The Magical Blacksmith - Chapter 28
Chapter 28: Golden Core Expert
After all, Zhang Zhi’s range of services might include the forging of epic-tier artifacts and such artifacts could not simply be measured by spirit stones, even high-tier spirit stones, therefore the suggestion of raising the price a little more.
Zhang Zhi sighed at Han Ling’er’s suggestion. She was a good girl yet he managed to bring her off her righteous path. He felt a little sinful.
Zhang Zhi said, “The heavens are merciful, 10 high-tier spirit stones are enough.”
If he raised the price anymore, it might really be too harsh.
Then, Zhang Zhi thought of something and said, “Wait, what did you call me just now?”
Han Ling’er replied after a thought, “Since I’m working for you, of course I have to call you boss.”
“Immortal Han, I think it’s better for you to stick with Zhang Zhi.” Zhang Zhi had gotten used to Han Ling’er calling him by name, the sudden change somehow felt weird.
Han Ling’er was not overly concerned. “Okay, you can also drop the Immortal and just call me by my name.”
A second of hesitation later, Zhang Zhi said, “Uh… Ling’er? It’s a good name.”
…
Meanwhile, after Zhang Zhi’s crazy move of raising the price and making himself a public enemy, people were criticizing him everywhere.
“That stupid Zhang Zhi charges 10 high-tier spirit stones for a single service? He’s just a blacksmith, who does he think he is? A Nascent Soul Patriarch?”
“We must stand united and not go to his shop anymore even if we have the money!”
“He will get what he deserves soon! I really wish the Stardust Swordsman can come out right now and chop Zhang Zhi’s little d*ck off!”
…
Zhonglizi[1], a Golden Core inheritance disciple of Lingtai Sect, was in a bad mood recently and would scold anyone he did not like.
“You people are making too much noise! Is Zhang Zhi your father? Why is everyone scolding him everywhere?”
Zhonglizi actually wanted to read some books in the scripture library to stay away from the constant scolding but he did not expect to hear them in the library. The noisy group grinded his patience and made him mad.
The cultivators noticed Zhonglizi’s purple uniform and were shocked. “Sorry senior, we will leave right away!”
Right before the few of them could leave, Zhonglizi held them back. “Hold up.”
“Yes senior? I’m sorry, we didn’t mean to disturb you.”
The cultivators thought Zhonglizi wanted to scold them and they quickly got on their knees and begged for mercy.
“Shut up!” Zhonglizi rubbed his ears as he bellowed.
Then, he said, “Who is this Zhang Zhi that you people are talking about?”
Since Zhang Zhi only provided services for low-tier flying swords and made his name known among the Qi Refining and Foundation Building cultivators, he was rarely known among the Golden Core circle.
The cultivators were surprised and decided to bend the truth.
“Senior, Zhang Zhi is a liar, he’s charging 10 high-tier spirit stones for restoring lousy flying swords and a lot of our brothers fell into his trap!”
“That Zhang Zhi is an evil man, he commited all kinds of sinister crimes, that’s why his head is bald and sore and his legs are swollen and filled with pus! He’s so smelly that you can smell him 10 miles away!”
“More importantly, he’s forcing our Senior Sister Ling’er to work in his blacksmith, he’s making her do all kinds of dirty work and he takes advantage of her! It’s a pitiful scene to see and it makes me teary!”
Zhonglizi found their words disgusting but it sparked his ember of rage. No wonder everyone was scolding Zhang Zhi.
Based on what he heard, Zhang Zhi was a shameless piece of garbage!
“If no one is doing anything about him, I’ll do it!” Zhonglizi was in a bad mood because his high-tier flying sword broke and he was looking for a place or someone to vent his anger on, maybe killing someone that everyone hated.
The other cultivators were in joy. They were thinking since they could not do anything to Zhang Zhi, a Golden Core expert could easily take that bastard out!
They excitedly said, “Senior! We will lead the way!”
…
Back to Zhang Zhi’s side, due to the fact that he raised the price to a ridiculous level, he had not been receiving any jobs for a few days.
What he had been receiving was scolding from the crowd.
Fortunately, he had not been taking them seriously, as long as they stayed out of the blacksmith, he did not care what the others did.
As for Han Ling’er, even though there was nothing to do in the blacksmith, she came to the shop on time everyday.
