The night is getting darker.
The lights of the Dark Pavilion are dotted in the night.
Su Ling changed into clean clothes and stood alone in the open space behind the Forging Hall, looking up at the night sky.
The moonlight is very good tonight. The moonlight shines down and spreads a thin layer of silver frost on the ground.
Su Ling reached out and touched the Crescent Moon Jade Pendant on his waist. His fingertips felt warm to the touch, as if the warmth of Zhang Lexuan's palm still remained.
"What are you thinking about?"
There was a roaring sound coming from behind.
Su Ling turned around and saw Xuan Zi carrying a pot of wine, slowly walking over and standing next to him.
"It's nothing, just a little emotional. In three months, I didn't expect that I would go from having nothing to being valued by people now."
Xuan Zi heard this and smiled, unscrewing the wine bottle and taking a sip, "What's so emotional about this? You kid is worthy of everyone's respect."
"Want a sip?" He handed the wine bottle out.
Looking at the brand new and clean wine bottle.
Su Ling took out the jade cup from Sumeru Ring, took it and filled it up. The strong liquor went into his throat, and slid down his esophagus into his stomach with a burning sensation.
"Xuan Zi, tell me, how strong does a person have to be to truly protect the person he wants to protect?"
Xuan Zi heard the words and did not answer immediately. Instead, he took the wine bottle from his hand and took a sip. He looked at the night sky in silence for a moment before slowly speaking,
"I asked myself this question when I was young." He paused and rubbed the edge of the wine bottle with his rough fingers.
"Later I understood that there is no absolute 'protection'. No matter how strong you are, there will always be times when you can't take care of me, and there will always be times when you are too late."
"But because of this, you have to become stronger. Only then will you be qualified to stand in front of them when an accident comes, instead of just watching."
Su Ling turned his head and looked at Xuan Zi.
The moonlight shines on the old man's wrinkled face, and his cloudy eyes now reveal a kind of transparency that has gone through vicissitudes of life.
"Xuan Zi Have you ever had someone you wanted to protect?"
Xuan Zi was silent for a long time, so long that Su Ling thought he would not answer, but the next second, he raised his head and drank the remaining wine in the pot.
"Yes."
He didn't say any more, and Su Ling didn't ask further questions.
The two of them stood side by side under the moonlight, with the night wind blowing by, blowing their clothes and bringing the smell of the mountain stream in the distance.
After a long time.
Xuan Zi suddenly patted Su Ling on the shoulder. The force was not heavy, but it carried a heavy weight.
"Boy Su, you are luckier than me and are more rigorous in doing things than me. You still have a lot of time and a chance to become stronger..."
"I... didn't have time back then."
He turned around, his back facing the moonlight, and his expression could not be seen clearly, leaving only a slightly rickety back.
"Okay, it's getting late, I'm going back. You should rest early, you will be busy tomorrow." After saying that, he carried the empty wine bottle and walked slowly towards his residence.
Although his steps were steady, from Su Ling's perspective, his back looked inexplicably lonely.
The night wind is getting cooler.
Su Ling withdrew his gaze, looked down at the Crescent Moon Jade Pendant on his waist that glowed warmly and lustrously under the moonlight, and gently stroked its edge with his fingertips.
Xuan Zi's words are still echoing in my ears.
"There is no absolute 'protection'."
"Because of this, we must become stronger."
He took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. The impetuousness in his chest caused by emotional fluctuations gradually settled down at this moment.
Yes, he is lucky.
There is Xuan Zi protecting the road and having a system; there is Dark Pavilion's foundation, Imperial Fortune's blessing; and Godhood Seed's biggest trump card.
But these are not the end, but the starting point.
He still has a long way to go...
Su Ling recovered his thoughts, turned around and walked towards the housing area.
When passing by Pavilion Master's office, there was a subtle sound of brushes and pages turning.
He paused, a purple light flashed in his eyes, and through the glass of the soul guide door, he saw Tang Ya crouching in front of the case.
