Chapter 270: The Meticulously Forged Crimson Longsword

Xiong Ji took a deep breath, then suddenly pulled an old‑fashioned copper key from his pocket and solemnly handed it to Cheng Shuili: "This is… the key to the hospital's underground storage. Inside are some… medicinal herbs and equipment passed down through generations of our bear clan. It may not compare to your methods… but…".

He paused, his gaze steady: "Please accept it. This is the most precious thing I can give."

Just as Cheng Shuili was about to speak, Xiong Ji suddenly added: "Also… in this city, whatever help you need…"

He looked around his own clan, his voice suddenly rising, "The whole bear clan will stand by you!"

"Right!"

"Count me in!"

"From now on, the lady human's affairs are our affairs!"

The surrounding bear beastmen immediately responded in a chorus, and a few youngsters, excited, pounded their chests, producing thud‑thud muffled sounds.

Xiong Ji watched this scene and finally showed his first genuine smile in days. He patted Cheng Shuili's shoulder and softly said, "You saved this hospital… saved the hope of all of us."

"This gratitude… the bear clan will never forget."

There's no need to make such a big deal.

Cheng Shuili felt a bit guilty, not because she thought she didn't deserve such thanks, but because she had petty‑heartedly speculated about this Bear Director.

She really thought there would still be a dispute over the ownership of the medicine bottles.

However… perhaps it's also because Xiong Ji doesn't know the current purpose of those bottles?

That's also a good thing.

This time, Cheng Shuili doesn't need to test humanity.

Cheng Shuili gave a faint smile and accepted the gift from the Bear Director.

She should have gone to the underground storage right away, but of the two hours, only half an hour remained; Cheng Shuili also wanted to check the weapons shop for a new flagship item, so she could only part with regret.

Lang Yu was squatting in the corner, idly scratching circles on the floor with his claws, producing a series of unpleasant noises.

Hearing Cheng Shuili say she was leaving, he sprang up with a start, and *Thud* he slammed into the ceiling.

The sight startled Su Rui, who widened her eyes; it turned out the cartoons weren't lying—beastmen really have that springy ability.

"Awooo!" he covered his head, squatted, and with watery eyes looked up: "Wang!! You're leaving already? Um… um…"

He fumbled about his body, then suddenly pulled a black, charred‑looking jerky from his tail fur: "Want to try my special… hey hey don't throw it!"

Cheng Shuili expressionlessly slapped that suspicious piece onto the ground.

Lang Yu scratched his head sheepishly, then his eyes lit up: "Right, right! The weapons shop! Wang, aren't you heading to the weapons shop?"

Before the words finished, his foot slipped and *Clack* he fell flat on his back.

The surrounding bear beastmen, unsurprised, moved around him, and a young bear kindly gave him a hand.

So embarrassing.

Really.

Lang Yu scrambled up, waddling over to Cheng Shuili: "Wang, I must tell you, that lion is fierce! Last time I tried to hand over a dagger, she chased me for three streets…"

What for?

Hand over dagger?

Cheng Shuili gave him a glance.

Lang Yu immediately straightened his back, striking a "I'm totally reliable" pose, if you ignore the tuft of hair on his head that the ceiling had flared up.

As expected, the less a person has, the more they care about what they have, and beastmen are no exception.

However… the lion? So you mean it's actually a different person, right?

It seems this trip has a great chance of seeing a new flagship item.

"Um… Wang…" Lang Yu rubbed his hands, his tail swaying involuntarily, "Shall I guide you? Even though I was chased and beaten last time… but! For Wang! I'm willing!"

Cheng Shuili was about to refuse when Xiong Ji beside her cleared his throat twice.

"Doctor Lang, are you planning to resign?"

A kind‑hearted gray bear nurse remarked. But Lang Yu clearly didn't grasp the goodwill.

Cheng Shuili didn't want this subordinate to actually lose his job, so she quickly spoke a farewell.

Lang Yu, though reluctant, could only watch Cheng Shuili and the other walk away.

After leaving the hospital, the two finally escaped the fate of constantly asking for directions.

Although Cheng Shuili had only been here once, she remembered the routes surprisingly accurately.

Probably because what happened that time was so unique.

She led Su Rui through several winding alleys, gradually smelling iron rust and charred coal in the air; the farther they went, the clearer the clanging of hammering became.

Turning the last corner, the scene before them made both stop in their tracks.

Hu Ge's simple sign was gone, and the rustic shop had vanished.

In its place stood a strangely shaped metal building.

The whole building seemed assembled from countless weapons.

The sword‑made eaves glinted coldly in the sun, spear‑welded fences rose densely, and even the door handles were a pair of crossed short halberds.

The most eye‑catching was a wooden plaque nailed nearby, crudely scrawled in human script: "New shop opening, welcome to rush (crossed out) to purchase!"

