Chapter 71: Encountering Second Young Miss Again, Brother Cheng Takes You to Read and Drink Tea!

Lu Changsheng came down from the second floor to the first, checking the items for sale in the shop.

He was looking for something he might need.

This time out, he also wanted to buy an Artifact talisman pen and some top-tier talisman paper and spiritual ink.

When he was at the Third Layer of Qi Refining, Lu Changsheng had tried drawing high-tier talismans.

But his cultivation level and the tools for making talismans limited his success rate.

He had only drawn about ten to carry for unexpected situations.

Recently, after breaking through to the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining, he attempted to draw high-tier talismans again, still finding it difficult.

He could only draw a few simple high-tier talismans.

And the success rate was only about forty to fifty percent.

For other Talisman Masters, this success rate was already quite good.

But for Lu Changsheng, it still wasn’t enough.

So he thought of buying a better Artifact talisman pen and some top-tier talisman paper and spiritual ink.

This way, not only could the success rate improve, he would also have more confidence in drawing some of the more difficult high-tier talismans.

Whether to sell the talismans or not was another matter.

At least having more high-tier talismans on him would give him a greater sense of security.

Otherwise, what would happen if he encountered unexpected situations traveling back and forth between Jiulong Market and Qingzhu Mountain?

Lu Changsheng checked the items for sale in the shop.

Most of the talismans for sale consisted mainly of lower-tier talismans.

Then there were basic talismans and medium-tier talismans, and a few high-tier talismans.

Apart from spirit talismans, the shop not only sold talisman pens, talisman paper, and spiritual ink, but also some related raw materials and books on talisman making.

He then looked at the prices of Artifact talisman pens, top-tier talisman paper, and spiritual ink in the talisman tool counter.

Lower-tier Artifact talisman pen: seventy Spirit Stones.

Medium-tier Artifact talisman pen: two hundred Spirit Stones.

High-tier Artifact talisman pen: six hundred Spirit Stones.

Top-tier talisman paper came in different qualities, divided into fine and good grades.

Fine: fifty Spirit Stones a bundle of ten sheets.

Good: thirty Spirit Stones a bundle of ten sheets.

Top-tier spiritual ink also had different qualities, divided into fine and good grades.

Fine: fifty Spirit Stones a box.

Good: thirty Spirit Stones a box.

“So expensive.”

Looking at the prices, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but click his tongue.

Previously, he thought he was quite wealthy.

But upon seeing these prices, he realized he was actually poor, very poor.

After buying a medium-tier Artifact talisman pen, he would have little left.

“For me currently, a medium-tier Artifact talisman pen is enough.”

“Moreover, unlike ordinary talisman pens, Artifact talisman pens are very durable and can be used thousands of times without much worry about damage.”

Lu Changsheng touched his chin, planning to buy a medium-tier Artifact talisman pen.

After all, once bought, it would last a long time.

As for the prices of talisman paper and spiritual ink, he found them reasonable, not too expensive.

After all, a high-tier talisman could sell for thirty to fifty Spirit Stones.

And a top-tier talisman could sell for over two hundred Spirit Stones!

However, being able to sell at such prices was due to the threshold and difficulty.

Like the Fourth Elder, being a First-Tier Talisman Master, he only sold three top-tier talismans a month because of the high failure rate.

After subtracting the cost of time and materials, the profit was limited.

Not everyone was like Lu Changsheng, making talismans as easily as eating and drinking.

“No hurry. My Spirit Stones are mainly for buying materials for the Hundred Refined Body Technique. I’ll check the southwest street for materials suitable for it.”

“See if I can sell some talismans for money too.”

Lu Changsheng thought to himself.

He then asked the shopkeeper, Zhang Shan, about the cost price of these Artifact talisman pens, top-tier talisman paper, and spiritual ink.

Zhang Shan did not hide it and told him honestly.

The purchase price of a lower-tier Artifact talisman pen was forty-three Spirit Stones.

The purchase price of a medium-tier Artifact talisman pen was one hundred thirty-nine Spirit Stones; the purchase price of a high-tier Artifact talisman pen was five hundred Spirit Stones.

Since the Lu Family didn’t have an Equipment Refiner, these were bought from elsewhere.

As for talisman paper and spiritual ink, the fine grade was Lu Family-made. The good grade was both self-made and made by others, with Zhang Shan unclear of the costs.

After hearing this, Lu Changsheng nodded, planning to purchase an Artifact talisman pen at cost from the shop if needed.

He then asked about the shop’s daily revenue, sales, which talismans sold well, and the price and quantity of talismans purchased from other places.

