Starting as a Talisman Master

"What 'sister'? It sounds disgusting..." Lu Chi felt a strong sense of nausea as he listened to Liu Qing's sickeningly sweet words.

"Brother Liu Qing, you are overthinking it. I know Lu Fushi's background. Since I invited him, it means I trust his character and abilities."

"You two are both talisman masters from your sects, and you'll be working together in the same hall in the future. Why create discord between you?"

Qin Su Niang said softly.

Liu Qing shrugged: "Sister is right, brother will listen to sister, but... brother is afraid that some people have bad intentions and will ruin sister's reputation."

Mu Changfeng kept his eyes closed, ignoring everything happening outside.

Seeing the slightly tense atmosphere, Qin Suniang coughed lightly and said softly, "Alright, please sit down. Yueyin Pavilion is opening today, and there are still many things to arrange."

"Master Lu and Brother Liu Qing, you two are both mid-grade talisman masters. From now on, the talisman matters of the Moon Concealment Pavilion will mainly depend on you."

Lu Chi bowed in agreement, but when he sat down, he moved a little further away from Liu Qing. His gaze then shifted and landed on Elder Mu on his left.

This person appears to be aloof and taciturn, but he is currently the most powerful fighter in the Qixia Sect and should be the pillar of the sect, holding great power.

Judging from Qin Suniang's words and actions just now, she is still in charge.

Something weird.

A sense of unease flashed through his mind.

Seeing that the atmosphere had eased slightly, Qin Su Niang coughed lightly:

"I have already arranged for my disciples to make arrangements for the opening. The talismans that MoonHidden Pavilion is currently selling were all drawn by Junior Brother Liu Qing these days. Although the variety is complete, the quantity is limited."

"Now that Master Lu has joined the sect, all matters concerning talismans must be submitted as agreed in the future."

Lu Chi nodded slightly.

Then came the explanation of many matters.

Qin Su Niang led Lu Chi and Liu Qing through the back hall to a spacious workshop, where disciples and talisman makers from the Qixia Sect's Talisman Hall were already waiting.

Most of them were young people at the second or third level of Qi Refining, dressed simply, with ink stains on their hands, and their eyes held a mixture of restraint and curiosity.

Upon hearing this, everyone bowed in unison: "Greetings, two talisman masters."

Lu Chi's gaze swept across the crowd, landing on two of them, who seemed vaguely familiar.

I met them in Luo's talisman shop in my early years. They were all low-level talisman makers with mediocre skills. They made mistakes frequently and were often scolded by Manager Luo for being "unworthy of the talisman path".

Later, he was gradually marginalized and has now ended up in Qixia Sect, becoming a low-level disciple in the sect's talisman hall.

The world is impermanent.

Lu Chi remained expressionless, only nodding slightly in response.

Liu Qing put on a smile: "Don't worry, sister, your brother will definitely manage Yueyin Pavilion perfectly."

Qin Su Niang's gaze swept lightly across Liu Qing's face, a faint smile curving her lips, but it carried little warmth.

"Brother Liu Qing, you are very kind. Now that we have met everyone, let's go to the front hall. The time has come, and Moon Hidden Pavilion is officially opening today."

The three walked side by side, with Liu Qing trailing half a step behind, a gentle smile always on her face, but her eyes would occasionally fall on the curve of Qin Su Niang's waist and neck.

His gaze was sticky and unrestrained, like a snake's tongue that would touch and then retract, only to peek out again.

Lu Chi glanced over and noticed that gaze, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

First there was Cao Zhen, then Liu Qing. Could Qin Su Niang's way of dealing with people really rely solely on her looks?

He secretly pondered: Liu Qing must have been someone she had already won over, invited from Xuan Yue Market to stabilize the supply of talismans; he himself was an unexpected bonus, invited in at the last minute.

This massive investment may be necessary for business operations, or it may be due to the sect's genuine difficulties and urgent need for transformation and the exploration of new paths.

Disciples outside had already pushed the pavilion door open completely, and two spirit lamps hung high, with moonlight runes flowing on the lampshades, their soft light spilling onto the street like water.

Qin Su Niang raised her hand and waved, and a disciple at the fourth level of Qi Refining took off on his sword. The sword light was like a rainbow, and he flew around the east street of the market three times.

Holding a scroll of talismans in his hand, he would unfurl the talisman as he flew over various places, transforming it into streaks of golden light that floated in the air:

"Moon Concealment Pavilion is now open! Qixia Sect's new talisman shop has everything you could want! Fellow Daoists are welcome to come and make your purchase!"

Such a simple way of advertising, but it's effective, at least more eye-catching than the "discreetly handing out flyers" I had imagined... Lu Chi smiled slightly to himself.

The character "light" remained in the air for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, causing the cultivators in the market to look up and begin to discuss it.

Some people stopped, some flew over on their magical artifacts, and soon groups of cultivators flocked to the Moon Concealment Pavilion.

Standing in front of the pavilion, Lu Chi watched the crowd grow larger and larger, and a judgment began to form in his mind.

"While such publicity may create a temporary stir, it can only attract cultivators currently strolling through the market."

"True success depends on the consistent quality of the talismans, a large number of repeat customers, and a gradually growing reputation. These things cannot be achieved overnight; they can only be built up over time."

