Fellow Daoist! That scoundrel has written a new book again.

The old man was also regretting it.

I made up a lie in a moment of panic, and now I've gotten away with it. But who knows, someone might believe that the sign I carved myself is really a token from the Star-Picking Tower and get interested in it.

Even if it's fake, it's easy to steal. What if it's real?

In broad daylight, these people wouldn't dare to rob, but at night, it might bring them trouble.

But if I throw this sign away now, it would prove that I was lying.

Oh no, oh no...

The old man, looking worried, led his grandson out of the inn. Just as he was about to step out of the door, Zhu Wuyao suddenly called out to him, startling him so much that he trembled all over.

He turned around shakily and saw that the girl had a gentle expression, and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

He glanced at Zhu Wuyao with some resentment. If it weren't for her interference, he might have already gotten away and gone to eat chicken legs with his grandson.

Zhu Wuyao saw the old man's resentful glance and decided not to argue with him.

"Sir, I'd like to buy this wooden sign."

The grandfather and grandson were placed on the fire. The wooden sign couldn't be thrown away or sold, but she could. Wasn't this another source of income?

Moreover, with the wooden plaque in their hands, they would either lose their lives in vain or, having tasted the benefits, continue to use the identity of Zhaixinglou to swindle and deceive.

Upon hearing this, the old man immediately understood what Zhu Wuyao meant.

They say that old people are shrewd and wise. He may not understand other things, but after all these years of hard work, his mind is still quick.

Seeing that everyone in the inn's lobby was looking over, the old man quickly straightened up and said in a serious manner:

“My grandson and I did something wrong today, and we're afraid we won't be able to become immortals anymore. Luckily, you stopped us in time and made us realize our mistakes!”

"As a thank you gift, this brand..." The old man was about to say he'd give it to him for free, but then he suddenly changed the subject—

"I'll sell this sign to you for ten coins!"

Upon hearing that money was required, Zhu Wuyao's smile vanished instantly, and he gritted his teeth as he asked:

"Sir, my hearing isn't good, how much would you like to say?"

"Haha... I said it's free, it's free..."

The old man had been hoping to gamble on whether the young girl was a kind-hearted person, and maybe he could swindle some money from her.

When he saw her grit her teeth in anger at the mention of money, he was startled and quickly changed his tune.

Watching the grandfather and grandson leave, Zhu Wuyao glanced at the wooden sign in his hand, put on a smile again, and turned around.

"Everyone, the Star-Picking Tower token, does anyone want it? Whoever bids the highest will get it!"

It's best to sell these things as soon as possible. It's worthwhile to make some money with no initial investment, and avoid getting burned.

The inn was completely silent.

Wishing you no invitation: ?

This is different from what she imagined. Shouldn't she have thought, "What if it's real?" and bid a little, spending a small amount of money to buy it and gamble on her luck?

She called out again, but still there was no response.

Careless.

The people in the inn were already skeptical, and when they saw that she hadn't spent any money, they became even more convinced that it was a fake.

Moreover, if she had bought it with money, that would be one thing, but now that she got it for free, she expects people to pay for it, which is clearly a rip-off, so naturally they will feel cheated.

Someone in the inn, who loved watching the excitement, held up his chopsticks and reminded them:

"Young lady, this thing is probably fake."

Everyone echoed in agreement, even the burly man nodded and said:

“I knew the old man was lying all along, but I let them go on purpose because I felt sorry for them.”

Zhu Wuyao nodded in agreement. For the sake of the ten copper coins, he didn't expose the burly man for being tricked, and said:

"It's probably true, but if anyone wants to buy it, just come find me and I'll sell it to you for the money."

She threw the sign upstairs; her plan to sell it for money had failed. But the farce had given her a new idea.

During these three months, you can't just sit around doing nothing and wait to take the entrance disciple assessment.

Perhaps in a while, those who want to join the Star-Picking Tower will have to come here in advance. At that time, there will be countless heroes, and I will end up just another ordinary person.

However, if one can make a name for oneself in advance and attract the attention of the people in the Star-Picking Tower, one's own safety will be guaranteed by one's own efforts.

