https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-47-I-Could-Joke-About-Him-for-the-Rest-of-My-Life/12535999/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-49-A-Group-of-Characters-from-Border-Town-Vagabond-Make-an-Appearance/12536011/
Chapter 48: The Gift of a Sword
Chapter 48: The Gift of a Sword
"Master! Master!"
The manager of the Zangjian Manor rushed in, steam still rising from his bald head, "Good steel! Fine steel indeed!"
You Longsheng put down his teacup and turned to ask, "Has the steel been forged already?"
The bald manager nodded repeatedly and was about to speak when he caught sight of Ding Chengfeng and Ding Baiyun. He immediately stopped short.
Ding Chengfeng laughed heartily and was about to take his leave, but You Longsheng raised his hand to stop him. He turned to the bald manager and said, "Your guest here is a great noble of the Ding family from Hebei. There's little he hasn't seen, so please continue."
Upon hearing this, Ding Chengfeng smiled and sat back down, while Ding Baiyun curled her lips, directing a glance at the bald manager.
The bald manager then continued, "The steel has been forged. The craftsmen worked through the night to build the furnace. They are all experienced in iron smelting, and it didn't take them long to figure out the process. The first batch of steel that came out was of excellent quality. Everyone is saying that Master truly has the ability to turn stones into gold!"
"I'll take that compliment," You Longsheng said with a smile. "If I ever find myself out of work, I can always busk on the streets to make a living." He paused, then added, "But the quality of the fine steel produced using this method is inconsistent, and we'll need to work on controlling that."
"Yes, yes!" The bald manager nodded in agreement. "A batch of steel was produced this morning under Duan Master's supervision. He said it's the best steel we've had in a decade."
"With Duan Master overseeing the process, I'm naturally at ease," You Longsheng said. "But Duan Master is also getting on in years. Ask him to take on a few more disciples and pass on his knowledge, so he can take more rest."
You Longsheng nodded. "Reward the craftsmen who have worked hard with more silver. Don't be stingy."
"Yes, sir!" The bald manager nodded vigorously. "Rest assured, Master. The treatment we provide at Zangjian Manor is famous for hundreds of miles around!" He bowed and quickly took his leave.
You Longsheng turned back to Ding Chengfeng and smiled. "The greatest gain from my trip into the jianghu this time is that I inadvertently acquired a method for iron smelting that can produce fine steel. It's perfect for my Zangjian Manor."
Ding Chengfeng laughed. "In that case, I offer my congratulations. It seems the Zangjian Manor will continue to prosper and reach new heights."
You Longsheng was, of course, speaking nonsense. How could he have acquired an iron smelting technique? It was simply the primitive blast furnace method from his previous life.
He hadn't brought an intelligent system or an encyclopedia with him when he transmigrated. As an ordinary office worker, he didn't possess extensive professional knowledge.
However, he did have a basic understanding of some fundamental concepts and principles, such as coke, small blast furnaces, and primitive steelmaking methods, which were surely more convenient and efficient than the ancient method of refining steel a hundred times.
So, while handling the affairs of the Zangjian Manor, he had roughly organized this information and passed it on to the manager in charge of metallurgy, asking him to have the craftsmen give it a try.
It seemed the results were quite satisfactory!
With his good mood, You Longsheng challenged Ding Chengfeng to another round of swordplay...
...
In the following days, You Longsheng, accompanied by Ding Chengfeng and Ding Baiyun, continued their journey through the Taihang Mountains in central Shanxi. Compared to the severely eroded Loess Plateau, the Taihang Mountains in Shanxi lacked water, but the mountain scenery was still quite impressive.
The two of them stayed at the Zangjian Manor for seven days. With the Lunar New Year approaching, they prepared to bid farewell and take their leave.
"In the spring of next year, I invite you, Brother You, to be a guest at the Ding family," Ding Chengfeng said, cupping his hands in a polite gesture. "Let us travel together. It will make the journey more enjoyable."
After spending several days together, despite You Longsheng's playful remarks, Ding Chengfeng had come to recognize his character and martial arts skills. As he had said, there were very few people like them and Li Xunhuan in the world—people with clear minds and sound judgment.