The characters were written crookedly, clearly showing a poor grasp of human culture…

A majestic lion beastman perched at the shop's entrance, lazily polishing a curved blade.

Hearing footsteps, the lion didn't even lift its head and said, "If you want to buy weapons, line up; today's supply is limited. Those who try to steal… I'll let you taste freshly‑fried wolf meat!"

Fried wolf meat…

Cheng Shuili didn't know what to say; the specificity was overwhelming. She cleared her throat politely and asked, "Where do we line up to buy weapons?"

"Oh?" the lion instantly lifted its head, eyes sparkling, "No need to line up, no need to line up! Many beastmen heard the new shop opened and came to Cou Re Nao! Those who are seriously buying weapons, right? Welcome, rare guest, welcome!"

Seeing that, Cheng Shuili began to suspect that this fellow hadn't had business in a long time.

Shi Nian, completely unaware, got up, took the damp towel set aside, wiped their hands, and then beckoned the people into the shop.

Cheng Shuili followed behind her, Su Rui followed behind Cheng Shuili, and the two were like Liu Laolao entering the Grand View Garden for the first time.

"How is it? Impressive enough?" Shi Nian swished his mane proudly, flicked a claw, and said, "This side is the regular area, that side is the custom area, and the innermost part is... uh..."

She suddenly lowered her voice, clearly feeling uneasy.

"It's the defective-item disposal zone; I suggest you don't go there."

The interior of the whole shop is even more extravagant than its exterior.

The walls were densely covered with all kinds of weapons, ranging from palm‑sized hidden weapons to giant axes taller than a person.

From the iron chains hanging from the ceiling dangled dozens of long swords, casting cold, forest‑like shadows in the firelight.

The most eye‑catching feature was the blazing furnace at the center, where strange blue flames roiled inside.

"This uses volcanic lizard saliva as fuel," Shi Nian patted the furnace, sending a few sparks flying, "its temperature is three times that of ordinary flame, so... the weapons I forge here are better than those from ordinary places."

"Let me show you!"

She said, then suddenly drew a fully crimson long sword from the rack and swung it fiercely at the iron anvil beside her.

With a crisp "clang," the anvil split in two, while the blade remained completely unharmed.

It was indeed very powerful.

But...

As a single shop, this place is definitely substandard.

It feels more like an exhibition hall of a weapons master, arranged with a unique personal style.

Cheng Shuili took the long sword and immediately checked its item details.

【Meticulously forged Crimson Long Sword】

【Description: From a top master of the Lion Clan! When used, it grants three points of Strength attribute bonus! Additionally, the weapon has a sturdy property; compared to ordinary weapons, this one is even harder!】

This is only a casual display by the lion shop owner, yet already so special; Cheng Shuili Qing Qing raised an eyebrow, becoming even more eager for the shop's flagship treasure.

She cleared her throat, stopped circling, and stated her request directly: "I want to see the flagship treasure of this place."

Shi Nian's pupils flickered, and he warned, "Flagship treasure? I do have one, but... I don't sell it to ordinary people."

Cheng Shuili wasn't in a hurry; just by looking at the shop's design, she could tell the owner was a fellow who pursues his own art.

And for such a person, having somewhat hard‑to‑understand demands is normal.

Cheng Shuili had long been mentally prepared for this, and upon hearing that, she simply retorted, "How do you know I'm an ordinary person?"

Shi Nian unreservedly examined Cheng Shuili from head to toe, while Cheng Shuili stood calmly, waiting for her to reach a conclusion.

Perhaps this composure intimidated the odd shop owner, or maybe this somewhat bizarre weapons shop truly hasn't opened in a long time.

In short, Shi Nian suddenly changed his tone: "You really are a bit special."

She said nothing more, but gestured for the two to follow her.

Shi Nian flicked his fluffy mane, turned toward the back of the shop, and his metal claws clanged crisply against the floor. "Follow me; I'll take you to see the true divine weapons! But first, let me say,"

She suddenly turned back, her golden vertical pupils glittering in the dim shop, filled with obvious passion: "If you get scared, don't blame me."

Cheng Shuili and Su Rui followed her through an archway made of intersecting spears, and the temperature rose sharply.

The air was filled with the scent of scorched beast fur mingled with an odd herbal fragrance.

On the innermost wall hung a curtain made of beast hide, painted with strange runes in dark red pigment.

"This is..." Su Rui was about to reach out to touch it when the lion beastman swatted it away with a claw.

"Don't touch it recklessly!" she bared her sharp teeth, "You humans may not believe this, but please respect our beastfolk's faith."

She was absolutely right.

Su Rui felt a bit embarrassed, raised her hand and scratched the back of her head.

And the lion beastman elegantly curled the tip of his tail to lift a corner of the curtain, revealing a dark passage behind it.