Chapter 21: Two Suns in the Sky |
The work of receiving customers at the front of Forge Peak Residence was actually not that difficult. Hongmei had hired the appropriate staff to handle it.
However, outsiders were ultimately just outsiders, and Hongmei couldn't just casually take anyone in as a disciple.
Therefore, Zhong Ningyao went to the back room to assist Hongmei, leaving Yulou with the task of watching the shop.
Thanks to the promotional build-up for the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's immortal event, the number of cultivators in Clear Stream Market had surged to the point where some had to sleep on the streets. As a result, the number of customers at Forge Peak Residence had also increased recently.
However...
Reclining in his chair with a cultivator's travelogue, Yulou swept his peripheral vision over the newcomers. He knew instantly that they were only there to broaden their horizons.
A low-grade magical artifact refined by a proper artificer, provided it possessed the basic three layers of restrictions, would cost at least forty spirit stones.
Forty spirit stones was naturally nothing compared to the brothers' apprenticeship fee, nor was it comparable to the Mirror Silver Golden Thread Shield.
But even this small sum was beyond the means of many rogue cultivators.
Yes, ensuring they wouldn't lose money.
Rogue cultivators were so poor that even if they were squeezed dry, many couldn't scrape together fifty spirit stones.
If the talismans used in magical combat were too expensive, even winning and looting the spoils would result in a net loss.
"Clerk, how many spirit stones for the cheapest magical artifact you have here?"
A middle-aged rogue cultivator asked.
"Eighty spirit stones. It's a flying sword forged from ninth-grade Cold Refined Iron and ninth-grade white elm wood. Care to take a look?"
The clerk of Forge Peak Residence began pitching Hongmei's specially made simplified version 'flying sword'.
"A flying sword made of Cold Refined Iron and white elm wood? For only eighty spirit stones?"
The middle-aged rogue cultivator's eyes immediately lit up, and he urged the clerk to bring it out.
The clerk glanced at Yulou. Yulou stood up and retrieved Hongmei's simplified version flying sword from the cabinet.
However, when he opened the box and saw the flying sword, even with Yulou's composure, he was caught off guard.
At the Ghost Market Auction, the simplified version Cold Refined Iron flying knife sold by Hongmei at least had a finger-sized blade, giving it some redeeming value.
But this eighty spirit stone 'flying sword' the clerk was pushing...
It could be called the 'Simplified Version 2.0—Infant Monkey Type', essentially a drastically shrunken version of an already stripped-down military vehicle—a mere tricycle in comparison.
This flying sword was only the size of a pinky finger, and to make matters worse, it appeared to be split down the middle, leaving only half a pinky's worth of material.
It wasn't a flying sword, or even a flying knife. At best, it was a slightly thick 'flying needle'.
To successfully refine all three basic restriction layers into such a tiny space proved that Hongmei's attainments in the artificing path were indeed extraordinary.
Holding the box, Yulou presented it to the inquiring rogue cultivator and introduced the item.
"Take a look. It may be small, but it has three restriction layers, and its blade is indeed made of Cold Refined Iron.
"You know the properties of Cold Refined Iron. Magical artifacts made from this spiritual iron hold a massive advantage in magical combat. Inferior artifacts made of spiritual wood or cloth simply cannot withstand an attack from a Cold Refined Iron artifact."
The middle-aged rogue cultivator had spent years navigating the cultivation world. Though he languished at the bottom, he had seen his fair share of good magical artifacts used by others.
He stared at the 'flying sword' in the box in long silence before looking up at Yulou.
Looking at the excessively young Yulou, this rogue cultivator—who had wasted half his life and was still stuck in the Qi Induction realm—felt a wave of melancholy.
He asked hopefully.
"Seventy-five spirit stones, is that acceptable?"
To him, this piece of garbage among low-grade magical artifacts wasn't garbage at all.
It was a poor man's supercar, a destitute ghost's dream magical artifact.
It might look ridiculous, but it genuinely had three restriction layers, and it was truly made of Cold Refined Iron!
"No bargaining, Fellow Daoist. This magical artifact was refined by my master, Householder Redbrow.
"It may look small, but all low-grade magical artifacts are small. There are even ones smaller than this, but do they contain Cold Refined Iron?
