Chapter 103 Big Liar Meets Little Liar
Han Xiaoqian lowered his head, calmed down, and began his performance.
His voice trembled slightly, and he cried, "Brother, this piece of wood is really important to me. It can save my life."
He raised his steamy eyes and timidly tugged at Duan Anluo's sleeve, "Please, change with me."
Duan Anluo looked at his pitiful appearance and thought to himself, wow, this kid is really good at pretending.
From now on, whenever this kid complained, he would tell his fortune to confirm the truth. If he lied and wrongly accused another fellow disciple, he would beat his butt.
Duan Anluo showed a sympathetic look on his face and said softly, "Child, what do you want to exchange for it?"
"Love insect." Han Xiaoqian took a deep breath and decided to take a gamble.
The person before him, male or female, demon or human, could be disguised in this ghost market. But there was one thing he couldn't disguise: they looked like a close family of three.
In this case, feelings should be very important to them.
"Lover Gu, once you're infected, you won't betray your partner for the rest of your life." He tried to make his voice sound more seductive, "Brother, there are more divorces than marriages nowadays. If you have a lover Gu, you can..."
"No." Duan Anluo refused decisively without any hesitation.
Han Xiaoqian was stunned by this decisive rejection and was speechless for a moment.
He quickly pulled out another small jar and said, "Well, there's also the Wisdom Gu! It can make people smarter. Whether it's studying or practicing, it can make them one step ahead of others."
The price is to devour people's lives. He gritted his teeth and refused to say this.
When Duan Anluo heard this, he seemed to be aroused.
Han Xiaoqian's eyes lit up, and then he heard Duan Anluo say, "Then I don't need it anymore."
Han Xiaoqian: “…”
Are you kidding me?!
Duan Anluo held Qi You's face in his hands and turned to Han Xiaoqian, his tone full of pride: "Look at my apprentice, he is gifted, has a unique foundation, and is extremely intelligent! He can draw inferences from what he learns and understand everything at once. He is a rare genius in this world!"
Han Xiaoqian: “…”
Duan Anluo's praise grew more and more enthusiastic, as if he had just opened up a chatterbox. "What's even more remarkable is that despite his extraordinary talent, he's never been arrogant. Instead, he's diligent and dedicated to his studies! His solid foundation and unique insights have long surpassed his peers! No, his character far surpasses that of adults!"
Qi You was so embarrassed by the praise that his ears turned red. He pleaded in a low voice: "Master, it's enough."
Duan Anluo hadn't praised him enough, "My apprentice's learning speed is like riding the wind, making a thousand miles a day, leaving the dust behind, one..."
"Master, it's really done." Qi You wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into, and he felt weak in his heart. How could he be as good as his master said? If he didn't work hard in the future, he would be sorry for his master's praise.
Duan Anluo then rubbed Qi You's head lovingly, and said in a doting tone: "See, my apprentice is so humble, and he's still embarrassed."
Han Xiaoqian was so angry that his head hurt, he could hardly bear it anymore!
Duan Anluo finally turned his gaze back to him and waved his hand casually, "I don't think you have anything to show for yourself. Go home quickly. I still have to wait for my other apprentice to come find me."
Han Xiaoqian was speechless. He really couldn't come up with anything better.
The two men were dressed in extraordinary attire, and whether they were human or not, they were not ordinary. Especially the man who was speaking, his hands were delicate and white, and it was obvious that he was used to a life of luxury.
Even the boy next to him, who was about the same age as him, was wearing the brands that are most popular among students today.
Especially shoes, boys don't compare anything else, just stare at the shoes on other people's feet. This boy is wearing the most popular running shoes at the moment, which are very expensive, said to be more than 3,000 yuan, which is considered a luxury for a junior high school student.
The sword behind him looks very ancient and it is obvious that he has been around for a long time. It is not an ordinary item.
In their eyes, my little possessions are probably not worth mentioning.
"I...I really need it to save my life..." Han Xiaoqian's voice was dry and filled with a final despair. "What do I want...for you to be willing to change?"
Duan Anluo put away his smile and said earnestly, "Sorry, I'm here to wait for my apprentice. This piece of wood will be a perfect gift for my new apprentice later."
He paused, looking around the street as if searching for someone. "I read a fortune-teller. My future apprentice, whose name contains the character '笑' (laughing) in it, is eleven years old and has a younger sister who desperately needs this thing to save her life. I'll be waiting for him here. The fortune-teller said our fate is tonight, and I can't delay my apprentice from saving his sister."
