King of Assassins
Chapter 87 - 86 Copper Man Alley

Chapter 87: Chapter 86 Copper Man Alley

"This is the Po Jun Sword."

Yun Qingshang doesn’t like to talk, so Gao Xuan explained on her behalf, "Qingshang particularly likes this heavy sword. We’d like to trouble Master Fang to customize it a bit."

"I don’t deserve the title of master."

Fang Zhang said modestly, "I’m just a blacksmith. Just call me Master Fang."

He apologized, "Sorry, our shop has a rule; we can’t modify sword artifacts of unknown origin."

Understanding, Gao Xuan nodded, "It’s okay, the origin of this sword is very clear. An Yong broke into my house intending violence and was killed by Qingshang on the spot. According to the traditions of the Alliance’s Sword Dao, this Po Jun Sword is Qingshang’s trophy. We have a record in the Law Enforcement Department; everything can be verified."

The Sword Dao tradition of the Alliance is long-established, with many customary traditions.

A swordsman who wins a true sword duel can claim the opponent’s sword artifact as a trophy.

An Yong committed a heinous crime by breaking into a house. Compensating the victim with the sword artifact he used is also a legal stipulation.

No matter how you look at it, the Po Jun Sword should belong to Yun Qingshang, with no legal issues whatsoever.

Fang Zhang accepted the explanation but still logged into the Law Enforcement Department’s network to verify the matter.

Indeed, the Po Jun Sword, as a weapon, was transferred to Yun Qingshang with a clear record at the Law Enforcement Department.

Upon verifying, Fang Zhang was greatly surprised; the bright and quiet young girl before him had single-handedly killed An Yong?

According to the record, such an event should not be mistaken.

Fang Zhang glanced at Yun Qingshang’s hands, her fair and clean hands, with long fingers and a well-proportioned shape.

Yun Qingshang’s height is about 1.75 meters, making the Po Jun Sword too long for her.

Fang Zhang felt it was unsuitable and was reluctant to take on the job.

As a master in this field, he didn’t want to craft a sword artifact unsuitable for the Sword Master, as it would be too embarrassing if word got out.

He pondered for a moment and said, "A sword artifact must suit one’s physical characteristics and swordsmanship; it’s not just about liking it."

Gao Xuan understood Fang Zhang’s concerns and smiled, "Qingshang is very strong, with fierce swordsmanship; she’s well-suited for Po Jun. Master Fang need not worry."

He said to Yun Qingshang, "Master Fang still has some doubts. Qingshang, show him a move."

As Gao Xuan spoke, he plucked a hair from Jiang Xuejun’s head and flicked it with his finger; the 30-centimeter-long purple-red hair flew above the desk.

Jiang Xuejun was about to protest but could say nothing as the hair was sliced in two by a flash of sword light.

Jiang Xuejun suddenly found herself speechless. As a swordsman, she could easily cut the hair into two strands.

However, to split a single floating and curved long hair into two required exceptional speed, precision, and dexterity.

The key is that the Po Jun Sword weighs 29 kilograms, with a length of 1.4 meters, more than adequate as a sword for exoskeleton armor.

To split a hair using the Po Jun Sword made the difficulty at least ten times higher.

Even Jiang Xuejun, or Fang Zhang, was taken aback.

As a sixth-level swordsman, Fang Zhang’s swordsmanship was only mediocre. However, as a swordsmith, he had his own understanding of swords and swordsmanship.

Precisely for this reason, Fang Zhang could appreciate the exquisite skill displayed by Yun Qingshang’s sword move.

Moreover, Yun Qingshang was actually at the Bronze Tier, her body evidently adjusted through genetic sequence modifications, with extraordinary strength.

The 29-kilogram Po Jun Sword seemed no different from a thin bamboo strip in her hands.

According to the registration in the Law Enforcement Department, Yun Qingshang is only eighteen years old this year.

Fang Zhang, at fifty-two, was not as skilled as the eighteen-year-old girl, not to mention her displaying swordsmanship far superior to his.

By forging swords at the Sword Washing Studio, Fang Zhang had seen many sword dao geniuses in Mingjing City.

Including Jiang Xuejun, who was among the outstanding in this generation of youth. But compared to Yun Qingshang, well, there was no comparison.

"Miss Yun is truly a genius in sword dao, I was blind not to see it."

Having witnessed Jiang Xuejun’s swordsmanship, Fang Zhang immediately became enthusiastic as he picked up the Po Jun Sword and said, "I see Miss Yun’s strength is adequate; we can consider appropriately increasing the weight of the Po Jun Sword, and adjust the guard and hilt as well..."

Gao Xuan set a box on the table, "Here are ten kilograms of Ten Thousand Forged Titanium Steel. Retain two kilograms, and use the rest to modify her Po Jun Sword."

After completing a Genetic Sequence Evolution and with the support of the Celestial Dragon Eye, Gao Xuan’s strength was quite formidable. However, he pursued the path of Quick and Agile Spiritual Transformation, where lighter sword artifacts were preferable.

Therefore, the Godslaying Sword, existing between the tangible and intangible, was most suitable for Gao Xuan.

No matter how light a tangible sword artifact, it still had a certain mass, which would influence the speed of the sword strike.

Considering the need for sharpness and strength, the lightest combat-ready sword artifact would still weigh around two kilograms.

Fang Zhang glanced at Gao Xuan, this youth who looked almost inhumanly handsome, was also a swordsman? How does he observe the world?

