Chapter 499: The Concubine Husband Qi Yuan's Path to Artisanry

Chapter 499: The Concubine Husband Qi Yuan's Path to Artisanry

During his time in the Heavens' Origin Mystic Land, Qi Yuan had collected various forge techniques and diligently studied them.

The Celestial Clan, to which the Tattered Robe belonged, had once faced the encroachment of Black Heaven, causing their world to teeter on the brink of destruction and eventual annihilation.

The Celestial Clan had always sought to forge the Radiant Artifact, hoping to use it against Black Heaven, but their efforts ultimately failed.

In the end, the Tattered Robe also gave Qi Yuan a gift, named the Radiant Seed.

"Is this the same world?"

"Are we just at different ends of the timeline?"

"Or is it... that we both possess forge techniques?"

After all, forge techniques might not be unique to the Celestial Clan's world.

The artisanry of this realm also originated from beyond the heavens.

"This... is a good thing."

Qi Yuan muttered to himself.

"Do I now count as an immortal returning to the mortal world?"

"Or perhaps a powerful being reincarnating five hundred years in the past, armed with various advanced forge techniques?"

During his time in the Heavens' Origin Mystic Land, Qi Yuan had memorized numerous forge techniques, but due to a lack of materials, he had never put them into practice.

He carefully studied the Artisanry Basics Manual.

"To forge a tool, one must awaken the Heartfire..."

The art of artisanry was, for Qi Yuan, both challenging and manageable.

During his time in the Mystic Land, he had already cultivated extensively.

Although the forge techniques of this realm had some differences, they all led to the same destination.

Qi Yuan soon mastered them.

"The path of forging lies in the Heartfire, the soul's flame.

The blazing fire illuminates the furnace, melting and refining all things.

The Heartfire originates in the heart, circulates through the Dantian, and gestates within one's intent..."

"Arise!"

With Qi Yuan's command, a faint flame ignited within his heart, burning brighter and stronger in his Dantian.

As Qi Yuan extended his hand, this strand of fire blazed fiercely.

"Not an immortal technique, but an intriguing flame."

Gazing at this white flame, Qi Yuan was intrigued.

During his time in the immortal realm, he could also pinch out flames with a single thought.

However, the nature of these two flames was different, and their principles of manifestation varied.

"There are numerous paths in the mortal world, the immortal realm has the path of immortality, the Star Domain has the path of martial arts, and here..."

"Old man, go and get me some materials. Just say I need them for forging."

Qi Yuan instructed Lao Zhong.

With the awakening of the Heartfire, Qi Yuan was now capable of forging.

"I need withered wood, dark bamboo, iron, and water..." Qi Yuan informed Chen Kangbao of his requirements.

According to the forge techniques Qi Yuan had learned in the Mystic Land, these materials could be used to craft a flying magical tool.

If Shen Lingxuan were to forbid him from riding in the future, he could always ride a flying magical tool.

However, Qi Yuan wasn't sure if the Shen family had these materials.

If not, he would have to step in, modify the forge techniques, and find substitute materials.

"Alright." Chen Kangbao nodded and left to gather the materials for Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan continued to cultivate his Heartfire.

The strength of an artisan was also related to the vigor of their Heartfire.

After all, if the Heartfire was too weak, it would burn out quickly, unable to even fry an egg, let alone refine a tool.

Before Chen Kangbao returned, an unexpected visitor arrived at the courtyard.

"Brother-in-law, this is someone from the Law Enforcement Hall. They have some questions for you. Just answer casually, there's no need to be nervous."

Shen Lingfeng entered with a slender middle-aged man. This man was a Yellow Rank Armament Commander, known for his stern demeanor.

He glanced at Qi Yuan and spoke softly, "It's just routine."

"Ask away," Qi Yuan said, suspecting that Shen Baoting's body had been discovered.

If this information were to leak out, it would be quite disadvantageous for Qi Yuan's current situation.

The slender man produced a notebook and a pen.

"Did you encounter a Demonic Spirit in Ninghe County and have your soul essence taken by it?" the slender man asked.

At the same time, a faint glow flashed in his eyes, as if he were inspecting Qi Yuan's soul essence.

"I did encounter a Demonic Spirit, but my soul essence wasn't taken. I'm perfectly fine," Qi Yuan replied.

The slender man jotted down a few lines in his notebook.

"According to observations, the soul essence is intact.

In Ninghe County, it seems the soul essence wasn't taken by the Demonic Spirit.

Communication is smooth, and mental state is normal."

After writing, the slender man continued, "Yesterday morning, did you have a conflict with Shen Baoting?"

"There was no conflict. I'm just a concubine husband, and he wanted to bully me, so I let him," Qi Yuan answered earnestly.

"How dare that kid try to bully you?" Shen Lingfeng exclaimed from the side.

"How did you know Shen Baoting wanted to bully you?" the slender man asked.

"Well... I actually have a superpower. I can hear people's thoughts. I heard Shen Baoting cursing me in his mind, so I knew he wanted to bully me.

