Chapter 47: Symbol Master Xiao

With Wu Qingquan and the other two confessing, the meeting ended quickly.

Many Symbol Masters present broke out in cold sweat, silently thinking what a lucky break.

Xiao Zhangqing was one of them.

Fortunately, he was sharp enough to notice from the start that the new shopkeeper was hostile and might make a big move, so he promptly halted cooperation with the Cao family.

Otherwise, his name might also have been on today's list! Of course.

His carefulness over the past year is also an important reason.

Fortunately, he didn't sell Talisman Scripts himself, nor cooperate directly with the Cao family; instead he wore a disguise and used Lin Zixi as an intermediary, so even the Cao family didn't know who the mysterious Symbol Master Ba Wujie actually was.

"Xiao Zhangqing Symbol Master, please wait."

Just as Xiao Zhangqing was about to return to his studio, Zhou Changkong suddenly called out to him.

Xiao Zhangqing halted, and although he knew he hadn't shown any slip‑ups and the other party couldn't uncover his true identity, he still felt uneasy.

……

Previously Hong Jiantao's personal Symbol Master has now become Zhou Changkong's training hall.

The furnishings in the room hadn't changed; when Xiao Zhangqing used to come here he was always relaxed, but now his mood was rather heavy.

"Xiao Symbol Master, no need to be nervous. I called you here just to have a simple chat and get to know you. After all, in the month I've been at Nanshan Fang, the most I've heard about you is the rumor of how you rose from a lowly Scattered Cultivator to a First-rank Talisman Master in just four years."

Zhou Changkong changed from the harsh, unapproachable expression he had at the meeting to one that seemed much more easygoing.

Xiao Zhangqing was not careless; he merely made polite small talk while gauging the other's true intention.

Zhou Changkong is not one to beat around the bush.

Soon, he also revealed his real purpose.

"I know that among the Symbol Masters of Lingfu Pavilion, far more than just Wu, Liang, and Sha today have been lining their pockets and harming the interests of Lingfu Pavilion and the sect. It's just that I've been at Nanshan Fang only a short time, so some things I can't investigate fully. Xiao Symbol Master, based on your usual knowledge, which other Symbol Masters in the pavilion do you think are suspect?" Zhou Changkong asked.

Xiao Zhangqing frowned and said, "I only just advanced to First-rank Talisman Master myself, so my knowledge of the entry‑level Symbol Masters in the pavilion isn't any greater than yours, Shopkeeper Zhou... But since you can't find any more, I suppose there aren't any others, right?"

Zhou Changkong shook his head, firmly stating, "There are certainly some I haven't uncovered! For example, in the past year a sudden force has risen, becoming the second‑largest shop after our Lingfu Pavilion—the Cao family's Talisman Script shop... The Cao family doesn't even have any entry‑level Symbol Masters, yet they receive a steady supply of First Tier Lower Talisman Scripts, even some First-rank middle‑grade Talisman Scripts, each month. Anyone collaborating with the Cao family must be a Symbol Master from our Lingfu Pavilion. It's just that I haven't identified who yet."

Hearing that, Xiao Zhangqing's heartbeat slowed a fraction.

What does this Foundation‑Establishing elder mean? Did he discover something and suspect me, deliberately trying to frame me?

Probably... not that extreme? Zhou Changkong suddenly looked at Xiao Zhangqing, pointing subtly, "I've seen the Talisman Scripts produced by the Cao family; although they're First-rank middle‑grade, the variety is complete, including many types scarce in Nanshan Fang. Moreover, the quality is superb, and the Symbol Master's skill is probably already close to First‑rank upper‑grade level! Xiao Symbol Master, who in our pavilion do you think best fits this condition?"

Xiao Zhangqing felt a little uneasy inside, but his face remained impassive. He lifted his head, met Zhou's gaze, and skeptically said, "Shopkeeper Zhou, you called me here today—are you implying that the Symbol Master cooperating with the Cao family is me?"

Zhou Changkong was momentarily stunned, then shook his head and burst out laughing, "Xiao Zhangqing Symbol Master, you're overthinking. How could I possibly suspect you? To be frank, among all the Symbol Masters in the pavilion, you're the one I trust the most! No one has a smaller suspicion than you! You've been a First‑rank Talisman Master for less than two months! Haha…"

Xiao Zhangqing silently affirmed in his heart.

