Li En and Qiu Zhiming both stared at the old man with bewilderment. In such a situation, it was likely for the old man to exacerbate the situation; if he were to ask for a silver coin, it would already be considered to be kind. Of course, Qiu Zhiming had no complaints; as long as the matter was resolved without him needing to make an official report, everything was fine. Likewise, for Li En, a great decrease in price was a benefit to her. Now, she could buy more gifts for her Young Master to enjoy.    

Although her hands stopped moving due to the sheer perplexity, Li En quickly regained herself and took out 20 coins, readily handing it over in case this crazed old man were to change his mind. Fortunately, all her worries were in vain as the old man slowly took the coins and moved to Qiu Zhiming, giving a bow of respect, "Thank you for helping me..."   

"Yeah... no problem..." Qiu Zhiming spoke as he looked at Li En and gave a nod, as though indicating to her 'the matter has been resolved. You can go now.'   

Li En slightly clenched her teeth as she gave a bow to the obviously biased guard. Her hand slip to grab Shi Yan's hand and she hastily moved to grab the vase on the table, trying to leave the scene as soon as possible. However, when she felt a gentle tug on her hand, she turned around to look at Shi Yan's sad face. "Young Master, what's wrong? Do you feel unwell?" Li En bends down to check on the little boy.   

"Li En... why was the old man sad?”   

[Young Master, you are such a wonderful child but placing so much empathy to such trash is something you shouldn’t do!] Li En wished to shout out her thoughts but if she had done so, she knew that Shi Yan would continue to sulk. Thus, she looked at the old man and ask with her forced pleasant appearance, “Dear sir, could you tell us why you look so sad?” [Although you’ve already received the money you’ve wanted!]   

The Pot Head turned around, “that's no problem of yours. Just leave already!” the old man gave a snort while Qiu Zhiming was slyly making his exit, leaving the two’s next confrontation to another nearby guard.   

“Uncle! Don’t you dare scream at Li En!” Shi Yan quickly ran over and stood in front of the old man, glaring at him.   

“Shut up you stinking brat! Just leave and stop disturbing me!” the old man quickly turned back and hastily walked back into his store.   

“You old crook! Is this how you treat my Young Master when he showed you some care and concern?!” the blood vessel in Li En’s forehead seem almost ready to burst as she stepped forward towards the old man, ready to give him a tight slap. With this insanely violent old woman approaching him, the old man shudders out in fear, “what do you plan to do!?” for some reason, he felt an inexplicable feeling of oppression as the old woman steps closer towards him. It was as though he was no longer human, a being lesser than an ant in front of this woman’s vicious gaze. “Stop-p!! Help! HELP-PP!! SOMEONE!”    

The old man’s desperate gaze sourced around, hoping for his shining knight, Qiu Zhiming to appear. However, unexpectedly, that leathered suited man was nowhere in sight.    

Meanwhile, those that were staring at the ceramic crazed lunatic screaming out were left  bemused as they continued to watch the scene play out with utmost anticipation. [Is that old sack of shit finally going to get a beating?] some pondered in excitement.   

With his desperate gaze unable to locate any decent human being willing to help him, the old man had no choice. His knees fell on the ground as he grovelled towards the young boy in front of him. [Since she calls this kid young master, she must definitely listen to him!] the old man understood very well that Li En was extremely loyal to Shi Yan. As long as he could gain the forgiveness of the little twerp, that old demon must stand down!   

Unfortunately, Shi Yan’s kind disposition seem to make a complete 180 as his gaze seemed to turn cold. When Byakko received the feelings harboured within Shi Yan at that time, even he could not help but shudder.   

[This boy… I initially thought he was kind and caring but he can really be a devil at times…] Byakko thought aloud as he watched Li En’s pace slightly quicker. [But, it's strange that such an ordinary woman is able to show such frightening oppression. It seems like a cultivators’ domain but… it's not… it's much too unnoticeable...]   

Seeing that his actions were not enough to render aid from the little boy, the man stuttered, “I-I…I’ll give you more vases! So P-please! Forgive me!”   

