Chapter 278 – A Few Strands of White Hair Give Rise to a Demonic Blade, Lofty Dreams are a Young Man’s Game - Part 3

Down below, Jing Banfeng and Cui Wuji had been listening for signs that Li Yuan’s forging was done. Once the noise died away, they flew up the mountain. The moment they saw Li Yuan, both stopped short in shock.

“Master Li...your hair...” Cui Wuji stammered.

Before the two stood the same young man, but streaks of white now threaded through his black hair, giving him a slightly aged look.

“It’s nothing,” Li Yuan rasped, raising a hand in dismissal. Then he turned to Jing Banfeng. “Clan Head, give it a try.”

“Uh, oh, alright. I was just going to hang it up for a while, let it build some resonance,” Jing Banfeng replied, well-versed in standard procedure for newly smithed spirit artifacts.

But Li Yuan only offered a faint smile. “No need. You can use it now.”

“Really?” Jing Banfeng asked in surprise. The moment he took the blade, that familiar sense of

blood bond

flared through him, plus something he couldn’t quite define.

To Li Yuan’s eyes, the overall combat power hovering over Jing Banfeng’s head shifted from 1,380~2,880 to 1,380~5,672. The lower bound hadn’t changed, but the upper limit had soared dramatically.

By comparison, Gu Xuejian, a deputy temple master at the peak of fifth rank with five strands of source blood, only measured 2,548~6,536.

Li Yuan suspected Jing Banfeng’s new ceiling was more of a brief, last-ditch eruption of power. And just at the moment of completely burning out, the blade would return all of Jing Banfeng’s spent strength, effectively resetting him to full capacity. One blow at that heightened state might be enough to finish off someone like Cui Wuji in an instant.

“Frightening... This blade is truly terrifying.” Jing Banfeng took a moment to explore the weapon’s powers, eventually giving voice to startled exclamations.

The shock in his eyes gave way to absolute delight, even awe.

“Master Li! Master Li!!” he cried out in joy, no longer able to contain himself. “Thank you! Thank you so much!”

His composure was entirely gone. He grew more and more overwhelmed as he realized just how fearsome this blade really was. Compared to it, the one forged by Master Gong might as well be a simple throwing dagger.

This spirit artifact...it was practically unparalleled!

“It’s better than even Deputy Gu’s sword, better than our clan’s ancestral weapon! I...I almost can’t believe it! Tell me I’m not dreaming!” Jing Banfeng exclaimed, feeling a rush of euphoria reminiscent of the day he had finally broken into fifth rank after countless trials and tribulations.

“Thank you, Master Li, truly...thank you.” Tears of excitement filled his eyes.

Standing nearby, Cui Wuji took one look at the sheathed blade, but it revealed nothing. “Clan Head Jing, unsheathe it.”

“No,” Jing Banfeng replied at once, like a child who’d received a precious toy.

Cui Wuji scowled. “Master Li is right here. Given how close he and I are, you really think he’d hide something from me? Besides, a spirit artifact’s abilities are always somewhat predictable. There’s no point trying to keep it under wraps.”

Only then did Jing Banfeng reluctantly draw the blade, revealing that messy, almost headache-inducing pattern etched into the edge.

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

“A demonic blade...” Cui Wuji declared flatly, then frowned. “But how did your blood end up forging a demonic blade? That shouldn’t be possible. Wait...what does it do?”

“...” Jing Banfeng remained silent, glancing at Li Yuan.

The young man simply rose to his feet, leaning on a wooden staff as he half-stumbled to the edge of the cliff. Gazing into the distance, he suddenly broke into a ringing laugh, as if he had finally attained the lofty height he’d been striving toward for so long.

“Hah! Hahaha...!”

The laughter brought Jing Banfeng and Cui Wuji to a halt...until it turned into a fit of coughing. Jing Banfeng ignored Cui Wuji’s questions, hurrying instead to Li Yuan’s side.

Once Li Yuan calmed, Jing Banfeng spoke to him with genuine respect and gratitude. “Master Li, I don’t even know how to repay you.”

Behind them, Cui Wuji was still calling, “What’s the blade’s power, exactly?”

Just then, Li Yuan staggered. Jing Banfeng stepped in to support him, a flicker of concern crossing his face. He had guessed how much of Li Yuan’s lifeblood and effort had gone into creating this weapon, but it wasn’t a surprise; this was what true weaponsmiths did.

And with the forging of this blade, Li Yuan’s status was now on par with Zhu Ban and Master Gong. He was a weaponsmith to be admired.

