Chapter 42: Knowing Only How to Threaten Him

"Eldest Miss, you are also an Artifact Master?"

"I wouldn't call myself that; it's just that the things others make aren't handy to use." Cheng Xi had no desire to be an Artifact Master; it was dirty, tiring, and bitter work, and after a long time, even a beauty would turn into Li Kui.

Jiang Boyu patted his chest. Thank goodness, thank goodness. Being skilled in medicine and knowing Talismans was already scary enough; if she were also an Artifact Master, how were others supposed to live?

"Eldest Miss is right, which is why one must find a formidable Artifact Master, but all the formidable ones are at the four major academies; it is not easy to hire someone to craft a Dharma Artifact," Jiang Boyu sighed.

"Since that is the case, send them to me," Cheng Xi said, then looked at Jiang Boyu, "It would be best to find someone with great strength who understands a bit of Artifact Refining to come and help me."

"That is easy to arrange. I will have Chi Laicheng come over. He is an Artifact Master of our Tongtian Division; he is broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, and with one hammer, he can strike with the force of several hundred catties."

Cheng Xi was very satisfied.

After finishing his Spirit Tea, Jiang Boyu stood up to take his leave, thinking that this time he could not only report back but also have the Eldest Miss help craft a Dharma Artifact, perfectly completing the task assigned by the Division Master.

"Lord Jiang, wait a moment." Cheng Xi stopped him, then stood up and went into the room, returning shortly after to hand him two porcelain bottles.

Jiang Boyu's eyes lit up. There was no helping it; the Eldest Miss had too many good things here. "This is?"

"The tea you just drank. One portion for you, one portion for the Division Master. Consider it a small return gift—a return gift for the Lightning-Struck Wood. I will tell you more once I have thought it through."

Jiang Boyu clutched the Spirit Tea to his chest. He had drunk two cups and felt his whole body brimming with strength, so he immediately said, "Many thanks to the Eldest Miss for the tea; I will not stand on ceremony with you."

Cheng Xi smiled as she saw him off, then sat down to examine that section of Lightning-Struck Wood.

It was a pity there was no Instrument Furnace.

It did not matter if there was no Instrument Furnace; it would just be a bit more troublesome.

This piece of wood was top-tier in length, width, and quality; rather than crafting it into another shape, it was better to keep it as it was.

Making it into a Dharma Staff would also be quite good.

Cheng Xi took out her Engraving Knife, preparing to carve Runes onto it for enhancement, but who knew the Engraving Knife could not even leave a scratch on it.

Cheng Xi was quite surprised. After thinking it over, she changed her clothes and went to see Lao Wutou.

Lao Wutou:...

He looked at Cheng Xi listlessly, "What do you want again?"

"I want an Engraving Knife for a Talisman Master, one of a higher grade that can be used on Lightning-Struck Wood," Cheng Xi said directly.

Lightning-Struck Wood?

Lao Wutou's eyes flickered, and he lowered his voice to ask, "Did last night's incident have anything to do with you?"

Cheng Xi looked at him with a smile, "Uncle Wu, look at how frail I am; how could it possibly have anything to do with me?"

"Don't lie to ghosts. Since you've already consumed the Black Dragon Bone, how could you be frail?"

Hearing this mutter from Lao Wutou, Cheng Xi's eyes flickered, and she immediately said, "What use is such a small piece? Do you have any more here? I will pay double."

Lao Wutou was so angry his beard almost flew off, "You insatiable little girl, is the Black Dragon Relic Bone so easy to find? Opening a Dragon Cave is not that simple."

If it weren't for Liang Popo having a sharp nose, smelling the scent of the dragon bone, and keeping a close watch on him, he wouldn't have left it for this little brat to sustain her life.

"Oh, so you opened a Dragon Cave. No wonder the Two Realms Seal showed signs of disturbance; it was you who caused the trouble. Tell me, what if I sell this information to the Tongtian Division and then ask Li Zhi'an for a reward? I hear there are countless treasures in the Tongtian Ta; I imagine a piece of dragon bone would be nothing."

Lao Wutou:...

"You little brat, are you threatening me?"

