Chapter 67: Forging a Blade
Countless eyes were fixed on the fighting stage. With an expressionless face, Liang Cheng tore off a strip from his clothing and hastily bandaged the wound on his shoulder.
As his Iron Armor Realm’s Qi Blood circulated, the bleeding gradually stopped.
His calm gaze swept over the crowd below the stage, finally landing on the Xu Family’s seating area. When Xu Zhang met his eyes, his face turned grim, but he ultimately remained silent.
Shen Wenqing gave Liang Cheng a long, meaningful look before personally handing the A-Class Commerce Association Token to Chen Bainian. His voice was steady. "Congratulations, Landlord Chen."
Chen Bainian accepted it with trembling hands. "Thank you, Chairman Shen."
The ceremony was brief. An A-Class designation for a Commerce Association was no empty title. It meant a higher line of credit, better supply channels, and the right to purchase certain special resources.
These were all tangible benefits.
Liang Cheng leaped down from the high stage. Chen Bainian rushed to meet him, bowing solemnly. "Honored Guest Elder Liang, words cannot express my gratitude. From now on, the Chen’s Trading Company will be your staunchest backer."
"Landlord Chen, you exaggerate." The wound on Liang Cheng’s left shoulder had already begun to slowly close. The defensive power of the Iron Armor Realm was truly astonishing.
From a short distance away, Wang Qini’an walked over, wreathed in smiles. "Young Master Liang, your incredible prowess today was truly admirable. The Wang Family is still holding that batch of Meteorite Iron for you. There’s no rush regarding the Honored Guest Elder position. The doors of the Wang Family will always be open to you."
This was an attempt to poach him right in front of Chen Bainian.
Chen Bainian’s expression flickered, but he didn’t speak. Instead, he took a step back to give Liang Cheng and Wang Qini’an space to talk.
Liang Cheng cupped his fist in his hand. "I appreciate the generous offer, Shopkeeper Wang, but as I have already accepted Landlord Chen’s patronage, I must see things through."
Wang Qini’an’s smile didn’t waver. "Of course, of course. I am merely expressing my goodwill. You are free to change your mind at any time, Young Master."
Wang Qini’an added with a grin, "As for that batch of Meteorite Iron, I’ll have it delivered to you tomorrow, Young Master. Free of charge. Consider it a gesture of friendship."
Just as Liang Cheng was about to speak, Chen Bainian cut in. "Rest assured, Shopkeeper Wang. I will be sure to pay the full value for the Meteorite Iron."
After speaking, Chen Bainian looked at Liang Cheng, his eyes filled with gratitude. Seeing this, Wang Qini’an smiled and departed.
Just then, Lu Qingzhou came over. He looked Liang Cheng up and down, then let out a sigh. "Junior Brother Liang, I underestimated you."
"You flatter me, Senior Brother. I was just lucky to win by a single move."
By now, the fighting stage had been cleaned. Shen Wenqing approached with a beaming smile. "I’ve long heard the Martial Arts Academy produced an extraordinary disciple. Having seen you today, I can confirm you are truly a young prodigy."
Chen Bainian quickly made introductions from the side. "This is Chairman Shen Wenqing of the Commerce Association," he said, before adding in a whisper, "He and Special Envoy Shen Wenyuan are blood brothers."
Liang Cheng hurriedly paid his respects. After a brief chat, Shen Wenqing asked, "Young Master Liang, the Commerce Association is holding a banquet tonight. Care to join us for a drink?"
Liang Cheng cupped his fist. "Thank you for the kind invitation, Chairman. But since we’re on the same side, I’ll be direct. I’d like to return to the Martial Arts Academy to tend to my injuries first."
Shen Wenqing understood Liang Cheng’s meaning at once. His older brother, Shen Wenyuan, was Liang Cheng’s benefactor, which naturally put them on the same side. He couldn’t help but laugh heartily.
"How foolish of me. In that case, you should head back first, my dear nephew."
The form of address had changed so naturally; he was truly a smooth operator. At that moment, Lu Qingzhou stepped forward and offered to see Liang Cheng home.
The two returned to the Martial Arts Academy, where Lu Qingzhou gave Liang Cheng a pat on the back.
Without another word, they parted ways and returned to their respective courtyards.
...
「Xu Mansion—Secret Chamber」
Xu Zhi’s eyes were bloodshot, his face contorted with resentment. "Father, that bastard is getting stronger and stronger! Xu Qi died by his hand, yet he bided his time and did nothing. It shows how cunning he is. We can’t wait any longer!"
Xu Zhang’s voice was ice-cold. "Then what should we do? Even He Jiuyou died at his hands. Who below the True Qi Realm can possibly kill him?"
"What if we ask an Elder to make a move?"
At this, Xu Feng shook his head in refusal. "We can’t. Don’t be fooled by the Martial Arts Academy’s laissez-faire approach to its disciples. If a senior practitioner dares to bully a junior, they will show no mercy."
"Then what do we do?"
