Chapter 38 Chapter Thirty-Six

The three walked over following the sound. I saw a shirtless boy holding a sledgehammer, continuously forging a piece of red-hot pig iron. Although the boy's figure was not burly, he was very strong, and his black and red skin was dripping with sweat.With the waving of his arms, the loose long hair fluttered up and down like a flag, and it didn't look like the "lunatic" that the craftsman said, but it had a moving beauty. Li Qichen asked, "What is he doing?" Du Rong said: "Xiaoye." "Xiaoye?" Li Qichen was even more confused. Du Rong explained: "It is to repeatedly forge pig iron to remove the chaff and save the essence, so that it can be combined with hardness and softness, so that a supreme sword can be cast."

Li Qichen asked: "Pig iron is brittle and hard but easy to rust, rigid but easy to break, can it also make swords?" Du Rong nodded: "After repeated smelting and frying of pig iron, it becomes 'Ju'. After repeated forging, 'Ju' can further remove impurities and increase toughness, so that it can turn rigidity into softness and become a superior magic weapon." Li Qichen was very curious: "Oh? How does this iron sword compare to the bronze sword?" Du Rong: "It is more difficult to forge than a bronze sword, but once it is forged, it is extremely sharp, both strong and sharp, and extremely flexible, far better than a bronze sword."

Li Qichen was very interested and asked, "Is there a real iron sword like this? Can you lend me a look?" Du Rong said to the boy: "Mubie, can you show us your sword?" The young man rolled his eyes and didn't say anything, and he didn't know whether he heard it or not.His facial features are very regular, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, slightly thick lips, but there is a long scar on his left cheek, which looks a bit hideous. Du Rong said again: "Mubie, I'm talking to you." His tone was impatient. The boy grabbed the piece of iron with iron tongs and dipped it into a large vat next to it.

There was a whistling sound, and a puff of white air rose, and the three of them immediately smelled a pungent smell of smelly smell, Yan Wei quickly covered her nose with her sleeve, took two steps back, and asked in surprise: "What is this? !" Du Rong also showed disgust: "Ma Ni." Yan Wei wondered: "Didn't you just say that the lake is the most suitable for casting swords? How does he use this?" Du Rong smiled wryly and shook his head: "So they said he was a..." He didn't say the word "crazy" below, but the four of them knew what he was going to say.

The boy snorted coldly, picked up the piece of pig iron and shook it, splashing the drowning juice.Li Qichen hastily pulled Yan Wei away, but he frowned at this time, even if he had cultivated himself well. Du Rong also felt that it was very impolite, and while saluting and apologizing, he said: "He is in a bad mood recently, don't be as knowledgeable as him. Let's go to the sword house over there, there are still many famous swords to appreciate." Turning around and guiding the two to fold head north. Li Qichen asked as he walked, "Has this place always been used as a place for smelting and casting?"

Du Rong nodded and said: "Yes, there is no shortage of copper, tin, firewood, and charcoal here. The water and clay used for making furnaces are also high-quality, which are suitable for drum casting. Besides, according to Wu Ji, there must be four Isn't it just God's will to forge swords here? It's a pity that there are no iron mines here... Although there are many iron mines in our country of Yang, the grade is not high. It is okay to cast some ordinary farm tools and utensils, but it is not suitable for swords. If you can conquer Jiang Guo, you will not worry..." Turning around a mountain ridge, I saw a valley in the distance, surrounded by mist, and I could vaguely see many adobe houses and shadows of people.

Yan Wei couldn't help asking: "Where is that place? Who are those people?" Du Rong's complexion changed, and he said, "That's where the slaves live. You must not go near it. It's not peaceful here recently. If something happens, you'll regret it later." Yan Wei really wanted to get to the bottom of it, but when she thought of the naked slaves she saw just now, she blushed and fell silent. When we arrived at Jun Yue'an's sword hut, we saw that Tong Shui was already there, happily holding two swords to compare pictures. When he saw Li Qichen, he shouted excitedly: "Brother! Quickly pick a sword! You pick it first!" , I will pick the rest.”

