Ai approaches me, after having grabbed some normal items, using our combined money. She covers her mouth, so no one can see her speak.

It looks like reading lips is a tactic in this world, as well.

“Okay, so it looks like we have everything else we need. We’ve made a little too many waves than I would have wanted, but we should still be able to get the alchemy items. Are you ready?”

With my nod, we continue down the road. As before, Gong subtly follows us from the nearby alleyway.

Down the street, I can see it. It appears to be a quite a large building with blue markings on it. A sign hangs from the door, saying Ma Pen’s Alchemical Store. In front of the store are two medium-sized, stone dog-like statues.

I’ve noticed that as a whole, while the city and world are cultivation novel-like, there are some traditional fantasy novel aspects here. Not only that, but there are some western concepts here, as well. I must be sure not to assume anything, just based on what I’ve read from novels. This is an actual world, after all.

Here, I guess the features of these statues are more dog than lion, unlike the ones back home. Maybe dog lion, rather than lion dog?

As we approach, I can sense Qi and… something that is not exactly life, running through one of the stone guardians. It appears this shop isn’t so simple. This actually worries me a bit.

Also, I realize an enormous gap in our plan for this step.

Dang it! Of course, at the last moment, I can see what we’ve missed. We were so worried about the overall look and flow of the operation, that we forgot about what could happen.

If the owner tests my knowledge, he will find it definitely lacking. While the plan is to have them talk and bargain, it is totally possible that the owner could become suspicious and want to see and hear from their “master.”

I will have to use a reduced version of my scanning; in case the owner has Qi and can read me.

Maybe I should do a little something to help establish credibility, while they handle the business inside with the alchemist…

Leaning over to Ai and Lin, “You guys go ahead inside, to make the deal. I’ll wait outside for you, so you won’t be distracted and can make the best deal.”

After some thought, they quickly nod and head over into the shop. I follow behind them, but stop near the entrance. As they walk in, I turn to the stone statues.

Have to stay cautious, but I want to learn more about this. And it could provide a good idea of what they are dealing with.

Since I’m being careful to not use my in-depth scan, I use the low tier one to get a more realistic way of discovering information about them both.

As I view each of them, my eye catches different things that provide insight to what could be happening. The strange way that there is dust on one dog, but not the other. The notches just below the left eye of the dog on the left. The way the dog on the right is staring straight ahead, but is oriented the slightest bit, so its gaze is focused on the meat stall across the street. Numerous things like this catch my attention.

However, it looks like I’m still not fully able to filter out information I wouldn’t have context on. Things such as the name of the species of the dog on the right, evidently the living one, still being called Shishi or guardian lions. Even though they appear to be canines, based on my scan. Guess I’ll be calling them guardian lions.

This doesn’t include the fact that I now know what they enjoy eating and what variations of concoctions I could make to have it become friendly to me. Which coincidentally, I could make out of ingredients, based on what is available in this area, right now. Though by far the simplest way, is just to get it a beef stick from the stand across the way.

I’m able to tell this, by the obvious stone-like saliva just barely peeking out from its lip, in contrast to the other not-living guardian lion.

However, I can only tell the subtle differences because I know what to look for. My low tier scan helps me to realize that this species must have been built to blend in with many fake statues, to ambush enemies.

This might be the first golem that I’ve encountered in this world. Everything is pointing to this being something similar to that.

No, wait.

Something tells me that isn’t the full story. Based on the feeling of it, it feels like it is like an artificial spirit beast.

It doesn’t appear to be tied to the body it’s in. It might actually be an entity that jumps from one vessel to the other. Or… could it be ‘tied’ to the container it is in?

I look around the creature’s body to see if there are any indicators.

There are none visible from this angle. Most likely, if there is one, it is below the base.

Since I started visibly looking at it closer, it appears to have been changing slowly, attempting to match the appearance of the nearby non-living stone guardian lion.

Little by little, it removed the indicators I had seen earlier.

Well, this is fine. I suppose I could just feed it and then wait for Ai and Lin. I was hoping to be able to do something more… but I feel that if I use a real concoction to gain its loyalty, that could be an affront to the owner.

Using the secret stash of money, I kept on me, I spent 1 copper to buy 3 meat sticks. They are surprisingly large for the price. The stall owner wouldn’t tell me what kind of meat it is made of, so I used scan.

Oh, it’s made of a pork and beef-like creature in it.

Seems like it may have some cultural taboos attached to it, but it’s not a demi-human or sentient, so I won’t worry about it too much.

As I stand in front of the store, with these three meat sticks, I begin to eat one of them. Slowly.

“Mmm… This meat stick is surprisingly delicious. So warm and hot. The juices flow out of it so easily, and the seasoning is actually perfect for the size of the meat. I never expected to have such a treat out here. MMmmmmmm…”

As I say these tantalizing things, with the guardian lion at my side, it just barely shivers. I could only perceive it because my area scan was on.

Alright, time for the hook.

“Huh, it appears that there are a lot of rats around. I suppose if accidentally someone were to drop some kind of food, it would only be normal if it disappeared quickly. Ohhh noooooo, I’ve dropped my stick of delicious, delicious food.”

After saying that, I paused. And then dropped the meat stick I was eating. Right in front of the guardian lion. Its eyes are now pointed downward at the meat stick. Its lower jaw is quivering, with that drool from before the tiniest bit larger. I can feel a strange smile grow upon on my face, which I quickly suppress.

“Oh wow, there is something going on over there. In the opposite direction of this definitely normal, stone guardian lion.

“I’m going to look over there. Right now. Definitely now. Looking.”

With another pause, I turn away from the lion. In the briefest instant that my eyes shifted away, it gobbled up the meat stick and reverted to its previous position. Yet again, I could only tell because of my scan.

“Oh. It looks like there was nothing over there. Huh. I’m sure I must have just missed it. I’m sure if I turn quickly, I’ll catch it this time.”

This time, I drop the second meat stick, while turning away from the lion.

In midair, it snatches it away. As I turn back to look at it, it definitely has an extremely satisfied face on. At this, I can’t help but laugh softly.

This is made even funnier, when I notice one of its eyes is on the final meat stick. As it apparently notices that I noticed, it rapidly shifts its eyes back forward.

Okay, I think I can give it the last meat stick. Though, I want at least a small bit of acknowledgement from it on this.

Crouching down next to it, I whisper, “You probably know by now, that I know you aren’t like this other lion.” It remains completely still. “I know you probably have your own troubles and responsibility. If you open your mouth slightly, I’ll put the meat stick in and then look away. Does that sound good?”

It does nothing for a good minute or so.

After some time, however, I see that its mouth is opening very slowly.

Once it gets to the size where I can put it in, I put the meat stick in. It doesn’t move.

“Thanks. It’s been fun doing this with you. Hope you enjoyed the food.”

I then turn away from it. Once again, as soon as I turn away, it eats the food and returns to normal.

Well, that was fun… but doesn’t do much to help me with this situation.