Chapter 25 Hiding One’s Abilities
“You want to custom-make a sword?! Are you sure?”
Zhu Kangsheng frowned slightly when Han Zhao had come looking for him. He thought that Han Zhao wanted to change to a better saber, but he didn’t expect him to ask for a sword.
Han Zhao understood what Zhu Kangsheng was worried about. He patted Zhu Kangsheng’s shoulder and said seriously, “Don’t worry. I’ll only fulfill my promise in advance. I won’t delay it. The sword technique is also to increase my trump card. I’ll only tell you about this. Don’t tell anyone else.”
“I understand.” Zhu Kangsheng felt relieved when he saw Han Zhao’s confident expression.
With Han Zhao’s exaggerated aptitude, it didn’t seem to be a problem for him to practice another sword technique.
Moreover, he could not find another person who was capable and willing to help him.
“Do the math. How much is it?” Han Zhao continued.
“There’s no need. Leave it to me,” Zhu Kangsheng said seriously.
“Alright.” Han Zhao didn’t stand on ceremony with him. After all, if his strength increased, he could complete the transaction faster.
“Brother Han, how about this? I’ll forge a saber and a sword for you first. When you complete our deal, I’ll reforge the saber and sword for you,” Zhu Kangsheng continued.
“It’s just that in this way, when you finally reforge it, the quality will be lower than reforging just one weapon. After all, even if I spend my life’s work and materials, it’s not enough to forge two high-quality weapons for you.”
“Is that so?” Han Zhao frowned slightly. It was really difficult for him to choose one out of two.
The Sword Accumulation Technique did not have strict requirements for sword nurturing. However, the higher the quality of the sword, the better the effect of the sword nurturing and the stronger the power of the sword. He did not want to lose in terms of weapon quality one day.
Thinking of this, he asked, “What if I gather the materials for you? Is that okay?”
“Then there’s no big problem.” Zhu Kangsheng nodded. “Please collect more black gold. This will ensure the quality of the final reforging. I can prepare all the other materials, but I can’t afford this black gold.”
Black gold was a relatively precious forging material. It could increase the strength and toughness of weapons. Some martial artists who were good at fist and palm techniques would buy gloves mixed with black gold if they had money. It was not a problem for them to fight against swords.
Generally speaking, one tael of gold could only buy one tael of black gold. This was the lowest price in the market.
“I’ll think of a way to collect black gold.” Han Xiao said.
Although it was a deal, he would not make things difficult for Zhu Kangsheng. After all, it was a weapon that he wanted to use.
“How many catties of black gold do you need?” Han Zhao added.
“It depends on how heavy and long your sword is,” Zhu Kangsheng replied.
“That’s true. I almost forgot.” Han Zhao took out the sketch of the saber he needed. He still liked sabers that looked like the Tang saber. They were easy to use and comfortable to look at.
He was not interested in fancy stuff like machetes and nine-ringed sabers. As long as the material was good enough, the shape of the saber would not affect him much.
Zhu Kangsheng took the blueprint and looked at it carefully. The drawing was not bad. It had a clear range of requirements for length, width, and weight. This also reduced the trouble for him to forge.
Although Han Zhao was not a weapon enthusiast in his previous life, he liked to watch martial arts dramas and watch highlights of intense battles.
He had even bought a Tang saber and a Tang Dynasty Warrior suit to satisfy his cravings. However, he was tired after playing with a sword that weighed more than three pounds. Now, the four-pound Frost Saber was like a toy to him. It was too light.
After breaking through to the Bone Tempering Realm, coupled with the increase in the special effect of the Life Nurturing Technique, the strength of his arm was already close to 150 kilograms.
The largest stone lock in the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy was close to 150 kilograms. According to Lu Yi, it was for Blood Tempering Realm martial artists to train.
Han Zhao had secretly tried it before. He could move if he used his full strength. Now, he could probably move easily. Using all his strength to move something that weighed 150 kilograms was not the same as doing it casually.
“You want a weapon that weighs 20 catties?!”
Zhu Kangsheng was stunned when he realized that there was a ‘o’ behind the ‘2’.
“I need it in the future, but you can forge a sword and saber that weighs seven to eight catties for now. Is it difficult?” Han Xiao asked.