Li Qichen took a sword in his hand and took a closer look, only to see that the body of the sword was like a pool of autumn water, shining with a dark blue light, and there were faintly thin light golden diffuse lines on the body of the sword.Li Qichen flicked his wrist, it was the same move he had used before, but this time the blade seemed to come alive, twisting and twisting like a snake. Li Qichen was also taken aback: "The tenacity of this sword is really extraordinary. The strength of this move, if it is a bronze sword, is just a slight tremor of the sword body. I didn't expect this sword..." He was speechless for a while, as if he couldn't think of anything. Appropriate words to describe this sword.

Tong Shu said, "Not only is it flexible, but it's also very sharp!" As he spoke, he subconsciously stuffed his index finger into his mouth and sucked it. Yan Wei saw him, gave him a blank look, and said, "Take out your hand and show me!" Tong Shu smiled embarrassedly, took out his finger and wiped it on the front of his clothes, hid it behind his back, and said, "I accidentally scratched it just now, and the bleeding stopped long ago..." Yan Wei pulled Tong Shui's arm and looked closely at his fingers. She saw a sword mark on the tip of her index finger. Although it was not long, it was very deep. There was a little blood oozing, and her skin was white and wrinkled. I sucked it for a long time.

Yan Wei rolled her eyes at Tong Shui, took out Huayu ointment from her bosom and applied it on him.Tong Shui looked at Yue Anjun and Li Qichen with some embarrassment, and stuck out his tongue. Li Qichen looked carefully at the inscription on the sword in his hand, and saw that it was a word "Mu", he couldn't help asking: "Is this also written by Master Mu Xuanshi?" Yue Anjun smiled and nodded. Li Qichen asked: "It is said that Master Mu is withdrawn and shy, and would not easily make swords for others, but here are so many swords, it is very rare." Jun Yue An smiled and said: "He used to forge swords here for five years, and only these few swords are left..."