Of course, Gao Xuan’s behavior was completely natural, not resembling a blind person at all.

Fang Zhang opened the box to check, finding indeed it was top-grade Ten Thousand Forged Titanium Steel.

Though this metal was expensive, it was the most commonly used material at the Sword Washing Studio.

People who can afford to commission sword casting at the Sword Washing Studio are definitely not short of money.

Only special Sword Artifacts like the Po Jun Sword, due to its immense weight, can’t possibly be made entirely of titanium steel.

Fang Zhang measured Yun Qingshang’s physical data, from her palm to elbow, arm, height, and so on.

He then discussed her preferences with Yun Qingshang to finalize the plan for recasting the Po Jun Sword.

Of course, Yun Qingshang hardly spoke, and it was Gao Xuan who made the decisions for her.

After finalizing the recasting plan for the Po Jun Sword, Fang Zhang asked Gao Xuan, "Mr. Gao, do you have any specific requirements for the sword?"

"Blade length 100 cm, single-handed grip handle, it must be lightweight with a weight not exceeding 2 kg. The overall style should be simple."

Gao Xuan said, "I’ll leave the rest of the details to you, Master Fang."

Fang Zhang opened a light screen displaying dozens of different longsword designs.

Gao Xuan took a brief look and chose the simplest design, then selected the materials for the grip and sword guard.

Fang Zhang was very responsible and offered some suggestions to Gao Xuan.

Finally, Fang Zhang calculated the price: "The total cost for the two swords is 880,000."

"Wow, that’s a lucrative business. Master Fang, do you still need staff here?"

Fang Zhang explained a bit helplessly, "Mr. Gao, material costs account for 30%, processing costs 40%, and design fees 30%."

Gao Xuan smiled slightly, "I was just joking, Master Fang, don’t take it seriously."

He patted Jiang Xuejun, "Paymaster, hand over the money."

Fang Zhang couldn’t help but look at Jiang Xuejun. Tens of thousands weren’t much to her, but he had never seen her pay for someone else.

This girl is very independent and has a strong personality.

But, it’s understandable that Jiang Xuejun couldn’t resist Gao Xuan’s charm.

Jiang Xuejun didn’t rush to pay; instead, she said to Fang Zhang, "Master Fang, isn’t there a rule in the Sword Washing Studio that if someone can pass through Copper Man Alley, they get a free order?"

"Uh, yes, there is such a rule."

Fang Zhang looked thoughtfully at Yun Qingshang and reminded her, "Copper Man Alley is very difficult, and you cannot damage the copper men. The challenge is immense."

The Copper Man Alley rule was set by Master Fang Zheng, with a total of eighteen gates, and it’s stipulated that only those under thirty are eligible to attempt it.

With every three gates passed, the cost for sword casting at the Sword Washing Studio can be reduced by 10%. If someone actually passes all eighteen gates, Master Fang Zheng will cast a sword for them free of charge.

The copper men are very powerful armed robots, and although they use wooden swords, they are extremely formidable.

The rule of not damaging the copper men greatly limits the challengers. Only swordsmen with exceptional Swordsmanship might pass through Copper Man Alley.

However, swordsmen with such skills are usually not young. Moreover, in the low Source Power environment of Pegasus Star, it’s unlikely for exceptionally talented individuals to emerge.

Mingjing City is relatively not that large. Since the establishment of Copper Man Alley, no one has passed all eighteen gates.

Fang Zhang clearly remembers how, back then, a proud Jiang Xuejun tried once but failed at the second gate.

Is she bringing Yun Qingshang to reclaim her reputation this time?

To be honest, Fang Zhang didn’t have high hopes for Yun Qingshang. Although her Swordsmanship might be exquisite, she surely lacked combat experience.

Facing the complex environment of Copper Man Alley, and limited to using designated wooden swords, she couldn’t leverage her strengths. She might not even pass the third gate.

Surprisingly, before Yun Qingshang could express her thoughts, Gao Xuan already laughed happily, "Such an opportunity, of course, I have to give it a try."

Fang Zhang glanced at Gao Xuan, wondering if he heard it wrong.

He asked, "Mr. Gao, are you planning to attempt the challenge yourself?"

Gao Xuan nodded confidently, "Of course it’s me. My Swordsmanship is much better than Qingshang’s."

Fang Zhang couldn’t help but want to sigh. He looked at Jiang Xuejun again and, indeed, saw her mischievous smile.

He could only remind Gao Xuan once more, "Attempting Copper Man Alley is dangerous, even though protective gear is allowed."

While the copper men aren’t likely to kill, they can certainly leave someone with broken bones and in excruciating pain.

Every self-assured genius has had the humiliating experience of being beaten by the copper men.

This time, it seems Jiang Xuejun deliberately set a big trap for Gao Xuan.

Although Fang Zhang was quite familiar with Jiang Xuejun, he rather admired Gao Xuan. For no other reason, this young man was too handsome. He was also very humorous and personable, exuding a lot of charm.

He really couldn’t bear the thought of seeing Gao Xuan beaten black and blue, as that would be a total destruction of beauty.

Gao Xuan said, "Don’t worry, Master Fang, I know my limits."

He paused and then asked with concern, "I wonder how long it would take Master Fang Zheng to cast the sword. We’re in quite a hurry."

Fang Zhang: "..."

Jiang Xuejun: "..."