Two Baits

In the Profound Desolate Great World, ordinary weapons were mainly divided into unranked, Ninth-Rank Low-Tier, Ninth-Rank Mid-Tier, and Ninth-Rank High-Tier. As for whether even stronger weapons existed, that was not something ordinary martial artists could easily glimpse.

The Fine Steel Longsword Song Ankang wanted to buy from Ma Jingang could only be considered an unranked weapon. Even so, it was already something ordinary people could only long for, with each sword worth dozens of taels of silver—let alone something as fine as a Mysterious Iron Sword.

A person could not be judged by appearance, nor the sea measured with a bucket. This Blacksmith Ma of Chaoyun Manor had hidden himself deeply indeed.

"Blacksmith Ma, I'm very satisfied with this Mysterious Iron Sword. It must be quite valuable. How much silver do you need for it?" Song Ankang asked, lovingly turning it over in his hands as he looked at Ma Jingang.

Ma Jingang smiled. "A treasured sword is gifted to a hero. Lord Manor Master resolved such a great crisis for our Chaoyun Manor, and now you are buying weapons for the manor's sake. This Mysterious Iron Sword should rightfully be given to you, Lord Manor Master."

"This sword is too precious. I cannot accept it for nothing." Song Ankang hurriedly shook his head. "Please name a price, Blacksmith Ma. Otherwise, I won't take it."

Seeing Song Ankang's firm attitude, Ma Jingang's respect for him grew even deeper. Had it been any of the previous manor masters, they would likely have accepted the Mysterious Iron Sword and left long ago, never mentioning payment.

After considering it for a moment, Ma Jingang said, "Since Lord Manor Master insists on paying, then just pay the cost price—one hundred taels of silver will do."

"One hundred taels is too little. It wouldn't even cover the cost. Let's make it two hundred taels." Song Ankang said firmly.

Ma Jingang hurriedly replied, "It truly doesn't cost that much. That piece of mysterious iron was actually picked up by my grandfather by chance on Stone Pillar Mountain, so it didn't require much expense."

"Something picked up is still a cost. If Blacksmith Ma feels uneasy about it, then let me owe you the money for a few months. Once the workshop earns enough, I'll pay you then." Song Ankang smiled. "I don't have that much money right now, so I hope Blacksmith Ma will excuse me."

Ma Jingang said loudly, "Forget a few months—even if Lord Manor Master wanted to owe it for several years, that would be fine."

Both sides were very satisfied with this transaction. Ma Jingang naturally came to respect Song Ankang, the new manor master, even more, while Song Ankang also gained a deeper understanding of Ma Jingang's character.

After returning, he asked around and learned that Blacksmith Ma had long wanted his two daughters to enter the workshop as apprentices. However, their scores had been a little lacking, and Ma Jingang disdained using backdoor connections, so they had not gotten in.

Ma Jingang's youngest son, on the other hand, had entered the workshop's Transport Team because he was strong and fairly capable.

Song Ankang then had Hao Jiyong, who was in charge of the workshop, arrange for Ma Jingang's two daughters to join the workshop as well. They could learn a trade and help support the household.

As for whether that counted as using backdoor connections, the entire workshop belonged to Song Ankang. What did it matter if he used his own back door?

After handling this matter, Song Ankang returned to the Training Room and familiarized himself with the Mysterious Iron Sword he had just acquired. He secretly wondered whether he should find a sword technique to practice later, so he could bring out the sword's full might.

However, that matter could be sought slowly. For now, the most important thing was to kill the Earthworm Beast that had infiltrated Chaoyun Manor.

In the dead of night, after absorbing a wave of side-effect feedback from the Marrow Injury Fist, Song Ankang sensed the movements around him. He silently left his bedroom with the Mysterious Iron Sword in hand, preparing to patrol the manor.

With his current strength, along with his extraordinary mental power and perception, an Earthworm Beast that was merely a Ninth-Rank Mid-Tier Fierce Beast around the Inner Refinement Second Layer was no match for him at all. Even if it launched a sneak attack, Song Ankang could easily kill it.

Not to mention that Song Ankang carried the Mysterious Iron Sword, allowing him to discover the Earthworm Beast beneath the ground a step ahead of time, then plunge the sword underground and take its life.

Calling it absolutely foolproof might have been a slight exaggeration, but he could still be ninety percent certain of success. That was why Song Ankang dared to leave his bedroom in the dead of night, intending to use himself as bait to lure out the hidden Earthworm Beast and kill it.

Over the past several days, enough Tenant Farmers of Chaoyun Manor had already been devoured by the Earthworm Beast. They were all Song Ankang's subordinates. Setting aside the fact that this could cost him his position as manor master, Song Ankang could not simply stand by and watch the Tenant Farmers who supported him get devoured.

Moreover, Song Ankang was now sufficiently confident that he could kill this Earthworm Beast without suffering injury. If he still did not act under such circumstances, he truly could not bear it.

"Whoosh..."

Amid a nearly imperceptible sound, Song Ankang landed on the Qinggang Stone path outside the small courtyard. Then, to his astonishment, he saw a figure walking toward him from several dozen meters away. Someone had actually been waiting outside for him in advance?

Song Ankang was rather speechless. Who was this, to have even guessed that? Wasn't that a bit too outrageous?

"Is... is that the Son-in-law?"

A familiar voice came from several dozen meters away, causing Zhu Wuyang to freeze for a moment before realizing something. "Instructor Jiang?"

"It's me!" Jiang Yunhe appeared before Song Ankang with a bitter smile. "What is the Son-in-law doing out here in the dead of night? Why aren't you resting in your bedroom?"

Song Ankang gave a dry laugh. "I couldn't sleep, so I came out for a walk."

"That Earthworm Beast that broke into the manor has already reached the Inner Refinement Second Layer. If it launches a sudden sneak attack, I'm afraid even martial artists at the Inner Refinement Third Layer or Inner Refinement Fourth Layer might not be able to withstand it. Yet you, Son-in-law, are only at the Outer Forging Second Layer. You are no match for that Earthworm Beast at all." Jiang Yunhe said solemnly. "Therefore, please return and rest. I will help you root out that Earthworm Beast."

Jiang Yunhe's words confirmed Song Ankang's guess. As expected, he too had planned to leave his residence under cover of night and use himself as bait to lure out the Earthworm Beast and kill it.

Seeing Jiang Yunhe's resolute attitude, with no room for compromise whatsoever, Song Ankang pondered briefly and did not argue further. He turned and returned to the small courtyard. "Then I'll have to trouble Instructor Jiang. Please be careful."

"Rest assured, Son-in-law. I will definitely kill that Earthworm Beast. Just rest peacefully." Jiang Yunhe nodded, then gave Song Ankang a somewhat worried look. "But Son-in-law, you must also promise me not to come out again. Your strength is far inferior to the Earthworm Beast's. It is practically impossible for you to kill it. You must not make a meaningless sacrifice. The Eldest Miss is still waiting for you to return at the Tang Family Mansion."

Song Ankang smiled. "I understand. Since Instructor Jiang is taking action, I can rest easy. There's no need for me to meddle any further."

Only after seeing Song Ankang return to rest with no intention of coming out again did Jiang Yunhe feel reassured. Carrying a long saber, he left the area and patrolled the various parts of the manor, hoping to draw out the Earthworm Beast.

Not long after Jiang Yunhe left, Song Ankang quietly came out, departed his residence in another direction, and went to serve as bait as well.