In the past, those top scholars in the imperial examinations would first make a name for themselves before the exams. If their reputation spread far and wide, the examiners would take it into consideration when ranking them.

I wonder if this method would be equally applicable in the cultivation world, specifically in disciple assessments.

the next day.

She went out early in the morning to carry the custom-made banners.

He changed into a Taoist robe that he had bought at a "high price" and set up a table and chairs.

The banner fluttered in the wind, and on it were written large characters: "Knowing cause and effect, understanding fortune and misfortune, divine calculation."

Next to it was a line of smaller characters that read "Disciple of the Star-Picking Tower during the assessment period".

This set of equipment, when placed on the roadside, looks somewhat like a charlatan's.

As for disciples in the probationary period—

Zhu Wuyao is young and looks inexperienced, so it's not appropriate for him to impersonate a fortune teller. However, the sign "Disciple of the Star-Picking Tower in the Assessment Period" is quite impressive.

Since she'll have to take the entrance exam for the Star-Picking Tower sooner or later, why can't she be more proactive and take the exam herself?

That being said, Zhu Wuyao had considered this before daring to use this banner.

On the one hand, she never said that she was a formal disciple of Zhaixinglou, but used the name of "probation period", so it can't be considered a lie.

On the other hand, it's also because the Star-Picking Tower has a good reputation.

From what I've heard over the past couple of days, although Zhaixinglou is a charlatan and doesn't have a strong presence most of the time, he will definitely come and handle things properly if anything major happens in the town.

From time to time, disciples would go down the mountain to conduct secret investigations, either to eliminate evil and maintain order, or to do good deeds and accumulate merit.

My favorite phrase is "It's fate that we met today".

The security situation in Beixuan City is quite good.

Although she was somewhat worried about running into the disciples of the Star-Picking Pavilion, since they were charlatans, she might as well gamble on this "fate".

Even if it doesn't work, it's better to be directly rejected.

She could have made plans earlier and found another place to stay, instead of wasting two or three months of her time.

Just then, someone who had witnessed the farce at the inn yesterday happened to pass by.

Upon seeing the young Taoist priest, she immediately recognized him as the girl from yesterday and exclaimed in surprise:

"Could it be that the token from the Star-Picking Tower is real? I thought that old man was just lying to me..."

People were coming and going in this area. Four or five people gathered around because of the name of the Star-Picking Tower. When they heard this, they became interested and stopped to ask him to explain in detail.

Seeing so many people gathered around, he got excited and started recounting yesterday's events, embellishing the story.

Phrases like "that little girl had clear eyes and was always ready to help in times of trouble" or "although it looked like an ordinary wooden sign, upon closer inspection, you could see a faint glow"...

It even mentions that "a half-eaten apple was thrown and hit right between the eyebrows, demonstrating extraordinary skill."

The eight or nine people who had gathered around listened with amazement.

Zhu Wuyao felt a little awkward.

Actually, there's no need to go into such detail...

If it weren't for her occasional shamelessness, today would be the anniversary of her social death.

Although embarrassed, she remained calm and composed.

It seemed that what this person was talking about had nothing to do with her.

Finally, someone couldn't contain their curiosity and stepped forward to ask:

"Young Taoist priest, may I ask your name? And what is your price?"

Zhu Wuyao smiled slightly.

"I am the Silent Taoist. I don't talk about how much money I charge for fortune telling; I only care about fate."

The man was slightly taken aback, fooled by the charlatan's posture. Upon closer inspection, he realized that this meant "I decide how much money to charge."

After hesitating for a moment, he continued to ask:

"Master Wuyan, I wonder if I am destined to meet you?"

Zhu Wuyao had already sized this person up when he arrived... but couldn't discern anything...

She smiled slightly and said, "We are not destined to be together."

To everyone's surprise, the man seemed quite shocked and murmured:

"Master, you are truly a master of divination. I have nothing to divine, and there haven't been any recent ups and downs or opportunities. Most importantly... I didn't bring any money with me today!"

Zhu Wuyao was even more shocked.

You came to me for a fortune telling without any money?

Isn't this a waste of my time?

Zhu Wuyao continued to smile, as if this was something she had expected.