The Lord of Void and Real-Chapter 285 - 283: Business is Booming

Chapter 285: Chapter 283: Business is Booming

The shop assistant busied himself. Upon noticing Shen Luo walking in, he quickly signaled him to take a seat at a table and poured him a bowl of hot tea, before asking: “Sir, Would you like to have a quick meal or to lodge?

“Lodge.” Shen Luo replied, taking off his bamboo hat and placing it on the table.

“Very well, sir. We still have a few vacant rooms in our establishment. Once you’ve eaten and drunk to your heart’s content, I’ll show you to your room,” said the very clever assistant.

“What are the specialties of this place?” Shen Luo asked.

Just as the assistant was about to answer, an excited shout came from the side: “Master Shen, is that you?”

Shen Luo recognized the familiar voice, he looked over quickly and indeed, he saw a familiar face.

“Xiao San?” He raised an eyebrow and asked.

“It really is you, Master Shen,” the young assistant in the blue cloth robe excitedly stepped forward.

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“You are here…” Shen Luo pointed around, unsure of what to say.

“Everything has changed drastically, but it’s all thanks to you, Master Shen,” Xiao San joyfully exclaimed.

Shen Luo furrowed his brows at his words, not quite understanding.

“Master Shen, wait here, I will get Manager Hou. When he finds out that you’re here, he’ll be overjoyed. ” Xiao San rushed towards the back of the establishment, his face full of joy.

The other patrons in the restaurant were looking at each other, not understanding what was happening. The former assistant was just as confused.

He was new to the establishment and had never seen Xiao San so worked up before.

Soon, a middle-aged man wearing a civil officer hat, rushed out from the back.

Upon seeing him, Shen Luo recognized him as Manager Hou. However, he seemed to have gained a good deal of weight since their first meeting, lacking his previous thin figure.

“Goodness, it really is Master Shen. Come, let’s go upstairs. Xiao San, tell the kitchen to prepare the best dishes and wine. Bring them up when they’re ready.” Manager Hou had a more excited look on his face than Xiao San after seeing Shen Luo.

“What is going on?” a puzzled Shen Luo asked.

Under the curious gaze of the crowd, Shen Luo accompanied Manager Hou to an upstairs private room.

“Honoured Master, your visit adds great value to our humble establishment.” As soon as Shen Luo sat, Manager Hou respectfully bowed and said.

“Manager Hou, what are you doing?” Shen Luo quickly helped him up and asked.

“Did Master Shen forget?” Manager Hou asked in return with a smile.

“Forget…what are you referring to, Manager Hou?” Shen Luo asked, puzzled.

“Haha, it’s really true what they say about ‘Great gentlemen often forget.’ Master Shen, you are the nobleman to our Fairy Residence. Do you remember the ‘Fortune and Treasure Attracting Talisman’ you helped me write?” Manager Hou asked, rubbing his hands together.

“Oh, that’s right.” Shen Luo remembered immediately upon Hou’s reminder.

“Master Shen, ever since that Talisman was posted in my shop, our mediocre business suddenly took a turn for the better. The daily average revenue doubled from before, and all of this is thanks to you,” said Manager Hou, his eyes full of joy.

“The Talisman only attracts wealth and fortune, whether those can be kept depends on the host of the place. As the saying goes, ‘Those who do good deeds are often rewarded.’ Manager Hou, you are a man of good deeds, and you certainly deserve this fortune,” Shen Luo said with a smile.

When he created the Fortune and Treasure Attracting Talisman, Shen Luo did it simply upon the request of Manager Hou. Although he felt a slight resonance while drawing the talisman, he wasn’t very confident about its effectiveness.

After all, as with many other qi fortunes, the nature of wealth is elusive and hard to fathom. However, it was clear Manager Hou believed in it wholeheartedly.

While the two were speaking, Xiao San, accompanied by two other assistants, brought plate after plate of delicacies to their table.

Shen Luo was now in the early stages of the Grain Avoidance phase, and even though he didn’t require grains as sustenance, this didn’t mean delicious food had lost its charm for him.

So, he and Manager Hou toasted and exchanged drinks, having a hearty meal together.

In the end, fired up by the wine, Manager Hou, with a flush on his face, came back carrying an old book bound with green skin thread. The book cover was full of worm marks, and the paper had yellowed, evidently showing a certain age.

“Master Shen, this book of talismans was passed down from my ancestors. It doesn’t have a name, and we have no use for it. I’d like to give it to you today as a token of good faith, to prevent it from being buried in oblivion,” said Manager Hou.

“I am unable to accept such a precious heirloom.” Shen Luo, having no trace of intoxication, hastily waved his hand in refusal.

“Master Shen, do you remember that day you said you’d return to collect your remuneration once I made my fortune? Material offerings of gold and silver would probably not catch your eye, this is all I can give in return,” Manager Hou said waving his hand.

Upon hearing this, Shen Luo hesitated once again.

“Don’t reject it, Master Shen. In the past, we didn’t even know if this book about talismans was authentic or not. Keeping it at home meant that it was only benefitting the insects. I’ll confess, the Fortune and Treasure Attracting Talisman I gave you was torn from this book, proof of its authenticity. Now, handing it over to you will ensure this precious artifact won’t remain hidden. Please, do not refuse,” said Manager Hou earnestly, trying to persuade Shen Luo.

“In this case, any further refusal on my part would be discourteous,” Shen Luo acknowledged, slightly thankful.

He took the old green-covered book, quickly flipped through it, and discovered that the book was written using a small awl and a brush pen. At first glance, the handwriting seemed sloppy, but upon closer inspection, it appeared to follow a certain pattern.

However, Shen Luo, not being an expert in this field, couldn’t discern much from the book’s wild cursive.

The book recorded several talismans, merely seven or eight in total, but the massive amount of text inside detailed the ways to draw these talismans and their effects. The Fortune and Treasure Attracting Talisman, torn from the book, was also included in its original place.

After having their fill, Manager Hou staggered home full of delight while Shen Luo retired to his room. Early in the morning the next day, he bid his goodbyes and left.

After leaving Song Fan County, instead of heading directly back to Chunhua County Town, he made his way straight to Qinghua Mountain.

The quiet Tuji Town at the base of the mountain remained relatively unchanged and quite familiar. Scanning the street, he recognized a few familiar faces.

However, with his bamboo hat on, no one recognized him.

He ate lunch at the Hongyun Building in the town, and quickly made his way up the mountain.

Despite the mountain being enveloped in heavy snow, indistinguishable roads, and some areas impassable by horse, Shen Luo had to tether his horse in the woods and make his way on foot.