Chapter 125: Handy Heavy Hammer (Today, Three Chapters)

「This thing…」

As dusk fell, after finishing several sets of the Soldier Body Postures and changing clothes, Li Yuan opened the volume given to him by Jing Shuhu by the flickering light of a lamp:

「Eyes, table of contents? 」

Li Yuan rubbed his eyes, flipped through a few more pages, and only then realized that this thick volume was nothing but a table of contents.

The books listed in the table of contents covered everything from fire seeds, iron inspection, quenching, to shaping—over twelve hundred titles!

「Holy shit, this many?! 」

Li Yuan stared in shock, finally understanding: 「No wonder that old bastard had that expression…」

Recalling Jing Shuhu's smile at their parting, Li Yuan's lips twitched involuntarily—reading a few obscure histories or storybooks now and then was entertainment; forcing himself through a thousand volumes was a death sentence.

「Casting techniques can't possibly be this complicated—I'll take another look…」

Li Yuan flipped back to the beginning, his heart easing slightly.

Most of the books in this table of contents were forging methods; only a small fraction were casting techniques.

Moreover, many were personal insights from generations of Casting Valley Elders, and the most essential ones numbered only a dozen or so.

「A dozen or so isn't so bad…」

Closing the table of contents volume, Li Yuan stepped into the courtyard. The night sky after the rain was crystal clear, four full moons shining brilliantly.

He lifted his hammer and moved, slowly practicing the Soldier Body Postures—each movement, each posture, unchanged from before.

But with his hammer talent and the cumulative enhancements from the 'Mature' and 'Perfected' levels of the Great Expansion Sword Hammer, he felt his hammer's qi and internal strength flowing smoothly, his progress surging.

…

Early the next morning, Li Yuan went to the Scripture Tower and borrowed the books listed in the table of contents.

The books on casting techniques were kept in the inner tower; Li Yuan did not waste his three annual permits to enter the inner tower, instead borrowing them under Jing Shuhu's name.

「Elder Lei has instructed us—this won't count against your quota. 」

The fat old man hurried down the stairs, arms full of books, face beaming with a smile even more deferential than before, warning:

「Books from the inner tower must not be damaged or taken outside—only you, as a true disciple, are allowed to borrow them; ordinary disciples can't even touch them…」

「Thank you. 」

Li Yuan saw them from afar and his eyes lit up—he quickly reached out to take the dozen or so volumes, each as thick as a brick.

A faint blue-green glow surfaced in his vision:

【Iron Hammer Forging Method (Fourth Rank)】

【Red Rhinoceros Spirit Cowhide, soaked in special medicinal fluid, this scroll bears annotations by dozens of craftsmen and divine artisans… Passed down for a thousand years, infused with blood and sweat, now imbued with spiritual marvel…】

【Control Condition: Forging Method Perfected, Iron Hammer Forging Method Perfected, Casting Technique Mature】

【Control Effect: Casting Technique Perfected (Deep Blue-Green), Iron Hammer Forging Method Perfected (Pale Blue-Green)】

Unexpected good fortune?

Li Yuan's heart leapt—this was the second book he'd ever seen that could be controlled, after the Fundamental Diagram.

And as expected, there were at least three more: 'Armor Hammering', 'Iron Weapon Spirit Link', and 'Armor Spirit Link'!

How vast was the scope of the 'Weapon Control Scroll'?

Though the control conditions for this set were extremely high, Li Yuan was still pleasantly surprised—and his interest in the other secret texts within the inner tower surged.

He remembered that both Middle-Grade and Upper-Grade Martial Arts carried 'Form Diagrams'…

Beneath the old tree outside the Scripture Tower, two old men were still playing chess, occasional shouts rising between them.

「Casting Technique? No wonder he's a forging prodigy—Elder Jing hasn't taught anyone casting technique in years. 」

The taller old man spotted Li Yuan and clucked in amazement.

The shorter, stockier old man shook his head: 「Little Li, casting technique may be extraordinary, but martial arts are the true path…」

「What true path? In our Divine Weapon Valley, isn't casting technique the true path? 」

「Old bastard! 」

「Old geezer! 」

The two

men, at the slightest provocation, began trading barbs, as if ready to brawl at any moment.

