"A renowned weapon master in Wanshou County? Why do you ask?"
Song Linqing, who was having breakfast the next morning, asked with some surprise.
"Oh, I accidentally lost my saber in Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain, so I’m planning to find a weapon master to forge me a new one."
Zhao Ya naturally wouldn’t say that the Meteorite Iron Saber had shattered into pieces, so he used the excuse of losing it.
"I see, then you’ve asked the right person. The most famous thing in Wanshou County is the master craftsmen who forge weapons and armor. Our Song family alone has several renowned armor forgers."
"However, if you’re looking to forge a weapon, I recommend you find a good craftsman outside. For example, Xie Yuan, Master Xie, who has gained fame in recent years, is quite good. But there are too many people seeking him to forge weapons, so you’d have to wait at least a year."
Naturally, Zhao Ya couldn’t wait that long.
In his planned schedule, he intended to stay in Wanshou County for no more than ten days.
Now, four days had already passed, meaning he only had six days left to wait.
"No need to make it so complicated; just find an unknown craftsman to forge one urgently for me."
At this Realm, Zhao Ya wasn’t that picky about weapons anymore.
As long as the quality was superior, it didn’t matter if it was crafted by a famous master or not.
"If that’s the case, your options will be much wider. How about this: I happen to need to enter the city these few days, so I’ll accompany you for a trip." Song Linqing said.
"Alright."
With the friendship between Zhao Ya and Song Linqing, there was no need for any polite words.
After finishing breakfast, Song Linqing tidied up a bit and then went with Zhao Ya towards Wanshou County.
Besides the two of them, there were also Song Peiwan and Zui’Er, and besides them, Tan Dong.
The last time at Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain was too dangerous, so Zhao Ya didn’t bring anyone, and Tan Dong naturally didn’t dare to say anything about it.
But this time going to the Commandery, Tan Dong naturally had to follow.
Along the way, Tan Dong was very excited, riding his horse and turning around non-stop, sometimes coming to say a few words to Zhao Ya, and then running to the front saying he wanted to scout.
Zhao Ya couldn’t be bothered to manage him.
It’s about a hundred miles from Danfeng Town to the Commandery of Wanshou County. If Zhao Ya went alone, he’d arrive in at most an hour.
But due to the larger party this time, the speed was much slower.
They started in the morning and only arrived at the Commandery of Wanshou County by the afternoon when the sun was nearly setting.
Song Linqing, knowing the place well, led the group to settle in a house he had bought in the city.
Then he took Zhao Ya and Tan Dong to the Weapon Workshop of Wanshou County.
As a specialty industry of Wanshou County, this place attracted many merchants daily.
Even in an era where transportation was nearly cut off, business here not only wasn’t affected but thrived even more.
Song Linqing led Zhao Ya to the most bustling and lively weapon street, introducing as they walked.
"Don’t be deceived by these inconspicuous street shops; each has a deep background and backers. Otherwise, they couldn’t operate here, and their daily revenue is astonishing, like this one."
Song Linqing raised his hand and pointed at a shop with a variety of guns hanging at the entrance.
"This shop specializing in firearms sells at least a few hundred a day, and sometimes large clients order a thousand at a time."
As he spoke, a trace of envy flickered in Song Linqing’s eyes.
"This is real business. Compared to this, my Danfeng Town falls short."
But Song Linqing only sighed once, then said seriously, "However, the weapons sold on this street are mass-produced by craftsmen. They are cheap and abundant, but the quality is average."
"If you want a custom-made weapon, you need to go to Quenching Street."
The Weapon Workshop of Wanshou County is interesting; the streets are named after weapon forging processes.
Such as Forging Alley, Polishing Alley, etc.
This time, Song Linqing led Zhao Ya to Quenching Street, specializing in custom-made weapons.
Meanwhile, as Zhao Ya followed Song Linqing to Quenching Street, in a residence in Wanshou County, a dark-skinned, plain-looking, even somewhat ugly man walked in quickly.
As he walked, he shouted, "Second Uncle, Second Uncle!"
Song Yuanrui, who was drinking tea and reading in his study, frowned slightly upon hearing it.
He hated being disturbed while reading.
But there was no choice; the visitor was his wife’s nephew. Even for his wife’s sake, Song Yuanrui couldn’t get angry.
"Stop shouting, I’m here."
Upon hearing this, the man quickly walked into the study, his face full of excitement, and said, "Second Uncle, I just got news that Song Linqing came to the city with his sister."
"Oh? Both Song Linqing and his sister came?" Song Yuanrui put down his teacup and asked with interest.
"Yes, I’ve had people discreetly monitoring the activities in their city residence. Today, I sent someone who saw them moving into that house." Pu Jujian said.
"You’ve been quite meticulous, so how do you plan to proceed?" Song Yuanrui asked.
"What else can I do? Naturally, I should quickly propose marriage." Pu Jujian said impatiently.
Song Yuanrui shook his head secretly.
Last time, he put his face aside and sent a letter to Song Linqing, which disappeared without a trace.
Song Yuanrui understood the siblings’ attitudes back then.
If it were up to Song Yuanrui, he’d leave the matter as it was.
After all, belonging to the same Song Clan, being too shameless might lead to gossip from others.
