Chapter 17: Acquaintances at First Sight

The Liu family has a fairly good reputation in Changping County; their ancestors had an excellent standing while serving as officials, and although the current generation, Liu Chongjing, holds no official post, he frequently provides relief to the poor.

It is just that things have not been peaceful for Master Liu's family lately. First, the eldest daughter in the manor inexplicably became somewhat deranged; she is fine during the day, but as soon as deep night falls, she strips completely bare in her room, holding storybooks and novels while muttering something, which has frightened the maidservants quite a bit.

This is a private family matter and must not be spread outside. Madam Liu assumed her daughter had read some novels about human-demon-ghost romances or myths and legends and had developed hysteria, so she went to sleep with her for two nights, deciding to offer some guidance.

Well, once his own wife also became caught up in it, Liu Chongjing truly panicked.

His family might have been tainted by something filthy.

Reporting to the authorities is out of the question, and not even relatives or friends can know. There are three or five places within Changping County with some extraordinary people, but Liu Chongjing did not know whom to seek out. While he was hesitating, his new page boy said that True Person Chen of Sanyin Temple outside the city possessed supernatural powers, so he came here.

Out of kindness, Chen Ci asked a couple of questions about the situation, but Liu Chongjing's expression was ugly and he was unwilling to speak clearly, so Chen Ci let it be.

"This is a Soul Fixing Talisman; it can calm the spirit, ward off evil, and drive away ghosts. The price is five hundred taels of silver."

Chen Ci took out a Soul Fixing Talisman and handed it over, then added, "This is separate from the incense money."

Five hundred taels!

Liu Chongjing's heart skipped a beat, then he carefully took the talisman and examined it.

It must be said that the appearance of this talisman is truly excellent; it faintly reveals a jade-like color, far superior to the cinnabar and yellow paper found elsewhere, and it even has a warm sensation when held in the hand.

But this is five hundred taels; it is enough to buy forty mu of fertile land.

Moreover, one is not enough; at least two are needed, which would be one thousand taels of silver.

Although his Liu family has some assets, they cannot withstand such spending, not to mention he does not know if it will even be effective.

"True Person Chen, my family may need two talismans; I wonder if the price... could be a little cheaper?"

"The price is fixed."

Chen Ci picked up his teacup and took a sip: "It is getting late, Master Liu, what do you think?"

Liu Chongjing wanted to ask if he could get a discount, but he was afraid of angering Chen Ci, as this Daoist did not look like someone easy to talk to. While he was caught in a dilemma, the page boy beside him bowed to Chen Ci: "Liu Heming pays respects to the benefactor True Person."

Chen Ci took a look and finally remembered who this servant was, laughing: "So it is you, get up."

"Thank you, benefactor."

This servant was actually one of the two spirit children he had sent out for adoption over a month ago; his predecessor had bought them and raised them in Sanyin Temple for two months, and they were somewhat pleasing to the eye.

"Benefactor True Person, my master left home in a hurry today and brought little silver; could we take two true talismans first and make up the difference in incense money when we come back to fulfill our vow later?"

Liu Heming performed three bows before respectfully rising.

Although this Liu family page boy has slightly dark skin, his eyes reveal a sharp wit, and for such a young age, he speaks clearly; he is actually bolder than his master.

Chen Ci had originally quoted a high price for this Soul Fixing Talisman, intending to make a profit, but he did not necessarily have to make a one-time deal. After thinking for a moment, he took out another one and handed it over: "Fine, just stick this talisman on the body and it will be effective. Go back."

A small profit of a thousand taels of silver is enough.

Master Chen is still kind-hearted.

"People just shouldn't overthink things. Although cultivation is hard, at least one's fate can be held in one's own hands."

Chen Ci poured the Dragon-Tiger Paste out of the small tripod and rubbed it into pills: "Taking a break? Only those who can't afford to cultivate think about taking breaks. Have you practiced your techniques? Have you practiced your talismans? Have you practiced your alchemy? I love working overtime!"

Looking at the slight progress of the Fire Control Method and Observation Qi Method on the panel, Chen Ci wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and nodded with satisfaction.

Once he starts refining pills, the good days will truly arrive.

"Master, someone from the Liu family has come to fulfill their vow."

It seems the effect of the Soul Fixing Talisman was good; it has only been two days, and the Liu family has come to fulfill their vow.

Actually, money is not important; he, Chen, is devoted to the Dao and would never take mere worldly wealth to heart. Since the Liu family came back to fulfill their vow, their sincerity is enough.

Sanyin Temple has a full five thousand four hundred eighty-seven taels and three mace of silver on the books; they are not lacking in incense money at all.

Chen Ci originally wanted to let his Apprentice handle it, but he had just finished practicing alchemy and should rest for a while. The Liu family can be considered a big client, so for the sake of their sincerity, it is better to handle it himself.

"True Person Chen, this is the one thousand taels of incense money offered by my master; I hope you will graciously accept it."

In the front hall of Sanyin Temple, a page boy in green clothes offered the thousand taels of incense money with a face full of smiles.

