500,000!
That was a huge sum of money!
Xi Mufu was stunned—could the Fu Paper she drew really be so valuable?
But she had no intention of earning this money and tactfully said, “Since it was recommended by Shanqun Abbot, I can give you two Protection Talismans. However, I won’t accept payment because I’m not certain how effective they are.” She reminded him, “After you take the talismans, it’s best to visit Shanqun Abbot and ask him to check on you.”
She felt that Shanqun Abbot had referred President Liu to her merely to promote her Protection Talismans, while in reality, Shanqun Abbot himself could resolve President Liu’s troubles.
President Liu hadn’t expected her to offer the talismans for free and couldn’t help but feel deep respect: “Xi Da Shi, you are truly righteous!”
In his view, Xi Mufu was a master highly regarded by Shanqun Abbot and so renowned in Jingning Town. All her modesty was merely self-effacement, and offering him the talismans for free was an act of great benevolence.
Xi Mufu: “…”
Sometimes, one feels utterly helpless when no one sees through their speechlessness.
President Liu still insisted on paying: “This is what I ought to give.”
He wore an expression that said, “If Xi Da Shi doesn’t accept the money, I won’t take the talismans.”
Xi Mufu: “…How about this: take the talismans first, and if they work, you can pay me then.”
She had drawn quite a few Protection Talismans but had never used them herself, so she genuinely had no idea about their effectiveness.
“I truly don’t understand arcane arts. Helping Sister Wang find her son earlier was just a coincidence,” she repeatedly emphasized. “You must go see Shanqun Abbot again.”
Having studied Xiang Shu – Face Reading with the two elders these past few days, she could indeed see that President Liu’s forehead was dark, indicating he was facing some troubles. But she was just a beginner, with only a superficial understanding, and couldn’t discern the specifics of President Liu’s situation. She feared that if President Liu relied too heavily on her Protection Talismans, it would be disastrous if something went wrong.
President Liu solemnly accepted the talismans and said, “I understand your caution. I will visit Shanqun Abbot again.”
Only then did Xi Mufu breathe a sigh of relief.
After President Liu left, Sister Wang turned to Xi Mufu, puzzled, and said, “Xiao Fu, why are you so modest? It was clearly you who helped me find my child.”
Xi Mufu: “…”Of course, she couldn’t mention the matter of the props, so she could only tactfully reply, ‘I’ve been quite busy lately and don’t have time to help others.'” If anyone else comes looking for me, please help me turn them away.”
Sister Wang, realizing that the New Year was approaching and things would indeed get busy, immediately patted her chest and assured her: “Don’t worry, I’ll keep people away. They can come see you after spring begins!”
Xi Mufu: “…”
She hoped that by next spring, her Xiang Shu skills would have improved.
Soon, Sister Wang left as well, and Xi Mufu immediately messaged Shanqun Abbot, informing him about President Liu’s visit and expressing her concerns.
Shanqun Abbot replied: 【He went to the cemetery to pay respects to a friend a week ago and was haunted by a wraith. His aura and health have been affected. Only your Protection Talismans can help him.】
Xi Mufu was half-convinced and half-doubtful—were her Protection Talismans really that powerful, capable of dealing with wraiths?
“Is the Abbot deceiving me?” she couldn’t help but complain to Ji Jiu.
Ji Jiu smiled: “No.”
Xi Mufu blinked.
Ji Jiu didn’t explain further and only said, “I also know some Xiang Shu. Would you like to learn?” He paused and added, “The two elders will be returning to their sect for the New Year soon. While they’re away, I can teach you.”
Xi Mufu: “Yes!”
As the director of the Special Administration Bureau, someone even the two elders treated with utmost respect must possess extraordinary mystical abilities. His willingness to teach her was an honor.
Ji Jiu smiled faintly and led the way into the courtyard.
Xi Mufu followed cheerfully.
Left behind, Qin Yi scratched his head in confusion. If the Nether Lord truly wished to teach her, he could simply infuse her with divine power directly. Why take such a roundabout approach?