"Uncle Wu, I have no choice; who told me I'm barely holding on to life?"

"Good people don't live long, while villains live for a thousand years. I don't think you're the short-lived type!"

Cheng Xi looked at Lao Wutou with a smile, "So, do you have it or not?"

Lao Wutou went to the back in a huff and soon returned with a box even smaller than the last one, "This is the only piece left! There is no more! However, I don't want silver, and I don't want Talisman Beads; you give me a section of the Lightning-Struck Wood."

Cheng Xi shook her head, "No. The Lightning-Struck Wood in my hand is just enough to make one Dharma Staff. If it were a section shorter, could it still be called a Dharma Staff? Change it for something else."

"If not, then forget it. Come back and trade with me when you have more Lightning-Struck Wood; I'll save it for you." Lao Wutou refused to budge.

Trading Lightning-Struck Wood for Black Dragon Bone—Cheng Xi was already profiting from this deal, yet she was still reluctant to part with a section of Lightning-Struck Wood. Lao Wutou was furious!

Cheng Xi looked at Lao Wutou, "Because of one piece of Lightning-Struck Wood, the Demon Suppression Pavilion and the Tongtian Division were fighting last night. This thing is a hot potato right now. If the people from the Demon Suppression Pavilion catch the scent and track it all the way here, discovering that the matter of the Seal has something to do with you all..."

Lao Wutou:...

The little brat only knew how to threaten him!

Since it concerned the Seal, Lao Wutou dared not take the risk. His expression shifted repeatedly, and finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "What will you trade with?"

Cheng Xi smiled faintly, "I have a set of reinforced Seal Array diagrams."

Lao Wutou:...

"Deal!"

Cheng Xi took the prepared Array Diagram from her sleeve pocket and handed it over.

Lao Wutou was not an Array Master, but he knew that Array Diagrams had grades. After searching around and failing to find the insignia of the diagram, he looked at Cheng Xi suspiciously and said, "Where is the insignia?"

Cheng Xi was stunned. Oh dear, she forgot.

She simply said candidly, "There isn't one. However, it is definitely a good thing. We must value integrity in business; you can find an Array Master to take a look later and you will see."

Lao Wutou did not miss that momentary look on Cheng Xi's face. He took a deep breath, "Fine, for the sake of Liang Popo. If you are lying to me, I will go to Liang Popo to demand the money."

Cheng Xi looked at Lao Wutou gloomily, "You really have no sense of honor; every debt has its debtor."

Lao Wutou pushed the Black Dragon Bone forward, "Hurry up and leave."

Out of sight, out of mind.

Cheng Xi weighed the Black Dragon Bone in her hand. Last time, the tens of catties of Black Dragon Bone had made her gasp for breath, but this time it felt like a feather in her palm. Sure enough, the Dragon Cave they opened was not simple.

"What about the Engraving Knife?"

Lao Wutou only then remembered Cheng Xi's purpose for buying the knife. He turned and went into the back room again, and when he came out, he had a set of tools in his hand, "Pay up!"

Cheng Xi took out a jar of Spirit Tea and handed it over, "A gift of thanks for you. Thank you for your care during these days."

Lao Wutou's expression softened. The palm-sized porcelain bottle looked unremarkable. He reached out to take it and opened it casually to look. Suddenly, a burst of fragrance rushed into his nose. His expression froze; he pinched a tea leaf and put it in his mouth to chew, and his eyes instantly lit up.

"Are you selling this?" Lao Wutou looked at Cheng Xi, "If you do this business, I'll give you this set of tools."

If Cheng Xi could supply him with Spirit Tea to sell long-term, he could at least double his earnings.

"How could I sell my gesture of filial piety!" Cheng Xi refused, placing several banknotes on the table, "I'm leaving."

Lao Wutou watched Cheng Xi's retreating figure, his brows and eyes, which had just been somewhat sharp, softening.

This little girl has a conscience, knowing to show filial piety to him with good things.

It's a pity, she actually refuses to do such a good business.

Thinking of the Seal again, Lao Wutou's expression turned unpleasant; once Cheng Xi's carriage departed, he immediately closed the door and left through the back entrance.