Forging Immortality: The Undying Blacksmith

Chapter 66: A Request

The height of summer had arrived, and the air was scorchingly hot.

The tiger cub was now three or four months old. Perhaps due to its early injuries and innate weakness, it was still no bigger than a common mutt. Li Qing had started feeding it meat, and in another month or two, once it reached half a year old, little Fantong could be fully weaned.

Though Li Qing had no experience raising animals, the cub was growing more vigorous by the day, brimming with a vitality that suggested he couldn’t kill it even if he tried.

“Grrr-aaw!” Fantong was currently gnawing on the wooden bedframe, restlessly tearing up the place.

Nearby, Li Qing was simultaneously practicing the Golden Body Art and the Turtle Breath Technique.

Despite his consistent practice, his Golden Body Art had yet to break through to the first layer. Still, he had a premonition that he would succeed sometime this year, finally reaching the Novice stage.

In contrast, his Turtle Breath Technique had progressed much faster. The depth of his Inner Force was now approaching that of an Outer Force expert.

To cultivate both internal and external arts to the Outer Force level was an incredibly difficult feat. If not for the synergy between the Golden Body Art and the Turtle Breath Technique, a man of Li Qing’s aptitude would have needed at least seven or eight years to reach his current stage.

“Hah!”

Li Qing relaxed his stance, feeling the Inner Force flowing like a steady creek through his body. He nodded, satisfied.

At my current level, I could probably take on two or three Outer Force martial artists without much trouble.

His gaze fell upon the large, tightly sealed vat of tiger bone wine in the corner of the room, his eyes burning with anticipation. By next year, it would be ready to drink. Then, his martial cultivation would soar once more.

So, I wait. Patiently.

Just as he was lost in thought, a knock echoed from the front of the blacksmith shop.

Knock, knock, knock!

A rough voice followed. “Is Master Li in?”

It was Fang Long. What brings him here so suddenly?

Puzzled, Li Qing went to the front of the shop to greet his visitor.

Boss Fang stood at the door, a wide grin on his face, a string of cured meat in his hand. His smile grew even brighter when he saw Li Qing.

“Boss Fang, what’s this?” Li Qing asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.

Fang Long let out a hearty laugh. “Hahaha, Master Li! My brother, Yang, he’s been accepted into the Feng Guard! I came today to share the good news.”

He offered the cured meat to Li Qing, who accepted it without hesitation.

“Congratulations, congratulations!” Li Qing said, his tone polite. “I’ve heard of the Feng Guard. Only the best of the best get in. A true cause for celebration!”

It was no exaggeration. The Feng Guard, newly established by the imperial court, recruited only the elite of the elite for service in the capital. It was said that over half its members were Outer Force martial artists, with a contingent even transferred from the formidable Wuli Army. For Yang Xing to have secured a position spoke volumes.

This also meant the men from Liangzhou now had a much more secure footing. Not even the three major martial arts schools would be so quick to muscle in on this street’s territory anymore.

Having a man on the inside made all the difference. The Fang Long of today was a different man from the one who had first arrived.

“Master Li,” Boss Fang continued, his expression turning serious. “I’m actually here with another request. I want you to forge a worthy weapon for my brother!”

He leaned in slightly. “Serving in the Feng Guard is a different world. As his big brother, I can’t always watch his back. A fine weapon is the least I can do to help him protect himself.” He straightened up, adding, “Of course, you’ll be paid in full. Name your price.”

Li Qing agreed without a second thought. “So that’s it. Of course, it’s no problem. What weapon does Brother Yang favor?”

“A sword!” Fang Long replied instantly. “A long sword. My brother said it shouldn’t be too heavy, but it must be exceptionally sharp. Those are his only two requirements.”

“Thirty taels of silver. It’ll be ready for pickup in three days,” Li Qing stated flatly.

He was no stranger to forging swords. The moment Fang Long listed the requirements, the design for a fine steel blade was already forming in his mind.

“Excellent! Here’s the silver. I’ll be back in three days.”

Boss Fang produced three ten-tael silver ingots. Unlike the poverty they faced when they first arrived, the Liangzhou brothers had clearly skimmed a healthy profit from controlling Chiming Street.

“I won’t take up any more of your time, Master Li. Farewell!”

Fang Long cupped his fists and departed with brisk steps.

As Li Qing watched the street boss leave, his mind began to turn.

With one of their own in the Feng Guard, the Liangzhou brothers have finally put down roots in Shengtian. Their turf is secure now.

He considered the bigger picture. And the court’s new Feng Guard… it’s clearly meant for more than just policing the city’s martial artists.

Court intrigue? Balancing factions?

The waters were too murky to see clearly.

“This imperial capital may be prosperous,” Li Qing muttered to himself, “but it’s a hornet’s nest.” He shook the thoughts from his head.

Suddenly, a loud crash came from inside the room.

CRASH!

It was followed by the startled yelps of the tiger cub. “Yipe! Arf-arf!”

A dark look crossed Li Qing’s face. He knew without looking that the cub was tearing up the place again.

He rushed back inside, his eyes immediately scanning the room. Seeing the large wine vat was unharmed, he let out a breath of relief. Then, he snatched Fantong by the scruff of his neck, lifting him up to eye level.

“If you ever dare to wreck my home again,” he said in a low, menacing tone, “I will stew you.”

“Awooo,” the cub whimpered, looking utterly pitiful. It went limp in his grasp, not daring to struggle.

In truth, Li Qing knew this was the age when a cub’s energy was boundless. It was only natural for it to cause a little chaos.

After the warning, he sighed, set the cub down, and began righting the fallen shelf. It mostly held miscellaneous junk, but underneath, he had hidden the manuals for the martial arts he was practicing—the Fierce Tiger True Intent Diagram, the Golden Body Art, the Qingluo Leg Technique, and others.

As he was putting things back, his fingers brushed against a thick booklet.

It was the Gu Xuan Hammer Technique.

Li Qing held the manual, his mind drifting into the past. He remembered his master’s dying wish: to return this manual to his family. After arriving in Shengtian, he’d been sidetracked by brewing wine and a dozen other things, pushing the task off again and again.

Now, with this rare lull, he could finally consider fulfilling his promise.

Qingzhou Province… Chongning County.

He remembered his master’s final instructions as if they were given yesterday.

It was time to find an opportunity to make the trip.

He pointed a stern finger at the cub. “You be good for the next few days. After I finish forging this weapon, I’ll take you out.”

As if it understood, the little tiger immediately began rolling on the floor in delight.

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