He had to at least wait until he reached the Blood Tempering Realm or the Life Nurturing Technique broke through to the Third Level before dealing with the Flying Dragon Stockade. At that time, his arm strength would probably exceed 500 catties. Therefore, a knife weighing 20 to 30 catties was more suitable for him.
“That’s not a problem.” Zhu Kangsheng nodded with a hesitant expression. “It’s just that this way, you have to prepare at least 15 kilograms of black gold. In such a short period of time…”
It wasn’t that he didn’t believe that Han Zhao could improve further in two to three years, but to buy 30 catties of black gold, he needed at least 60 catties of gold, which was 600 taels of gold and 6,000 taels of silver.
In the previous dynasty, an Emperor of Great Qin had modified the Weights and Measures system, changing one catty to sixteen taels of silver to ten taels of silver per catty. In the current Wei, Chu, and Qi countries, sixty catties of gold was exactly six thousand taels of silver.
This number could only be taken out by a Force Tempering Martial Master or a noble.
“Don’t worry. Forge it for me first. I’ll think of a way to solve the other matters.” Han Zhao smiled. As his strength increased, his ability to earn money would naturally increase.
“Alright, I’ll forge a sword for you first. I don’t forge many swords. Come and get the sword in three months and the saber in two months.” After receiving Han Zhao’s guarantee, Zhu Kangsheng didn’t say anything else.
Originally, he would only reforge the saber and sword for Han Zhao after the transaction ended. When the reforging was completed, he would die.
The reason why he cared so much was that he wanted to be a blacksmith for his entire life. He wanted his final work to be as perfect as possible so that his life would not be in vain.
“In that case, I’ll leave it to you! Manor Master Zhu.”
Han Zhao cupped his fists and said solemnly.
Following that, he discussed the details of the saber and sword with Zhu Kangsheng and only returned to Blackrock City in the evening.
Five days later.
In the morning.
Han Zhao stood in the courtyard and used the Frost Saber to practice the Sword Drawing Technique.
Although the Sword Drawing Technique was not difficult and its power depended almost entirely on the completion rate of the sword nurturing, Han Zhao would not discount it if it was perfect.
When doing anything, if a person slacked off 1% today, they would slack off 2% tomorrow.
One day, they won’t want to do anything.
Either he didn’t do it, or he did it to the extreme.
This was his way of doing things.
Just like that, Han Zhao practiced until noon. Martial Arts: Bone Shrinking Technique (Perfection 40%, Upgradeable), Mountain Splitting Saber Technique (Second Level Entry Level 26%, Upgradeable), Sword Drawing Technique (Entry Level 56%, Upgradeable) Looking at the cultivation progress on the system interface, Han Zhao smiled.
In the past two months, his Bone Shrinking Technique had taken another big step toward perfection. He did not know if it was because of the effect of the term “Basic Master”. The Mountain Splitting Saber Technique also increased by 21% during this period of time. It was much slower than when he was at the First Level, but this was only the result of comparing it with himself. Later, he would look for Lu Yi and learn the complete content of the Second Level.
As for the Sword Drawing Technique, he had cultivated it to this extent in five days. His progress was very fast. “The Sword Drawing Technique should be considered a basic cultivation method, right?” Han Zhao thought to himself.
He put away the Frost Saber and went out. It was almost lunchtime. He had not eaten for a long time. He should be very happy to bring Lu Yi good news today.
Thinking of this, he quickened his pace and quickly arrived at the martial arts school. During the lunch break, many apprentices went home to eat. Those who were rich went to eat together.
“Han Zhao.”
“Han, what have you been doing recently?”
“You haven’t been here for a long time?” When they saw Han Zhao, who had not been here for nearly two months, a group of people went forward to greet him. Some of them came because they had a good relationship with him, while others came because of his relationship with Zhao Yuantu.
However, most people chose to ignore it. Other than the fact that they were not familiar with each other, it was also because Han Zhao did not have a good relationship with Zhang Tianwen, a descendant of a large family, so it was better to avoid trouble.
Han Zhao greeted him with a smile and asked if Lu Yi was around before quickly entering the martial arts school.
