The Year of Forging

"Yes, yes, that's the taste. I could smell the aroma of these chilies from far away as soon as I entered the street, it made my mouth water."

"Why don't you make me a bowl of chili rice first, so I can have something to eat?"

Nian walked into the house with a cheerful voice, completely unlike the distress she had sounded on the phone.

"Perfect timing! My timing is spot on; the dish is just ready."

As the last splash of oil was poured on, the sizzling sound brought out the fresh aroma of the chili peppers.

Suika carried the boiled sliced pork to the table.

Nian rushed to the table, looking at the dishes all bright red, and said that today was even more enjoyable than the New Year.

The two ignored the strong smell of chili peppers in the room and sat down to eat.

"Hiccup~ Suika, your cooking is really good."

He's only slightly worse than my younger brother.

Slumped on the sofa, Nian touched his belly with one hand and gave a thumbs-up with the other.

"Uh, don't talk, I feel like throwing up..."

Suika also said that she ate too much and felt a bit choked up.

"We're leaving tomorrow, aren't you going to get ready?"

After resting for a while, he finally spoke and asked the question.

"What's there to prepare? I only have so much stuff, and I've already prepared it all."

Suika pointed to the items and backpack in the corner.

"I heard you took a lot of photos last time, can I take a look?"

Seeing the camera on top of the backpack, Nian asked a question.

"The photo album? I remember Hoshiguma put it here."

Suika walked to the television, opened the cabinet, and inside were several photography albums, all of which she had sent back from outside.

She took out two books and handed them to Nian, then stood up and walked around the room a couple of times to digest her food.

"Wow, this is a snow-capped mountain. These two must be quite extraordinary, right?" Nian suddenly asked.

Suika scanned the photos and found them to be the ones she had taken of Enya and Yara at the summit of the Holy Mountain in Kjerag.

Three copies of this photo were made: one was given to Enya, one is on Rhodes Island, and the last one is with Hoshiguma.

Suika gave Nian a thumbs up.

"You have a sharp eye. The one standing in front is the Holy Maiden of Kjerag, who is also the nominal supreme leader of the Kjerag Church."

And the one behind her is the deity of Kjerag, currently disguised as a maidservant following beside this saintess."

Upon hearing Suika's introduction, Nian's eyes flashed, and she looked at the woman behind her with a gentle smile.

She had just casually flipped through this post and felt that the two people in the photo had a very special aura, so she mentioned it casually.

But I didn't expect there to be someone from the same industry here.

"The god of Kjerag? I've heard of Him, though."

Although Kjerag is a small place, it has managed to protect the area from Catastrophe, so this person is quite capable.

Although the protected area is small, it has protected that place for thousands of years, so it is indeed not an exaggeration to call it a guardian deity and to be revered by people.

"Anything else?" Nian asked Suika.

"Hmm, let me look for it."

Suika found the photos she had taken of penguins and pink sheep on the Siesta volcano in the photo album and handed them to Nian.

"The Beast Lord? You still know them?"

With just one glance, Nian knew the origin of the two beasts in the photo.

"You know the Emperor, right? He's a rapper, currently in Lungmen, and he owns a bar called 'The End of the Earth'."

Another Dory the sheep, an avid volcano surfer.

"Suika said."

"Interesting. I heard you've only been away for a little over a year, and you've already encountered so many interesting things."

"Maybe you're right. Since we can't find a solution in Great Yan, why don't we go out and take a look? Maybe we'll find what we're looking for."

He looked through the photos again and again, sighing with emotion.

That evening, after returning to his room, Hoshiguma patted his chest upon smelling the lingering aroma of chili peppers. He was glad he had wisely chosen to eat out earlier that day; otherwise, with the lingering smell of chili peppers all afternoon, who knows what kind of agony he would have endured in the bathroom afterward.

As the three of them were packing their things, Hoshiguma took her Hannya) out of the house and placed it at the doorway, attracting Nian's attention.

"Hoshiguma sister Hoshiguma, your shield is pretty good..."

Although the craftsmanship is far inferior to mine, this shield is indeed a masterpiece by ordinary standards, and the materials are also of excellent quality.

He tried it on, then looked at Hoshiguma.

"If you need repairs, I can give it a try... I can't guarantee the quality of a divine artifact, but upgrading it several levels shouldn't be a problem."

Nian is a very genuine person. These past few days, Hoshiguma and Suika have been very kind to her, so she naturally wanted to reciprocate by helping them out.

"Miss Nian, you also know blacksmithing?"

Hoshiguma knew was that the other person was a director and connected to that mysterious "Sui," but she had no idea what the other person's abilities were.

