Chapter 10: Conflict (Part 2)

Zhu Dachang gently stroked the fur of the talisman bear, asking excitedly, “Where was this talisman bear hunted? Wow, it’s so huge. I guess… some top-tier talisman martial artist must have been involved?” He flipped the fur over and examined the natural talisman patterns on it, marveling nonstop, “A perfect example of a power-type and defense-type talisman beast. This fur… is incredibly tough. I really don’t know how such a terrifying talisman beast was hunted.”
Guo Shier stood quietly aside, not pressing him.
Zhu Dachang examined it several times before finally saying, “What a great item! Brother Guo, is it possible to transfer ownership?”
Guo Shier smiled and asked, “What do you think?”
Zhu Dachang frowned and said, “Uh, that’s hard to say. It depends on Brother Guo’s decision.”
Guo Shier asked, “What skills as a talisman master do you specialize in?”
Zhu Dachang’s eyes lit up as he said, “I specialize in making talisman armor, especially soft talisman armor. Hehe, this fur is top-tier material for making it!”
Guo Shier nodded and asked with a smile, “Have you finished examining it?”
Zhu Dachang said hopefully, “Hehe, I’ve finished. I’ve really finished…” He stepped back, staring at Guo Shier eagerly.
Guo Shier stepped forward, put away the fur, and said, “Well then, I’ll take my leave!”
“Huh? You’re leaving?”
Zhu Dachang hurried after him, calling out, “Brother Guo! Brother Guo!”
Guo Shier asked, “Is there anything else?”
Frustrated by this kid, Zhu Dachang said, “Don’t you want to make talisman armor?”
Guo Shier nodded seriously and said, “I do!”
Zhu Dachang perked up and said, “Then let me handle it! I’m an expert at making soft talisman armor. Look, I’m a certified talisman master by the Northern Talisman Sect!”
Guo Shier said, “But… I don’t have money! I can’t afford a talisman master!” He said it with conviction.
It was only then that Luo Zhan understood what Guo Shier was trying to do—the kid was using the talisman bear fur as a bait.
Zhu Dachang also understood Guo Shier’s plan. Unfortunately, he needed the fur to improve his skills, especially since the entire fur contained numerous natural talisman patterns, including some he had never seen before. Using them would greatly enhance his armor-making skills. No matter what, he refused to let it go. Even knowing it was a trap, he was determined to take the risk.
“Well… I won’t charge. I’ll make it for free!”

Guo Shier looked very surprised and said, “No way, free production? Is there such a good thing? You’re kidding me, right? It’s not good to deceive children!”
Zhu Dachang wished he could swear on the spot. He said, “It’s true! If you don’t believe me, you can ask the shopkeeper. Our Zhu Family Business has an excellent reputation!”
Guo Shier didn’t know how to make armor, but as a talisman master, he knew that producing soft talisman armor required a large amount of auxiliary materials, which was very costly. He said, “Uh, I don’t believe there’s such a good thing. If you finish making the soft talisman armor and then ask me for the cost of the auxiliary materials, I’m done for. By then… you’ll want to use my talisman bear skin to settle the debt, and I won’t have anywhere to cry.”
Zhu Dachang was confused by his words. He said, “Alright, I’ll not only produce it for free but also cover all the auxiliary materials. How about that?”
Guo Shier said, “But… I might leave in three days. If I give it to you… how can I get the goods?”
Luo Zhan sighed inwardly. This kid was too shrewd—wanting it for free and quickly too. He looked at Zhu Dachang curiously. No matter how he looked at him, he seemed like a pig. Why would he agree to such a disadvantageous deal? He couldn’t understand a talisman master’s desire for top-quality materials.
Guo Shier smiled at Zhu Dachang, looking as if he would leave if he didn’t agree.
Zhu Dachang was already immersed in the fantasy of getting talisman bear skin to make soft talisman armor. He said, “Time is too tight. Well, I have the auxiliary materials, but I’m missing one thing… which you need to provide.”
Guo Shier asked, “What material is it?”
Zhu Dachang said, “The blood of this talisman bear. Without it… I can’t make it.” He thought carefully for a moment and said, “I can’t do it alone. Well, it’s not a big problem. I can find some talisman masters to help. They’ll be happy to do it.”
Guo Shier asked, “How many sets of soft talisman armor can be made from this talisman bear skin?”
Zhu Dachang said excitedly, “It depends on what kind of soft talisman armor you need. There are simple chest plates as well as full sets of soft talisman armor.”
Guo Shier happily started counting: his master would need one set, Grandpa Shan Nan one set, and his close friends, like his four companions and Uncle Luo Zhan, etc. After hearing his calculations, Zhu Dachang’s face turned pale. He opened his mouth, not knowing what to say. After a long while, he finally said, “Brother Guo, although this talisman bear skin is big enough, it’s not enough to make that many sets of soft talisman armor.”
“Huh? It’s not enough? Then make more chest plates and arm guards or something. That should be enough, right?”

