Starting as a Talisman Master

Chapter 77 Each with their own ulterior motives (Fifth update)

The next morning, this street in the heart of Qingqueshan Market welcomed a new day as usual.

Today, however, Ge Jiuzhang, the neighbor who had moved in less than two months ago and who displayed a cultivation level of "sixth level of Qi Refining", once again knocked on the gates of several nearby houses early in the morning and invited everyone to his residence.

Han Jingxing and Su Jin were also among those invited.

As everyone entered the Ge family compound, they keenly sensed something amiss.

The spacious courtyard was deserted. The three incredibly capable attendants who used to run around serving tea and water were nowhere to be seen.

The "Ge Jiuzhang" standing in front of the hall, although still wearing the familiar robes and with the same face, seemed somewhat weak, and his brows revealed an undisguised anxiety and haste.

"My dear neighbors, I have taken the liberty of inviting you all here today, but the real reason is to say goodbye."

Ge Jiuzhang sighed, cupped his hands to the crowd, and said with a wry smile, "I originally intended to stay here for a long time, but last night I suddenly received news that several formidable enemies I made in the past seem to have already made their way to the vicinity of Qingque Mountain."

"To avoid implicating you all, I dismissed my few good-for-nothing old servants from the city last night. Today, I will be leaving Qingque Mountain and heading to distant lands. There are still two years left on the lease for this house, so I will consider it a gift to you all. If you have any spirit wood furniture that you like, feel free to take it."

After saying that, without waiting for everyone to politely ask him to stay, he hurriedly picked up a bag and strode out of the courtyard gate.

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances and followed him to the street corner. There, they saw Ge Jiuzhang slap on a high-grade Divine Speed ​​Talisman, transform into a streak of light, and plunge into the vast mountains without looking back, disappearing without a trace.

If even a top-grade speed-traveling talisman is used for traveling, then what this person said is probably true.

But what kind of enemy did he offend that could make a Qi Refining Level 6 cultivator rush here in such a panic?

"This... Fellow Daoist Ge left in a bit too hastily." A neighbor muttered, looking in the direction he disappeared.

Han Jingxing frowned slightly, recalling the unusual fluctuation in the alley last night, and seemed to be deep in thought.

But soon he shook his head and put it out of his mind.

In the cultivation world, it's as common as eating and drinking that rogue cultivators are like duckweed, hiding their identities and fleeing overnight to avoid enemies.

Everyone found it strange, but they quickly stopped caring.

After all, nobody wants to get involved in the trouble of being hunted down by a powerful enemy.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

Deep within Qingque Mountain, in a side hall, the lights were dim.

Several key figures from the Shen and Luo families sat on either side of the room, the atmosphere so tense you could hear a pin drop.

If Lu Chi were present at this moment, he would recognize Luo Wenshan of the Luo family's talisman shop, as well as Shen Yuanheng, whom Shen Fancheng had met before, both among them.

"They escaped?"

Luo Wenshan's face was gloomy. He slammed the teacup he was holding heavily on the table, causing the tea in the cup to ripple slightly and splash out a few water droplets.

"What exactly is this fellow's intention? Last night at dusk, he sent a message saying that the formation outside Lu Chi's courtyard was still a few days away from being able to use the power of the earth's veins to connect the two ends and form an encirclement, at which time we could go and help. How come he suddenly withdrew and fled so hastily after only one night?"

Shen Yuanheng, seated at the head of the table, frowned and tapped his knuckles slowly on the armrest. After a long while, he finally spoke in a deep voice.

"This matter is indeed suspicious. According to our informants, Ge Jiuzhang left in a great hurry, even using a high-grade Swift Travel Talisman. What's even stranger is that none of his three Qi Refining mid-stage attendants, who are always by his side, have shown up today."

"He only told the public that those people had been dismissed last night."

Luo Wenshan sneered, his eyes flashing as if he were weighing something.

