Dual Cultivation God Returns-Chapter 779: The whispers of the cold steel
The street was bustling with merchants and customers.
The smell of smoke and steel in the air, the clanking metallic sounds, and the cold shine of polished weapons hanging from the racks in the cheaper stores down the small alleys from the main road would tell travelers they were walking up one of the few dedicated armament streets in this city, located further into the lake, far from the city center.
Though there were many different stores and custom-order workshops, there was a dark grey flag with steel-colored character "Kai" next to every store’s name plaque.
Nie Xiwang’s Truth-Seeking Eyes were carefully examining the quality of the weapons, as she walked alongside Wu Long.
They didn’t stop until they reached the end of the main road, which had a lavish store to one side, and a workshop to the other.
The shop was filled with people in luxurious clothes, carriages stopping beside it and departing from it, while the workshop was slightly more quaint, even though there were still customers going in and out of it.
Nie Xiwang received quite a lot of attention from all those people, not to mention everywhere they passed through from the moment they exited a carriage at the start of this street.
"It looks like just imitating the feel of the Cloak of Perception is not enough after all", Wu Long wryly smiled, as this was the first time he tried to use that trick himself, after carefully studying it and receiving help from Fen Baihu and Luo Mingyu. However, this first attempt ended in utter failure.
On the surface level, he was able to produce a unique Qi through his Celestial Core, and was even manipulating it seemingly in the same way that he felt Fen Baihu used it.
Yet there was a missing part. And just as he thought, there was no indication that he even partially used the Cloak of Perception given all of the attention given to the beauty beside him.
"As far as I can tell, even if you create the Mystic Qi through the Celestial Core, its power should be rooted in the inner world, just like Lady Fen’s power is inherently in her Mystic Realms, without that connection grounding it, it is just an empty Qi that doesn’t have the inherent potential it should have", Nie Xiwang spoke as the gold color that was sprinkled into her gray eyes glowed a little.
"As I thought, huh... I was hoping to do it in reverse, grasp the feeling of my own Mystic Realm better through the technique. It seems it was a futile pursuit", Wu Long nodded, agreeing with her assessment, "But aside from that, what do you think?"
She smiled, "It’s not like you don’t know"
"Your eyes see what mine can’t. Besides, even without that, even if I have all this knowledge and experience, I would still only benefit from hearing your opinion", Wu Long spoke sincerely, and then added as he took her hand into his and raised it to his face, gently touching her fingers with his lips while looking into her eyes, "Not to mention, I would get to hear your voice a bit more, which is already enough reason as far as I’m concerned"
"...", the Blade Empress’s cheeks lightly blushed, but her eyes didn’t turn away, looking straight back into his, she then told him her methodical assessment of the quality of goods on the whole street they passed through, as well as the skills of those who made them, though mainly focusing her attention on bladed weapons, and only partially giving her opinion on armor and non-bladed types of weapons.
"Mm, see? It was well worthwhile asking after all", he spoke in a satisfied tone, kissing the inside of her palm while still looking her in the eyes, his other hand bringing her closer into his embrace, ignoring the hateful gazes he received from all around.
"To hear my voice?", she asked with a playful smile and a bashful, and at the same time loving gaze in her eyes.
"Not only, but I can’t discount that", he answered with a chuckle, giving her a kiss, and then leading her by the hand he held, invited her to enter the workshop, "Shall we?"
She nodded with a blush on her cheeks and a smile that she couldn’t hide, entering inside hand-in-hand.
---
"I must say, you sure know how to leave an impression, Mister Wu", Young Master Kai spoke as he approached Wu Long and Nie Xiwang, in the relatively quiet custom-order hall, where both clients and clerks generally spoke in hushed strictly professional tones, "First on the Beast of Burden, next causing an uproar about a mysterious beauty appearing on our street, and now making a custom order for 24 identical high-quality swords..."
"It seems so, given that Young Master Kai Huoshi decided to pay a visit", Wu Long smiled, turning to the young man, while Nie Xiwang simply greeted with a formal nod that gave off a slightly cold, regal grace.
