The ghost market was set up on the outskirts of Tianfeng City. It was a trade fair organized by the Tianfeng City government. To sell goods within, one needed official permission.
As Xiao Liuzi had said, the ghost market was the largest trade fair in Tianfeng City, and indeed, the entire Tianfeng Kingdom. It was naturally bustling with activity. The sky had just darkened, and the ghost market's gates had only been open for a short while, yet the place was already thronged with people, the sounds of buyers and sellers mingling.
By the time Chen Xiao and his companion arrived, all the good spots had been taken. They had no choice but to set up their stall in the innermost corner of the venue. Even so, Xiao Liuzi was incredibly excited. In his eyes, being able to sell goods at the ghost market was a symbol of status.
After the two of them set up their stall, Xiao Liuzi saw that Chen Xiao was efficient and obedient. His attitude towards Chen Xiao improved, and he even confided in him, "You must want to learn array talisman techniques from Old Master Wang, right?"
Chen Xiao smiled at Xiao Liuzi, offering no comment.
Xiao Liuzi wore an expression of having seen through everything and said with a smile, "Heh heh, I guessed right, didn't I? But you really have good taste. Let me tell you secretly, Old Master Wang can already draw Level Three array talismans, but for some reason, he hasn't gone to the Array Talisman Master Guild to certify himself as a Three-Star Array Talisman Master."
"Is a Three-Star Array Talisman Master very powerful? In my previous life, I casually got certified as a Six-Star Array Talisman Master." Chen Xiao thought this to himself, but he couldn't say it aloud.
He simply asked, "Who is the highest-ranked array talisman master in Tianfeng City?"
"That would naturally be the President of the Array Talisman Master Guild, the elder Zuo Qiuming. He is the only Four-Star Array Talisman Master in the Tianfeng Empire. His array talismans are exclusively for the royal family; you can't buy them even with money." Xiao Liuzi recounted these gossip and legends as if he had them all memorized.
"Sixth Brother, let me draw an array talisman. You can examine it for me." Chen Xiao suddenly said this. Xiao Liuzi was taken aback, and then his tone became somewhat displeased, "What can you draw? To tell you the truth, I've been following Old Master Wang for five years, and I don't dare say I can draw array talismans. You've only glanced at array talismans a couple of times, and now you think you can draw them?"
Xiao Liuzi assumed Chen Xiao just wanted to try after seeing Old Master Wang draw a few array talismans, and he couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed. Although array talisman masters didn't have the same esteemed status as alchemists, they weren't people anyone could become.
Take him, for instance. He had watched Old Master Wang draw array talismans countless times, and the patterns of those runes were already etched in his heart. But if he were to actually try drawing them, he couldn't.
Chen Xiao wasn't angry. He still smiled and said, "Heh heh, I'll just try. What if I actually draw one?"
"You..." Xiao Liuzi was so angry he didn't know what to say. Chen Xiao's words were simply ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth. However, on second thought, this kid was just determined to hit a dead end. He might as well let him try. After he tried, he would realize how arrogant he was.
"Alright, alright, you draw it. The cost of the talisman paper will be deducted from your wages. No, you don't have wages." Xiao Liuzi was about to change his words when he noticed Chen Xiao had already begun. Holding a talisman brush, he started drawing on the talisman paper.
Xiao Liuzi had a dejected look on his face, thinking that before they even opened for business, a talisman paper had already been wasted. Talisman paper was not cheap, and if Old Master Wang found out, he would scold them again.
Just then, a young man in a dark purple robe swaggered up to the stall, followed by several burly men.
The group made a grand entrance, and the young man was dressed luxuriously. Xiao Liuzi immediately stepped forward to greet them enthusiastically, "Esteemed customers, what would you like to buy?"
Chen Xiao also looked up, only to realize that the visitors were not here with good intentions. The young man was looking around, but his gaze was not directed at the array talismans on the stall. It was clear he wasn't here to buy anything.
As expected, the young man spoke with an unfriendly tone, asking impolitely, "Who allowed you to set up a stall here?"
Xiao Liuzi was a bit stunned by the question. He was only following Old Master Wang's instructions to set up the stall, but he hadn't seen the permit issued by the government. He felt a little insecure and said in a low voice, "I, my master told me to come."
