Please, Young Master, Slay the Demon!
Chapter 111 - 9 Borrowing Fire [New book asking for monthly tickets!] _1

Chapter 111: Chapter 9 Borrowing Fire [New book asking for monthly tickets!] _1

Taotie City.

Within the city, there is a first-class Sword Cottage that leans against a mountain. It covers a vast area and exudes grandeur. However, the main residence of the owner inside the Sword Cottage is quite modest, merely a wooden house at the foot of the mountain.

In front of the mountain wall, a middle-aged man with a weathered face stands with his hands behind his back. His robust, cropped hair, sharp features, and deep-set eyes make him appear like a stone statue, emanating an air of steadfast resilience.

Such is the demeanor of a master.

This man is the owner of the Sword Cottage, Xu Kunwu, a master swordsmith whom everyone in Taotie City admires.

However, this man is currently showing a trace of concern in his eyes.

"Father, did you call me?" A robust young man, looking about thirty years old and bearing a resemblance to the mid-aged man, rushes over. He appeared simple and honest, with bright eyes.

This was Xu Kunwu’s only son, Xu Sui.

"Hmm." Xu Kunwu turned around and said, "I want you to order all the valuable materials, rare treasures, finished swords, and semi-finished products in the Sword Cottage to be hidden. Better yet, transport them somewhere else inside the city for temporary storage, just don’t lose them. You may bring them back after some time."

"This..." Xu Sui was taken aback, "What is going on? We still have a dozen swords in progress in our Sword Cottage..."

"Just stop all work. Once the winds pass, we can restart. It’s not a problem if you stop for a while." Xu Kunwu decisively stated.

"But why is that?" Xu Sui clearly didn’t understand and commented, "It’s as if we are preventing theft..."

Xu Kunwu regarded him and solemnly said, "Let’s just consider it as preventing theft."

"What?" Xu Sui was puzzled again, "Which thief dare rob our First Class Scabbard? Are they courting death?"

"Robbery would actually be better. I am indeed afraid she might openly plunder..." Xu Kunwu’s eyes flickered, obviously recalling some unpleasant memories.

"What is happening?" Xu Sui was utterly baffled, not knowing what had happened. His usually composed father suddenly seemed as if anticipating a big disaster.

"Do you remember twenty years ago, when I had forged the Jingyang sword?" Xu Kunwu asked.

"Of course I remember. That is one of the famous swords you created." When Xu Sui mentioned this, his eyes filled with pride for his father. "That sword was key to your ascent to the league of top swordsmiths."

"At that time, the Pure Yang Essence Iron used was extraordinarily rigid. I had tried dozens of Divine Fires, none of which could refine it, nearly causing my work to be in vain." Xu Kunwu recalled, "After much effort, I finally obtained a trace of the Samadhi True Fire, with which I could finally refine this material and forge the Jingyang Sword."

"Samadhi True Fire? That’s part of the Imperial Family..."

When the Jingyang Sword was born, Xu Sui was still young and did not understand the details. Now that he heard his father talking about it, he was somewhat surprised.

The Immortal Law, Samadhi True Fire.

It is the strongest flame in the world and the spirit of all fires. Only a Divine Fire Body, one of the Five Elemental Spiritual Bodies, could cultivate this Immortal Law. However, this Divine Fire Body was the ancestral bloodline of the Xia Family of the Yu Dynasty’s imperial household.

In a world where gods and demons existed, those capable of becoming emperors were obviously not ordinary. Even if they weren’t extremely powerful, the Nine-five Sovereigns needed to have the qualifications recognized by the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands.

Before the establishment of the Yu Dynasty, the Xia Family had been one of the three ancient cultivation families.

A powerful cultivator may establish a sect but cannot found a family. A sect could cultivate talents, but a family cannot guarantee that each generation had superior talents. Unless, the family carried a certain mystical bloodline.

