Chapter 36: Cautious

About two quarters of an hour later, Xiao Zhangqing took a winding route, looping several more times than usual.

After confirming Lin Zixi was no longer tracking him, he quickly dispelled the disguise technique in a secluded empty corner and slipped home.

"Huh..."

He closed the door, plopped onto a stool, poured himself a glass of water and downed it, then Xiao Zhangqing took a deep breath.

Though it was a false alarm, it still frightened him considerably; he had been on high alert before returning home, and his heartbeat was still a bit rapid.

"To think I was spotted so quickly."

"I was clearly already careful enough!"

Xiao Zhangqing felt a lingering dread, as if a warning bell had been rung.

Today he was targeted by Lin Zixi, a false alarm.

But who can guarantee he won't later be eyed by Lingfu Pavilion, by powerful gangs, or by rogue cultivators? Until his strength reaches a certain level and he has self‑protection power, selling goods remains too dangerous.

It's terribly unsuitable for him! Even though he disguises himself, each day at his stall he only displays a few First-Grade Talismans, keeping a low profile, claiming the talismans are obtained by chance, yet he still stands out.

"Will I still have to set up a stall at the market later?"

"If I don't set up a stall, how will I sell my inventory? And will I no longer earn side income in the future?"

"Buying a shop outright is even worse. A one‑time deal is manageable, but repeated sales will inevitably attract experts, even those in Foundation Establishment; my disguise technique can't fool a Foundation Establishment!"

"But without side income, resources are insufficient; how can I raise my cultivation to the ninth layer of Refined Qi, Great Perfection, within ten years?"

A series of questions floated in Xiao Zhangqing's mind.

He certainly couldn't accept Lin Zixi's proposal just then, letting her handle the sale of his talismans.

He knew far too little about this woman, almost nothing at all.

Even regarding her sister Lin Ziyu, Xiao Zhangqing didn't know much. When they were neighbors they only exchanged nods, and now they haven't been in contact for two and a half years.

Only if one were thick‑skinned or brain‑damaged would Lin Zixi's few words move them.

Who knows if this woman is secretly a rogue cultivator? Or perhaps harbors ill intentions, with several accomplices trying to lure him into killing a fat pig?

Even if we step back a thousand miles, if this woman truly just wants to cooperate, help sell his talismans, sincerely… how can Xiao Zhangqing guarantee her sales channels are reliable and not a scam?

This woman clearly has a tiger's spirit, obsessed with making money.

In this respect she resembles her sister Lin Ziyu somewhat.

Despite knowing nothing about him, she boldly stalked him, seeking cooperation.

Had Xiao Zhangqing not steadied himself a bit then, he would have already met his death!

Truly acting without considering consequences!

This also shows that Lin Zixi is definitely not a good partner.

So after hearing Lin Zixi's intention, Xiao Zhangqing gave no further thought and outright refused.

"But, coming back to the point,"

Now back home, safe, calm, his perspective on the issues has changed.

Just like those questions that popped into Xiao Zhangqing's mind earlier, he has no solution on his own for now.

For safety, Xiao Zhangqing no longer wishes to sell talismans at the market stalls.

No matter how cautious he is, over time he'll inevitably be spotted.

His inventory is only about fifty sheets, yet he wants a continuous flow of sales.

In a low‑end venue like the market, it's like scorpion dung—unique, impossible not to be noticed.

The key is he still can't ship large quantities at once.

If he could ship in bulk, accumulating dozens to sell in one night and then disappear, without a fixed pattern, safety would be far greater.

"Lin Zixi... Lin Zixi..."

"Does this woman really have channels for bulk shipments?" "What exactly are her channels?"

"Is it safe? Won't the price be lower than what I sell at the market?"

In Xiao Zhangqing's mind, these thoughts involuntarily surfaced.

He thought for a long time, yet still couldn't sort it out, couldn't decide what to do.

But one thing is certain.

Even if he truly wants to cooperate with Lin Zixi, it will still require waiting a while and a period of assessment.

…

…

"Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle..."

Lin Zixi, upon returning home, immediately poured herself a large glass of water and downed it.

That was too thrilling!

She had no doubt she had walked the line of life and death.

That hulking mysterious man, most likely a First-rank Talisman Master, surely harbored murderous intent toward her, but fortunately she appeared harmless enough.

"Why so late? What happened?"

Lin Ziyu, hearing the commotion, stepped out of the cultivation room.

The two sisters no longer live in the Peng Hu Qu.

Since taking her younger sister to Nanshan Fang, Lin Ziyu also moved out of Peng Hu Qu, renting the smallest unit in the worst area of a Ding-level Cave Dwelling, paying four Low-grade Spirit Stones per month.

The sisters split the cost; it's not especially pricey and is affordable.

Moreover, living in a proper cave dwelling allows her to gradually advance her cultivation.

She has abandoned the mindset of relying on a man for a quick rise; she must rely on herself, invest in herself, and not merely hoard Spirit Stones.

"Sis, that was close; I almost couldn't make it back today!"

Lin Zixi, after being frightened, acted cute in front of her sister.

Lin Ziyu, upon hearing that, seemed to recall something, his expression turning cold, asked, "Did you go looking for that mysterious stall owner who seems to be a First-rank Talisman Master?"

These past few days, Xiao Zhangqing has been setting up a stall at the market each night to sell Talisman Scripts, and has already gained a considerable reputation.

The two sisters who also set up stalls at the market naturally knew.

Lin Zixi didn't just come up with the idea to find Xiao Zhangqing today; she had already thought of it two days earlier and had discussed with her sister whether this cooperative plan was feasible.

Lin Ziyu naturally said outright that it was not possible, without any hesitation.

If a female cultivator has low cultivation, no background, relying on beauty to cling to a male cultivator is almost impossible; how could she possibly partner in business with a male cultivator whose status and strength far exceed hers?

Lin Ziyu thought that her younger sister had been training within the clan all along; although she had endured many hardships, the clan's internal struggles were fundamentally different from the outside world.

Within the clan, it is disheartening and nauseating; the outside world is dangerous and cruel! Younger sister Lin Zixi is clever and daring, but she is still "naïve", or rather like a newborn calf that fears no tiger.

Such a mindset is very dangerous in the Cultivation World.

"I couldn't help it!" Lin Zixi said, seemingly unbothered.

After a brief fear, her young beautiful face again showed excitement and agitation, and she said: "This person is definitely a First-rank Talisman Master! But I don't know why he doesn't go to a shop to sell his Talisman Scripts… I've inquired at Lingfu Pavilion, and there's no such figure. Nevertheless, he's a once‑in‑a‑lifetime 'big fish'! He sets up a stall at the market to sell Talisman Scripts, his efficiency is too low and his prices are too unprofitable! If he is willing to hand over all his Talisman Scripts to me for resale, even if I earn only one Spirit Stone per script… no, even just half a Spirit Stone… sister, we'd be making a fortune!"

Lin Ziyu scolded, "Leaving aside whether that mysterious cultivator would be willing to entrust his Talisman Scripts to you for resale. Even if he did, he can only set up a stall at the market; where would you sell them? And how could you fetch a high price?"

Lin Zixi snorted, "That's not your concern; I have my ways, after all."

She is now full of anticipation, hoping that the mysterious Talisman Master will be moved by her words tonight and agree to cooperate with her.

If successful, it will only take a few years before she and her sister can return home in glory and give those people a good slap in the face! From now on I will try to update daily, preferably before noon twelve. So far this book's performance is decent, PK is leveling up all the way, I will keep writing, and later I will store some drafts.

(End of chapter)