"Moreover, the restrictions my master refined into it are far more practical than those of ordinary artificers.
"Eighty spirit stones might sound expensive, but Cold Refined Iron is rarely used to make low-grade artifacts.
"Truth be told, we have already sold several of these 'flying swords' over the past two days."
Cold Refined Iron, Cold Refined Iron, it was all about the Cold Refined Iron!
Magical artifacts made of this spiritual iron possessed special qualities. Shredding tattered cloth artifacts was as easy as reaching into a bag, and they could easily overpower spiritual wood artifacts.
It had zero utility, but when it came to sheer offense, the cost-to-performance ratio was incredible!
Furthermore, artificers—partly for profit and partly to temper their artificing path—often forged Cold Refined Iron into mid-grade magical artifacts. It was extremely rare for a low-grade Cold Refined Iron artifact to stay on the market for long.
Even the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's Merit Hall couldn't possibly carry this kind of simplified version Cold Refined Iron flying sword—they would disdain the low profit margin.
It was only because Hongmei's artificing path was extraordinary, and he wasn't willing to let go of even this tiny scrap of meat, that such an item existed.
Looking at the 'flying sword' in the wooden box, the middle-aged rogue cultivator gritted his teeth and said.
"Fine, eighty spirit stones. I will give you a forty spirit stone deposit first. Keep it for me.
"I'll pay the remaining forty once the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's Merit Hall arrives. I will exchange some merit points for spirit stones and make up the difference!"
Yulou pondered for a moment before closing the box. The middle-aged rogue cultivator turned to leave in disappointment.
He had encountered a magical artifact he desired, one he could barely afford if he gritted his teeth, but...
Perhaps this was just how life worked.
As he thought this, an overwhelming wave of bitterness rose in his chest.
"Fellow Daoist, please wait!
"I will seal this box with wax and hold it until you return.
"However, we can only hold it for two months. Any longer won't do. Is that acceptable?"
Two months was a limit set considering Forge Peak Residence's turnover rate.
Yulou was only Hongmei's disciple, not his son; he couldn't casually squander Hongmei's profits to play the generous saint.
"Yes, of course!"
The rogue cultivator happily handed over the deposit and left with the receipt Yulou wrote for him.
He carefully tucked the thin piece of paper into his robes, terrified of losing it.
After a lifetime of fruitlessly pursuing the Immortal Path, he was finally going to own a true magical artifact!
Yes, it was dreadfully small, but all low-grade magical artifacts were small.
Yes, it only had three restriction layers, but it could still be smoothly controlled with his divine sense.
Yes, it looked ridiculous, but it would be a reliable partner and helper.
With it, he could finally straighten his back a little while traveling.
With it, he would finally have a 'trump card' in magical combat.
With it, even if he failed to break through in his Qi Induction, he could still leave a treasure for his descendants.
The simplified version flying sword wasn't perfect, but to the man buying it, it was absolute perfection.
Touching the protective spiritual artifact the Patriarch had given him at his waist, Yulou could feel its spiritual charm silently nuzzling his palm.
Similar to his senior martial sister's two spiritual artifacts, this belt spiritual artifact could actively protect Yulou in times of danger.
A chasm as wide as a heavenly moat separated clan descendants from rogue cultivators.
Yulou was no immortal. In this sea of suffering artificially shaped by grand cultivators, he couldn't even save himself. How could he dare harbor a Holy Mother's heart and try to save others?
A heavenly moat lay between clan descendants and rogue cultivators.
A heavenly moat lay between Yulou and Jiang Baobian of the Purple Mansion family.
And a heavenly moat lay between Jiang Baobian and the soon-to-arrive True Person Danri.
The Immortal Path was long; one must forge ahead!
The Dao was fraught with peril; one's will must be forged of iron and stone!
With the urgent task of balancing the accounts finished, Zhong Ningyao and the two brothers were no longer busy. She was currently leading the brothers on the way to the Clear Stream Market racetrack.
Horse racing was the most popular activity in Clear Stream Market. It was held once every ten days, and there happened to be a race tonight.
"Gao Jian, Gao Jian. He might as well change his name to Cao Jian since he treats lives like grass. He's already beaten two supposed 'rogue cultivators' to death. Both he and his master are animals."
