Chapter 206 - Sword Forging Commission
Upon entering the hold of the boat, Lu Mingshu was surprised. It was a completely different world.
It seemed to be a small boat on the outside, but there was about sixty feet of space in the hold of the boat. There was a corridor in the middle, and the sides were separated into different rooms. There was a cabin, a kitchen, bedrooms, and a cargo hold. There was everything a boat needed.
"This boat…."
The girl looked at Lu Mingshu with pride. "My ancestors passed this down. Back then, he got more than ten shipbuilders, rune carvers, and even weapon makers to make it. Our boat may not be the best in the world, but it's one of the best on the Ming River.
Seeing the faintly shining pattern in the hold, she couldn't help but think about how much it was worth. This boat can be considered a spiritual tool, right? It should be able to withstand a degree of wind and waves. This boat is quite worth the rent.
"Let's go!" The boatman shouted. Slowly, he steered the boat to the middle of the river.
The old ferry crossing slowly got further away, and everything that once happened was left back there.
In a flash, five or six days passed. The boat slowly left the area where they picked Lu Mingshu up.
Torrential waves came at them steadily. In the vast waters, the cool breeze along with water vapor landed on their faces. Waterfowl hovered around the sky, chirping.
The boatman hung up the sail. When there was wind, the boat moved along with it.
Lu Mingshu stood at the bow of the boat and asked softly. "This is the Ming River? It's as vast as a sea."
Laughter could be heard, and the girl, Ah Ling, sat on the canopy. "Miss, we haven't even reached the Ming River yet. This is just a tributary."
"Just a tributary?" Lu Mingshu looked at her in amazement.
"Yeah! The Ming River's water isn't this peaceful."
After the past few days, they got to know each other well. This was the boat of the Ding Family, and people addressed the boatman as Captain Ding. He had a pair of grandchildren; the guy was known as Ah Lang and the girl was known as Ah Ling.
Like most Jianghu people on the Ming River, they didn't have a good family background, and they didn't have good resources or support either, so they couldn't get into a sect. They lived freely and true to themselves on the Ming River.
The Ding Family didn't have high cultivations. Captain Ding barely made it into the Harmonization Realm, and he had only learned a few important skills, so it was almost impossible for him to become any better. Ah Ling and Ah Lang were okay; they were already in the Harmonization Realm. However, compared to sect disciples, it was considered bad to only reach the Harmonization Realm at the age of fifteen.
When they learned Lu Mingshu was from a sect, the Ding Family looked up to her.
"Beiming is mainly made up of three mountains and nine states. The three mountains are Tianzhu Mountain, the Jasper Sun Mountain, and the North Pole Mountain. Tianzhu Mountain is where the Ancient Jade Summit is located; the resources there are the most abundant, and it's the safest mountain. The Jasper Sun Mountain is closed since it's said to have many ferocious beasts living there. For the North Pole Mountain, it's just a plain mountain. After you pass the North Pole Mountain, it's no longer in Beiming's scope. As for the nine states…"
Ah Ling's melodious voice rang across the river.
After she finished, she turned to Lu Mingshu. "Miss Lu, are you here to travel?"
"Yes."
"Wow, you guys are really lucky. You can travel all around."
"Aren't you travelling every day on the Ming River?" Lu Mingshu replied.
"Nah, it's different." Ah Ling pouted. "We have to constantly make a living, so we don't have the mood to travel about."
"Oh? Mood to travel?"
"The mood to enjoy the sceneries and have one's heart fulfilled."
Lu Mingshu smiled. "We have very strong competition as disciples. So what if we can travel around? Who would ever have the mood to just travel?"
For example, during the days she spent on the boat so far, she needed to polish her mystic force, nourish her spiritual tool and the Mystic Dewdrops, and read a huge volume of ancient records in the Heavenly Wheel.
After sitting outside for a while, she went back to the hold and entered the Heavenly Wheel.
A leaf on the tree was especially eye-catching, and Lu Mingshu reached out for it.
The leaf rapidly passed her a message for her before turning into rays of light and dispersing.
After receiving the message, Lu Mingshu was pleasantly surprised. Someone had taken up the request that she placed to make the sword.
"Brother, did you take up the request?"
"Yes." The other party answered, and it was a female's voice.
There weren't many females who were tool refining masters.
"Miss," she corrected herself, "I've already stated my request clearly; the materials are hard to come by. I hope that you can prove you're good enough to forge this sword."
