Starting as a Talisman Master

Lu Chi was also secretly observing Han Jingxing.

This person talks a lot, yet there's no hidden sharpness or cunning. Though his words are varied, they don't beat around the bush or probe; it seems to stem from his genuine nature. His visit is most likely just to see the new homeowner and strike up a conversation.

If he truly comes from the Han family and possesses a Qi Refining Level 6 cultivation, it wouldn't be unreasonable to have some dealings with him...

Lu Chi put down his wine cup and asked slowly, "Fellow Daoist Han, is your surname Han? Are you from the Han clan of Dongyue?"

Han Jingxing smiled and nodded, saying, "That's right. Most of the disciples in my clan cultivate in the mountain gate. I'm just a bit more easygoing and don't like to be bound by the clan's rules, so I came to live in the market for a few years to see the world and temper myself. Brother Lu, there's no need for formalities."

What kind of etiquette do I need to observe...?

Lu Chi remained noncommittal, but he could tell from the man's words that there was no reserve or arrogance typical of scions of noble families, but rather a certain clarity.

"Brother Han is right."

The two exchanged a smile, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

They chatted for a long time.

Han Jingxing put down his wine cup and suddenly smiled, "I feel as if we've known each other for a long time since we first met, Brother Lu."

"Normally, whenever people hear that I am a member of the Han family, they will first show me some courtesy, and before we have exchanged more than a few words, they are already very respectful. Over time, it has become rather pointless."

"Brother Lu is different. His words are ordinary, neither humble nor arrogant. This kind of interaction is quite pleasant."

Lu Chi simply smiled faintly.

Han Jingxing, still in high spirits, added, "There's a tea party in a couple of days, and I was originally planning to go by myself. If Brother Lu has the time, why don't we go together? It would be a good way to pass the time."

A tea party? So soon?

Lu Chi was making plans in his mind.

The people who frequented this tea party were all from the heart of the market town, and the items they exchanged were extraordinary, mostly rarer than those displayed in shops.

Some may have obtained fragments of profound cultivation techniques, or know their whereabouts, or possess clues about second-tier spiritual plants.

You can go.

Lu Chi nodded: "In that case, I'll trouble Brother Han to lead the way."

Han Jingxing immediately perked up and started talking again.

"No problem at all. The place isn't far; I'll come find you then. The tea party rules are simple; just bring something to exchange, no need to stand on ceremony. If you don't have anything you like, you can still learn something new."

He then added, "By the way, tea parties are usually held at night, when it's quieter. Brother Lu, please don't forget the time."

The two chatted for a while longer, discussing everything from the current situation in the market to interesting stories about talismans.

As Han Jingxing got into the conversation, he even brought up several old stories from his clan.

Suddenly he slapped his forehead: "Oh dear, it's getting late. If I don't go back soon, my wife at home will probably be angry."

Lu Chi was taken aback: "Brother Han is already married?"

Han Jingxing laughed: "What's so strange about that? Cultivation is cultivation, but life still goes on. Having a Daoist companion is better than living alone. Besides, she has quite a temper; if I come home late, she'll nag me again."

He then went on to talk about how his Daoist partner was skilled at alchemy and how he disciplined his drinking, with a hint of self-satisfaction in his words.

Lu Chi was speechless for a moment, and could only smile as he got up and saw him out the door.

……

……

When Han Jingxing came out of Lu Chi's courtyard, the night breeze had already cooled down a bit.

He hummed a little tune all the way back to his house. As soon as he entered, he smelled a faint fragrance of medicine wafting through the house.

A cup of spiritual tea was still warm on the table, obviously prepared by someone who calculated the time when he should return.

The inner curtain was lifted, and a woman walked out. She was dressed simply, with only a jade hairpin in her hair. Her eyes were cold and aloof, but her hands still smelled of medicine.

"Drinking again?"

Han Jingxing paused, then chuckled twice: "Just one cup, just one cup. We're just meeting as neighbors, I shouldn't spoil the mood."