And Ding Chengfeng was one of the rare sane characters in Gu Long's novels. In the end, he willingly took his sister's place in death, and You Longsheng was naturally inclined to befriend him.
As for Ding Baiyun, though...
Ding Baiyun shot a sidelong glance at Ding Chengfeng. "If we travel together, do you plan to fight everyone he annoys along the way, or do you plan to sleep your way through the journey in brothels?"
Ding Chengfeng couldn't understand why You Longsheng enjoyed watching these displays of martial arts that lacked any technical skill. You Longsheng would sit there, munching on peanuts and drinking wine, occasionally stirring the pot and goading the fighters on, much to the annoyance of many in the jianghu who would end up drawing their blades on them.
You Longsheng had also taken them to brothels, which Ding Chengfeng didn't mind. After all, he was a dashing and romantic young swordsman himself, and he had picked up quite a few catchy phrases from You Longsheng.
"May I ask for directions? How can I find my way into your heart?"
"You're too much! Excessively beautiful and captivating!"
"I'm usually ten out of ten with my moves, but the one move I'm missing is your kiss."
"To be honest, I'm a flirtatious man. I've given all my heart to you."
However, the problem was that Ding Baiyun had also joined them on these visits. The way she looked at You Longsheng and Ding Chengfeng was as if she were looking at two shameless womanizers, her gaze as sharp as a knife. This often resulted in them being unable to spend the night at the brothel and having to leave amidst the reluctant glances of the brothel's top courtesans.
"Actually, Brother You isn't that kind of person." Ding Chengfeng tried to explain, but his tone lacked conviction.
Ding Baiyun nodded, "I know, he's obviously not that kind of person. After all, he's slept with the number one beauty of the martial arts world. How could he possibly lower himself to those ordinary women?"
You Longsheng clapped and laughed, "Exactly! I'm the man who has slept with the number one beauty of the jianghu. Ordinary women who want to sleep with me just aren't qualified!"
Ding Chengfeng, "...'
Ding Baiyun turned to Ding Chengfeng, "Let's go home. Father and Mother must be worried sick."
"Okay, okay, let's go, let's go." Ding Chengfeng nodded repeatedly.
Just as Ding Chengfeng was about to bid farewell to You Longsheng, he saw You Longsheng wave and signal to Duan Qian and Feng Wan, who were each holding a sword box as they approached.
"We had a good batch of steel recently, so I had the craftsmen at the manor forge a few swords." You Longsheng explained, "The New Year is approaching, and we don't have any special products here. Please accept these swords as gifts, Brother Ding and Miss Ding. Don't worry, they're not shoddy."
Considering You Longsheng as a friend, Ding Chengfeng laughed heartily and reached out to take the sword box, "Then I won't be polite!"
Ding Baiyun pouted but still accepted the sword box. She glanced at You Longsheng and said a soft 'thank you'.
...
After bidding farewell to You Longsheng, Ding Chengfeng and Ding Baiyun rode their horses eastward.
"Little sister, Brother You just has a loose tongue, he's not a bad person. I know you usually look down on those playboys, but Brother You isn't like that. He has a proud spirit, and in the days we've spent together, he's never bullied the weak. He's been kind to the servants at the manor and common folk..." Ding Chengfeng tried to explain earnestly.
As he turned his head, he saw that Ding Baiyun had already opened the sword box while still riding her horse.
Ding Chengfeng, "...'
Ding Baiyun had opened the sword box to reveal a long sword with a white scabbard lying quietly inside. The hilt and guard were decorated with exquisite and graceful cloud patterns, clearly designed for a woman.
Ding Baiyun drew the sword, and near the hilt, she saw the words 'Baiyun Sword' etched onto the blade. The sword's edge was like water, and its cold light cascaded like a waterfall.
"What a fine sword!"
Ding Chengfeng didn't have the heart to scold Ding Baiyun anymore and quickly opened his own sword box, drawing out the sword that You Longsheng had given him.
Zhui Feng Sword!
Inside his sword box, there was also a note left by You Longsheng.
Ding Chengfeng read aloud, "Wind has no form, clouds have no constant shape. When wind and clouds come together, their might is limitless.
Brother You, you're quite the poet!"
(End of Chapter)
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