The other party said no more and sent her a video. "This is a video of me forging a sword. You can also ask for a spiritual tool, and I'll make one right now and record it for you."
Lu Mingshu attentively looked at the video that the other party sent over. She was indeed a skilled tool refining master. Lu Mingshu thought for a while before replying. "It's okay. Since you're confident, can you explain how you will forge the sword?"
"No problem." The other party told her some plans. "I have three plans here. There are three types - first, second, and third class. Take your time to consider which you prefer. Please take note that if you choose first class, the cost will increase, and the few Golden Crystal Extracts that you have won't be enough."
Lu Mingshu opened the plans up, and the contents surprised her. The other party's plans were well-written and perfect, other than the fact that she didn't put in the details about the actual method of forging. The pros and cons, what to take note of, and even examples were included.
Such a perfectionist.
"Miss, your plan is very detailed, I'm afraid I'll need more time to understand it."
"Give me an answer tomorrow then," the other party replied. "You can ask me if you do not understand anything."
"Okay."
For three days, Lu Mingshu spent her time in the Heavenly Wheel studying the plans.
Lu Mingshu could tell that the tool refining master had put in a lot of effort into the plans. She had considered the materials needed, cost, and the quality-to-price ratio.
In the plan for the third-class sword, the tool refining master would prepare the supplementary materials. The main material was the Golden Crystal Extract.
For the second-class plan, more materials would be needed. A few supplementary materials would be used to improve the Golden Crystal Extract's attributes.
As for the first-class plan, the Golden Crystal Extracts would only be considered supplementary materials, and something else would be the main material. The tool refining master mentioned in her plan that the Golden Crystal Extract was very good in conducting mystic force, so it was the best option to bind with the main material. It was light, stable, and firm. It only needed to be refined a bit more before it could be used. The main thing was that the forged sword could be upgraded! The tool refining master said that this plan used the method of cultivating a sword; when it was at a higher cultivation, new ingredients could be added to improve its quality.
Of course, it came with an obvious disadvantage; how much would it cost if the Golden Crystal Extracts were only a supplementary material?
This plan was particularly detailed. It could be seen that she wished for Lu Mingshu to choose this plan. Obviously, which tool refining master would not want their client to choose the best? It's best for her craftsmanship too.
Looking at the first-class plan, Lu Mingshu just couldn't pick the other two plans. Compared to the first-class sword, the other two were too simple and crude!
Unable to convince herself, she sighed and calculated the amount of money she had.
There was a hundred Mystic Crystals that State Master Jiayan lost to her, as well as the prize for getting first place on the New Generation Ranking. Adding everything up, it was barely enough, leaving nothing for her own cultivation.
It was the agreed-upon time now, and the Heavenly Wheel sent a message. "Has Miss decided?"
Lu Mingshu glanced at the plan and her purse, then stopped struggling. "I'll take the first-class sword."
The other party didn't seem surprised; she immediately sent a list over. "This is the exact amount for each material. Contact me when you collect it all."
Lu Mingshu's heart felt pain as she read the list. All my money!
"As for the reward you give me, that will be the Golden Crystal Extract. If I cast the sword my way, I'll have some left over, and for all tool refining masters, the leftover materials will be kept. However, what you should know is that, the more leftover materials, the finer the method is, and the better the quality of the sword."
"As long as the sword is good enough, that's not a problem."
Chapter 207 - Encounter on the Water
After discussing the conditions and signing the contract, Lu Mingshu called Brother Six.
"Little Sister Seven, this is worth a lot!" Brother Six shouted upon seeing her list.
"I have no choice. My sword is ruined, so I have to get a new one even if I go bankrupt!" Lu Mingshu answered begrudgingly.
"True, a martial artist can't survive without a good weapon. Your cultivation has increased now too. If you don't get a good one, it will only limit your ability. Be at ease, I'll find you whatever I can!"
Brother Six was always a nimble person. Even if the materials could be found in her world, it would take years for her to get it all on her own. With the Heavenly Wheel as a medium, it would be a lot easier.
After a few days, Lu Mingshu received some materials.
"Brother Six, what about the rest?"
"The remaining materials are very rare in any world, so they'll take time to find. Oh, by the way, I remembered that your world has a lot of special ore products, You might be able to find the rest in your world."
"Ahhh!" Lu Mingshu thought for a while. "I'll have to trouble Brother Six to help me look out for them."
