Su Yi spent three tier-one spirit stones to rent a forge at the workshop.
The workshopās boss was rather confused. Normally, customers came to hire the workshopās grandmaster smiths to forge their weapons for them, but this youth was rather strange. He wanted to forge his sword himself!
Furthermore, he spent a fortune purchasing expensive auxiliary materials.
But then, if a customer was happy to spend his money, the proprietor naturally saw no reason to refuse him.
Huang Qianjun, meanwhile, waited in the reception area of the workshop.
This weapons workshop was rather famous. Even at night, there was no shortage of lavishly-dressed customers. Practically all of them were martial artists.
Time slipped by.
Before long, two hours had passed.
Huang Qianjun was idling around when he saw a familiar figure. It was a good-looking young man in ornate robes. He looked suave, and he had a whole flock of attendants trailing after him.
It was obvious at a glance that his background was extraordinary. When the master of the workshop saw him, he bowed low at the waist and smiled?toadyishly.
āCousin Qin Feng!ā Huang Qianjun lit up with delight, then he strode up to greet the youth.
The youth in ornate robes looked at him. He was briefly stunned. āYou are⦠Huang Qianjun?ā
āWhat a surprise! Itās been two years, but you still recognize me, Cousin.ā Huang Qianjun smiled.
The young man in ornate robes was called Qin Feng. He was the son of the Cloudriver Prefectural Governor, Qin Wenyuan.
Huang Qianjunās maternal aunt was Qin Wenyuanās concubine. Given their relationship, he wasnāt wrong to call Qin Feng ācousin.ā
Qin Feng looked Huang Qianjun up and down, then said expressionlessly, āWhat are you doing in the prefectural capital?ā
Huang Qianjun seemed to pick up on Qin Fengās cold attitude, and his smile faded. āIn a few days, I plan to proceed to Blueriver Sword Manor to continue my cultivation.ā
āOh,ā said Qin Feng indifferently. āThe prefectural capital isnāt remotely comparable to a backwater like Guangling City. Since youāre here, youād best behave yourself. Donāt cause problems. Whatever you do, donāt try to take advantage of the governorās estateās reputation when you conduct your affairs. Got it?ā
Huang Qianjunās expression was a bit unsightly. āCousin, whatās that supposed to mean? Do you really see me as that type of troublemaker?ā
He could sense Qin Fengās cold, arrogant attitude, and it made him uncomfortable.
āIām just warning you. Listen or donāt, I donāt care,ā said Qin Feng. Then, he seemed to recall something, and he added, āRight, going forward, donāt call me ācousin.ā I, Qin Feng, couldnāt possibly have a cousin like you.ā
He turned, his hands behind his back, a cold sneer on his face. When he talked to Huang Qianjun, it was as a superior addressing his inferior. His every word and gesture was insulting.
āFine, I suppose I brought that humiliation upon myself. ā Huang Qianjun snorted coldly and turned to leave.
Qin Feng shook his head, then commented, āA bit of a cold shoulder, and you already canāt take it anymore? You Guangling City hicks really are short-sighted!ā
āYouā¦.ā Huang Qianjun was instantly infuriated.?Itās been two years since we last met. Whoād have thought this guy had become so obnoxious?
āNot convinced?ā asked Qin Feng leisurely. āThen youāre welcome to go ahead and try me. I certainly donāt mind taking this chance to teach you a lesson. Youāll need to learn to lower your head to get by in the prefectural capital. If you donāt change now, youāll cause disasters down the line.
He sounded like a senior lecturing his grandson.
Huang Qianjun was so angry, his expression darkened, but in the end, he could only clench his fists and swallow his fury.
āNot bad. Youāve learned to endure and make concessions. Youāve understood the gap between us. Thatās praiseworthy.ā Qin Feng said this, then seemed to lose interest. He went up to talk to the workshopās proprietor, ignoring Huang Qianjun completely.
Huang Qianjun saw numerous people pointing at and discussing him throughout the surrounding area. This only made him feel worse
Strength! With enough power at my disposal, why would I care about Qin Feng or some governorās estate? Who among them would dare look down on me??Huang Qianjun couldnāt help but recall Su Yi.?So what if heās the Wen?Familyās?live-in son-in-law? With his cultivation, even Grandmasters have to be on their best behavior around him!
Suddenly, a sword hum reverberated throughout the workshop, passing through metal and shaking stone. It echoed throughout the spacious workshop, startling numerous people.
āA tidal wave of sword hums! This is the prelude to the birth of a spiritual sword!ā
An experienced old weaponsmith shouted excitedly, āHurry! Just who forged a spiritual sword?ā
To the martial artists of the mundane world, the value of a spiritual weapon was inestimable.
They were already beyond the reach of gold and silver. Such treasures were only obtainable by spending vast sums of spirit stones!
āItās coming from the third forge!ā
āCome on, letās go take a look! Hurry!ā
ā¦..
The weaponsmiths and their apprentices all set down the tasks at hand and rushed over to the third forge. Even some of the customers were swept up in the excitement.
This was a weaponsmith capable of forging a spiritual weapon! Based on that ability alone, even the cityās top factions would honor him as a distinguished guest!
āThe third forge?ā The smithyās proprietor was briefly stunned.?Wait, wasnāt that the room that blue-robed youth rented?
Donāt tell me that boy is a deeply hidden master weaponsmith?
When this occurred to him, even the proprietor could no longer keep his cool. He too rushed after the crowd.
