Chapter 417: Forging the Malevolent Blade
Chapter 417: Forging the Malevolent Blade
"The blade is only half-drawn, just in case it scares you, it's just a kid..."
Hu Ma looked at Sun Clan Seventh's fearful expression and managed to suppress his laughter. This jagged blade had been borrowed from Zhou Datong, and although it hadn't been in his possession for long, only a year or two, it had been through a lot.
He had used it to cut down many people, including demons and beasts. It had even been used to slay the Green Robed Evil Ghost, eliminate the Beggar Gang Jing Tang, and execute the Five Malevolent Gods.
The blade had taken the lives of dozens of people, and its malevolent aura was naturally strong. What was once an ordinary object was no longer so.
At first, Hu Ma had borrowed the blade and then returned it to Datong. But later, Datong refused to keep it because every night, the blade would make strange noises and give him nightmares. He was determined never to ask for it back.
Hu Ma had become accustomed to using the blade, and it had become an extension of himself. However, he had to admit that since entering the mansion, the blade felt less effective. It was too light, and he couldn't exert enough force with it.
Moreover, although the blade's aura had been cultivated, it was made of ordinary iron. If he were to face a sage, no matter how malevolent and powerful the blade was, it could be crushed into scrap metal in an instant, leading to a significant disadvantage.
If he wanted a suitable weapon without discarding this blade, it would be necessary to reforge it. Therefore, Hu Ma carefully observed Sun Clan Seventh, considering whether this task was suitable for him.
"What a fine blade! My father's judgment was indeed accurate. At first, I only saw his youth and doubted his capabilities, but now I see his true talent."
Sun Clan Seventh's eyes widened as he examined the blade before him.
There were ordinary blades and malevolent blades. After taking many lives, a blade would acquire a malevolent aura, and those in the trade would recognize it as extraordinary.
This blade was no exception. The notches on its edge were clearly from cutting through bones, specifically those of living beings, which explained its resilience and unusual shape. The blade was also covered in filth that couldn't be removed by cleaning or wiping.
As he held the blade, Sun Clan Seventh felt a sense of innate danger.
The broken end of the blade didn't appear to be due to age but rather recent use. If someone could wield such a blade within a year or two, what kind of person would they have become? A professional killer?
Here was a young man, yet this blade seemed to obey him so obediently. Did this mean that this young manager...
Tentatively, he asked, "Uncle Hu, did you obtain this blade elsewhere, or..."
Hu Ma smiled and said, "It's from my own home. I've gotten used to it."
Sun Clan Seventh was even more astonished.
"What do you think?"
After Sun Clan Seventh had examined the blade for a while, Hu Ma smiled and asked him a question.
Sun Clan Seventh paused for a moment before slowly putting down the blade. He then took out a piece of red paper from his bag and said in a low voice, "Uncle Hu, let's seal this blade first. Then we can discuss it. Otherwise, I'm afraid it might hear us and..."
Although he hadn't mastered the art of year-end guardianship, managing so many shops had given him some experience.
He knew that such a malevolent blade, when spoken about by its owner, was fine. But if outsiders discussed it, it could bring disaster. That's why it needed to be wrapped in red paper before they could talk about it.
Hu Ma smiled, took the blade, and sheathed it with a 'thud'. Then he said, "It's fine now. Speak!"
Sun Clan Seventh let out a bitter laugh and lowered his voice, "Uncle Hu, do you really want to reforge it?"
"This blade is a fine object. It already has a malevolent aura, but it's just an ordinary blade made of common iron. If it's melted down again, it might ruin this excellent base. In my opinion, it's not worth the risk..."
"I don't intend to reforge it completely, just to repair it."
Hu Ma smiled and said, "Forging is necessary, but I want to keep this blade. After forging it, I plan to add something else."
As he spoke, he took out a piece of black bone from his sleeve, which he had prepared beforehand.
He gently placed it on the table, and the oil lamp in the room flickered. Sun Clan Seventh wanted to stare at it more closely, and he even had the urge to pick it up and examine it.
But before his hand could touch it, he suddenly felt dizzy, and he heard the roar of an evil ghost in his ears. His body felt like it had been struck by lightning, and he fell to the ground.
When he managed to get up, he covered his face with his sleeve, afraid to look at the bone. His heart raced as he said, "Uncle Hu, I understand what you mean."
"You could forge a hundred pounds of pure iron and use it to forge this blade. Then, you could embed your... this malevolent object into it. But doing so would make this weapon even more malevolent, and I fear that ordinary people wouldn't be able to handle it..."
"I'm not part of the trade, but my father once told me that a malevolent blade brings misfortune to its owner..."
"... "
Even the blade alone already possessed a malevolent aura, and it was enough to make an ordinary person like him feel apprehensive.
The black bone, however, exceeded his imagination, causing his heart to race. What would happen if these two were combined?
"You don't need to worry, I have my ways."
