"You have quite a bit of spirituality..."
Li Yan chuckled silently, patting the donkey’s head.
Animals have simpler minds compared to humans, and their Spiritual Sense is inherently strong, enabling them to perceive or see things invisible to ordinary people.
This donkey was exceptional, sowhat silly, yet able to detect anomalies within the box, which wasn’t surprising.
After feeding the silly donkey a handful of beans, Li Yan looked at the lock on the box and hesitated for a mont before calling for the steward, Luo An.
"What’s inside?"
"Young Hero Li, is there sothing wrong inside?!"
Old man Luo An was taken aback, his heart filled with apprehension.
"Rest assured."
Li Yan shook his head and said, "Just curious about what’s inside."
"Oh, oh, that’s good then."
Luo An breathed a sigh of relief, quickly taking out a copper key from his waist as he explained, "This is from the old shop over there, part of the Luo family’s hundreds of years of heritage, and the warehouse has accumulated so ancient objects..."
As the wooden box opened, the musty and decayed sll rushed out.
Indeed, it was filled with old objects.
Amidst the remnants lay amazent and awe from ancient tis.
From as early as the ancient Shu kings, the Shu region began sericulture. The brocade produced in Chengdu was known as "Shu Brocade," always considered a precious commodity.
The Luo family had many shops in the Shu region, and these shopkeepers, naturally wealthy, would often collect so items.
Therefore, inside, there were mostly porcelains, calligraphy, paintings, and jade pieces.
Due to the bumpiness of the journey and poor preservation, so of the precious porcelains were broken, and covered with dust.
Li Yan again chanted a mantra, listening carefully.
Sure enough, the singing of a woman rang out once more.
Li Yan frowned slightly, pulling out a cloth bag from the corner of the box.
It looked unremarkable but was surrounded by Yin Sha Qi, feeling icy to the touch.
More importantly, Li Yan caught a certain scent.
Similar to a yin soul, yet carrying a lively spirit.
A glint of surprise flashed in Li Yan’s eyes.
This scent was familiar to him.
Just like Lv San’s demon gourd.
It was a spirit about to take form!
Li Yan beca interested and quickly opened it.
Inside was a piece of Shu Brocade, very heavy, with several straps, though it seed old, the colors remained vibrant.
Squared patterns, cloud motifs, resplendent yet heavy.
There were eight words embroidered on it.
"Heaven and earth converge, all things transform harmoniously."
"Is Young Hero Li interested in this brocade arm protector?"
Luo An, beside him, quickly inquired upon seeing his expression.
"This is called a brocade arm protector?"
Li Yan asked, showing interest.
Luo An nodded and said, "This item is used for tightening during archery, protecting the arm, commonly used by the military nobility in the Han tis."
"This item, I happen to know, was occasionally found by the madam. Although it’s Han-made, it should be from the Tang period. In order to comprehend its craftsmanship, the madam purchased it at a great expense..."
"I see."
Li Yan nodded slightly, a sudden flash of insight in his mind.
He had found this item familiar for a while, and now he rembered, there was a national treasure in his past life, also a brocade arm protector, but it was inscribed with:
The five stars rise from the east, benefiting China.
Thinking of this, Li Yan grew even more excited,
Such items are rare, especially since it is yet to fully transform into a spirit. If refined properly, it could beco a handy magic artifact like the demon gourd.
He looked again at the written words and murmured, "Heaven and earth converge, all things transform harmoniously..."
"This is a hexagram text from Zhou Yi."
Luo An, beside him, spoke up: "I’ve heard the madam say it ans the Yin Yang Qi of heaven and earth blend, and all things change harmoniously."
"This item was made by an embroidery girl in the late Tang period for her new husband. It was quite famous at the ti, but her husband fell ill and died before he could go into battle."
Li Yan pondered upon hearing this.
Yin Yang Qi blending, could it be made for a magician?
The silk threads used for this brocade arm protector were extraordinary, the silk colorful, smooth, and delicate. The warp and weft seed to be woven from unknown plant fibers, extrely resilient.
Moreover, as the inscription said, "Heaven and earth converge, all things transform harmoniously," the brocade arm protector surprisingly contained Astra Bane Qi and Yin Sha Qi in perfect balance, making it difficult for most to perceive.
With this thought, Li Yan no longer hesitated and said, "I would like to purchase this item. What is the price?"
"Young Hero Li, you jest."
Old man Luo An waved his hands quickly, "If you like it, just take it. If I can help the madam escape this calamity, there will be generous gifts in return."
Li Yan remained calm, "This item is extrely precious."
He disliked concealnt and preferred to state things clearly beforehand.
Luo An shook his head with a wry smile and said, "I’ve lived in vain for these years, and understand the reasoning. There are many treasures in the world, but most remain dusty."
"Even people are the sa, hence it’s easy to find a thousand-mile horse, but hard to co by a good judge. Whatever the treasure, if Young Hero Li is able to obtain it, it’s due to your ability."
"In that case, I’ll accept it with gratitude."
With things spoken to this extent, Li Yan no longer declined.
Not only that, but the old steward Luo An even rummaged through the boxes and found so notes his madam had written about this item.
Li Yan sat at the bow, carefully looking through them.
The embroidery girl who made this item was indeed extraordinary, a "craftsman."
In the Mystical Sect, a "craftsman" is soone skilled in a particular magic artifact creation or in alchemy and dicine-making, often referred to as a "master craftsperson."
This term originally referred to a virtuous and talented person who chose to live in seclusion, not seeking an official position.
"Xunzi": "The so-called master craftspeople of ancient tis were those with great virtue."
"Shangjunshu · Suandi": "The resource of a master craftsman lies in their intent."
Bestowing the title of "master craftsperson" also signifies the Mystical Sect’s respect for these skilled artisans.
For instance, the Southern thod Lineage has "Colorful Brush Masters," skilled in making talismans with vermillion pens and ink, while those skilled in weapon creation are called "Red Furnace Masters."
And in "Journey to the West," when Tang Seng encountered the three monsters of Gongzhou City, there was Master Craftsman, Mountain Lord, General Ying.
Master craftspersons are virtuous, mountain lords are the masters of mountains, generals are titles for those who perform rituals for humans and spirits. These titles are given with intent, a way to elevate oneself.
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