Han Xiaoqian's pupils suddenly shrank, and his whole body stiffened: What?!
Duan Anluo seemed completely oblivious to his reaction, and continued chatting with him, "By the way, you also raise Gu worms. Have you seen a boy about your age with the word 'xiao' in his name? His family has been practicing traditional Chinese medicine for generations. His parents and grandfather are all dead, and his sister also died of illness, leaving him alone. He likes to raise Gu worms, and I've counted all of them."
Han Xiaoqian stood there, a huge wave of emotion rising in his heart. Isn't this him?!
An idea suddenly occurred to him. He quickly tore off his dress and wig and ran back. He didn't care if he was waiting for him or not. He had to get the wood first. His sister couldn't wait any longer.
He was just about to say "I saw it" when Duan Anluo suddenly stood up.
"That's not right!" Duan Anluo pinched his fingers, frowning more and more, muttering to himself, "That's not right..."
Qi You hurriedly asked: "Master, what's wrong?"
"How did your junior brother suddenly become your junior sister?" Duan Anluo looked confused. "I clearly predicted a boy, so why does the hexagram show a girl?"
Han Xiaoqian subconsciously clenched his palms and held his breath.
Si Cang, who was standing aside, moved his mouth slightly. The big and the small were acting against each other. The small one didn't have enough skills and was about to be fooled by the big one.
Duan Anluo suddenly stretched out his hand towards Han Xiaoqian, "You, stretch out your hand."
Han Xiaoqian hesitantly extended his hand. Duan Anluo held his palm and carefully examined the lines on it. Suddenly, he gasped, his tone instantly filled with shock and heartache: "You... Hey, this child! It's you I've been waiting for! Aren't you a boy? Why are you..."
Duan Anluo took a look at Han Xiaoqian's outfit and asked, "Why did you become a girl? You went to Thailand..."
"I didn't go!" Han Xiaoqian suddenly became anxious. What was he thinking?
"Good boy, it's okay." Duan Anluo patted his shoulder quickly, his tone very tolerant, "Master can accept you no matter what you become."
"No!" Han Xiaoqian was anxious, and his voice suddenly turned back to a clear male voice, "I didn't! This is a disguise!"
Only then did Qi You fully recover from the conversation. His gaze subconsciously flicked to Han Xiaoqian's lower body. He was a man? Sixth Junior Brother? Could he be... gone?
Qi You gasped, "Hiss!"
That must be so painful!
Han Xiaoqian asked unhappily, "What do you mean?"
"It's meaningless. Let's see if you have balls." Qi You was not to be outdone. When he thought that he actually thought he was handsome just now, he suddenly felt ashamed and annoyed as if he had been cheated. Damn shemale, what a waste of feelings!
Han Xiaoqian was anxious and angry, "I have it!"
"Alright, alright, kid, stop talking," Duan Anluo interrupted gently with an "I know it all" expression. "Master understands and supports me. So, if you become my disciple, I'll give you this Soul-Nourishing Tree to save your sister."
Han Xiaoqian quickly calmed down. Suddenly, such a huge pie fell from the sky. Han Xiaoqian's first reaction was not surprise, but deep vigilance. He didn't believe in such a bullshit fate.
Duan Anluo seemed to see through his thoughts and said seriously, "I think you are gifted and have a unique bone structure. You are a good material for studying Taoist medicine."
Qi You, who was standing aside, thought silently: Master, this bowl of old soup has been served again without changing the recipe at all.
Looking at Han Xiaoqian's expression again, Qi You seemed to see his former self and his former junior brother.
The junior brother is okay, he is young after all, but Han Xiaoqian's eyes widened, and the shock in his pupils made Qi You lower his head and twitch the corners of his mouth: Very good, another one is drunk.
Duan Anluo continued, "You have no one left at home, except your sister whose soul is unstable. Come with me, I will help you take care of your sister's soul, send her to reincarnation, and find her a good family."
Duan Anluo's tone became serious. "Just follow me and learn whatever you want, Taoism, Gu Shu, or Traditional Chinese Medicine. If you want to go to university and study Western medicine, you can study for as many years as you want. Master will pay for it."
Han Xiaoqian: "I..."
Duan Anluo didn't listen to what he said at all, and continued to talk to himself: "It just so happens that my sect has an exclusive martial art that is especially suitable for you. Your fifth senior brother studies formations, and there is also a younger junior brother at home who is half human, half demon and studies close combat. Now we are short of someone who studies medicine. You come and take the sixth place."
