the Fang family in Yongning County."

Hearing this, Lu An was intrigued. His guess was correct; no wonder Fang Ling could produce the Qi Gathering Talisman. He waited for Ying Chang to continue.

"We escaped from the Fang family because she is a core disciple with the inheritance of the One Hundred and Eight Talismans. This has led to their pursuit of us."

"The Fang family values these talismans greatly and will not tolerate any leaks."

"Today, when we saw that the talismans you made are all recorded in the Fang family's True Method, we had to ask."

Lu An's eyes flashed with doubt. His talismans were obtained from Bai Sheng, and tracing back, they were from a declining talisman family. How could they be related to the Fang family?

The True Methods of talismans vary among families. Even if there are overlaps, they wouldn't be identical. How could all of his talismans be in their True Method?

"Does the Fang family's True Method include the Water Avoidance Talisman?"

Fang Ling nodded.

"What about the Spring Revival Talisman?"

Fang Ling continued to nod.

"The Fire Control Talisman?"

...

Lu An listed the talismans he had not yet drawn, and they were all included in the Fang family's True Method.

He pondered for a moment and then slowly said, "Brother Ying, may I ask what is your current stance towards the Fang family?"

Ying Chang's face turned livid with rage as he gritted his teeth and said, "We are irreconcilable enemies with the Fang family!"

"The reason my wife has been unable to conceive all these years is due to the Fang family's doing."

Lu An looked at Fang Ling, who nodded in agreement. He then said, "I have some understanding of this matter now, but I need to confirm a few things. Please wait here, I'll be right back."

Soon, he returned to the secret room, accompanied by Bai Sheng.

"Bai Sheng, is the True Method of the Thirty-Six Talismans really an ancestral inheritance from your family?"

Bai Sheng was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected Lu An to ask about this again. "Indeed, it is an ancestral inheritance from my family."

Fang Ling looked at Bai Sheng with suspicion. So Lu An's True Method of talismans came from this person?

Lu An continued to ask, "Is there any documentation to prove this?"

Bai Sheng nodded and took out a worn book from his pocket, handing it over. "This is the ancestral instruction passed down in my family, recording the rise and fall of the Bai family."

"This True Method of talismans originally had one hundred and eight talismans, but later an old servant stole part of it, leading to the family's decline and eventual extinction."

"And now, only these thirty-six first-tier talismans remain."

Before Lu An could examine it, Fang Ling snatched the book and began to inspect it. As time passed, her expression changed from shock to disbelief.

"Is this ancestral instruction genuine?"

"Indeed. The book has been passed down for many years, and its wear and tear prove its authenticity."

Fang Ling nodded, closing the book and clearly accepting this statement. The thief mentioned in the book was indeed the first patriarch of the Fang family. During past rituals, his name was always placed in the most honored position in the Fang family's ancestral hall. It was unexpected that the Fang family had risen through theft.

Ying Chang, having read the ancestral instruction, also sighed in sadness. Seeing Fang Ling's silence, he thought she was still coming to terms with it and comforted her, "Sister Fang, you have long been expelled from the family. You are no longer considered a member of the Fang family, so there's no need to dwell on this matter."

"Besides, the Fang family used unscrupulous means and didn't even spare their own kin, causing you to be unable to bear children for the rest of your life. It's truly despicable."

Fang Ling nodded. Previously, she had hoped that the Fang family might one day accept them. But from the moment she was harmed, she had lost all such hopes, leaving only endless hatred in her heart.

Bai Sheng narrowed his eyes and asked, "Could you be the descendant of that old servant from years ago?"

Fang Ling nodded and admitted calmly.

Bai Sheng was about to say more when Lu An interjected, "Be respectful. Sister Fang has long left the Fang family and has also been harmed by them. She shares your suffering, and the past events should not be blamed on her."

Bai Sheng held Lu An in high regard. Seeing Lu An say this, he dared not say more, though his expression clearly showed hostility towards Fang Ling.

Fang Ling, however, stood up and bowed to Bai Sheng. "Fellow Daoist, though I was once a member of the Fang family, I apologize for the actions of my ancestors."

Bai Sheng was immediately taken aback and stammered for a long time without saying a word.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator apologizing to him? How could a mere Qi Refinement third-layer cultivator like him have such a privilege?

For a moment, he was at a loss, but the hostility in his eyes noticeably lessened.

Lu An, seeing that Ying Chang and Fang Ling's status was confirmed, extended his invitation once again.

"Brother Ying, Sister Fang, what do you think of my small shop? Is it suitable for you two to stay?"

"If you join, I can't promise anything else, but at least there will be plenty of talismans available."

"As for the stipend, I can only offer eighty spirit stones per month for now. Once Lingfu Residence's business improves, I'll increase it."

He did not hold back and presented the best conditions he could offer for them to consider.

Ying Chang and Fang Ling exchanged glances and both smiled.

"Brother Lu has done us a great favor. Even without the spirit stones, we would be willing to join. Not to mention, there are so many talismans available for our use."

Lu An laughed heartily. His invitation was not a sudden whim. As his talisman business grew, his own cultivation lagged a bit, which inevitably led to some trouble. Although his relationship with people like Li Ziyou was good and he could seek help from Ju Yuan Zhai's Gu Chuanfei, these were still external aids.

One must strengthen oneself, and if he could easily cultivate his own force, even if it was not many people, it would suffice. This would greatly enhance his safety and thus his cultivation.

"There's one more thing I need to ask Sister Fang. I know you have other True Methods of talismans. Could you sell them to me?"

Fang Ling thought for a while and ultimately did not make a decision.

"Brother Lu, please allow me to consider it for a while and I'll give you an answer."

"That's natural. Sister Fang, take your time. Even if you decide not to sell, it's fine."

He then took a deep breath and pointed to the shop, continuing, "Though my Lingfu Residence is not large, there are quite a few secret rooms inside. If you don't mind, you could stay here in the future."

These secret rooms were deliberately left by him to later recruit some of his own force.

Ying Chang and Fang Ling smiled and agreed.

"Of course. However, we may need to go out for a few days."

Lu An was puzzled and asked, "You've just entered the Foundation Establishment stage. Why are you rushing to go out instead of consolidating your cultivation?"

Ying Chang waved his hand and exchanged a smile with Fang Ling. "We have actually been out of seclusion for a few days and our cultivation is mostly stable."

"This time, we are going out to give Brother Lu a surprise to repay the favor of the Foundation Establishment Pills."