Chapter 262: Determination and Responsibility

Upon hearing this emotionally charged sentence that Tang Zhao had finally uttered after much anticipation, Xue Xianyun was not moved as one might have expected; instead, he was taken aback and retorted, "Disciple, have you gone silly?"

Tang Zhao replied with a serious expression, "I appreciate your concern, Master, but this disciple is perfectly fine."

Between the two of us, who looks more like the silly one?

"The materials are all gone, so what the hell are we going to cast a sword with?"

"You may be out, but I still have some here."

Xue Xianyun was startled and said, "Where would you... ah, that's right!"

He remembered that every time he collected suitable materials, he would share a portion with this young disciple. Come to think of it, although this disciple had arrived late, he was naturally gifted and possessed a pure character that Xue Xianyun liked; furthermore, he truly didn't stand on ceremony. Even his own daughter wouldn't ask for a piece of every material she saw, but Tang Zhao dared to. The other disciples didn't know it, but Xue Xianyun was actually very generous; if they had truly been thick-skinned enough to ask, they could have obtained them.

Although Xue Xianyun was impetuous, sharp-tongued, and bad-tempered, he was a good master. He never kept things to himself, and with his vast family estate and rich collection, he basically never refused any material his personal disciples asked for. It was just that they were intimidated by his stern appearance, and even when they had doubts, they would ask with extreme caution; how could they dare to ask for this or that?

"Could it be that you've kept all the materials I gave you before? Are those enough to make up a set of sword materials?"

Tang Zhao blurted out a denial: "No, I used all those materials for practice."

Just kidding—those original materials had all been tossed into the water pool by him; where would he find them now?

"However, I have been studying your sword-casting formula, and I felt it was particularly suitable for practice, so I have been collecting similar materials. Over these years, especially on this journey to Jianzhou, I have had a bountiful harvest. I now have a set of matched materials in my hand, sufficient to cast a sword, and the materials are of the same origin as the ones you prepared, with quality no less than what you had."

Saying "no less than" was being modest; in reality, every material fished out of the pool was at least one level stronger than the original, otherwise, it wouldn't have consumed so much of his Artificer Yuan Power to exchange for them.

In any case, the materials were clearly there, and as for their origin... if asked, he would say they were found along the way in Jianzhou. Could Jiang Shixiong possibly expose him?

Xue Xianyun listened, gradually becoming invigorated, and then asked with doubt: "Is there only one set of sword materials?"

To ensure nothing went wrong, he had prepared more than ten times the amount of every material, enough to cast the sword ten times, ensuring he had a safety net even if he failed.

If there was only one set of materials, it meant he had to succeed on the first try; failure was absolutely not an option.

Xue Xianyun was inherently a proud man; he had prepared multiple sets of materials, but he didn't believe he truly needed them. He had long set a goal for himself to succeed on the first attempt; if he couldn't succeed once, it was a failure. Those backup materials should never be used. Yet, if he truly removed all the backup materials and lost his safety net, forcing him to stake everything on one throw, he couldn't help but hesitate and struggle with the decision.

Tang Zhao said, "It is indeed only one set. So what if it's only one? With your unwavering ambition, your strength built up over time, and your indomitable courage, isn't having one set the same as having a hundred?"

Because Tang Zhao's flattery was too blunt, Xue Xianyun was stunned for a moment and said, "You certainly have confidence."

Tang Zhao said without hesitation, "It is not just me who has confidence. Look outside—your most cherished daughter, the young disciple you brought up the mountain yourself, the personal disciples you raised one by one, and the students throughout Zhuoyu Villa who view you as their idol—they trust you just as I do. They are silent because they are waiting for you to appear before them with the sword, leading them toward a broader world. They have never doubted this for a moment."

Watching Xue Xianyun's dazed expression, Tang Zhao continued, "Of course, there are those who do not trust you. For example, those you have offended, those defeated opponents, those pigs and sheep. They are waiting to see you make a fool of yourself. You don't think that things on the mountain are unknown to anyone but us, do you? Good news doesn't leave the house, but bad news travels a thousand miles; sooner or later, they will all know. They are surely waiting to see you collapse and give up on yourself. That way, even though they have never truly defeated you, it will be as if you have already lost. Can you really let them get their wish?"

Xue Xianyun listened until his face flushed red, and he stood up from the stone without realizing it.

Tang Zhao was secretly delighted, but he pressed on: "If you ask me, although this time was unfortunate, there is one stroke of luck: it has forced you to make up your mind to cast the sword. Your strength has long been sufficient; why have you procrastinated until today? It was only because you wanted to be fully prepared. One set of materials wasn't enough, so you prepared ten; being smooth sailing wasn't enough, you wanted the heavens and earth to cooperate. But where in this world is there ever a foolproof plan? Seeking perfection only made you delay again and again. Now, 'when Heaven is about to place a great burden on a man, it first pains his heart and will, exhausts his muscles and bones, and leaves his body empty.' Heaven has given you a push, telling you to stop overthinking, cast aside distractions, and focus on casting the sword. The opportunity is before you; break through this Dragon Transformation Tribulation, and you will naturally soar to the nine heavens!"

Xue Xianyun suddenly burst into laughter and said, "Well said, Azhao! People who have studied books really do speak beautifully! However, besides me casting the sword, will you be idle?"

Tang Zhao said without yielding, "I will naturally help you; this was already agreed upon."

Xue Xianyun pulled him up and said, "Good, then come help me, let us cast the sword together."

Although Tang Zhao had spoken so much after his first sentence, his goal had been absolutely achieved.

A few words, and the Master was happy!

