Chapter 52: Preparing to Draw Talismans
With previous experience creating the Muscle Relaxation Talisman, Jiang Cheng now found writing up the contract for the “Animal Encouragement Talisman” to be extremely easy.
As the sky outside the window gradually darkened and the moon rose, Jiang Cheng finally prepared the various contracts and materials for the “Animal Encouragement Talisman (Fish-Specific Edition).”
There were many parts of the contracts that Jiang Cheng had left blank.
He would need to consult the Liang Kingdom’s “Fisheries and Forest Resource Development” laws before he could fill them in.
Jiang Cheng understood the principle of “do not do to others what you would not have them do to you.”
He disliked trouble himself and naturally did not wish to create any for others.
Helping other people to solve their troubles and fulfill their wishes was the great cause that Jiang Cheng had always strived to pursue.
Although Jiang Cheng had no intention of causing trouble for others with the Muscle Relaxation Talisman, the results showed that it had caused a minor inconvenience for the teachers at Tianheng Sword Cultivation Academy.
Always adept at learning, summarizing, and improving himself, Jiang Cheng decided that this time, the “Animal Encouragement Talisman” had to be better than the Muscle Relaxation Talisman!
Not only would he work hard to perfect it!
He also wanted to make it a helpful, beloved talisman that brings joy to everyone!
To spread happiness, joy, laughter, and love throughout the world!
As evening came, without the sun outside, Liu Qing no longer stayed on the balcony. She now sat on the sofa next to Jiang Cheng, silently watching him work.
Since a while ago, Liu Qing had been able to smell a strange scent coming from Jiang Cheng.
She had never encountered this scent before.
So she was unclear about what the scent represented.
She only instinctively felt that Jiang Cheng’s current scent was extremely dangerous.
So dangerous that it posed a threat even to her, a cultivator of the Demon Race at the Mahayana Realm.
And yet, Jiang Cheng was clearly only at the Qi Cultivation Stage, theoretically a very weak, pitiful, and fragile creature.
Her high-quality human male friend might be pondering something worrying.
“Liu Qing, I need to step out for a bit and will bring you dinner when I return. What would you like to eat?” Jiang Cheng said while gathering his materials.
He planned to meet Zhou Yunshan to show him the “Animal Encouragement Talisman” proposal so that they could finalize the design plan as soon as possible.
If Zhou Yunshan found no issues upon reviewing it, he would start the talisman development project tomorrow!
“Together.”
Although the dangerous scent on Jiang Cheng had completely dissipated, Liu Qing was clearly not at ease with her only human friend.
He was far too weak.
And could die at any moment.
Liu Qing couldn’t understand how Jiang Cheng could be both weak and full of danger.
“Together? Alright then.”
Jiang Cheng nodded and then took out a communication talisman to contact Zhou Yunshan.
Zhou seemed to be always available, answering the communication talisman immediately, and after Jiang Cheng discussed the meeting place with him, he set off with Liu Qing.
The meeting place Zhou Yunshan and Jiang Cheng agreed upon was called “Huafu Grand Hotel.”
Jiang Cheng had some recollection of this hotel.
It was quite famous in Wuyue and seemed rather expensive.
Since Wuyue Residence was quite far from Huafu Hotel, Jiang Cheng, not wanting to keep his client waiting, chose not to save money and instead hopped into a taxi grandly.
Upon arrival, Jiang Cheng asked the Huafu service staff for the private room booked by Zhou Yunshan.
As soon as the staff heard Jiang Cheng was heading to the luxury suite, they did not dare to neglect him and personally led the way.
Cultivators who could afford luxury suites at Huafu were generally either wealthy or noble, and deserved particular attention.
Even if the staff did not consider this, the presence of Liu Qing beside Jiang Cheng, dressed impeccably and with an extraordinary demeanor, should have been enough for them to immediately realize that Jiang Cheng was no ordinary person.
At the very least, he could be a kept man supported by a wealthy woman.
“Clothes make the man just as a saddle makes the horse.”
If your clothes are expensive, service staff will regard you highly.
Though a common saying, it is particularly true.
