Chapter 817 - 245: Covering the Tracks
"I’ll do it, I’ll do it!"
Chen Yan had gotten used to hanging out with Old Wang these past few days, and his words didn’t hold back.
Then he rolled up his sleeves, fetched some dried and cured beast meat, cut out a big piece, sliced it into smaller chunks, and took out a steamer basket. He laid a bright green lotus leaf on it and placed the meat on top.
He quickly washed some scallions and ginger, sliced the ginger, cut the scallions into sections, and spread them over the meat.
He placed the meat steamer into the iron pot and put a large sea bowl on the top layer, adding some yuanbao grains as rice and poured in water...
After finishing his work, Chen Yan grabbed a stool and sat not far from Old Wang.
The sun was shining brightly today; there was sunshine overhead. However, this place was misty and humid, so although the sun was warm when it hit your body, it wasn’t exactly comfortable—Chen Yan usually didn’t sunbathe in the yard.
Still, watching Old Wang woodworking, Chen Yan showed some interest. Observing for a while, he noticed that Old Wang was actually carving a wooden sword.
Old Deng’s craftsmanship seemed to be pretty good; this wooden sword was already quite shaped, and he would pause occasionally to sand it back and forth with a piece of sandpaper in hand.
"Old Wang, what are you doing?"
"Found a piece of lightning-struck wood in the mountains, looks like it’s over a hundred years old. I brought it back to make a wooden sword. Lightning-struck wood has the power to ward off evil and banish spirits, so making a lower-grade magical artifact could earn some money at the Artifact Hall later. Next time I leave the sect and head to the town market, I can exchange it for some wine."
Chen Yan sighed, "Old Wang, all you think about is food and drink every day. You don’t bother with practicing martial arts or cultivating at all."
"What cultivation?" Old Wang shook his head and laughed, "I’ve long realized, cultivation is not as good as making yourself comfortable."
"You really get it."
Chen Yan gave him a thumbs up.
He knew that in the sect, besides providing logistical benefits to disciples, the Artifact Hall also sold some magical artifacts and materials.
They also made purchases.
Additionally, the benefits within the sect were quite good, selling things at a lower price than the market.
The idea was not to profit off their own disciples.
Hmm, just making friends, right?
The purchased material prices were also fair, at least reassuring enough not to rip off their own disciples.
Chen Yan’s heart stirred, remembering his own financial troubles. If not for the two thousand pocket money given by Young Lady Gu today, the money he earned from Snow Cliff Pass would have been almost gone.
Since the Artifact Hall buys things, and the prices are fair...
"Old Wang, does the Artifact Hall buy talismans?"
"Yes."
Chen Yan slapped his thigh, yes!
He then brought out a table from inside, placed it at the doorway, waved his hand, and took out a stack of talisman paper, along with cinnabar and other items.
With a wave, the Fox Tail Brush was in his hand.
Standing firm but casually, Chen Yan lowered his wrist and started drawing...
For a moment, the brush moved like a dragon, and one by one runes appeared on the paper.
He was already very proficient in drawing talismans. He had put a lot of effort into practicing the Sealing Spirit Technique talisman drawing before.
Now he could draw a few Light Body Talismans and Escape Rune Techniques in one breath, followed by a few Six Yang Righteous Qi Talismans.
Thinking for a moment, he drew a few Fortune-Telling Talismans as well.
He drew for about thirty minutes, then looked up to find Old Wang already standing in front of the table, with his hands behind his back, eyeing his brush eagerly.
"What is it?" Chen Yan said, lifting his brush.
"Your technique is not bad," Old Wang’s eyes flashed a strange look but it quickly disappeared.
"It’s alright, just my skill for making a living. I used to sell talismans at Snow Cliff Pass," Chen Yan casually explained his self-made backstory.
"Your technique is the Sealing Spirit Technique, isn’t it?" Old Wang squinted.
"Yes, there’s no Primordial Qi outside Snow Cliff Pass in Evil Land Mountain, so spells can’t be performed. That’s why the talismans drawn with my Sealing Spirit Technique are especially useful there."
Chen Yan said and exhaled, "It just consumes a lot of Primordial Qi."
Old Wang chuckled, his eyes resting on Chen Yan’s Fox Tail Brush, "This brush of yours is excellent, not a common item – it’s made from the tail fur of a Fox Demon, I suppose."
"Old Wang, you’ve got sharp eyes." Chen Yan’s heart was stirred.
"At my age, I may not have many skills, but I’ve got some experience," Old Wang waved his hand, picked up a piece of talisman paper, and squinted to examine the runes Chen Yan had drawn on it.
"Sell me a few Light Body Talismans," Old Wang smiled, "I wander in the mountains and can use them to save some energy."
Chen Yan waved his hand, "If you need them, just take them; we don’t talk money between us."
Old Wang smiled, a thoughtful look in his eyes towards Chen Yan, and suddenly said, "Let me give you some advice—this isn’t Evil Land Mountain, there’s no Primordial Qi shortage here, you don’t need to use Sealing Spirit Technique to draw your talismans, just use the regular technique, it’s fine."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yan slapped his forehead and sighed, "Got used to it and forgot about this."
Saying that, he grabbed a few of the Light Body Talismans he’d drawn and handed them to Old Wang, "These are for you."
He then picked up the brush again, "Using the regular technique saves some energy."
But Old Wang, watching his talisman drawing, had a glint in his eyes and seemed to be lost in thought.
·
A moment later, the steamed meat and rice were ready. Chen Yan put down his brush, used a paperweight to secure the talisman paper on the table, and went with Old Wang to set the table.
They brought out a round table from inside and set it in the yard, along with dragging out small stools.
Old Wang took a white porcelain bowl to serve the meat and rice, and the two of them settled around the table.