Han He's voice had barely faded.
Shang Wu almost didn't even think before she said with a hostile look:
"You want him to stay here with you? Old man, are you trying to steal my disciple?"
"Who wants your disciple? The one I'm keeping here is the ancestral divine weapon!"
Elder Han He was unusually resolute.
Even if this matter went before the Sect Master, he'd be in the right.
And besides...
Shang Wu's concern wasn't entirely unfounded.
If the Calamity Meteor Hammer acknowledged its master and that person was a disciple of Divine Weapon Peak, then they'd be the next Peak Master Elder, no question.
"Does Elder Han He want to keep me here to forge weapons?"
Li Mo sensed the beginnings of something.
That wouldn't do.
If he stayed here every day, how could he fleece Ice Block... ahem, how could he cling to Ice Block's jade-like thigh?
"If Disciple Li stays here, Divine Weapon Peak will cover all his expenses from now on."
The next moment.
Elder Han He's somber voice rang out.
It was full of temptation.
Clearly, he was prepared to pay through the nose.
"Elder, what are you saying? My master is made of iron and steel. She wouldn't abandon her disciple for five pecks of rice."
"Right, Master... Master?"
Li Mo finished speaking with righteous conviction.
When he turned around, he saw that his master had lost her earlier imposing air. Her beautiful eyes were somewhat unfocused, as if she were calculating what a carefree life with unlimited fine wine and food would be like.
He suspected she could already hear silver coins clinking.
Little Li: "..."
He seemed to have underestimated just how poor his master was, and how easily money caught her eye...
Li Mo lowered his voice. "Master, when has Autumn Water Pavilion ever been short on good food and wine for you? If I stay at Divine Weapon Peak, there'll be nobody to cook for you!"
Divine Weapon Peak's weapons sold far and wide, and they really did make money hand over fist.
But even that probably couldn't compare to how quickly he could make money by "creating something from nothing."
Besides, he'd never have to worry about anyone eating him into poverty. On the contrary, he'd only grow richer as his investments paid off.
"Mm, I'm not that kind of person."
The beautiful master's eyes cleared in an instant, and she nodded solemnly.
"Elder, you needn't worry. This disciple has some modest means."
Li Mo cupped his hands toward Elder Han He.
"How much could you possibly—"
Smack—
Two large chunks of gleaming metal hit the ground.
The room's temperature dropped a little at once, as though the two chunks of metal were sucking away the heat.
Elder Han He's smiling expression froze, then shifted into deep thought.
Iron Essence.
One tael of essence for every ten thousand jin of iron.
Add just a trace to an ordinary weapon, and it could sever a hair with a breath or slice through iron like mud.
Even with the aid of Cold Flame Spring Water, it would take every disciple at Divine Weapon Peak hammering until their arms smoked for three years to produce these two huge chunks of Iron Essence.
Smack—
Another muffled thud.
A fist-sized piece of scarlet metal landed on the ground.
"Hiss..."
Elder Han He finally lost his composure.
Flame Rock Copper Ore.
It could only form if a vein happened to lie near a volcano and the ore within had been tempered by subterranean fire for over ten thousand years. Even then, it might only become available to people after a volcanic eruption.
The Crimson Firmament Sword contained this very material.
And you called this... modest means?
Old Han began wondering about the origins of the inheritance Li Mo had obtained.
Shang Wu was wondering the same thing.
Had the powerful figure who left behind this inheritance once run a trading house?
Or had they been some River Bandit who'd plundered untold riches?
"This disciple isn't a blacksmith. These two rare treasures would be wasted in my hands."
"Elder, you're a renowned master craftsman in Purple Sun Prefecture. Only you can put them to their best use."
Little Li knew how to sweet-talk old men.
Elder Han He fell silent.
After a long while, he sighed.
"Shang Wu, your disciple knows how to deal with people better than you do. At least now I don't have to worry about him wielding the divine weapon and bringing endless calamity upon the world."
