Dharma books are the carrier used by wizards to copy spells.
Just as wood can hold fire, pottery can hold water.
Different spells have different functions, and their requirements for carriers are also different.
For example, if a fire spell is recorded in a book made of fish skin, the effect of the spell will be affected because the yin energy is too strong. Therefore, Ashmore's bound edition is often used to copy water spells, and the Paris bound edition is used by Catholics.
Used by monks to chant saints, the Venetian binding often appears in the hands of dark creatures.
Zheng Qing knew nothing about these details.
But his intuition made him abandon those Dharma books with gorgeous shells and exquisite bindings that he had seen before.
So, after he made his request, Manager Xiaoyuan led him to the Chinese-style Dharma calligraphy display cabinet.
"Pre-Qin bamboo slips, two feet and four inches long, cut from thousand-year-old bitter bamboo, covered with green halo paste, and braided with seven-color deerskin. The outer slips are carved with a complete set of 'Uncle Zai Sou' fire spells, and the inner lining is designed to be replaced many times.
We have equipped a set of linings with different materials, including mulberry paper, Shushan silk, two-layer fox fur, gold and silver pieces, etc. Customers can renew their order in the store for the material they feel comfortable with after using the lining."
"There is also this, a silk scroll from the Han and Tang Dynasties, five feet three inches long and one foot eight minutes wide. It is woven from thousand-year-old amber silk. The silk quality is beautiful and soft, and the luster is delicate and bright. The scroll is made of Ryukyu red sandalwood, which feels warm and refreshing.
The fragrance of the book is engraved on the bottom of the shaft with the incantation 'The East is bright, the light of the moon', so that even in the dark night, it will not affect the use of the Dharma book at all."
"There are also Song Dynasty style books here, with simple and elegant styles and strict materials. From threading to binding, everything reflects the historical charm of the East. What kind of books do you like?"
The manager of the bookstore displayed these Chinese Dharma books one by one and explained them in detail.
Ever since the fat man with a triple chin exposed Zheng Qing's status as a government-funded student, Manager Xiaoyuan's attitude has become more friendly.
"What about the price?" Although he was short of money, Zheng Qing did not hesitate to broaden his horizons and gain insights.
The soft leather gloves on his hands were replaced by white fine linen gloves. The bookstore also thoughtfully provided a pair of monocles, allowing him to carefully examine the patina on the bamboo slips, the lines on the silk, and the Song Dynasty
The beginning and end of book binding.
"The pre-Qin bamboo slips start at fifteen jade coins, and there is room for fluctuation depending on the lining; the Han and Tang silk books start at ten jade coins, and the scrolls can be replaced, and the price is not fixed; the Song version of the book costs five jade coins, unified
price."
“What type of Dharma books are the most sold?”
"Standard university style, first-layer deerskin cover, silk bookmark strap, brass inlays, book corners, blank title page, mulberry paper." Manager Xiaoyuan spoke quickly: "Because it is a standard format, its durability is limited. Generally
Students change once a semester and receive a jade coin as a benefit."
"That's it." Zheng Qing weighed it.
"Since you are a government-funded student, if these cannot meet your requirements, the shop can also tailor-make a Dharma book for you, which will definitely satisfy the customer." Seemingly seeing Zheng Qing's hesitation, the shop said
Manager Yuan strongly recommended: "Shangyuan Shusi has masters of Dharma calligraphy certified by the Wizards Alliance, so you can rest assured."
"It must be very expensive."
"The price starts from one golden bean, and there is no upper limit. Depending on the materials and requirements you use, the price of the Dharma book will also be different. You are a government-funded student, and you can get a 30% discount on labor."
"I'll go take a look." Zheng Qing felt happy in his heart, wondering if he could buy a Dharma book with three or five golden beans.
Jade coins, golden beans, silver horns, and coppers are several currencies in the wizarding world. One jade coin can be exchanged for ten golden beans. If you use three or five golden beans to solve the problem of the book, you can save at least six or seven.
Golden beans.
According to Thomas, a handful of coppers was enough for Zheng Qing to have three meals a day in college. Six or seven golden beans were estimated to be enough for his living expenses for a month.
His full scholarship is only ten jade coins, and he needs to buy all the necessities for school on the list, and also needs to take into account some other expenses after the start of school.
Zheng Qing felt a little nervous.
Since knowing the currency exchange rate, he has given up on asking his family for money.
Since there is no open source approach for the time being, we must learn to count every penny spent.
"Please come this way." Manager Xiaoyuan led Zheng Qing to a small door deep in the bookstore.
The cyan double-leaf wooden door does not match the overall dark tone of the store. The doorframe around the wooden door is engraved with runes to ward off evil spirits, and the New Year pictures of Shen Tu Yulei are hung on the door leaves. The New Year pictures are a bit old and a bit white in color. Shen
The two great masters Tu Yulei leaned on the painting feet, sat lazily, and played cards. When they saw someone coming, they just waved their hands to indicate that they knew.
Zheng Qing swallowed.
"According to the rules, I can't go in." Manager Xiaoyuan opened the door and made a gesture to invite in, while smiling apologetically.
It's a little dark inside the door, and the threshold is a foot high.
Zheng Qing looked at it and carefully crossed the threshold.
The wooden door closed gently behind you.
It was dim, quiet, and with the fragrance of dark wood, Zheng Qing's originally nervous heart gradually calmed down.
The house is large and spacious.
There were burning torches hanging on the surrounding walls.
In the center of the room, there is a huge counter. This is the most conspicuous thing in the room.
There was a pile of gray hair on the counter, shaking in the firelight.
"Is anyone there?" Zheng Qing's throat was dry and his voice was trembling.
Swallowing, he walked to the counter, ready to say hello again.
Before he could speak, the pile of gray hair suddenly floated up.
A dry, wrinkled old man's face, like a dried walnut, appeared in his sight.
Zheng Qing was startled and reached out to grab the gray cloth bag in his arms.
The old man's dull eyes rolled over the cloth bag. Then he lowered his head, and the shriveled walnut disappeared behind the large table.
"Hello," Zheng Qing moved back, a little further away from the counter.
Then he hesitated and bowed slightly.
Raising his head, the old man had moved closer, his wrinkled face almost touching Zheng Qing's body, and his dark, lifeless eyes were staring at him.
"Hello, um..." Zheng Qing was startled, and tried to pull away, but the old man reached out his right hand without any hesitation, grabbed his collar, and pulled him in front of him.
Although he looked like a thin old man, his hands were like iron pliers, strangling Zheng Qing's neck until it hurt.
"Yes, yes, I understand."
Before Zheng Qing could speak, the old man's murmuring voice sounded in the quiet room, seeming very ethereal: "A very powerful soul, very powerful. Although it is chaotic and complicated, it contains a pure breath. I
I have never seen such a powerful soul. I have never felt this way before. Don’t worry, I have prepared everything, and you will have a powerful wizard book.”