bookbashuk Chapter 4 Sword Furnace
Chapter 4 Sword Furnace
"A sword furnace? What's that?"
"The Sword Furnace is the most famous Taoist sect in the Yue Kingdom, renowned throughout the world for its sword-making techniques."
Above the billowing clouds, Tian Youliang proudly explained the history of the sword furnace to Fan Zhou:
"A thousand years ago, the master swordsmith, Ye Fu, traveled the world in search of a place to forge swords."
When he passed through Tonglu Mountain in the Yue Kingdom, he saw that the area was rich in copper and iron, and believed it to be an ideal place for sword forging. So he and his disciples built huts on the mountain to cultivate their skills and forge swords.
"Later, Ye Fu ascended to heaven after his death. His disciples settled down on Tonglu Mountain and began to take on disciples to pass on the art of sword forging. This was the earliest sword furnace."
Tian Youliang stroked his beard with his hands behind his back and sighed:
"To this day, the Sword Furnace has become the most prestigious school in the Yue Kingdom, and its sword-making techniques are renowned throughout the land."
Throughout history, countless feudal lords and powerful rulers have condescended to treat the disciples of the sword-making furnace as honored guests, all in exchange for a renowned sword.
Fan Zhou listened with longing, and seeing Tian Youliang's wealthy appearance, he couldn't help but ask curiously:
"Master Tian, can you also forge swords?"
Tian Youliang turned his head and calmly said, "I won't."
Fan Zhou was taken aback, thought for a moment, and then remained silent.
Tian Youliang, however, seemed to have read his thoughts and slowly said:
"To do something well in this world, you need talent, and the same goes for spiritual practice."
"Like you, I was of inferior talent. When I first joined the sword-making workshop, I could only start as a lowly woodcutter and had no access to the art of sword forging."
"Fifty years have passed in the blink of an eye. I was lucky enough to break through to the third level of Qi Refining. Relying on the merits and hard work I have accumulated over the years, I have been granted the position of steward. I can say that I have finally made it through."
As Tian Youliang finished speaking, a self-deprecating smile appeared on his lips:
"Actually, I also tried to learn sword making, but unfortunately I just didn't have the talent. I worked for three months, and I was beaten and scolded countless times. In the end, I didn't learn anything."
He pointed to himself and Fan Zhou:
"For people like you and me, it is already an honor to be able to do some trivial things for the sect."
It would be a lie to say Fan Zhou wasn't disappointed. After hesitating for a moment, he asked:
"So, do I also have to start as a woodcutter and other menial worker?"
Tian Youliang shook his head slightly, "You're lucky. The sect is going to open up a market town. You'll come with me to clear the land first. After the clearing is finished, you can work as a spirit farmer under me."
"Lingnong?" A sense of foreboding rose in Fan Zhou's heart, and he asked:
"What is that?"
"Spiritual farmers are simply farmers, except that the things they grow are spiritual objects that contain the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, such as spiritual rice and spiritual fruits."
"What?" Fan Zhou was greatly shocked. "Why do we still have to farm?"
Tian Youliang glanced at him and said calmly:
"There are many disciples in the Sword Furnace, but not everyone can eat the finest delicacies. Many of them need to eat, and if some people need to eat, then naturally some people need to farm."
Fan Zhou suddenly realized that the matter of cultivating immortality was probably not quite what he had imagined.
He pondered for a moment, then asked with a hint of expectation:
"Then, is it possible to become an immortal?"
Tian Youliang's eyes widened suddenly, as if he were taken aback by the question. After a long while, he slowly said:
"If you have some extraordinary talent hidden within you, perhaps it's possible."
It means it's simply impossible.
Fan Zhou was quite disappointed.
"Being ambitious but lacking in ability is not a good thing; one must be down-to-earth in both life and work."
Tian Youliang turned and waved his sleeve, gazing leisurely at the distant mountains:
"To you now I only look like a pot-bellied old man, but once you enter the path of immortality, you will realize how unattainable my achievements are for you."
Fan Zhou watched his retreating figure silently for a long time before whispering a reply:
"Master Tian, I really didn't think that much about it."
Tian Youliang stood with his hands behind his back, silent, riding the clouds deep into the boundless mountains, and the two gradually disappeared into the night.
.........
The sky was dark, with a crescent moon hanging in the distance and countless stars twinkling.
Despite the beautiful scenery, Fan Zhou had no heart to appreciate it.
Tian Youliang flew with him for several hours, and they no longer knew where they had arrived.
The surrounding mountains were jagged and rugged, with strange birds flying overhead from time to time. The forests were filled with flashing green lights and various ghostly howls.
"Master Tian, where is the newly developed market town in the Sword Forge? This place looks like a desolate wasteland."
Without turning his head, Tian Youliang said, "We'll be there soon. The sacred land we're opening up this time is on the southern border of Yue Kingdom, called Langdang Mountain. It borders Min Kingdom, so it's normal that it's a bit wild."
