Peddling talismans

After spending this time together, Lin Yu had discovered... although Qin Siyu's initial cowardly behavior was an imitation of Li Nian and a performance, in reality...

She was able to become friends with Li Nian because she did have many things in common with Li Nian.

Just like how she so naturally chose "stealing" as the first option to solve the problem, Lin Yu could easily imagine that this little girl and Li Nian must have a lot in common.

These two are birds of a feather, in cahoots, and a den of snakes and rats.

Although Lin Yu didn't have a strong Moral Concepts, he never hesitated to steal when it came to the need to do so...

However, in most cases, Lin Yu would not choose this way of solving the problem.

Stealing always carries the risk of being caught—in the absence of risk, it's tantamount to unnecessarily increasing the risk to oneself.

Especially since Qin Siyu had just mentioned how many experts lived in Martial Town.

If a righteous and righteous expert were to catch Qin Siyu stealing, it would be a case of more harm than good.

Especially since... travel expenses aren't exactly hard to come by.

"Senior, since you don't intend for me to do it... how are we going to scrape together the money for tonight's lodging?"

As Qin Siyu spoke, Lin Yu pondered for a moment before speaking.

"That's easy—just take me to a pawnshop first."

As Lin Yu spoke, Qin Siyu was slightly surprised. "Senior, are you going to pawn something? That's not necessary—why don't I do it?"

Lin Yu was once again amazed by Qin Siyu's thought process.

This little girl... is really quite interesting.

In her view, is "pawning" less acceptable than "stealing"?

Lin Yu shook his head.

"Don't worry, I don't want to pawn it."

As Lin Yu spoke, Qin Siyu remained skeptical, but still led Lin Yu into the Martial Town.

Although Qin Siyu's face was half-covered and she was dressed in what looked like night clothes, such attire was not unusual in Martial Town. After all, there were many people who practiced Qimen Martial Arts, and people from all over the country would come here... So, in terms of attire, Qin Siyu's outfit was not really strange.

On the contrary, Lin Yu's handsome face was exposed, attracting a lot of attention.

However... in the Prison Mountain Realm, although Lin Yu has a deep foundation due to his relationship with "Yun Jushi", his reputation is indeed not prominent.

So even if he walked down the street so casually, no one would recognize him.

Soon...

Qin Siyu then led Lin Yu to the front of a pawnshop.

The sign for "Jincheng Pawnshop" stood at the entrance, and the dense clattering of abacus beads could be heard from inside, with people constantly going in and out.

Lin Yu led Qin Siyu in with a swagger, and a waiter immediately came to greet them.

"Gentlemen, will you pawn it or redeem it?"

Lin Yu looked at the enthusiastic waiter and spoke calmly.

"When."

As he spoke, he took out a stack of Talisman Paper from his pocket.

"Do you accept high-grade Talismans?"

The shopkeeper's expression changed slightly when he saw the Talismans Lin Yu took out.

"Sir," he hesitated slightly in addressing Lin Yu, unsure whether Lin Yu was truly a member of the Daoist Sect, "I cannot make the decision. Please wait while I call our manager."

He turned and jogged away. A moment later, a man with a mustache, wearing a dark blue brocade robe and a cloth hat, also strode out from behind the hall.

Seeing the thick Talismans in Lin Yu's hand, the manager of Jincheng Pawnshop took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his hands, quickly walked to Lin Yu's side, and bowed, saying, "Sir, may I ask where you studied under? Are you a Daoist priest from which Daoist Sect?"

Lin Yu said calmly, "Why should I be allowed to investigate my background and lineage like a mere object? Don't you trust me that much?"

Hearing Lin Yu's words, the shopkeeper had already made a fairly accurate assessment of the man's identity. He quickly smiled obsequiously and said, "I had no such intention. You are an honored guest... However, these Daoist Sect Talismans are not something that can be sold so easily!"

"The highest-grade elixirs and Talismans of Orthodoxy Daoist Sect are not sold to the public by any major Daoist Sect, nor are they permitted to be traded by merchants..."

"If your Talismans is truly of superior quality, we... are afraid we cannot accept it!"

"This is also for your own good—if your sect finds out about this, it might cause you trouble."

As the shopkeeper spoke, Lin Yu interjected, "You don't need to worry about that. I'm not a member of the Daoist Sect... This Talismans was a gift from a friend in my Daoist Sect."

He also said I could take it and sell it as I pleased.

As Lin Yu spoke, the shopkeeper quickly interjected, "Sir, even if you say so... we still can't accept it!"

"But since you've come here to pawn Talismans, it means you might be in a real hurry for money—why don't you move to the back room? Our Jincheng Pawnshop has other ways to solve your immediate problem."

The shopkeeper gestured for them to proceed.

Lin Yu nodded slightly and glanced at Qin Siyu.

Let's go.

Qin Siyu quickly followed—the two followed the shopkeeper around the screen in the main hall, through a corridor, and arrived at the back room of the pawnshop.