Seeing Xiao Liuzi's lack of confidence, the young man's arrogance grew even more pronounced. He directly berated him, "Damn it, how would I know who your master is? I'll give you the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Get lost, or don't blame me for being impolite."
At this point, people at the surrounding stalls also noticed the situation and began whispering amongst themselves.
"Another one. Young Master Zuo is here to drive people away again. How many array talisman sellers has he driven away from the ghost market?"
"The Zuo family is too much. Relying on their great power, they monopolize the array talisman market within the ghost market, leaving no room for others to survive."
"It's not just array talismans; the Zuo family wants to get involved in every industry. I think sooner or later, all of us who don't have backing will be driven out by him."
"Hush, don't say anything more. Be careful not to cause trouble for yourselves. If Young Master Zuo hears you, it will be terrible."
These people spoke in extremely low voices, clearly afraid of being overheard by the young man. But they didn't know that Chen Xiao had heard everything they said. Chen Xiao now had a judgment about the newcomer: just a spoiled brat who bullied others with his influence.
Xiao Liuzi didn't have Chen Xiao's incredible hearing and naturally didn't know he was facing Young Master Zuo. Seeing that he was directly ordering them to leave, a surge of anger rose within him, and he said indignantly, "Who are you? Why are you telling me to leave?"
"Hahaha, why?" The young man laughed extremely arrogantly. "Because my name is Zuo Youren, is that enough?"
Xiao Liuzi's heart sank. He was too familiar with the name Zuo Youren. He was the legitimate son and grandson of Zuo Qiuming, the president of the Array Talisman Master Guild, the young master of the Zuo family, and the future head of the Zuo family.
In the field of array talismans in the Tianfeng Kingdom, the Zuo family held absolute dominance. If Xiao Liuzi wanted to continue in this profession, the Zuo family was someone he absolutely could not offend.
"This,..." Xiao Liuzi's face turned red, but he couldn't speak. He indeed couldn't afford to offend the Zuo family. However, if he just packed up and left at someone's word, not only would he not be able to explain to Old Master Wang, but he also wouldn't be able to live with himself. Doing so would be too cowardly.
"Zuo Youren? Is that name very impressive? Does this ghost market belong to the Zuo family?" Chen Xiao stepped forward. His calm words, however, caused the crowd to stir again.
Everyone knew that this ghost market was established by the government. Now, Chen Xiao questioning whether the ghost market belonged to the Zuo family was a devastating blow. With one sentence, he pushed the Zuo family into a position of treason.
"This kid speaks with courage. I like it."
"What he said is quite satisfying, but if he angers Young Master Zuo, he'll have to bear the consequences."
As expected, upon hearing Chen Xiao's words, Zuo Youren was instantly furious. How dare a mere junior speak to him like this? He truly didn't know the meaning of death.
Zuo Youren's eyes widened in anger, and he cursed loudly, "What a sharp-tongued little bastard! Are you tired of living, damn it?"
At this moment, Xiao Liuzi's mind was blank. He had absolutely not expected Chen Xiao to say such a thing. He quickly shielded Chen Xiao and began to beg for mercy, "Young Master Zuo, this kid is from the countryside and doesn't know any better. Please don't hold it against him. We'll move, we'll move right away."
Xiao Liuzi's action warmed Chen Xiao's heart. However, Chen Xiao's nature was such that he disliked arrogant bullies. Moreover, they were now bullying him. How could he tolerate it? Even though his cultivation was still low, he was not someone that such petty individuals could bully.
Pushing Xiao Liuzi aside, Chen Xiao narrowed his eyes at Zuo Youren and said through gritted teeth, "Then let's try. Let's see who is tired of living."
Xiao Liuzi was completely devastated, wanting to cry but having no tears. He inwardly cursed the old drunkard for bringing such a jinx.
The onlookers also broke out in a cold sweat for Chen Xiao. Zuo Youren was at the fourth level of Body Tempering, and they could tell that Chen Xiao's cultivation was low. He probably couldn't even defeat Zuo Youren's henchmen.
Zuo Youren hadn't encountered such a suicidal junior in a long time. He cracked his knuckles and stared intently at Chen Xiao, intending to act personally.
The atmosphere had become extremely tense, with a heavy sense of combat filling the air. The two stood facing each other, a fierce battle about to erupt.