Before meeting the so-called fifth-grade talisman master, the plump steward had already regained his composure.He now sat solemnly behind a wide mahogany chair, his earlier panic buried beneath an air of feigned dignity and authority.

  Moments later, the soft and unhurried sound of footsteps echoed. A figure entered the room.

  “You’re the fifth-grade talisman master?” The steward lifted his eyelids, his tiny eyes squeezed thin by layers of fat swept over Liu Jiu from head to toe, as if he meant to peel away every secret he held.“You wish to join our Three Talents Workshop?”

  Liu Jiu’s expression remained calm. He bowed slightly, neither humble nor arrogant.

  “I am Liu Jiu,” he said with quiet courtesy. “I’ve heard that the Three Talents Workshop welcomes capable craftsmen. Thus, I’ve come to try my luck—hoping to find a place to settle and make a living.”

  The steward gave a vague grunt of acknowledgment. “Hmm.” He spoke slowly, in a measured tone.“I’m Zhu Yuanbao, the one in charge here. Since you’ve come, that’s fate. If you’re truly skilled, I can make the decision to let you join. But first, I need to see for myself whether you really are a fifth-grade talisman master.”

  “Of course,” Liu Jiu replied without hesitation.

  Zhu Yuanbao nodded and asked offhandedly, “What’s your success rate in crafting fifth-grade talismans?”

  At that question, Liu Jiu’s tense heart immediately relaxed.It was clear most talisman masters didn’t have a perfect success rate. Otherwise, Zhu wouldn’t have asked.

  He thought for a moment, then raised three fingers. “Thirty percent,” he answered truthfully.

  “Thirty percent?” Zhu snorted, clearly unimpressed. He curled his lips, tone dripping with disdain.“Well, that’s barely acceptable. Normally, someone of your mediocre skill wouldn’t even qualify to set foot in Three Talents Workshop. But I happen to be short on hands right now, so I’ll make an exception.”

  Before Liu Jiu could respond, Zhu continued, “But you’ll have to pass my test first. Let’s say—if you can craft fifteen, no, twenty Thunderstrike Talismans within five hours, I’ll consider you qualified. I’ll provide all the materials. But if you fail to meet that target, that means your skill isn’t up to my standards. In that case… well, you’ll simply have to leave.”

  Liu Jiu nodded slowly. The request seemed reasonable.After all, no one would take a man’s word at face value.

  And talisman-making did involve a certain degree of chance—crafting just one or two wouldn’t truly prove one’s level.By making him work continuously for five hours, the steward could indeed gauge his real ability.

  Just as he was about to agree, Liu Jiu suddenly paused.

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  Something clicked in his mind something from his past life.Those so-called “job interviews” where companies used applicants to solve their own problems for free, then rejected them afterward. Or the ones who never intended to hire anyone, but made a profit from selling candidate data.

  There were countless such scams and this Three Talents Workshop, sitting in the heart of a demonic sect, was likely the darkest of them all.Would a place like this not use dirty tricks? Liu Jiu would bet his soul they would.

  He thought for a moment, then shook his head, wearing a conflicted look.

  “Steward Zhu,” he said slowly, “I’m afraid that might not be appropriate. I can indeed craft fifth-grade talismans but Thunderstrike Talismans aren’t my specialty. Even if you give me five hours, I may not reach twenty pieces.Since you only wish to test my skill, why not change it to Sharp Metal Talismans instead? They’re also fifth-grade and those, I am quite good at.”

  At those words, the steward’s face stiffened. “Sharp… Sharp Metal Talismans? That… wouldn’t be suitable.”

  “What’s unsuitable about it?” Liu Jiu countered immediately.“Both are fifth-grade offensive talismans, similar in power and difficulty. If Thunderstrike works as a test, why can’t Sharp Metal?”

  The moment he saw the steward’s face freeze, Liu Jiu’s eyes gleamed with understanding.

  He had guessed correctly.

  Yes, he could craft Thunderstrike Talismans but he’d deliberately tested the steward, and sure enough, exposed his real motive.

  So that’s how it was. The man was desperately short of Thunderstrike Talismans and wanted to exploit Liu Jiu’s “test” to have them made for free.

  A clever little trick but one Liu Jiu had seen right through.

  Zhu Yuanbao’s face turned the color of pig liver. He slammed his fat hand on the desk, bellowing, “Who’s the steward here you or me? I said the test is Thunderstrike Talismans! That’s final! Refuse, and you can get out right now!”

  Liu Jiu smiled.

  Despite the man’s angry bluster, Liu Jiu could already see through his act. The confidence was a front—his bluster a cover for fear.

  Well then, if he wanted to play this game, Liu Jiu would play along.

  After all, the advantage was his.

  “Oh?” he leaned forward, pressing both palms on the table and meeting Zhu’s quivering eyes. “Are you sure you want to kick me out? I’m certain of my ability. Any workshop would welcome a fifth-grade talisman master like me.But you tell me, Steward Zhu, what will happen to you if you can’t deliver those twenty no, even fifteen Thunderstrike Talismans?”

  The room fell silent.

  For a long moment, the only sound was the faint crackle of incense.A bead of cold sweat trickled down Zhu Yuanbao’s fleshy cheek.

  “H-how do you know that…?” he stammered, lips trembling.

  Liu Jiu straightened up with a faint smile. “Never mind how. If you want me to make your Thunderstrike Talismans, fine.But you’ll have to show a little sincerity. Otherwise…” he turned as if to leave, “…I walk.”

  “Wait!” Zhu blurted, nearly tripping over himself as he scrambled up from his chair. His round face now wore a fawning smile.“Daoist Liu, please don’t be rash! Everything can be discussed. I’ll draw up a contract right now. Once you sign, you’ll officially be part of Three Talents Workshop. How about that?”

  “I can craft your Thunderstrike Talismans,” Liu Jiu said calmly, shaking his head. “But you must agree to one condition.”

  “W-what condition?” Zhu swallowed nervously.

  Liu Jiu enunciated every word clearly, his eyes glinting with quiet intent.

  “I want a copy of the Three Talents Technique.”

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