"Do you think it's possible that he revealed his presence while setting up the formation, allowing Lu Chi to discover it beforehand, which led to him suffering a hidden loss and being so frightened that he abandoned his men and fled in the dead of night?"

"That's utterly absurd." Shen Yuanheng shook his head, his tone resolute.

Lu Chi is only at the fourth level of Qi Refining. Even though he has several talismans, they are ultimately just external items and cannot compensate for the difference in his cultivation level. Ge Jiuzhang, on the other hand, is a late-stage Qi Refining array master who has been immersed in this field for many years. His cunning and methods are extraordinary. If they were to truly face each other, Lu Chi would be the one to suffer.

Luo Wenshan's expression shifted slightly, and his voice lowered a few decibels: "Could it be—that the patriarch of the Han family next door has secretly intervened?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone in the hall changed slightly, and the atmosphere suddenly froze. But after a moment's thought, they all felt that this was unlikely.

If a Foundation Establishment cultivator or Lu Chi's other helpers were to make a move, how could there be no unusual activity in the market? Once those levels clash, the spiritual energy will vibrate, and it will not escape the notice of those who are interested.

"In my opinion, Ge Jiuzhang is probably afraid of being approached by an old enemy and dares not stay any longer. Or perhaps, he never had any good intentions from the beginning, and accepted the deposit from both of our families just to take the opportunity to abscond with the money."

"This person was originally a rogue cultivator, and his fickle nature and tendency to forget righteousness for personal gain are not surprising."

Shen Yuanheng said calmly.

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, clearly more inclined to believe this deduction.

"Now that Ge Jiuzhang is gone, what will happen to Lu Chi? We can't just let him stay peacefully in the market." Luo Wenshan still couldn't suppress his irritation.

Lu Chi's rising influence has become a source of constant anxiety for him. His talisman shop business has plummeted, and he's been summoned by the Luo family head for questioning countless times lately.

"This boy is indeed overly cautious. He has hardly left his house these days, and there has been no trace of him. The people we have placed outside the market have not even been able to touch the hem of his clothes."

Someone scoffed, "His behavior clearly shows he's relying on his connections with the Han family."

"This person is already a guest of the Han family, so it's best not to act rashly within the market."

Shen Yuanheng slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, but a faint sense of relaxation flashed in his eyes.

Ultimately, even if Lu Chi has some skill, all he can do is deal in the trade of talismans.

The Luo family rose to power through talismans, which naturally became a thorn in their side.

However, the Shen family's foothold in the market is based on the business of pills. No matter how much Lu Chi tries to cause trouble, he cannot affect the Shen family's foundation for the time being.

Thinking of this, Shen Yuanheng's expression softened somewhat, as if he were offering comfort, or perhaps just being perfunctory.

"Brother Luo, there's no need to be so angry. How much can a mere talisman master produce, even if he can draw talismans?"

One person's strength is ultimately limited. In the short term, he cannot shake the market's structure. Since things have changed, it's best to put this matter aside for now and deal with it gradually.

A cold glint flashed in Luo Wenshan's eyes.

That old fool from the Shen family makes it sound so easy. Lu Chi cut off the Luo family's financial lifeline, not the Shen family's foundation.

Now that the fire hasn't spread to him, he's naturally happy to say some platitudes that don't really matter.

Having reached this point in the discussion, both sides could only put the matter aside for the time being and plan for a future date.

However, neither the Luo family nor the Shen family ever truly gave up their desire for Lu Chi.

As far as the Luo family is concerned, Lu Chi's recent rise to prominence has genuinely impacted their talisman business, so they naturally cannot sit idly by.

As far as the Shen family is concerned, this young man is quite close to the Han family and has also offended them to their faces. They have already developed a grudge against each other, and there is no reason for them to let it go so easily.

Beyond these obvious reasons, what makes it even harder for the two families to let go is the mysterious and unexplained opportunity that Lu Chi possesses. Once this thought arises, it becomes all the more difficult for them to let go.