'Calling her 'sister' like that... so disgusting...' Lu Chi listened to Liu Qing's sickly sweet and sour words, feeling a strong wave of nausea rise in his heart.

  "Sister, you worry too much. Regarding Talisman Master Lu's background, I have my own judgment. Since I invited him, I trust his character and ability."

  "You are both talisman masters of the sect. Working together in the same hall from now on, why create discord?"

  Qin Suniang said softly.

  Liu Qing shrugged. "Sister is right. I'll listen to you, sister. It's just... I'm afraid some people might have ulterior motives and damage sister's reputation."

  Mu Changfeng remained with his eyes closed, paying no attention to the outside affairs.

  Seeing the atmosphere grow slightly tense, Qin Suniang gave a light cough and said gently, "Alright, both of you, please sit down. The Moon-Veil Pavilion opens for business today, and there are still many matters to arrange."

  "Talisman Master Lu, Brother Liu Qing, both of you are mid-grade talisman masters. From now on, the talisman affairs of the Moon-Veil Pavilion will rely mainly on you."

  Lu Chi cupped his hands in acknowledgment and took his seat, deliberately positioning himself a bit farther from Liu Qing. His gaze then shifted to Elder Mu on the left.

  This man appeared aloof and arrogant, distant and reticent, yet he was currently the highest combat strength the Dusk-Mist Sect had on display. In principle, he should be the sect's pillar, holding great authority.

  But judging from Qin Suniang's words and actions just now, she was still the one in charge.

  Something was off.

  A trace of vigilance flashed through his mind.

  Seeing the atmosphere gradually ease, Qin Suniang gave another light cough:

  "As for the opening matters, I have already instructed disciples to make arrangements outside. The talismans currently sold in the Moon-Veil Pavilion were all drawn by Brother Liu Qing over the past few days. The variety is complete, but the quantity is limited."

  "Now that Talisman Master Lu has joined the sect, from now on, talisman matters will need to be submitted according to our agreement."

  Lu Chi gave a slight nod.

  What followed was the explanation of numerous matters.

  Qin Suniang led Lu Chi and Liu Qing through the back hall to a spacious workshop. Disciples of the Dusk-Mist Sect's Talisman Hall and talisman-menders were already waiting there.

  Most were young people at the second or third layer of Qi Refinement, dressed plainly, with ink stains on their hands, their eyes holding a mix of restraint and curiosity.

  Hearing this, they all bowed in unison. "We greet the two Talisman Masters."

  Lu Chi's gaze swept over them, settling on two faces that looked vaguely familiar.

  He had seen them years ago at the Luo Family Talisman Shop. Both were low-level talisman-menders, with mediocre aptitude, frequently making mistakes and often scolded by Shopkeeper Luo as having "no affinity for the Dao."

  Later, they were gradually marginalized, and now they had ended up in the Dusk-Mist Sect, becoming bottom-tier disciples in the sect's Talisman Hall.

  So unpredictable are the ways of the world.

  Lu Chi's expression remained unchanged, offering only a slight nod in response.

  Liu Qing put on a smiling face. "Sister, don't worry. I will definitely manage the Moon-Veil Pavilion in an orderly manner."

  Qin Suniang's gaze lightly swept over Liu Qing's face, the corners of her lips curling into a faint smile, yet it held little warmth.

  "Brother Liu Qing is thoughtful. Now that you have met everyone, please proceed to the front hall. The time has come; the Moon-Veil Pavilion officially opens for business today."

  The three of them walked side by side. Liu Qing fell half a step behind, a gentle smile always on his face, but his eyes occasionally drifted to the curve of Qin Suniang's waist and the line of her neck.

  His gaze was sticky and brazen, like a snake's tongue—touching and withdrawing, then probing out again.

  Lu Chi noticed that gaze from the corner of his eye, his brow furrowing imperceptibly.

  First Cao Zhen, now Liu Qing. In Qin Suniang's dealings with people, does she always rely on these charms of hers?

  He also pondered to himself: Liu Qing was likely someone she had recruited earlier, invited from the Mysterious Moon Market to stabilize the talisman supply. He himself was an unexpected bonus, temporarily added and invited.

  This heavy investment was both necessary for operations and possibly because the sect was truly in difficulty, urgently needing transformation and new avenues.

  Outside the door, disciples had already fully opened the pavilion gates. Two spirit-lanterns hung high, moonlight talisman patterns swirling on their shades, soft light spilling onto the street like water.

  Qin Suniang raised a hand and waved. A disciple at the fourth layer of Qi Refinement soared into the air on his sword. The sword streaked like a rainbow, circling three times over East Street of the market district.

  In her hand, he held a scroll of talismans.

  Each time he flew past a spot, he would shake open a talisman paper, transforming it into glowing golden characters that floated in the air:

  "Moon?Veil Pavilion Now Open!

  New Talisman Shop by the Dusk?Mist Sect—All Your Needs Met!

  All Fellow Daoists Are Welcome to Come and Browse!"

  *What a straightforward promotional method... but it works, at least.

  It's certainly more eye?catching than the 'low?key flyer distribution' I imagined...*

  Lu Chi inwardly scoffed.

  The light?characters remained suspended for half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, drawing the attention of cultivators in the market district, and murmurs gradually rose.

  Some stopped to watch, others flew over on magical tools.

  Soon, groups of three or five cultivators began streaming toward the Moon?Veil Pavilion.

  Lu Chi stood at the pavilion entrance, watching the crowd slowly gather.

  He couldn't help but form a judgment in his heart.

  'This kind of promotion can only attract temporary excitement—it draws in cultivators who happen to be idling in the market district at that moment.'

  'To truly establish a foothold, it depends on the consistent quality of the talismans, a steady stream of returning customers, and a gradually building reputation.'

