Dragon Hermit

Liu Xue’er felt jittery. A nightmare had been waking up her grandfather at night for the past few days. This matter had made the entire household feel unpeaceful, making them fear that something that haunts had entered the house.

Her father wanted to take her grandfather to Qingyang Palace to burn incense, but her grandfather didn’t believe in Buddhist monks or Daoist priests as he had crawled out of the battlefield back in his days. He would visit Qingyang Palace for a tour, but it was impossible to do so for burning incense!

There was no need to even mention something like inviting a priest to handle the matter.

Her family members had gone to the Fengshui Street beside Manjushri Archway to get a few spiritual artifacts in secret. They had spent an exorbitant amount of money, but none of the things they bought were useful and made them all curse the sellers as swindlers.

Liu Xue’er was closest to her grandfather since her childhood, so she also wanted to try helping. She had heard that a few of the antiques in Songxian Bridge were genuine spiritual articles, so she made time to check the place out. She planned to buy a few items so her grandfather could have a good sleep.

She didn’t know how Wen Yipin had caught news of this, but he had eagerly come running to act as her shadow. This person relied on his father’s influence to run amok and possessed a detestable nature. Ever since he had seen Liu Xue’er, he stuck to her like glue in his attempts to woo her. It was so bad that he might as well rush into the washroom to accompany her. Liu Xue’er felt like her life had become hell, but she couldn’t do anything because of his father’s influence. She couldn’t duke it out with him verbally, and this only made her heart feel more jittery. It made her wish how good it would be if a car crashed into him and sent him to the hospital.

Xia Yan glanced at the man and woman before him. He judged from their clothing that they were wealthy folks. [The funds for my smartphone lie within your wallets.]

“This is a Soul Ataraxia Stone. It can placate the mind, safeguard the soul, and ward off evil spirits.” Xia Yan introduced the stone.

Liu Xue’er’s pretty eyes turned bright beneath the sunglasses. She squatted down to pick up the two stones and looked at them after taking off her sunglasses. After watching the intricate carvings and designs on the stones, she fondled them, admirably.

“What’s carved on it?” Liu Xue’er asked.

“Eh… It’s a charm.” Xia Yan hesitated a bit. He couldn’t tell her that it was an undead magic spell. If he did, the woman would not buy them. Therefore, he told them it was a charm so that they would associate it as a Daoist charm.

“This is a charm?” Wen Yipin sneered, “I’ve seen the charms drawn by Daoist priests at Qingyang Palace. They look different from yours. You aren’t scamming us, right?”

Although Liu Xue’er felt annoyed by Wen Yipin, she also nodded slightly as she approved of his words. The designs on these stones didn’t resemble Daoist charms and somewhat seemed artistic.

Wen Yipin felt his confidence soar after seeing her nod and stated in a loud voice, “The notches on this thing looks new, and there’s a high chance someone carved them today. Taking out such a new thing to run a scam, do you think it’s that easy to make money?”

Xia Yan furrowed his brows, “You haven’t even asked me the price and claim that I’m a scammer? Is there any justification in that? When did I say this is an old object? I carved it just today and didn’t say it was an old article, so how is this a scam?”

“Eh..” Wen Yipin’s thoughts came to a halt. Xia Yan’s words had hit the mark. Wen Yipin had got the wrong first impression and tried to label him as a scammer.

Liu Xue’er felt a little elated after seeing him suffer a loss. However, she couldn’t really allow him to lose face as she knew he would find trouble for the youth before him if she did nothing. As a result, she interjected, “How much is it?”

“¥5000 for one.” Xia Yan had already thought about this question. Although the seal stone was of little value, his craftsmanship and the Soul Ataraxia Spell were valuable. They were unique in this world and had a guaranteed effect, so ¥5000 really wasn’t much to ask.

“How much?” Liu Xue’er felt stunned. She believed this thing would cost less than a hundred, yet hadn’t expected this student-looking youth to quote a price of ¥5000. Although ¥5000 was only the cost of a meal for her, she didn’t wish to act like a spendthrift.

“¥5000 for one.” Xia Yan repeated the price again with full confidence.

“And you still say you aren’t a scammer?” Wen Yipin burst into laughter, “This is just common seal stone, right? Since it isn’t an archaic item, ¥50 would be good enough, yet you dare to quote a price of ¥5000. Do you believe me when I say I’ll report you to the police?”

The exchange left Brother Hu speechless. He had seen Little Xia carve the two Soul Ataraxia Stones personally. Although Little Xia’s craftsmanship was wonderful to look at, he felt that a price of ¥100 to ¥200 was good enough and couldn’t believe Little Xia would quote a price of ¥5000.

“I’m selling at a marked price, so how can that be a scam? The value of my items is worth that much.” Xia Yan stated.

“Which master craftsman’s work is this?” Liu Xue’er questioned doubtfully. She was cautious. The youth before her may be the child of a master and had stealthily brought out an item carved by his elder recently. If that were the case, ¥5000 wasn’t that expensive.

“No one, I carved it myself.” Xia Yan answered in a bold and confident tone.

“You…” Wen Yipin didn’t know what to say and sniggered while pointing at Xia Yan.

Liu Xue’er laid down the Soul Ataraxia Stone and wore her sunglasses again. She shook her head at the student before her that was indulging in fantasies and didn’t find it worth it to bother with him. Everything was fine if she didn’t buy it.

“Kid, making money isn’t that easy. Pack up and leave, or else I’ll really call the police!” Wen Yipin waved his hands as if he were swatting away a fly.

