After leaving the Song family's villa community, Guan Xuxu did not return to the Jiang household but instead took a taxi to the apartment she had rented previously.
It was an 80-square-meter two-bedroom, one living room apartment that she had rented two years ago.
The living room was separated by a folding screen, creating an activity area for Hu Piaoliang, with a small tent set up in a corner that was filled with all sorts of toys.
In addition, there was a master bedroom and a study. In the study were placed two long tables: on one side were various carving materials and tools, and on the other lay yellow talisman paper, cinnabar, and an assortment of ancient calligraphy implements. The two sides were distinctly separate, each reflecting a different style.
Guan Xuxu stepped forward and began to quickly pack up a few items.
When she went to the Jiang family, she hadn't brought any luggage, and all the protective talismans she had on her were used up. Since she was planning to restore some "wisdom" to Song Yuli, she needed to prepare in advance.
While she was packing, the phone placed on the side suddenly rang. Glancing at it from the corner of her eye, Guan Xuxu saw that the caller ID was "Master of Qingfeng Temple." After a brief thought, she decided to answer the call.
On the other end of the line was the voice of an old man.
"Xiaoyou Guan, have you made up your mind about what we discussed before? The Taoist Academy in Jing City needs guest lecturers. Didn't you want to take the entrance exam for Jing University? Jing University has a collaboration with the Taoist Academy; even if your scores aren't high enough, you could be admitted directly. But if you ask me, attending university is a waste of time. Serving as a guest lecturer at the Taoist Academy for two years—merely an honorary mentor position—is practically equivalent to a master's degree..."
The old man prattled on with genuine concern. Guan Xuxu didn't mind his lengthy speech; after switching to her other ear, she listened until he paused, then said,
"My scores should be good enough."
Guan Xuxu continued, "But I haven't decided whether to stay in Jing City or remain in Haishi."
Her previous ambition to attend Jing University was solely motivated by her desire to distance herself from the Guan family. But now that she had already left them, she wasn't too keen on leaving Haishi.
Upon hearing that she intended to stay in Haishi, the old man seemed to forget his earlier advice about the Taoist Academy in Jing City. With a light-hearted laugh he said,
"Haishi is excellent—land of heroes and natural treasures. I have some say over Haidai as well. Consider it done: I'll decline the offer from the Taoist Academy on your behalf. By the way, Guan Xiaoyou, have you thought about coming directly to Qingfeng Temple? With your talent..."
Seeing that the old man was about to continue, Guan Xuxu quickly interrupted, "No, I want to go to university."
The old man sighed with a trace of regret, but quickly added, "All the Peace Talismans at the temple are used up. When will you send some more? As usual, three thousand per talisman..."
Hearing the word "business," Guan Xuxu's face brightened. She looked down at the stock in her drawer and nodded, "Alright, I'll send twenty over first."
Twenty talismans, that's sixty thousand in total.
After donating half, she would still have thirty thousand left.
Clearly, merely selling talismans wouldn't be enough to repay the custody fees owed to the Guan family.
…
Guan Xuxu was a Talisman Master.
In the realm of Taoism, there are five arts: Mountain, Medicine, Fate, Physiognomy, and Divination.
Talismans belong to one of the arts of "Mountain," and are among the most mysterious and challenging to master in the mystical ways.
Although Guan Xuxu had dabbled in all five arts, her true expertise and focus was on talisman techniques.
Aside from special talismans, the common talismans were usually written on yellow talisman paper. Drawing talismans was considered the most fundamental skill within talisman techniques. In addition, there were carved talismans—like the jade medallion she had made for Chu Beihe—and "void" drawn talismans, the latter two requiring far greater concentration and effort.
Spreading out the yellow talisman paper and cinnabar from the table, Guan Xuxu raised her brush, gathered her qi, and then began to write. With brush strokes that flowed like dragons and snakes, and with the brush's tip emitting a faint gleam of spirit as she finished, a complete Peace Talisman was formed.
In one continuous breath, Guan Xuxu completed twenty talismans in total—taking no more than fifteen minutes from start to finish.
After finishing the Peace Talismans for Qingfeng Temple, and recalling her brother and father's support in protecting her, she thought for a moment, then took out a piece of exceptionally high-quality raw stone, and began to carve a protective talisman.
She spent the entire afternoon in the rented apartment, and only when dusk approached did she pack up her belongings and take a taxi with Hu Piaoliang back to the Jiang family home.
Upon entering and going upstairs, as soon as Guan Xuxu opened the door to her room to set her things down, a small figure suddenly dashed toward her with rapid footsteps.
Turning her head, she saw her six-year-old cousin Jiang Ying had already run into the room ahead of her. With an outstretched hand, Ying pushed Guan Xuxu aside, her face red with anger as she shouted,
"This is my room! You're not allowed to enter my room!!"
Guan Xuxu was momentarily dumbfounded. Glancing behind Jiang Ying, she confirmed that it indeed was her room.
At that moment, Yao Lin hurried over. Seeing Jiang Ying's actions, she quietly scolded, "Yingying, don't be so impolite. Go apologize to your elder cousin right away!"
But Jiang Ying paid no heed, pointing to the room behind her, and instead began to shout at Yao Lin,
"Mom, you clearly said that this room was reserved for me! Why did you let her move in? You never keep your promises! I don't care—this is my room!"
Jiang Ying's shouting created quite a ruckus, and the moment the commotion began, Jiang Su and the other siblings who were in the room all came out. They happened to overhear Jiang Ying's words.
Hearing those words, Guan Xuxu immediately understood the situation.
So, it turned out that Second Aunt had initially prepared another room.
It was obvious they intended to keep this dreamy princess room for her own daughter.
Yao Lin's face turned awkward; she hadn't expected her daughter to speak so bluntly, and could only offer an embarrassed smile as she explained,
"Not exactly… It's just that Yingying likes that room. I didn't know Xuxu would come back, so I tried to coax her…"
"Whether or not Xuxu comes back, that room is hers."
Jiang Huai's voice suddenly rang out from the other end of the corridor—clearly he had also heard the commotion.
He maintained his usual calm and warm demeanor, yet when his peach-blossom eyes glanced coolly over, there was a trace of chill.
Looking at Yao Lin, he asked evenly, "Doesn't Second Aunt know?"
Not only had Xuxu been acknowledged as part of the family, but even if she wasn't present, that room was not to be occupied by anyone else.
Yao Lin's face froze, her red lips trembling as she appeared rather embarrassed.
Jiang Han from the second branch, seeing his elder brother's attitude toward their mother, stepped forward discontentedly and said, "Brother Huai, our mother didn't do it on purpose. It's just one room. That room was originally styled for children. Isn't it fine if Yingying likes it and wants it?"
As he spoke, his gaze intermittently swept toward Guan Xuxu with a look of discontent, "After all, she's an adult now—should she really be competing with a child for a room?"
His words implied as if she were the one trying to seize the room.
Guan Xuxu raised an eyebrow slightly.
She didn't like arguing, but if someone summoned her, she wouldn't pretend not to hear.
"Are you saying that because she's young and likes it, I should let her have it? And if I refuse, that means I'm fighting with her?"
"Isn't that so?"
Jiang Han replied with a tone of self-evidence.
Guan Xuxu nodded knowingly and said, "In that case, if I really like that famous painting 'A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains' in the National Museum, and if you can persuade the museum to give it to me, then I'll give the room to her. How about that?"
She spread her hands and added expressionlessly, "After all, I'm young—I only want a national treasure."