I'm a concubine husband. Isn't it normal for me to be bullied?

So, I went to find him and let him bully me." Qi Yuan replied truthfully, revealing his sincere, large eyes.

The thin man stood in the hall, momentarily stunned.

Qi Yuan's words seemed simple, but they left him feeling confused.

Shouldn't he mention his supernatural abilities?

Why should he, as the concubine's husband, willingly subject himself to being bullied?

After some thought, he crossed out "mentally sound" in the record and wrote, "Confused thoughts with strong delusions. Suspected of not being soul-captured, but severely traumatized by a Demonic Spirit."

"Last night, Shen Baoting died. He was found drowned in his pond, presumably pushed by someone. Son-in-law... Was it you who pushed him?" The thin man had already concluded that this matter had nothing to do with Qi Yuan.

However, he still asked out of routine.

"It wasn't me. I didn't push him!" Qi Yuan replied.

Indeed, it wasn't him who pushed Shen Baoting. Shen Baoting pinched him, and like a scheming character in a palace drama, he fell into the pond himself, intending to frame Qi Yuan.

The thin man's pen made a scratching sound on his notebook, "Son-in-law, I'm done questioning. Sorry for the disturbance."

After speaking, the thin man left immediately.

Shen Baoting's death was shrouded in mystery. Even the Earth Rank Armament Commander from the clan couldn't find any clues during his investigation.

Such an enigmatic event naturally had no connection to Qi Yuan, the concubine's husband.

If not for the public conflict between Shen Baoting and Qi Yuan yesterday, they wouldn't even have bothered to question Qi Yuan.

"Brother-in-law, if anyone bullies you in the future, come to me!" Shen Lingfeng patted his chest, showing great loyalty.

Qi Yuan smiled, "I'd actually like to be bullied. By the way, go ask your mother when she's taking a bath, and remember to call me."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lingfeng's face turned awkward, "Brother-in-law, I dare not help with this."

He still had some sense, knowing what favors he could do and what he shouldn't.

"Then, help me this once, and I'll teach you some new romantic phrases to impress girls!" Qi Yuan offered.

Shen Lingfeng's eyes lit up, "I'll go ask my mother right now! Wait for my good news!"

With that, he ran off like a gust of wind.

In the courtyard, only Qi Yuan remained.

As the sun set and night fell, Chen Kangbao returned with various forging materials. Qi Yuan never received the good news he had expected from Shen Lingfeng.

Shen Lingfeng seemed to have disappeared, never to return.

"It seems like the Shen family doesn't enjoy bathing either. Sigh."

Qi Yuan couldn't help but sigh.

"Let's begin... the forging!"

...

Inside the Shen Mansion, Shen Wanshan sat in the main seat, his expression grave.

"How... is he?"

Chen Xianwei stood beside him, his head lowered as he spoke, "Regarding forging, the son-in-law is quite interested."

He informed the family head of the day's events.

"Does he have the talent for forging?" Shen Wanshan asked, his words carrying a complex tone. "I hope he doesn't break the Qi family's legacy."

In the 16th and 19th volumes, there is a mistake-free version!"

"Well... the path of an Artisan is quite complex. It also depends on whether the son-in-law is willing to learn diligently. Having talent alone is not enough." Chen Xianwei spoke with great tact.

He wanted to say, 'The son-in-law is crazy. Is there any point in teaching him?'

Today, he had only taught the history of forging; he hadn't taught any practical skills.

After all, if a madman like Qi Yuan were to forge, Chen Xianwei feared that Qi Yuan might awaken his Heartfire and burn himself before even melting the materials.

Shen Wanshan sensed Chen Xianwei's dilemma and promised, "Thank you, sir. If Qi Yuan can forge a Yellow Rank Magical Tool, your salary in the Shen Mansion will increase by thirty percent."

"How about... twenty percent?" Chen Xianwei suggested, feeling that three-tenths was not a whole number and seemed a bit uncomfortable.

Shen Wanshan's expression turned peculiar, "Forty percent."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xianwei felt much more at ease. He thought of something and suddenly asked, "Master, the son-in-law's father was once an Artisan, but I don't recall his name. Have I ever heard of him?"

Chen Xianwei was quite curious about Qi Yuan's father's identity.

Qi Yuan's ability to marry into the Shen family and wed Shen Lingxuan was likely due to his father's influence.

His father had already passed away.

Yet, he could still bring such a significant opportunity to Qi Yuan, likely because he was an Earth Rank Artisan.

But why hadn't he heard of an Earth Rank Artisan with the surname Qi?

Hearing Chen Xianwei's question caused Shen Wanshan's face to twitch slightly, as if recalling an old memory, "His name has been erased, and I don't remember it either."

Chen Xianwei's expression changed abruptly upon hearing this.

To erase someone's name?

Such a method?

There was something deep beneath the surface.

He realized that he shouldn't inquire further.

...

"Young Master, what is this?"

In the courtyard, Chen Kangbao looked at Qi Yuan's creation with a puzzled expression.