“Beauty, isn’t there something supernatural at your home?” Xia Yan felt anxious after watching the customer leave. It was only possible to sell this Soul Ataraxia Stone to the opportune person, or else it wouldn’t sell for ¥5000 even if it was on display for a year. Since the woman had a faint breath of undead element on her body, she was a suitable buyer for it, so he couldn’t let her go that easily!

“Kid, what did you say? Your house is the one that has something supernatural! You really think I won’t deal with you?” Wen Yipin jumped out again. He really didn’t know Liu Xue’er’s purpose in coming to Songxian Bridge today and believed that she came here to purchase antiques.

Liu Xue’er stopped and turned around. She took off her sunglasses again, astonishment floating across her face. After sizing up Xia Yan once, she crouched to pick up the Soul Ataraxia Stone again and asked, “Does this really have those effects you mentioned?”

Wen Yipin and Brother Hu were both stunned. Although Liu Xue’er hadn’t answered Xia Yan’s question, her actions had already proved his words weren’t wrong.

“They are 100% genuine goods.” Xia Yan stated with a smile since he had confidence in them.

“Where did you get these two things from?” Liu Xue’er asked.

“I carved it myself?”

“Are you well versed in Physiognomy or Geomancy?” Liu Xue’er questioned again.

“No, but I can settle your home’s trouble.” Xia Yan smiled.

“How will you do that?”

“Just buy my things, and it’ll be fine.” [Stop kidding me! Why would I talk so much with you if not to sell my items?]

“I’ll buy these.” Liu Xue’er opened her bag and took out a sealed wad of cash. She handed it over to Xia Yan, “Here’s ¥10,000. You can count them.” Saying so, she placed the two Soul Ataraxia Stones inside her bag.

Brother Hu felt stupefied. [This thumb-sized seal stone with just a few designs got sold for ¥5000 per piece? This woman isn’t burning money, right? Or has she fallen for Little Xia?]

“Xue’er, don’t get cheated!” Wen Yiping stated promptly. Even he had failed to react in time. [How can you buy it just like that? You can’t just spend money like that even if we’re wealthy!]

“I know.” Liu Xue’er replied succinctly.

Xia Yan counted the cash under the contempt-filled gazes of Wen Yipin and Brother Hu. He added on, “If the issue is with a person, let them wear the Soul Ataraxia Stone. If your house is unpeaceful, open the windows and the doors and circle inside the house with the Soul Ataraxia Stone a few times. Then just hang it behind the main door.”

He then squatted down to pick up the nonwoven pouch, placed the carving knife inside it, and prepared to leave.

“Wait for a minute!” Liu Xue’er called out to him immediately.

“What is it? We have exchanged the money and items, pardon me for not doing any refunds!”

“Can you come with me to look at my home? What if the Soul Ataraxia Stone doesn’t work?” Liu Xue’er looked at his face and asked him.

“There’s no need for that. The Soul Ataraxia Stone will work for sure!” Xia Yan stated with utmost certainty.

“Don’t you provide after-service for your items? Where would I go to look for you if they don’t work?” Liu Xue’er rolled her eyes.

“That…” Xia Yan wasn’t aware of such a thing and felt like Liu Xue’er’s words made sense. Although he knew that the Soul Ataraxia Stones would work, he wanted to let the customer feel at ease after buying the items. However, Xia Yan wasn’t planning to reveal his student identity to her. He pondered for a moment, then said, “I’ll come along with you to look. If it works, I’ll just leave.”

“It’s a deal!” Liu Xue’er smiled.

To the side, Brother Hu had words left for him. [You are too naïve, kid. Since the money is in your hands already, leaving would have ended the matter. Providing after-service? How could something like that exist in the profession of antique dealers? It is embarrassing to argue with the other party after realizing you’re done for when they figure out it’s a counterfeit article.]

Xia Yan said goodbye to Brother Hu and left the antique market along with Liu Xue’er and Wen Yipin. Wen Yipin said, “Xue’er, wait here for me. I’ll go get the car.”

After watching Wen Yipin head over to the parking lot, Liu Xue’er looked at Xia Yan, “How do you know about my home’s matter?”

“You won’t understand even if I told you.” Xia Yan replied half-heartedly.

“What’s your name?” Liu Xue’er changed the subject after hearing his reply, “Let me introduce myself. I’m Liu Xue’er.”

“Xia Yan.”

“Xia Yan, are you still a student?” Liu Xue’er asked him.

“Mmm.”

“Which university?”

“That’s…”

Liu Xue’er wore a short skirt paired with a sleeveless top. Her fair thighs and arms were out in the open, and the faint fragrance coming from her made Xia Yan a little absent-minded.

“Never mind then.” Since Xia Yan had already promised to accompany her, it wasn’t proper for Liu Xue’er to keep questioning him.

After a few minutes, Wen Yipin drove over his Land Rover in front of them and called out, “It’s too hot, get on quickly!”

Xia Yan sat on the backseat and caressed the cozy leather seat. Feeling the pleasant chill from the air conditioner, he sighed at the life of the wealthy.

“Bumpkin!” Wen Yipin looked at the rear-view mirror and muttered in a low voice.

Although he spoke in a low voice, Xia Yan still heard it, but he brushed it aside with a smile. [The movies were right. Those who drive nice cars aren’t necessarily good people. I can buy a car after making enough money too, so there’s no need for me to feel embarrassed. ]

Liu Xue’er got in from the other side and sat beside Xia Yan. The delicate fragrance from her made his heart itch and made him recall An Xiaoru’s body from last night. [She smelled good too. I wonder who has bigger breasts? Liu Xue’er or An Xiaoru?]

He took a sneaky glance and felt that An Xiaoru’s were bigger, but also thought that Liu Xue’er’s were also good. [They are a C for sure…]