章 9: The Scum Is Crafty

Chen Han resentfully looked at Cheng Sheng and Fei Yin flying on the sword not far from him. Li Tian and Feng Mo were following behind them. Cheng Sheng, since he's still at the fifth level of Qi Condensation Stage, naturally, cannot fly on his sword. Only when you have reached the Golden Core Stage can you fly on your sword. Also, with Cheng Sheng's level, of course, he shouldn't have his own sword yet. But, the Xinfaxian Sect has its own rules.

"The sword is a cultivator's partner for life. Even if you'll marry and have kids, the sword will forever be by your side. Since the sword is available, why not give it to the disciples? Earlier or later does not matter. Since the sword will still end up in their hands." These were Xie Lan's words before. And thus, Cheng Sheng's sword was bestowed to him along with the three other disciples – Fei Yin, Li Tian, and Feng Mo. It was a good decision since Cheng Sheng was far behind his fellow disciples in cultivation. This didn't demotivate him. Instead, he showed his prowess in talisman-making and martial arts. Novelties of talismans then emerged, like Moving Talisman to move the objects remotely. Drying Talisman to dry the soaked objects. Cleaning Talisman to wash and clean the objects, for example, the dishes. Wind Talisman to blow on you if the weather is hot. There are also human-shaped talismans to imitate a human's action.

These talismans made the life of the cultivators easier. In Cheng Sheng's term, this is 'technology' – paper technology, since the talismans were made of paper. As to how talismans were made, the incantations written on the talismans convert the qi to the intended use of the talisman. For example, in the Fire Talisman, the qi was converted to fire. When Cheng Sheng found out about this, he thought of the atoms. Qi is the atom. And the combined qi – atoms, after the friction, created fire. As to how the qi was controlled, though, is what Cheng Sheng called the 'magic' of this world. The cultivators have this magic, the skill to control qi for them to use. It was like the qi was attracted to the cultivators like the metal to the magnet. Thus, Cheng Sheng, now a cultivator, made use of this skill to create talismans that are duplicates of the technology of the modern world. The Wind Talisman is the electric fan. There is a paper fan in this world but it's easier to use the Wind Talisman since the paper fan is used manually while the Wind Talisman is used magically. However, of course, there's a limitation.

"10 copper coins for one Wind Talisman." Cheng Sheng said as he sold the Wind Talismans to the old merchant that they passed by. "One Wind Talisman can be used for one incense time!" he told the merchant.

The merchant frowned. "It's too expensive. Five copper coins." He told Cheng Sheng.

"Making talismans is too exhausting. 15 copper coins." Cheng Sheng said and exaggeratedly sighed as if tired. He fanned himself with the wad of Wind Talismans to himself.

The merchant's face turned ugly. "Fine! 10 copper coins!" he said as he took out his money.

"Nah. 15 copper coins. I'm suddenly hungry." Cheng Sheng said.

The merchant's eyes went wide as he pointed him. "You – " he said.

"20 copper coins since my time is wasted." Cheng Sheng said, then turned to another merchant coming their way. "How about I sell these to him?" he asked. "25 copper coins – "

The merchant turned and saw it was his rival. He frowned in displeasure as he immediately gave Cheng Sheng a gold ingot in exchange for ten Wind Talismans. "There." The merchant said.

"Aio~ brother. You're actually this generous. I'll pray for your business to flourish!" Cheng Sheng told him and immediately gave him the Wind Talismans.

The merchant scoffed when his rival in business reached them. "Young man. What are you selling?" the rival merchant asked Cheng Sheng.

"Brother. I'm selling Wind Talismans." Cheng Sheng answered with a smile.

"How much?"

"20 copper coins for one Wind Talisman. One Wind Talisman for an incense time." Cheng Sheng explained. "This brother here gave me one golden ingot in exchange for ten Wind talismans." He said and pointed to the merchant earlier who still hadn't left.

"That's too stingy. Here." The rival merchant gave Cheng Sheng two gold ingots.

Cheng Sheng's eyes widened as he received the two gold ingots. "Aio~ brother, you're too generous!" he said and widely grinned as he gave the rival merchant 10 Wind Talismans. "Here, brother. I wish for your business to flourish!" he said and immediately left the two who were about to beat up each other. "Hahahaha!" he laughed when he went back to the inn after selling more talismans. He opened the door and went in. "You should've seen it!" he told Li Tian and Feng Mo who are eating snacks inside the private room on the second floor.

Feng Mo's brows scrunched up while Li Tian gave Cheng Sheng a smile. "Cheng-shidi made business again?" he asked. "What could it be this time?"

Cheng Sheng smugly smiled as he sat on the empty chair beside Li Tian. Feng Mo just harrumphed and poured himself a drink. "Li-xiong. I initially sold the Wind Talisman for 10 copper coins. When the stingy merchant disagreed, I raised the price to 25 copper coins." He said.

"The talisman papers are free in our sect." Feng Mo said.

"So I was making them pay for my labor fee." Cheng Sheng shrugged, then grabbed the wine bottle from Feng Mo and poured himself a drink. "Guess what happened next?"

"The stingy merchant didn't buy the talismans?" Feng Mo guessed.

Cheng Sheng waved his index finger to Feng Mo. "Nah-uh." He said. "The rival of the stingy merchant appeared." He said.

"You sold the Wind Talismans to the rival merchant?" Li Tian asked.

Cheng Sheng shook his head and turned to Li Tian, his hand holding his wine cup that was full. "They both bought the Wind Talismans." He told them. "The stingy merchant showed off to his rival, and his rival did the same." He smirked. "Guess how much I was paid?" he asked and wiggled his brows at them.

"500 copper coins?" Feng Mo said. "Each talisman is 25 copper coins, so if you've sold ten each to them, you'll have 500 copper coins." He said. Li Tian smiled and nodded his head, agreeing with what Feng Mo said.

Cheng Sheng's lips curved up. "I have three gold ingots." He told them.

Feng Mo spat out his drink in shock. Cheng Sheng, sitting in front of him, immediately took out a Screen Talisman. It blocked the water sprayed by Feng Mo's mouth. "Feng-xiong. Please have a sense of etiquette – " he told him, slightly frowning.

"You're the one who should have etiquette!" Feng Mo rose from his seat and pointed at him. "You – what will shifu and founder say if they've heard you deceived people? This is going too far!" he said, glaring at Cheng Sheng. "Chen-shixiong is also with us. What would he think if a Xinfaxian sect disciple did this? Also, he's your elder brother – "

Upon hearing Chen Han was mentioned, Li Tian immediately blocked Cheng Sheng from Feng Mo's sight. "Feng-shidi. This will be fine as long as there are no words coming out." He told Feng Mo, his voice soft.

Feng Mo turned to him. "Li-shixiong. You're always spoiling Cheng-shidi, that's why he's crooked like this." He sighed, defeated. He can't argue with his soft-spoken senior who has the same temperament as their shifu. He can only glare at Cheng Sheng.

Li Tian smiled as he patted Cheng Sheng's head. "Cheng-shidi. Don't do it again, okay?" he told Cheng Sheng.

Cheng Sheng nodded as he continued to eat as if nothing happened. "Yes." He answered. "I'll use the Cleaning Talisman next – " he said.

"You!" Feng Mo said and was about to puff out in anger when Li Tian shook his head at him. Feng Mo could only resentfully look at Cheng Sheng who was energetically eating.

"Will da shixiong pay for our meal?" Cheng Sheng asked as he ordered another set of food.

"You – " Feng Mo sighed and helplessly shook his head.

Li Tian smiled. "It will be the Youxiwang Sect who will pay for our meals." He said.