Han Xiaoqian was stunned: "Sixth Brother?"
Being the eighth child is better than being the sixth child, and sounds like a dad.
Duan Anluo's eyes swept over his skirt, and the smile in his eyes could not be hidden. "Child, seeing you in this outfit... well, it looks pretty good. Master respects personal preferences. Your name should have the word 'xiao' in it. From now on, I'll call you Xiaoxiao."
Han Xiaoqian's ears turned red, and he quickly explained, "I'm not! This is just a disguise!"
Stealing and replacing things is not a glorious thing, so he has to leave a way out for his escape.
He did this to save his sister, he really didn't go to Thailand!
In a hurry, he simply threw the can and reached out to lift her skirt. Duan Anluo was startled: "What are you doing?"
Han Xiaoqian stopped pretending and laid her cards on the table, throwing away all her little princess aura. "Let me show you, I have balls!"
Duan Anluo was silent for a moment, then slowly commented: "...You are truly shameless."
Han Xiaoqian sneered, "You've lost your balls, what face do you still have?"
Duan Anluo pressed down his hand that was lifting his skirt. Dressed so elegantly, this action was really too indecent. He shook the piece of soul-nourishing wood in his hand, pulling Han Xiaoqian's thoughts back, "If you agree, this piece is yours."
"I promise! I will take you as my master!" Han Xiaoqian did not hesitate. He did not believe the man's nonsense and planned to find a chance to escape as soon as he got the wood.
Duan Anluo seemed unaware of his calculations. He smiled slightly and introduced them to him: "This is your master's wife, and this is your fifth senior brother."
Han Xiaoqian immediately bowed his head politely, behaved very well, and smiled very sweetly: "Hello, Master, Hello, Master's Wife, Hello, Fifth Brother."
Duan Anluo nodded with a smile: "Be good."
After that, he handed over the soul-nourishing wood and said, "Give your sister a place to stay first. After we leave the ghost market, Master will help her stabilize her soul."
Han Xiaoqian was stunned. He hadn't expected that this piece of wood, which he had fought so hard for, would end up in his hands so easily. It could even help his sister. This good thing had left him a bit bewildered, and he couldn't quite believe it.
Before he could thank him, he saw Duan Anluo start to take things out of his pocket. "This is the Soul Nourishing Bottle, used to warm the soul; this is the Spirit Calming Talisman, worn close to the body; this is the Soul Controlling Talisman, which can control the mind..."
Duan Anluo stuffed handfuls of things into Han Xiaoqian's hands, and soon he couldn't fit any more. "There are some big and heavy ones that Master didn't bring with him. I kept them all at home. They are all suitable for you."
He said seriously, "I had a fortune-teller half a year ago and predicted that I would meet you here. That's when I started preparing these things."
"...Thank you, Master." Han Xiaoqian's fingers stiffened as he took it. This reason was too outrageous; he didn't believe a single word. But the object in his hand felt real and burning hot.
Duan Anluo waved his hand happily, "Closing the stall, let's go."
Han Xiaoqian tightly grasped the object in his hand, forced a sweet smile, and asked, "Master, where are we going now?"
Qi You rolled his eyes. That damn transvestite was at it again.
"Master has found you, so there's no need to wait here." Duan Anluo said happily, "Let's go to the shops on both sides and exchange some things for you, then go back to sleep."
He looked at Han Xiaoqian and said with a smile: "Just tell me what you want, and Master will buy it for you. From now on, you will be like Qi You, and I will raise you as my own son. If you need anything, just tell me, and don't be polite with me."
After walking a few steps, Duan Anluo turned around and saw Han Xiaoqian still standing there in a daze. He smiled with his eyebrows curved, "Xiaoxiao, let's go."
Now is not the best time to slip away, so Han Xiaoqian had to follow.
Duan Anluo saw that he was very nervous but he was trying to force a smile and pretend to be very close to him. It was really funny and he couldn't help but want to tease him for a while longer.
"Xiaoxiao, your skirt is so beautiful," he suddenly reached out and poked her waist, "this little bow, most people can't tie it like this."
Han Xiaoqian said affectionately, "If Master likes it, I can tie one for you too?"
"No need," Duan Anluo waved his hand, "You can tie one for your master's wife and hang it on the handle of his sword."
Han Xiaoqian glanced at Si Cang secretly, smiled, and didn't respond.
Since they met, this "master's wife" has not said a word. Even though he could not sense the aura from her, he knew that this was not someone he could easily provoke.
