From Paper Craftsman to World-Suppressing Immortal

"Master of Laws, perhaps we can consult Master Pei Shouzhen about this matter."

Having made up his mind, Zhang Zhixuan stopped thinking about it and idly looked at the blue sky and white clouds while riding in the mule cart. After noon, he finally arrived in Tianjin.

When Zhang Zhixuan entered Tianjin, the first place he went was Guihoutang.

Since he needed someone's help, Zhang Zhixuan couldn't go empty-handed. He took a detour and went to Shunxiangzhai to buy "Jinmen Eight Treasures," a famous specialty pastry in Tianjin, as a gift. It wasn't particularly expensive, but it suited the tastes of the people of Tianjin.

When Zhang Zhixuan arrived at Guihoutang, he only saw Manager Wu behind the counter, wearing reading glasses on his nose, his fingers clicking away on the abacus, with an account book beside him, seemingly checking accounts.

Seeing that Manager Wu was busy, Zhang Zhixuan did not disturb him rashly. He waited for a while until Manager Wu looked up unintentionally and noticed Zhang Zhixuan.

"Huh? Xiao Zhang! When did you arrive? Why didn't you say hello?"

"I saw you were busy, so I didn't want to bother you."

Shopkeeper Wu chuckled, took off his reading glasses from behind the counter, and came out: "What brings you here today? Delivering paper effigies?"

"Those few paper orders are almost finished. Could you arrange a truck to pick them up from my place in a couple of days?"

"Okay, give me the address later. I'll send someone over in a couple of days, and the owner will come to inspect the goods in person. I'll settle the payment with you on the spot."

"No rush, no rush. I've come here to ask you something else."

As Zhang Zhixuan spoke, he placed the oil paper package he was carrying on the table. The oil paper package was tied neatly in a square shape, with a red paper on top and tied with hemp rope. Manager Wu recognized it at a glance as a pastry from Shunxiangzhai.

"Hey! Shunxiangzhai's pastry box, you're something else, kid. You know how to appreciate this kind of food. You're lucky."

Zhang Zhixuan pushed forward: "Manager Wu, I specially waited for the freshly baked ones, please have a taste first."

Manager Wu chuckled knowingly and said, "Then I, the old man, will have to accept your offer."

After speaking, Manager Wu unwrapped the oil paper packaging, inside which were neatly arranged white pastries: Fu (福) cakes, Lu (禄) cakes, Shou (寿) cakes, Xi (喜) cakes, Ruyi (如意) cakes, jujube flower pastries, hawthorn pot-shaped pastries, and pepper-salt pastries.

These pastries are all made with sesame oil and flour, and the freshly baked pastries have a special mellow aroma.

Shopkeeper Wu's eyes lit up. He couldn't wait to take a lucky cake, offering it with one hand and holding it with the other, then put it in his mouth, chewing slowly and enjoying it immensely.

After finishing the auspicious cake, Manager Wu licked his lips with lingering satisfaction. After the pastry, he took a sip of tea. Looking at Zhang Zhixuan again, he was in a much better mood, and his tone was three times warmer than usual: "Little Zhang, we're all friends here, no need for formalities. Speak, what is it?"

"Manager Wu, I have some jewelry left by my mother. I urgently need money and want to sell it to tide me over, but I know nothing about pawnshops and I'm afraid of being ripped off. You are a knowledgeable and experienced person, could you please give me some advice?"

As Zhang Zhixuan spoke, he took out three pieces of jewelry from the hidden compartment of the basket: a pair of gold bracelets, a silver hairpin, and a pearl necklace. The jade cicada was too strange, so Zhang Zhixuan was not ready to take it out yet.

Shopkeeper Wu wiped his hands, picked up each item and examined them carefully, saying, "Hmm, good quality, they should all be good items. Your mother left them to you, are you really going to pawn them?"

Zhang Zhixuan nodded, his tone resolute: "It's an emergency, so I have no choice but to accept."

Shopkeeper Wu didn't try to persuade him any further. He put the three items back on the counter, stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and then said, "There are many pawnshops in Tianjin, but the fairest one is Deheng Pawnshop in the west of the city. I know the shopkeeper, surnamed Han. He's an old clerk who's been doing this for forty years. Although he's a bit rigid, he's much better than other pawnshops."

