Li, Possessing Family Wealth, Mo, Ice Block's Doubts

Han He's voice trailed off.

Shang Wu didn't even have to think about it before she retorted with a sour expression:

"You want to keep him here? Are you trying to snatch my disciple, you old man?"

"Who cares about your disciple! I'm keeping the ancestral divine weapon!"

Elder Han He was uncharacteristically firm.

Even if this matter were brought before the Sect Master, he would still be in the right.

Besides...

Shang Wu's concerns were not entirely unfounded.

If someone were recognized as the master of the Calamity Meteor Hammer, and they were a disciple of Divine Weapon Peak, they would be the undisputed next Peak Master.

Elder Han He wouldn't be planning to keep me here to forge iron, would he?

Li Mo vaguely sensed something was amiss.

That simply wouldn't do.

If he stayed here every day, how would he be able to fleece... er, how would he be able to cling to Ice Block's jade legs?

"If you let Disciple Li stay here, Divine Weapon Peak will cover all your future expenses."

The next moment.

Elder Han He's deep, somber voice reached them.

It was full of temptation.

Clearly, he was prepared to bleed his coffers dry.

"Elder, what are you saying? My master has a backbone of steel; how could she abandon her disciple for a mere five pecks of rice?"

"Right, Master... Master?"

Li Mo finished his righteous declaration.

He turned back to see that his master no longer possessed her previous aggressive momentum; her beautiful eyes were glazed over, seemingly calculating a carefree life of unlimited fine wine and gourmet food.

He strongly suspected she could hear the clinking of silver coins right now.

Young Li: "..."

It seemed he had underestimated his master's poverty and her tendency to be blinded by money...

Li Mo lowered his voice and said, "Master, when has Autumn Water Pavilion ever lacked fine food and wine? If I stay at Divine Weapon Peak, there won't be anyone left to cook for you!"

Divine Weapon Peak's weapons sold widely, and they did indeed rake in gold by the day.

But it likely couldn't compare to how quickly he could make money by "creating something from nothing."

Moreover, he was never afraid of being eaten into poverty; on the contrary, he would only grow wealthier through investment returns.

"Hmm, I am not that kind of person."

The beautiful master's eyes instantly cleared, and she nodded earnestly.

"Elder, you worry too much. This disciple has a modest amount of savings."

Li Mo cupped his hands toward Elder Han He.

"How much could you possibly have..."

Thud—

Two massive chunks of cold, shimmering metal slammed onto the floor.

Instantly, the temperature in the room dropped, as if these two pieces of metal were absorbing all the heat.

Elder Han He's smiling expression froze, and he fell into deep contemplation.

Iron Essence.

Ten thousand catties of iron yielded only one ounce of essence.

Adding even a sliver to an ordinary weapon would make it sharp enough to sever hair and slice through iron like mud.

Even with the help of Cold Flame Spring Water, all the disciples of Divine Weapon Peak combined, swinging their hammers until they smoked, would struggle to produce these two large chunks in three years.

Thud—

Another dull sound echoed.

A fist-sized, crimson-red piece of metal landed on the ground.

"Hiss..."

Elder Han He completely lost his composure.

Flame Rock Copper Ore.

It only formed when a vein existed near a volcano and the ore had been tempered by subterranean fire for over ten thousand years; it then required a volcanic eruption to be brought to the surface for anyone to obtain it.

The Crimson Firmament Sword contained this very material.

You call this... "modest means"?

Elder Han began to ponder the origins of the inheritance Li Mo had received.

Shang Wu was also contemplating this very question.

Was the powerhouse who left behind this inheritance perhaps a merchant in their past life?

Or maybe some notorious bandit who had plundered boundless wealth?

"This disciple is no blacksmith; these two rare treasures would be pearls cast before swine in my hands."

"Elder, you are a renowned master craftsman of the Purple Sun Prefecture; only you could ensure they are put to their best use."

Young Li certainly knew how to coax an old man.

Elder Han He fell silent.

After a long while, he sighed:

"Shang Wu, your disciple is far more tactful than you. I no longer worry about him bringing endless trouble upon himself by wielding these divine weapons."