She held a pen in her hand, her expression focused and serious.
There were several sheets of paper covered with writing spread out on the table, and a cup of still steaming tea beside them.
Su Ling didn't open the door and go in to disturb, he just looked at it quietly for a moment, then turned and left.
Dark Pavilion's Forging Hall has a few more new faces, and the number of Hidden Weapon in the finished product area has gradually increased as time goes by.
Two days later...
A silver-white soul carriage was parked steadily outside the main entrance of the Dark Pavilion.
The car door opened, and Princess Vina stepped out in a goose-yellow dress.
She was followed by two followers, one was the old man Su Ling had seen worshiping the heavenly soul, and the other was a middle-aged man with a stern face.
"Princess Vina, you're welcome." Su Ling greeted her with her hands, and behind her stood Tang Ya and Xuan Zi.
"Are you... Su Pavilion Master?" Vina's eyes stayed on Su Ling for a moment, and a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.
The confident young man three months ago actually had such a handsome face under the mask.
In addition, she was also keenly aware that the aura on Su Ling was completely different from that of three months ago.
If the original Su Ling was a sharp sword with an emerging edge, then now he is more like an unfathomable abyss.
Even in terms of temperament, they are completely different. Just standing in front of them gives me a heart-wrenching feeling.
"It's me, princess please."
Su Ling smiled and stepped aside to lead the way like a gentleman.
The group of people arrived at the completed main hall.
Currently, the interior of the hall is simply furnished, with a soul-guided rosewood round table in the center and several stone chairs surrounding it.
After the guests and hosts were seated, Tang Ya poured the tea himself.
Vina picked up the tea cup and took a sip. His eyes glanced back and forth between Xuan Zi, who had his legs crossed casually, and Su Ling, who was as straight as a gun. Then he got straight to the point,
"Su Pavilion Master, the batch of Godly Zhuge Crossbow you gave me three months ago, I had the Imperial Ordnance Department test it repeatedly and put it into use on the battlefield."
She put down her tea cup, her gaze glaring, "Its power far exceeds any standard Soul Tool currently in service in our army, and the operating threshold is extremely low. Ordinary soldiers can get started with a little training."
"With just twelve of them, our army gained a huge advantage on the battlefield on the border with the Sun Moon Empire."
"The Imperial Military attaches great importance to this. My father personally gave instructions and hopes to establish a long-term and stable supply relationship with the Tang Sect Dark Pavilion."
Su Ling's expression remained unchanged, he picked up the tea cup and took a sip, and said calmly, "How much do you want, princess?"
"Five thousand Godly Zhuge Crossbow." Vina reported the number with a firm tone, "In addition, I hope that your subsequent Hidden Weapon will also have priority in supplying and trading with Tianhun."
As soon as these words came out, even Xuan Zi couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, feeling happy in his heart.
Five thousand Godly Zhuge Crossbow, the total amount of this order is at least ten million Gold Soul Coin.
It has to be Mr. Su, who earns so much Gold Soul Coin at such a young age. At his age, I am still playing in the mud...
After hearing Vina's request, Su Ling did not agree immediately. Instead, he put down the teacup and said in a calm tone, "Princess, regarding the price..."
"Don't worry, Su Pavilion Master, I, Heaven Dou Empire, will never let my partners suffer."
Vina was obviously well prepared. He took a document from his entourage and pushed it in front of Su Ling, "This is the purchase price I personally drew up. Please see if it is reasonable."
Su Ling took the document and scanned it quickly.
Godly Zhuge Crossbow unit price: 4800 Gold Soul Coin.
The material cost of each aircraft is 800 Gold Soul Coin. According to the price given by Vina, the net profit of five thousand Godly Zhuge Crossbow is 20 million Gold Soul Coin.
This is just the first batch of orders!
Su Ling put down the paperwork and raised his eyes to look at Vina, with a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
"Princess, I don't have much objection to the price. However, I have a small condition."