Chapter 1263: Chapter 690: Forging the Sword with a Past Life
The sky was neither fully dark nor fully light, the sound of the mountain monastery’s bell echoed through the clouds and mist,
The moonlight gently spread along the ridge like a layer of silent white gauze, covering the branches of the pine trees as well as the distant river valley.
Yin Tingxue ascended the mountain path, with Zhou Yitang in front of her and Senior Sister Lu Ying behind her.
The night mist rose from the mouth of the valley, gently brushing over the desolate post road. A thin layer of frost had just formed on the stone steps, and with each step, there was a soft, crisp sound. This place was quite high, allowing a view of the snowy mountains in the distance.
The wind blew from behind the mountain, carrying the scent of melting snow, so cold that it seemed to slice through one’s breath, yet in the next moment, it quietly blended into the warmth of the sleeves.
The one-armed woman led her two disciples upwards. Rarely did they encounter anyone along the way, but when they did, upon seeing the one-armed woman, people would instinctively step aside and pay their respects with a bow.
Finally, they reached a place under an archway,
Yin Tingxue curiously looked around. This was Sword Town, a place she had heard many rumors about on the road. Yet, now that she saw it, it was just an unremarkable village on the snow mountain.
Though they called it Sword Town, no swords were in sight.
As far as the eye could see, there were only row upon row of small houses, each appearing somewhat rundown.
Zhou Yitang led the two disciples through the village streets, arriving at a somewhat larger house, where the sound of iron being hammered could be heard.
Zhou Yitang led the two disciples through the village streets, arriving at a somewhat larger house, where the sound of iron being hammered could be heard.
The pounding sound was heavy, dully striking against the lonely dusk of the snow mountain. The closer they got, the more they could feel the heat in the air, shaking the snow from the eaves like the mountain’s heartbeat.
Yin Tingxue looked around and found many blacksmithing tools. She thought, this must be a blacksmith shop, but she didn’t know what distinguished these blacksmith shops, which crafted Immortal Swords.
The shopfront was broad but without doors, letting the mountain wind and heat waves blend in and out freely.
The walls were full of various hammers, tongs, and files, each thick, heavy, and dark. They were polished by time and sparks to a sheen. In the corner, variously colored ore piled up, some shimmering like starlight, others dark as solidified blood. The forge was blazing, casting a red glow on the walls, and the giant bellows leaning to one side looked like a sleeping beast.
Perhaps there is no difference.
Yin Tingxue thought, whether crafting a plow or a chopper or an Immortal Sword or a Divine Weapon, the red-hot iron must always be hammered, and it always sizzles in the quenching.
Human abilities are limited, as is the Heavenly Dao. Perhaps, in essence, there is no difference.
Yet, turning this thought around, here, being Sword Town, and personally visited by Master Zhou, it must be exceptional.
The technique cannot be seen, yet it exists in the heart. Perhaps there is a method within, as the mountain need not be high, if it houses an immortal, it is spiritual.
But Yin Tingxue thought again, although it is said that the mountain need not be high to be spiritual if it houses an immortal, life cannot be generalized. Maybe the higher the mountain, the more spiritual the immortals.
Little Fox always had many thoughts, circling around them, which Chen Yi often teased about, yet he found her extraordinarily adorable.
Sometimes, Chen Yi, out of the blue, would get this sudden impulse and sweep Little Fox up into his arms, roll onto the bed, and with a voice full of affection, call out, "My Little Fox is the cutest, why so cute?"
Each time this happened, Yin Tingxue would always humor him with a few responses, something like, yes, I’m the cutest. But as he did it more often, it started to irritate her, and her responses became faint. Eventually, she pointed it out to him, "Chen Yi... you’re kind of acting spoiled... how can you act spoiled to me..."
At those times, Chen Yi would often be momentarily embarrassed, his expression stiffening a bit.
But in the end, naturally, he would be furious and take the opportunity to vent. After he was done, leaving her sore all over and teary-eyed, she would belatedly remember how petty he was at heart. Yin Tingxue felt a bit aggrieved, but afterward, she would obliquely criticize him. Then, Chen Yi, in his softened state, would reluctantly apologize under her wheedling, coaxing her softly and gently.
In this household, the usually assertive Chen Yi always had the softest spot for Little Fox.
Thinking of this, Yin Tingxue felt like a feather softly tickled her heart, a slight itch with warmth.
Suddenly, a heavy "clang" of iron striking rang out, interrupting Yin Tingxue’s thoughts, and she immediately looked over.
She saw a figure stride out from the fire-lit inner room.
It was a strong woman, her coarse cloth clothing soaked with sweat and soot. Her large hands were astonishing, the knuckles rough, covered in calluses and the old marks of burns,
She wiped her face with a towel draped over her shoulder, and her gaze swept over Lu Ying and Yin Tingxue like it was scouring cold iron, with an appraising look.
Finally, her gaze fell on Zhou Yitang, the sharpness in her eyes instantly retreated as she slightly nodded, speaking in a voice like thunder:
"Master Zhou, you have arrived."
It wasn’t like Chen Yi, who was unwelcome wherever he went; Master Zhou was treated as a guest of honor everywhere... Yin Tingxue couldn’t help but think this.
In this way, they complement each other... truly have a husband and wife appearance...
Yin Tingxue thought again, compared to others, she and Chen Yi really didn’t look like a couple, often thinking in opposite directions.
So it’s better to just be a second wife.
"Master Zhou, what brings you here this time?" The strong woman said, speaking each word deliberately, slightly awkwardly. Yin Tingxue heard this and thought that she probably preferred speaking plainly in everyday life.
"To forge a sword."
"For these two... disciples?" The strong woman swept her gaze over the two women and then introduced herself, "My surname is Li, given name Kang, I have no courtesy name, just call me Sister Li."
Yin Tingxue nodded and waited for Lu Ying to finish introducing herself before she also introduced herself.
Li Kang cupped her fists toward Zhou Yitang and asked, "May I ask what kind of sword Master Zhou wishes to forge for your disciple? If it’s a fine sword, they could directly choose a suitable one..."
Before Li Kang finished speaking, Zhou Yitang pointed at Lu Ying and said, "Her sword heart is transparent."
Li Kang paused, "Then on the top floor of the Hidden Sword Pavilion, there must be a sword to match..."
Zhou Yitang then pointed to Yin Tingxue and said, "She has the Heavenly Ear Technique."
Li Kang was completely stunned,
The cold wind whistled, leaving an extended silence.
"If that’s the case... perhaps it requires the forging of a sword from a past life?"
............
Traversing the World of Ignorance once more.
Compared to the initial vigilance born from knowing nothing, Chen Yi had grown somewhat irritable.
Again and again, searching and searching, it was always those same streets and alleys. The surroundings were utterly silent, completely different from the hustle and bustle of the past few days, which seemed like a dream or illusion.
But in fact, he had never left the World of Ignorance...
Despite having accepted it, Chen Yi still couldn’t conceal his frustration, itching to immediately find the location of the Bright Hall.
Yet the more he searched, the more it felt like he was just going in circles.
What was even more unbearable was the presence of a stupid girl who knew nothing, chirping away beside him. She had no romantic affiliation with him, nor were they Daoist companions, so naturally, she couldn’t empathize with his state of mind.
Chen Yi couldn’t help but subconsciously think,
If only Yin Tingxue were here.
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