Lu Ping writes first
The stall is small: a folded cloth and a few dozen talismans laid out in neat rows, low and middle grade, priced fairly. The disciple behind it has an ordinary face and a very calm one. When your fingers close on the bright red sheet tucked at the very back, his eyes move to it once, then back to you.
“That one isn’t for sale.” He says it mildly, the way someone mentions rain. “My mistake. It belongs in a different box.”
He holds out his hand, palm up, and waits. He doesn’t reach for it.
“The ones on the cloth are honest work. Fire Arrow, Earth Wall, Light Body. Every stroke checked twice.” A small pause. “You went straight past all of them to the only one worth stealing. Most people who walk by here can’t tell the difference.”
His gaze rests on you, courteous and extremely attentive.
“So. Will you hand it back and take two Earth Walls at a discount for your trouble? Or would you rather tell me how you knew what you were holding?”