Hu Ma smiled and said, "But whether or not we can take on this job still depends on you. If you can't make the decision, you can go back and ask your father. If we can take it on, give me a definite answer."
"I..."
Sun Clan Seventh was about to say something, but then changed his mind, "My father told me to get close to Uncle Hu. Perhaps I'll need his recommendation to join the Red Lantern Society in the future and seek protection."
"If I show hesitation now, it will only invite ridicule."
"As for the accounts in the shop, I'm even more familiar with them than my father. At worst, we'll lose a hundred or so pounds of pure iron and those items. If we can forge such a weapon, then in the future, when the elders and seniors use this blade, they will remember me. Even if the relationship isn't deep, it will become so."
"..."
With his mind made up, he stood up and nodded firmly, "Uncle Hu, rest assured. We can take on this job. I'll go and personally invite our family's master blacksmith, who specializes in forging weapons for those in the trade."
"However, I might not be able to leave today. I'll first send a little ghost messenger to ask the master blacksmith about the rules and formalities for taking this blade, to avoid any mishaps."
"..."
"It's up to you. You can stay here for the night."
Hu Ma smiled, "When you come to my mine, how could I let you go hungry?"
In truth, he didn't think much of it. This jagged blade, which had been with him and stained with blood, had indeed developed a hint of malevolent aura. At times, it was even more useful than the locust tree sword. But this bit of malevolent aura wasn't as extreme as it seemed.
The black bone was left behind by the Five Malevolent Gods, and it naturally carried a powerful malevolent aura that could scare away esteemed guests.
However, the bone no longer held any consciousness and wouldn't cause trouble easily. Although it looked intimidating, it was actually safe. But since the other party had mentioned it, he decided to respect their line of work.
With this arrangement, Sun Clan Seventh stayed, and that night, he sent out a little ghost messenger. No one knew what he asked, but that very night, he had a servant go outside the valley to find several locust trees. He carved a coffin from the wood, splashed it with chicken blood, and painted some strange markings on it.
The next morning, he wrapped the jagged blade in layers of red paper and placed it in the coffin. Then, he burned incense as an offering, bowed, and paid his respects. Only then did he place it properly in his family's carriage.
As for the bone, he was a bit unsure what to do with it, so Hu Ma took it and placed it in a jar.
Assured that the bone would be safe, Sun Clan Seventh finally put his mind at ease and left.
Before leaving, he left a note, arranging to pick up the blade in half a month. Hu Ma, on the other hand, was now looking forward to the new blade that would soon undergo a transformation.
As for the rest, there was no rush. He took care of the mine's affairs while waiting for a message from Elder Sun.
He stayed at the mine for seven or eight days, and soon, the mine had earned some silver, and all matters had stabilized. He had also become accustomed to his new life after entering the mansion. It was then that Elder Sun's little ghost messenger arrived.
A gust of malevolent wind suddenly blew in from outside the valley, causing the red lanterns to sway back and forth. Then, a powder shadow rushed into the mine's main hall.
Little Red Tang was on the beam, playing with the locust tree sword. Suddenly, she felt the malevolent aura entering the valley, and she grabbed the locust tree sword and rushed out. The shadow that had rushed into the hall was startled and retreated back into the valley.
As the two sides stared each other down like fighting roosters, ready to pounce on each other, Hu Ma heard the commotion outside and hurried out. He stared intently and asked, "What are you doing here?"
The shadow on the ground transformed into a woman wearing an opera costume, her face painted with makeup. She said in a singsong voice, "Lord Hu, I come bearing a message from Elder Sun of your family..."
The female ghost floated forward and bowed respectfully to Hu Ma. She spoke in a roundabout manner, "But your ghost messenger is too fierce. It wants to hit people as soon as it sees them. It's truly my misfortune to follow that old man with the surname Sun, being ordered around day and night. Even delivering a message is met with difficulty..."
"?"
Hu Ma was taken aback. Why was she complaining when she was just delivering a message? Did she expect him to beat up Little Red Tang in front of her to vent her frustration? He felt that Elder Sun's ghost messenger was different from others, so he smiled and said, "I'm sorry for your troubles. I'll offer incense for you later. But first, what message did you bring?"
"That old man said..."
The female ghost continued in her singsong voice, "In three days, it will be the birthday of the One Coin Sect Leader, Supreme Virtuous Zen Master Miao Gu. Friends from all over will be going to wish her a happy birthday, and they want to invite Lord Hu to Stone Horse Town as well..."
"Is it finally time?"
Hu Ma's heart lightened, and he smiled, "Then rest assured, I'll definitely be there on time. Go back and inform your master."
He was curious, though. He had been promised an introduction to the high-level cultivator who didn't eat beef, but now he was being invited to the birthday celebration of the One Coin Sect Leader. Could this leader be the high-level cultivator who didn't eat beef?
How was this connection made?
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