It seems this scheming Shopkeeper Zhou truly hasn't suspected me.

Indeed.

In everyone's eyes, he's merely a rookie Symbol Master who just advanced to First‑rank two months ago.

The mysterious Symbol Master cooperating with the Cao family, however, has a skill level already approaching First‑rank upper‑grade.

Even with a strong Talisman Path talent, Xiao Zhangqing would need at least seven or eight years of arduous cultivation to hope to reach that level.

Given this prerequisite, Xiao Zhangqing truly is the First‑rank Symbol Master with the smallest suspicion.

At this moment, Zhou Changkong suddenly shifted his tone, again laden with meaning, "Even if I suspect your former shopkeeper Hong Jiantao, I could never suspect you, Xiao Symbol Master. What do you think? After all, I've learned that since Shopkeeper Hong left, the Symbol Master who cooperated with the Cao family has also mysteriously vanished…"

Xiao Zhangqing's relaxed mind suddenly tightened, and he frowned, asking, "Shopkeeper Zhou, are you trying to have me step forward and slander Shopkeeper Hong? If so, I'm sorry, I can't do that. Hong would never betray the interests of Lingfu Pavilion, nor could he possibly cooperate with the Cao family. Moreover, while others may not know, you should know that Hong's current Symbol Master skill has already reached what level?"

"Of course I know; Hong, still vigorous, has advanced to Second‑rank Talisman Master," Zhou Changkong chuckled, then asked, "It seems, Xiao Symbol Master, you have a good relationship with Hong?"

Xiao Zhangqing replied bluntly, "Hong has shown me great favor, and has always looked out for me."

Zhou Changkong was nonchalant, "Hong indeed has a knack for spotting talent; he did so with Symbol Master Lu Qiu before, and now with you, Xiao Symbol Master. However, you needn't place too much importance on this. As long as you have good talent, you'll find that everyone in the Cultivation World is friendly and will look after you."

Xiao Zhangqing gave no reply, not wishing to argue over the matter.

After a few more words, Xiao Zhangqing stood up and took his leave.

After a while, several young cultivators entered the room, each of whom turned out to be a proficient practitioner of Ninth‑layer Qi Refinement!

Zhou Changkong ordered, "Keep a close watch on those key individuals. As for the Cao family, I'll go there myself…"

……

……

In the following days, Lingfu Pavilion appeared calm on the surface, but beneath, hidden currents still surged.

The newly arrived Shopkeeper Zhou seemed unwilling to leave Lingfu Pavilion uninvestigated, determined to punish it from top to bottom.

Xiao Zhangqing sat calmly on the fishing platform, untroubled by any investigation into himself. The unknown disguise of Ba Wujie, coupled with his own freshly broken false information of just having advanced to First‑rank Symbol Master, made him the first "model citizen" in Zhou Changkong's eyes.

Even if Xiao Zhangqing were to expose himself or someone reported him, Zhou Changkong would not believe it.

However, this turmoil made Xiao Zhangqing decide to showcase more of his talent, to gain greater influence for himself.

When Shopkeeper Hong was around, he felt no pressure or urgency; progressing quietly step by step suited him better. Now that crisis has arrived, he must change his strategy.

Just like now, if he hadn't already advanced to First‑rank Symbol Master and had only taken four years to break through, he wouldn't have the standing to be unflinching before Zhou Changkong. So, in the time that followed, Xiao Zhangqing's Talisman skills seemed to improve rapidly to outsiders! From initially, as a fresh First‑rank Symbol Master, his success rate at crafting First Tier Lower Talisman Scripts was under half, only thirty to forty percent. After just half a year, it rose to seventy to eighty percent! Such a success rate already qualifies him as a seasoned First Tier Lower Symbol Master.

Perhaps in another year and a half, Xiao Zhangqing will become a First‑rank middle‑grade Symbol Master! At this pace, he's even faster than Lu Qiu was back then! The reputation of Xiao Zhangqing as a genius Symbol Master grows ever louder.

(End of Chapter)