The three ancient cultivation families each embodied unique bloodlines: the Xia Family inherited the Divine Fire Life, the Ji Family inherited the Xuanyuan Pupil, and the Jiang Family inherited the Immortal Spirit Body.

Of course, not every member of these three families had these traits, but at least one or even several people with these traits were born in each generation.

Such a constitution, as long as they grow normally, can rival the prodigies of today and can become the pillar of their family. It is only with a prodigy in each generation that an ancient aristocratic family can continue to this day.

Later, amidst the turmoil, the Xia Family marshaled an army and declared themselves emperors, establishing the Yu Dynasty and becoming the Imperial Family. Even to this day, they still follow the ancestral teachings that only those who inherit the Divine Fire Life are eligible to be the crown prince, ensuring that future emperors are sufficiently strong.

Otherwise, if a nation’s ruler could be easily killed, any talk of stability for the state would be impossible.

Only the Xia Family possesses the Divine Fire Life, and only the Divine Fire Life can cultivate Samadhi True Fire, this is well known to all. But being the royal family, the Xia Family has its own Imperial City swordsmith whom they offer to, who has always been in competition with Xu Kunwu. So logically, it would be unlikely for the royal family to lend a hand to my father who is an offering to Taotie City.

"The royal family is not the only one who possesses the Samadhi True Fire." Xu Kunwu shook his head. "I requested it from somewhere else at that time, and that’s how the Jingyang Sword was cast. However... alas, I owe someone a favor because of this.

"Now..." he looked toward the distant sky, "that person is coming."

...

"Borrow fire?"

Chu Liang was stunned for a moment.

"That’s right, he once came to borrow fire from me." Empress Feng announced triumphantly.

Chu Liang really didn’t know about this. In his mind, if Empress Feng had any connections at all, they could only be foes.

Does she actually have some positive connections?

That’s too shocking.

And it’s with Master Kunwu...

Among the current top three swordsmiths, Chen Buyan of the Zhongshan Scabbard, Baili Tong of the Imperial City in Yu City, and Xu Kunwu, the first-class offering in Taotie City.

Master Chen, as the heir of the Zhongshan Scabbard’s ancient sword casting techniques, emphasizes not the materials, but the Sword Intent. With focused nurturing of the Sword Intent, he keeps his methods mysterious and flexible, but producing renowned swords with each accomplished creation.

Ancient swordsmiths generally do not forge more than ten swords in their lifetime. So, despite their high status, they could hardly be asked for favors. In terms of skill alone, Master Chen is recognized as the top of his field.

Baili Tong, meanwhile, serves as the swordsmith for the royal family and enjoys great prestige, forging swords only for members of the royal family and court officials.

As for Master Kunwu, he serves as a first-class offering in Taotie City. Although his status is still high, he is the only one of the three who caters to the market. Unsurprisingly, he has to use pricing to filter his customers.

His prices... are outrageously expensive.

Beyond what Chu Liang dared to imagine.

That’s why when Empress Feng mentioned that name, Chu Liang’s first reaction was, how could she dare? Was she planning to sell off Silver Sword Peak? Even that would not be enough; they would have to act as tour guides for a hundred years.

Is borrowing fire really worth that much?

"Actually, I wasn’t really friends with him at first. I just wanted to annoy some old guys, so I helped him out. Who knew he’d actually become successful and become a famous swordsmith in the world." Empress Feng scratched her head and smiled: "If I hadn’t thought of getting you a good sword someday, I almost forgot about this."

"But Master, since you already have these connections, why borrow the Xiaoyun Ancient Sword? Just ask Master Kunwu to get us a good sword." Chu Liang wondered.

He thought that there must be plenty of finished flying swords in Master Kunwu’s hands. Choosing the best one for himself would surely be better than paying a high price at the Chuan Jian Hall on Shu Mountain. In this case, why should they take the Xiaoyun Ancient Sword and ask him to create a replica?

"That would be getting off too easy." Empress Feng gave a wicked smile. "We have a rare toad in hand, we must squeeze out its pee and poop..."