"No problem."
Lu Mingshu looked at the list, and there were four left. Two of the materials had never appeared in her world. As for the other two, she had read about them before in a book in the Heavenly Ascension Pavilion.
"Fairy Gravel and Mystic Yellow Stone…."
She recalled what was written in the book. Fairy Gravel was extremely rare, and there was no fixed place of origin for it. As for Yellow Mystic Stone, Beiming and Nanze seemed to produce a small amount of it.
Suddenly, the boat jolted. Captain's Ding voice could be heard, "A water beast showed up! Watch out!"
Lu Mingshu exited the hold, but she only saw a line of water launching at the boat.
Captain Ding steered the ship, Ah Ling quickly jumped off the canopy, and Ah Lang climbed the sail at lightning speed. The family put in all their strength to change the boat's direction. Luckily, they dodged it.
"Wow." Ah Ling jumped down and clapped her chest. "Lucky. This water beast is already in the Harmonization Realm. If it hit us, the boat would've surely capsized."
"Why is the water beast swimming so quickly? It looks like it's fleeing for its life," Lu Mingshu pondered.
"Miss has good eyesight," Captain Ding answered. "Water beasts have a leisurely character. If it's moving so quickly, there must be danger, but I don't know…"
Before he could finish, another water line appeared. This water line was different from the previous one; somebody was flying on the water's surface, causing water to splash up.
The water line was getting closer, and in no time, the person could be seen clearly.
It was a seventeen or eighteen-year-old guy. He was wearing a turquoise embroidered shirt, and he was standing on something that made him move at the speed of lightning.
When he was in front of the Ding Family's boat, he paused in his tracks and did a flip, landing on the canopy.
"Old fellow, I'm requisitioning your boat!" he shouted. He then threw a piece of Golden Extract in front of Captain Ding. "You saw that water beast that just passed by, right? Quickly go after it!"
Before Captain Ding could reply, Ah Ling looked angry.
Just a normal Golden Extract, worth no more than ten pieces of gold in Zhongzhou, and he wants to use our boat? He didn't even ask for our opinion. He really looks down on us!
Ah Ling wanted to say something, but Captain Ding gave her a glance, signaling her not to.
He smiled apologetically. "This gentleman, we have already rented out the boat. I'm really sorry for…"
The guy turned to him coldly. "I said that I want to requisition your boat. What don't you understand?"
"We have already rented out our boat!" Ah Lang cut in. "This gentleman, no matter how much you pay, we can't go back on our words."
The guy suddenly flared up and asked coldly. "Don't you know who I am?"
Captain Ding smiled bitterly, looking at the leaf embroidered on the man's collar. As someone who navigated the Ming River, how could he not recognize the symbol? It was the symbol of the Ye Family from White Heron State, one of the top three aristocratic families in Beiming. He didn't expect to meet someone from the Ye Family in such a distant place.
A nonentity like them couldn't afford to offend the Ye Family, but as a boat that ferried people around, they had their rules too. Since they had already taken the rent, they couldn't go back on their promise.
He could only move his eyes toward Lu Mingshu to see what she had to say. If she was willing to let him in, then he would do as he was asked. If not, it was better for her to reject it herself then them.
Seeing that Captain Ding looked in another direction, the guy turned toward where Captain Ding was looking. His eyes lit up at the sight.
A skinny girl was standing at the bow of the ship in a spring jacket. She turned as if she felt his glace. Her fair skin looked almost transparent under the sunlight, and she had no expression as if she was an iceberg.
"This Miss…" He lowered his volume.
Lu Mingshu answered in monotone, "This gentleman, I'm afraid that we are going in different directions."
An obvious rejection.
The guy raised his voice, obviously displeased. "Who asked for your opinion? Go after it now! If you let that water beast off… hmph!"
Outside of his expectations, Lu Mingshu just stood idled around. "Gentleman, if you go after it right now, you might still be able to get it. If you waste your time with us, you might not even see its shadow anymore."
"You…!" The guy flared up in anger. His surprise at her appearance was all gone.
Whoosh!
He fished out his sword. "You think the Ye Family is easy to take advantage of, huh? I'll show you something then."
Just because they couldn't agree on something, he was going to get physical?
She hadn't even reached Beiming yet and she already met such a person. What kind of luck was this?
"Miss." Ah Ling nudged Lu Mingshu. "He's from the Ye Family. Look at his collar," she whispered.
