228 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

Master remained as taciturn as always, her face never betraying intense emotions, adhering strictly to the ancient adage of “no talk during meals, no speech in bed.” Everyone was present, yet without Ning Songwu, it felt like a significant presence was missing. Ning Songwu usually chattered incessantly at the table. She’d first pester Master until the slight furrow of annoyance appeared between her brows, then turn to Cen Ran, who would cajole her. Her charm and vivacity made the atmosphere lively and animated. With Ning Songwu absent, the dining table seemed dull and monotonous. Cen Ran almost forgot that three years ago, before Ning Songwu had arrived, they used to have meals just like this. “Master, don’t you have some time to visit junior sister?” Cen Ran couldn’t help but ask. Ran Fanyan took her time swallowing her food, looking like she hadn’t given it much thought: “I don’t have time today. I need to go to the Sword Casting Pool.” “Master, junior sister really wanted to see you when she left. If you don’t visit her, she’ll only get more heartbroken, and I fear this will create a rift between you and her!” Cen Ran felt like an anxious eunuch worried over the emperor’s business. “If her mind and heart are truly that narrow, then there’s no need for me to waste time on such a disciple.” Ran Fanyan put down her chopsticks. Luo Sheng discreetly signaled Cen Ran to stop talking. Cen Ran ignored Luo Sheng’s signal and continued, feeling indignant at Master’s insensitivity: “Master! Ning Songwu is your disciple. Even if you sent her to Hongfei Pavilion for her own good, you can’t just ignore her! She’s still just a child. How can you be so heartless? Do you even consider her your disciple?” “Cen Ran!” Luo Sheng quickly interjected, trying to stop her. Cen Ran’s concern had led her to lose her composure; she was being too reckless. Ran Fanyan glanced at Cen Ran calmly before standing up, her tone unhurried: “Then you can go visit her on my behalf. I’m heading to the Sword Casting Pool now.” With that, Ran Fanyan swept out of the room. Her voice drifted back on the chill wind: “I’ll be in seclusion with Jiang Yue for possibly half a month. Luo Sheng, take care of Rongku Pavilion in my stead.” “Master!” Cen Ran stomped her foot impatiently. Did Master truly not care about Ning Songwu at all? “Cen Ran, Master has her own plans. Calm down,” Luo Sheng patted Cen Ran on the shoulder. The Sword Casting Pool was situated lower down, and strictly speaking, it wasn’t even a building. It was carved out of a massive rock protruding from the ground, with a heavy stone door that remained mostly closed. When Ran Fanyan arrived, Jiang Yue had already opened a crack in the stone door for her, as usual. Ran Fanyan side-stepped through the opening. A scorching wave of heat, almost unbearable, rushed out from the pool where something was being smelted. She had witnessed the harsh conditions of sword casting before, but even so, the cold-climate-hardened Ran Fanyan couldn’t help but frown. Jiang Yue sat on a rock, her eyes twinkling with a smile as she saw Ran Fanyan: “You’re here? Sit down for a bit.” Seeing Ran Fanyan eyeing the items being smelted in the pool, Jiang Yue continued: “Don’t worry about that. Your spot has been cleared a long time ago. Come over. Since you want to forge the sword yourself, I’ll explain the basics. It’s been a long time since Master taught us, you might have forgotten by now.” Ran Fanyan nodded and sat beside Jiang Yue. Jiang Yue began slowly: “The basics of sword forging can be divided into five steps: mold-making, smelting, pouring, refining, and sharpening. Nearly all sword-making techniques follow this process. The quality of the sword depends on the materials used and the temperature during smelting, both of which directly determine the blade’s quality.” “Okay.” Ran Fanyan signaled for Jiang Yue to continue. Jiang Yue glanced at the Sword Casting Pool: “An ordinary sword can be forged in less than a month, but a fine sword takes three to five years, requiring meticulous effort from molding to embedding decorations. During that time, you’ll have to frequently visit the Sword Casting Pool, sometimes without leaving for months. Do you have the patience for that?” “I’m aware. That’s why I’m here now.” Ran Fanyan paused, “I hope that when she’s accomplished, she will have a suitable, excellent sword.” Jiang Yue asked, puzzled: “Ran Fanyan, your other two disciples just took ready-made swords from me, and even your own sword didn’t receive such painstaking effort. Do you really hold Ning Songwu that dearly?” “Firstly, Senior Brother is currently busy forging another important sword, and can’t spare time for me. Secondly, Ning Songwu’s talent is slightly less than Luo Sheng and Cen Ran’s, and she has an old injury in her right hand. As her master, forging a sword for her is one of the few things I can do for her now.” Jiang Yue pondered for a moment, then asked: “So, why do you care so much for her?” Ran Fanyan replied softly, “Senior Brother, why do you care so much about forging a sword?” Jiang Yue was taken aback, not expecting Ran Fanyan to counter her question. She then laughed heartily: “You’re right. It’s my confusion. As cultivators, we don’t question the origin, everything arises from destiny.” “She’s my disciple, and I’m her master; that reason alone is enough.” Under the flickering light of the molten pool, Ran Fanyan’s eyes glinted with a gentle yet determined light. Jiang Yue stood up and walked to a stone shelf, taking out a long box of specially prepared clay from the bottom layer. She turned to Ran Fanyan: “Then let’s begin. First, the mold-making.” “Senior Brother speaks, and I listen.” Ran Fanyan looked at the box of clay. “This is the first step, mold-making. Using the clay to shape the mold for the molten metal, this will determine the general form of the sword. The width, thickness, patterns on the blade, and spaces for inlaid gems all need to be considered. Imagine the liquid flowing into the mold; the patterns must be carved reversely to create recessed designs on the solidified blade. Do you understand?” “Yes.” Ran Fanyan listened attentively, taking note. “Once the mold is ready, it will be baked in high heat until it hardens, and then it will be used for pouring the molten metal.” Jiang Yue explained briefly and then smiled gently, “Actually, the shape of the sword doesn’t greatly affect its power, but it’s for a girl, so make it pretty.” Ran Fanyan selected a quiet corner, placed the clay mold on her lap, rolled up her pristine sleeves, and received the carving knife handed to her by Jiang Yue, focusing intently on the task.