Martial Cultivator

But the old man was unusually serious as he looked at the broken saber still in Chen Chao’s hand. He said in a deep voice, ”Let this old man have a look.”

Chen Chao did not say a word, he just released his grip.

The broken saber was drawn to the old man’s palm by his qi. After taking hold of the saber, the old man’s gaze remained fixed on it, his expression gradually becoming solemn. Chen Chao was still somewhat puzzled, but Yang Furen seemed to understand something.

”Where’s the other half?”

The old man looked up at Chen Chao, who promptly took out the other half and handed it to the old man.

After receiving it, the old man examined it once again, then sighed, ”It really is it.”

Yang Furen asked curiously, ”Is that it?”

The old man nodded solemnly. ”Although this old man didn’t personally forge this saber, whether is it the aura it carries, or the characteristics described by the predecessors, all confirms its identity.”

Chen Chao also realized belatedly and exclaimed, ”This broken saber is from Sword Qi Mountain?”

The old man who did not seem to mind the disclosure of this secret simply glanced at Chen Chao and asked again, ”Young friend, where did you get this saber, and how did it break?”

Chen Chao did not immediately respond, he just glanced at Yang Furen. After Yang Furen exchanged a glance with the old man, the old man nodded.

Yang Furen nodded and began to recount the origin of the saber. However, revealing the incident where Sword Qi Mountain was forced to forge a saber for an outsider, which became the one and only time they did so. Some family scandals naturally could not be spread.

After listening, Chen Chao said calmly, ”I presume that senior has heard about what happened at Sublime Bright Mountain some days ago. This broken saber was found by this junior inside. However, it was already broken when I found it. As for how it broke, I don’t know. I also don’t know who the previous owner of the broken saber was. It was just a coincidence.”

After hearing this, the old man sighed, ”What goes around comes around. It’s fate that brings this saber back to Sword Qi Mountain. Since it originally came from Sword Qi Mountain, I suppose I can reconcile with the idea of reforging it. Its original owner was an extraordinary figure, and you seem to be a talented young man of the current era. It’s ultimately fate in the end.”

Hearing this, how could Chen Chao not understand what the old man meant? He clasped his hands and said, ”Thank you, senior.”

The old man waved his hand, saying, ”It’s not that easy. When this sword was forged, it used the most precious material from my Sword Qi Mountain. Among them was a piece of Thousand Year Glacial Stone. Sword Qi Mountain hasn’t found a second piece in so many years. If you want to reforge it, you must find another piece. Without the Thousand Year Glacial Stone, although it’s possible to successfully reforge the saber, it will definitely not be as good as it was back then.”

Chen Chao was taken aback and asked, ”Where can this Thousand Year Glacial Stone be found?”

The old man smiled and replied, ”The piece from Sword Qi Mountain before was given as thanks by a previous generation’s sword immortal for a flying sword forged by Sword Qi Mountain. It should be obtained out at sea. There are countless ancient islands out at sea, some of which are ancient sects of unknown origin. Perhaps this item can be found in those sects. However, each ancient sect is heavily guarded. Since you have been to the ancient ruins behind Sword Qi Mountain Mountain, you naturally know.”

Chen Chao nodded and smiled bitterly. He had been to the ancient ruins behind Sublime Bright Mountain once. Although he left in the end, if given another chance, he definitely would not want to go again. It was full of dangers, and there was even a mysterious woman there. It was definitely not a good place to visit.

”Even if you go out to sea, you may not necessarily find it. There are so many islands in the sea, and so many ancient sects. How could you find it?”

The old man chuckled.

Chen Chao felt a headache coming on, ”So, there’s really no other way now? We can only rely on blind luck like this?”

Yang Furen interjected, ”Since you were a favored subject of the Great Liang Emperor, this matter isn’t actually troublesome. It depends on whether His Majesty is willing to part with it.”

Chen Chao was puzzled.

Yang Furen smiled and said, ”A few years ago, Great Liang happened to find a piece of Thousand Year Glacial Stone out at sea, and it’s currently in the palace.”

Chen Chao frowned deeply.

Even for the Sword Qi Mountain’s Hundred Year Swords, such a thing as the Thousand Year Glacial Stone was not included. When Sword Qi Mountain obtained that piece of Thousand Year Glacial Stone, it was originally intended to be used to forge an unparalleled flying sword. However, at that time, someone came up the mountain and directly forced them to use the glacial stone to forge a saber.

The old man suddenly smiled and said, ”Why don’t this old man melt this saber down and reforge it for you? But this old man must say in advance, my skills are not as good as those predecessors. The reforged saber will definitely not be as good as this original one.”

Chen Chao stood there, facing a difficult decision.

But soon he smiled and said, ”Then please wait a moment, Senior. This junior will write a letter back to the Divine Capital to ask His Majesty.”

The old man said in surprise, ”Do you really think His Majesty the Emperor will give such a rare item to a subject like you?”

Chen Chao replied, ”No matter what, I have to try, don’t I?”

The old man clicked his tongue and said, ”Impressive, impressive. If you can really get that piece of glacial stone, this old man will give my all to help you forge the saber. But let me say this in advance, any leftover glacial stone will be kept as a token of gratitude at Sword Qi Mountain. As for this matter, whether you inform your Emperor or not is up to you. this old man won’t be spreading the word.”