Xu Zhi was growing frantic, but Xu Feng remained composed. "A one-on-one fight in the open is out of the question," he said in a low voice. "So, we’ll use more people. As long as they aren’t True Qi Realm masters, it won’t cause a major incident even if things go wrong. After all, a dead genius is just a corpse."
"Then when do we strike?"
"Doesn’t he have an attachment in Linhai Town? The new year is approaching. A wanderer must always return home eventually."
A cold glint flashed in Xu Zhang’s eyes. "Then let’s not be hasty. Besides, we aren’t the only ones who want him dead. Tomorrow, I will personally pay a visit to the City Lord’s Mansion."
"Good. We’ll be counting on you, Second Uncle."
"And Zhi’Er," Xu Zhang added, "go to the Qiao Mansion again tomorrow and get closer to their daughter. This is no longer just about finding that object."
Xu Zhi’s eyes lit up. "I understand, Father."
...
「Wang’s Trading Company」
Wang Qini’an toyed with his teacup. "He Jiuyou is dead. That’s like severing one of Xu Zhang’s arms. This kid, Liang Cheng... he’s more ruthless and decisive than I anticipated."
The black-robed elder spoke. "It seems his temperament is too unyielding. I fear he will be difficult to control."
"No matter," Wang Qini’an said with a smile. "The sharper the blade, the more carefully it must be whetted. Tomorrow, you will personally deliver that batch of Meteorite Iron."
...
「The Martial Arts Academy」
Yan Song put down the battle report. "To kill He Jiuyou in public... his strength is astonishing. With such a heavy Evil Qi, perhaps he’d be a good fit for the Law Enforcement Hall in the future."
Lü Bingchen stroked his beard and chuckled. "In the struggle of the Martial Dao, when are there no deaths? I, on the other hand, think the boy has a solid foundation. He’s ruthless and decisive—a promising sapling.
"Send word to the major powers in the city: they can compete fairly, but if any seniors try to bully a junior, the Martial Arts Academy will not stand for it."
Yan Song nodded in agreement. "In that case, I’ll have Lu Qingzhou keep a closer eye on him. He doesn’t know all the rules, after all. We can’t let such a promising sapling grow crooked."
...
News of Liang Cheng slaying He Jiuyou in the arena spread like wildfire among the various powers of Lin Wu City.
The name of this seventeen-year-old disciple from the Martial Arts Academy was no longer merely that of a promising rookie. It now carried a fearsome reputation, officially putting him on the radar of every major power.
「Qiao Mansion」
Qiao Zhi excitedly grabbed her mother’s arm. "Mother! Did you hear? Senior Brother Liang killed even He Jiuyou! As long as he’s willing to fight for us, the Qiao Family can definitely regain its A-Class status in the Commerce Association!"
Madam Qiao flung her daughter’s hand away, her eyes tinged with disappointment and her tone severe. "Be quiet! What do you take him for? The Qiao Family’s hired muscle?"
"But he’s Father’s disciple! Isn’t it his duty to help us—"
"His duty?" Madam Qiao cut her off, her eyes filled with grim resolve. "Yang Wei left this house long ago. How much of a bond do you think remains between us?
"And are you capable of scheming against someone with the strength and ruthlessness Liang Cheng displayed today? Besides, he killed a member of the Xu Family and is already embroiled in their conflict. The Qiao Family is already in a precarious position. Do you want to drag us down with him and hasten our ruin?"
She looked at her daughter’s resentful, tear-filled eyes, and her tone softened. "Zhi’Er, some glory, once lost, is lost forever. What we should be seeking now is security, not a resurgence."
"Without strength of your own, ambition will only get you killed!"
"Mother!"
...
By the next day, the wound on Liang Cheng’s shoulder had mostly healed, leaving only a faint scar.
Chen Bainian personally delivered the eighteen catties of Meteorite Iron from the Wang Family, along with a silver banknote for three thousand taels. "The bill with the Wang Family has been settled. This is your payment. Please, Honored Guest Elder Liang, you must accept it."
Liang Cheng accepted it without ceremony. He then asked Lu Qingzhou to pass on a message, letting them know he would be taking the Meteorite Iron and Wujin to the Hundred Weapons Workshop in the west of the city that afternoon.
Qin Hongyu was already waiting at the entrance. She smiled the moment she saw him. "Junior Brother Liang, you’ve arrived! Your presence brightens our humble workshop!"
She led Liang Cheng inside, where her brother, Qin Huaiyu, and Elder Zhang were already waiting by the forge.
After inspecting the Meteorite Iron, Elder Zhang nodded. "This is all excellent material. Did you bring the Wujin from last time? Using the Ninefold Overburning Method, it will be ready in seven days. For the final step, you will quench the blade by infusing it with your own Qi Blood, making it indestructible."
"I brought it. I’ll leave everything in your hands, Master."
Qin Huaiyu led Liang Cheng to an outer room and handed him a cup of tea. "Rest assured, Young Master Liang. Return in seven days, and you will find a magnificent blade waiting for you."
Before his words had even faded, the muffled sounds of hammering echoed from the inner room.
One heavy, drawn-out strike after another.