Zhong Ningyao cursed Gao Jian's beastly behavior.
"Senior martial sister, we shouldn't speak so carelessly outside..."
Yulou was very pleased with Yu'an's vigilance. Rongyuan Shu's slaps really had been effective.
"You two don't know this, but Gao Jian paid my father a refining fee of ten spirit stones per firework magical artifact.
"Those firework magical artifacts are made of mortal iron, with just a fingernail-sized piece of purple copper added in. He said it was enough to refine a single triggering restriction onto the purple copper.
"That bastard Jiang used the tens of thousands of spirit stones from the Unity Fee to commission over a hundred of these pieces of trash.
"If you ask me, all hundred of them combined didn't even cost five hundred spirit stones!"
Ningyao Shijie was filled with genuine hatred. Jiang Baobian's greed was far too ugly.
The Unity Fee paid by Forge Peak Residence and the other shops had all been embezzled by those animals.
In her eyes, Jiang Baobian was deceiving the Red Lantern Illumination Sect from above and swindling the cultivators of Clear Stream Market from below. Was she not even allowed to curse him out?
"Speak cautiously, senior martial sister. We cannot control these matters, so we shouldn't dwell on them. Thinking about it will only upset you," Yulou said softly.
"Why did it suddenly get brighter?"
Zhong Ningyao had the highest cultivation base, so she was the first to notice something amiss.
It was clearly evening, right as the sun set over the western mountains, yet heaven and earth seemed to suddenly brighten.
Yu'an raised his head and looked at the sky.
"Why are there two suns in the sky?"
Twin suns hung in the air. Yulou and Zhong Ningyao froze.
There were two suns in the sky.
One was an orange-red setting sun, and the other was a blazing golden sun.
Yulou felt his tailbone tremble. A jolt of pure shock shot up his spine straight into his brain, causing him to violently shiver.
"Is this the Red Lantern Illumination Sect?" Zhong Ningyao muttered.
Yu'an said nothing. Seeing his older brother still dazed, he smoothly stepped in front to shield Immortal Maiden Ningyao.
Then, he quietly sidled up to his brother, patting the Thousand-Mile Talisman on his leg and the Hundred-Li Wanderer Escape Talisman hidden in his sleeve.
If that second sun wasn't made by someone from the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, then he would run!
And he would drag his dumbstruck idiot of a brother along with him!
'When trouble arises, retreat behind the crowd. Yield benefits to Fellow Daoists first. Always keep a Thousand-Mile Talisman on your leg, and protect your body to secure your Immortal Path!'
The rule-abiding boy, Yu'an, stepping up!
Wang Rongyuan: I told you those slaps were effective!
Staring at the flying sword in the wooden box, the middle-aged rogue cultivator gritted his teeth.
"Alright, eighty spirit stones it is. I'll give you a forty spirit stone deposit first, please hold it for me.
For the remaining forty, when the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's Merit Hall arrives, I'll exchange some merit points for spirit stones and pay the rest!"
Yulou pondered for a moment and closed the box. The middle-aged rogue cultivator turned away in disappointment, preparing to leave.
He had finally found a magical artifact his heart desired, one he could barely afford even if he gritted his teeth, but...
Perhaps this was just his lot in life.
An irrepressible bitterness welled up in his heart.
"Fellow Daoist, wait a moment!
I will seal this box with wax and wait for you to retrieve it.
But we can only hold it for two months. Any longer than that is impossible. Is this acceptable to you?"
Two months was a timeline that took Forge Peak Residence's turnover rate into consideration.
Yulou was merely Hongmei's disciple, not his son. He could not carelessly squander Hongmei's profits just to act generous.
"Yes, yes, that's fine!"
The rogue cultivator happily paid the deposit and left with the receipt Yulou wrote out for him.
He carefully tucked that thin piece of paper inside his robes, terrified of losing it.
After seeking the immortal path for half his life to no avail, he was finally going to own a true magical artifact!
Yes, it was terribly small, but all low-grade magical artifacts were small.
Yes, it only had three restriction layers, but it could still be smoothly controlled with divine sense.
Yes, it looked ridiculous, but it would become a reliable partner and helper.
With it, he could walk a little straighter when traveling in the future.
