Nuoding City, Buying a Sword

Nuoding City.

Located at the intersection of the Heaven Soul Empire and the Star Luo Empire.

It was originally a place that relied on grain trade year-round.

However, ten thousand years ago, the Sea God Tang San stayed here for a very long time, drawing countless people to pay homage to the footsteps of a god.

Eventually, the city transformed, opening up the tourism industry and promoting itself heavily, thus becoming a must-visit destination for many travelers.

Today, it is exceptionally prosperous.

The Nuoding Academy within the city attracts countless parents, high-ranking officials, and nobles who hope to rub off on some of its luck.

They send their children and nephews there; one could even say it is a miniature version of Shrek Academy.

"Uncle Erniu, you can drop me off here. The entry fee is so expensive. Besides, I know the way inside!"

Jumping off the ox cart at the city gate, Fang Le spoke to Uncle Erniu, who had wanted to accompany him into Nuoding City, with an exaggerated expression on his small face.

That little expression made Uncle Erniu burst into hearty laughter.

"Hahaha! Alright, I know you're stingy with money! You can walk the rest of the way yourself. Rest assured, I'll help look after things for the village chief. Study hard, and make your grandfather proud once you become a Spirit Master. I'm heading back now!"

At the city gate, watching Uncle Erniu depart, Fang Le finally walked slowly toward Nuoding City.

After paying the entry fee and walking a fair distance, the first thing that caught his eye was a crowd of people gathered around a statue, pointing and gesturing.

The statue was carved in the likeness of none other than the long-ascended Tang San.

Today, he could be considered the golden signboard of all Nuoding City.

Thirty percent of the entire city's economic revenue came from the consumption brought by travelers visiting this site.

Therefore, decorations meant to attract tourists like this were scattered in almost every corner of Nuoding City.

Buddha Tang, I hope that as long as I don't provoke you, you won't cause me any trouble!

Fang Le looked at the statue surrounded by the crowd, pondered for a moment, and then walked toward his intended destination.

He eventually arrived in front of a blacksmith shop that hung a sign claiming to be the "True Teachings of the Sea God."

That's right, it wasn't the famous Nuoding Academy.

It was a blacksmith shop not far from there.

He really didn't know why these places still existed after 10,000 years.

It was said that since 10,000 years ago, this family's genealogy had never been broken.

A single golden signboard really had kept the whole family safe!

Even the neighboring Tang Sect didn't enjoy such treatment.

"Whoa, that striking rhythm, it's continuous and unbroken. Did the boss really learn a bit of the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique back in the day?"

Fang Le watched the man forging at the entrance; the force of the hammer strikes was one after another, and the iron block grew smaller with every blow.

He marveled that the blacksmith boss had actually learned real skills! Although it might not compare to the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique, it definitely showed the budding signs of that development.

Tang San: Stealing my forging techniques and being so ostentatious, you have already chosen the path to death!

"Boss, how much for the best sword you have here!"

Despite his amazement, Fang Le did not forget the purpose of his visit. As the boss put down his hammer to drink some water, he raised his voice and asked.

His clear, childlike voice pierced straight into the ears of Shi You.

When Shi You turned his head, he saw a child of about six or seven years old looking at him with a smile.

Although his clothes were clean, they were clearly washed until they had turned pale.

There were also quite a few small patches, suggesting he was a child from the surrounding countryside.

But he was alone? How could his parents feel at ease letting him come out by himself?

Although Nuoding City was relatively stable, there were still plenty of human traffickers. If he were to be snatched away, he wouldn't even know where to cry.

"Little kid, where are your parents? If you want to buy a sword, have them come talk to me. Besides, with your small frame, even if I had a good sword, could you even lift it?"

Shi You was quite tolerant toward children.

He wiped the sweat and grime from his face with the towel on his shoulder, walked over to Fang Le, and asked in a kindly manner.

While speaking, he didn't forget to poke Fang Le's thin frame.

"I don't have parents, and my grandfather is old, so I didn't want to make him run around! Besides, I'm very strong! Lifting a cow is a piece of cake for me. Also, Uncle, it's not that I'm too thin, it's clearly that you've trained yourself to be too bulky, alright!"

Fang Le swatted away Shi You's pestering hand and retorted in a feigned, childish manner.

By revealing his family background to elicit sympathy, he had subtly flattered Shi You as well.

This was the linguistic art of Fang Le.

Sure enough, Shi You's expression shifted from red to pale, then back to red.

So this child's parents have long since... and I just acted like that, I really am a wretch!

"Ahem! In this smithy of mine, there are swords aplenty, and the forging techniques were passed down from the hands of the Sea God himself; the quality is absolutely guaranteed. But you, little kid, do you even have the money?"

Shi You felt a moment of internal guilt, but he soon cleared his throat and turned to ask.

"Hehe! Not much money, but it's all right here! Can I pay with my face for the rest?"

Fang Le took five Gold Soul Coin from his person, displayed them in his palm, and said with a touch of embarrassment.

That awkward little expression made Shi You chuckle.

However, there was no way he would earn less money; wanting to use his face to get a freebie? Absolutely impossible!

"What are you thinking! The swords here cost at least ten Gold Soul Coin! Even if you are cute, not a single cent can be spared! If you want to buy a sword, go back and save up some more!"

He stood up and crossed his arms, looking completely immovable.

But Fang Le was determined to secure that discount today.

"Oh! You said it yourself, I'm so cute! Can't you make it cheaper? Just think of it as an investment! I'm telling you, my talent is extremely high—I have Twin Martial Souls! Investing in me, you're guaranteed not to lose. Once I become famous, you can hang up your little sign, and I'll endorse you. By then, you could even open this smithy in Tiandou City if you wanted!"

Fang Le fully utilized the advantages of his youth to negotiate with Shi You.

"If your talent were really that high, you would have been taken away by the person who awakened you long ago; you wouldn't be reduced to begging for a sword on credit here! However..."

Shi You was a sensible man; if this child had truly awakened Twin Martial Souls, he would have already been invited away by a major power to be their disciple.

He would have been equipped with a Soul Tool long ago, so why would he need to buy a sword from him, let alone ask for credit? But, he was a gambling man at heart.

"However what?! Uncle, as long as you give me a good sword, I guarantee I'll return the money tenfold within three months."

Seeing that Shi You was considering it, Fang Le quickly promised.

"I'm a kind-hearted man, I don't need you to return it tenfold. You say you're a genius, and I won't look at your martial soul—that's your secret. Didn't you say you have great strength? My hammer weighs 120 jin; as long as you can lift it, you can pick any sword in my shop for five Gold Soul Coin."

Shi You looked at the anxious Fang Le, thinking to himself that he was just a child after all.

But that spirit of his was quite ambitious.

He pointed to the large iron hammer he had set down and spoke to Fang Le.

Ambition was fine, but one had to have the talent to back it up.

Looking at Fang Le, who was only six or seven years old, he must have just awakened his martial soul recently.

If nothing else, his strength would certainly be greater than an ordinary person's.

As long as he could move that large iron hammer even a fraction, what harm was there in Shi You making this investment?

It was only a matter of a few Gold Soul Coin; to build a good relationship with a future soul master, why not?

"Really?"

"I don't lie! You can go anywhere in the city and ask; I, Shi You, am a man of my word."

"Good! I'm taking that sword of yours for sure!"

As he spoke, Fang Le walked toward the anvil not far away, and then, to the shock in Shi You's eyes, he lifted the large iron anvil—which was as tall as he was and weighed at least 600 jin—high into the air with a single arm.