Chapter 58: Backing

Chapter 58: Backing

Returning to the inn.

For Lan Chang'an's final round of fencing stolen goods, he sold four more magical weapons, making a profit of over two hundred spirit stones.

Today's three trips to fence items totaled six to seven hundred spirit stones. Although it was a bit of a loss, it did save him quite a bit of trouble.

Lan Chang'an reverted to his original appearance and checked out of the inn room.

Passing by the shops in the commercial district, he kept an eye out for the raw materials needed for second-rank talismans.

The talisman paper, spirit ink, and talisman pens used for second-rank talismans were made from second-rank demonic beasts corresponding to the Foundation Establishment Realm, making them quite scarce.

...

Master Guan's stall was located on this street in the market district. Lan Chang'an took the opportunity to stop by and take a look.

"Senior Brother Lan."

The bright-eyed and fair-skinned young lady in a cheongsam dress had just completed a transaction with a customer.

Seeing the tranquil young man in a white robe, Guan Qiaozhi's eyes lit up and she cheerfully waved him over.

"Master Guan, how's business today?" Lan Chang'an approached the stall and examined the goods.

There were talisman papers, spirit inks, demonic beast furs and hides, talisman boos, as well as low to middle-grade talismans.

After arriving in Huanglong Immortal City, Lan Chang'an had shown some favor to Master Guan and his disciple.

He needed materials to draw talismans, so he would exchange those materials for relatively inexpensive talismans from Master Guan.

This was beneficial for both parties.

Master Guan's stall mainly sold entry-level talismans of decent quality. Although the profit margins were not high, it allowed him to expand his product range and enhance his reputation.

Over these past two years, the income from the stall had seen a slight increase.

As for Lan Chang'an, he obtained materials for drawing talismans while also gaining an additional sales channel for talismans.

It had to be said, Guan Qiaozhi was truly skilled with her dexterous hands. At such a young age, her talisman paper crafting skills were quite impressive, able to handle even premium talisman papers.

"Thanks to Talisman Master Lan's blessings, business has been good. In a few more years, we'll be firmly established in the inner city." The wrinkles on Master Guan's face eased as he smiled with gratification.

Although Lan Chang'an acknowledged him as an immortal guide, Master Guan did not regard himself as a senior, usually addressing Lan Chang'an as Talisman Master Lan instead.

"Qiaozhi's skills are truly impressive." Lan Chang'an selected a few premium talisman papers, quite satisfied with them.

"That's for sure! I've even helped the Puppet Master Sang next door with his puppets before. The puppet master praised my dexterity and said he would gift me a puppet dog in the future."

The sixteen-year-old Guan Qiaozhi had delicate and pretty features. As she spoke of her accomplishments, her eyes curved into crescents.

Over these past two years, she had gradually forgotten the fact that Lan Chang'an was even older than her own biological father. She had even developed a bit of trust and intimacy toward this new senior brother who had appeared out of nowhere.

Lan Chang'an inwardly lamented: Guan Qiaozhi had mediocre spiritual sense, otherwise her talents in dexterity would make her well-suited for either talisman drawing or becoming a puppet master.

As the two conversed, three male cultivators approached with an overbearing manner.

"Old man Guan! Why are you setting up your stall here again?" The cyan-robed cultivator in the lead, at the eighth layer of Qi-Refining, spoke with an unpleasant expression.

"Fellow Daoist Meng, there are no explicit rules prohibiting us from setting up stalls in this market district." Master Guan replied calmly despite some apprehension.

"The talismans you're selling are priced too low, violating the Talisman Alliance regulations. Either move your stall elsewhere or raise your prices to match the quality." The cyan-robed cultivator complained.

"Old man Guan, I advise you to know your place. While there may be no written rules for this stall area, there are unspoken rules here, and violators will not meet a good end."

"At your age, you can be stubborn, but you should think about your female disciple." The two cultivators behind the cyan-robed one issued veiled or explicit threats while purportedly offering advice.

Lan Chang’an didn’t just use his connections with Jin Yun Valley to help Master Guan. He also used them to assert himself in the Huanglong Immortal City. If anyone tried to mess with him, they would have to think twice.

This could help him filter out a lot of trouble.

If he had connections but kept them hidden until he ran into trouble, he could definitely use them to put on a show and humiliate people. However, he might also end up creating grudges and drag Zhao Siyao down with him.

That kind of irrational, immature behavior, Lan Chang'an naturally would not do.

After confirming that Lan Chang’an really did have connections with Jin Yun Valley, Master Guan's eyes flickered. He realized that he had underestimated Lan Chang’an.

“Talisman Master Lan, you’ve helped us solve a big problem. Please come to my humble abode tonight for a few drinks.” Master Guan invited him with a smile.

“Sure.” Lu Chang’an thought about how good Guan Qiaozhi was at cooking and felt his heart stir.

.....

The sun had just set.

Master Guan and his apprentice packed up their stall and headed back to Jinxiu Lane with Lan Chang'an.

They had just arrived at Master Guan's front door.

“Oh, Talisman Master Lan went out with Old Guan to set up his stall. Could it be that he has his eye on that little girl?” Su Xuetong, who lived in the house across the street, giggled coquettishly.

“Sister Su, you’re making fun of me again!” Guan Qiaozhi’s face blushed red, and she subconsciously glanced at Lan Chang'an.

Lan Chang'an shook his head with a smile and ignored her.

This female cultivator who lived alone next door was quite idle. She had no special skills, but she spent all day dressing up and looking beautiful. She often went out to spend money in the city, buying pretty magical robes, beauty-enhancing medicinal pills, and expensive spirit fruits, and occasionally she dined out at fancy spiritual banquets.

This woman seemed to have a lover!

A few times in the middle of the night, Lan Chang'an had noticed a burly man sneak into Su Xuetong’s house, only to leave again in the early hours of the morning.

That burly man was at the peak of the ninth layer of Qi-Refining and had a much higher level of spiritual power than most people of his cultivation base.

Lan Chang'an didn’t have any desire to pry into other people’s private lives, but he instinctively kept his guard up around Su Xuetong.

Guan Qiaozhi, embarrassed, ran to the back to cook.

Not long after, several delicious dishes were served, but the girl was still busy.

“My old bones can’t hold out for more than another decade," Master Guan sighed. “I wonder who will be so lucky as to have this sweet girl in the future.”

“Don’t say such unlucky things, Master Guan. There are plenty of legendary figures in the cultivation world who’ve only grown stronger with age.” Lan Chang’an didn’t respond to Guan Qiaozhi’s topic. This disappointed Master Guan a little.

“I’ll raise a toast first. May Master Guan’s immortal path be long and prosperous.”

“May your words come true.”

Master Guan drained his cup and glanced at the kitchen before lowering his voice. “Three years ago, Alchemist Du said he wanted Qiaozhi to be a maid at his manor... I didn’t agree!”

Lan Chang'an was shocked. Master Guan was being tactful; what he meant was that Du Wei wanted her to be his concubine!

Guan Qiaozhi had only been thirteen at the time. That Du Wei could speak such words—what a greedy, lecherous man!

....

That night, the two of them had mentioned Alchemist Du.

The next day, Lan Chang'an received an invitation from Du Wei.

He said he had taken a new concubine and invited Lan Chang'an to come to the Du Mansion to partake in the wedding feast three days hence.

(End of chapter)