Chapter 442: Chapter 434: Overpowered by the Disciple

Qin Liuxi still went to the Scripture Pavilion in the temple to look for the Trapped Immortal Array mentioned by Master Chi Yuan. The historical records did not have it, but she found an account of someone called Master Jiuyang in a book about legendary figures.

As the master of a peak, with Golden Core cultivation and a grandmaster of arrays, the Trapped Immortal Array and the Star Shifting Array were his famous creations. The book also detailed the extraordinary ingenuity of the Trapped Immortal Array, as well as some of the materials used in its formation.

The author who wrote the history of this legendary figure was also a disciple of the Qingping Sect, likely having heard it from the predecessors, not knowing the essence of the array but simply providing a brief overview.

Qin Liuxi compared it with the fragmented scroll she had, and indeed it bore a resemblance to the Trapped Immortal Array.

If she could really complete it, perhaps it could become an extra trump card on the path of clinging to life.

She had a premonition that she really would face off against the Si Luo, not because she felt that she was the chosen one to save all living things, but rather that she felt she was an ill-fated jinx, the kind that the Heavenly Dao definitely would not let off easy!

Tsk, such an exasperating intuition.

Qin Liuxi snapped the book shut and turned her head to see the junior disciple neatly arranging the crooked books, her mouth twitching slightly.

Just as she was about to speak, she saw him look around and sigh.

“What difficult matter is there? Why the sigh?” Qin Liuxi asked.

Teng Zhao looked over and said, “Can five thousand taels of silver build a tower?”

Qin Liuxi paused, “What tower?”

Teng Zhao pointed at the small Book Collection Pavilion and said, “When I was young, I went to Shengjing. The Sheng Family has a Daoist Temple in the western suburbs called Jinhua Palace, famous and bustling with incense. To cure my illness, my father took me to stay at Jinhua Palace. There, the Book Collection Pavilion tower is called Star-picking Tower, nine zhang high and with nine floors. From the top floor, one can view the outer city of Shengjing; ascending it is known as the stairway to immortality.”

Qin Liuxi’s fingertips twitched, “And then?”

“Wuxiang Temple also has a five-storied Scripture Pavilion.”

“So?”

“Shouldn’t our Qingping Temple also build a high tower? To overlook the distance from above and to store books, it could become a landmark,” Teng Zhao said.

Qin Liuxi looked at him for a long moment before saying, “Zhaozhao, you’ve changed.”

Teng Zhao frowned, “?”

“You’ve become vain.”

Teng Zhao’s face changed slightly, “I just think that the Collection Pavilion cannot be so shabby.”

“You’re right,” Qin Liuxi clapped her thigh, “If others have it, we need one too. We have to develop our Qingping Temple into the number one Grand Temple under the heavens, it can’t be shabby. Let’s build, we’ll also build seven floors. And hang Magic Bells and carve auspicious beasts; it should not only become a Book Collection Pavilion and an ascent to heaven but also a Protective Temple Tower.”

Teng Zhao let out a sigh of relief.

“Shall we use those five thousand taels then? That was the money your father gave you for expenses.”

Teng Zhao said, “I have a master, I won’t starve.”

Qin Liuxi was moved to tears, “My good disciple.”

Teng Zhao handed her a book about Qimen Dunjia magic, “To become a Protective Temple Tower, we’d have to lay out an Array Formation at the base when laying the foundation, right? Could you ponder it?”

Qin Liuxi: “?”

Wait, isn’t she the master? How did she get directed by her disciple?

What a tragedy!

…

As the new year and twelfth lunar month approached, the candied fruit shop’s business got increasingly better. Mrs. Wang took advantage of the season to introduce a new product, yogurt soft cakes made from fermented cow’s milk with eggs and fine flour, coated with icing sugar after baking. Sweet and sour, soft and chewy, they melted in the mouth.

This was the only pastry the candied fruit shop offered. Cut into small cubes and covered in sugar icing, it looked very appealing and received numerous positive reviews upon its release, along with a surge in orders.