[This boy…] Byakko couldn't help but sigh after noticing a jolt spring into Shi Yan’s mind. [It'd be best if I never get on his bad side…]   

“How many vases?” Shi Yan’s eyes seemed to emit a kind of glimmer, which was noticed by the old man, causing him to shrink his head back as he gulped. For a man his age, he naturally knew what those eyes meant. Those turquoise eyes held a glow of innocence but it also held a tint of glee. When the little boy cracked into a brilliant smile that displayed his luscious white teeth, the old man understood that he was no longer dealing with someone naïve. [Monster!] he thought in his heart. He had never imagined such a young child to be capable of such cunningness. However, without any time to think, the old man screamed out, “Four! I'll give you four of my best vases!”   

Hearing his words, the old woman’s pace seemed to slow down a little. Unfortunately, noticing that the little boy was not convinced, she started to move quickly again. “I mean fiv-ve! Five vases! Please forgive me!”   

The footsteps of Li En does seem to stop after the old man screamed out his words. Seeming to wait for the inevitable, Li En sighed and turned to her little darling “isn't that enough Young Master? I doubt that the man will be willing to give us any more.”   

Shi Yan tilted his head in confusion. “But Li En, I don’t want his vases! I want him to teach me to make those vases!”   

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Both Li En and the old man broke out in cold sweat. “Young master… I think it's best if we just accept five vases…”   

Shi Yan shook his head, “if I learn how to make vases, we can have more than ten in the long run! Isn't that better than just having five?”   

“… Young Master… that’s not the problem here…” Li En tried to explain but was cut off by the nodding old man. “Ah! Brilliant idea! Just what I expect from my disciple!”   

“Who’s your disciple!” Li En snapped back at the old man and quickly plead the little boy. “Young Master, please. Let's just take the five vases and get out of here!”   

Shi Yan continued to think for a moment and shook his head. “Li En, don’t you want to know how to make something so nice?”   

[No! Of course not! Learning such things isn't useful at all! What's more, to take this old thing that hasn't bathed in years. Him acting as your teacher, absolutely not!] Li En wished to voice her thoughts in frustrations but she didn’t wish to upset her Young Master. Especially once she saw those sparkling eyes of curiosity, her will was almost instantly disintegrated. To give a response that is both satisfying to the boy and herself, she turned to the old man in disgruntle. “Fine… I will allow this old thing to teach you. But! He must address you as Young Master as well!”   

The old man's face turned pale. [What? I have to call this little demon my master?!] His eyes looked at the pair of demons in front of him in fright, as he immediately regretted his decision to try to convince the boy. [I should have just allowed that old witch to break my legs! Now I have to deal with this runt?] fresh tears could be seen welling up in his eyes but the man repeatedly blinked just to control the droplets from leaving his eyes. [It's fine... As long as my arms are working, it's fine!] He attempted to convince himself as he took deep breaths.    

"… youn-ng ma-s-ster..." The old man whimpers out, as Li En took a step closer to him.   

*Em!* Shi Yan gave a nod of approval and moved to Li En's side, "Li En, can I start learning how to make  vases now?"   

"… Young Master... Don't you wish to explore around some more? We can't go back so late..." Li En stressed but the little boy pointed to the store, "It's okay, we can stay here for the night and explore some more tomorrow! So, can I please start learning? Please?"   

*Haa...* Li En let out a sigh as she knew that she could never go against this little angel's will; especially when those adorable turquoise eyes stared straight at her. "Alright. But Young Master, you must promise me that you will not get too absorbed into pottery... After all, we still have the whole country left to explore."   

Shi Yan jumped with joy, "Yay! Yay!" As he overly celebrated. After he skipped into the store, Li En followed closely but before the old lady entered, she spoke with a chilling voice, "Dear teacher, what are you waiting outside for? Aren't you going to show us around?"   

Her words brought the old crook an unprecedented shiver within his spine as he subconsciously gulped down the little saliva he had left in his mouth. Shuttering with fear, he spoke, "Ye-es Mad-ame!" With his gaze stuck to the ground, too afraid to look straight, as he slowly stood up. Meanwhile, onlookers seem to laugh at the pottery crazed man, as they enjoyed the sight of his slumped shoulders and face filled with despair. However, none of the would dare raise even a squeak or attempt to get close to the store; petrified of the thought of a certain terrifying old woman setting her sights on them.    