Shang Wu: "?"
Han He didn't spare her another glance. He turned back to Li Mo and said in a grave voice:
"Li Mo, if you can do three things, then I'll grant your wish."
"Please, Elder."
Li Mo readily agreed.
"First, if Divine Weapon Peak ever forges a Mystic Artifact in the future and needs the Calamity Meteor Hammer, you must help as its wielder."
"Second, before your strength is sufficient, you mustn't spread word of the divine weapon. Aside from me and your master, no one else must know."
"Third, don't let the ancestral divine weapon be stained with unrighteous blood."
Elder Han He put extra weight on the last condition.
"That's only right."
Little Li didn't hesitate.
The terms were already far more lenient than he'd expected.
Even if Elder Han He hadn't brought them up, he'd have done the same.
"Good. You may go."
Elder Han He waved them away wearily.
"The old man's being awfully agreeable today." Shang Wu raised an eyebrow, unaccustomed to it.
Li Mo bowed to Elder Han He, then took his master by the hand and headed out.
When you've gotten the better end of a deal, don't push your luck.
Watching the master and disciple leave,
"The divine weapon finally has a master, and it still ended up at Jade Cluster Peak."
"Shang Wu didn't get it, but her disciple did..."
"The ways of the world are wondrous beyond words..."
Elder Han He murmured, full of emotion.
On the way down the mountain.
"Precious disciple, you're pretty quick-witted."
Shang Wu narrowed her almond eyes, planted one hand on her hip, and draped her other, pale arm over her disciple's shoulder. She grinned without a hint of dignity.
"Not bad, not bad. You managed to fool old Han He into a stupor. You've already got six, seven, maybe even eight-tenths of my skill."
"I wouldn't exactly call it fooling him..."
With his master, who was about as tall as he was, slung over his shoulder, Little Li coughed lightly.
"Hmph. You even fool your own master, brat?"
"Where's the hammer? Let me have a look."
Shang Wu wore an expression that said, "I know all about it."
Li Mo smiled wryly. "I really can't take it out."
As if.
It had taken all he had just to get it inside.
He still hadn't fully recovered. Was he supposed to empower it with the World Seed again?
Master, do you believe I could fall apart right here before your eyes?
"Hmph, no conscience."
Shang Wu sniffed, her pretty face dropping into a pout.
Li Mo: "...Master, you really were thinking about selling me off just now, weren't you?"
"Heh... heh, of course not."
Shang Wu looked away.
"That was merely my test to see whether you were wholeheartedly devoted to Jade Cluster Peak."
"Master, you're feeling guilty."
"How dare you, rebellious disciple! You dare question your master now? Are you trying to turn heaven and earth upside down?"
The steps of the esteemed master quickened noticeably, her crimson palace robes fluttering.
Li Mo sighed softly. "Master, how about roast whole lamb with Aged Bamboo Green Wine tonight?"
Little Li used his control skill.
"How many years old?"
"Thirty."
The control skill worked wonders.
A short while later.
Master and disciple returned home under the stars, laden with their spoils.
As soon as Li Mo pushed open the door, he saw a young woman sitting at the stone table where they usually ate. She sipped her tea slowly, a long sword on her lap reflecting the moonlight.
"I thought you'd gone back to your room to practice."
"I haven't had dinner yet."
That was Ice Block's answer.
Little Li fell silent for a while, then looked up at the sky.
The moon was dim, a sign that the night was nearly over.
"But it's almost time for breakfast."
"Is that so?"
Ying Bing also looked up at the moon, her delicate brows drawing together in confusion.
What kind of sense of time was that?
Who used mealtimes to tell the time?
Li Mo was too exasperated to say anything. He went to cook.
Ying Bing lowered her eyes for a moment, then looked at Shang Wu and asked softly:
"What happened at Divine Blade Cave today?"
Once again, something had happened that was beyond her expectations.
Before you continue