Because the poisonous insect in his body was now showing signs of polarization: one side wanted to get close to Duan Anluo like crazy, conveying the restlessness of wanting to get close; the other side showed extreme fear of Si Cang and tried desperately to escape.
This was the first time he had seen such a situation, and he was completely unsure of what to do.
Duan Anluo suddenly lifted up his skirt and shook it, looking curious: "Baby, where are your bugs hiding? In your pants?"
Han Xiaoqian forced a smile and said, "I hid it in the cloth bag."
Duan Anluo was shocked: "Hidden in the trouser pocket?"
Qi You laughed, "Is it in the crotch?"
Han Xiaoqian took a deep breath and told himself to stay calm. "It's a cloth pocket, not a trouser pocket! And definitely not a trouser/crotch!"
Duan Anluo patted his shoulder with a distressed look on his face: "Good boy, raising Gu is not risking your life... No wonder you went to Thailand."
Han Xiaoqian started to pull her skirt again. I couldn’t bear it anymore. Let’s take a look!
Duan Anluo held him down. This shameless guy could do anything when he got angry.
Si Cang couldn't help laughing and gave Duan Anluo a mischievous look: Who asked you to tease him?
Duan Anluo was at a loss for words: "Why don't we just get rid of him? We're not familiar with him yet. Who knows what bad things he might do when we get to know him better. He'll bring trouble to all the brothers and sisters."
Si Cang smiled: I ran so far just for him, you really don’t want it anymore?
Duan Anluo sighed and said, forget it, let’s wait and see.
After a while, Duan Anluo lifted his long hair again and asked sincerely, "Xiaoxiao, you have such long hair. Is there any special custom in your family?"
Han Xiaoqian explained with a smile, "Master, it's a wig. 9.9 yuan with free shipping. It's a great tool for disguise. Master, if you like, I can buy you a few. I have all kinds of hairstyles, and you can even choose the color."
A big liar meets a small liar, and the master and apprentice make false promises to each other.
Both of them were smiling and were very kind to each other, as if they had known each other for many years.
Qi You had a cold face. You damn demon, you started to flatter your master as soon as you arrived.
Duan Anluo smiled and said, "Okay, buy me a colorful one and I'll wear it when I pick you up from school."
“…”
"Xiaoxiao, why aren't you talking? Don't you like Master coming to pick you up?"
"...No, Master, I just think the colorful one doesn't match your temperament. Let's not buy the colorful one, let's buy a black one."
"I want a blue one."
Han Xiaoqian took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down again and again, thinking to himself, "You want a club!"
Duan Anluo rested his head on Si Cang's shoulder. He couldn't help laughing any longer.
Si Cang raised the corner of his mouth, "In some aspects, it's up to you."
Duan Anluo raised his head and said, "Nonsense."
He doesn't take off his pants all the time, and he doesn't wear a skirt to deceive people!
When he reached the door of a larger shop, Duan Anluo stopped and looked up. There was only an old ebony plaque hanging on the door, with the words "Gujia Shop" engraved in small seal script.
Duan Anluo stepped into the store. The light inside was dim and there were many treasure cabinets all around that reached the ceiling. They were filled with various goods and the smell was mixed.
An old man in a gray gown and reading glasses was carefully wiping a dim green lamp with a white cloth. Upon hearing the visitor, he asked without turning his head, "What would you like, sir?"
Duan Anluo looked around and said, "My apprentice can choose the one he likes. Once he picks one, you can just take it down for them."
The old man then slowly turned around, his eyes moving around the three of them, especially pausing slightly at Si Cang's hand, then lowered his eyes again, his attitude becoming much more respectful, "You choose."
Duan Anluo turned around and raised his chin to his two disciples, "Go and choose. Take whatever you like. Master will pay the bill."
Qi You has gotten used to it. Just remember the Master's kindness in your heart. No need to be polite to him. Being polite will only make him angry. Because he really wants to give. If he doesn't want to give, he will definitely tell you directly that no, there is no room for negotiation. The Master is such a simple person, very cute.
He carefully looked at the compasses, battle flags, etc. that exuded an ancient atmosphere. He had recently become interested in these things.
Han Xiaoqian was still a little dazed. He had already stuffed the things Duan Anluo had given him into his waist bag, but he was still clutching the soul-nourishing wood tightly in his hand. He glanced at the dazzling array of items, not knowing where to start, let alone choosing anything.
He wanted to find an opportunity to escape. He had no choice but to steal this piece of wood to save his life. He already felt guilty for taking those good things, and taking anything else would make him feel even more guilty.