"When I heard what sort of a guest decided to visit our humble workshop, I admit that I was unable to keep my curiosity in check", the young man chuckled, honestly admitting it was an impulsive decision.
After all, this was the Kai Family’s workshop, if he missed this opportunity to approach, it was quite possible he never would know anything about the mysterious Wu Family that captivated the minds of all the young people from the hunting party.
Even if he personally didn’t attempt to make contact, it didn’t mean he wasn’t at least a bit interested. Not to mention, that by all accounts, he was the only one out of his peers who got this chance to satisfy his curiosity.
"To repay such an honest answer it’s only right I admit that you weren’t the only one who wished to meet. Though my reasons are different", Wu Long spoke as Kai Huoshi noticed that all sounds around them stopped, as if they suddenly were enclosed in a bubble that isolated them from the world.
The latter raised his eyebrows, clearly surprised that someone was seeking him out. Especially a figure as interesting as Wu Long, who also dared to defy several scions of moderately powerful noble families.
"Interesting... how can I be of help?", Kai Huoshi added with a hint of caution and at the same time intrigued.
"Let’s not rush. For now, how about we discuss the order?", Wu Long smiled, as Kai Huoshi instantly understood the interest in him was conditional, and this conversation in itself was akin to a test.
"Alright", the latter nodded without delay, inwardly preparing, not realizing that he was already receiving positive evaluations as this conversation went, one for his earlier honest admission, one for the readiness to take up a challenge and current attitude, "Twenty four identical swords... would you perhaps require a more... elegant design for them?"
"Perhaps, what do you think, Xiwang?", Wu Long smiled.
"Rather than aesthetics, I value functionality", Nie Xiwang shook her head, adding "Though if it comes at no cost to functionality and durability, I would of course prefer it to resemble my old swords as close as possible"
",,,", Kai Huoshi was caught of guard for a moment, since his initial thought was that Wu Long was ordering identical swords to give to the ladies around him, not expecting all 24 to be for only one beauty with him here, but he quickly, readjusted, "Is it possible to perhaps see one of the old swords?"
Nie Xiwang touched her Spatial Ring, and her twelve swords, now all with various degrees of damage, seven of them severe, and two nearly destroyed, appeared in the air behind her.
The scene instantly captured the attention of those in the hall, especially the guards, but Kai Huoshi motioned for them to stand down as his gaze became even more intrigued.
Of course, more than that, it revealed reverence, as it was his first time witnessing someone with the ability to command 12 weapons at once.
The most intact of the swords slowly floated forward and entering a horizontal position drifted into Kai Huoshi’s hands.
"Hmm, just a smidge longer than standard length... well balanced and with an even durability of the blade...", the young man’s expression turned professional as he examined the weapon in his hand and started giving more and more details, finishing with, "...a splendid work, especially considering it was very likely forged in the Boundless Mortal World, but the materials and technique are lacking, our workshop certainly can provide you far better swords that would keep both functional and aesthetic design"
"Any additional comments?", Wu Long - who was closely watching the young man throughout this examination - asked.
"Even if we keep the shape, balance and aesthetic, the fundamental approach to forging should be different...", Kai Huoshi started, and after seeing the sign to go on, added, "Since this weapon is for a Blade Master Equilibrium Dao Cultivator, it should be made as such, unlike this sword set which was made for a swordsman"
"You seem excited", Wu Long chuckled, seeing the enthusiasm continuously rise in Kai Huoshi’s eyes as he spoke.
"Honestly, for any Forging Master, it is always a daunting and yet exciting proposition, to craft a weapon for a Blade Master Equilibrium Dao Cultivator, especially for one as exalted as the lady, I have never seen someone with such skill. Making these blades would be not only a great honor, but also would put reputation on the line, after all, it reveals one’s skill completely in the open", the young Forging Master spoke, not able to hide his excitement.
Blade Master Equilibrium Dao Cultivators didn’t infuse their weapons with their Spiritual Qi or special techniques, or more accurately they could not. They were not weapon users at core, and their control over the weapons was exercised through mental power.