But his wife adored her nephew, and this Pu Jujian was fixated on marrying Song Peiwan.
He could only let it be.
Seeing his nephew say this, Song Yuanrui had to say, "In that case, find your aunt in the back residence later, and let her take you there personally tomorrow."
"Alright." Pu Jujian said and immediately turned to leave.
"Wait a moment."
"What’s wrong, Second Uncle?"
"Take this money and go buy yourself two sets of new clothes later. Clean yourself up, don’t be so messy."
"Thank you, Uncle." Pu Jujian took the silver and left happily.
Watching his back, Song Yuanrui sighed.
It wasn’t that he looked down on his nephew.
But just looking at his appearance, standing next to Song Linqing’s sister Song Peiwan, the comparison was simply too stark.
However, since he insists, let him try.
If it works out, great. If not, he will just have to give it up.
As for whether Song Linqing will be angry because of this...
To be honest, Song Yuanrui didn’t really care.
Even though Song Linqing managed Danfeng Town quite successfully over the past two years, the foundation was still too weak.
Moreover, his sister is bound to marry sooner or later. It’s just a "friendly" suggestion for marriage, nothing more.
Song Yuanrui continued to drink his tea contentedly.
Meanwhile, on Quenching Street, an elderly craftsman with gray hair brought a clay board closer.
"Young hero, please grip this piece of adhesive clay with your knife-holding hand."
Zhao Ya did as instructed.
Then the elderly craftsman carefully measured Zhao Ya’s arm length, wrist width, and other data.
Curious, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but ask, "Are you making a mold?"
"Exactly, young hero, well spotted. You see, everyone’s palm shape and arm length are different, which causes subtle differences when holding a knife."
"Although these differences are trivial for most people, once one’s skill reaches a certain level, even the smallest difference can lead to entirely different outcomes."
"That’s why I’m measuring everything meticulously, to craft a knife that suits you best," the elderly craftsman said earnestly.
Zhao Ya couldn’t help but feel some admiration.
This is what professionalism is!
Compared to the Iron Forging Manor he saw in Yunxiao County, it’s far inferior.
But while the craftsmanship is excellent, the price is indeed high, especially since Zhao Ya requested it to be expedited within five days, which increased the cost substantially.
The deposit alone was ten thousand, and upon completion, another twenty thousand.
Altogether, thirty thousand in gold could forge a knife made entirely of gold.
Yet Zhao Ya didn’t feel it was expensive.
When he bought dried meat, the cost was tens of thousands in gold, and the Treasure Weapon itself is valuable, making it genuinely worthwhile for customization.
Of course, he couldn’t let Song Linqing foot the bill. After quickly paying the deposit, Zhao Ya stepped outside.
Tan Dong followed, looking amazed.
"Brother Zhao, you just handed over such a thick stack of gold notes?"
"What else?" Zhao Ya chuckled.
"Brother Zhao, I’m your long-lost brother from a different father and mother," Tan Dong said exaggeratedly.
Zhao Ya laughed heartily and kicked Tan Dong’s behind.
"Get lost!"
Song Linqing smiled from behind, suddenly feeling as if he had returned to Wuxiang City in Yunxiao County.
At this moment, the once-bustling street suddenly fell silent, followed by a parade wearing colorful cloaks passing through the streets. People avoided them as if fearing them.
"It’s the Five Poison Sect. Their activities have become more frequent over the past year, and their influence in Wanshou County has been growing. Many factions have joined them, but what exactly they intend to do is unknown," Song Linqing sighed softly.
Zhao Ya’s expression was calm, only a cold glimmer flashed in his eyes.
...
Yan Capital City, royal palace.
Today was originally a court meeting day, but since taking the Dragon and Tiger Yang Transformation Pill gifted by Wei Tianlin, Yan Tingshan’s "interest" surged, and he paid no mind to attending court.
After exhausting himself for a whole day, by evening, Yan Tingshan finally felt a bit tired.
He lay on the bed, breathing heavily, feeling sweat streaming down, yet his body and mind felt perfectly relaxed.
"Beauty, are you satisfied?" Yan Tingshan chuckled.
Feng Rong responded with a charming smile, "I am, Your Majesty, truly exudes dragon vigor."
"Hahaha, this is just the beginning. Later, I shall fight three hundred rounds with you again."
"Attend me!" Yan Tingshan shouted.
Soon, someone brought ginseng tea and a delicate little box.
Yan Tingshan gulped down the ginseng tea in one go, then eagerly opened the box, popping the quail egg-sized elixir into his mouth.
Moments later, Yan Tingshan’s face flushed red, and his hands couldn’t help but start rubbing together.
"Beauty, I..."
But right then, Yan Tingshan’s body suddenly stiffened, he opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood, then fell onto the Dragon Bed, passing out.
Watching this scene, Feng Rong’s foxy eyes showed a hint of delight.
Her efforts over the past few days were not in vain, the Emperor of Great Yan finally couldn’t hold up and collapsed critically ill.
Very quickly, however, she feigned panic and shouted loudly.
"Come... someone, the Emperor has fallen ill!"
In an instant, the entire Great Yan royal palace was in an uproar.
And soon, the news of Yan Tingshan suddenly collapsing and fainting spread throughout Yan Capital City.