「Old Wang, Old Liu, keep playing—I'll bring wine and meat next time to challenge you. 」

Li Yuan didn't interrupt, gave a polite greeting, and turned to leave.

These two old men had once been outer sect Elders, retired due to cultivation mishaps or injuries, now stationed at the Scripture Tower.

Of course, they weren't the only ones stationed there.

The Divine Weapon Valley constantly faced internal and external friction; countless disciples and Elders returned with broken limbs and maimed bodies.

The sect never shortchanged them on compensation, and for the rest of their lives, the sect would support them.

This was the Divine Weapon Valley's rule.

「Most of these retired old bastards are ignored—but their latent power is far from negligible…」

Li Yuan never underestimated anyone, especially these old bastards who had survived deadly battles and still walked away.

…

In the following days, Li Yuan's life was full.

Every day before dawn, he practiced the Soldier Body Hammer in the courtyard; at sunrise, he went to the Casting Valley to forge, and repaired the giant hammer, Eighty Thousand Li.

With his forging skill, minor damage meant nothing.

In the evening, he ate, soaked in medicinal baths, saw off Yu Xiang and the others, then used the 'Little Green Snake Fundamental Diagram' to further alter his constitution.

Perhaps due to repeated constitution alterations, though each change still brought unbearable pain, his progress was far faster than at the beginning.

Exhausted, Li Yuan swallowed an elixir, leaned against his bedhead, and read the books word by word, memorizing them silently.

He believed the essence of the Weapon Control Scroll lay in years of accumulated enhancement, eventually digesting all effects and fully integrating them into himself.

With the 'Casting Technique Beginner' enhancement active, Li Yuan devoured knowledge like a starving man, advancing rapidly.

「Senior Brother Li! 」

That day, as Li Yuan stepped outside, an outer sect disciple hurried over and bowed deeply.

「Chief Elder Sun has returned and sent me to notify you. 」

「Elder Sun is back? 」

Li Yuan's eyes brightened slightly.

He had yet to fully claim his true disciple rewards—fields, shops, estates, mines—all managed by Liu Zheng.

He didn't need the Jiao Horse for now; leaving it in the stable saved on fodder.

As for the famed weapons, inner armor, Six-Spirit Boots, and three Small Return Pills for Spirit Storage—he had to personally retrieve them from the Divine Weapon Pavilion.

He'd gone once before, but Chief Elder Sun Zan was away, so he'd delayed until now.

「Thank you, Younger Brother! 」

Li Yuan had been waiting for these rewards for a long time—he immediately followed the disciple to the Divine Weapon Pavilion.

The security at the Divine Weapon Pavilion was even stricter than at the Scripture Tower; squads of armored disciples patrolled from afar, and hidden sentries seemed to lurk everywhere.

「Young Master Shao? 」

From afar, Li Yuan spotted Shao Fangbai, whose face stiffened slightly as he bowed:

「Senior Brother Li. 」

「What brings you here, Young Master Shao? 」

Li Yuan noticed the travel pack on his back and felt surprised.

Shao Fangbai came from the Bai family—immensely wealthy; he wouldn't risk a mission for elixirs or silver.

「Several junior brothers were found murdered and dumped in the Grand Canal; Elders dispatched teams to investigate—I'm one of them. 」

Shao Fangbai's face was expressionless; he said nothing more and walked off quickly.

「Another disciple killed? 」

Li Yuan frowned slightly—this had happened at least four or five times recently.

Given the Divine Weapon Valley's status and power in the Coiled Dragon Prefecture, this was clearly abnormal…

「Li Yuan? 」

From a small courtyard beside the Divine Weapon Pavilion stepped an elderly man with a goatee, refined and scholarly.

「Chief Elder Sun. 」

Li Yuan bowed.

The Divine Weapon Pavilion was a core sect location; its chief held immense authority.

Though this man had not yet opened his meridians, he was the younger brother-in-law of the Valley Lord, Gongyang Yu.

All inner and outer sect Elders and true disciples owed him deference.

「No need to go to the Divine Weapon Pavilion—I've already collected your rewards for you! 」

Chief Elder Sun smiled and invited him into the courtyard.

「Collected for me? 」

Li Yuan frowned.

The Divine Weapon Pavilion held mostly famed weapons, but even famed weapons varied in quality—and the sect's official rewards were never collected by proxy.