Thus, the strength of a Blade Master Equilibrium Dao Cultivator relied heavily and very directly on the quality of the weapons they used, revealing the skill of the Forging Master far more blatantly than a weapon held in the hand of someone who could cover for the weapon’s flaws with Spiritual Qi techniques and skillful use.
Wu Long didn’t reply, silently looking at Kai Huoshi, his gaze urging him to continue speaking.
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The latter, seeing that Wu Long saw right through him, continued with a slightly nervous voice "There are plenty of accomplished Forging Masters in our Kai Family... and I am of the youngest generation and thus haven’t as much experience... but... but if you would trust me... I would be honored to take this order myself"
"We’ve seen the samples of what your Family’s Forging Masters could do from the clerk that took our order, if you’re going to offer your skills...", Wu Long said, not needing to finish, as understanding lit up in the eyes of the young Forging Master.
"Ah, of course", Kai Huoshi eagerly took out a sword from his Spatial Ring, a piece of the finest work he created up to now, something every Forging Master had on the ready.
Wu Long calmly took the sword.
"Of course, this one is made for a swordsma-...", as Kai Huoshi started explaining, his words trailed off when the blade of the sword started humming as Wu Long unsheathed it, producing a low, pleasant to the ear sound.
"Revered by the blade...", Kai Huoshi sucked in a breath of cold air, and then murmured under his nose.
"I... I didn’t realize I was in the presence of a great Sword Master...", the young Forging Master’s attitude changed once again as he lowered his head.
"It is a good sword", Wu Long complimented, as he calmly examined it, his eyes narrowing at the blade, inwardly appraising the skill of the young Forging Master over the sword itself, ’Very promising... a bit inexperienced, and the techniques used are mediocre at best... but with the right techniques and a bit more experience...’
"T-Thank you", Kai Huoshi spoke, flustered, as he belatedly understood that the Wu Family was not only an intriguing mystery, some novelty for their group of youngsters, but something far more, as he already witnessed an exceptional Blade Master Equilibrium Dao Cultivator, and now a Sword Master the likes of whom he only heard about in stories, a figure that one wouldn’t expect meeting in real life.
"Hmm, how about this, I will give you a different order instead. If you produce a satisfactory result, there’s more to discuss", Wu Long spoke while sheathing the sword and returning it to the man.
"A... a different order?", the young man couldn’t hide a bit of panic, as the chance of a lifetime for a young Forging Master who had ambitions seemingly was hanging in balance.
"Mm, it is a simpler one", Wu Long nodded, taking out a scroll, "It is a great ruler, here are specifications... the main requirement is durability, it doesn’t really matter if the weight is heavier than normal, but it has to still have good balance and fit within the measurements"
"I... I see", there was a moment of an obvious disappointment in Kai Huoshi’s eyes as this was definitely a downgrade, but that look quite quickly changed into a professional one as he opened up the scroll and was delving into the details of the order.
’Good mental fortitude... heh, I’m starting to think I lucked out’, Wu Long inwardly chuckled as he watched the young Forging Master.
It was quite obvious to him that the search for the Forging Master he started on the Three Continents in the Boundless Mortal World was likely to be long, but he did not intend to give up.
However, in the meantime, he still needed at least a decent Forging Master. Not to mention, that he would be assembling multiple Forging Masters to meet the demands for the Eternal Duality Valley anyway, so it made sense to start at least somewhere.
’Now, there’s only one thing left to find out...’, Wu Long thought as he took out a jade slip and offered it to the young man, adding "This is a forging technique. If you accept this order, you will receive this technique, but the condition is that you must not share it, or speak of its existence. If you successfully master the technique and make a satisfactory great ruler with it, we will talk further, including about the set of swords for my Blade Empress"
The young Forging Master gulped, a nervous tremble shaking his hand. The feeling of destiny itself opening some kind of door vividly overtook his mind.
He then took a deep breath, and reached for the jade slip with a still slightly nervous look in his eyes, yet with a firm and decisive nod.