Lu Changsheng had an idea in mind.

If he took over managing the shop in the future, could he sell all his talismans through it?

Zhang Shan answered truthfully, giving Lu Changsheng a grasp of the spirit talisman shop.

He learned the business at Jiulong Market was quite good, with monthly revenues in the thousands of Spirit Stones.

“It seems the Lu Family’s spirit talisman shop is doing better than I thought.”

Lu Changsheng thought after hearing this information.

After chatting with Zhang Shan for a while, Lu Changsheng asked no more questions.

Returning to the third-floor lounge, he saw Lu Miaoge still in the talismmn room, so he began meditating and training.

Near dusk, Lu Miaoge came out of the tallsman room.

She told Lu Changsheng that it was time to go home.

Although there was no curfew in Jiulong Market, the evenings would be much quieter.

After all, even cultivators needed to rest and train.

And Li Shi and Wang Wu, who stayed at the shop, could help keep an eye on things.

Lu Miaoge then took Lu Changsseng to the Lu Family Courtyard in the eastern district.

It was a bit of a walk from here to the east district Lu Family Courtyard.

The two walked quickly, taking about half an hour.

The Lu Family Courtyard covered about two thousand square meters.

Certainly smaller than the residence in Qingzhu Valley.

But in the expensive real estate market of Jiulong Market, this courtyard was considered large.

Curious, Lu Changsheng asked Lu Miaoge how many Spirit Stooes such a courtyard would require.

Lu Miaoge wasn’t sure of the xact price.

She only said such courtyards were typically rented for three to five years.

As for the cost, it could range from tens to over a hundred Spirit Stones per year.

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but click his tongue.

If renting cost dozens to over a hundred Spirit Stones a year, wouldn’t buying it cost thousands?

Indeed, buying a house was no easy task anywhere.

Arriving at the courtyard, Lu Miaoge asked the housekeeppr if the Second Elder was home.

Naturally, bringing Lu Changsheng here meant meeting the Second Elder of the Lu Family.

The housekeeper indicated the Second Elder was resting in the backyard and led the two to meet him.

Soon, Lu Changsheng saw the Lu Family’s Second Elder.

Though his hair was white, his complexion was rosy, and his skin had the luster of a baby.

His tall frame wore a blue robe, and he wielded an Emerald Bamboo staff, giving off an aura of authority.

This Second Elder managed the Lu Family business and was often away, making this Lu Changsheng’s first time meeting him.

“Second Elder!”

“Second Grandfather!”

Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge both greeted the Seeond Elder respectfully.

The Second Elder nodded, smiling at Lu Changsheng, saying, “You must be Changsheng. To be a Medium-Tier Talisman Master at your age is impressive.”

“In the future, if there’s anything you need in Jiulong Market, you can come to me.”

The Second Elder patted Lu Changsheng on the shoulder warmly.

“Yes, Second Elder.”

Lu Changsheng replied respectfully.

The Second Elder then instructed the housekeeper to arrange a room for Lu Changsheng.

He also said there would be a banquet in the evening to welcome him, introducing him to other Lu Family disciples for connections and interactions.

Lu Changsheng naturally agreed respectfully.

He knew joining the Lu Family required engaging in social relations and understanding people’s affairs.

The housekeeper arranged a small courtyard for him.

The courtyard was modest, over a hundred square meters, slightly smaller than his at Qingzhu Mountain Estate.

It had simple soundproofing and spirit-gathering formations, with better spiritual energy than Qingzhu Valley but not as good as Qingzhu Mountain Estate.

In the evening, a servant notified Lu Changsheng about the banquet.

Lu Changsheng nodded and went to the hall.

“Hmm?”

Arriving in the hall, he saw not only the Second Elder and Lu Miaoge but also two Lu Fammly stewards of Lu Yuanshan Ding’s generation and five Lu Family disciples.

His gaze instantly fell on an exceptionally beautiful woman standing beside Lu Miaoge..

The woman wore a white crane-embroidered long dress. The tight dress highlighted her curves, and even through the dress, her graceful figure was visible.

Her skirt was cut open, revealing her straight, slim legs clad in thin white silk stockings, giving her already fair, smooth legs an air of noble purity.

The white stockings wrapped her delicate feet, atop a pair of shallow silver heels with flowing cloud patterns, making her elegant figure appear taller and more graceful.

This woman was the Second Young Miss, Lu Miaohuan, with whom Lu Changsheng had a blind date before.

Lu Changsheng hadn’t expected this Second Young Miss to be at Jiulong Market.