"All right."
Fan Zhou responded helplessly, his mind wandering to the idea of living in a cave and sleeping on animal skins.
Not long after, a flat valley appeared on the undulating land.
The valley floor was covered with wild grass taller than a person, and old trees that would take several people to encircle swayed in the night wind.
However, in this desolate corner, a warm yellow light suddenly appeared, looking like an upside-down bowl when viewed from above.
"This is the Sword Furnace's Light Array; we've arrived!"
Tian Youliang's face lit up with joy, and he quickly piloted the talisman to land.
Before they could get very close, a golden light suddenly rose from the light barrier, and a man dressed in yellow flew in front of them, his whole body radiating sharp golden light, and shouted in a stern voice:
"Who are you people?!"
Tian Youliang bowed calmly and said, "Greetings, senior brother. I am Tian Youliang from Jinzhu Peak, and I am the steward in charge of developing the spiritual fields of Langdang Mountain."
As he spoke, he took out a token and handed it over. The man in yellow carefully examined it and, after confirming that there was nothing wrong, bowed and said:
"My name is Huang Yi. I am here to guard this place. Please forgive my disrespect just now."
"So it's Senior Brother Huang, the Sword Master Xingwan!" Tian Youliang was surprised to hear this person's name and quickly returned the greeting.
"No, no, it's my duty, Senior Brother Huang, it's only right."
Huang Yi nodded, cast a spell to open a gap in the underground formation, and descended with Tian Youliang and the other person.
Fan Zhou looked down and saw a dozen or so simple wooden houses scattered around, forming a simple village.
In the center of the village, an earthen altar was built, upon which stood a large bronze cauldron, within which burned a bright yellow flame.
The group landed on the ground.
Having flown all the way here, Tian Youliang was quite tired, given his cultivation level. He briefly inquired about the situation from Huang Yi and then asked him to arrange accommodation.
"There are no empty rooms available right now, so Steward Tian, you can stay in my room for the time being. Anyway, I still need to guard the formation."
After speaking, Huang Yi looked at Fan Zhou and pointed to a small house next to him, saying:
"There's only one person living in this room. You can stay here if you don't mind."
Fan Zhou dared not complain and quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you for the arrangements, Master Huang."
Huang Yi frowned slightly, and Tian Youliang quickly patted Fan Zhou on the shoulder:
"Don't call anyone 'immortal' or 'master' so casually anymore. You've already entered the sword furnace, so you should call him Uncle Huang."
Fan Zhou immediately changed his address, "Thank you, Uncle Huang."
Huang Yi nodded slightly, led him to the wooden house next door, and knocked on the door:
"Liu Ergou, open the door."
A small light appeared inside the house, followed by the sound of footsteps.
A boy who looked about fourteen or fifteen years old, dressed in a single layer of clothing, opened the door and looked at Huang Yi with a puzzled expression.
Huang Yi pointed at Fan Zhou and said seriously, "This is a new disciple. He'll stay here with you for now, understand?"
Seeing Liu Ergou nod seriously, Huang Yi didn't say anything more and left with Tian Youliang.
Before leaving, Tian Youliang didn't forget to give Fan Zhou a piece of advice:
"Get up early tomorrow, and I'll teach you the cultivation method."
Fan Zhou responded, then turned around and saw Liu Ergou's expressionless face. He said awkwardly:
"Hello, my name is Fan Zhou."
Liu Ergou shook his head. "I'm not good."
Fan Zhou's expression stiffened. Was this person really that difficult to talk to?
Liu Ergou looked at him with a serious expression:
"I just dreamt I was eating a chicken leg, but I was woken up just as I was about to take a bite, so I'm not feeling well right now."
"Huh?" Fan Zhou really couldn't understand this person's line of thinking.
He thought for a moment and suggested, "Why don't you go back to sleep now? Maybe you can continue your dream?"
Liu Ergou's eyes lit up immediately, and he exclaimed happily, "That's right! How come I didn't think of that! You're so smart!"
He seemed really eager to continue the dream. After saying that, he turned around and ran back to bed to sleep, completely ignoring Fan Zhou standing at the door.
Fan Zhou stood there, feeling that this person was a bit abnormal.
But since things had come to this, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go inside.
There were no extra beds in the room, only a large communal sleeping platform, but thankfully there were blankets.
Fan Zhou made his bed and quietly slipped inside.
Only then did he finally feel at ease.
Looking back on everything that happened today, it feels like a thrilling and exciting dream.
"Thankfully, it's all true."
Fan Zhou excitedly rolled over.
Liu Ergou, sleeping peacefully beside him, seemed to be truly back in a sweet dream, with a trace of drool still hanging from the corner of his mouth.
Looks like he's already had a chicken leg.
Fan Zhou couldn't help but smile as he turned and blew out the oil lamp.
Darkness engulfed everything.