As soon as he entered the inner courtyard, he saw Xu Ling and Su Yun practicing. Zhang Tianwen was not around.
“Han Zhao, you’re finally here.” Xu Ling stopped.
“Senior Sister Xu, Senior Sister Su.” Han Zhao cupped his fists and said, “I have something to discuss with Master Lu. I’ll take my leave first.” With that, he headed straight for the kitchen at the back.
“Huh?” Xu Ling opened her mouth. She was about to ask Han Zhao to eat the haggis soup with her! Seeing this, Su Yun sighed in her heart. Her good friend might not only treat Han Zhao as a fellow disciple, but it was hard to say such things. If she said too much, it would seem like she was sowing discord.
However, Han Zhao was too mediocre and not a good match.
In today’s world, strength and background ultimately spoke for themselves.
“Creak!”
Han Zhao pushed open the kitchen door.
Lu Yi was drinking wine and eating a table full of dishes alone.
Han Zhao looked outside and closed the door tightly. He bowed and said, “Teacher Lu.”
“You’re willing to come back?” Lu Yi’s tone was calm. He picked up a peanut and put it into his mouth. “Have you earned enough money?” Han Zhao said seriously, “I broke through.”
“Yes, you’ve broken through.” Lu Yi nodded. He chewed on the peanuts and raised his glass.
“I broke through to the Bone Tempering Realm,” Han Zhao added.
Clang-!
The wine glass in Lu Yi’s hand fell on the table, and the wine spilled on his silk clothes. However, he did not care at all. He stood up abruptly, and the bench dragged on the floor with an ear-piercing sound. However, his own voice was louder. “What did you just say?!”
“I felt that I had reached a bottleneck some time ago, so I went out to take on some private work to earn money. Recently, I’ve eaten more good things. When I woke up this morning to practice my saber techniques, I naturally broke through.” Han Zhao walked forward and whispered, “Please keep it a secret for me, Teacher Lu.”
When Lu Yi heard this, he suddenly punched out at Han Zhao’s chest.
Han Zhao was shocked. He held the scabbard and turned around to block.
Step! Step!
An invisible force was transmitted through the scabbard. Han Zhao took three steps back before stabilizing himself.
Although this power contained a domineering might, it did not cause any substantial damage to him.
Was this Internal Force? “Teacher Lu, isn’t this too much? Why did you ambush me?” Han Zhao smiled and said, “What if I can’t take it?”
“Even if you haven’t reached the Bone Realm, this Internal Force can’t hurt you. At most, it will hurt your chest for Tempering two days.” Lu Yi snorted, but the joy on his face could not be concealed. He strode to Han Zhao’s side and rolled up his sleeves. Han Zhao’s arm was muscular and red. It was the external manifestation of his full strength after cultivating the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique to the Bone Tempering Realm. Good! Good!” After confirming again, “Good! Lu Yi said “good” three times in a row.
“Teacher Lu, please keep it a secret for me and hide it for a while.” Han Zhao cupped his fists.
Lu Yi took a deep look at Han Zhao and scolded jokingly, “You’re really very shrewd!”
He understood what Han Zhao meant. He had broken through to the Bone Tempering Realm in less than a year and a half of saber practice. All the major factions would fight for this talent. If Han Zhao did not handle it well, he might offend some people he could not afford to offend.
However, if he was exposed half a year later, would drop from genius to his evaluation outstanding.
Many large factions would want him, but they would not fight for it.
Although Han Zhao’s background is ordinary and his foundation is inferior, his comprehension and temperament are indeed extraordinary. At this moment, Lu Yi, who originally wanted to retire peacefully, had the intention to take in a true disciple.
This was not the kind of apprentice relationship where one had to pay, but the final disciple who would inherit the mantle. “Don’t worry, only the two of us know about this. It’s up to you whether you want to tell Yuantu.” After pondering for a moment, Lu Yi prepared to observe Han Zhao more.
After all, this was no small matter. Sometimes, smart people were more realistic and cold-blooded.
“Thank you, Teacher Lu.” Han Zhao bowed respectfully.
“Follow me to my room.” Lu Yi continued, “With your comprehension, you can come into contact with the basic diagram of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique in advance.”
“Alright!”
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