He narrowed his eyes slightly but said nothing, following the man into the courtyard.

The courtyard was large, with three inner courtyards; the outermost one held six unknown fruit trees, now bearing fist-sized green, unripe fruits.

「I've long heard of a Dragon-Form True Disciple emerging in the Valley—today I see you, and your reputation is well deserved! 」

The Elder Sun smiled warmly, inviting Li Yuan inside, then picked up a teapot and poured tea for both of them.

"My tea is made from premium bamboo leaves grown in the mountains—one liang of tea costs one liang of gold. Try it, how does it taste?"

Elder Sun offered generous hospitality; Li Yuan smiled, took the teacup, and praised it lavishly.

"Dragon-bone constitution! In seventy years within the valley, I've never seen a disciple with such talent—it fills me with envy!"

Sun Zan heaped praise upon him, yet seemed to have forgotten the real purpose of the visit.

'What is this old man up to?'

Li Yuan's heart grew cold. Since Sun Zan didn't mention any reward, Li Yuan said nothing either, circling around the topic while casually inquiring about affairs inside and outside the valley, within and beyond the county seat.

"I've heard the Valley Lord possesses a batch of Snow-Treading Crimson Dragon Horses, worth a thousand taels of silver…"

"By the way, Elder, do you know what past grievances my master had with Elder Jing?"

"Elder Kuyue… Elder Qiu…"

Sun Zan's eyelid twitched; he grew uneasy. Why did this boy keep probing into others' private affairs?

He knew these things, but if he spoke them aloud, wouldn't he be beaten to death at his own door?

"Cough! Cough!"

Sun Zan cleared his throat lightly. "We've strayed too far. We've strayed too far."

"Elder, I must confess—I'm quite curious about these matters. By the way, I've heard that when the Valley Lord was young…"

"Cough! Cough!"

Sun Zan nearly choked and hurriedly interrupted:

"Actually, in a few days, I'm hosting a banquet at the Hundred Flavors Pavilion in the county seat to celebrate my sixtieth birthday. I wonder…"

Sixtieth birthday?

Li Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly, then smiled and agreed: "I would be honored to attend, Elder!"

Was he being asked to bring a gift?

Li Yuan reconsidered—it didn't feel right.

With Sun Zan's status and position, he wouldn't care about a few taels of silver from a gift…

"Oh dear!"

Sun Zan slapped his forehead in frustration:

"I'm getting old—my memory's failing me. I nearly forgot the real reason for this visit!"

He stepped into the inner chamber and returned shortly, carrying a heavy hammer. The beautiful woman followed, holding a tray with a breastplate, boots, and a vial of elixir.

"This hammer?"

Li Yuan had assumed it was ordinary, but one glance startled him.

The heavy hammer stood as tall as a man, entirely dark blue-black, etched with intricate, fluid patterns—massive yet not bulky.

He reached out and took it, giving it a light heft—immediately satisfied.

【Mixed Gold Great Xiyi Hammer (Fourth Rank)】

【Main material: Crimson Secret White Jade, mixed with various metals, quenched in the blood of a hundred beasts—massive yet not unwieldy…】

【Requirements for Mastery: Any Upper-Grade Hammer Art perfected, Middle-Grade Hammer Art fully mastered, Lower-Grade Hammer Art fully perfected, Bear-Tiger Strength】

【Mastery Effects: Hammer Talent (Pale Yellow), Weight of a Thousand Jun (Deep Cyan), Body Talent (Pale Yellow)】

This hammer already bore the aura of a high-grade famed weapon; had its materials been superior and its tempering more refined, it would have been one!

Li Yuan weighed it lightly in his hand—he already knew: this hammer could still be reforged.

"

"This hammer was carefully selected by me. What do you think?"

Sun Zan stroked his goatee and smiled: "Is it comfortable to wield?"

"Thank you, Elder Sun!"

Li Yuan suspected Sun Zan had ulterior motives, but the hammer truly suited him—he bowed respectfully in thanks.

"Then I'm relieved."

Sun Zan nodded, lifting his teacup.

Li Yuan bowed, took the items from the tray, and left carrying the heavy hammer.

As he passed through the courtyard gate, his peripheral vision swept toward the neighboring rooms.