  'None of this can be achieved overnight. It can only be earned through slow, patient effort.'

  Even so, although the Moon?Veil Pavilion's shopfront wasn't particularly large, its location was excellent—facing directly onto East Street, the main thoroughfare, with a spacious open area in front that could accommodate dozens of people standing.

  In the future, selling talismans here, with all materials supplied by the Dusk?Mist Sect, the cost would be almost zero.

  Add to that the profit?sharing benefits, and the earnings would certainly be no less—and likely more—than drawing and selling talismans independently.

  Of course, it would be even better if things could be a little quieter...

  Back in the inner hall, Liu Qing spoke up with a smiling, meaningful tone, though he pretended to be casual:

  "Now that Moon?Veil Pavilion has two talisman masters, who should hold the title of Chief Talisman Master?

  Sister didn't make that clear earlier..."

  …

  …

  Inside the Luo Family Talisman Shop, the afternoon sun slanted through the window, casting a faint yellow glow over a row of old talisman papers.

  Shopkeeper Luo Wenshan leaned back in his master's chair, a slight frown on his brow as he listened to a low?level talisman?mender's hushed report.

  "Shopkeeper, the new Moon?Veil Pavilion on East Street officially opened today.

  Backed by the Dusk?Mist Sect, they promoted it like crazy—their disciple flew around on a magical tool three times, talisman?light filling the streets."

  Luo Wenshan's finger paused. He lifted his eyelids, his voice hoarse yet carrying its usual chill:

  "The Dusk?Mist Sect? That widow Qin Suniang still has some spirit. Tell me, who are the talisman masters?"

  The messenger swallowed hard and hurriedly replied:

  "One was invited from the Mysterious Moon Market—Liu Qing, a first?rank, mid?grade talisman master.

  He's had some reputation in the outer market districts for years, specializing in mid?grade Spirit?Gathering, Golden Light, and Aura?Concealment talismans."

  Luo Wenshan snorted coldly, a flash of disdain in his eyes:

  "Liu Qing... never heard of him.

  Goods from the Mysterious Moon Market—probably has some skill, but nothing extraordinary.

  If the Dusk?Mist Sect is counting on him alone, they won't last long."

  "That widow Qin Suniang brought him in just to stabilize the situation, nothing more.

  Is there anyone else?"

  The messenger hesitated, his voice lowering further:

  "There's one more... a newcomer named Lu Chi, a first?rank, mid?grade talisman master.

  He only put on the talisman robes today, officially taking charge."

  "When the shop opened, he stood at the entrance in dark robes with silver patterns, bearing an extraordinary presence.

  Quite a few female cultivators took more than one look."

  Upon hearing this, Luo Wenshan's fingers suddenly clenched, his gaze sharpening instantly.

  "Lu Chi? Qi Refinement, third layer, around twenty years old?"

  The messenger, pinned by that gaze, flinched and hurriedly lowered his head to add:

  "That's right."

  So it really is him...

  Luo Wenshan slowly straightened in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest of the master's chair.

  His expression mixed surprise, disdain, and a faint, suppressed irritation.

  A month ago, that Lu Chi was only at the third layer of Qi Refinement, a talisman?mender for three years, usually quiet and unassuming, only knowing to bury his head in repairing old talismans, showing not a hint of edge.

  He had thought this person was just an ordinary craftsman—once he left the shop, he'd struggle to survive.

  Who could have guessed that in just one month, he'd transformed into a mid?grade talisman master of the Dusk?Mist Sect's Moon?Veil Pavilion?

  Luo Wenshan let out a cold laugh.

  During this time, quite a few talisman?menders had left the shop.

  Some resented the suppressed talisman prices, some complained about the tight deadlines, and some simply pocketed a bit of spirit sand and left without a word.

  He never cared.

  These third?layer Qi Refinement rogue cultivators, with their mediocre spiritual roots—if they left, they left. The market district had plenty of replacements.

  Only Lu Chi was an exception.

  Luo Wenshan narrowed his eyes, his voice dark and grating, as if squeezed from deep in his throat:

  "He worked in my shop for three years, repairing talismans for three years—I bet he secretly learned talisman?crafting skills long ago."

  "Completing talismans—he probably succeeded even before he left, just hid it well, never showing a trace.

  Once I drove him out, he immediately defected to the Dusk?Mist Sect and set up his own shop."

  He paused, the contempt in his eyes deepening:

  "What a cunning, deep?scheming brat.

  He deceived me for three years, deceived everyone in the shop for three years.

  I'll give him that—he has some cleverness."

  "Unfortunately... shortsighted."

  In the Azure Sparrow Mountain Market, the Luo Family Talisman Shop has stood for a hundred years, backed by the Luo family's Foundation?Building ancestor, with deep roots, a stable customer base, and talisman quality second to none in Dongyue County.

  Countless rogue cultivators break their heads trying to get in.

  Even being a low?level talisman?mender here is better than weathering the elements outside.

  But Lu Chi?

  He'd rather defect to a storm?tossed Dusk?Mist Sect than lower his head and come back begging to me.

  "What benefits did that widow Qin Suniang offer him?

  A set of talisman robes? A few spirit stones? Or... that bit of false affection?"

  "Let's see how long you, this mid?grade talisman master, can last in Moon?Veil Pavilion."

  He looked up at the messenger:

  "Go, send someone to keep an eye on Moon?Veil Pavilion—especially Lu Chi.

  Report back daily on how many talismans are sold, their quality, and the number of customers."

  The messenger hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment: "Yes, Shopkeeper."

  Luo Wenshan waved a hand, signaling him to leave.

  After the man had gone, he sat alone in the master's chair, his gaze gloomy.

  The afternoon sunlight fell on his face but seemed to shine on a cold, stone statue.