Despite this, although the Moonlit Pavilion shop is not large, it has an excellent location, facing the main street of East Street, and the open space in front of the door is spacious enough to accommodate dozens of people.

In the future, when talismans are sold here, all materials will be supplied by the Qixia Sect, making the cost almost zero. With the added profit sharing, the profits will be no less than those from drawing and selling talismans independently.

Of course, it would be even better if it were a bit quieter.

Back in the inner hall, Liu Qing spoke with a smile, her words carrying a hidden meaning, yet she feigned casualness:

"Now that Moon Concealment Pavilion has two talisman masters, who should be given the title of chief talisman master? Sister didn't make that clear before."

……

……

Inside Luo's Talisman Shop, the afternoon sun slanted into the counter, casting a faint yellow glow on a row of old talisman papers.

Manager Luo Wenshan leaned back in his armchair, his brows slightly furrowed, listening to a talisman repairman's low-pitched report.

"Shopkeeper, the newly opened Moon Hidden Pavilion on East Street officially opened today. With the Qixia Sect backing it up, the publicity is overwhelming. Disciples flew around in the sky three times on their swords, and the streets were filled with talismanic light."

Luo Wenshan paused, raised his eyelids, and said in a hoarse voice with his usual coldness, "Qixia Sect? That widow Qin Suniang does have some guts. Tell me, who is the talisman master?"

The errand runner swallowed hard and hurriedly said:

"One of them was invited from Xuan Yue Market. His name is Liu Qing. He is a mid-grade first-level talisman master. He had some reputation in the outer market a few years ago. He specializes in mid-grade spirit gathering, golden light, and breath concealment techniques."

Luo Wenshan snorted coldly, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes:

"Liu Qing... I've never heard of him. The goods from Xuan Yue Market probably have some skill, but nothing amazing. If Qixia Sect relies on only this one, it won't last long."

"Qin Suniang brought him over simply to stabilize the situation. Is there anyone else?"

The errand runner paused, then lowered his voice: "There's another one... a newcomer named Lu Chi, a mid-grade first-level talisman master. He just put on his talisman robe today and officially took up his post."

"When the store opened, the man stood in front of the door, wearing a black robe with silver patterns. He had an extraordinary air about him, and many female cultivators took a second look at him."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wenshan's fingers tightened suddenly, and his gaze sharpened abruptly.

"Lu Chi? Is he at the third level of Qi Refining, around twenty years old?"

The errand runner stiffened under that gaze and quickly lowered his head to add, "Exactly."

It really was him… Luo Wenshan slowly sat up straight, his fingers tapping on the armrest of the armchair, his expression a mixture of surprise, disdain, and a hint of annoyance.

A month ago, Lu Chi was only at the third level of Qi Refining and had been cultivating talismans for three years. He was usually quiet and only knew how to bury himself in repairing old talismans, showing no sharpness whatsoever.

He thought this person was just an ordinary craftsman who would not be able to make a living without the shop. Who would have thought that in just one month, he would transform into a mid-grade talisman master in the Moon Hidden Pavilion of the Qixia Sect.

Luo Wenshan sneered.

During this period, quite a few talisman repairmen left the talisman shop.

Some complained about the pressure on the funds, some complained about the tight construction schedule, and some simply took some spirit sand and left.

He never cared that these rogue cultivators at the third or fourth level of Qi Refining had mediocre aptitudes and could simply leave; there were plenty of people in the market to fill their positions.

Lu Chi was the only exception.

Luo Wenshan narrowed his eyes, his voice sinister, as if squeezed from the depths of his throat: "You've been working in my shop for three years, cultivating talismans for three years, so you must have secretly learned the skills of a talisman master long ago."

"The matter of Cheng Fu was already accomplished before he left, but he kept it hidden and didn't reveal a thing. After I drove him away, he immediately went to Qixia Sect and set up his own sect."

He paused, his disdain deepening: "What a cunning young man. He kept it from me for three years, and from everyone in the shop for three years. He does have some shrewdness."

"Unfortunately... short-sighted."

In Qingque Mountain Market, the Luo Family Talisman Shop has stood for a century. Backed by the Luo family's founding ancestor, it has a deep foundation, a stable customer base, and its talismans are of the highest quality in Dongyue County.

Countless independent cultivators would kill to get in, even if it meant working as a low-level talisman maker, it would be better than being out there exposed to the elements.

Lu Chi, on the other hand, would rather seek refuge with the crumbling Qixia Sect than bow his head and beg for his help.

"What did that widow Qin Suniang give him? A talisman robe? A few spirit stones? Or... just some empty gestures?"

"Let me see how many days you, a mid-grade talisman master, can last in the Moon Concealment Pavilion."

He looked up at the errand runner and said, "Go, send someone to keep an eye on Moon Shadow Pavilion, especially Lu Chi... Report back how many talismans are sold each day, their quality, and the number of customers."

The errand runner quickly bowed his head and replied, "Yes, sir."

Luo Wenshan waved his hand, signaling him to step back.

After everyone left, he sat alone in the armchair, his gaze somber. The afternoon sun shone on his face, but it was as if it were shining on a cold stone statue.