Chapter 127: A Discussion on the Ancient Sword

"Heh, the big boss actually returned on time?" Xue Xianyun, wearing a black and white crane cloak, poured himself a cup of strong tea. "I thought you were going to go gallivanting for a few more days."

Tang Zhao cast a subtle glance at the top of Xue Xianyun's head—Master's head was getting a bit sparse; he shouldn't be getting close to red-crowned cranes in this state—and smiled: "I only asked for two days off, how could I dare to delay any longer? Otherwise, wouldn't you discipline me when I got back? The reason I'm back later than planned is because I was preparing your favorite eel pot for you down the mountain."

Xue Xianyun snorted: "Nonsense. If I were truly set on disciplining you lot, would you all have turned out like this? And about the eel pot, I told you last time, don't put so much chili in it; you can't even taste the freshness anymore."

Tang Zhao said: "I know, I know. I improved it this time; I switched to mountain peppers."

Xue Xianyun snorted again, unable to keep a straight face any longer, and said: "Come with me to the workshop. The materials your Eldest Senior Brother brought back still need processing. Just because I was waiting for you, a whole day was wasted for nothing."

In his early years, Xue Xianyun was a truly strict master. When teaching his first two disciples, he was extremely rigorous, speaking with sharp words and a stern countenance, rarely offering praise, and resorting to corporal punishment or scolding whenever they made a mistake. Shi Chunqing, with his gentle temperament, was fine, but the fact that the second disciple later ran all the way to Jingcheng to become an official was related to his excessive harshness.

Xue Xianyun naturally refused to admit his mistake on the surface, but in his heart, he felt some regret. Later, he took in three more female disciples—the third had special circumstances, the fourth was his own daughter, and the fifth was the daughter of an old friend and had a naturally lazy, unteachable temperament—so he simply couldn't be strict, and gradually, he could never return to how he was in the beginning.

By the time the sixth and seventh disciples arrived, Xue Xianyun had aged, and he began burying himself in Sword Casting, let alone discipline—he was even lazy about teaching. As a result, these two disciples not only had weaker foundations than the previous ones but also lacked character, being mutually hostile and forming cliques, which made the entire villa reek of corruption.

It wasn't until recent years, when Xue Xianyun coincidentally took in two exceptionally gifted young disciples, that he regained some spirit. Especially with Tang Zhao, who not only had great talent but was also a benefactor to the Xue Clan, he was determined to carve this peerless piece of jade into a masterpiece. He had already prepared to play the strict master again, and his lesson plans even included how to use thunderous methods to pull Tang Zhao back onto the right path if he were to go astray.

Unfortunately, Tang Zhao didn't give him that chance.

Not only was that final contingency plan never used, but even during regular lessons, Xue Xianyun rarely had the chance to act as a strict master. It was truly because, besides having excellent talent, Tang Zhao was also diligent, eager to learn, and self-disciplined—even stricter than Xue Xianyun's own requirements. For instance, Xue Xianyun initially demanded that Tang Zhao attend every day, but in reality, if there were truly difficult circumstances and he missed a day or two, Xue Xianyun would at most scold him a bit and still let him come.

But Tang Zhao truly managed to be there through wind and rain; regardless of heavy storms or illness and fever, he arrived every day. And it wasn't just perfunctory attendance, but diligent, tireless study.

As for character and temperament, Xue Xianyun tried to lecture him a few times, only to find he had no right to do so. Tang Zhao's character was far more upright than his own. Moreover, Tang Zhao was not just a conservative and simple gentleman; he was also warm, friendly, and empathetic. After spending a long time with him, Xue Xianyun instead felt as if he were being bathed in Sunlight.

Nowadays, Xue Xianyun basically had no temper left for Tang Zhao, only occasionally recalling his dream of being a strict master and suddenly stiffening his face to make a few sarcastic remarks. Tang Zhao didn't mind; if it came to sarcasm, Xue Xianyun's level was only average anyway.

Tang Zhao, however, knew he was no perfect disciple; there was a stubborn side to his personality, as well as a volatile one. Not to mention the volatile side—the villa's atmosphere was relaxed, and he hadn't encountered any crises in the last two years, so his impulsive side didn't show—but he had actually been stubborn more than once. Whether it was martial arts or Rune Formulas, he would often fall into inexplicable persistence, triggering a state of not turning back until he hit the south wall.

The reason others didn't notice wasn't because he didn't hit the south wall, but because he hit the south wall faster than others. With his Glasses to assist him, whether it was proving he was right or discovering an error and abandoning progress, he was extremely fast. If he were to encounter unknown difficulties further down the road, there was no telling if he might drill into a dead end and be unable to get out.

The two entered the workshop. Shi Chunqing hadn't arrived yet, so Tang Zhao began making preparations while Xue Xianyun watched from the side and said:

"You are still interested in the Ancient Sword?"

"Yes, Disciple has checked many more materials and feels that the Ancient Sword is still the most suitable for me."

Xue Xianyun said: "I have already explained the pros and cons of the Ancient Sword to you very clearly. That's right, the Ancient Sword uses fewer materials; you only need to consider the material for the earth-type sword body, while the wind, fire, and water types are composed of Internal Energy, Qi, and Sword Origin One Qi of the same lineage. The Rune Formulas involved are also extremely few, and one can even rely solely on the Sword Casting Art. That was because the ancients knew few Rune Formulas, and the classification of various material systems was not yet perfect; they couldn't distinguish the laws of material combination, so they had to force the Sword Casting."

