Small Thunderclap Talisman

Another month had passed, and Lu Zhao appeared punctually at the threshold of the Nine Abyss Pavilion in the Zhou Household Market.

The bronze bells beneath the eaves chimed softly, accompanied by the familiar scent of aged spiritual materials mingled with faint incense.

He walked steadily toward the counter.

The old shopkeeper was polishing a green jade pixiu paperweight with a soft cloth. Looking up and seeing Lu Zhao, he habitually gathered a smile in the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, but the sharp gleam in their murky depths was keener than usual.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, even Green Vine Ravine's chill can't freeze those hardworking feet of yours."

The shopkeeper set down the paperweight and tapped his withered fingers lightly on the counter, his gaze sweeping over the bulging Storage Bag at Lu Zhao's waist. "Have you brought this month's goods?"

"You jest, shopkeeper."

His expression calm, Lu Zhao approached the counter and deftly took out three Frost Rat Puppets radiating cold and one Flowing Cloud Sparrow Puppet, arranging them neatly in a row.

A fine layer of white frost instantly condensed on the counter. The wind-pattern stones on the Flowing Cloud Sparrow's skeletal wings shimmered faintly, its lifelike quality almost ready to leap forth.

The shopkeeper carefully examined the four puppets, lingering particularly long over the Flowing Cloud Sparrow. He lightly brushed the Ice-Explosion Rune Patterns engraved on the Frost Rat Puppets' claw tips, sensing the bone-piercing chill and surging spiritual power contained within.

Only after a long while did he speak slowly, his voice carrying a barely perceptible note of deliberation. "Your craftsmanship grows ever more refined, Fellow Daoist Lu."

"These Frost Rat Puppets, with their sharp claws, icy fangs, and ice-explosion power held in reserve, are truly fine specimens among First-Tier Low Grade puppets."

He paused, shifting his tack slightly as his tone took on a merchant's practicality.

"But... my friend, more and more of these Frost Rat Puppets have been circulating on the market these past few months. They're still in demand, but a few have accumulated in the storeroom. Continuing to buy them at the old price of fifteen spirit stones each puts no small strain on my turnover."

Lu Zhao's heart sank slightly, but his expression remained unchanged. He merely listened in silence, his gaze fixed attentively on the shopkeeper.

Meeting his gaze, the shopkeeper held up two withered fingers. "There are two options for you to consider. First, from now on, I'll buy only two Frost Rat Puppets each month, still at fifteen spirit stones apiece. As for the Flowing Cloud Sparrows, everything stays the same. I'll buy as many as you have, at twenty-five spirit stones each."

He paused to observe Lu Zhao's reaction, then held up his second finger.

"Second, if you're willing to lower the price of the Frost Rat Puppets a little, say... to twelve spirit stones each, then I can take two more every month. Four! The price of the Flowing Cloud Sparrows will remain unchanged. What do you think?"

The air seemed to grow still for an instant. White frost spread silently across the counter. Lu Zhao's gaze swept over the three Frost Rat Puppets he had poured his efforts into crafting, then passed over the Flowing Cloud Sparrow that carried even greater hopes.

The shopkeeper's words were blunt. The market was becoming saturated, and one of his flagship products had hit a bottleneck. Lowering the price meant a sharp drop in profit per puppet, but higher volume; limiting the quantity preserved the unit price but restricted income growth.

He swiftly calculated the costs, the time, and, more importantly-the unchanged price of the Flowing Cloud Sparrows.

"The price of the Flowing Cloud Sparrows really will remain unchanged?"

Lu Zhao's voice was steady, betraying no emotion; he merely emphasized the final two words.

A knowing smile flickered in the shopkeeper's murky eyes, and he nodded firmly. "Unchanged! This item has specialized uses and steady demand. Twenty-five spirit stones, fair to young and old alike."

Lu Zhao fell silent for a moment, his finger unconsciously tracing a faint streak of water across the icy counter.

At last, he raised his eyes and spoke decisively. "Then we'll follow your second proposal. From now on, four Frost Rat Puppets a month, at twelve spirit stones each. The Flowing Cloud Sparrows stay as before."

He had chosen smaller margins and greater volume, preserving this steady source of income and, more importantly, keeping open the more promising channel offered by the Flowing Cloud Sparrows.

