I finished signing my name.
I now had a new identity.
Owner of the Yin-Yang Envoy Talisman, a half-yin, half-yang envoy.
My master saw it and nodded slightly.
"Good, this is one less thing for me to worry about.
Let's all continue eating and drinking."
Master let out a happy laugh.
Old Mo patted me on the shoulder.
"Brother Qin, well done! You're a Yang Envoy now.
But I have to say, the name you chose isn't as good as your Martial Uncle's."
I gave an awkward laugh.
"No. 81 on the Path to the Underworld" was indeed not as pleasant-sounding as "Wan Fu Tang."
But apart from that.
I didn't know whether to feel happy or sad.
The reason Master wanted me to choose a name and pass down the Yin-Yang Envoy Talisman was because his health had taken a turn for the worse.
He didn't have much life left.
Therefore, he passed the Yin-Yang Envoy Talisman to me.
If I could, I would rather not have this Yin-Yang Envoy Talisman and not become a Yang Envoy.
I wished Master could live for a few more years.
Sitting back down, Master drank another half cup.
After chatting at the table for a while, we dispersed.
Master was a bit tipsy, and I helped him back.
Xiao Mei transformed into a small fox and burrowed into my handbag.
My Martial Uncle next to me was complaining about how Master couldn't hold his liquor.
Although they had made up, they hadn't stopped their bickering, still snapping at each other.
Because of this, they argued all the way from the restaurant to the shop's entrance.
When we returned to Wan Fu Tang.
Master didn't go inside immediately.
Instead, he stood at the entrance and looked up at Wan Fu Tang.
He took a deep breath and then said,
"Little Qin, take down this sign later and hang up the name you chose tomorrow."
"Master, there's no need to take it down. The name I chose really doesn't sound good!"
I said, supporting him.
Master just smiled faintly.
"What's the use of sounding good? This is the rule.
Our lineage has always had this rule.
One generation, one name; one name, one sign.
Now that I'm passing the Yin-Yang Envoy Talisman to you, it means you are qualified to graduate.
Since you're graduating, you naturally need to hang your own sect's name.
I'll give you a phone number later for the sign design.
You can communicate with them directly for the design!"
After saying that, Master gestured for me to open the door.
With Master having said so much, I couldn't argue further.
I nodded slightly at Master and went to open the door.
After returning to the shop, I placed Xiao Mei on the ground.
Xiao Mei scampered off to the backyard to sleep.
Master lit a cigarette, took a few puffs while holding his phone.
Finally, he sent me a phone number.
"Here's the number, you can communicate with them yourself.
I'm going to bed now."
After saying this, Master staggered into his room.
After Master went into his room, I looked at the phone number for a while before finally dialing it.
The other end was a small advertising design company that specialized in designing billboards and such.
The fees were also very reasonable, not expensive.
After adding them on WeChat, they provided me with three design proposals.
I finally picked one.
The sign was black and white, as it was for business catering to the underworld, this color was very suitable for a white shop's signboard.
The background was black, with the characters "81号" written in the center in large Song typeface.
On the upper left side of the signboard, the three characters "黄泉路" were written vertically in artistic red script.
I thought the signboard looked good, so I went with it.
Because it was an urgent order, and the signboard was made of solid wood, the design fee, shipping, and other costs added up to three thousand six hundred.
Putting down the phone, I lay quietly on the sofa.
I had a strange feeling, not happy at all.
It wasn't because I had become the shopkeeper.
Or that I had received Master's approval and was graduating, I felt no excitement.
Since I hadn't been back for several days, and the shop wasn't open in the afternoon.
After resting for a while, I cleaned the shop.
That night, I slept in the shop.
The next morning, the signboard I had ordered yesterday was delivered to the door.
Under Master's supervision.
"No. 81 on the Path to the Underworld" was hung above the main entrance.
From this moment on, I became the shopkeeper here.
And Master would completely retreat behind the scenes.
Many neighbors came to watch.
When they heard that I would be the shopkeeper from now on, they smiled and congratulated me.
I only responded symbolically.
Old Mo even brought a string of firecrackers and set them off at the entrance.
He said it was to celebrate.
After all this was done, it was already noon.
We all went out to eat at a restaurant again that day.
However, during the meal.
Yunxia Gu expressed that after they descended, they planned to return to Qingcheng Mountain and would be leaving for a period of time.
Hearing this, we were all surprised.
Was it that urgent?
We hadn't known beforehand at all.
"Yunxia, is it that urgent?"
Master asked.
After all, they were old friends, and Master was reluctant to see Yunxia Gu leave.
"Yes! Why not stay for a few more days?"
Martial Uncle chimed in.
But Yunxia Gu waved her hand.
"No, it's a really urgent matter.
The Sect Leader, Martial Brother, has recalled all elders and disciples who were out.
There might be something big happening, so I have to go back this afternoon."
Yunxia Gu said seriously.
Hearing this, my heart stirred.
Recalling all the disciples of the entire sect in an emergency, what kind of incident could it be?
After all, disciples from various sects who were out were patrolling different areas, carrying out sect missions.
Slaying demons and monsters, maintaining peace in their respective regions.
They only returned during special celebrations.
A full emergency recall like this must mean a major event was occurring.
"Yunxia, has something big happened?"
My Master inquired.
But Yunxia Gu shook her head.
"I'm not sure yet, the Sect Leader Martial Brother didn't say.
But such a sudden recall, it's definitely not a small matter.
So I have to leave this afternoon, and I should be back in Qingcheng Mountain around eleven tonight."
Hearing Yunxia Gu's reply.
Master and Martial Uncle both grunted and didn't try to persuade her further.
After all, Yunxia Gu was still a disciple of the sect.
Just like going to work, there were rules and regulations.
Things couldn't be done just as one pleased.
But Yunxia Gu then added.
"After I return and finish what needs to be done, I will come back again.
After I leave, you two should keep an eye on your own masters.
Don't let them argue whenever they meet, and take care of their health."
"Don't worry, Yunxia Gu, I'll remember!"
I replied.
Old Mo also nodded in agreement.
The lunch that day was considered a farewell meal for Yunxia Gu and her group.
After we finished eating, we didn't return to the shop.
Instead, we all escorted Yunxia Gu to the train station.
As Yunxia Gu was leaving, she kept reminding my Master and Martial Uncle.
To smoke less, drink less, and so on.
As for Xia Qiuxiu, as she was leaving, she quietly slipped me a note.
I was a bit stunned.
Looking at the note in my hand, then at Xia Qiuxiu.
Before I could ask,
Xia Qiuxiu said to me.
"Don't look at it, you can only open it after I've left."
After saying that, Xia Qiuxiu gave a faint smile and turned away.
I watched Xia Qiuxiu's retreating back, feeling a bit confused.
If she had something to say, why not just say it?
Making it all so mysterious, I had no idea what was written on it...