https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-522-The-Treasure-Pavilion-Owner-s-Decision-A-Visit/13464525/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-524-Astonishing-All-the-Chief-Talisman-Master/13464527/
Chapter 523: Invitation and Doubt
Chapter 523: Invitation and Doubt
"Someone wants to see me?"
Lu Qing was initially taken aback, but quickly regained his composure.
Could it be that someone from the Treasure Mansion has finally arrived?
"Please wait a moment, I’ll be right there."
Lu Qing returned to his room and brought Xiao Li and Wu Xing with him as he headed to the inn’s front hall.
When he arrived, he saw several people waiting there.
Among them was the enchanting woman in a purple short robe he had met before, a messenger from the Treasure Mansion.
He understood that the Treasure Mansion had finally taken notice.
However, he was unsure whether their intentions were friendly or hostile.
Lu Qing remained on guard.
While he wanted to cooperate with the Treasure Mansion, it didn’t mean they felt the same way. What if they were here to confront him?
He needed to be cautious.
Lu Qing discreetly activated his abilities and observed the group.
"Sir!"
Seeing Lu Qing approach, the enchanting woman immediately stood up, her expression excited.
"Zi Yuan, is this the Golden Core Real Person who sold you the Thunderbolt Talisman?"
Master Wang realized the situation and promptly stood up as well.
"Ah, a distinguished guest from the Treasure Mansion. May I ask what brings you here? Is there a problem with the Thunderbolt Talisman I sold you?"
Lu Qing got straight to the point.
His gaze fell on Master Wang, and several lines of information appeared in his vision.
"A master appraiser from the Treasure Mansion. Only a few of them came, and the highest among them is at the Core Formation Realm.
This suggests they are likely here with good intentions."
Lu Qing’s mind raced, and he felt a bit more at ease.
While he still didn’t know the Treasure Mansion’s exact purpose, at least they didn’t seem to be there to accuse him.
"Sir, please don’t misunderstand. The Thunderbolt Talisman has no issues; it’s a genuine Golden Core-level talisman."
Master Wang hurried to clarify. "We are here for another matter."
"Oh? What can I do for you?" Lu Qing asked.
"We would like to learn about the person who crafted the Thunderbolt Talisman. Do you know where he is? We have important matters to discuss with him. Of course, we won’t put you in a difficult position. Here is a small gift from the Treasure Mansion, please accept it."
With that, Master Wang gestured, and a servant-like man brought forward a square brocade box and respectfully handed it to Lu Qing.
"Sir?"
Lu Qing noticed the respectful tone in Master Wang’s voice and the deference in his manner. He hesitated, not reaching for the box.
Instead, he asked with a mysterious expression, "May I ask what your purpose is in seeking the elder who crafted the Thunderbolt Talisman? He has done me a favor, and I cannot casually reveal his whereabouts."
Master Wang paused, thinking for a moment before deciding to be honest.
After all, the person before him was also a Core Formation Realm expert, a rare talent who wasn’t easily fooled.
Trying to deceive him could lead to complications.
"To be honest, our mansion lord saw the Thunderbolt Talisman you sold and was amazed by the craftsmanship. He wishes to personally visit the elder to learn more about the art of talisman making."
"Learn the art of talisman making?"
Lu Qing’s understanding deepened. Coupled with the information he had gathered from the group, he felt more confident.
After a moment of contemplation, Lu Qing suddenly waved his hand, setting up a barrier to shield their conversation from prying ears.
"Sir, what are you doing?" The enchanting woman was startled.
The servants behind her tensed, immediately becoming wary.
Master Wang, however, remained calm, gently waving his hand to signal them to relax.
"Apologies, but your interest in the Thunderbolt Talisman makes me cautious", Lu Qing explained with a smile. "Is this willingness to meet the elder a sign that you will bring me to see your mansion lord?"
"It’s not that simple. I need to meet your mansion lord before deciding whether to take you to see the elder."
Lu Qing didn’t immediately admit that he was the one who crafted the Thunderbolt Talisman but instead made a request.
Master Wang frowned.
He realized that the person before him had sensed their respect for the talisman master.