So recently, Mrs. Wang had been incredibly busy, almost unable to take a break, but her spirit was growing stronger, her eyes shining brightly.

But with the good business came jealousy.

Mrs. Wang had anticipated jealousy, but never expected that it would come from the Ding family, who previously treated them like a plague, and what was the most shameless was their greedy demeanor which they didn’t even try to conceal, acting as if buying them out was doing them a favor.

This thoroughly disgusted Mrs. Wang.

“Mrs. Qin, paying eight hundred taels and included the shop’s recipes is quite generous, considering the past good relations between our families. I’ve heard that your husband and sons are having a hard time in the northwest; with this silver, even if nothing else, it could at least make their lives more comfortable. If your family is willing to sell the shop, our lady has said she would ask Mr. Yu to lean on his contacts in the northwest to help out.”

Mrs. Wang glanced sideways at Manager Liu, Mrs. Ding San’s attendant, and said expressionlessly: “There’s no need for Mrs. Ding San from your house to exert herself, we are not selling the shop.”

Manager Liu’s face darkened, but he held back and sighed: “Mrs. Qin, times have changed. It’s already against the norms for a lady to be in business, exposing yourself. If you encounter ruffians, think about… your reputation…”

“Ruffians, huh? We’ve had some here recently too.” Mrs. Wang said with a smile, “Fortunately, Mr. Yu, who came by then to buy candied fruit for his wife, chased them away. Mr. Yu, nostalgic of the old days when he traveled with my husband and I, has since kindly requested the city guards to patrol here from time to time, keeping the shop safe.”

As for reputation, she was engaged in a legitimate candied fruit business; how was that improper?

Ridiculous.

Manager Liu’s expression changed: “Mr. Yu?”

“Yes, Mr. Yu Qiucai.” Mrs. Wang took a sip of her tea and suddenly her eyes brightened. She stood up, took a pack of candied fruit she had prepared earlier to the doorway, and said with a smile: “The guards are on duty again, it must be hard in this cold winter. Here’s a pack of candied fruit, enjoy it as a snack.”

“There’s no need for formality, Boss.” The leader laughed and waved his hand: “We can’t keep accepting it every time, it’s too costly for you.”

Ruyi Pavilion’s candied fruits were delicious and not too expensive, except for the new milk cake which was a bit pricey. The owners were running a small business, and it wasn’t fair to keep accepting their generosity.

“It’s not much, just a small token of appreciation for your hard work patrolling and keeping us small folks safe in business.” Mrs. Wang insisted on giving it to them.

Unable to refuse any longer, and acknowledging the obligation that comes with receiving a gift, he said: “Since that’s the case, we’ll gratefully accept. If any good-for-nothing troublemakers come to disturb the peace, just let us know.”

He also glanced at Manager Liu with a bit of scrutiny.

After the city guards left, Mrs. Wang turned around and unsurprisingly saw Manager Liu’s dark expression.

Manager Liu stood up and said to Mrs. Wang: “Mrs. Qin, you should still carefully consider, managing a shop as a lady is always more troublesome.”

“No need to see you out.”

Manager Liu snorted and left with a swish of his sleeve.

Mrs. Wang watched his departing figure, her face clouded with gloom. Qin Yingniang walked up, indignant: “The Ding family has no shame, after father helped them so much in the past, it’s disgusting.”

“It’s just the cold nature of the world,” Mrs. Wang resignedly said.

Qin Yingniang frowned: “Elder sister, if they can’t rob us openly, they would not resort to dirty tricks behind the scenes, would they? Shall we inform Miss Xi?”

“For now, there’s no need. Let everyone beneath us stay alert and not allow any sabotage.” Mrs. Wang thought for a moment, then had her prepare a four-color gift package, particularly including the yogurt cake, and decided to have Nanny Ding personally deliver it to the Yu Family.

Unbeknownst to the two ladies, there was a little ghost inside the shop who had witnessed everything. Once the shop closed, it hurried off to play the role of the whispering god!