The woman gave a soft snort, not bothering to argue further, and simply asked, "Did you go see the new person who moved in?"

"I've met him." Han Jingxing's spirits lifted, and he sat down closer. "This man is measured in his words and actions, unlike someone who is all talk and no action. Most importantly, he is indeed skilled; he is a true talisman master."

The woman poured herself a cup of tea and said in a flat tone, "There are quite a few talisman masters in the market."

"That's different," Han Jingxing waved his hand and said, "Ordinary rogue cultivators draw a few low-grade talismans and dare to call themselves talisman masters. But he's different. Judging from his demeanor, he's not someone who's all talk and no action. If we can build a relationship with him, it might be useful in the future..."

The woman put down her teacup, glanced at him, and said, "You're having this idea again."

Han Jingxing coughed and said, "This isn't exactly reckless. Our Han family is also planning to set up stalls and expand our business in the market. It's always good to know someone with a skill."

The woman's expression did not soften, but her voice became even lower.

"The clan sent us to the market to test the waters with the alchemy shop, not to have you go around currying favors."

"Besides, the business of talismanic arts is not so easy to get involved in."

"Among the three great families, our Han family is a rising generation, having started with mineral veins. We can stand firm on the path of spirit ore, refining materials, and weapon embryos, but our roots are very shallow in alchemy and talisman making."

"Trying to extend another hand into the market now is already attracting attention. If you openly try to win over a newly emerging talisman master, it will only cause trouble in the eyes of those with ulterior motives."

After hearing this, Han Jingxing first shrank his neck, and then muttered something under his breath.

"I didn't say I'd do it now... Let's at least make a good connection first. They live next door, we can't just pretend we didn't see them."

Seeing that he seemed both persuaded and somewhat unwilling, the woman's expression softened slightly.

"It's fine to build good relationships, but don't reveal your true intentions. Most of the independent practitioners who rise to prominence have done so by being wary of others. If you're too enthusiastic, they'll become suspicious."

Han Jingxing nodded repeatedly: "I understand, I understand. I didn't mention any serious business today, I just invited him to the tea party to broaden his horizons."

The woman paused for a moment, then said nothing more, only calmly, "It's good that you understand. The clan is now laying out its plans in the market, and the pill shop is just the first step. How we proceed from here depends on whether we can establish a firm foothold in this first step."

Han Jingxing chuckled and reached for the warm cup of spiritual tea.

"Don't worry, don't you trust me to handle things?"

The woman looked at him expressionlessly: "I'm not at ease."

Han Jingxing took a sip of tea, his eyes darkening, his voice low and slightly hoarse: "My wife, it's been so long... since I've properly served you. Shall I make up for it tonight?"

……

……

Two days later.

As dusk began to fall, the lights in the heart of the market gradually illuminated the area.

As soon as Lu Chi stepped out of the hospital, Han Jingxing was already waiting at the alley entrance.

"Brother Lu," he said with a smile and a wave, "the time is just right."

The two walked side by side.

The tea party was held in an old house deep in the heart of the area. The courtyard gate was open, and the lights shone through, with the faint sound of voices audible.

Two cultivators stood at the entrance, both at the third level of Qi Refining, neatly dressed and with composed expressions. Although they were merely gatekeepers, they were not ordinary rogue cultivators.

Han Jingxing nodded to one of them and then led Lu Chi forward.

Lu Chi took out the cyan token he had obtained earlier and handed it to the gatekeeper for verification.

The other person glanced at it and stepped aside.

Lu Chi took back the token, but couldn't help but feel resentful in his heart.

I was only at the fourth level of Qi Refining, while even the gatekeeper here was at the third level of Qi Refining.

The inner layers are indeed different from the outer edges.

Han Jingxing seemed to see through his thoughts and chuckled softly, "Most of the gatekeepers are junior members of their respective families, and they take turns on duty."