But then it occurred to him—Xi Mufu remained unaware of the Nether Lord’s true identity and was still a mortal. Infusing her with divine power would be too shocking; face-to-face instruction was indeed more appropriate.
·
The next day, President Liu returned, this time not alone. He brought several supermarket employees with him, standing at the entrance of the Incense Shop with a cart full of gifts.
“Xi Da Shi, you’re truly miraculous!” he exclaimed excitedly upon seeing Xi Mufu. “After taking your Fu Paper yesterday, I drove back to the city. On the way, I nearly had another accident—your Fu Paper saved me.”
He briefly recounted what had happened.
On his return trip, he received a call from a supplier informing him that a shipment had arrived. He headed to a warehouse in the suburbs but encountered a ghost wall along the way. At that moment, his heart raced with fear, convinced he was doomed. Soon, however, he felt the Protection Talisman in his pocket grow warm. When he regained his senses, he found his car back on the main road, his body enveloped in warmth, with no trace of the earlier bone-chilling cold.
“Your Fu Paper is incredibly powerful. I believe the foul entity attached to me has been completely eradicated,” President Liu declared joyfully.
After the incident, he wanted to drive back to Jingning Town immediately to thank Xi Da Shi, but it was already too late, and he hadn’t prepared any gifts. That night, he gathered a large assortment of presents and set off first thing in the morning.
“The Fu Paper actually worked?” Xi Mufu was astonished. “Are you sure the foul entity is gone?”
President Liu affirmed firmly, “Yes!”
In his eyes, Xi Mufu was now a humble yet mysterious Xuanxue master. Despite the talisman’s incredible power, she remained unassuming, even allowing him to use the Fu Paper for free initially. Not only was her skill profound, but her character was also noble!
Xi Mufu: “…”
President Liu instructed his employees to bring the gifts into the Incense Shop and respectfully handed Xi Mufu a check. “You gave me two Protection Talismans yesterday. This is one million—you must accept it.”
In truth, only one Fu Paper had been used; he intended to keep the other on his person at all times—it was a lifesaving treasure!
Xi Mufu quickly stopped him. “There’s no need for gifts, and the Fu Paper isn’t worth that much.”
Since the Protection Talisman had proven effective, she was willing to accept payment, but 500,000 per talisman was excessive. She thought 100,000 each was already more than enough.
President Liu: “100,000? That’s far too little! This Fu Paper saved my life! Is my life not worth a million?!”
Xi Mufu: ?
Since when did that logic apply?
President Liu insisted on paying the million, emphasizing that his life was invaluable.
Xi Mufu: “…”
In the end, she accepted the check but asked President Liu to take the gifts back.
Watching him leave, she looked down somewhat dazedly at the check in her hand.
“Isn’t this… too much?” After a long moment, she finally collected herself and turned to Ji Jiu beside her. “I don’t dare face such overwhelming fortune.”
Ji Jiu smiled faintly: “The value of the Fu Paper is determined by the user. Since he believes it’s worth it, then it is. Moreover, this Fu Paper did save his life.” His gaze deepened as he continued, “The wraith following him wasn’t originally very powerful, but it had been possessing him for a week, draining his aura. In a few more days, he would have been in serious trouble. Your Protection Talisman happened to save him, and since the talisman was infused with Gong De – Merit, it was able to restore his vitality.”
Ordinary protection talismans couldn’t have resolved President Liu’s troubles—only those infused with Gong De – Merit were effective.
Xi Mufu couldn’t help but curve her eyes into a smile.
It seemed her Protection Talisman was quite useful after all.
What she didn’t know was that President Liu had gone to Sister Wang’s place afterward, bringing her many gifts to thank her for yesterday’s introduction and lavishly praising her Protection Talisman.
Sister Wang slapped her thigh: “I told you Xiao Fu was remarkable!”
After Sister Wang spread the word, Xi Mufu’s Fu Paper gained reputation in the town.
When President Liu returned to the city, he shared his near-death experience with friends. Soon, Xi Mufu’s Protection Talisman became widely known among the wealthy circles in the city. Several bosses came to purchase from her, and she set the price at 200,000 per talisman. Within just a few days, she had earned over a million!