Chapter 13 : Old He Returned

Chapter 13: Old He Returned

The next day.

In the Zhou Family’s main reception hall.

“Little friend Lin, could you draw a talisman on the spot to verify it?”

Seated at the main seat, Zhou Antai, dressed in a high-grade robe, had a kind and approachable smile without the slightest trace of arrogance.

Lin Chang’an knew this man; despite his kindly elder appearance, he had once witnessed his imposing presence during the pioneering days twenty years ago.

“Elder Zhou, I shall do my humble best.”

Lin Chang’an knew they wanted to assess his capabilities, which suited him just fine.

Only by displaying his talent in talisman crafting could he secure better terms.

Of course, he couldn’t show too much, or it would be suspicious—just enough talent would do.

Without delay, Lin Chang’an stepped to the prepared table, but did not begin immediately.

Instead, he closed his eyes to compose himself.

This scene did not bother Elder Zhou; instead, he gestured for the two young Zhou family cultivators in the room to observe closely.

Half an incense stick later, no one present showed impatience.

Just then, Lin Chang’an slowly opened his eyes, appearing to be in his peak state, and dipped his brush into the special cinnabar for drawing Golden Light Talismans.

Swish swish!

With his breath held and mind focused, Lin Chang’an’s eyes were serious and attentive, and his brush danced like a dragon and serpent across the talisman paper, his movements smooth and flowing.

This sight made Zhou Antai nod silently in approval.

After a while.

Eight Golden Light Talismans shimmered with spiritual light, especially two of them, whose glow was notably stronger.

“Excellent, little friend Lin’s craftsmanship is indeed remarkable.”

Elder Zhou could not help but praise him.

Lin Chang’an accepted the towel handed over by the two young cultivators, wiped the sweat from his forehead brought on by mental exertion, and humbly cupped his hands.

“It’s all thanks to this fine talisman brush and cinnabar, otherwise I couldn’t have produced two high-quality first-grade Golden Light Talismans.”

Lin Chang’an was not being falsely modest—Zhou’s provided tools were indeed superior to his own.

“I do not care much for pleasantries,” Zhou said, “The Zhou Family can provide you with the crafting legacy for mid-grade first-level Golden Light Talismans, and if your skills improve, we even have the upper-grade inheritance.”

“But you must supply a set number of mid-grade talismans annually, and train one or two juniors for us…”

Lin Chang’an thought to himself—truly worthy of being a Foundation Establishment clan in the marketplace, the Zhou Family’s terms were quite reasonable.

They offered the mid-grade talisman crafting method and cultivation resources every month.

He only needed to deliver a set number of talismans yearly and help train a couple of juniors with poor aptitude focused on talisman crafting.

To put it plainly, the Zhou Family was paying him in advance; he would be working a long-term job for them.

“Elder Zhou, isn’t fifteen years a bit too long? I am already over forty…”

“A minimum of ten years. Remember, we are also providing a cultivation site with abundant spiritual energy, and we cover all crafting materials.”

“Elder Zhou, could we reduce the annual talisman quota by twenty percent? I’m willing to mentor two juniors instead…”

Lin Chang’an haggled symbolically, though inwardly he was thrilled.

After all, the Zhou Family would be providing the materials, allowing him to maintain peak condition at all times.

In other words, using their materials to craft talismans, anything beyond the quota would be his profit.

He would even have the Zhou Family as a backer.

After discussing terms, both Lin Chang’an and Elder Zhou wore satisfied smiles.

“From now on, we’ll be relying on Talisman Master Lin.”

“You flatter me—I shall do my utmost in teaching and guidance.”

Aside from the smaller quota for the first half-year, everything else aligned with the agreement.

As promised, he would earnestly train talisman masters for the Zhou Family.

The Zhou Family, being so large, had many members with inferior spiritual roots who would likely remain stuck in early Qi Refining for life.

Beyond internal affairs, they would learn a craft to continue serving the family.

After all, inferior roots were even worse than his own low-grade roots.

…

“A low-grade robe… I didn’t expect to get one so soon.”

Escorted out personally by Erniu, Lin Chang’an looked at his new robe and patted it in satisfaction.

It felt smooth to the touch, and was more than just aesthetically pleasing and dust-resistant—it had actual defensive properties.

