The sudden decrease in tension helps Shen Qingqiu relax as well, a surprised little chuckle escaping his lips. "Don't be so quick to throw your money away!" he scolds Jon playfully. "How do you know I'm not a con artist trying to trick you? I'll write a proper invoice for you once the talismans are finished, and we can review it together over tea. Nice and professional."

He glances around the shed again. "You know, it's a shame we can't uproot the entire building and rotate it ninety degrees or so clockwise, so the grinder would be stored in the north. Běifāng Xuánwǔ would certainly be interested in keeping such a venial device under control, assuming the four guardians have any pull in this world of course."