Volume 2 Chapter 27: The Book of Medicine and the Tempered Blade - Martial God

Chapter 27: The Book of Medicine and the Tempered Blade The grand doors of the high tower slowly opened, and He Yiming's figure silently appeared outside. He turned back, bowed slightly to those within, then flicked his sleeve and began his walk away from the palace. All the guards had been forewarned, and thus paid no heed to He Yiming's departure. Not that they could have stopped him even if they tried. Moments later, He Yiming had left the palace behind, while inside the high tower, it was Ting Minglie himself who now stood. "Ancestor, did Master He agree to become our Fire Wu Nation's protector?" Ting Minglie asked, filled with hope. In front of Ting Shiguang, he never put on airs of being the king of Fire Wu Nation. In truth, if it weren't for Ting Shiguang's endorsement, he might not even have ascended to the throne. Ting Shiguang gently shook his head, sighing, "We cannot afford someone like him." Ting Minglie's expression changed slightly, "Ancestor, it seems that Master He has only just set foot into the innate realm. Our Fire Wu royal family has countless secret manuals and treasures; if we allow him to choose freely, surely we can entice him?" Ting Shiguang gave him a cold glance, "Minglie, I understand your hopes. But remember, this man's future achievements are beyond your imagination. And only those hidden super sects could nurture such an individual. Our small nation’s treasures may really not be worth much in his eyes." He softened his tone slightly, "Still, I've made efforts to befriend him, so hopefully, he won't turn against us in the future." Only then did Ting Minglie give up hope entirely, letting out a soft sigh, unable to speak further. But in Ting Shiguang's heart, he mused silently. While the Magnetic Steel Essence is rare, in the eyes of an innate master, it isn't particularly precious. Once he learned He Yiming's true age, he gave up any dreams of inviting him as Fire Wu Nation's protector. Therefore, the real treasures he intended to offer were substituted with the Magnetic Steel Essence. This object was more than enough to secure the friendship of an innate master. ※※※※ Having left the palace, He Yiming naturally returned to the Xie family estate. By now, Muyuan and Luo Xin had already departed from the Xie residence, but they had left behind some valuable gifts, asking the Xie family to pass them on. When Xie Mingjin displayed all the gifts, even He Yiming was somewhat surprised. While they weren't as extravagant as the Magnetic Steel Essence, these items were still extremely rare treasures, some of which He Yiming had never even heard of. After pondering for a while, he questioned Xie Mingjin about the relationships between these families. He finally understood: while the four major families of Fire Wu Nation compete with each other, they are also interrelated by marriage, their ties so intricately entangled that it's a complete enigma. This wasn't surprising, considering the current status of Taicang County. Even family lines spanning only a century have formidable connections, let alone those that have been passed down for millennia. The He family and the Cheng family in Taicang were recently tied through marriage. Yet weren't the Cheng family and the Xu family also connected through marriage? These family relations, though complex and sometimes competitive, can also support each other when needed. The intricacies are indescribable, and He Yiming wished to remain uninvolved, simply gaining a cursory understanding before avoiding them as much as possible. Looking at the array of gifts amassed in the courtyard, He Yiming casually remarked, "Brother Xie, these things don't mean much to me, so you may handle them as you see fit." Xie Mingjin was initially stunned, his brows furrowing slightly. While He Yiming had the standing to say such a thing, he dared not treat the items carelessly. "Brother Xie, I've been here for several days now and need to return home," He Yiming said seriously. "Do you know when the inner garments of the Long-Armed Raccoon will be ready?" Xie Mingjin was taken aback, quickly replying, "Brother He, I've instructed them to hasten the process, but it will take about ten more days. Are you leaving so soon? Have we not treated you well enough?" He Yiming waved his hand, "That's not it. I've been away from home for a while now, and having broken through to the innate realm, it's time I returned. I can't always be wandering." Xie Mingjin nodded slightly, tempted to inquire where He Yiming's home was, but he resisted the urge. Instead, he pivoted, "Brother He, after you return, do you have any plans?" He Yiming contemplated briefly, "Nothing specific, maybe just rest for a while. Afterwards, I might travel a bit, to see if the world is truly as magnificent as they say." As he spoke, a glint of expectation shone in He Yiming's eyes. His conversation with Ting Shiguang had planted a strong desire within him to explore the world. Xie Mingjin sighed