With it, he would have a trump card when engaging in magical combat.
With it, even if he never reached the Qi Drawing realm, he could leave a treasure behind for his descendants.
The simplified version flying sword was not perfect, but to the person buying it, it was perfection itself.
Touching the protective spiritual artifact the Patriarch had given him at his waist, Yulou could feel its spiritual rhythm quietly brushing against his palm.
Similar to his senior martial sister's two spiritual artifacts, this belt would actively protect Yulou if he encountered danger.
The gap between the children of prominent families and rogue cultivators was like a heavenly chasm.
Yulou was not an immortal. In this sea of suffering artificially created by grand cultivators, he could not even save himself. How could he dare to harbor a Holy Mother's heart and try to save others?
There was a heavenly chasm between family scions and rogue cultivators.
There was also a heavenly chasm between Yulou and Jiang Baobian of the Purple Mansion family.
And between Jiang Baobian and the soon-to-arrive True Person Danri, there was yet another heavenly chasm.
The immortal path was long and arduous; one must forge ahead through tempering!
The journey of the Dao was filled with hardships; one's resolve had to be as firm as iron and stone!
Having finished the urgent task of balancing the books, Zhong Ningyao and the two brothers were no longer busy. She was currently leading them toward the Clear Stream Market racetrack.
Horse racing was the most popular activity in Clear Stream Market, held once every ten days, and there happened to be a race tonight.
"Gao Jian... he might as well change his name to Cao Jian, since he loves treating human life like grass. He has already beaten two so-called rogue cultivators to death. Both he and his master are animals."
Zhong Ningyao complained about Gao Jian's beastly behavior.
"Senior martial sister, it's better if we don't speak carelessly outside..."
Yulou was very satisfied with Yu'an's vigilance. Rongyuan Shu's slaps had truly been effective.
"You two don't know this, but the refining fee Gao Jian gave my father was ten spirit stones for a single firework magical artifact.
That firework magical artifact is made of mortal iron, with just a fingernail-sized piece of purple copper added in. He said it only needed a single triggering restriction refined onto the purple copper.
That bastard surnamed Jiang used the tens of thousands of spirit stones from the Unity Fee to produce over a hundred of those pieces of garbage.
By my estimate, all hundred-plus items combined wouldn't even cost five hundred spirit stones to make!"
Ningyao Shijie was truly resentful. Jiang Baobian's greed was far too ugly.
The Unity Fee paid by shops like Forge Peak Residence had all been embezzled by those animals.
In her eyes, Jiang Baobian deceived the Red Lantern Illumination Sect above and fooled the cultivators of Clear Stream Market below. Was she not even allowed to curse him a little?
"Watch your words, senior martial sister. We cannot control these matters, so it's best not to dwell on them. Thinking about it will only upset you," Yulou said softly.
"Why has it gotten a bit brighter?"
Zhong Ningyao, possessing the highest cultivation base, was the first to notice that something was amiss.
It was clearly dusk, precisely the time when the sun should be setting behind West Mountain, yet the world had suddenly become brighter.
Yu'an raised his head and looked at the sky.
"Why are there two suns in the sky?"
Two suns hung high. Yulou and Zhong Ningyao froze as well.
There were indeed two suns in the sky.
One was the orange-red setting sun, and the other was a golden, blazing sun.
Yulou felt a tremor start from his tailbone. The shock shot straight up his spine into his brain, and he shuddered violently.
"Is this the Red Lantern Illumination Sect?" Zhong Ningyao murmured.
Yu'an didn't speak. Seeing that his elder brother was still in a daze, he smoothly shifted, placing Ningyao in front of himself as a shield.
Then, he quietly stepped beside his elder brother, his hands subtly brushing the Thousand-Mile Talisman on his leg and the Hundred-Li Wanderer Escape Talisman hidden in his sleeve.
If that second sun wasn't created by the people of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, he would run!
He would grab that dazed idiot Yulou and run!
'When encountering trouble, retreat behind the crowd, and yield any advantages to Fellow Daoists first. Always keep a Thousand-Mile Talisman equipped on your leg; guard yourself completely to preserve your immortal path!'
The rule-abiding boy, Yu'an, steps forward!
Wang Rongyuan: I told you those heavy slaps would work!
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