"Decisive!"

The shopkeeper's smile grew more genuine, and he immediately began tallying the goods. "Three Frost Rat Puppets and one Flowing Cloud Sparrow. At the new price of twelve spirit stones each, the three Frost Rat Puppets come to thirty-six spirit stones. The Flowing Cloud Sparrow is twenty-five. Sixty-one spirit stones in total."

He briskly counted out sixty-one lustrous, low-grade spirit stones and pushed them before Lu Zhao.

Lu Zhao put the spirit stones into his Storage Bag, his movements unhurried.

Just as he was about to take his leave, the shopkeeper lightly pressed his withered fingers against the counter, wiping away the streak of water Lu Zhao had just traced. The gesture seemed casual, yet carried a hint of gravity.

"Fellow Daoist Lu."

The shopkeeper lowered his voice slightly, his murky eyes staring straight at Lu Zhao as though he meant to see into his heart. "Things in the Market District seem rather unsettled lately. Some unfamiliar faces have a strange look in their eyes. They keep loitering around the stalls selling puppets and spiritual materials in the West Market and East Market, as though they're looking for something... or rather, someone."

Lu Zhao's heart abruptly tightened, as though an icy snake's tongue had licked his spine. The shopkeeper would never say this without reason!

He immediately thought of his frequent visits to the Nine Abyss Pavilion to trade puppets, especially the valuable Flowing Cloud Sparrows. He could hardly be sure they had not stirred someone's greed. In the world of rogue cultivators, murder and robbery were as commonplace as everyday meals.

He immediately cupped his hands and leaned forward slightly, adopting an even humbler posture as he earnestly sought advice. "Your eyes discern even the finest autumn hairs, shopkeeper. Please guide me out of this maze."

"My cultivation is shallow. Living in a dangerous place like Green Vine Ravine and traveling back and forth to the Market District truly leaves me uneasy."

Seeing that Lu Zhao had instantly understood his hint and humbled himself to seek advice respectfully, a trace of satisfaction flickered in the shopkeeper's eyes.

He liked dealing with clever people, especially clever people who understood the times and knew when to advance or retreat.

"Mm."

The shopkeeper stroked his sparse beard and said leisurely, "Careful sailing keeps a ship afloat for ten thousand years. The road between Green Vine Ravine and the Market District is neither particularly long nor particularly short. Out in those wild hills, anything could happen."

"Especially..." He paused meaningfully. "Especially those 'demon hunters' who've just come over from Northern Plains Commandery. They run wild and have all sorts of tricks. Traveling alone, you ought to prepare a few more ways to protect yourself."

Northern Plains Commandery!

Lu Zhao's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly. This was where his lineage had been destroyed, and it remained an enduring hidden ache in his heart and a source of vigilance.

The shopkeeper's words had all but spelled out where the threat might come from. A chill rose from the soles of his feet.

"Thank you for the warning, shopkeeper."

Lu Zhao bowed deeply once more, lowering himself further. "I'm frightened. Might you have... something suitable for protection here? The price is negotiable."

He adopted a very humble posture, making it clear that he was willing to pay for safety.

Growing still more satisfied with Lu Zhao's response, the shopkeeper nodded. "You've got some sense, lad. As it happens, the pavilion has just received a new shipment. A few things might suit your needs." He turned and walked into the inner room, his back stooped.

A moment later, the shopkeeper emerged carrying a red sandalwood tray holding three brocade boxes of different sizes. He set the tray gently on the counter with a dull thud.

"Take a look. These are all fine goods, newly arrived." The shopkeeper gestured for Lu Zhao to come closer.

First, he opened the smallest box, a flat square one. Resting quietly on its red silk lining was a pale purple talisman no more than three inches long and two fingers wide.

The talisman paper was neither metal nor jade and felt slightly cool to the touch. Silver lightning patterns traced intricate, mysterious runes across it. Those runes seemed alive, flowing slowly over the talisman's surface and occasionally releasing a heart-jolting silver-white arc as fine as a hair, accompanied by an exceedingly faint crackle.

A destructive aura faintly seeped out, making even Lu Zhao's fine hairs rise slightly.

"A second-tier low-grade Small Thunderclap Talisman."