Forging Immortality: The Undying Blacksmith

Chapter 74: Chongning

“Stop the carriage!”

The buzz on the street, a topic being discussed with feverish excitement, sent a jolt through Li Qing. He barked the order, needing to hear more.

“It’s a clumsy plot, trying to get others to do their dirty work. I bet the Black Fiend Gang’s leader made the whole thing up when he realized he couldn’t get his revenge.”

“Maybe, but if those old masters, their minds gone soft, catch wind of this rumor, they won’t be able to resist seeking out Sun Qi to see if it’s true.”

“Cultivation for immortality, attaining the Dao for eternal life… Every dynasty has had emperors who chased that fantasy. And how did that turn out for them?”

“Exactly! If even emperors couldn’t find a path to immortality, how could the Lei family possibly have one?”

“…”

This was clearly the biggest news to hit Qingzhou in ages. It was on everyone’s lips, spreading through every street and alley until it was common knowledge.

Most people, however, remained skeptical. They saw it for what it seemed to be: a desperate ploy by the Black Fiend Gang’s leader to use others as a weapon.

Yet, one detail gave some people pause. Sun Qi, the First Sword of Qingzhou, the man who had slaughtered the Black Fiend leader’s entire family, had yet to make any public statement.

“Carry on. Find us an inn.”

Li Qing’s calm, unhurried voice drifted from within the carriage, and the vehicle slowly began to move again.

A Fated Chance for immortality? A Cultivation method?

The words echoed in his mind.

Could the treasure stolen from the Lei family truly be related to something so profound and mysterious? No wonder the two great powers had clashed so violently, locked in a struggle to the death.

Suddenly, a memory surfaced.

Back in the Extreme Night World, when he and the Righteousness Gang had besieged the Yan family estate, the family patriarch had produced a yellow paper talisman in his moment of desperation. The talisman had erupted in a blinding golden light, enveloping him completely. The elite assassins raised by the Righteousness Gang’s leader couldn’t lay a finger on him; he was utterly impervious to their blades.

If that Golden Light Shield hadn’t shattered moments later, Master Yan would never have died so easily.

Could that have been an immortal technique?

And Tianliang Mountain… Even in a world gripped by starvation, the Yan family had maintained their schedule of offerings to that mountain…

Li Qing committed the thought to memory, branding it deep in his mind. The secrets of the Extreme Night World ran far deeper than he had ever imagined. He would have to find another opportunity to explore its depths.

As for the Fated Chance for immortality now supposedly in Sun Qi’s possession, Li Qing had no intention of getting involved, whether it was real or not.

Sun Qi was the First Sword of Qingzhou, a master of Inner Force. That alone was reason enough to stay away. Even if the rumors were true, what could he do? A mere Outer Force practitioner like him had no place in a contest of that magnitude.

“In the end, it all comes down to strength,” Li Qing sighed to himself. “And I’m still too weak.”

He pushed the thoughts aside. His priority was to conclude his business in Qingzhou, fulfill his master’s last wish, and then return to his quiet life of training and growing stronger.

Soon, the carriage pulled up before an impressive inn.

To his surprise, it was another Dragon Gate Inn.

He was stunned to realize it was a chain. It all made sense now—why the previous waiter had claimed that both the Lei and Black Fiend gangs had to give them face. To operate on this scale in a place as chaotic and violent as Qingzhou, you needed more than just good service. You needed power.

Though the price was steep, the security was worth it. Satisfied, Li Qing booked two of their best rooms.

Shortly after settling in, he began making inquiries, using the pretense of searching for a distant relative.

“Waiter, a question for you,” Li Qing said, idly tossing a few copper coins in his palm. He watched the waiter’s greedy eyes track their movement. “Are there any families in the city with the surname Gu?”

“Ah, esteemed guest, you’ve stumped me there. This city has so many households, how could I possibly know them all? But I’m sure there are people with the surname Gu.”

That was fair. Li Qing changed his approach. “Then where should I go to find out?”

Eager for the tip, the waiter scrambled to be helpful. “The simplest way is to check the household registers at the county yamen, but you’ll likely have to grease the palms of the officials there.” He leaned in closer. “But if you have more clues, you could hire one of the city’s information brokers. They don’t charge much.”

Li Qing considered the options for a moment, then nodded in satisfaction and tossed two coins to the man. Dealing with officials was a complication he’d rather avoid unless absolutely necessary.

Let’s see… Master said he was sent to the frontier army because he offended the county magistrate here.

That must have been at least ten or twenty years ago. I wonder if that magistrate is even still around.

He consolidated the key details. Surname: Gu. Occupation: likely a blacksmith. History: offended the county magistrate a decade or two ago and was conscripted into the frontier army to atone for his crimes.

With these points, he should have enough to go on.

Wasting no time, Li Qing sought out one of the more well-known information brokers in the city.

In an old residence in Chongning County.

Knock, knock, knock!

“Coming, coming!” a brisk voice called from within. The door opened to reveal a middle-aged man of about thirty or forty with thinning hair.

“Well now, what can I help the gentleman with? News about Qingzhou’s First Sword is the hottest ticket in town, and I’ve got the inside scoop!” the man, He Baosheng, asked, his face plastered with an obsequious smile.

Li Qing cut straight to the point. “I need you to find someone for me.”

“Please, come in! Let me tell you, if they’ve lived in Chongning for more than a year in the last three decades, I’ll find them. Guaranteed!” He Baosheng declared with absolute confidence.

So sure of himself? Looks like I came to the right place.

The house was old, but the furnishings were clean and tidy. Several carrier pigeons cooed from cages in the courtyard, a testament to his professionalism.

He Baosheng served a steaming cup of tea. Li Qing merely glanced at it, having no intention of drinking.

“The person I’m looking for is named Gu,” he began. “He was likely a blacksmith. Some time ago, he offended the county magistrate and was exiled to the frontier to serve in the army as penance.”

He paused, then added, “To be more precise, I’m looking for his family. I need to know if they’re still in the city.”

The request was now perfectly clear.

He Baosheng nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Please wait a moment, sir. I think I know who you’re talking about, but I need to confirm a few things.”

A long while passed before He Baosheng emerged from a back room, a confident smile spreading across his face.

“The man you’re looking for… is his name Gu Tianxing?”