inwardly, recalling his great-grandfather's words—that He Yiming was someone who could not be confined to one place. Suddenly, He Yiming sensed something, glancing towards the doorway and then laughing heartily, "Brother Xie, I haven't forgotten the three-year promise—I will return at most in that time to help your esteemed elder reach the innate realm." Xie Mingjin stepped back, bowing deeply to him, "Thank you, Brother He." "Thank you, Master He," came an elderly voice from outside the door, prompting Xie Mingjin to rush over. Sure enough, Xie Zhien stood there. After ushering the old man inside, he respectfully bowed, "Master He, I just overheard you plan to leave soon?" "Yes, in about ten days," He Yiming said openly. Xie Zhien sighed deeply, "We dare not hold you against your will, Master He. But since you've agreed to assist me, I too cannot remain inactive." He extended both hands, offering a book several inches thick. Seeing his solemn demeanor, He Yiming quickly surmised the book's contents were significant. He accepted it with both hands, eyeing Xie Zhien's aged face. With a serious expression, Xie Zhien asked, "Master He, there are many aristocratic families that have lasted a millennium in Fire Wu Nation—but do you know why the Xie family remains among the four major clans?" He Yiming paused, "Your house is renowned for its medicinal legacy, is it not?" Xie Zhien stroked his beard and smiled, "That’s one reason, but the true cause is a forebear of ours who reached the innate realm." He Yiming’s eyes widened slightly, his interest piqued, as he glanced at the book in his hands. "It was a more prosperous time for Fire Wu Nation two hundred years ago," Xie Zhien reminisced. "The four great families, at one point, provided three protector masters. Sadly, today only the royal Ting family has a protector." He Yiming nodded slightly but refrained from commenting. He understood Xie Zhien’s hopes but had no intention of becoming Fire Wu’s protector. Xie Zhien's gaze fell on the book, "Our family is known for its expertise in refining postnatal elixirs. However, the most priceless artifact in our possession is the notes left by that ancestor who achieved the innate realm." He Yiming took a deep breath, "This book then..." "Indeed, that’s the record," Xie Zhien smiled wryly, "By rights, it’s the Xie family's most precious heirloom—a treasure that shouldn't be shared. Yet it means little to us now." He paused, then continued, "You've shown great courtesy to Mingjin, and hence you'll not be considered an outsider. Also, you seem quite interested in alchemy, so we offer this copy to you, hoping it aids you." He Yiming nodded earnestly, carefully wrapping the book before tucking it away, fully aware that behind Xie Zhien’s grand words lay a simple desire for assistance three years hence. "Elder, thank you for your generosity. I won't forget," He Yiming solemnly promised, "Three years from now, regardless of my progress in alchemy, I’ll return to exchange insights with you." Xie Zhien's eyes lit with a genuine smile of satisfaction. Suddenly, He Yiming recalled something, turning to ask, "Brother Xie, do you know where in Yingfeng City I might find an oven made from Wenli Stone?" "A stone oven made of Wenli Stone?" Xie Mingjin asked in surprise. "While Wenli Stone itself isn't particularly rare, using it to craft stone ovens is quite uncommon." Wenli Stone is a peculiar kind of rock found in abundance throughout the northwestern countries. It possesses a unique property: exceptional thermal conductivity, maintaining a stable temperature for extended periods once heated. Additionally, with its jade-like luster and aesthetic appeal, it is favored by nobles and aristocrats for winter heating purposes. Xie Zhien’s brows furrowed slightly. Although He Yiming's request seemed odd, it was an excellent opportunity to curry favor and strengthen their relationship. No matter how strange the request, they would do everything possible to fulfill it. "Master He, if I may ask, what do you need a Wenli Stone oven for?" He Yiming didn't withhold his intentions, saying, "When I entered the palace, I had a meeting with Master Ting Shiguang. He gifted me a piece of Magnetic Steel Essence. If I can melt it and integrate it into my preferred weapon, it will be capable of withstanding innate true energy." Xie Mingjin curiously asked, "What kind of metal is the Magnetic Steel Essence? Can't it be melted using an ordinary steel furnace?" He Yiming shook his head slightly, "I'm afraid not. If melted in a regular steel furnace, the Magnetic Steel Essence would seep into the furnace itself. However, it won't integrate into Wenli Stone, so it must be forged using it." He flashed a playful smile, "Brother Xie, you don't intend for me to wield a steel furnace as a weapon, do you?" Xie Mingjin's face flushed slightly, "Of course not, but…" He hesitated before continuing, "Even if there is an oven made of Wenli Stone, it might not fit the length of your weapon." Xie Zhien interjected, "Master He, what