Suika put her arm around Guo Nian's shoulder

"Hoshiguma, do you remember what was written on that note you brought to Nian before?"

"You mean the line 'Heaven has a great furnace, and earth produces the five metals'?"

Hoshiguma recalled for a moment and said.

Suika and Nian exchanged a glance, then said...

"That is the power of the year, called Forging."

Just like my Gathering and Separation, it's a matter of innate ability.

What ordinary people can only dream of are likely divine artifacts that she could create with a snap of her fingers.

Even if an outsider were to spend their entire fortune, it would be extremely difficult to obtain a single opportunity to be promoted by her.

"She's willing to help you repair Hannya; we've hit the jackpot!"

Chapter 453 The Year of Forging

After being flattered by Suika, Nian immediately offered to help improve the situation.

Hoshiguma hesitated upon hearing their words.

After all, the Hannya is unlike any other weapon; it holds significant meaning for her.

"Don't worry, I won't change the overall structure of your shield, nor will I affect its appearance. I'll just reinforce it to make it more robust."

After all, this thing looks quite old, even though you've taken good care of it.

But as time went on, and given how frequently you need to use it for your job, it's actually only barely usable...

After Hannya examining Prajna, Nian commented.

"Okay, but we have to leave tomorrow. Is there enough time now?"

Hoshiguma asked with some concern.

"Don't underestimate me... I'll lend you this room for now. You guys go outside and heat up a bowl of wine for me, it has to be baijiu. I'll be right back."

After saying that, Nian picked up his shield and went into the empty room at the back, closing the door behind him.

Seeing Hoshiguma's worried look, Suika pulled her to the fireplace.

"Don't worry, Hoshiguma- nee."

If she can't repair your shield on this land, then probably no one else can."

As she spoke, Suika took out a porcelain bowl and placed it on the stove, then took out Ibuki Gourd and poured a bowl of white wine into it.

Less than five minutes later, Nian pushed open the door and walked in with a smile.

"Come on, try it out."

As he spoke, he walked to the wine bowl, picked it up, drank it all in one gulp, and then revealed a satisfied smile.

"Just as I predicted, this wine is at its best when it's just warmed up."

Hoshiguma then picked up his Hannya and examined it carefully.

As the holder and user of the Hannya, no one knew this shield better than her.

It is a partner, and also family.

Prolonged use has indeed left many marks on it.

Therefore, in non-major events, she usually carries a standard shield from the Guard Department, while the Hannya becomes her trump card.

But the moment she picked up this old friend, she noticed something unusual about the shield.

Although the scars were still there and the weight hadn't changed, she had the illusion that her old friend had become "younger".

That's right, it's "young".

Just like when I first brought it from the Eastern Country to the Great Yan.

It has regained its youth.

Moreover, it felt even more resilient and stable than it had initially given her.

Hoshiguma stroked the Hannya several times with his large hand before standing Hannya and bowing to Nian.

"Thank you, Miss Hannya has been my old partner for so many years. I always thought that weapons, like people, would age with time."

I never expected you to have such miraculous healing abilities.

"Don't be so polite, it makes me feel embarrassed."

However, I will accept your thanks.

This shield has a good foundation. After some repairs, it's not a divine weapon, but it's definitely among the top-tier ones.

Make good use of it, don't let it go to waste.

After saying that, Nian sat down next to Suika and they happily watched cartoons together.

"By the way, Little Suika, do you need me to make you a weapon?"

Watching the red Feline on TV, he shouted, " With Blue Cautus dead, I have no heart to explain right and wrong," and then rushed into the crowd. He turned to look at Suika.

Suika chuckled. "Weapons? I've always had them, but ordinary people can't even beat me with their fists, so they're not worthy of me using weapons."

Upon hearing Suika's words, Nian looked up at the "bell" hanging on her head.

I always thought it was just makeup, but now it seems this thing is quite something.

"That's right, it's these three chains."

Suika shook her head slightly, bringing the hair tie that was tied behind her hair to the front, and then grabbed it.

After the "hairpin" was removed, the chain grew to three or four meters long in the wind, and the square pendant at the front became about the size of a soccer ball.

Suika tossed the iron chain to Nian, who picked it up and examined it closely, his eyes growing increasingly surprised.

"Strange, strange."

"I don't recognize this material at all. Interesting! I haven't noticed it for so many days. This is really interesting."

She kept muttering to herself as she checked the place inside and out several times.

But in the end, it was still unclear what material the "chain" was made of.

She handed the chain back to Suika.

"I never expected you to possess such a divine artifact. What's the largest form this thing can transform into?"

"A few hundred meters, and there's about the size of a house ahead." Suika estimated her height after transforming, then did some calculations and said.

"Wow, that's really impressive."