Only then did Zhu Dachang breathe a sigh of relief. If he really had to follow Guo Shier’s requirement for the number of people, it would be absolutely impossible for him to do so.
Guo Shier said, “Uncle Xiaofeng, send someone to Uncle Zhu in a bit. Hehe, we’ll head back first.” Then he turned to Zhu Dachang and said, “By the way, Uncle Zhu, where do you live? I’ll send someone to bring it over later.” He didn’t give the talisman skin right away but planned to send someone after returning.
Zhu Dachang was already very satisfied and kept thanking him.
Luo Zhan scratched his head, unable to understand. He had to pay money and even supplementary materials, yet he still had to thank Guo Shier—there seemed to be no logic to it.
Zhu Dachang reluctantly followed behind Guo Shier, saying, “Brother Guo, I’ll go with you to your base. Hehe, letting you send someone to accompany me…”
Luo Zhan was speechless and sighed inwardly. There really were such extreme talisman masters. He was used to arrogant talisman masters; at the Northern Talisman Sect, one should never offend a talisman master, as they were the ones who made talismans.
Zhu Dachang, along with four of his subordinates, eagerly followed Guo Shier, smiling broadly, leaving Luo Zhan and the others stunned. They thought Guo Shier must have used some secret technique to make a talisman master act so foolishly.
The owner of the Precious Skin Shop escorted them to the shop’s entrance, finally feeling relieved. He thought this kid was like a plague—the sooner he left, the better.
Qin Zilu asked, “Young master, where else do we need to go?”
Guo Shier looked at Zhu Dachang, who was eagerly waiting, and knew it was time to stop being unreasonable. Since Zhu Dachang had been so humble, it would be unfair to push him any further. He smiled and said, “Let’s go home first and deal with Uncle Zhu’s matter.”
Zhu Dachang gratefully said, “Brother Guo, thank you! Hehe!”
Luo Zhan could no longer bear it. He turned and left, afraid he might lose control and hit Zhu Dachang. As a talisman master, this was simply too spineless.
Xiaofeng had already admired Guo Shier during their time in the secret realm. This was the first time he saw the kid manipulating people. Unlike Luo Zhan, who was angry at the talisman master’s lack of backbone, he admired Guo Shier even more.
The group walked along the street toward the Qin family’s residence.
At a crossroads, Guo Shier suddenly laughed and said, “Uncle Luo, it’s time to fight!”

Luo Zhan looked up and couldn’t help but smile. There, standing at the street corner with gritted teeth, was Wu Shenxi, accompanied by a dozen men—four Beast Warriors, one Beast Sorcerer, and the rest Beast Warriors. This guy actually wanted to take revenge. Everyone knew that killing was forbidden in Qin Guang City. Wu Shenxi’s goal was clear: he wanted to avenge Guo Shier.

The conflicts between the disciples of the West Symbol Gate and the North Symbol Gate never ceased. Many attacks occurred in the wild, but more often it was like this—competitive fights where the loser would be humiliated. Though no one was killed, it wasn’t much better than killing.

Wu Shenxi hid behind two Beast Warriors and shouted fiercely, “It’s him! That kid!” He didn’t dare step forward and only shouted from behind.

Luo Zhan and the others felt a chill. A man in his thirties could be so despicable—what a shame for the West Symbol Gate.

Zhu Dachang wondered, “Isn’t that Wu Shenxi from the West Symbol Gate? What does he want?”

Guo Shier said, “What else could he want? Bringing a bunch of Beast Warriors to bully a kid!” He shouted loudly, “Young Master Wu! You’re really fast…”

Wu Shenxi snapped angrily, “Of course I’m fast! How will you deal with me this time? Haha!”

Guo Shier shook his head and said, “Young Master Wu, I’m not saying you’re fast! I’m saying you… change your pants really quickly!”

Wu Shenxi screamed, “You… you… you…”

Luo Zhan, Xiao Feng, and the others burst into laughter. Guo Shier cursed without using any vulgar words. Wu Shenxi was furious and almost went mad. He screamed, “I’ll kill you!”

Guo Shier replied coldly, “Who do you want to kill? Who can you even kill?”

The Beast Sorcerer standing among the crowd stepped forward and said, “I am the Beast Sorcerer of the West Symbol Gate. Kid, you’re an inner disciple of the North Symbol Gate. Who is your master?”

Guo Shier asked, “What’s your relationship to him?” He pointed at Wu Shenxi.

The Beast Sorcerer replied arrogantly, “He’s my son!”

Luo Zhan stepped forward and said, “You people of the West Symbol Gate are really weak. You hit your son and sent your father instead—what a damn disgrace!”

Zhu Dachang was shocked. Fights between sect disciples were not something he, a merchant symbolist, could get involved in. He quickly stepped back and watched nervously.

Guo Shier said coldly, “You don’t deserve to know who my master is. If you have any problems, come at me!”

Those words were even harsher than slapping someone. Wu Shenxi cried out, “Dad! Look how arrogant he is! Dad, avenge me…”

The beast sorcerer’s face turned ashen. He wasn’t angry at Guo Shier, but rather at his own son. His son was an idiot, but he wasn’t!
Luo Zhan couldn’t help but shake his head and say, “Dude, your son… Sigh, it’s better to just slap him to death to avoid embarrassment!”
Guo Shier laughed heartily.
Book 5: The Mystery of the Altar