Lu Mingshu already noticed it earlier. The river was the main component of Beiming, but there were a few pieces of land. The bigger ones were known as states. There was a total of nine states in Beiming, and the small number of aristocratic families and sects were distributed throughout the nine states.
The Ye Family was one of the biggest aristocratic families. They were getting more and more powerful in recent years, and they had the title of being one of the Big Three Families. They were located in White Heron State, and they had control over the southeast of Beiming. They were like tyrants; they were arrogant, and they never hesitated.
However, Lu Mingshu didn't plan to give in. I rented a boat to travel through Beiming. Why do I have to go beast hunting with a Ye Family disciple? No matter how powerful they are, they can't control me.
As if nothing was happening, she sat down as she pleased. "I have already rented this boat for half a year. Gentleman, please."
Chasing me away, huh? The guy laughed out loud in anger. "This lord doesn't attack someone without knowing their name. Give your name!"
Lu Mingshu raised her eyebrows. "You're not worth it."
This was enough for the guy to blow up. Seeing that Lu Mingshu was in the Harmonization Realm, he didn't want to be too harsh. If she could reach the Harmonization Realm at her age, she was either from a sect or an aristocratic family - worthy of getting to know. However, no matter how polite he was, she didn't give him any face. This is our family's territory! Even if it's a dragon, it has to follow our rules.
Sword-light emerged as the guy attacked right away.
"Gentleman!" Captain Ding yelled. He was in the Harmonization Realm too, but compared to an aristocratic family disciple, it was like the difference between an authentic good and a knock-off. The disciple's closed apertures had almost been completely activated, but he hardly activated any, and he couldn't even block or attack. Furthermore, this man was from the Ye Family, so Captain Ding wouldn't dare to put his hands on him even if he could.
The sword energy and the blue-tinted mystic light was now in front of Lu Mingshu.
The sword energy was about to behead her, but a Clank! could be heard as the mystic light was stopped, pinched between her fingers.
Chapter 208 - Can't Agree with Each Other
"You…!" The guy was aghast.
A pair of white and thin fingers, surrounded by mild golden light, slightly pinched down, and the blue mystic light shattered into pieces.
Lu Mingshu stared at him. "If you leave now, I'll pretend that nothing happened."
The guy was at a loss for words.
Out of anger, his previous attack was at about 80% of his full power, but under her fingers, this ability was no different from being defeated in one go.
However, a Ye Family disciple who always behaved arrogantly around southeast Beiming, if he was so easily scared off, where would he put his face?
At this time, the water beast wasn't important anymore. The guy raised his sword. "Arrogant! Let me see what you have then!"
Sword-light shone, and the water suddenly rippled and swept over.
Ah Ling shrieked. This is the Ye Family's skill, Mystic Water Sword. This turquoise-shirt guy is not only a Ye Family disciple, he's a main descendant!
It's over. Miss Lu will never be able to go to White Heron State after offending the Ye Family.
- or rather, that's just the future. This Ye Family guy clearly doesn't have any good intentions. He wants to see blood with this Mystic Water Sword!
Having a lower ability, she was busy thinking about all that when the sword was already in front of Lu Mingshu.
However, the bloody scene she expected did not happen.
She only saw Lu Mingshu getting into position, then the mystic light spreading out. Ding! Ding! Ding! The weapons met.
But she wasn't holding any sword. Just with mystic force alone, she could imitate a sword's characteristics.
Ah Ling didn't have much experience, so she only found the fight interesting. However, as the fight went on, the Ye Family disciple was more and more surprised. It wasn't rare for someone to use their fingers as weapons, but she hadn't even taken her actual weapon out yet, and the sword-energy was almost overflowing. This skill is astonishing! Where did this Miss come from?
On the other side, Lu Mingshu was quite happy with the results. Blending sword-energy into mystic light was indeed a smart move. Back during the Qilin Festival, she saw that Wei Chunqiu could manifest his mystic light into a sword. She thought that it was amazing and went to research it. She had only understood a bit about it, and the Ye Family gentleman came right on time for her to test this skill.
This gentleman has probably been in the Harmonization Realm for one or two years, and he should be quite good. If I'm able to get the upper hand, it shows that this skill is very powerful.
The mystic force swelled and fell apart after an attack. The two shadows split apart.
