Chapter 444: Artifacts and Weapons

Zhang Xiaohua was taken aback and asked in surprise: “Little Fish Nie, why would I be angry with you?”

Nie Qianyu spat playfully: “Oh, just keep pretending. You think I can’t see through you? Brother Ren, are you curious about the artifact forging techniques of the Artifact Forging Sect?”

Zhang Xiaohua looked helpless, rubbing his nose as he replied: “Little Fish, must you be so clever? The way you act makes people feel so insecure.”

“Pfft.” This time, Nie Qianyu couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Looks like Brother Ren isn’t angry anymore.”

“Angry? Why would I be angry? I’m really not angry at all,” Zhang Xiaohua insisted, refusing to admit it.

Seeing this, Nie Qianyu coaxed gently: “Brother Ren, don’t be petty. Actually, if you want to take a look at the Artifact Forging Sect’s techniques, it’s not such a difficult thing.”

“Oh?” Zhang Xiaohua’s interest was piqued, and he turned to ask: “Aren’t the artifact forging techniques the sect’s secret manuals? How could outsiders be allowed to see them?”

“Didn’t Brother Ren just say he didn’t want to see those techniques?” Nie Qianyu replied offhandedly.

Zhang Xiaohua shrugged: “Well, as the saying goes, ‘You can never have too many skills.’ If there’s a chance to learn artifact forging, why wouldn’t I take it?”

“Brother Ren, you truly have great aspirations,” Nie Qianyu said. “Actually, the basic skills within the alliance can be borrowed and studied by each other. If you just ask my father to help you borrow the manuals from the Artifact Forging Sect, you’ll surely be able to learn them. There’s no need to trouble Senior Brother Lu.”

“Oh, so that’s how it works.” Zhang Xiaohua suddenly understood. “This alliance really is an alliance—so many things can be shared. That’s quite impressive.”

“However, Brother Ren, don’t get your hopes up too much,” Nie Qianyu continued, “The things you can borrow are all basic techniques. The truly profound arts are the sects’ core secrets and definitely can’t be lent out. Besides, Brother Ren, in this world, the worst thing is to bite off more than you can chew. If you can master the medical texts of Spring Rebirth Valley, that’s already quite an achievement. After all, you still have your own sect’s martial arts to cultivate.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded. “You’re absolutely right.”

But then he turned and said: “Still, I really want to see how these weapons and such are forged.”

Nie Qianyu sighed: “Ah, artifact forging has really declined these days. I’ve heard my father and the others talk about it when they have nothing else to do. In the old days—well, a very long time ago—the Artifact Forging Sect was a renowned and powerful sect in the martial world. Many people would go to great lengths to curry favor with them just to obtain an artifact. Oh, Brother Ren, when I say ‘artifact’, I don’t mean the weapons we have now. I’ve heard they were truly wondrous things, but those are all just legends now. These days, the Artifact Forging Sect’s weapons are only a bit sharper than those of ordinary sects.”

“Of course, the Artifact Forging Sect and the Weapon Casting Sect possess secret techniques that other sects lack. They can craft weapons that allow the infusion of inner force, and even weapons that can amplify that inner force.”

“What? Weapons that can amplify inner force?” Zhang Xiaohua was astonished—this was the first time he had heard of such miraculous things.

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua’s reaction, Nie Qianyu was a little surprised. “Brother Ren, does your sect not have such weapons?”

Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment, then answered honestly: “Perhaps we do, but I don’t know about them.”

“Oh, I see.” Nie Qianyu smiled. “Such weapons are truly rare treasures in the martial world. Even if your sect possesses them, they’re likely kept under lock and key, not something you’d be allowed to see.”

She then explained: “Amplifying inner force doesn’t mean increasing your own cultivation directly. Rather, these weapons have a method to magnify the inner force you channel into them. For example, if Brother Ren channels ten parts of inner force into a longsword, it remains ten parts. But if the sword can amplify it by one or even three parts, then when you unleash your power through the sword, it becomes eleven or thirteen parts of inner force.”

“How extraordinary!” Zhang Xiaohua’s jaw dropped. He muttered with regret: “If I’d known, I would have taken that booklet for a look.”

“Pfft!” Nie Qianyu burst out laughing. “And you said you had no ill intentions earlier—now you’ve given yourself away! But Brother Ren, you’d be disappointed anyway. Even though Senior Brother Lu holds a high position in the Artifact Forging Sect, he’s still far from qualified to access such top-level secrets.”

“Heh heh,” Zhang Xiaohua said sheepishly, “I was just curious, that’s all. I wouldn’t really take his things for no reason.”

“You’re just being stubborn.” Nie Qianyu said, pouting. (Ah, dear readers, the more I write, the more adorable Nie Qianyu becomes. I’m tempted to make her the main heroine—such a dilemma!) She continued: “If you really want to learn, just talk to my father. Study the basics of the Artifact Forging Sect well, and after a few years, once you’ve laid a solid foundation, it might not be impossible for you to see those secrets.”

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua remain silent, Nie Qianyu mused aloud: “Although Senior Brother Lu seems rather brash, he’s not a simple-minded troublemaker. Why would he come to me tonight to challenge you to a contest of strength? It’s really quite odd.”