The master of the house didn't come in person to fulfill the vow?

And didn't send an acquaintance to accompany him?

Forget it, as long as the silver is here, it's fine. But, humph, next time they come to ask for talismans, it won't be this price.

"Fine, then this Daoist will graciously accept."

Chen Ci pulled at the bag at his waist, preparing to take the silver notes, but the page boy suddenly stepped back a few paces and shook his head: "It's quite tiring to keep your hand on the Five Yin Evil Qi Bag, isn't it?"

"What does this mean?"

Chen Ci blinked, looking completely puzzled.

"The lime powder isn't very convenient to use, is it?"

The page boy looked at Chen Ci with a half-smile: "Lime powder should be wrapped in high-quality cotton paper to make a hidden weapon, then thrown with a specific technique. Have you learned it?"

Chen Ci looked surprised: "Lime powder? You misunderstood. I was just brushing putty in the alchemy room and got some dust on my hands. It really is a misunderstanding."

"Looking at the decorations in this temple, you must be quite short of money, right?"

The page boy in green simply wiped his face, revealing a face that looked a bit older, and smiled: "I am as close as brothers with Daoist Zhao Peng of your sect in Xiangshan County. I came here this time because I have a fortune I want to share with you, Daoist. There is no malice, no need to be so guarded."

Zhao Peng of Xiangshan County? Who is that?

But at a time like this, saying "Yes, yes, yes" is definitely correct.

"Oh, so you are a friend of Brother Zhao. Please, sit, please sit."

Chen Ci gave a dry laugh and wiped his hands on his Daoist robe: "Daoist, please forgive me. We disciples of the He Mountain Sect... cough, you understand. Actually, I am a decent person."

"I understand, I understand. I am also a decent person."

The two quickly exchanged names.

This fellow is called Ma Huai and claims to be from the Ten Immortals Sect. He looks to be fifty or nearly sixty years old, and he even has some powder on his face, looking slightly flirtatious, which is quite memorable.

The Ten Immortals Sect is also a side-branch sect in the borderlands; they have a good relationship with the He Mountain Sect, but their power is far inferior.

"Daoist Ma, please have some tea."

Chen Ci's attitude was very warm: "My Sanyin Temple is a bit crude, making Daoist laugh. I wonder, what was the wealth you mentioned just now?"

"Daoist, you are just too honest, which is why you are short on money."

Ma Huai shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of frustration at Chen Ci's lack of ambition: "How could you sell such good Soul Fixing Talismans to mortals? You don't realize that only by letting the water flow slowly can you have a steady supply of food and clothing."

Chen Ci: "..."

Seeing that Chen Ci didn't seem to understand, Ma Huai smiled and said: "I came to Changping County to gather some Primordial Yin to refine my divine ability. The wealthy families in this county will surely seek talismans to ward off evil just like the Liu family. As long as you draw the Soul Fixing Talismans a bit more poorly, if the two of us coordinate well, wouldn't the wealth just roll in? At that time, we can split the profits seventy-thirty; wouldn't that be delightful?"

"Money and such are easy to talk about."

Chen Ci's face was full of interest, but suddenly his expression became slightly evasive, and he asked in a low voice: "That, Daoist Ma, I have a friend named Zhang San who wants to ask, what kind of spell is it that you use to gather Primordial Yin?"

"Huh?"

Ma Huai let out a laugh: "Daoist Chen, doesn't your He Mountain Sect's Soul Fixing Talisman have its own divine ability and wondrous uses?"

A trace of embarrassment flashed across Chen Ci's face, and he coughed lightly: "It's not that—my good friend Zhang San has used too many Soul Fixing Talismans, and it's actually quite meaningless, you understand."

"That is true, puppets are always lacking something."

Ma Huai stroked his long beard, looking somewhat self-satisfied: "The sect's divine abilities cannot be passed on through Outer Transmission, please forgive me, Brother Chen. However, if Brother Chen doesn't mind, you could come and experience it with me."

"Is that really okay?"

Chen Ci wiped his hands, appearing tempted.

"Of course it is, it's just that the first taste cannot be... haha."

Ma Huai's heart suddenly stirred, and he laughed: "Actually, I have a way to make even more money, but it cannot be given to Brother Chen for nothing."

Chen Ci's nostrils flared slightly as he exhaled a rough breath: "I felt like old friends with Daoist Ma the moment we met, it is a pity we met so late. You just sit for a while; I learned an immortal dish at the Food Immortal Pavilion some days ago called Old Hen Stewed with Lingzhi. It is best for nourishing yin, tonifying yang, and cultivating primordial energy, and it is also beneficial for cultivation. You stay for a simple meal, and the two of us can eat and chat!"

Immortal dish?

Ma Huai was somewhat tempted, but still declined slightly: "Would that be too much trouble for you, Daoist?"

"No trouble, no trouble."

Chen Ci shook his head repeatedly: "I have raised the Lingzhi in the spiritual cave for a full five years, it just takes some time to stew it until the flavor is absorbed. Let's go, let's go to my pill room, we can talk while we stew it!"

(End of chapter)