“Let’s get you home,” Jing Banfeng said softly.

Li Yuan lifted a trembling finger, pointing southward. “Home...” he murmured. Then his arm fell back to his side as though he’d let out a weary sigh. “Yes. Let’s go.”

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

The entire Jing Clan was in an uproar. Even the patriarch, Jing Baikou, was no exception.

“How is this possible?! That blade...that blade defies reason!”

“How did blood from someone in our Jing Clan create such a fearsome spirit artifact? I want one too!”

“Banfeng, you got a real bargain here.”

The news had also spread to the Gu faction, whose members were also deeply shocked.

“A demonic blade... Li Yuan’s actually forged such a terrifying demonic blade.”

“And yet, it seems to boost its wielder’s power considerably, and apparently without major drawbacks. Why else would Banfeng be so ecstatic? This is a huge deal for people like us. But why did it have to be Banfeng’s blade?”

“Right, he never goes out to fight... Won’t it just go to waste in his hands?”

Throughout the Holy Tree Temple’s city stronghold, many were talking about Li Yuan’s newest creation. Rumors flew everywhere, although, thanks to some effort at secrecy, most people only knew he had forged an extraordinarily powerful spirit artifact, not the exact details.

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

The following day.

Within an assembly hall inside the White Bamboo Hanging Bell Tower, the higher-ups of the Holy Tree Temple gathered. Those in attendance included patriarchs and heads of all six remaining clans. At the center sat Qing Hancehng, flanked by Gu Xuejian and Jing Baikou.

Everyone’s gaze focused on the blade Jing Banfeng held out before him.

All of a sudden, the blade rose into the air on its own, drifting gently toward Qing Hancheng as if lifted by some invisible force.

The assembly tensed. Such a

domain

ability belonged exclusively to fourth rank martial artists. It was also why fourth rank weapons possessed a spirit formation. But as of yet no weaponsmith had ever succeeded in forging one, at least none they knew of.

Qing Hancheng extended a hand, his two fingers brushing lightly against the blade, closing his eyes to sense the power within. After a while, he opened them again thoughtfully and declared, “This weapon is on par with Master Gong’s pinnacle work. Li Yuan truly is a genius!”

“Without a doubt, Temple Master,” Jing Banfeng spoke up. “But I fear the toll it took on him. When he emerged from the forge, he looked completely exhausted with several strands of his hair going white...”

Qing Hancheng replied, “Then have the Jing Clan prepare two banknotes, each worth 10,000 taels of Five Elements Gold. Present them to Master Li for his forging fee, and arrange for him to rest well.”

“Yes, Temple Master,” Jing Baikou answered.

“What about Jing Shuixiang, Xiang Hailou, and Gu Xie?” Qing Hancheng changed the topic and asked. “How are things going on that side? Any results?”

Jing Baikou answered, “It appears Jing Shuixiang came out on top. She’s currently consolidating her cultivation, so it seems she’s successfully broken into fifth rank.”

Qing Hancheng nodded. “Then she’ll be named an elder of the Holy Tree Temple.”

Jing Baikou hesitated. It was standard procedure for newly minted fifth rank martial artists to undergo various trials before being named an elder. So this was an unexpected favor from the temple master.

In a calm tone, Qing Hancheng added, “Inform her of two things. First, that her husband has forged a top-quality fifth rank spirit artifact; and second, that she’s been elevated to elder.”

“Yes, Temple Master!”

Suddenly recalling something, Qing Hancheng pressed a hand to his forehead and thought for a while.

“Right,” he said at last, “I promised Li Yuan two beast taming manuals, but I haven’t given them to him yet. Baikou, come find me later and remind me to hand them over.”

“Yes, Temple Master.”

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

That afternoon.

Li Yuan was sitting in the courtyard. Smithing weapons for the Holy Tree Temple was, in his own way, part of keeping things balanced. While friction between factions did exist within the temple, it was still more orderly than the Lotus Cult by a long shot. If it were up to him, he’d prefer a world run by powers like the Holy Tree Temple.

Just then, he heard footsteps from afar, getting faster and faster. Soon enough, a figure burst through the gate. A spirited young man with a headstrong air rushed over to Li Yuan and dropped to his knees.

“Dad! Are you all right!?” Ping’an cried out.

Li Yuan looked at his son. Somehow, the boy seemed taller and more mature. He reached out and ruffled his hair. “Feels like you’ve grown up all of a sudden.”