The gloom over Zhuoyu Villa dispersed slightly, and immediately the atmosphere became tense and scorching.

Because Manor Master Xue of Zhuoyu Villa suddenly announced: "I will immediately go into seclusion to cast the sword."

The various "Jade" Disciples, who had been troubled by undercurrents of rumors, were suddenly stirred up—first stunned, then in an uproar. Compared to the obscure rumors, casting the sword was the major event that concerned everyone.

Although only the Manor Master and a few True Jade Disciples could participate in the sword casting, once the sword was successfully cast, Zhuoyu Villa would transform from a faction of Talisman Sword Masters into a faction of Sword Smiths, and the status of the disciples would increase more than tenfold. Even the Green Jade Disciples, who came from famous families and were sent here to "enjoy life," became excited. Then, everyone was mobilized.

For the ordinary disciples, they were preparing less for the sword casting itself and more for the Sword Casting Conference that would follow a successful casting. The task of casting the sword was not their concern, but once successful, this would be the first public Sword Smith faction in Yunzhou, and it would inevitably invite dignitaries from all walks of life in Yunzhou, and even peers and honored guests from afar, to gather for a grand event and witness the birth of a Sword Smith. There might be more honored guests than there were disciples in Zhuoyu Villa, and their status would exceed most people's imagination.

Such a grand event had to be prepared for starting now—Xue Xianyun would go into seclusion in a few days; success or failure would be decided in a few months, and the Sword Casting Conference had a thousand threads to manage. To ensure everything was foolproof, it was equivalent to a small-scale Talisman Assembly. If a power like Longyuan could be full of mistakes and omissions when holding a Talisman Assembly, how could Zhuoyu Villa be negligent? Starting preparations now was not early at all.

The young disciples were busy and excited, but the arrangements for the True Jade Disciples were a headache.

First of all, the Sword Casting Conference definitely needed someone to preside over it. This person in charge was important and laborious, and would also be at a disadvantage. Because this was just a miscellaneous task, if the conference was held well, one would at most get a few words of praise; if held poorly, one would take the blame. Most importantly, one would miss the opportunity to practice by assisting in the sword casting.

Besides Tang Zhao, the assistant designated by Xue Xianyun, other disciples could also serve as assistants. Even if they couldn't handle the work, just observing the process of sword casting would be of great benefit for the future. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

If Shi Chunqing were here, this would almost certainly be his job; it was so natural that the young disciples wouldn't even notice what he had lost. Once the Senior Brother was absent, this task became tricky.

"Since that is the case..."

"I'll do it!"

Several people said in unison.

Tang Zhao was a bit surprised; besides him, the other brothers and sisters—the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth—had all spoken up.

Xue Yeyu said in astonishment, "Such a thing should naturally be me. Not to mention Father, I am your Senior Sister, and you are my younger brothers and sisters; by order, it is my turn. Who else but me for this matter?"

Jiang Shenyi argued, "Of course it's me. I've said long ago that I don't want to be a Sword Smith, and I don't care about observing the sword casting. Rather than sitting and waiting, I might as well hold this Sword Casting Conference. I have experience in holding assemblies; I saw with my own eyes how the Jianzhou Talisman Assembly... failed, so I will definitely succeed."

Qin Haizhou said, "You want to preside, but will the young disciples listen to you? You don't understand the matter of managing subordinates and mobilization. You are too young; let your older brothers do it. I have people under me, so it's convenient to get things done."

Deng Chong immediately followed up, "Exactly, I have even more people under me, and I have a broad mind; I appoint people based on talent and will never practice favoritism by only using my own people."

Qin Haizhou was furious and said, "Who are you saying practices favoritism? I'm afraid you're harming the public to enrich yourself, playing your own little games during the Sword Casting Assembly..."

Deng Chong laughed and said, "With my family background, would I care about these peanuts? Only those who are used to being poor would..."

Seeing the two of them starting their daily bickering, Xue Yeyu's face darkened, and she said, "Shut up. With just the two of you like this, you're going to hold a Talisman Assembly? Are you trying to embarrass our villa?"

Fu Qinghuan had always been calm and unconcerned, not speaking unless it involved him, but at this moment he said faintly, "So, it should be left to me. My talent is mediocre, but at least I won't make mistakes."

At this time, Qin Haizhou and Deng Chong looked at each other, and although they were both still angry, they said in unison, "Leave it to both of us together."

Xue Yeyu raised an eyebrow: "The two of you? Cooperating?"

Deng Chong and Qin Haizhou nodded; although their expressions weren't great, the nod was very solemn.

"Actually, it's something we discussed..." When Deng Chong said the word "discussed," he felt slightly disgusted, but he still said word by word, "We know that the revenge for the humiliation at the previous Talisman Assembly was avenged for us by our two younger brothers. As senior brothers, having to rely on our younger brothers to avenge us is because we were incompetent."

Qin Haizhou continued, "That's right. There are things we two can't do, but if we can't do more for our brothers and sisters in these matters where we aren't incompetent, then are we even fit to stay in Zhuoyu Villa? It should be our turn now."

Deng Chong hummed, "That's right. We finally decided to hold our noses and cooperate; if Senior Sister doesn't fulfill this, we'll miss an opportunity to clear the air... Do you want to watch us fight endlessly?"

Tang Zhao suddenly thought that if Xue Xianyun could have seen this scene earlier, even without a long-winded provocation, he should have been able to pull himself together.

Xue Yeyu looked at Deng Chong, then at Qin Haizhou, and after several days, she smiled again, saying, "Alright, how could I not fulfill such a beautiful thing? The heavy burden is handed to you two."