She finally gave in to the boredom and asked Zhang Zhi, “Zhang Zhi, why don’t you give me something to do?”
Zhang Zhi thought about it before he tossed a magic pouch to her. “Here, count it.”
Han Ling’er was speechless. He said her job was counting money and he really meant it?
A cultivator could know how much the pouch had with a single scan, she did not even need to count it physically.
She noticed Zhang Zhi was dozing off on the chair and since she felt bad for taking salary from Zhang Zhi without doing anything, she went up to her and said, “Zhang Zhi, why don’t I give you a massage?”
“A massage?” Before Zhang Zhi could reject, Han Ling’er’s soft hands were already rubbing his temples.
“My mother suffered from headaches back in the days and my massage can help her ease her pain.”
Han Ling’er noticed that Zhang Zhi was enjoying her massage. She asked, “How is it? It’s good right?”
“Mhmm…” Zhang Zhi squinted his eyes and then quickly fell asleep.
A while later, Zhonglizi and a group of angry cultivators arrived at the blacksmith and they saw Han Ling’er attentively caring for Zhang Zhi.
He angrily bellowed, “A Foundation Building cultivator of Lingtai Sect is giving a massage to a puny Qi Refining cultivator?!”
Han Ling’er anxiously said, “Senior Uncle Zhongli, this is a misunderstanding…”
“Shameless! I am embarrassed even if you are not!” Zhonglizi scolded her without courtesy.
Zhang Zhi did not interrupt since Zhonglizi was Han Ling’er’s senior but the man was stepping over the line and had made her cry.
He said with an unhappy tone, “Senior, I think you should watch your mouth!”
“Bullsh*t!”
Zhonglizi came to the blacksmith for Zhang Zhi anyway and since he poked the beehive, Zhonglizi threw a palm strike at him.
Fortunately, Elder Wu appeared just in time and blocked Zhonglizi’s palm strike.
He bellowed with his strict face, “No hurting others in Lingtai Town!”
“Old Dog Wu? What is this garbage to you? Since when do our disciples have to endure such insult? It’s fine that you don’t want to intervene but you are helping someone that’s not one of us? If my sword wasn’t broken, I’d cut you also!” Zhonglizi was extremely pissed.
Elder Wu did not have the right to punish Zhonglizi, who was also a fellow Golden Core, but he got the order from the Grand Elder to look after Zhang Zhi.
He said with a strict look, “I am only upholding the rules of Lingtai Town, I don’t care about others.”
“Old Dog, you f…” Zhonglizi did not expect Elder Wu to be this stubborn.
He wanted to argue with Elder Wu again but a quick thought appeared in his mind. He said with a fierce tone, “Okay, if this is how you want to play, I’m game! Stay here forever if you can! The moment you leave, I’ll level this place to the ground and you can’t do anything about it!”
Elder Wu’s eyelid twitches helplessly. He knew Zhonglizi, quite well in fact, but the man had a bad temper and could never be reasoned with.
He was thinking about whether to use the sect order or not.
The Grand Elder told him that the sect order could only be used at a desperate moment, otherwise Zhang Zhi would be overly protected and protecting a Qi Refining cultivator to this extent would surely attract suspicion and threats.
Then, Elder Wu noticed the signage outside the blacksmith and a thought came into his mind. He took a flying sword out and said, “Owner Zhang, are you up for a job today?”
“Of course.” Zhang Zhi did not know why but he was indeed open for business.
“I heard Owner Zhang is good at refinement, I wonder if my flying sword can be refined?”
For whatever reason, the forever strict Elder Wu showed a smile and even looked like he tried to win Zhang Zhi’s favor.
“Oh my god! Elder Wu smiled!”
“Sh*t! I’m blind!”
The other cultivators found the rare scene to be shocking and squealed in awe.
Zhang Zhi hesitated for a moment before he took Elder Wu’s sword.
It was a mid-tier flying sword, of course it could be refined.
He nodded. “Not a problem.”
Elder Wu then took 10 dazzling red high-tier spirit stones from his magic pouch. “I’ll leave it to you then, Owner Zhang.”
Han Ling’er looked a little excited. The blacksmith has not been doing business for a few days now and the first one they got in many days was from Elder Wu.
“Ling’er, bill please.” Zhang Zhi then took the flying sword to the rear.
Han Ling’er nodded and took the 10 high-tier spirit stones from the elder.