A piece of Thousand Year Glacial Stone was one of the finest materials for forging swords in the world. Sword Qi Mountain’s previous loss of this item had already caused immense grief among the swordsmiths on the mountain. Now, after waiting so many years, there was a chance to obtain another piece, so naturally, no one would refuse.

Chen Chao nodded.

The old man looked at him and murmured, ”If it really comes to that, this will have to unseal my furnace and forge another flying sword.”

Hearing this, Yang Furen was startled but soon looked full of anticipation.

The old man glanced at him and snorted, ”If we really get it, you will assist this old man.”

……

……

A letter quickly traveled from the distant Sword Qi Mountain to the Left Guard’s office. The constable responsible for sorting the letters glanced at the signature and immediately took the letter to Song Lian in the main hall. These days, this Left Guard Commander was in an excellent mood. First, because he had recently married and his life was becoming more fulfilling. Secondly, because ever since the Lord Warden Commander went to the Northern Frontier, he no longer had a superior above him, which meant that no one summoned him for scoldings every now and then. Currently, Song Lian was in the main hall reviewing past records. When he saw the petty officer come in, he looked up and asked, ”What’s the matter?”

The petty officer handed over the letter, and Song Lian took it. Noticing the signature, he smiled and said, ”That kid finally knows to write to me.”

He tore open the envelope and found another letter inside. This time, seeing the words ”For His Majesty’s Eyes Only,” Song Lian was taken aback. He picked up the letter and began to read. The letter simply stated that to reforge the broken saber, certain items were needed and sought His Majesty’s decision.

As for what items were needed, the letter did not specify.

Song Lian muttered under his breath, ”You think this is such a big deal, writing to His Majesty for something like this?!”

But after cursing, Song Lian immediately deflated: writing a letter to Your Father, doesn’t that mean that you want Your Father to go and meet His Majesty? The reason Chen Chao sent the letter to Song Lian instead of Xie Nandu was simple. Although Xie Nandu had the backing of the Xie Family, she might not be able to meet His Majesty the Emperor. As for asking the Dean for help, whether the Dean would assist was another matter altogether. Given this, it was better to ask Song Lian for help.

As the Commander of the Left Guard, and with the Lord Warden Commander currently absent from the Divine Capital, Song Lian naturally had the opportunity to meet His Majesty.

”Prepare the carriage. I’m going into the imperial city.”

Song Lian immediately got up after reading the letter. When others asked for his help, he might not assist, but he would not refuse Chen Chao’s request.

Soon, a carriage departed from the Left Guard’s office and quickly arrived at the gates of the imperial city.

Song Lian stepped out of the carriage and stood at the gate, waiting for the guards to report his arrival. He did not have the authority to enter the palace freely and could only wait.

Before long, a figure appeared outside the palace gates. It was Li Heng, the chief eunuch. Smiling at Song Lian, he asked, ”Commander Song, what brings you to the palace?”

Song Lian knew that the Li Heng in front of him was a close attendant of the Emperor, so he wasted no time and explained his purpose.

Li Heng smiled and said, ”If Commander Song trusts me, how about entrusting the letter to me?”

Without hesitation, Song Lian quickly handed over the letter and said with a bitter smile, ”If that kid has made any excessive requests in the letter, please say a few good words for him.”

Li Heng replied softly, ”Commander Song, you worry too much.”

Song Lian was still unaware of the Emperor’s decree that had already been sent to Sword Qi Mountain. If he knew, he would not be so concerned.

Li Heng turned and walked away, while Song Lian stood in place, watching him leave.

……

……

The letter quickly reached the desk of the Great Liang Emperor. The Emperor opened the envelope and glanced at it, nodding in approval. ”This kid’s handwriting is quite good, much better than that of Our sons.”

Li Heng asked curiously, ”What does he want?”

The Great Liang Emperor casually tossed the letter to Li Heng and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Li Heng took the letter, read it for a moment, before saying with vicissitudes of emotion, ”That piece of Thousand Year Glacial Stone is a rare item. This servant remembers that when it was discovered, quite a few people were lost bringing it back to the palace. Are you willing to part with it, Your Majesty?”

The Great Liang Emperor did not answer directly but instead smiled and said, ”This seems to be the first time that kid has reached his hand out to Us. How can We refuse him?”

”Besides, We took the entire world from his family. He just wants a piece of lousy stone, what’s there to be unwilling about?”

Li Heng also smiled and said, ”Your Majesty spoils him too much. If the princes find out, they might be quite upset.”

From previously backing Chen Chao to now giving him such a precious item as the Thousand Year Glacial Stone, it was showing immense favor.

”As long as We don’t give him the throne, they won’t mind much.”

The Great Liang Emperor chuckled, then suddenly said, ”Li Heng, it seems you haven’t gone out of the Divine Capital for a long time. Go to Sword Qi Mountain and bring that lousy stone to that kid.”

The Thousand Year Glacial Stone was an important item, and the journey from the Divine Capital to Sword Qi Mountain was not short. Anything could happen along the way.

Li Heng nodded and said, ”As you command.”

The Great Liang Emperor waved his hand and said rather smugly, ”As long as that kid is willing to reach his hand out, there will be plenty of work to do.”