I was quite happy, but then I thought it over. Taihua Lord had been stingy to the point of not giving away a single hair before this, so how had he suddenly become so familiar with me? Could it be that seeing me fight Changjian Lord to a draw had made him look at me differently?
"Taihua Lord, are these materials a gift?" I shot him a sidelong glance, looking highly suspicious.
"Oh..." Taihua Lord's eyes widened as realization dawned. "You little rascal, don't tell me you think this old man can't afford to give you a sword?"
"Of course I don't think that. I've already witnessed Senior's generosity before. I just feel that one shouldn't accept a reward without having rendered a service, so I'd feel bad taking something from you." I gave a sheepish chuckle.
Taihua Lord shot me a disdainful look. "Little Friend Xia, you're underestimating this old man too much. Do I need to look at your expression before I can give you something and see whether you'll accept it? Do you want it or not? Just say the word."
"I do! Only a fool would refuse something that's free!" I hurriedly replied. Taihua Lord immediately burst into hearty laughter, then took me toward his secluded bamboo residence. Along the way, I naturally began probing him with all sorts of subtle questions. There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world; he had to want something if he was giving me a gift. So I started sounding out Taihua Lord's intentions.
I annoyed him so much with my questions that Taihua Lord eventually grew helpless and could only say, "Enough! You keep asking this and that. This old man can't be bothered to keep guarding this secret any longer!"
I was startled. "There