***************   

~ Inside the store   

***************   

Normally, workplace and the bed should be in two separate room but this wasn’t the case for this store. This two room, one toilet, the decrepit hut was bizarre beyond words. The whole hut was decrepit but holes were filled with pieces of clay that has been sculpted to perfection. At the first glance, any guest would be puzzled if the holes on the walls were actually deliberately made just for the old thing to be able to fit his artwork inside. 

"What a mess..." Li En explained with eyes filled with worry, [has this sloth really been living here? The dust piles and randomly placed clay pieces are everywhere... Gosh... such a messy room simply shows his incapabilities to take care of himself... How can such a man even be worth serving the Young Master?] moving closer to inspect the straw mat bed just next to his pottery workstation, Li En took a sniff and sighed. [At least this trash hasn't left any of his meals lying around…]   

When Li En’s gaze lands onto the little boy scouring around with a curious gaze, she sighed. “Young Master, let’s clean up a little before we do anything alright?” 

*Uh!* 

Pot Head’s gloomy eyes soon turned to that of distress after he saw his whole area changing in just a minute after the Old Hag and the Little Devil went in. He wished to raise his voice but whenever he tried, an icy cold voice would play in his ears, “Yes?” 

Terrified, Pot Head went limp at the corner of the room, curled out trying to wish this was all just a simple nightmare. [What have I done to deserve this?] 

******************** 

After an hour of cleaning 

******************** 

“Mister, why are you facing the wall? Don’t you want to see your room?” Shi Yan’s little hand shook the old man’s shoulder. “…” 

The little boy turned to face to Li En, “Li En, why is he not moving? Is he sick?” 

“There is no need to worry Young Master. Come and stand here first.” Li En spoke with a soothing voice but in it hid malice that was directed at the old man. “Oh… Ok…” Shi Yan compiled and moved to her side. 

With Shi Yan out of the way, Li En went to the old man’s ear and whispered something inaudible to the boy. Immediately, the man stood up with much vigour but his face was plaid and eyes were those comparable to a dead fish.  

“Yes!” He shouted and with his limping leg, he hastily staggered over to his workstation. The familiar workstation had now completely changed, except for the unusually big heating stove (kiln) and his table’s position. His precious tools were now kept somewhere else and the compounds he used for mixing were all gone. He wished to ask, “where did you place my stuff?” but due to the witch staring intently behind him, he dare not mutter a sound. Quickly, he rummaged through the area but stopped after hearing that accursed voice again. “Please don't make a mess after we had cleaned everything up. If you are looking for your tools, they are all placed behind the kiln in three separate vases we found lying around. It's the same for the different sand that you’ve collected.” 

[Those aren't sand you idiot! You can't simply place them in any vase you want! Depending on the compound, you would need specific bases to store them!!!! Arghhhh!] Pot Head wished to scream out his anguish. Worried for his precious material, he ignored that woman and hurriedly limp his way over to the back of the kiln. When he saw everything was organised neatly into different vases, separated as how it should be, he sighed a breath of relief. Although the pair of demons had used the vase from outside his store that was supposed to be sold, he was simply too relieved to make any further complaints. [Yes, as long as everything is still here, it's fine…] 

Originally, Pot Head would never need to categorise the compounds due to his constant presence at his workstation. Every compound, from tin glaze to Kaolin, was originally wrapped in a piece of reusable cloth and placed on his table in all its glory. Although it makes the table a mess to look at, it was something he was familiar with for years.  

Furthermore, each day, he would always use up all the compounds without leaving a single one out in the open throughout the night. Thus, it was not necessary for him to even care about preserving the clays. 

[Wait! Where is my weighing scale?!] Pot Head eyes instantly turned red as it zipped from side to side in search of his precious treasure. For once, his voice managed to leak out, "Where... Where is it?" 

"Mister, are you looking for that thing?" Shi Yan came forward, a little worried with how the old man's grievance face was appearing to be. He points to a small poorly made wooden pole with a balance at the top, and two strings tied to it's end, attached to a pair of bases. 

"Ah!" The old man gasped as he felt his heart break when he saw his precious weighing machine inside a vase that made it seem like a trash bin. 

"Calm down. My Young Master did not wish to throw away that thing of yours. He simply placed it away in hopes to fix it later."