In the mortal world, this would be a golden silk soft armor, impervious to blades, bullets, water, and fire.

“No wonder mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators could crush those at the early stage.”

Lin Chang’an sighed deeply; the gap between early and mid Qi Refining wasn’t just in mana and spells, but also in magic tools.

Many early-stage cultivators didn’t even have a single low-quality artifact, often relying on mortal weapons.

Yet these weapons couldn’t even scratch a low-grade robe.

“They even assign cultivation grounds… If only I had broken through in talisman crafting sooner, I wouldn’t have had to wait until forty to reach the fourth level.”

Though he sighed, Lin Chang’an was beaming as he hurried home.

He needed to pack—he was moving.

As for the conscripted labor tax, under the Zhou Family’s protection, he only had to pay half.

Indeed, as the ancestors said, leaning on a big tree provided shade.

…

“Bang bang!”

Just as he returned home to pack, someone knocked on the door.

“Old He?”

After being missing for over two months, Old He reappeared, his face more haggard, yet glowing with vitality.

When Lin Chang’an opened the door, Old He grinned wide.

But Lin Chang’an keenly noticed that Old He was missing four fingers on his left hand, seemingly bitten off by a demon beast.

“Brat Lin, I truly owe my life to your Golden Light Talismans—otherwise, this old man might not have made it back.”

Old He didn’t bother hiding his injured left hand and instead bared his yellowed, broken teeth in a grin.

“You brat, show respect to your Uncle Lin.”

From behind Old He stepped out a handsome youth in fine clothes—He Yan.

His usual humble smile now seemed a bit perfunctory.

But Lin Chang’an also noticed sharply that He Yan was wearing a robe as well.

“Uncle Lin.”

Before Lin Chang’an could ponder more, Old He’s grin grew even wider.

“This brat was lucky—not only did the royal Wang Family take notice of him, he also passed the entrance exam for Lihuo Palace.”

No wonder, Lin Chang’an realized, and looking at He Yan’s expression, it was pure youthful arrogance.

“That’s quite the good fortune, Old He.”

Never one to slap a smiling face, Lin Chang’an offered congratulations with a smile.

Old He beamed with pride and began to boast.

“Grandpa.”

Clearly, now that He Yan had joined the Wang Family and become an outer disciple of Lihuo Palace, his attitude had changed.

In his eyes, this place was no longer a quagmire, and he didn’t want to associate with these muddy folks.

Old He looked awkward, but then he spotted Lin Chang’an’s robe and revealed a stunned expression.

“Brat Lin, is that from the Zhou Family!?”

Zhou Family’s robes carried distinct markings signifying affiliation.

With his sharp eyes, Old He noticed immediately, and Lin Chang’an nodded with a smile.

“Yes, the mid-grade first-level talisman legacy is hard to come by—only big families have it.”

That made things clear—he had joined the Zhou Family.

“I see, congratulations then. Oh, here’s the spirit stones for the previous Golden Light Talismans.”

Old He congratulated him with a broad smile and took two spirit stones and a Swift Talisman from his chest pocket.

He was clearly not yet used to using his left hand.

“This is nothing compared to Little Yan joining Lihuo Palace—his future is bright.”

Hearing Lin Chang’an praise his grandson, Old He couldn’t stop grinning.

This had been his lifelong wish.

After exchanging congratulations, Old He eagerly left to brag to the neighbors.

“This old guy is still so stingy.”

Lin Chang’an shook his head with a smile.

But when he was putting away the spirit stones and saw the Swift Talisman, his eyes narrowed.

“What’s this!?”

On the talisman were several tiny hairs and faint bloodstains.

“This is the fur of a Black Wind Wolf cub.”

Lin Chang’an muttered to himself.

Old He truly had guts—he must’ve discovered a wolf’s den on the sly.

No wonder he looked so radiant despite his injuries.

Just that cub alone was enough for Old He to retire on.

While feeling envious, Lin Chang’an also sighed.

Everyone had their own fortunes, and his wasn’t bad either.

As for He Yan, the youth with a mid-grade spiritual root?

In the past, he might have envied such a start.

But now he had a bright future ahead, and wouldn’t let others affect his mood so easily.

The road ahead was long.

The forty years he had lived so far were merely the wind and snow on the path behind him.