Shang Wu: "?"

Han He did not spare her another glance, turning back to Li Mo with a solemn tone:

"Li Mo, if you can accomplish three things, I shall be happy to help you achieve your goal."

"Please, Elder, state your terms."

Li Mo followed the flow of the conversation with ease.

"First, if Divine Weapon Peak ever needs to forge a profound artifact in the future and requires the Calamity Meteor Hammer, you, as its master, must assist."

"Second, until your strength is sufficient, do not broadcast the existence of these divine weapons. Aside from myself and your master, no one else must know."

"Third, do not let the ancestral divine weapons be stained by unjust blood."

Elder Han He emphasized the final point with a heavier tone.

"That is only right."

Young Li did not hesitate.

These conditions were far more lenient than he had anticipated.

Even if Elder Han He hadn't mentioned them, he would have done so regardless.

"Very well, you may go."

Elder Han He waved his hand, looking weary.

"The old man is surprisingly easy to talk to today." Shang Wu raised an eyebrow, feeling somewhat unaccustomed to it.

Li Mo bowed to Elder Han He, then pulled his master away toward the exit.

It was best not to push one's luck after getting a good deal.

Watching the master and disciple depart.

"The divine weapons finally have a master, and in the end, they have fallen to Jade Cluster Peak."

"To think it didn't go to Shang Wu, but to her disciple instead..."

"The ways of the world are truly beyond words..."

Elder Han He murmured to himself with a sigh.

On the path down the mountain.

"My precious disciple, you're quite clever, aren't you?"

Shang Wu narrowed her almond-shaped eyes, one hand on her hip, while her other fair arm draped over her disciple's shoulder, laughing with little regard for her image:

"Not bad, not bad. To be able to bamboozle old man Han He like that—you've already got six or seven parts of my own flair."

"I wouldn't exactly call it bamboozling..."

Being draped over by a master who was nearly his own height, young Li gave a light cough.

"Hmph, are you trying to bamboozle your master too?"

"Where's the hammer? Let this master have a look."

Shang Wu wore an expression that said, 'I know everything.'

Li Mo gave a wry smile: "I truly cannot take it out."

Are you kidding?

It had taken an immense amount of effort just to get it inside.

He hadn't even fully recovered yet; if he were to channel the World Seed again?

Master, believe me, I'd fall apart right in front of you.

"Hmph, heartless."

Shang Wu twitched her delicate nose, her pretty face collapsing into a pout.

Li Mo: "...Master, you were genuinely trying to sell me off just now, weren't you?"

"Hehe... hehe, how could that be?"

Shang Wu shifted her gaze elsewhere.

"That was merely a test from your master, to see if you were truly devoted to Jade Cluster Peak."

"Master, you're feeling guilty."

"Audacious disciple, how dare you question your master! Do you intend to defy the heavens and overturn the order?"

The footsteps of the esteemed Master quickened significantly, her fiery red palace robes fluttering in the air.

Li Mo let out a soft sigh: "Master, how about we pair some Aged Bamboo Green Wine with a whole roasted lamb tonight?"

Young Li deployed his crowd-control skill.

"How many years aged?"

"Thirty years."

The crowd-control skill proved exceptionally effective.

A short while later.

The master and disciple returned, laden with spoils under the stars and moon.

As soon as he pushed open the door, Li Mo saw the young girl's figure sitting at the stone table where they usually ate, sipping tea at a leisurely pace, a long sword resting across her lap reflecting the moonlight.

"I thought you had gone back to your room to practice."

"I haven't had dinner yet."

The Ice Block said as much.

Young Li fell silent for a moment, looking up at the sky.

The moon was dim, signaling that the night was nearly over.

"But, it's almost time for breakfast."

"Is it?"

Ying Bing also looked up at the moon, her dark brows knitting in confusion.

What kind of sense of time do you have?

Who uses eating as a way to judge the time!

Li Mo was too drained to retort and went off to cook.

Ying Bing lowered her eyes for a moment, looked toward Shang Wu, and asked softly:

"What happened at Divine Blade Cave today?"

This was yet another matter that had exceeded her expectations.