In the hotel corridor, Liu Qing slightly furrowed her brow. Compared with other times, she now stood even closer to Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng, noticing Liu Qing’s unusual behavior, asked, “What’s wrong?”
“The scent,” she replied.
The Huafu Hotel was packed with people, and the variety of scents was overwhelming, many of which were negative and bothersome to Liu Qing. Right now, her only recourse was to rely on Jiang Cheng, a walking human air purifier, to cleanse the air around her.
Scents?
Did she dislike the smell here?
Jiang Cheng sniffed, but he could only detect the faint fragrance of perfume in the hotel.
There wasn’t any unpleasant smell.
However, a monster’s sense of smell might be more sensitive than a normal person’s, so her aversion to the scent of the perfume was probably normal.
“I can find the private room myself, please take her to a well-ventilated place on the rooftop,” Jiang Cheng said to the waiter.
The waiter obviously had no objections, but Liu Qing was unwilling to leave.
Jiang Cheng took out a Talisman to show her and said, “If anything comes up, send me a message through the Talisman. Go ahead. I’ll come to the rooftop to find you after I finish my business meeting.”
After sending Liu Qing off, Jiang Cheng pushed open the door to the private room and successfully met with Zhou Yunshan.
Zhou Yunshan took the matter of fishing very seriously and was not the least bit negligent.
He didn’t even go through the motions of inviting Jiang Cheng to order food first, but instead immediately grabbed the business plan Jiang Cheng handed over and started to study it earnestly.
And then Zhou Yunshan couldn’t hold back anymore.
“Jiang, my fellow Daoist… I have something to say, but I’m not sure if I should,” Zhou Yunshan hesitated.
“Feel free to speak,” Jiang Cheng said with a smile.
Smiling service was his way of showing respect to his clients.
“This ‘Animal Encouragement Talisman’ of yours, are you serious about it?” Zhou asked.
“Senior Zhou, it’s called the ‘Animal Encouragement Talisman,’” Jiang Cheng corrected him seriously.
“Encouragement” and “motivation” are different. One is a blessing type, and the other is an auxiliary type. The blessing-type Talisman focuses on being gentle, positive, and non-coercive, while the auxiliary type focuses on boosting a value—the differences are quite significant.
Zhou Yunshan’s expression changed, “Okay, Encouragement Talisman. What I mean is, are you serious about creating this thing?”
“Of course.”
“But…” Zhou Yunshan paused for a moment and then rephrased his thoughts, “What I need is a Fluorescence Talisman!”
“That’s not a problem,” Jiang Cheng said.
He was well-prepared and calmly took out the original “Reusable Fluorescent Talisman.”
Jiang Cheng pointed precisely at the structure of the Fluorescence Talisman and explained to Zhou Yunshan, “I will retain the basic functions of the Fluorescence Talisman, so you’ll be able to use it normally. However, on top of its original framework, I will add an Encouragement Talisman. This Encouragement Talisman primarily aims to address the psychological issues of the fish.”
“Address the psychological issues of the fish?” Zhou Yunshan’s eyes widened, his tone full of amazement.
He had been fishing for many years and had never heard of fish having psychological issues.
“Exactly,” Jiang Cheng affirmed: “You’re an experienced fisherman, and I believe your skills are indeed sublime. Since that’s the case and you’re still not catching fish, it must be a problem with the fish, not with you. This Talisman we’re talking about will focus on resolving the fish’s issues.”
“I see now!”
Upon hearing Jiang Cheng’s explanation, Zhou Yunshan had an epiphany!
He hadn’t caught a fish in quite some time.
Initially, he was full of confidence, but later he couldn’t help but doubt himself.
Doubt whether there was really something wrong with his skills.
Now, thanks to Jiang Cheng’s theory, Zhou Yunshan understood completely.
All this time he had been misled by other fishermen who talked about upgrading equipment, improving skills, and enhancing luck.
It was all crap!
The problem was clearly with the fish, not with him!
If the fish weren’t biting, it had to be a problem with the fish, right?
Could it possibly be the fisherman’s fault?
Otherwise, how could one explain those who managed to catch fish using a simple direct hook?
Brilliant!
This Jiang, my fellow Daoist…
No!
This Master Jiang, is truly ingenious!