Cold Edge

Chapter 27: Cold Edge

Lu Zhaojin did not return to Shiqiao Town.

He wasn't fond of the melancholy of farewell.

But he also didn't intend to leave without saying goodbye. So, he found someone in Qishan County to write a letter to Lu Jinlin, informing him of his travels.

At the same time, he hadn't expected to run into Niu Hang at the inn.

Niu Hang was also planning to head back to Luoshui Commandery that day. He still had some unhealed injuries, and seeing Lu Zhaojin made him very happy, though he winced in pain as his wounds were aggravated.

The two chatted while eating.

When Niu Hang learned that Lu Zhaojin was also going to Luoshui Commandery, a spark flashed in his eyes. He then patted his chest with his arm and said happily, "If Sir Lu doesn't mind my weak cultivation, you can travel with me."

Niu Hang found the words strangely familiar.

Lu Zhaojin figured that going to Luoshui Commandery was going to Luoshui Commandery, and traveling with Niu Hang wouldn't be so bad. So, he nodded in agreement.

Niu Hang was exceptionally excited. He called the waiter for good wine and food, then said to Lu Zhaojin, "I've almost finished packing that batch of medicinal herbs. We can set off in the afternoon. Does Young Hero Lu have any other instructions? I can delay our departure."

Niu Hang hadn't come to Qishan County alone. He had brought a group of people to purchase the medicinal herbs produced locally.

Lu Zhaojin had no schedule. He had nothing to do in Qishan County. As for Zhao Jinzhi, he didn't know where he was hiding, as he hadn't seen him again. "Whatever you say," Lu Zhaojin replied.

However, he figured Zhao Jinzhi wouldn't be hiding in Qishan.

Because Zhao Jinzhi knew that if he found him, he would surely not escape death.

Lu Zhaojin sat inside Niu Hang's carriage. The road was a bit bumpy, causing him some discomfort. However, after leaving Qishan, they arrived at the closest city to Mount Qi.

Luoshui Commandery.

Luoxia City.

Although this place was on the border of Luoshui Commandery and adjacent to Mount Qi, its scale was much, much larger than Qishan County.

Niu Hang accompanied the guards at the city gate to inspect the carriage, explaining that it was carrying medicinal herbs and presenting the transit documents. He also quietly slipped the guard a tael of silver before they were allowed to enter the city early.

Otherwise, they would have had to wait in a long queue.

Lu Zhaojin peered through a gap in the curtain and saw the long line outside. He noticed that most of the people were from Qishan.

Lu Zhaojin withdrew his gaze and saw Niu Hang returning. He said, "Young Hero Lu, this is Luoxia City. We plan to rest here for one night before traveling for another two days to reach Luoshui City."

Lu Zhaojin nodded, indicating he understood. "Thank you."

Niu Hang asked, "Does Young Hero Lu have any particular destination?"

Lu Zhaojin replied, "Not at all. I've come to Luoshui Commandery to travel and see the world beyond Mount Qi. Since you're in a hurry to return to Luoshui City, you don't need to worry about me. I'll make my way to Luoshui City myself."

Niu Hang knew he couldn't keep Lu Zhaojin. He cupped his fists and bowed, "Then we shall part ways in Luoxia City, Young Hero Lu."

He then said solemnly, "When the day comes that you visit Luoshui City, please don't forget me, Niu Hang."

Lu Zhaojin replied, "I certainly won't."

Niu Hang had a familiar place to stay in Luoxia City.

Lu Zhaojin did not follow him, choosing instead to lodge at an inn and explore this unfamiliar place.

His main goal was to find a blacksmith shop to forge a good sword anew.

However, he was unfamiliar with Luoxia City, making it difficult to find.

Along the way, he spotted a grand and magnificent pavilion with people coming and going, likely a place of commerce.

Lu Zhaojin approached and saw the plaque above the door, which read "Brocade Merchant Guild."

Two guards stood at the entrance, vigilant. They didn't look down on anyone, but they showed no mercy to troublemakers.

Lu Zhaojin entered the guild. The main hall was filled with a dazzling array of goods, including sabers, swords, various rare herbs, and cultivation techniques.

However, none of the swords on display caught his eye.

Ever since he comprehended the Gale Sword Intent, he seemed to have a special sense for swords, able to perceive the strength of the energy contained within them.

It was as if the swords were no longer cold weapons but had come alive, possessing a heartbeat and vitality. By listening to that heartbeat, he could discern the sword's strength.

The heartbeats of the swords outside were faint, comparable to his own Hundred Refined Sword.

But amidst these heartbeats, he heard a powerful, drum-like pulse that drew his attention.

Lu Zhaojin followed this rhythmic beat to a spacious area inside the building, where many people had gathered, all of them martial artists.

At the forefront, there was a platform where a graceful middle-aged woman in a simple, elegant dress stood. In the dim space, she seemed like the only source of light, drawing everyone's gaze.

Of course, it wasn't just the mature woman who attracted their attention, but also the auction item on the table.

This was clearly the auction house of the Brocade Merchant Guild.

The middle-aged woman on stage removed the cloth covering the item, revealing its true form.

Even from its appearance, one could infer some clues.

The item up for auction this time was a sword.

This was also the source of the drumbeat Lu Zhaojin heard.

The middle-aged woman glanced at Lu Zhaojin, who had just entered, but didn't pay him much attention. "This sword is called Cold Edge. It's forged from West Sea Profound Ice Iron. The blade is a deep blue and emits a chilling aura. If the wielder has a weak constitution, the cold can enter their body and pose a life-threatening risk. However, this sword comes from the hand of Sword Forging Master Wu Yezi. His personal seal is on the sword's guard, so everyone can examine it."

The middle-aged woman's voice was gentle and soft. Her slender, white fingers pointed to the sword's guard, and everyone could clearly see the inscription of Wu Yezi's name.

Instantly.

The crowd of martial artists became restless, clamoring for the middle-aged woman to announce the price quickly.

Lu Zhaojin didn't know who Wu Yezi was, but judging by the reactions of the people around him, he knew this person must be extraordinary. Moreover, the middle-aged woman had called him a Sword Forging Master. He wondered if he could forge a sword more powerful than this Cold Edge.

Lu Zhaojin felt a desire to meet Wu Yezi, and even more so, to commission him to forge a sword exclusively for himself.

The middle-aged woman raised her hands and gently pressed them down, signaling for quiet. "While this Cold Edge is not as magnificent as the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Famous Swords, it is still an exceptionally rare treasure. Therefore, the starting bid is one thousand taels of silver."

One thousand taels of silver.

That was no small sum.

Lu Zhaojin actually had eight thousand taels in silver notes on him, all of which he had confiscated from Chen Kang and the others. He wasn't sure if he could afford to bid for the Cold Edge.

As soon as the middle-aged woman finished speaking, someone called out, "One thousand five hundred taels."

"Two thousand taels."

"Two thousand one hundred taels."

"Two thousand five hundred..."

Before long.

The price of the Cold Edge had climbed to five thousand taels.

However, the trend of bidding had begun to slow down.

Initially, there were many bidders, but now only one or two remained.

Presumably, they didn't have that much silver on them, or they felt the Cold Edge wasn't worth such a high price.

After all, the middle-aged woman had mentioned that the Cold Edge couldn't compare to the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Famous Swords. So, after some internal consideration and comparison, they stopped bidding.

Lu Zhaojin then called out, "Five thousand five hundred taels."

His voice echoed through the auction hall.

For a moment, many people turned to look at him, their eyes filled with schadenfreude or pity.

Lu Zhaojin paid them no mind. All he wanted now was to win the bid for the Cold Edge.