Lu Chi nodded, saying nothing more, secretly wondering, "I wonder if Qin Su Niang or Mu Changfeng will be here?"

Several long tables had been set up in the courtyard, with fragrant tea steaming in the air. Three or five cultivators sat scattered among them, most of them at the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

Lu Chi glanced around and spotted a familiar face. He found it slightly amusing but did not go up to greet him.

Liu Qing was talking quietly with the cultivator beside him when he noticed the gaze. He glanced casually and met Lu Chi's eyes.

He paused for a moment.

He then casually looked away, picked up his teacup, and seemed nonchalant.

However, his knuckles tightened slightly.

How did he end up here?

With a soft rustling of clothes, Lu Chi saw a Taoist priest slowly approaching from under the corridor.

The man's sideburns were neatly combed, his beard was trimmed, and he wore a blue and white Taoist robe with wide sleeves that reached the ground. As he walked, the hem of his robe did not get dusty.

With a jade talisman hanging from her waist and cloud patterns subtly embroidered on her cuffs, she truly possessed an air of otherworldly elegance.

Two young Taoist disciples followed behind him, one tall and one short.

The taller one was at the second level of Qi Refining, and his expression was still composed; the shorter one was only at the first level of Qi Refining, and his face still had a childish look. Both of them stood with their hands at their sides at the back.

The Taoist's own Qi was at the fifth level of Qi Refining, and his spiritual energy was perfectly harmonious, indicating that his cultivation was not shallow.

Before he even got close, he cupped his hands and said with a smile, "Young Master Han, it is an honor to have you here. I am so sorry for not welcoming you properly. It has been a few days since I last saw you. Your energy has become even more refined, which means you must have made great progress in your cultivation."

Han Jingxing smiled, but a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes, as if he was already used to this kind of scene.

"You flatter me, Daoist Master." He waved his hand. "Why would I bother to come and sit down?"

Master Qingxu, however, persisted, saying repeatedly, "The Han family's children are naturally different. To have you grace this tea party with your presence, young master, adds even more luster to the occasion."

As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Lu Chi.

His gaze lingered briefly on the latter, noticing that his cultivation level was only at the fourth level of Qi Refining, his clothes were plain, and he was walking side by side with Han Jingxing. He had already made a judgment in his mind.

"Could this be the junior whom Young Master Han has recently mentored?"

"I am Qingxu, also known as Master Qingxu. As someone who serves Young Master Han, I should learn to observe proper etiquette from now on."

The implication was that Lu Chi was merely accompanying them.

The "superior person" at the fifth level of Qi Refining may not have a high level of cultivation, but he certainly has a grand presence. He is extremely attentive to Han Jingxing, but he treats others with a completely different attitude.

Lu Chi remained calm, but he already understood.

This Venerable Qingxu must be the very person Han Jingxing had mentioned earlier, the one who knew his background and spoke to him with great courtesy.

Han Jingxing coughed lightly and smiled, "Daoist, you misunderstand. This Brother Lu is named Lu Chi, a new friend of mine, and he is a talisman master."

"So Young Master Han enjoys associating with talisman masters."

Master Qingxu, with a profound look in his eyes, changed the subject and said casually:

"What a coincidence! I also met a fellow Daoist master of talismans today. He has been studying since childhood and has already achieved some skill. He is now the chief talisman master in a newly opened talisman shop in the market. If Young Master Han needs talismans in the future, there is no need to go to great lengths to find one."

Han Jingxing was about to speak.

Master Qingxu turned around and greeted those at the table: "Fellow Daoist Liu Qing, this is Young Master Han Jingxing from the Han family. Young Master Han is always friendly to fellow Daoists, please come and meet him."

In one corner of the room, a young man at the fourth level of Qi Refining, dressed in a black talisman robe, was drinking tea with his head down.

Upon hearing Master Qingxu's voice transmission, his fingers paused almost imperceptibly, and his expression instantly froze.