There are many private rooms here, clearly reserved for important guests.

The innkeeper led the two to one of the private rooms, had a waiter guide them to a table, and then personally brought them a pot of tea before sitting down on the other side of the table.

"Master Daoist... we absolutely cannot buy or sell the Talismans you possess. This is a rule established by all Daoist Sect in the Two Mountains and Six Hells, said to be 'the personal words of the Dao Ancestor,' and cannot be violated," the shopkeeper said sincerely. "If we were to complete this transaction, not only would our pawnshop be in trouble, but you would also likely... be in trouble."

Upon hearing the shopkeeper's words, Lin Yu gently tapped the table with his fingers.

"But you just said earlier that you have a way to solve my problem of lacking money."

The shopkeeper nodded. "Of course—the fact that you can produce so many Talismans naturally indicates that you yourself are a highly skilled Daoist Sect master. You must have encountered some unexpected event during your training and demon-slaying journey, which is why you've exhausted your wealth..."

"It is our honor to have the opportunity to sponsor a Daoist Sect master like yourself at Jincheng Pawnshop," the shopkeeper said, rubbing his hands together. "After all, the peace of the Prison Mountain Realm cannot be maintained without Daoist Sect master like you."

Tell me, how much travel money do you need?

Lin Yu looked at the shopkeeper and gestured the number "five".

The shopkeeper began, "Only five hundred coins..."

"Fifty thousand coins."

As Lin Yu spoke, the shopkeeper paused for a moment.

"How many?"

Lin Yu said, "Fifty thousand coins."

Before the shopkeeper could refuse, Lin Yu said, "Don't worry, shopkeeper, I won't make things difficult for you... Since you've stated that I'm a member of the Daoist Sect, then I can tell you... I can indeed be considered half a member of the Daoist Sect—I'm Named Disciples of the Taiqing Sect."

"Therefore, I won't take this fifty thousand coins for nothing—consider it a favor I owe you. In the future, I can help out at your Jincheng Pawnshop to repay this favor."

As Lin Yu spoke, the shopkeeper looked conflicted. "That sounds excellent, but fifty thousand coins is really..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Yu placed the stack of Talismans in front of him again.

"What are you doing? This Talismans cannot be bought or sold."

The shopkeeper refused again.

Lin Yu said, "This isn't a business deal—my specialty is Talismans crafting, and I already owe you a favor. So, crafting some Talismans for you to repay that favor isn't considered taboo, is it?"

Lin Yu spoke calmly, while the shopkeeper looked at the Talismans on the table with a troubled expression.

"What you say makes sense, but what use are these Talismans to a pawnshop like ours?"

Lin Yu explained, "This is Divine Speed Talisman,' which allows one to travel a thousand miles a day."

The shopkeeper said, "You seem to have misunderstood. I wasn't asking about the Talismans's effects... Even if we were given Talismans, we wouldn't be able to use it... and we wouldn't be able to sell it!"

"Isn't it a waste to just hoard them?"

Lin Yu looked at the shopkeeper and Underground passage calmly, "You can also use it to repay favors to other people."

As soon as he finished speaking, the shopkeeper looked conflicted, then Underground passage with a heavy heart, "Master... you... you've put us in such a difficult position!"

Half a moment later, carrying a heavy money bag in one hand and several strings of copper coins hanging from his waist, Lin Yu led Qin Siyu out of the pawnshop.

Qin Siyu looked at Lin Yu with admiration in her eyes. "Senior, you actually exchange Talismans for money... that's really amazing!"

Lin Yu shook his head. "This practice has been going on for a long time... The Dao Ancestor's original intention in setting this rule was good. After all, when the Dao Ancestor had just merged with the Dao, the Daoist Sect was short of people and resources, and the entire Prison Mountain Realm was sparsely populated. If Talismans and pills were sold, there would be profits in the short term, but in the long run, it would inevitably lead Daoist Sect disciples to indulge in unorthodox practices, refining pills and making talismans for money, and they would also lack the means to deal with Yaomo."

"But now... times have changed, and this rule is indeed somewhat outdated."

"Daoist Sect disciples often need money when traveling—and with the rise of Daoism, prosperous towns like Martial Town are becoming increasingly common."

"Having some money on hand can actually enhance one's strength, can't it?"

Lin Yu paused for a moment, then continued, "So, you see, the shopkeeper seemed to be making excuses... but ever since he led us to the back room, he's been hoping we'd bring up this kind of transaction."

Qin Siyu is a very good actress. Although she has not received systematic training, she immediately understood what Lin Yu said.

"I see... No wonder the shopkeeper's expression and tone were always a bit exaggerated, as if he was deliberately being pretentious."

Lin Yu nodded. "After all, although the Daoist Sect is in charge of supervising these rules, they originated from the 'Dao Ancestor'... so they can be considered rules set by Heaven."

"If he didn't go through the entire process properly... he was afraid of incurring the wrath of Heaven."