The turquoise-shirt guy stood on his heels and stepped on the mast. He looked back at Lu Mingshu to see her tidying her clothes calmly, and he couldn't hold it back anymore.
He even used the Mystic Water Sword, but the other party didn't even take out her weapon. This is so embarrassing!
He looked pale. He stopped caring and growled, sword-light shooting up the sky.
The water in the river could feel his sword and started to bubble.
"Don't!" the Ding Family screamed.
This attack seemed to activate something. It seemed to be very grand; if it really struck, even the boat may be split open.
But why would the guy listen to them? The sharp sword was full of power as it slashed downward.
Lu Mingshu's eyes flashed as she took out her sword.
A clear whistle could be heard, and sword-light was now everywhere as if there was a dragon nearby, making the water toss and turn.
Boom!
A sound came from under the water, followed by numerous explosion sounds.
A tremendous wave surged upward, sending the Ding Family's boat high up into the sky.
Ah Ling clutched onto the sides of the boat tightly. "Grandpa!"
Captain Ding took out his oar and stuck it in the water. "Ah Lang!"
Ah Lang wanted to hold onto the mast, but the wind was too strong; as soon as he did so, he slipped back down again.
This made Ah Ling nervous. This boat is the ancestor's property. Their fight is too strong… if we don't activate the runes on the boat, are they going to ruin it?
Just at this time, a mystic force landed. Mild golden silk thread covered the whole boat like a gauze.
The jolting gradually stopped, and the tremendous waves were now isolated. Seizing this chance, Ah Lang jumped over to the mast. He bit his middle finger and drew on the floor with his blood.
The rune on the mast lit up with bloody light, turning into a shield.
The boat slowly floated back to the water surface. Ah Ling heaved a sigh of relief.
She looked up to see the fight still going on. Miss Lu is different from this Ye Family disciple; she still remembers our safety during the fight. I hope she wins this fight.
As she was having this thought, two rays of mystic light collided. The light blue one dispersed, and the guy flew off the boat into the water.
"Miss!" Ling screamed.
Whoosh!
The sword-light dimmed, and Lu Mingshu kept her sword. She then walked back to the bow of the boat.
"It's okay."
She was indeed okay. She wasn't even slightly wet.
But Ah Ling was worried about the other party.
"Oh my god!" Ah Lang looked at the place where the guy fell from, face filled with worried. "If something happens to that Ye Family disciple…"
Lu Mingshu shook her head. "He'll be fine."
"Miss Lu!" Ah Lang screamed at her. "Do you know what-!"
Before he could finish his words, the guy came up from the water, all wet, showing a sorry figure.
Pui… The guy vomited out water and looked at her, flustered and exasperated. "Who the hell are you?"
Lu Mingshu sat down. "This gentleman, aren't you aware that you need to introduce yourself first before asking someone else's name?"
The guy trembled. Either he was freezing from the water, or he was just angered by her.
He took out a silver palm-sized leaf. He jumped onto the boat and stepped on the leaf.
"Ye Zhenfan from White Heron State. I ask Miss for your name!" He gritted his teeth, giving her a death stare.
Pu! Ah Ling burst out in laughter.
Ye Zhenfan stared at her fiercely.
Ah Ling immediately stopped laughing and pretended like nothing happened. She couldn't afford to offend a Ye Family disciple.
Lu Mingshu smiled. Zhenfan…? "Very annoying"? What a nice name for this guy. (Same pinyin, different characters)
"A pleasure." She raised her hand for a handshake. "Lu Mingshu from Nine Jade Palace."
"Nine Jade Palace?" Ye Zhenfan stared at her blankly. He had many guesses - Seventh Truth Platform, Heavenly Sea Pavilion, or one of the many aristocratic families, but he didn't expect her to be from Nine Jade Palace.
In the Ding Family's eyes, Nine Jade Palace was an honorable sect, unreachable for them. But the Ye Family had a lot of power, so of course, they had higher standards. Nine Jade Palace was far, and there wasn't much talent there. They had declined over the past few years to an ordinary sect. Yet there's someone like her?
Her skills are indeed not from the Seventh Truth Platform or the Heavenly Sea Pavilion. Nine Jade Palace… what skills do they practice?
Before Ye Zhenfan could recall, a small boat sped over.
The boat was the same as the Ding Family' boat; it belonged to some Jianghu people. On the bow, there stood a few people that were dressed similarly to Ye Zhenfan.
"Ninth Brother. Hey!" Somebody waved.