‘Oh my god! These are real high-tier spirit stones, and there’s 10 of them! Am I dreaming?’
Han Ling’er almost passed out from her happiness.
The cultivators behind Zhonglizi were astonished.
“Has Elder Wu lost his mind? He’s really paying 10 high-tier spirit stones?”
“I always thought Senior Brother Dugu was secretly supporting the blacksmith but now it seems like it’s Elder Wu!”
The group whispered in surprise and shock.
Zhonglizi was a fellow Golden Core, so he was not as shocked.
He grunted, “Old dog, do you think I’ll spare the blacksmith just like that? I’m free enough and I can play with you whenever you want! When your flying sword is done, I’ll bring the place down!”
Zhonglizi took a chair out of his magic pouch and sat in front of the blacksmith, confronting Elder Wu.
Elder Wu looked at Zhonglizi with a pitiful gaze and thought, ‘When my sword is done, you won’t have the heart to take down the blacksmith anymore.”
[1] 钟离子 Zhonglizi – the -zi is an honorific title for his name. His original name should be 钟离 (Zhongli) and the -zi is added whenever someone calls him in his honorific title. It is commonly used to address taoists of higher ranks.
Chapter 29: I’m Not Sure
Throughout the wait, Zhonglizi would roast Elder Wu from time to time.
After a while, Zhonglizi switched his topic. “Speaking of which, Old Dog Wu, you must be having a difficult time eh? You are already at Intermediate Golden Core stage but you are still using a mid-tier flying sword.”
“Your high-tier flying sword isn’t all that good either,” Elder Wu argued as he looked at Zhonglizi’s broken sword.
“You!” Zhonglizi was both angry and embarrassed.
Elder Wu might not be a talker but every word he spoke was sharp and harsh.
The other cultivators noticed that Zhonglizi was at a disadvantage, so stupid ideas popped in their minds. One of them whispered to him, “Senior Zhongli, the blacksmith charges a ridiculous price for the service and Elder Wu willingly pays for it, is he stupid or what…”
Zhonglizi was out of ideas after he was silenced by Elder Wu, so he took his junior’s idea and argued back. He bellowed, “Old Dog Wu, you have too much money on your hands? This is just a lousy blacksmith and you put in your life savings to refine your sword? Are you stupid?”
Elder Wu stayed quiet with his strict look.
Zhonglizi felt delighted because he thought he finally won the argument.
It was then that Zhang Zhi brought out a bright flying sword from the rear. “Elder Wu, your sword, it’s done.”
Elder Wu looked asquint at Zhonglizi. He did not argue back because Zhang Zhi was finished with the refinement, he wanted to speak with facts rather than empty words.
Before this, Zhang Zhi’s refinement could boost a low-tier artifact into a mid-tier artifact. Now, with him starting the service for all tiers, Elder Wu believed that a mid-tier artifact could be refined into a high-tier artifact.
Elder Wu respectfully and humbly accepted his sword. Even though he had expected this, he was still in awe when he saw it for his own eyes. The mid-tier flying sword that he had been using for many years was finally refined into a high-tier flying sword!”
Zhonglizi noticed Elder Wu was stunned when he got the sword. He ridiculed, “It’s just a lousy mid-tier artifact, no matter how many years you look at it, it won’t become something else.”
Elder Wu held his sword and grunted. “A mid-tier artifact you say?”
An overwhelming presence gushed out from the flying sword and it threw Zhonglizi off balance, causing him to fall on his backside.
“What the heck? High-tier artifact?!” Zhonglizi knew at first glance. He sat on the ground like a dumb person, staring at the sword. He could not understand how a mid-tier artifact could turn into high-tier after refinement?
“Old Dog Wu! Trying to trick me are you? You are 100 years early!” Zhonglizi refused to believe what he saw, he raised his broken sword and tried to attack Elder Wu. He wanted to test whether or not the sword was truly a high-tier artifact.
“Hmph!” Elder Wu did not even look at Zhonglizi when he performed a downward slash. The powerful sword qi blasted Zhonglizi away, tearing his purple uniform into shreds. All he had left was his underwear and he was shaking ceaselessly.
However, Zhonglizi was not angry even when he was blasted away, he was happy in fact. He took new clothes out from his magic pouch and got changed before he attentively asked, “Hey, Wu! How did your mid-tier turn into a high-tier?”
