Martial Cultivator

In the end, Chen Chao left Ancient Mountain Commandery before the newly-appointed warden arrived, and headed towards Sword Qi Mountain alone. News of his departure from the Divine Capital had already begun to spread. It would not be long before people realized he had stayed in Ancient Mountain Commandery. Considering his publicized manner of doing things, it was only a matter of time before his whereabouts were discovered. However, since he had already dealt with the matters at Clearwater Mountain, Chen Chao was not worried about people finding out his whereabouts.

It was still the same thing: as long as the other party was not a Nepenthe cultivator, he would dare to clash with them.

However, if the other party shamelessly sent a Nepenthe cultivator to find trouble with a junior like him, Chen Chao would simply run away after encountering them.

Thinking about all these random things, Chen Chao drew closer to Sword Qi Mountain. Along the way, he noticed an increasing number of swordsmith workshops. Passing through a town, he counted out of curiosity and found that there were at least twenty swordsmith workshops in that small town alone.

This surprised Chen Chao. Although he had anticipated an increase in swordsmith workshops, he had not expected there to be so many.

He then entered a swordsmith workshop at the edge of the town. The shopkeeper was an old man with white hair and beard. Despite his age, his muscles were more robust than those of many young men. As Chen Chao walked into the workshop, the old man did not make conversation, but continued to hammer away at a sword embryo in front of him. Sparks flew, but the old blacksmith paid them no mind.

Chen Chao looked around the workshop and found fewer than ten flying swords, each sheathed in fish-skin scabbards.

"Mind if I take a look?"

Chen Chao asked tentatively, but the old blacksmith ignored him, focusing solely on the sword embryo before him

Chen Chao then reached out and took a flying sword from the wall, drawing it lightly. The blade was bright and emitted a chilling aura.

From this craftsmanship alone, it was evident that this old blacksmith should be one of the best in town. However, for some reason, his workshop seemed to lack customers. Numerous cultivators came and went through the town, but none seemed willing to visit this shop.

Chen Chao was not a sword cultivator and did not study flying swords much. Therefore, he merely glanced around, drawing a few swords to test their sharpness. Although he knew that they were sharp, he could not determine their quality at all.

Whether a flying sword was of high quality depended not only on the toughness of the blade but also on how much of a sword cultivator's sword qi it could carry and its spirituality. The former determined the sword's quality, while the latter was more mystical, indicating whether the sword could establish a connection with the sword cultivator. If both aspects were satisfactory, it would be a good flying sword, worthy of the owner's care and nurturing. Such a sword could grow in power as the sword cultivator's own cultivation realm grew, possibly entering the ranks of famous swords.

Without the latter quality, no matter how great the former aspect was, it would only be an excellent flying sword, but would not be able to connect with the sword cultivator's mind. Thus, it could not be refined into a lifeblood sword by the sword cultivator.

Such a flying sword was destined to never become famous.

"A martial artist looking at flying swords? Like a dog trying to catch mice; meddling in what doesn't concern you!"

After the old blacksmith quenched the sword embryo, then plopped down by the furnace and took a swig from a flask of strong liquor.

Even a martial artist like Chen Chao could feel the heat in the workshop, but the old blacksmith seemed to be unmoved, enjoying himself.

Chen Chao squinted and smiled. He had encountered an expert.

"No wonder your shop doesn't get many customers, Master. Seems like no one can handle Master's sharp tongue."

Chen Chao chuckled, not getting angry.

"Hmph, a bunch of itinerant cultivators, thinking they're real sword cultivators just because they have a lousy sword. With such lousy skills, they still dream of finding a good sword? Are they worthy?"

The old blacksmith's words were merciless, likely offending every itinerant cultivator under the sky.

Chen Chao was neither an itinerant cultivator nor a sword cultivator, so he did not take offense. He sat down and smiled, saying, "Mind sharing a drink with me, Master?"

The old blacksmith did not waste his saliva. He tossed the flask to Chen Chao and raised an eyebrow. "If you can drink it, we can talk."

Chen Chao tilted his head back and took a big gulp. Then, wiping his mouth, he smiled. "This alcohol is really strong."

But the next moment, his expression became somewhat ugly. It turns out that after the strong liquor went down his throat, it became increasingly scorching, coursing through his body and making him feel hot all over. In just a few moments, his face turned bright red.

However, Chen Chao quickly regained his senses and began circulating the white mist within his body. After completing a full circulatory cycle, he exhaled a breath of hot air and realized that the areas in his body where he had some hidden ailments had improved significantly after being seared by the liquor. He now felt warm and comfortable all over.

The old blacksmith clicked his tongue. "Didn't expect it, but your foundation is pretty solid, kid. Are you a renowned martial artist from the Great Liang?"

Chen Chao just replied gratefully, "Thank you for the medicinal alcohol, Senior."

The old blacksmith waved his hand dismissively and said without a care. "It's just a sip of alcohol, no need for thanks."

Chen Chao did not stand on ceremony and dragged over a long bench to sit on. Smiling, he asked, "Senior, I reckon that you must be a swordsmith who came down from Sword Qi Mountain, right?"

The old blacksmith did not want to answer that question. He just took another big swig from his flask, and then stared at Chen Chao. After a while, he said, "The flow of qi within your body isn't bad, and your physique is even better. You've spent a lot of effort tempering your body?"

Chen Chao smiled. "It's nothing worth mentioning."

The old blacksmith sneered. "You're quite a different martial artist, why do you like to beat around the bush?"

Chen Chao asked, "Isn't it said that the swordsmiths of Sword Qi Mountain only forge swords and don't train with them? Why does it seem like your cultivation realm isn't low, senior?"

"There's always an exception. If everyone on that mountain didn't train in the sword, would they really rely solely on those heartless sword cultivators?"

The old blacksmith spoke to himself, sounding somewhat dissatisfied when he mentioned those so-called sword cultivators.

Chen Chao said, "Senior admits that you come from Sword Qi Mountain?"

"You brat, turns out that you're entrapping this old man with words? Aren't you afraid I might kill you with a single strike?"

The old blacksmith narrowed his eyes, but his eyes showed no killing intent.

Chen Chao shook his head. "A genuine person like Senior wouldn't do such a thing."

The old blacksmith snorted coldly. "Sly brat."

After a moment of silence, Chen Chao suddenly said, "Since it's a chance encounter, would Senior be willing to help this junior with something?"

The old blacksmith frowned. "This old man only knows how to forge swords. What can I help you with, boy?"

Without saying anything, Chen Chao drew out the broken saber at his waist. The request was clear without needing further explanation.

The old blacksmith initially only glanced at the broken saber, but unexpectedly, he could not take his eyes off it after that. He reached out and Chen Chao threw the broken saber over without hesitation. After the old blacksmith caught it, he ran his fingers over the blade and then flicked it lightly. A clear, crisp sound like a cicada's chirping instantly resonated in the shop.

The old blacksmith nodded his head and praised sincerely, "This is a fine saber."

Then, he asked again, "Who had the ability to break off such a fine saber?"