Granny Jing

Shopkeeper Wu understood that it was impossible for an item tied to a spirit spring to be auctioned on the black market. Shifting his tone, he said, "If Fellow Daoist Qin is interested in the black market, I can introduce you. Aside from the black market, there is another secret shop in Wenyue Cultivation Market. It was opened by a highly respected senior and is actually a gathering place for like-minded fellows. Most members are rogue cultivators. They trade what they have for what they need at the secret shop and can also post tasks. Whatever you require, or whatever trouble you run into, resolving it together is always better than facing it alone." "Oh?" Qin Sang was somewhat surprised to hear this, but on second thought, the existence of such a place was hardly strange. At Shaohua Mountain, similar small circles existed among fellow disciples. If he failed to buy what he needed outside, he had planned to ask Senior Brother Wen to introduce him to one or two of them. "Surely not just anyone can join such a gathering? What are the requirements?" Shopkeeper Wu nodded. "There are indeed two requirements. The first is a joint recommendation from at least three members. Fellow Daoist Qin need not worry about that; I can find two more friends to help. The second is that you must openly disclose your identity and origins, which must be able to withstand an investigation without the slightest concealment. Since most of us are rogue cultivators, everyone is exceptionally cautious. People join the secret shop to help one another, and this is meant to keep out those with stained reputations or malicious intentions." With that, Shopkeeper Wu looked at Qin Sang somewhat awkwardly, unsure of what he might think. Qin Sang smiled. His background was not something that could not see the light of day. The only reason he had concealed his cultivation level before Shopkeeper Wu was out of habit, simply to avoid awkward interactions. Hearing what Shopkeeper Wu had said, he retrieved his waist token and handed it over. "I cultivate at Shaohua Mountain. You may present this token to that senior, Shopkeeper Wu. If they need to consult other disciples at Shaohua Mountain for confirmation, I will fully cooperate." "Senior Qin!" Shopkeeper Wu had long had suspicions regarding Qin Sang's identity. Seeing the waist token representing a Foundation Establishment disciple of Shaohua Mountain, he was somewhat surprised, though not completely shocked. He rose to bow in greeting. Qin Sang channeled his spiritual power to gently restrain him and asked, "Fellow Daoist Wu, have I ever offended you over all these years?" "Ah?" Shopkeeper Wu was dumbfounded. "What does Senior Qin mean by that? I have benefited from Senior Qin's patronage, and only thanks to that has my artifact-refining attainment improved. How could..." "As long as I haven't offended you, that's fine," Qin Sang said solemnly. "Fellow Daoist Wu and I met when I was still insignificant. The first time I came to your shop, I was indeed only in the Qi Refinement stage. It was only later that I had the good fortune to break through, and our subsequent collaborations have all been very pleasant. From now on, let us continue addressing each other as fellow daoists. Don't speak of 'seniors' anymore, or else how could I have the cheek to ask for your help again?" "This..." Shopkeeper Wu hesitated. Seeing Qin Sang's persistence, he followed his lead, cupped his hands, and said, "Since Fellow Daoist Qin thinks so highly of me, if there is ever anything you need, I will certainly spare no effort..." Qin Sang smiled and nodded. "Now that's more like it! I came this time with another matter I'd like to ask your help with..." When he saw the black tiger's carcass, Shopkeeper Wu was thoroughly shocked. Running a shop in Wenyue Cultivation Market, he mostly refined low- and mid-grade magic tools for rogue cultivators. He had rarely ever seen the carcass of a mid Demon Spirit stage beast, let alone one that was nearly intact. Not long after bringing in the white rhinoceros carcass, Qin Sang had slain an even more powerful black tiger. It seemed this Fellow Daoist Qin was far more formidable than imagined, and Shopkeeper Wu became even keener to foster this connection. In truth, he would have preferred to refine it into a magic tool, but Qin Sang insisted on turning it into Essence-Devouring Awls, so he could only comply with the request. Once the details were settled, Shopkeeper Wu stowed the black tiger carcass, closed the shop, and led Qin Sang toward the secret shop. Remarkably, the secret shop was situated right in a mortal settlement. Qin Sang and Shopkeeper Wu wound their way through the streets before finally stopping in front of a small shop named Taozhu Xuan. The shop was unusually quiet, without a single customer in sight. The shopkeeper was an old woman who looked to be in her seventies or eighties, slightly hunched with deep wrinkles, dozing in a bamboo chair. Looking at the old woman, Qin Sang's gaze sharpened slightly. He felt an inscrutability about her; she was very likely a cultivator at the mid or even late Foundation Establishment stage. According to Shopkeeper Wu, her surname was Jing, and everyone respectfully addressed her as Granny Jing. Several decades ago, she had suddenly appeared in Wenyue Cultivation Market, opened this secret shop, and organized gatherings for rogue cultivators. She had always upheld justice, enjoyed high prestige, and possessed an immaculate reputation. Previously, a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the secret shop had been overcome by greed during an agreed-upon task and killed a companion to seize their treasures, fleeing immediately after succeeding. To everyone's surprise, Granny Jing disappeared for a month and finally returned carrying that cultivator's severed head. From that day on, none dared question her. *Could it be that she has no hope of Core Formation and has taken to wandering the mortal world?* Qin Sang wondered inwardly. "Wu Yang greets Granny Jing." Shopkeeper Wu walked briskly over to the old woman and bowed low. The old woman opened her eyes, which were not the least bit clouded. Turning her gaze, she looked at Qin Sang. "Fellow Daoist Wu has arrived. And who might this fellow daoist be?" Her voice was somewhat aged and raspy, yet completely devoid of gloom, sounding just like a kindly elder in one's family. Qin Sang took the initiative to step forward. "Qin Sang of Shaohua Mountain greets Granny Jing." Shopkeeper Wu then explained the purpose of their visit. On their way here, he had already found two of his friends, and all three had recommended Qin Sang together. However, they still needed Granny Jing's personal approval, or else the secret shop would have far more members than it currently had. Upon learning Qin Sang's identity, Granny Jing grew intrigued. She looked him up and down, gave a chuckle, and said pointedly, "Fellow Daoist Qin comes from a prominent, prestigious sect. Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed by your fellow disciples if they find out you're associating with rogue cultivators like us?" Qin Sang's expression remained unchanged. "In my eyes, we are all cultivators. One should not judge high or low based on background. As long as someone pursues the Dao with a single heart, they are worthy of my respect." This was indeed what he genuinely felt. The path of cultivation was arduous, a desperate struggle for a slim chance! Only after stepping onto this path did one realize how difficult and lonely it truly was. Those who could overcome countless hardships and obstacles while keeping their Dao heart steadfast were all role models to him. Granny Jing narrowed her eyes and studied Qin Sang for a long time. With a tone tinged with nostalgia and emotion, she murmured, "You too are an obsessive seeker of the Dao... Shopkeeper Wu has presumably told you the rules of the secret shop, but I must emphasize them once more. Should anyone act on greed and slaughter a fellow member, I will execute them without fail! Do not assume that your high cultivation or deep background puts you beyond my reach. Our gatherings take place at the start of every month, right here in my humble shop. Leave your residence's location so I can contact you." Qin Sang and Shopkeeper Wu glanced at each other, both somewhat taken aback that passing the test had been so easy. Naturally, Qin Sang had no objections whatsoever and promptly agreed, leaving behind the address of Huilong Temple. Qin Sang then explained the reason for his visit. The old woman did not ask further questions, merely saying, "I understand. If there is any news, I will send a letter to Huilong Temple to inform you."