Elder Wu rolled his eyes white at Zhonglizi, his strict face did not seem like talking.
Zhonglizi tried to flatter him by giving him a shoulder massage. “Come on, Wu, we have been friends for over a hundred years now.”
“Old Dog Wu is unworthy of your friendship,” Elder Wu bellowed.
Elder Wu did not want to be tangled with the shameless guy. He respectfully bowed at Zhang Zhi and thanked him for the service. “Thank you Owner Zhang for the refinement.”
“You’re welcome, Elder Wu.” Elder Wu protected Zhang Zhi for a few times now, of course he would treat the elder with utmost respect.
On the other hand, Zhonglizi realized something. He asked, “Wu, did Zhang Zhi’s refinement boost your mid-tier to high-tier?”
“What else could it be?” Elder Wu said before he swung his sleeves and disappeared.
Zhonglizi stared at Zhang Zhi blankly as thoughts were running through his mind.
It was then that the other cultivators went up to him. “Senior Zhongli, Elder Wu is gone! Hurry up and erase this garbage from society!”
“Senior Zhongli, you are our role model for upholding justice!”
Some thoughts later, Zhonglizi took his broken sword out.
The other cultivators were excited, they thought he was going to kill the scrooge.
“Owner Zhang, I saw the signage outside of your shop. You are accepting all kinds of smithing jobs for flying swords, am I right? I wonder if you can fix this flying sword?”
Zhonglizi sounded respectful and flattering when he asked. It seemed like Zhang Zhi’s craftsmanship had conquered him.
The other cultivators were stunned.
‘What the hell? I thought Senior Zhongli was going to enforce justice on behalf of us!’
‘He’s fierce and all when Elder Wu was around but now with Elder Wu gone, Senior Zhongli turned on us? Is he possessed?’
If Zhang Zhi was just a normal Qi Refining blacksmith, Zhonglizi would have believed what his juniors said but when he saw what Zhang Zhi could do, all his hundred years worth of cultivation would be wasted if he continued believing those lies.
People with real capabilities deserved respect, especially someone like Zhang Zhi who could forge a high-tier artifact.
Zhang Zhi had a glance at the broken sword and said nonchalantly, “Yeah.”
Zhonglizi was delighted. The sword was his only high-tier artifact and ever since it was broken in battle, its power had been decreasing which put him in a bad mood.
He did not expect it could be repaired at Zhang Zhi’s blacksmith, how could he not be happy?
Zhonglizi took 10 high-tier spirit stones out of his pouch. It might be a little pricey but it was worth it if he could fix his sword. “Owner Zhang, please.”
It was then that the other cultivators started to feel weird.
“What? The fees are ridiculous and someone is willing to pay him?”
“I don’t know about Elder Wu but even Senior Zhongli? I thought he came here to teach Zhang Zhi a lesson? Is he possessed?”
“There must be something wrong with this blacksmith!”
The other cultivators dared not speak their minds loudly but the whispers could be heard and ceaseless.
Han Ling’er was not concerned about what the others said. When she was about to receive the payment from Zhonglizi, Zhang Zhi stopped her.
She was confused and so was Zhonglizi.
Zhang Zhi said the sword could be repaired, so why did he stop Han Ling’er?
“Yeah it can be fixed but I don’t feel like doing work when I’m not feeling it,” Zhang Zhi said coldly.
Zhonglizi was stunned before he realized what Zhang Zhi meant. He turned around and glared at the noisy cultivators, he bellowed, “Get the hell away from this place!”
The cultivators were shocked, they were shaken but one of them refused to give in. “Senior Zhongli, I thought you were here to enforce justice and remove that trash from harming society, we believed in you but who knew you were the same as Elder Wu!”
The cultivator spoke everyone’s mind. Everyone mustered their courage and nodded in agreement.
Zhonglizi was so angry that he was shaking, he really wanted to beat his juniors up but he was afraid Elder Wu might come asking for trouble again.
He bellowed, “Just because Owner Zhang doesn’t want to do business with you people, you criticized him everywhere? Why would it be normal for Owner Zhang to lower the value of his own craft? I’m telling you people, there’s no normal in the path of cultivation! If you people don’t want to improve and only hope to get benefits from others, it will make you the shameless garbage of society! Every single one of you is the same!
