Chapter 13: Qin Wuji

Although Li Guanxuan did his best to suppress his excitement, Zheng Huangjin saw right through him. It was only natural—any cultivator at the fourth layer of Qi Refinement holding two thousand six hundred lower-grade spirit stones would be unable to contain a certain thrill.

"Fellow Daoist, don't forget your cultivation in the midst of drawing talismans. Your progress in the Dao is fundamental... By the way, you could also try crafting some genuine first-grade superior talismans. Those are even more profitable than protective and explosive talismans," Zheng Huangjin reminded him with a smile.

He sincerely hoped Li Guanxuan would advance in his cultivation. If Li Guanxuan could become a second-tier talisman master, given their relationship, it would only bring him greater profits. As a businessman, Zheng Huangjin had already invested in no fewer than ten cultivators with special skills. Yet, it was rare to see someone as peculiar as Li Guanxuan, so focused on protective and explosive talismans.

Li Guanxuan sighed and shook his head. "If someone had hair, who would choose to be bald? It's just necessity—I can only start with the simple talismans, earn some spirit stones, and move forward."

He understood well enough that relying on low-level talismans would hinder his advancement as a talisman master. Yet, his golden finger had only arrived "by accident" two years ago. If he wanted to improve his cultivation and move out of the dangerous slum district, the only option was to paint easy talismans for now. If ice and flame talismans weren’t so cheap, he would have started with those long ago.

Besides, no one knew better than Wen Rongxin how diligently he cultivated.

However...

After breaking through to the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, Li Guanxuan clearly felt that simply relying on Wen Rongxin’s support was no longer nearly enough to progress. Did this mean he’d have to take a concubine?

He also thought of his skills in alchemy. By rights, a golden finger should be quite comprehensive—it couldn’t just improve his talisman skills and leave the rest aside. After all, the velvet-flower spirit tree’s other name was... hehuan, or "delight."

The founder of Joyous Mountain had failed to gain the tree’s recognition, likely because he’d chosen too many cauldrons, without fostering any genuine emotional connection...

At this, Li Guanxuan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly at his own craftsmanship. Fortunately, he’d had plenty of chances in the past to "show off" his hands, or else he wouldn’t have won the spirit tree’s favor.

Clearly, the kind of behavior where one "buys a ticket after boarding the carriage," such as dallying in brothels, would never yield pure energy. Only when true goodwill was established and the connection deepened would it have any effect.

It seemed he really would have to take a concubine... Thinking of the days ahead, escaping the wolf’s den only to enter the tiger’s lair, Li Guanxuan couldn’t help rubbing his waist, sighing inwardly that when a man gains wealth, he turns wicked. But not him—he was doing this for his cultivation.

He asked, "How’s the matter of the house coming along?"

Zheng Huangjin smiled. "I’ve found you an outer city residence, a pretty nice spot with seven rooms in total, not too far from the East Market—close enough to draw in plenty of first-grade spiritual energy, but the annual rent is one hundred fifty lower-grade spirit stones."

One hundred fifty spirit stones a year was still acceptable, and besides, he could ask Old Chen if he wanted to share the place...

Li Guanxuan considered it, then said, "I’ll give you an answer later."

"No problem," Zheng Huangjin replied with a smile, glancing outside. "That fellow, for all his roughness, is actually quite loyal—worth befriending."

As a businessman, his eye for people was sharp. Since he’d chosen to invest in Li Guanxuan, he naturally had to keep an eye on those around him as well.

"We’ve been friends for over twenty years—been through a lot together," Li Guanxuan said, taking out ten lower-grade spirit stones and placing them on the table, payment for Zheng Huangjin’s help in finding the house.

Zheng Huangjin was momentarily surprised, but then accepted with pleasure.

After buying a good supply of talisman materials, Li Guanxuan finally left the private room and told Chen Yinshan about the outer city residence.

"One hundred fifty lower-grade spirit stones..." Chen Yinshan hesitated. If they split the rent, it would be seventy-five spirit stones a year each. But cultivators usually rented for a minimum of five years, so he’d have to pay at least three hundred seventy-five spirit stones up front.

"I’ll cover five hundred fifty, you only need to pay two hundred. I’ll be setting up some cultivation rooms and such..." Li Guanxuan knew what was on his mind and assured him, "Don’t worry. You’ll earn back those two hundred spirit stones in a year just by cultivating there. Besides, you often go out gathering herbs or hunting beasts—in the time you’re away, I’ll pay the rent."

"Doesn’t that mean I’m getting the better end of the deal?" Chen Yinshan’s rough face showed a rare hint of embarrassment.

"I’ve taken advantage of you plenty in the past," Li Guanxuan laughed. "Every time you went out, I had you bring back materials, and I never even paid you a runner’s fee... Enough, we’re grown men—no need to fuss over these things. Friends help each other. Your day will come too."

"Alright, I won’t act like a fussy woman," Chen Yinshan said with a hearty laugh, handing Li Guanxuan a pouch of spirit stones. "Here’s your share of the profits."

Li Guanxuan accepted the pouch, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a familiar black-clad figure.

"Her?" he thought in surprise.

It was the swordswoman who had saved his life that night.

Except...

This swordswoman seemed to have a fondness for disguising herself as a man; at this moment, she had arrived at Myriad Phenomena Pavilion in male attire.

She had just finished her shopping and, turning around, spotted Li Guanxuan. Suddenly remembering that she’d revealed her true face to him before, she narrowed her fox-like eyes and walked over.

Li Guanxuan’s heart tensed, but his expression remained as calm as ever. Since advancing to mid-stage Qi Refinement, he could sense that this swordswoman’s cultivation was at the sixth layer.

"It’s you..." The woman, now disguised as a handsome young man, approached Li Guanxuan with a bright, teasing smile. "Do you often come to Myriad Phenomena Pavilion? No wonder you got targeted by robbers."

Chen Yinshan noticed the "man" and paused in surprise.

Li Guanxuan played along, not exposing her. He replied, "I come by occasionally. That day, I just had a run of bad luck."

"How’s your eye for magical items? I need to buy an artifact—care to help me pick one out?" she asked.

"To be honest, my judgment isn’t that great. There are times I can’t see things clearly, especially at night," he replied.

"Oh? I see," the woman said, her face breaking into a knowing, mischievous smile. "My name is Qin Wuji. And you?"

"Li Guanxuan."

"In the future, I might need a favor from you. Since I saved your life, would you help me? Don’t worry, it’s nothing difficult."

"If it’s within my abilities, I will certainly help," Li Guanxuan answered solemnly. She had saved his life, and he owed her that much.

"Then we’ll speak of it another time," said the cultivator named "Qin Wuji" with a smile, before turning and leaving.

Li Guanxuan could only feel a hint of helplessness.

It seemed he would have to be much more cautious in the future, lest he get drawn into further trouble...

This person, disguised as a man and walking around incognito, was likely involved in some secretive business. If they crossed paths again, it would be best to take a detour and avoid her entirely.