Because the Situ Clan's reputation in the Mechanism trade was at stake, Situ Jin patiently explained to Xing Chun that all their business was aboveboard. As for the bad rumors going around, those were just competitors' tactics.
Spirit puppets could do many things.
They could handle all sorts of dangerous forging work, not to mention sparring in the Nine Schools Techniques. Even Shuizhou had to buy spirit puppets from the Situ Clan at a premium to study strange fires.
Xing Chun asked, "Do they eat?"
"They're puppets, fundamentally. Why would they need to eat?" Situ Jin stared at him, speechless. "If they do eat anything, it's Five Elements Qi."
Xing Chun said, "Your spirit puppets look so lifelike. How can anyone tell they're puppets?"
He raised his head to look at the transparent threads hanging down from above. "Do you control them with those threads?"
"String puppets are the most basic form of Yanshu," Situ Jin said. "Since spirit puppets are nourished by Qi, of course they don't need strings to control them."
Xing Chun asked, "Then how do you do it?"
Situ Jin brushed at his shoulder and cast him a sidelong glance. "If you buy a spirit puppet, someone will teach you how to use it."
Xing Chun asked again, "How much?"
"The price is a little high," Situ Jin said.
"Just tell me how much."
Situ Jin held up some fingers. Xing Chun turned and called down to Mei Liangyu and Zhongli Shan, "Meimei, Dashan, lend me some money!"
Mei Liangyu answered without even looking up. "I'm broke."
Zhongli Shan at least asked, "What do you want it for?"
Xing Chun replied without a thought, "Cooking."
If he had a spirit puppet to cook for him and keep him company at meals, then even if Mei Liangyu