"This is... an Aerial Servant," Qi Yuan held the Aerial Servant with pride.

"Why does it look like a fly?" Chen Kangbao muttered.

"Cough, I can't forge a large Aerial Servant yet, so I made a smaller one."

Qi Yuan, after obtaining the materials, began forging haphazardly, and surprisingly, he managed to craft a flying magical apparatus.

However, as it was his first attempt, the result was... well, almost as useless as a decorative item.

A tiny aerial servant, its function was akin to having the strength of ten mosquitoes.

It was indeed a waste.

After all, according to Chen Kangbao's calculations, the materials consumed by this aerial servant were enough to buy several thousand meat-filled buns.

"No worries, I can still improve." Qi Yuan was unconcerned, "To truly embody the Divine Arrival, crafting just a flying apparatus isn't enough. I need to forge grenades, speakers, flashlights, projectors, cameras, and light sabers..."

"Using these items will surely create an impressive effect."

Of course, the camera he crafted was also otherworldly.

After all, this world had slightly different rules from the Blue Star, and things didn't just materialize after being forged.

This was where Qi Yuan's ability to perceive hidden information came into play.

"Aren't we short on money to buy materials? I'll forge some useless magical tools and sell them on the black market.

Take the light saber, for example, I think it's quite interesting, and some show-offs will love it, finding it very cool." Qi Yuan said.

The materials required for forging were precious.

With Qi Yuan's current wealth, he couldn't gather enough materials for forging.

He was always diligent and didn't want to keep relying on Shen Mansion's forging resources.

Moreover, the small quantity he was taking was of low value, so Shen Mansion didn't mind. But if he took more and of higher value... they wouldn't allow it.

Most importantly, if Shen Mansion discovered that the magical tools he was crafting were for his Divine Arrival act, then... wouldn't his secret be exposed?

Those aerial servants and flashlights must not be exposed.

Once revealed, the mystery and grandeur of the deity would be gone, and he would be nothing more than a clown pretending to be divine.

"Young Master, hurry up and forge something, let's sell them and buy buns to eat!" Chen Kangbao's mind was active, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Hmm... it feels like you've become the master, and I'm your hired help," Qi Yuan muttered to himself.

But remembering that Chen Kangbao could still help him with the Demonic Spirit, he didn't mind.

"Forging materials are in short supply. Sigh, I'm not a master blacksmith, but I wonder if I can melt myself down and forge a magical tool," Qi Yuan mumbled to himself.

The next day, Chen Xianwei, just like the previous day, taught Qi Yuan.

His lesson was simple; in summary, he was teaching history.

After all, in his opinion, Qi Yuan was a bit crazy, and it was better to avoid teaching advanced forging techniques for now.

Firstly, he was afraid Qi Yuan wouldn't understand.

Secondly, he feared Qi Yuan might burn himself.

Time passed, and before they knew it, half a month had almost gone by.

Chen Xianwei looked at himself in the mirror, straightened his collar, and stepped out of his courtyard.

As soon as he exited, Chen Xianwei bumped into his "arch-nemesis," Wu Zhen.

"Old Chen, hehe, I recently took on an apprentice. In just half a month, he awakened his Heartfire. I just went to the Forge Hall to exchange some materials for him, so he can get familiar with the process. Not for forging yet, just melting materials."

Wu Zhen spoke with pride.

Awakening the Heartfire in half a month was considered impressive among artisans. If no major issues arose, there was hope for him to become a Profound Rank Artisan.

"Not bad," Chen Xianwei commented casually.

"I saw Qi Yuan at the Forge Hall. I heard he's learning forging from you now.

I bet he's awakened his Heartfire too, I saw him taking lots of materials." Wu Zhen said with a smile, his tone somewhat mischievous.

Apprentice artisans couldn't forge yet, so after awakening their Heartfire, they mostly practiced melting materials.

Naturally, he didn't think Qi Yuan had awakened his Heartfire.

He checked the records of the forging materials, and Qi Yuan had sent someone to the Forge Hall to retrieve forging materials on his very first day of learning.

It was clear that Qi Yuan was probably selling the forging materials.

Chen Xianwei's expression changed slightly, then returned to calm, "He's the Shen Family's son-in-law, it's normal for him to take some forging materials."

He also had some doubts in his heart.

For the past ten days, he had been teaching Qi Yuan the history of forging.

Qi Yuan listened attentively, without any objections.

Why did he suddenly take forging materials? Did he want to start practicing?

Chen Xianwei needed to go quickly, to prevent Qi Yuan from making mistakes while forging. Without a teacher present, and with no one to guide him, Qi Yuan could easily burn himself after awakening his Heartfire.

At the same time, Chen Xianwei also felt a sense of self-reproach.

He shouldn't have taught so much history; he should have formally started teaching Qi Yuan the basics.

"I envy you, being able to take on Shen Family's son-in-law as your student. He'll surely rise to great heights, don't forget me then." Wu Zhen smiled, his tone somewhat mocking.

There wasn't a serious conflict between them; this was just their usual banter.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end