kind of weapon do you use?" In the Xie household, aside from Xie Nuanyi and his son, no one else had seen the formidable Guan Dao. Thus, Xie Zhien couldn't help but be curious after hearing about it. Xie Mingjin quickly responded, "Great-grandfather, please wait a moment. Brother Xie, could you let great-grandfather take a look at your Guan Dao?" The Guan Dao, divided into three segments, with each piece over a meter long and exceedingly heavy, wasn't something He Yiming could carry around at all times. Thus, he kept it in his room. Hearing Xie Mingjin’s request, He Yiming chuckled, "Of course." He stood up and effortlessly moved to the door, leaving the room in an instant. The motion was so natural that it didn’t disrupt the flow of conversation, as if his legs naturally covered such distances. Xie Mingjin couldn’t discern the difficulty of this step, but Xie Zhien understood it perfectly. He sighed deeply, filled with admiration. The uniqueness of the innate realm wasn't solely evident in combat; even in everyday life, it was awe-inspiring and unreachable for many. As seen now, such a fluid, easy stride was something even Xie Zhien himself couldn't perform as gracefully. Not long after, He Yiming returned, presenting the Guan Dao, which even left Xie Zhien, with all his knowledge and experience, wide-eyed. With an awkward smile, Xie Zhien said, "Master He, is this your preferred weapon?" "Indeed," He Yiming replied, as he carefully assembled and placed the Guan Dao on the table. If he were to stand the weapon upright, it would undoubtedly pierce a giant hole through the ceiling. Xie Zhien finally understood what Xie Mingjin had meant earlier: finding a Wenli Stone oven large enough to accommodate the Guan Dao was simply out of the question. But the old man only hesitated briefly before saying, "Master He, creating the oven is not difficult. Since your weapon can be dismantled into three segments, our Xie residence isn’t short on stone beds made of Wenli Stone. Give us five days, and we can adapt one to suit your needs. However…" His gaze settled on He Yiming, "Your weapon is unique, and the materials required will likely be several times more than for an ordinary weapon." He Yiming nodded slightly, acknowledging that the old man immediately recognized a challenge he too couldn't resolve. Retrieving the piece of Magnetic Steel Essence gifted by Ting Shiguang, He Yiming said, "Though small, this piece should suffice to forge one segment of the blade. If the old gentleman can resolve the oven issue, I’ll begin forging right away." Xie Zhien confidently pounded his chest in assurance, promising also that the Xie family would keep an eye out for any additional Magnetic Steel Essence to help He Yiming entirely forge his Guan Dao. However, He Yiming didn't hold much hope for that promise. If the essence were easily accessible, Ting Shiguang wouldn't have valued it so highly. Finding such a treasure among the general populace was largely a matter of chance. The task He Yiming entrusted was taken as the utmost priority by everyone in the Xie family. By that very afternoon, the most renowned stonemasons in Yingfeng City had been invited into the Xie estate. Not just one or two, but over ten, including three who were currently engaged by the Mu family. As soon as the Mu family heard the Xie's explanation, they immediately consented without a word of objection. They wouldn't risk offending an innate master over such a trivial matter. In just four days, these elite craftsmen had constructed an over-two-meter-long stone oven. Unlike typical designs, this oven lay horizontal on the ground, supported by twelve sturdy legs, making it a behemoth from any angle. He Yiming was very satisfied with the outcome. Once the oven was complete, he wasted no time in enlisting the Xie family’s help to commence the forging process. The Magnetic Steel Essence, about the size of a fist, was placed within the oven, heated by intense flames. Half a day later, the essence had fully melted into liquid form. Not only does Wenli Stone excel in heat conduction, but it also has an exceptionally high melting point. Under normal circumstances, it is virtually impossible to melt into stone liquid. He Yiming placed the first segment of the Guan Dao into the molten liquid, observing an astonishing phenomenon: the liquid seemed almost alive, actively seeping into the blade in a surprisingly even manner. Such a miraculous sight was something he wouldn't have believed had he not witnessed it himself. An hour later, the liquid in the oven was gone. When He Yiming retrieved the Guan Dao segment, a faint, mysterious gleam shimmered on the blade. As the blade cooled, he felt a distinctive energy resonating within the weapon—something that truly amazed him. But with so many onlookers present, he restrained the urge to test the blade, sheathing it instead. A few days later, under the supervision of Xie Mingjin and others, the Long-Armed Raccoon's garments were completed, and He Yiming took his leave from the Xie family.