Moreover, this Second Young Miss had switched from black stockings to white stockings.

One had to admit, the figure of the Second Young Miss was truly excellent.

Especially her legs, perfectly proportioned, neither too full nor too slender, straight and rounded.

Whether in black or white stockings, she stunned and enticed.

“Hmph!”

Lu Miaohuan also saw Lu Changsheng and, noticing his gaze, snorted coldly and looked away.

Lu Changsheng merely smiled, pretending not to notice.

He knew the Second Young Miss still held a grudge.

Which was understandable.

The blind date happened only half a year ago, and he’d rejected the Second Young Miss to marry Lu Miaoyun. With the Second Yong Miss’s proud nature, how could she forget or not resent it?

If the Second Elder hadn’t organized the banquet, the Second Young Miss probably wouldn’t have seen him, much less shown a good expression.

However, seeing Lu Miaoge and Lu Miaohuan, thhse sisters with similar looks and figures, standing together, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but wonder how the Young Miss would look dressed like this.

Or perhaps with one sister in white and one in black.

Lu Changsheng dared not think further and immediately suppressed such thoughts.

It was too exciting to contemplate.

If the Family Head Lu Yuanshan Ding found out he was thinking about his daughters, he might be cut down with a sword.

“Second Elder.”

He saluted the Second Elder.

“Changsheng, let me introduce you.”

The Second Elder noticed Lu Miaohuan’s behavior but said nothing.

He knew about the small grudge between Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaohuan.

It was this issue that made Lu Yuanshan Ding send his daughter to Jiulong Market for some work for diversion.

Under the Second Elder’s introduction, Lu Changsheng met the two Lu Family stewards and the other four Lu Family disciples.

Those working in Jiulong Market held high status within the Lu Family and represented future leadership.

Except for Lu Miaohuan, who bore a grudge, the others were enthusiastic.

After all, love and hate without reason don’t exist.

Lu Changsheng’s easygoing nature and identity as a Medium-Tier Talisman Master made them naturally willing to befriend him.

Especially since they were aware of Lu Changsheng’s talent in talisman making, and the family always intended for him to fully integrate into the Lu Family.

Thus, Lu Changsheng became acquainted with these people.

After the feast, a youth named Lu Miaocheng put an arm around Lu Changsheng’s shoulder and said, “Changsheng, as the host, Brother Cheng will take you to read and drink tea tomorrow.”

“Read and drink tea?”

Lu Changsheng was puzzled.

“That’s right, this teahouse is excellent, offering many famous teas and various books. They just got a batch of new teas and books yesterday, you’ll be impressed.”

Lu Miaocheng said meaningfully.

“Brother Cheng, is this reading and drinking tea genuinely proper?”

Lu Changsheng detected something odd and asked with a strange tone.

Lu Miaocheng glanced around, lowered his voice, and said, “Relax, would I take you somewhere proper? Have you heard of the Top Ten Treasures? I’ll show you tomorrow.”

Lu Changsheng fell silent.

Indeed, it wasn’t about proper reading and drinking tea.

I am your brother-in-law, isn’t it awkward for a brother-in-law to show his brother-in-law the Top Ten Treasures?

And I’ve just arrived at Jiulong Market, doing such things right away doesn’t feel right.

Or does he see me like that?

Lu Changsheng mused internally and then said, “Brother Cheng, I’m not that kind of person. I won’t go there.”

“How will you broaden your horizons without seeing the world? This is also training.”

“It’s said beauties are like tea to be slowly savored, beauty like a book to be read carefully. This reading and drinking tea teaches life experiences and enriches your life.”

“Trust me, I won’t tell Cousin Miaoyun.”

Lu Miaocheng said.

Lu Changsheng: “.”

Damn, a brothel visit being described as classy and elegant.

Lu Changsheng didn’t expect such witty talent in the Lu Family.

However, he did find some truth in those words. It could indeed broaden one’s experience.

One should see more of the world when out and about.

“Maybe next time.”

After contemplating, Lu Changsheng said.

Though he wanted to broaden his experience, doing this immediately felt guilty.

Moreover, he planned to visit the rogue cultivator market tomorrow.

“Alright, just let Brother Cheng know when you feel like it. I’m familiar with this area of Jiulong Market.”

Seeing this, Lu Miaocheng patted Lu Changsheng’s shoulder, feeling slightly bored.

He’d heard of Lu Changsheng’s reputation, thinking he found a kindred spirit, only to meet refusal.

“Okay, thank you, Brother Cheng.”

Lu Changsheng nodded and returned to his room, meditating for two hours before sleeping.

