Chapter 467: Forging Forges

Chapter 467: Forging Forges

Time passed. Hours turned into days, and days turned into weeks. A month came and left. The female cultivator with experience in jadeworking sat happily under the trees, carving away with no need for a forge. Of the other cultivators, three of them had obtained forges of their own, and another two were on the verge of a breakthrough, most notably Hong Lu. Song Wei, the black lotus, struggled with his technique, and at the end of the month, he still failed to obtain the qualifications to cast his forge.

Hui put a hand to his chin thoughtfully. Hmm well, if hes cannon fodder instead of a true black lotus, then thats fine. That resolves all my Song Wei-associated problems! But I cant discount him yet. Isnt it common for a black lotus to get trod all over in the first act, with slow cultivation speed and all the typical signs of a butt-monkey protagonist, only to turn around and massacre in the second? Im willing to lose Hong Lu, but Im not willing to lose my own little life! Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

Turning back to the forge, Hui raised his hammer again and brought it down. He lifted the piece of metal and nodded to himself. Well, that is certainly an edged piece of metal! It might be a bit rude to call it a sword, but it wouldnt be wrong, either.

He sliced the air. The prototype swords edge glowed faintly as a fire spell heated it from within. It isnt everything I wanted, but it isnt nothing, either. A good start. At last, Ive begun to comprehend the mysteries of forging!

Pausing, Hui glanced around, then sliced the glowing sword a few more times, pausing to strike a few famous poses along the way. The swords edge glowed faithfully, a bright red. Aloud, he hummed, Vrmmm vrmmmmmm vRMMMmmm

Ying Lin peeked inside. Master

Hui froze, glowing saber in hand. Slowly, he peered over his shoulder at Ying Lin.

Ying Lin backed up. Is it a bad time? I can come back later, Master

No, no. Come in. Your Master was just practicing a few basic sword forms, Hui said, quickly setting the sword down. No longer swung, it quickly faded to its usual dull grey.

Ying Lin tilted her head. Then, the humming?

An incantation, an incantation! Yes. Dont worry yourself over it, Ying Lin. Its all very high-realm magic, Hui said seriously.

Nodding, Ying Lin beamed. Yes!

See? Thats what a proper disciple should say. Hui straightened and brushed down his robes. So, Ying Lin, how can I help you?

Mmm. I just came to see how Master was doing. Youre making good progress! she said, looking at the sword on the ground.

Im making progress, anyways, Hui half-agreed. Its not like Im marching in place, but neither am I advancing by leaps and bounds. Im progressing very normally. How about you, Ying Lin?

Progressing well. I think Ive nearly mastered the Seven Steps, Ying Lin said.

Hui blinked. It took that long?

Master, its only been a month or so, Ying Lin returned.

Ah thats right. To master a sword technique in a month is already insane. Its only because Ying Lins progress is so crazily fast that taking a month or so to master something seems long. Hui waved his hand. Never mind, never mind. Ah, I was mistaken. Ying Lin, your progress is already fantastic. Theres no need to worry about making it any faster.

Want it, obviously want it! Song Wei said, nodding.

So take it! Hui said, shaking his head. Stop making yourself a victim and get the damn job done!

Song Wei stepped forward hesitantly. He glanced at Hui a few times as he approached the forge, clearly nervous. Carefully, he set out a few ores, glancing at Hui between each one.

Hui sighed. Song Wei, what are you being so careful for?

Master warned me that people might take my ores, Song Wei said, glancing down.

How advanced is your victim disease? Hui rolled his eyes. If I wanted your ores, do you think being careful would stop me?

No Song Wei allowed.

Do you think Im the kind of villain who runs around stealing disciples ores, when Im the one who handed them out to you in the first place? Hui asked.

But, but Master

But nothing! Even the one time I took your precious ore, what happened? I handed it back to you! Song Wei, you cant think that the whole world is out to get you. I mean, well, you can, and it is, but theres a limit to being paranoid, okay?

Youre the kind to start turning that paranoia into hatred, and sitting on that hatred that you yourself sowed to the point that you think its righteous to unilaterally go on the attack because of that hatred. I truly want nothing but the best for you, so stop acting like a wounded tiger and get to work! Hui demanded. He shook his head. Im putting way too much effort into this one disciple of mine. This troublesome black lotus at this rate, the other disciples are going to end up jealous of Song Wei, while Song Wei brews murderous intent inside his heart!

Bah! I really do want the best for you. The best for the you who ends up crafting magical items! Quickly level up and become a powerful money-tree for me, alright?

Taken aback, Song Wei blinked. A wounded tiger He clenched his hands.

Oh, come on! You cant hold that against me, too! Sighing, Hui opened his mouth.

Before he could, Song Wei nodded to himself. Under his breath, he murmured, Master has faith in me. Master has faith!

His eyes shone. Song Wei clenched his hand and strode forward, his shoulders squared for the first time. Ill live up to your faith, Master!

Eh. I know I was just complaining about it, but is that really all it took to flip the black lotus back to white lotus mode? Suspicious, very suspicious. Hui tapped his chin for a moment, narrowing his eyes at Song Weis back, then shrugged. Oh well. Its convenient. Itll be even more convenient if I never have to think about Song Wei again, and he becomes just another forge worker!

Yes, thats right. Master believes in you. Go, go, work hard! Hui said, waving his hand as he walked out the door. Ill go slack off and snackahem, work hard at comprehending manuals and regenerating qi with spirit fruits while he works.

Song Weis eyes burned with vigor. He fed one ore after another into the light of the fire. As the fire grew hotter, so too did the flames in his heart. No ones ever believed in me before. No ones ever taken my side. For once could it be? I have to live up to Masters belief in me!