After his Battle Scroll advanced to Fifth Rank, his perception range expanded greatly—when he focused, walls offered no barrier.

A casual glance revealed a corner of pale yellow.

【Slayer's Blade (Fifth Rank)】

【Main material: Thousand-year Fiery Essence Metal, blended with dozens of irons, quenched hundreds of times, forged by a Master Artisan, stained with dozens of human bloods—now imbued with spiritual anomalies…】

【Requirements for Mastery: Five-Color Void-Cutting Blade Minor, Celestial Star Blade Fully Perfected, Azure Sea Void-Cutting Blade Mastered, Black Tortoise Blade Mastered】

【Mastery Effects: Blade Talent (Deep Cyan), Armor-Piercing Sharpness (Pale Cyan), Unbreakable (Pale Cyan), Five-Color Void-Cutting Blade Fully Perfected (Yellow)】

Pale yellow—high-grade famed weapon. Five-Color Void-Cutting Blade…

"That blade."

Li Yuan's heart tightened. After a brief pause, he stepped forward and left:

"Shi Hong…"

…

Huh!

o￠o

As soon as Li Yuan left, Sun Zan clutched his chest, trembling with pain:

"My heart's treasure…"

That hammer was a gem among famed weapons—worth at least fifteen hundred taels of silver.

The beautiful woman was about to speak when she suddenly bent low: "Young Valley Lord!"

"It's just one famed weapon. If Elder Sun can't bear to part with it, Shi will buy it outright."

Shi Hong stepped into the room.

"We're family—why speak as if we're strangers?"

Sun Zan rose to greet him, invited him to sit, and poured tea for him personally: "If the Young Valley Lord wishes to see him, a single word would suffice—he'd never dare refuse. Why then…"

Shi Hong smiled without answering, merely glancing at the beautiful woman. She immediately retrieved a scroll from a nearby bookshelf:

"This is the newly released 'Talents List' from Yunshu Pavilion…"

Shi Hong's expression turned serious. He spoke gravely: "Have you determined where this list originated?"

"The Yunshu Pavilion only said a passing merchant sold it to them. As for who that merchant was or where he came from—no one knows…"

"No one knows."

Shi Hong's face darkened.

This list had emerged barely over half a month ago, yet it had already shaken the entire Zhelong Prefecture—beneath the uproar lay the blood of nine elite inner-disciples.

"The one who compiled this list must be connected to the killer!"

Sun Zan said solemnly:

"The Surveillance Hall's disciples are hunting the merchant. Results should come soon."

In the past half-month, inner-disciples had been killed one after another; the Dragon's Nest Valley had been thrown into chaos, with Elders dispatched to capture the killer—yet found nothing.

The only possible lead was this Talents List.

Because the order in which the nine disciples were killed matched their ranking on the list—

From lowest to highest…

"In half a month, nine elite inner-disciples slain, yet not a single clue left behind…"

Shi Hong lightly tapped the so-called Talents List:

"To openly hunt and kill our sect's disciples like this—this fiend must die. He must be killed!"

"He must die!"

Sun Zan nodded vigorously, then accidentally glanced at the open Talents List—and saw a familiar name.

"This…"

His heart jolted—he remembered his own birthday banquet…

Is the Young Valley Lord truly trying to win over Li Yuan?

…

…

"Shi Hong…"

Inside the forge, hammer strikes rang thick and fast. Li Yuan swung his hammer, frowning slightly, still lost in thought.

After the True Disciple Ceremony, he'd met Shi Hong several times—the latter's attitude had changed noticeably, as if his hostility had faded.

But Shi Hong had clearly been present today—and yet hadn't shown himself…

"Sun Zan doesn't have the courage to openly murder a True Disciple… but this banquet…"

After pondering for a long while with no clarity, Li Yuan gave up thinking—and made his decision.

Whatever you're planning, that damned banquet? The Daoist won't go!

"Brother Li!"

At that moment, someone called out. Zhu Chen stood at the forge entrance, waving.

"Eighty thousand li, eighty thousand li—he wants to see you..."

"Hmm!"

Li Yuan responded, but still finished forging the piece of refined iron.

He picked up the repaired Thunder-Beating Golden Mallet and hurried after Zhu Chen.