Raising his head, he glanced at Gu Xuejian, who was striding in a moment later.

“Deputy Gu,” Li Yuan greeted, “still in white and as poised as ever.”

“Not as dashing as you.” Gu Xuejian sat beside him and smiled. Here,

dashing

referred to his recent success in weaponsmithing, not personal charm. Then, she continued in a more serious tone. “Master Li, let me apologize again.”

“For what?” he asked.

“When I first got here, I told you we were from different worlds. I realize now I was wrong,” Gu Xuejian said sincerely.

Li Yuan paused and gave a soft laugh. “Oh, that? I’d forgotten all about it.”

They chatted for a while longer. During their conversation, Jing Banfeng arrived with two banknotes, each worth ten thousand taels in blood gold. On the back of each note, the five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—were shown spinning in a circle.

“They’re from the Five Elements Bank,” Jing Banfeng explained. “These notes are accepted by every major merchant guild in the Central Plains.”

“Thank you, Clan Head,” Li Yuan said in a weary tone.

Jing Banfeng lingered for a moment, finally saying, “I should be the one thanking you.” After that, he nodded at Ping’an, his gaze softening ever so slightly with a flicker of reminiscence. Then he turned back to Li Yuan and said, “You...two should spend more time together. Kids grow up fast. Before you know it, they’re already out of your control. I...I was always too busy.”

And with that, Jing Banfeng left.

Li Yuan turned to Gu Xuejian. “I’d like to take Ping’an for a stroll within the first gate for a while.”

Gu Xuejian arched her brow. “Ping’an is at a critical juncture in his cultivation—”

“He’s my son, isn’t he?” Li Yuan said pointedly.

Gu Xuejian lowered her gaze. “Then...what do you plan to do?”

“Well, he’s pretty much old enough to drink now. I’d like to share a few drinks of Gemhill’s homebrew with him, like you and I did many years ago.”

She hesitated but finally replied, “All right.”

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

The father-son duo took a carriage out of the third gate, then the second gate, and passed through into the first gate before stopping at the Famous Toast.

For now, Li Yuan had to bide his time. First, he still hadn’t made enough money. Second, even an idiot could guess Gu Xuejian would be keeping a close watch on him.

A few sips of wine in, Ping’an suddenly said, “Dad, why don’t we bring Mom here? I miss her.”

“...” Li Yuan remained silent.

Ping’an tossed back another cup. “Dad...did something happen to her?”

Still, Li Yuan gave no answer. He just drank in silence, then started coughing violently.

“All right, I won’t ask anymore,” Ping’an said hastily, a trace of anxiousness in his eyes.

“You’re a good kid,” Li Yuan murmured. “Actually, I still miss the old days back in Gemhill. I plan to go back one day... What about you?”

“Me? I...” Ping’an paused, then clenched his fists. “I’m going to keep moving forward! My sister never got the chance to walk this path, and my mother wants me to see it through. One day, I’ll stand at the very peak of this world!”

“The peak of the world?” Li Yuan asked quietly. “You’ve grown up. Are you sure that’s your true ambition?”

“Absolutely! Dad, you know what? I’m close to breaking through into sixth rank. I can feel it; it’ll happen in the next two months!”

A spark of excitement lit Ping’an’s eyes. Neither hardship nor sorrow seemed able to keep him down for long; soon enough, he’d be back on his feet, aflame with passion for what lay ahead.

The father and son clinked their cups.

After draining his wine, Li Yuan murmured, “Last night, I dreamed I took you hunting in the mountains. Your mother and sister were there, laughing on the sidelines.”

Ping’an suddenly stood. Resting a hand on his father’s shoulder, he said in a hearty voice, “Dad! There’s still so much beauty in this world. Your son will show it to you. And if you don’t find any of it to your liking, I’ll carve out a place you can be proud of...by the sword if I must.”

His eyes flashed with steely determination. “Just watch. One day, your name will be remembered for a thousand—no, ten thousand years!”

Li Yuan froze, then broke into a grin. He reached out and smacked his son on the head. “You punk. Just enjoy your drink, and leave the talk of big dreams for other youngsters. I’m more than happy just knowing that you’re safe and healthy.”

Author’s Note:

Honestly, I’d love to see Li Yuan leave this place already and get on to the next part of the story. But when I start writing, it just doesn’t happen as quickly as I’d like. My apologies...

Translator’s Note:

I personally think this is a good pace. No point in rushing. The journey is what matters in the end, not the destination.