“As for Owner Zhang’s high pricing, do you even know what the value of a high-tier artifact is? How much does it cost to procure the materials for the high-tier artifact? How many years must Owner Zhang grind away his skills to be able to forge and restore a high-tier artifact? You don’t know! It’s ridiculous to reason with you inexperienced people!”
…
As a senior, Zhonglizi scolded all the cultivators and hoped that they could realize their mistakes. Otherwise, given their narrow-sighed opinions, they would never achieve the higher stage of cultivation.
Many of them slowly realized their mistake. They should not take Zhang Zhi’s work for granted. They lowered their heads in embarrassment.
“Apologize to Owner Zhang!” Zhonglizi bellowed.
The cultivators were shocked. Some of them truly realized their mistakes and some of them were afraid of Zhonglizi, but everyone of them bowed together and apologized.
“I’m sorry, Owner Zhang.”
Zhang Zhi realized Zhonglizi might be a hot-tempered senior but he was quite benevolent and understanding. He showed respect to the man and said, “It’s fine. There’s only improvement with criticism.”
“Look! You people should learn from Owner Zhang!” Zhonglizi added.
“I’ll just look away at the fact that you people tricked me here, go back and cultivate! Rely on yourself rather than hoping others will help you, live up to the name of Lingtai Sect!”
“Thank you senior, for the teachings, we will correct our mistakes and concentrate on cultivating.”
It seemed like the cultivators had learned from their mistakes.
“Mhmm, that sounds more like it.” Zhonglizi nodded. He then turned around to Zhang Zhi with a humble look, “Hehe, how’s that Owner Zhang? Is it good enough?”
The cultivators were actually encouraged by Zhonglizi’s teachings and decided to live up to their title but when they saw him trying to flatter Zhang Zhi, they were speechless.
‘This is what you call relying on yourself? Is this how you live up to your title of Lingtai Sect inheritance disciple? You said all those encouraging words just to flatter Zhang Zhi?’
Zhonglizi noticed the unusual reaction on the cultivators’ face. He bellowed, “Why are you people still standing here, go back and cultivate! NOW!”
Shocked, the cultivators bowed and left in a hurry.
Zhang Zhi felt a lot better. He signed at Han Ling’er and she took the high-tier spirit stones and the broken sword from Zhonglizi. She said, “Senior Zhongli, why don’t you have a seat? The sword will be fixed in a while.”
“Haha, it’s fine. I’ll just stand.” Zhonglizi did not find a chair or any place that he could sit down in the blacksmith anyway.
Then, a thought popped up in his mind and he took a piece of iron out from his magic pouch.
“Oh right, Owner Zhang, I lost the other part of my sword. Even though this Decade Cold Steel isn’t as good as the original Pure Ice Iron, it should be of use.”
Even though the Decade Cold Steel was also an extremely rare material, in Zhang Zhi’s opinion, it was a piece of garbage.
Since the system would provide all the required materials for the restoration, Zhang Zhi only took the broken sword to the rear.
Zhonglizi was confused.
Han Ling’er explained, “The blacksmith will cover all the materials used for the restoration. You don’t have to worry, senior.”
The blacksmith would cover the materials? Suddenly 10 high-tier spirit stones did not sound as expensive but he quickly realized that Zhang Zhi might simply throw in some low-tier materials to fix his sword.
“Owner Zhang! No!” Zhonglizi was shocked. If the sword was restored using lower tier materials, its tier would fall.
“What no?” Zhang Zhi asked with an irritated tone. He hated it when someone disturbed his smithing.
“The blacksmith doesn’t need to cover this, just use the Decade Cold Steel, it’s more than enough!” Zhonglizi dared not oppose Zhang Zhi now, so he sounded humble.
“Are you sure about that?”
It was then that a piece of icy cold mineral appeared in Zhang Zhi’s hand.
“I…” The rest of the sentence was stuck in Zhonglizi’s throat. He stared at the icy cold mineral and he knew it at first glance that it was a high quality Pure Ice Steel.
“Am not sure…” Zhonglizi felt bitter. People said Zhang Zhi was a scrooge but he used such a huge piece of Pure Ice Iron to restore his flying sword and when compared, the Decade Cold Steel in his hand was indeed garbage.
On second thought, the fee of 10 high-tier spirit stones was extremely worth it!
“No? Then please be quiet.” Zhang Zhi rebuked him.
Zhonglizi covered his mouth and nodded repeatedly.