Lu Qing wanted to meet the owner of the Treasure Mansion in person to negotiate and gain some benefits.
No wonder he refused to accept my gifts earlier; it turns out he had bigger plans in mind.
Feeling Lu Qing's greed, Master Wang felt a twinge of displeasure.
He was tempted to refuse, but remembering the owner's instructions, he suppressed his unease.
With a smile, he said, "Very well, our owner is always eager to recruit talented individuals. Seeing a cultivator of your caliber, he will surely be delighted."
Though cultivators cannot be judged by their appearance, many who have lived for thousands of years might prefer to appear as youths or even children.
However, Master Wang could sense the lively spirit aura Lu Qing exuded, indicating that his cultivation time was not long, certainly not more than two hundred years.
Among Core Formation Realm experts, he was considered young.
Such a young talent, even if he had only condensed a mid-grade Golden Core, was already a true cultivation prodigy.
The owner might very well want to recruit such a young talent.
Moreover, according to the intelligence they gathered yesterday, this young Golden Core cultivator had two Core Formation Realm spirit beasts with him.
He must have a significant background in the outside world.
Additionally, it was unclear what relationship he had with the Talisman Master who created the Thunderbolt Talisman.
Master Wang was not willing to conflict with him for the time being.
Lu Qing followed Master Wang and his companions back to the Treasure Mansion.
He naturally noticed that Master Wang's attitude had changed slightly after he requested to meet the owner.
However, he had no choice.
There were too many people and eyes in the inn, making it inconvenient to discuss many things.
He did not want his secrets to be overheard.
"Daoist Lu, please, our owner is waiting for you inside."
At the entrance of the Treasure Mansion, Master Wang gestured invitingly.
He had already learned Lu Qing's name on the way.
"Thank you."
Lu Qing stepped into the Treasure Mansion, and the owner, who had been informed in advance, was already leading Master Qiu and others, waiting in the main hall on the first floor.
However, Master Qiu's face clearly showed a hint of impatience.
"A mere mid-grade Third Stage Golden Core actually expects us to welcome him? Utter nonsense!"
But seeing the owner standing in front, Master Qiu dared not voice his dissatisfaction.
Just as Master Qiu was feeling disgruntled, he saw the light dim as a young man in a gray robe, with a calm demeanor, walked in.
"This must be Daoist Lu Qing. Indeed, a young talent, with remarkable presence."
The owner of the Treasure Mansion immediately approached with a warm smile.
"I dare not, I greet you, Owner."
To Lu Qing's surprise, the owner of the Treasure Mansion was a beautiful woman, and he sensed that she was only at the Sixth Stage of a mid-grade Golden Core.
After all, the Treasure Mansion was a powerful merchant house in Canglan City, holding wealth that was truly staggering.
The fact that a woman who had not yet reached the later stages of the Core Formation Realm could control such vast wealth was quite unexpected.
It seemed the rumors that the Treasure Mansion was backed by a great figure from the Tianyuan Great World were true.
Otherwise, a mere Sixth Stage Golden Core would not be capable of controlling such immense wealth.
"Daoist Lu, I hold great admiration for the predecessor who created the Thunderbolt Talisman. Could you introduce me to him? As for the compensation, you need not worry; you will not be treated unfairly."
After some polite exchanges, the owner of the Treasure Mansion got straight to the point.
Lu Qing glanced around. "Owner, is this a good place to speak?"
The owner of the Treasure Mansion was taken aback, then remembered what Master Wang had mentioned in the message before returning.
She smiled gently. "Rest assured, these are all my people from the Treasure Mansion. No one will leak any secrets."
Lu Qing recalled the faint but powerful aura of the array formation within the Treasure Mansion and understood.
Deciding not to beat around the bush, he said, "Owner, there is something I have misled you about, please do not be offended."
Everyone was slightly surprised, except for the owner, who remained calm. "Oh? What do you mean?"
"Earlier, I said that I could take you to meet the predecessor who created the Thunderbolt Talisman. In fact, there is no such predecessor."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed, and even the owner's gaze sharpened.
Master Qiu couldn't help but shout, "You don't know the predecessor who created the Thunderbolt Talisman! Boy, you dare to toy with us!"