"The power of a sword forged this way is indeed great, but the path is too specialized and harsh, almost like a custom-made item. Apart from the first-generation Sword Guest, it is difficult to pass down. It is said that in ancient times, there were no specialized Sword Smiths; everyone forged their own swords. The times are different now. The battlefield outside the territory is tight, and they cannot wait for every Sword Guest to spend so many years forging their own sword. Furthermore, Sword Guests often suffer losses, requiring comrades and juniors to take up their swords and return to the battlefield; the sword is no longer exclusive to one person. And our Sword Smith system is becoming increasingly complete, bearing the important responsibility of forging swords for the common people."

He said sternly: "I will be blunt. If you want to forge an Ancient Sword for yourself, that is no problem, but a Sword Smith who only forges Ancient Swords cannot be considered a true Sword Smith. Of course, you are a young junior, and no one will force any burdens upon you, but since you have such ability, I still hope you will become a true Sword Smith."

Tang Zhao also replied sternly: "Of course. Disciple's first sword is forged for myself, for my own path as a Sword Guest. In the future, I will forge more swords. Even if not for the common people, I must ensure that Master's hard work and heritage do not go to waste."

"Hmph, as long as you know. Even if not for me, so many Loose Practitioners in your Inspection Bureau waiting for swords are eyeing you too." Xue Xianyun softened his expression and said, "If you are determined to forge an Ancient Sword, then you don't need to consider the conflict or coordination between materials for the sword body; the more precious and extreme, the better. You have seen all the materials I have here; it wouldn't be impossible to make do with them. But it is still lacking a bit. You can keep an eye out when you go to the Spring Talisman Assembly; there are good things there. The better your results, the more you can access precious materials. If you can enter the Secret Realm of Jianzhou, then it will be a sure thing."

"Disciple understands."

As they chatted, the door opened, and Shi Chunqing walked in carrying a floating ball.

Tang Zhao bowed: "Eldest Senior Brother. Is your health better?"

Shi Chunqing smiled slightly: "No major issues. Thanks to you and the Eighth Junior Brother for the rescue. I am becoming more and more useless; fortunately, the villa still has you all."

Xue Xianyun said: "Alright, today we will study the Bitter Cold Qi that your Senior Brother went through so much trouble to bring back from beyond the border. For this wisp of cold air, Chunqing almost walked across the Liangzhou wasteland."

Shi Chunqing smiled: "It wasn't that hard. The scenery beyond the border is beautiful, and the customs are strange, very different from within the pass. Although cold, it was a rare experience. Looking at the sunrise and sunset on the great wasteland, the changing of Spring and Autumn, it truly broadens the mind. If it weren't for being discovered by the Baixiong Mountain bandits on the way back, this trip would have been very smooth. I also got some local specialties; I'll distribute them to everyone later. However, the Jianzhou trip you juniors are taking will be full of storms and dangers; you must be extremely careful."

Before Tang Zhao could speak, Xue Xianyun said: "What storms and dangers? It's just a gathering of Sword Smith apprentices. It's not like you haven't been there."

Tang Zhao said: "Senior Brother has also been to the Spring Talisman Assembly?"

Shi Chunqing said: "I went twenty years ago, but unfortunately, my strength was insufficient, and my gains were meager, no different from not going. I cannot compare to Master, who was already the center of attention back then and was favored to become a powerful Sword Smith."

Tang Zhao gave an 'oh' and said: "Could it be that twenty years ago, Senior Brother went with Master?"

Xue Xianyun said: "What about it? Twenty years ago, I was also a young man, and Chunqing is less than ten years younger than me. What is wrong with us going together? I made quite a few connections back then, and now they have all become Sword Smiths of significant status. Perhaps you all can benefit from those old days this time."

Tang Zhao found it strange; the previous session was attended by the Sixth and Seventh Senior Brothers, so why hadn't he heard of them benefiting?

Shi Chunqing covered his mouth slightly and said: "It wasn't just making friends; I also made some enemies."

Tang Zhao realized; he knew the old man's temper, so it must have been that he made more enemies.

Xue Xianyun was glaring at them, so the brothers found it inconvenient to chat further. Xue Xianyun snorted: "What favors or grudges, those are all minor paths. You call the Sixth and Seventh's experience a grievance? That's called being inferior in skill, that's called getting what they deserved! If you two are also outclassed by others and treated with cold eyes, that will also be what you deserve."

Shi Chunqing said: "The Libationers of the previous sessions were not specifically targeting us, just particularly looking down on disciples from provinces outside the Central Plains. I heard that this year's Talisman Assembly has a new Host and Libationer; I wonder what the situation is?"

Xue Xianyun said: "What situation? Strength comes first. Could it really be such a coincidence that my mortal enemy has been put in charge?"

The three then ended their idle chatter and focused on studying the materials, breaking the Bitter Cold Qi into wisps, storing them separately, measuring their properties, recording the data, and matching them with other materials. In this research, while Xue Xianyun had profound knowledge and a high-level perspective, and Tang Zhao had keen Inspiration and novel ideas—plus the assistance of his Glasses, allowing him to act as the backbone—Shi Chunqing only contributed his skill and meticulousness, mostly providing assistance.

After researching for a long time, it was past midnight, and Xue Xianyun put away the materials and let the two leave.

Shi Chunqing left first, but Tang Zhao stayed behind, returned to the workshop, found Xue Xianyun alone, and said:

"Master, may I borrow the Bitter Cold Qi to study on my own?"

Xue Xianyun was not surprised and said: "The material is rare; there isn't much for you to waste. Bring your Time Jar; I can only give you a bottom-layer portion."