Chapter 277: Chapter 228: Forging Weapons with the Living
Inside Songzhou City, Du Chengfeng was still trying to grind those bronze fragments.
He didn’t have much else to do—over at Liu Bolun’s place, he said he was leaving but was still tidying up loose ends at the distillery—in simple terms, he was reluctant to part with the newly brewed wine. Furthermore, as the leader of the refugees, where everyone would live in the future was also something Liu Bolun, being a smart person, needed to consider, hence his schedule was rather full these days.
In contrast, after defeating the enemy, Du Chengfeng found himself entirely idle, suddenly facing long-lost leisure time, which he was somewhat unaccustomed to.
So he just had to find something to do, like sharpening his blade.
The bronze fragments in his hands were left behind by the Bronze Halberd. Although he had already tried grinding them, he couldn’t feel anything, but seeking knowledge of the Yin people, Du Chengfeng was still a bit persistent, wanting to see if he could win a prize.
Separate fragments couldn’t produce anything, but what about when pieced together?
He still had two fragments in hand, and with the two he had previously crafted, he was now able to piece together a complete Bronze Halberd.
A complete Bronze Halberd ought to give him something, right?
"Anyway, it doesn’t hurt to try."
Thinking like this, Du Chengfeng placed the pieced together Bronze Halberd on the Grinding Stone.
The old blade retained dark marks, remnants of past blood leaving its pattern.
This time, Du Chengfeng actually felt something.
That was when the Bronze Halberd was first forged, molten metal juice bubbled and surged in the large cauldron; these were the original materials of the Bronze Halberd, soon to be poured into molds to condense and take shape.
But it wasn’t enough.
"Not enough."
Du Chengfeng vaguely heard a voice, with dissatisfaction in its words.
"Too little! Bring more!"
What was too little? Was it the material ratio?
Du Chengfeng couldn’t help but focus his attention, realizing this might be the ancient Yin people’s method for crafting weapons. Although different from the forging methods he was familiar with nowadays, there should be something to learn.
But the next moment, Du Chengfeng felt a bloody stench.
Hundreds of slaves were brought over, sharp blades splitting their throats, their blood all spilled into the large cauldron, and soon, before they were entirely lifeless, they were pushed down, their bodies turning into ash in the bubbling cauldron.
After burning away these hundred flesh bodies completely, the already scorching cauldron grew even hotter, and the glow from the clear metal juice took on a slightly demonic hue.
"Not enough! Still not enough!"
The voice rang out once more.
"Push the main ingredient up!"
A bound slave was pushed up, his sturdy physique evidently stronger than the others.
Even from a distance, Du Chengfeng could feel the determined will and vigorous fighting spirit emanating from him—almost instantly, Du Chengfeng could tell with his current vision that given growth time, this person could quickly become a powerful figure holding sway over a region.
And the words Du Chengfeng heard next confirmed his insight.
"As a slave, you dared organize a rebellion... Do you know your罪?"
"Bah! I’m a Hao man! Not your slave!"
Faced with the imminent blade, the bound figure showed unyielding courage.
"You destroyed our homes, slaughtered our tribe... And now you dare ask if I know罪? I’m not guilty! I will kill you!"
"It doesn’t matter; whether you admit guilt is of no importance."
The voice spoke again.
"You just need to keep this determination... No, you are not狠 enough, nor do you hate enough right now."
With these words, the voice paused.
Soon after, the screams of women and children filled the air.
"Don’t touch them! Come at me if you dare!"
Upon hearing the screams, the bound figure grew agitated, gritting his teeth as if he could crush them. This moment saw his hatred reaching its peak.
And at that instant, the figure was pushed into the cauldron.
The molten metal juice engulfed him immediately, leaving only a wisp of smoke.
Yet at this moment, Du Chengfeng distinctly realized something had integrated into the metal juice.
Soon, the metal juice was poured into the mold, the molten metal gradually solidifying and cooling as blood continued to pour in, speeding up the cooling, while also infusing the metal juice with something else.
Once fully cooled, the mold was struck open.
The hideous and ugly Bronze Halberd was finally revealed.
As the honing continued, the Bronze Halberd disclosed its intrinsic color—a dazzling golden hue, captivatingly demonic—without question, this was a deadly weapon, even though it hadn’t slain anyone yet, it was destined to be such from the onset.
After all, throughout the forging of this weapon, many had perished untimely.
The cauldron still contained leftover metal juice, but nothing further was crafted; everything seemed aimed toward birthing this Bronze Halberd.
"Because continuing to forge is meaningless now."
In this moment, Du Chengfeng vaguely sensed the orchestration of the entire forging mechanism.
Using a robust will as the core, augmented by numerous Evil Qi as foundation, the entire essence of the cauldron full of metal juice had concentrated on this Bronze Halberd.
And the greatest function of this Bronze Halberd is...
To slice meat.
Indeed, even a meat-cutting blade can be a deadly weapon, embodying the luxury of the ancient Yin people.
But what concerned Du Chengfeng more was the Yin people’s approach to weapon crafting.
"Select steadfast resolve, incorporate it into the weapon..."
Du Chengfeng vaguely felt something, because this model mirrored his Heavy Great Saber so closely.
Yet there was one distinct difference.
His great saber was a complete accident, for someone to actively sacrifice themselves for the blade could only happen by chance.
But these Yin people were different.
These Yin people were more inclined to actively sacrifice for the blade.