"Five years?!" Li Qichen was astonished, "I heard that the king of Qi invited him to go to Qi with generous words and money, but he only stayed there for a year. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. My lord doesn’t know how to tell Master Mu to forge so many swords?” Lord Yue'an said: "The weather, location, and harmony of people here are all excellent. Mu Xuanshi has been obsessed with casting iron and smelting swords for the past few years, but most people still want him to cast bronze swords, so he naturally dismisses it. I follow his advice. Desire, this is the right time; here are all kinds of raw materials and equipment used for sword casting, and this place is also favorable; I also have many skilled craftsmen here, each with their own secrets, and they can compare and refer to each other to improve their craftsmanship. , he is naturally happy to concentrate on forging swords here." Li Qichen asked, "Where is Master Mu now?" Jun Yue'an's expression changed, and he said, "I've already left..." Yan Wei had already applied medicine for Tong Shui, wrapped up the wound, and asked, "That Mu Bie, is that Mu Xuanshi?" Jun Yue An said: "It's his son." But Tong Rate didn't care about Mu Xuanshi's affairs, he just asked Li Qichen: "How? Have you chosen? Which one do you like?" Li Qichen shook his head: "I still feel that the bronze sword is easy to use. The bronze sword is heavy and solid, suitable for stabbing; the iron sword is light and soft, suitable for stabbing, which suits your temperament." He sighed regretfully. With a voice, "I still feel that the 'loyalty' handle given to me by the king is the most handy, if it is still there..." Jun Yue An said: "Did that sword be confiscated when you were imprisoned?" Li Qichen nodded. Jun Yue An muttered: "Don't worry, I'll think of a way to see if I can get it..." Li Qichen was overjoyed when he heard the words, and bowed deeply: "Qichen, thank you in advance." Tong Li said: "You don't want me! I have to pick a long and big one..." Li Qichen said with a smile: "He's short, but he likes to use a long sword. Is it comfortable to wear it on your waist when you stagger while walking?" Hearing this, Tong Shu straightened his chest and argued, "How am I short? I'm as tall as you!" Tong Shi was slightly shorter than Li Qichen by half a point, but because of his slender arms and legs, he appeared taller. At first glance, he would feel that the two were about the same height, but if they stood together, it was obvious that Tong Shi was slightly shorter. Yan Wei covered her mouth with a smile and said, "Yeah! Standing on tiptoe, they are indeed the same height." Tong Shuai raised his fist and wanted to hit Yan Wei, but Yan Wei straightened her body with an expression of "I see you dare to hit me".Tong Shu couldn't help laughing. Li Qichen said: "The length of the sword should match a person's height and arm length, so that it can be used smoothly, and the shoulders and wrists will not be overly strenuous and not easy to be injured." After a short pause, he continued, "And Not everything has to be long and big." After hearing this, Tong Su suddenly covered his mouth and burst into a smirk.Li Qichen was taken aback at first, he didn't understand what he was laughing at, but he immediately understood what he was referring to, and felt that it was very rude and very embarrassing. Li Qichen peeked at Yan Wei, seeing Yan Wei's expressionless face, as if he didn't understand the deep meaning of the words, he let out a sigh of relief, and gave Tong Shui a hard look.Tong Shu stuck out his tongue again and made a grimace. In fact, Yan Wei certainly knew what they were joking about, but in this situation, she could only act nonchalantly and pretend that she didn't understand. Du Rong suddenly opened his mouth and broke the embarrassing situation: "I heard that Jiang Guo has a huge magic sword. It is as tall as a person and has thick thighs. Only Jiang Wang Longwei can use it in the whole country. Most people can't even lift it. I don’t know what kind of way this kind of big weapon is.” Tong Shui hurriedly said: "Yes, I heard that the magic sword fell from the sky, and it was given to King Jiang by the gods. Du Rong said: "The magic sword must be real. Many people in Jiang country have seen it. It is said that it is also an iron sword. As for how it came from, only God knows." Jun Yuean smiled and said: "Even if the so-called 'Heavenly Demon Sword' legend is true, it may be just a piece of meteorite that happens to form the shape of a big sword. It is said that the sword has no front. Looking at it this way It’s more like meteorite.” Tong Shui said: "I heard that when the magic sword fell from the sky, thousands of people were decapitated, and there was a sea of ​​blood. That's why it was called 'the magic sword'." Mr. Yue An laughed loudly: "The Jiang Wang Longwei was originally a military general of the Jiang Kingdom. He took advantage of the war in the country and stole the throne. If he didn't create some god-given auspiciousness, how could the throne be secure? These are all made up to deceive those fools. You foolish woman, don't take it seriously at all." After hearing this, Yan Wei felt that Yue An Jun's thoughts and opinions were similar to her own. Even her father shook her head when she didn't believe in ghosts and gods and divination. Unexpectedly, there was a big man Like myself, I can't help but secretly refer to him as my confidant. Tong Shui was a little embarrassed by Jun Yue'an's smile, and said with a smile: "One day, I will go to Jiang Guo to see what the magic sword looks like! See if I can move it." Du Rong said: "The magic sword is hidden in King Jiang's palace, and it's probably hard for ordinary people to see it..." Tong Shi smiled and said to Li Qichen, "Brother, do you still remember that I said that I wanted to come to this 'Chiya Tianshui' to experience it? It was only a month before today, and I was already standing here." Then he said to Du Rong, "Don't Underestimate people, King Jiang’s palace is not a dragon’s pool or a tiger’s den, why can’t I go there? I heard that there is a beautiful princess in Jiang’s country, she is only twenty-eight years old, and she is not married yet, so I don’t know if she looks at me..." Jun Yue An couldn't help shaking his head and chuckling when he heard Tong Shui's nonsense. Li Qichen said: "Don't brag, pick a sword quickly." These sword boy rates have been appreciating for a long time, and they already knew it well, took a short and thin sword, and said with a smile: "Okay, okay! Listen to people's persuasion and eat enough. Since eldest brother doesn't like long and big swords, I'll pick a short and small one, and that's it!" Li Qichen looked over and saw the word "Meng" inlaid with the wrong gold on the end of the sword, so he said with a smile: "This sword is destined for you, there is a saying, 'Children and Meng are lucky, and Xun is the same'. You use This sword has the good fortune that everything will go smoothly." After what Li Qichen said, Tong Shui couldn't put it down even more, he happily put it on his waist, next to his original bronze sword, and said with a smile: "These two swords are one long and the other short, one big and one small, One black and one white, it looks like a couple." Jun Yue An also couldn't help smiling: "There is no one who wears such a sword. Fortunately, this sword is the lightest one, otherwise the belt would be broken." Tong Shu said with a smile on his face: "The belt is broken, please give me another one!" Jun Yue An smiled and said: "You are too greedy and love money, no wonder you are so rich at a young age."