Chapter Forty-Three: This Money Is So Easy to Make
Reading brings wisdom, increases intellect, and enhances one’s comprehension.
Chen Yushu has always valued reading greatly. Previously, thanks to his improved mastery of reading, his mental strength had grown significantly, and his meditative state had advanced from shallow to minor concentration. This improved his cultivation efficiency considerably. Naturally, he hoped to elevate his reading abilities even further.
Unfortunately, his reading realm had already reached the third stage—Insight (62/400)—and the experience required for further advancement was substantial, leaving him a great distance from breaking through.
In contrast, his progress in calligraphy was far more rapid. Perhaps it was due to his transition to writing with a brush on paper, or perhaps his increased mental strength had sharpened his thoughts, comprehension, and perception in all aspects, making him vastly different from before.
As a result, his advancement in calligraphy was astonishing.
Calligraphy +3
Calligraphy +5
Calligraphy +3
...
Just one or two hours of practice each night could add twenty or thirty experience points. In only five days, he had reached the level of Orderly (189/200).
“The second stage of calligraphy, Orderly, cannot be used to draw talismans.”
Chen Yushu understood this well. He had tried ‘writing’ talisman symbols on paper; not only was it disjointed, but even copying them in their entirety was difficult. Talisman symbols are three-dimensional and must be executed in one continuous stroke. He couldn’t even write them smoothly, let alone draw them with a talisman brush. Even if the shape was similar, it was merely a meaningless scribble—form without spirit, utterly ineffective.
Therefore, Chen Yushu did not rush to practice talisman crafting; instead, he focused on calligraphy, and now, sensing a breakthrough was imminent, he grew excited.
He quickly immersed himself, took out a sheet of paper, prepared ink, and began writing.
He continued practicing talisman symbols. As the saying goes, “Read a book a hundred times and its meaning will reveal itself.” The more he wrote, the more familiar he became. As long as he practiced, his calligraphy experience increased.
Calligraphy +2
Calligraphy +3
Calligraphy +5
...
Suddenly, something stirred in Chen Yushu’s heart.
Countless insights and experiences related to calligraphy flooded his mind, as if he had practiced hundreds or thousands of times in a short span, granting him a deeper understanding of the art.
“At last, I’ve broken through in calligraphy.
I’ve reached the third stage.”
Chen Yushu immediately understood and glanced at his attribute panel.
Calligraphy: Imitation (1/400)
“Third stage of calligraphy: Imitation?”
Once more, Chen Yushu focused on a talisman symbol. Like unraveling silk threads, he instantly discerned its fundamental structure.
Talisman symbols are three-dimensional, but each can be completed in a single stroke, executed seamlessly.
Previously, he only aimed to replicate the symbol, often starting incorrectly, which required many strokes to finish. Now, things were different.
The ‘Imitation’ stage first required him to comprehend the corresponding character. If one cannot understand it, how can one imitate it?
Thus, he could now see the talisman symbol clearly, noting its starting and ending points, and could finally write it smoothly.
He quickly began to try.
He took a blank sheet, pressed it with an inkstone, and started writing.
Once, twice, three times...
Talisman symbols are not easy to write; even with his breakthrough, it was still challenging. Not until the tenth attempt did he manage to execute it in one continuous stroke.
“With this, I should be able to begin attempting to truly draw and craft talismans.”
Seeing his progress, Chen Yushu was finally invigorated and full of anticipation.
...
In autumn, dusk falls much faster than usual.
Chen Yushu had been busy all day, neglecting dinner, but managed to reach West Street in Jianghuan Town before nightfall.
West Street was quiet, with few pedestrians, yet it was lined with shops. Antique stores, building materials, coffin shops, candle vendors, incense stores, paper goods, and basket weavers—all manner of things rarely needed but indispensable at times could be found here.
Passing the coffin shop, he saw many coffins laid out. Most people would feel uneasy at the sight. Out of curiosity, he glanced inside; it was dim and deep, and suddenly a face appeared from behind a coffin, startling him.
“Young man, looking to buy a coffin?”
An elderly man ambled out, grinning to reveal a mouthful of yellow teeth.
Chen Yushu waved his hand—he had no such need.
After a few more steps, he arrived at an incense shop.
“Old Fu’s Incense Shop.”
He glanced at the signboard and confirmed it was the place mentioned in Li Chao’s Ghost Encounters. The shop had been referenced in that book several times.
Most of the mentions were complaints: “Old Fu’s talisman ink is diluted,” “Old Fu’s talisman paper grows worse by the year,” “Next time, I won’t buy from Old Fu again”...
Though not a single word of praise, it revealed that unique talisman ink and paper could be purchased here.
Although the Chaoyang Talisman Art included methods for making talisman paper and ink, these were time-consuming and required special materials.
He couldn’t manage it himself.
For him, buying directly was best.
Upon entering the shop, a distinctive aroma greeted him.
His gaze swept over the interior—rows of incense in all shapes and sizes, some even taller than a person, with plenty of material.
There were also various yellow papers, spirit money, paper figures, paper cars, and other items for the dead.
To his surprise, he spotted talismans inside.
They were stacked together, at least ten sheets. He couldn’t help but lean in for a closer look.
“Young man, interested in buying talismans?
To tell you the truth, these talismans are all acquired from Qingsong Temple—they’re very effective.
Just one can protect your home from ghosts and monsters.”
At that moment, a man in his forties or fifties approached, smiling as he spoke.
“Are these talismans truly effective?”
Chen Yushu eyed the man—hooked nose, small eyes, and a shrewd look.
Yet he saw no trace of spiritual energy in the talismans.
Especially the top sheet, which bore five symbols, each with at least three breaks.
In other words, the talisman was nothing but waste paper, utterly useless.
“Of course.
Just the other day, Steward Zhou from the Zhou residence bought several from me—they absolutely work.”
The man spoke with conviction.
“Is that so? How much are these talismans?”
Chen Yushu pressed.
“The top two are for household protection—one tael of silver each.
These two ward off evil, this one brings good fortune—two taels each.
The rest are ghost-banishing talismans, a bit pricier, three taels each.
The bottom two are extraordinary—money-attracting talismans, five taels apiece.”
The man’s eyes gleamed, thinking he’d found a lucrative customer, and eagerly introduced the items.
“That’s expensive.”
Chen Yushu shook his head and remarked, “Easy money, indeed.”