“Calm down, everyone.”
The owner of the Treasure Mansion waved to silence Master Qiu.
She then looked at Lu Qing, her expression now calm. “Brother Lu, your words seem to have a deeper meaning. Since there is no senior cultivator involved, how did you come to possess that Thunderbolt Talisman?”
“I refined it myself,” Lu Qing said calmly.
“What?!”
Everyone was genuinely stunned this time.
Even the owner of the Treasure Mansion’s lips parted slightly in surprise.
“Brother Lu, you mean to say that the Thunderbolt Talisman was refined by you?”
“Indeed. I refined it myself and brought it to your esteemed mansion to exchange for some spirit stones.”
“Arrogant nonsense!”
Before the owner of the Treasure Mansion could respond, Master Qiu could no longer contain his frustration and shouted loudly.
“With your mere Third Stage of Golden Core, how could you possibly refine a talisman as exquisite as the Thunderbolt Talisman?
Young man, you’re not blowing hot air like this.
Do you think we are all ignorant of the art of talisman refinement, that we can be easily deceived?”
“Precisely!” Master Zhao chimed in. “If you claim the Thunderbolt Talisman was refined by you, do you have any proof?”
At this point, the owner of the Treasure Mansion regained her composure.
She smiled bitterly. “Brother Lu, it’s not that I don’t believe you, but this is simply too unbelievable.
A masterpiece like the Thunderbolt Talisman, crafted by a master, is hard to believe it could come from your hands.”
“Exquisite, a master’s work?”
This time, it was Lu Qing’s turn to be stunned.
He hadn’t expected such praise for the Thunderbolt Talisman.
After all, it was just something he had refined casually, from engraving to completion, without much time or effort.
However, Lu Qing’s surprise only confirmed Master Qiu’s suspicions.
He sneered. “See? I told you it was impossible. If he really refined the talisman, why can’t he produce any proof?
This young man is clearly here to swindle us at the Treasure Mansion!
No, with his mere Core Formation Realm, he probably doesn’t have the nerve.
There must be someone behind him, working together to deceive the owner!”
“Qiu Rong, what are you saying? Are you accusing me and Brother Lu of deceiving the owner together?”
Master Wang, who had been standing to the side, couldn’t hold back any longer and shouted.
“I didn’t say that,” Master Qiu continued to sneer. “But it was you who brought the Thunderbolt Talisman for us to see and praised it as a masterpiece by a Talisman Master.
Now, while the talisman is indeed unique, its true origin is quite questionable.”
“Nonsense! Why would I conspire with someone in a lie so easily exposed?” Master Wang retorted angrily.
“Who knows? Maybe you’re just getting old and senile.”
“Me!” Master Wang was so angry that his face turned red.
To be not only slandered but also accused of being senile in front of everyone, even with his composure, he couldn’t help but be enraged.
“Silence!”
Seeing the two arguing so rudely in front of a guest, the owner of the Treasure Mansion’s eyes turned cold, and a chill emanated from her.
Master Qiu and Master Wang immediately snapped to attention and dared not argue further.
At this moment, Lu Qing also realized the gravity of the situation.
It seemed that his Thunderbolt Talisman had caused quite a stir at the Treasure Mansion.
From the reactions of those present, he had clearly underestimated its value.
He had initially thought that the Treasure Mansion was interested in him because the low cost of the Thunderbolt Talisman made it a profitable collaboration.
Now, it seemed that the situation was more complex than he had anticipated.
“Brother Lu, you can see how unbelievable your claim is.
Even our appraisers at the Treasure Mansion are arguing over it.
Can you provide some proof that the Thunderbolt Talisman was indeed refined by you?”
After reprimanding Master Qiu and Master Wang, the owner of the Treasure Mansion turned to Lu Qing and continued in a gentle tone.
Lu Qing couldn’t help but admire her demeanor.
Even in this tense situation, she maintained her composure and etiquette.
“Of course.” Lu Qing nodded slightly. “To prove that the Thunderbolt Talisman was refined by me, it’s simple. I’ll refine another one right here in front of everyone.”
With that, a crystalline spirit jade appeared in Lu Qing’s hand.
(End of Chapter)
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