Meng Qingshan heard him and stepped forward as instructed, threading his way through the mountains of firewood. At last, he reached the very center of the woodshed, where an iron rod stood tall and firm. Its base rested securely on a stone pedestal, while its top supported the entire roof beam.
Meng Qingshan walked up and ran a hand over it, wiping away the dust to reveal the iron rod's true appearance.
The rod had been carefully cast from superior-grade refined iron. Its entire surface was a deep, shadowy black.
Though the years had left it mottled with dust and cobwebs, they had done little to conceal its extraordinary texture and aura.
On closer inspection, faint carvings of interwoven water and fire could be seen on its surface.
As Meng Qingshan carefully wiped the rod, the dust gradually fell away, revealing more of its true form.
And as the dust cleared, a faint power, tempered by the passage of time, seemed to emanate from within the rod, inspiring awe despite oneself.
Meng Qingshan's heart stirred, and the iron rod's information panel appeared before him:
Item: Dark Iron Water-Fire Cudgel Affiliation: Nine Lotus Zen Monastery Description: This cudgel was once wielded by Master Qu E Chan. It is twelve feet long, as thick as a bowl, and weighs 236 jin. Later, Master Qu E Chan was influenced by inner demons and strayed from the righteous path. The cudgel fell into ruin along with him, tainted by a trace of malice. Yet it remains, in essence, a Buddhist treasure, containing immeasurable Buddhist wisdom and the power of compassion. Effect: Cudgel Technique damage +85 Note: The Nine Lotus Zen Monastery is one of Jiangnan's renowned orthodox sects. Taking this cudgel there may lead to an unexpected reward.
Looking at the iron