Ch. 581A Talisman Path Prodigy Held Back by Martial Arts?
Plot points and events
- Qin Yao spends the evening practicing talisman crafting under the astonished eye of Ma Xianlong, an apprentice talisman master with more than twenty years of experience.
- Qin Yao produces talismans quickly and flawlessly. Completing his twenty-sixth raises his skill to the entry realm, improving his prospects: he can now make mid-grade talismans with certainty and has a 50% chance of making high-grade ones.
- He asks Ma for better materials and successfully crafts mid-grade Flamefire and Fire-Thunder Talismans—something Ma had failed to do in seven attempts. Qin Yao completes five mid-grade and eighty low-grade talismans before exhausting Ma’s stored supplies.
- After leaving, Qin Yao leaves Ma ten thousand taels and a note explaining that public service does not erase the need to compensate people for their personal contributions.
Character development and interactions
- Qin Yao proves to be a prodigy whose system-assisted progress lets him surpass years of ordinary practice in a single session. He remains practical, eager to gain proficiency, and considerate of the people helping him.
- Ma Xianlong shifts from expecting to advise Qin Yao to watching him in awe. He views Qin as a once-in-a-generation Talisman Path genius and is deeply moved by Qin’s payment and respect.
- Their relationship is marked by Ma’s admiration and Qin’s courteous treatment of him as both a collaborator and an individual deserving fair compensation.
Significant themes
- Exceptional talent and rapid mastery: Qin Yao’s innate/system-supported ability dramatically outpaces conventional training.
- Recognition of skilled labor: Qin’s payment emphasizes that service to the commandery does not justify taking someone’s private resources for granted.
- Humility and generosity in leadership: Qin’s thoughtfulness contrasts with Ma’s expectation that powerful generals rarely show such consideration.
- The value of talismans: Higher-grade talismans are rare and powerful enough to harm formidable opponents, making Qin’s rapid production strategically significant.