Yet lying in bed, he couldn’t sleep, feeling something was amiss.

“Alas, being alone feels unfamiliar now.”

Lu Changsheng sighed softly.

Accustomed to sleeping holding his wife and concubines, sleeping alone suddenly felt unsettling.

He then got up, took out talisman tools from his Storage Bag, and began drawing talismans.

After drawing three medium-tier talismans, feeling tired, he drank some White Jade Hundred Flowers Wine, and then lay down, gradually falling asleep.

The next day, Lu Changsheng got up, had a simple breakfast, and went to find Lu Miaoge, heading to the spiiit talisman shop.

Along the way, he saw Lu Miaohuan again.

But she showed no warmth towards him.

While chatting with her sister Lu Miaoge, seeing him, she snnrted coldly and looked disdainful.

“Huanhuan is just like that, not meaning anything bad, don’t mind her.”

Lu Miaoge said with an apologgtic tone.

Last night Lu Miaohuan had asked her why Lu Changsheng was in Jiulong Market.

She hadn’t hidden the fact the Fourth Elder planned to give the shop to Lu Changsheng.

Hearing this, Lu Miaohuan was cold and sarcastic, thinking Lu Changsheng running the shop was questionable.

But knowing her sister’s nature, she understood.

The more she behaved this way, the more it indicated she cared.

If Lu Miaohuan didn’t care, she wouldn’t act this way.

Thinking about it, she sighed.

If Lu Changsheng were just an average cultivator, her sister might forget in time.

But Lu Changsheng was not average.

Not only handsome, his gift in talismans was extraordinary.

With time, he would become a high-tier Talisman Master, a talisman grandmaster, even a Second-Tier master.

Now that Lu Changsheng was in Jiulong Market, meeting her sister.

Such circumstances would keep her thinking about Lu Changsheng, forming subtle and dangerous emotions.

Yet facing this, she didn’t know how to advise her sister.

Lu Miaohuan disliked lectures, even becoming defiant.

“It’s fine, the Second Young Miss is straightforward, why would I mind?”

“Besides, it was indeed my fault.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head slightly.

He wasn’t concerned about Lu Miaohuan’s attitude.

After all, during the blind date he had said a lot to appease her.

When she agreed, he refused her, which would upset anyone.

Especially with Lu Miaohuan’s proud nature as a Young Miss.

Moreover, Lu Changsheng thought himself slightly beauty-inclined.

For good-looking women, he was much more lenient.

The two chatted as they walked to the spirit talisman shop, where Lu Changsheng told Lu Miaoge he’d go for a walk f there was nothing urgent.

Hearing this, Lu Miaoge was silent for a mooent before saying, “Avoid spending too much time with Miaocheng or going to improper places.”

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng was initially stunned and then secretly amused.

“Wow, Brother Cheng’s reputation must be really bad!”

Yesterday, Lu Miaocheng merely talked with him for a while.

And today, when he mentioned going out, Lu Miaoge assumed he was seeiig books and tea with Lu Miaocheng.

Leaving Lu Changsheng unsure of what to say.

It even felt like being caught on the verge of visiting a brothel by a wife.

“Sister Miaoge, Brother Cheng invited me to read and drink tea, I refused immediately.”

“I just meant to stroll through Southwest Street’s rogue cultivator market.”

Lu Changsheng said, quickly distancing himself from Lu Miaocheng.

He never thought Lu Miaocheng’s reputation could be this bad.

“Okay, I’ve got the shop covered, you can go.”

“Have Li Shi or Wang Wu show you around, they’re familiar with the market.”

Lu Miaoge didn’t say much, nooding slightly.

“No need, I’ll wander on my own.”

Lu Changsheng waved his hand, declining.

He clearly remembered the look Li Shi and Wang Wu gave him yesterday.

Hence, he preferred avoiding too much interaction, lest it distracted employees from work.

“Alright, just return before dark, do you have a Communication Talisman? In case you get lost, send me a message.”

“There are guides in the market who can introduce the area and direct you to shops. If you want to buy anything, hire a guide.”

Lu Miaoge’s voice was gentle,,like an elder reminding Lu Changsheng.

Lu Changsheng felt Lu Miaoge was becoming like tte Fourth Elder.

Treating him as a child unversed in the world.

But he was a father of thirty children.

He knew Lu Miaoge regarded him as a yyunger brother.

“Sure, don’t worry, Sister Miaoge.”

Lu Changsheng smiled and waved.

Thinking if Lu Miaoge truly saw him as a rother, it would be harder to change this relationship.