Shopkeeper Wu continued, "I'll give you a few suggestions. If you want to pawn more money, remember this: the first time you go, don't be timid. Take out one item first to test the price. If you think the price he offers is too low, say, 'Shopkeeper, could you add a little more?' If he really wants it, he'll add another item. After he adds it, you should agree. Don't be greedy."

"Also, don't bring everything out at once. If he gives you a fair price for the first item and you accept it, then bring out the second item. If you reveal all your assets at once, who else will he pressure to lower the price against if not you?"

Zhang Zhixuan listened carefully, silently memorizing the words. Then, he clasped his hands in thanks to Manager Wu, saying, "Manager Wu, your words have been a great help to me."

"Hey, you're being too polite. From now on, just focus on your paperwork and stop doing those crooked things. Your boss has high hopes for you, so don't let her down."

"Don't worry, I'll be going now."

"Hey, wait a minute, leave your address here, I'll send a car to pick up the paperwork in a couple of days."

Zhang Zhixuan left his address with Manager Wu, turned around and left Guihoutang in a hurry.

Deheng Pawnshop was quite well-known in the west of the city. Zhang Zhixuan had the address given to him by Manager Wu and quickly found the location.

Like other pawnshops, Deheng Pawnshop had an independent courtyard, high walls and large tiled houses, high steps at the entrance, and a large "pawn" character written on the wall next to the gate.

This profession doesn't have a good reputation among ordinary people; nine out of ten pawnshops are shady, and the remaining one is especially so.

The word "pawn" in "pawnshop" means fair pawning in the eyes of the industry, but in the eyes of ordinary people, it has become the word "pawn" meaning to be cheated.

In fact, there was a folk rhyme about pawnshops in the past: "From afar, it looks like a city; up close, it looks like a wooden cage. Inside live Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie, who actually make money off Grandpa."

Zhang Zhixuan didn't know much about this industry, but he remembered the advice given by Manager Wu. He took a deep breath and lifted the curtain to go inside.

The counter in the pawnshop was very high; Zhang Zhixuan had to stand on tiptoe to reach it.

Behind the counter sat a thin old man, about sixty years old, wearing reading glasses, examining a copper coin with a magnifying glass. Hearing the noise, Manager Han raised his wrinkled old face and looked over.

Zhang Zhixuan noticed that although the old man was not young, his eyes were very bright and spirited.

"Shopkeeper, I'll pawn it."

Manager Han put down the magnifying glass and looked him up and down.

"As what object?"

Zhang Zhixuan first took out a silver hairpin and placed it on the counter.

Shopkeeper Han picked up the hairpin and examined it several times. He looked at the ruby ​​at the head of the hairpin with a magnifying glass, weighed it on a scale, and finally held it up to the light by the door before offering a price.

Fourteen pieces.

"Shopkeeper, add some more. You can tell this hairpin is a good one."

The old man glanced at him, paused for a moment, and said, "I'll give you sixteen yuan at most. Keep it if you want, otherwise go somewhere else."

"Deal." Zhang Zhixuan feigned heartache, gritted his teeth, and readily agreed.

The deal was done. Old Man Han counted out sixteen silver dollars from under the counter, stacked them on the counter, and pushed them to the front: "Sixteen dollars, you count them."

Zhang Zhixuan took it, glanced at it once, and then put it in his pocket.

Just as Zhang Zhixuan put away the sixteen silver dollars, a pale blue light suddenly appeared in front of him.

[Complete a fair pawn transaction; Pawnbroker Proficiency +2]

The next second, the Book of a Hundred Trades appeared before Zhang Zhixuan's eyes, turning to a brand new second page.

[All Trades: Pawnbrokers]

[Level: Lv1 (2/100)]

[Rank: 0]

【Treasure Appraiser Lv1 (Permanent Passive, Upgradeable): All things in heaven and earth possess treasure; with the Treasure Appraiser, their value is instantly determined.】

[Upgrade to the next level to unlock skills.]

Zhang Zhixuan's heart skipped a beat. He never expected that pawning things at the pawnshop would unexpectedly activate a new profession among all trades.