Zhang Xiaohua stroked his chin, putting on a mysterious air. “If things go as he said, and if I lose and have to leave Spring Rebirth Valley tomorrow as agreed, do you think that’s really his intention?”

“Of course not.” Nie Qianyu replied with a charming laugh. “That kind of goading is far too clumsy. Even Senior Brother Lu himself probably couldn’t pull it off, let alone if he was put up to it by someone else.”

“Oh?” Zhang Xiaohua looked surprised. “Little Fish, you realized he was being egged on by someone else too? I thought I was the only one who noticed.”

“Hahahaha!” Nie Qianyu laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. After a while, she caught her breath and said softly: “Brother Ren, you really know how to joke. Sigh, I just don’t know who sent him, or what their purpose might be.”

Zhang Xiaohua asked meaningfully: “Do you really not know?”

Nie Qianyu was taken aback and shot back: “Do you mean you know?”

Zhang Xiaohua spread his hands. “If you don’t know, how would I?”

Nie Qianyu mirrored his gesture. “If I did know, would you know too?”

Suddenly, Nie Qianyu realized how ambiguous her words sounded, and a line of poetry came to mind: “Though we have no wings to fly together, our hearts are joined in spirit.” She immediately blushed.

It seemed that whenever she was with Zhang Xiaohua, Nie Qianyu found herself blushing more than ever.

Zhang Xiaohua also sensed something and quickly changed the subject. “What books did you bring over?”

Nie Qianyu snapped out of her reverie and hurriedly pointed to the stack of books she’d placed on the table earlier, smiling. “These are the ones I usually read in the study. I picked out some of the more basic ones for you, Brother Ren. Take a look first, and if there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask me.”

Zhang Xiaohua glanced over the pile: there were books on medicinal herb cultivation, herb processing, pill recipes, acupuncture, human meridians, and decoction preparation—comprehensive and detailed. He felt a surge of gratitude. Whatever else could be said, just these pill recipes alone were considered a sect’s most precious secrets. Even though Zhang Xiaohua had never formally joined a sect, he knew enough to realize how valuable they were. He’d certainly never heard He Tianshu mention them before.

Now, Nie Qianyu had handed them over without a second thought, clearly with no intention of holding anything back.

Zhang Xiaohua picked up the book of pill recipes, looked at Nie Qianyu with clear, sincere eyes, and said: “Little Fish, this must be a treasured item of your Spring Rebirth Valley. Isn’t it a bit… too soon for you to be giving it to me?”

Nie Qianyu met his gaze, not blinking, and replied: “Since my father told me to decide what to give you, I think you’re qualified to see these, so I brought them for you. If you don’t want to read them, I’ll just take them back.”

As she spoke, she made as if to snatch the book away.

Zhang Xiaohua quickly pulled his hand back, dodging her, and grinned. “When did I say I wouldn’t read them? I just meant it might be a bit early, that’s all.”

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua carefully place the pill recipe book back in the pile, Nie Qianyu’s face blossomed with a sweet smile.

The two sat down, and Nie Qianyu patiently explained the general contents of the books and the order in which they should be read. Finally, seeing that night had fallen, she said: “Brother Ren, it’s getting late. You should get some rest. There’s plenty of time in the future—you can read them slowly.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded and said: “You’re right. You must be exhausted too—get some rest early.”

With that, he stood up, bent down to pick up his longsword, and was about to gather the books as well when Nie Qianyu waved her hand and said: “Brother Ren, just take your sword. I’ll help you with the books.”

Zhang Xiaohua glanced at the pile of books on the table and smiled. “Then I’ll have to trouble you.”

He then stepped forward and, with his other hand, picked up a few books to hold in his arms. Seeing how easily he carried the heavy longsword, Nie Qianyu couldn’t help but ask: “Brother Ren, what is your longsword made of? Why is it so heavy? If Senior Brother Lu hadn’t been unable to lift it today, I would have thought it was just an ordinary sword blank.”

Zhang Xiaohua gave it a swing and said: “I picked this up on a desolate mountain. Who knows what it’s made of? It’s just unusually heavy, but it feels right when I use it.”

Nie Qianyu asked again: “Brother Ren, do you want to learn the Artifact Forging Sect’s techniques so you can temper this sword blank into a real longsword?”

Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment and replied: “I don’t even know what material this thing is. I doubt the Artifact Forging Sect would necessarily have a way to work with it.”

Nie Qianyu nodded. “If you really want to temper this sword blank, it’s best to seek out the Weapon Casting Sect. They have unique expertise in crafting unusual weapons. The Artifact Forging Sect might not be as skilled in that area.”

“Oh?” Zhang Xiaohua said, “There’s a difference between the two?”

“The Artifact Forging Sect and Weapon Casting Sect both make similar weapons, but each has its own specialties. For example, the Artifact Forging Sect’s swords are known for their sharpness, while the Weapon Casting Sect can forge strangely shaped weapons. But when it comes to enhancing inner force, they’re about the same.”

“I see,” Zhang Xiaohua laughed. “Looks like I’ll have to get someone from the Weapon Casting Sect to come challenge me one day. If I just show up at their door for no reason, they probably won’t bother with me.”

“Pfft,” Nie Qianyu couldn’t help but spit at him again.