As expected of Brother Su. He makes great waves even when heās just forging weapons!?Huang Qianjun was waiting outside the third forge, so he could hear the hum emanating from inside clearly. He sighed, suddenly emotional.?Is there anything he canāt do?
Before long, countless people surged over. As they waited, their fiery gazes were fixed on the tightly-shut door to the third forge.
āDoes anyone know which weaponsmith is inside?ā
āIām not sure, but judging by that hum, heās sure to be forging an extraordinary spiritual sword. Throughout the prefectural capital, those with such attainments in the art of weapon forging can be counted on the fingers of a single hand!ā
āIāve never heard anyone say this workshop had a weaponsmith capable of forging a peerless spiritual weapon!ā
āLetās just wait and see.ā
ā¦.As they discussed the matter amongst themselves, the tightly-shut door gradually opened beneath countless curious gazes.
Shortly after, a youth in blue stepped outside.?He was tall and lean, with a calm, transcendent air. He carried a bamboo staff.
The crowd froze, utterly flabbergasted.?Theyād expected someone capable of forging a blade that triggered āa tidal wave of sword humsā to be an incomparably experienced master smith of the older generation.
Who would have thought it was a mere youth?
āYoung Man, is there anyone else in the third forge?ā one of them couldnāt help but ask.
āJust me,ā said Su Yi.
His gaze swept across the dense crowd. There was no way heād miss the fact that theyād come on account of that sword hum.
Someone exclaimed, āWere you the one who forged a spiritual sword just now?ā
The others were staring at him too, and quite a few of them noticed his bamboo staff.
Someone with particularly keen eyes couldnāt help but blurt, āA Bluejade Spirit Bamboo staff. It seems thereās a sword hidden inside?ā
Suddenly, everyone started evaluating Su Yiās bamboo staff.
When he saw this, Su Yi couldnāt help but shake his head.
āBrother Su, did you succeed?ā Huang Qianjun walked up to him.
Su Yi nodded. āLetās go.
WIth that, he turned and headed outside, but partway, someone with a toadyish smile blocked his path. āPlease wait up, my young friend. Might I be so bold as to inquire who your master is?ā
It was none other than the weaponsmithās proprietor.
āWhy ask me that? Donāt tell me you want me to work for you?ā said Su Yi mockingly.
āUh, I did indeed consider inviting you to work here, I just donāt know if youāre interested? Of course, if you have conditions, please feel free to say them!ā said the proprietor, his face nothing but smiles.
Su Yi rejected him outright. āIām not interested in forging weapons, and my ambitions lie elsewhere. Farewell.ā
Seeing this, the proprietor couldnāt help but sigh.
If they had a young weaponsmith like that in residence, thereād be no need to worry about becoming the top smithy in the city!
āYoung Lord, please wait up.ā Against all expectations, before they even made it through the smithyās front door, someone stopped Su Yi yet again.
This time, it was a good-looking young man in ornate robes. A pack of attendants trailed after him. This was none other than Qin Feng!
āWhat are you doing?ā Huang Qianjunās expression darkened.
āHeh heh, Iām surprised! It seems youāre actually doing quite well for yourself; youāve actually started following a talented young weaponsmith.ā Qin Feng laughed. āBut Iām certainly not here to talk to?you.ā
He then turned to Su Yi, clasped his fist, and said, āYoung Lord, for your work to trigger a wave of sword hums proves that your attainments in the Dao of Forging are lofty indeed. I admire talented people such as yourself. Might we find a place and have ourselves a private chat?ā
But to his surprise, Su Yi didnāt even look at him. Instead, he asked Huang Qianjun, āDid you get bullied?ā
Huang Qianjun went rigid, then said bitterly, āItās fine. Thatās all in the past, and itās already getting dark. Brother Su, letās hurry back.ā
Su Yi saw his behavior and didnāt ask any further questions.
But when he saw that Su Yi was ignoring him, Qin Fengās expression soured. āDid you not hear what I just said?ā
Huang Qianjunās expression shifted too. āQin Feng, I urge you to leave right now. Donāt bring disaster upon your father! My Brother Su isnāt someone you can afford to offend!ā
Qin Feng was stunned, and he couldnāt help but find it funny. āWhat a mouth youāve got on you! Iāve lived in the prefectural capital for eighteen years, and Iāve never heard of a young weaponsmith capable of threatening my father.ā
His attendants laughed along. None of them paid this threat any heed.
Su Yi paused, then glanced at Huang Qianjun and said flatly, āWho is he?ā
Huang Qianjun went rigid. He sensed that Su Yi was already somewhat displeased.
Before he could say anything, one of Qin Fengās attendants said coldly, āYoung man, there must be something wrong with your eyes. This is the Cloudriver Prefectural Capital. Who doesnāt know our young master, the prefectural governorās son?ā
Another retainer sighed. āOur familyās young master loves talent, which was why he struck up a conversation with you. If youāre smart, youāll obediently lower your head and apologize, and this matter will end here. Otherwise, Iām afraid youāll be biting off more than you can chew!ā
āQin Wenyuanās son?ā Su Yi arched his brows. He suddenly recalled something Fu Shan had said back at the Immortal Gathering House. Huang Qianjunās aunt had married Qin Wenyuan, and she was now the prefectural governorās most favored concubine. š«š¹ā“šæšµ.š¬ā“š¶
Looking at it that way, Huang Qianjun and Qin Feng were sort of relatives.