If he really did this, he would definitely think of this person when he thought about it in the future.
His voice, smile, and defenseless eyes towards her would surely become a nightmare from which he could not escape, and would condemn him for the rest of his life.
Duan Anluo didn't urge him, but walked to the side, picked up a white jade cicada that was warm and smooth, and looked at it in the light, "Si Cang, do you think Xiao Shi likes this?"
Si Cang walked over and stood behind him, following his gaze to look at the jade. "It's fine for playing with, but it has no other use."
"A six-year-old child just needs to know how to play." Duan Anluo put the Bai Yuchan on the counter and picked out an unsharpened dagger for Xun Xiao.
In the end, Qi You also chose two things: a set of formation flags that looked old but had a hint of spiritual light, and a heart-protecting mirror with slightly bumped edges but with extremely clear runes.
Duan Anluo looked at Han Xiaoqian, "You don't want to choose?"
Han Xiaoqian smiled and shook his head, "Master, I don't need it."
Duan Anluo looked around and pointed to an unremarkable black jar in the corner. The jar was engraved with twisted insect-shaped patterns. "Take that down for me."
The old man kindly reminded: "This thing has a strong evil spirit, and your young master can't control it now."
"It's okay, just take it off."
After hearing what Duan Anluo said, the old man didn't say anything else. He just took it to him and put it on the counter.
When it was placed on the shelf, the jar looked like a dead object. But when it was taken out, the evil spirit on it rushed towards it. Perhaps it sensed that Han Xiaoqian's aura was similar to its own, and the evil spirit rushed towards it provocatively, and the insect-shaped pattern began to distort.
Han Xiaoqian's face turned cold, but before he could take a defensive stance, a stream of pure spiritual energy directly suppressed the evil spirit. Duan Anluo smiled and said, "It's quite fierce. The things raised in this jar should be quite fierce."
With just one simple action, the jar became still, and the twisted worm-shaped pattern on the jar also became still.
Han Xiaoqian looked at Duan Anluo's thin back in shock. His cheap master was so strong!
Duan Anluo pointed at a dark purple piccolo hanging high up, "That, take it down for me."
He then handed it to Han Xiaoqian, "This one you have is old, use this first. When I find a better one later, Master will replace it for you."
Han Xiaoqian held the flute with cold tentacles and looked at the insect patterns on the can that seemed to come alive. For the first time, he felt a real and complex feeling about the word "Master".
It was as if a heavy weight was pressing down on his heart. He desperately needed these two things, but was this person really not afraid of being deceived? Or was he so confident in his divination?
The look in his eyes when he looked at Duan Anluo became more and more complicated, as if he was looking at a sucker, but something else was rising in his eyes that he was not aware of.
Finally, he lowered his head and said in a low but clear voice, "Thank you."
Duan Anluo patted his shoulder happily, then took out a handful of talismans from Qi You's backpack and placed them on the counter. "Is that enough?"
The old man picked up one and looked at it. His eyes lit up. He then picked up two more and carefully examined the spiritual energy on them. Then he asked excitedly, "That's enough. Will you sell the remaining talismans?"
Duan Anluo smiled and said, "After I have exchanged things for my apprentice, if there is anything left, I will sell it."
The old man put the talismans away and said, "If you have any left, you can come back and trade with me. I'll buy them for 100,000 each."
Duan Anluo raised his eyebrows and said, "Okay, I'll have my apprentice come to you for the rest later."
Han Xiaoqian had a complicated expression. He had heard that magic weapons were expensive, but he didn't expect them to be so outrageously expensive!
That handful probably contained twenty talismans, which meant that the few things they just bought cost them nearly two million in total.
So how much are these two things he is holding in his hands worth?
Thinking of the soul-nourishing wood heart with extremely strong yin energy and the things in his waist bag, Han Xiaoqian felt numb all over.
His fingertips felt cold and his mind was in a mess. Was he really going to run away with such a huge sum of money?
"Let's go," Duan Anluo turned and walked out, his steps brisk, "Next one."
Qi You chased after him and asked, "Master, are you still buying?"
"Since we're here, why don't you buy some more?" Duan Anluo stopped and called out to Han Xiaoqian, who was standing there motionless, "Xiaoxiao, don't fall behind. If you get lost, I'll come back to find you."
Han Xiaoqian followed stiffly, and Duan Anluo turned around. If he couldn't keep her with "sugar", he could only tie her back with a rope.
The author has something to say:
Xiaoxiao: I really do! If you don’t believe me, I’ll take it off and show you!
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