The sun sank in the west, its dusky light passing through the clear glass and casting mottled shadows across the tea table.
Three exquisite teacups gave off curling wisps of fragrant steam.
The man in white at the head of the table looked about forty. His face was as fine as polished jade, his appearance refined and gentle. He wore gold-rimmed glasses, and his gaze was mild.
He saw Lou Xu enter the reception room with the burly Xiong Jun.
His gaze paused on Lou Xu's youthful face for a fleeting instant, then he rose with a smile.
"Young friend Lou Xu, thank you for making the journey. I am Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
The man beside him had a large frame, wore a black robe, and had dry, shriveled skin.
He had not spoken since Lou Xu entered, merely studying him leisurely with deeply sunken eyes.
"My respects, Your Eminence Bone Douluo."
Lou Xu cupped his hands toward him, then turned sideways to make an introduction.
"This is an elder of my family, known as Xiong Jun."
Gu Rong habitually swept his spiritual power toward him, only to feel as though it had sunk into a deep pool.
Sensing his probe, Xiong Jun turned and gave him a sinister smile.
For an instant, Gu Rong seemed to see countless ferocious beasts surrounding him, roaring at him, while an unstoppable claw swept down viciously through a blood-scented gale.
Cold sweat broke out across his back, and he swallowed.
Gu Rong lifted his teacup, lowered his eyes to his nose and his nose toward his heart, and decided that this visit would be strictly about accompanying Ning Fengzhi for business.
"Brother Lou Xu, I have long heard of your reputation."
A young man stood opposite Ning Fengzhi, dressed in a brocade robe with a jade belt. His features were gentle, and a hint of a smile accompanied his words.
There was not a trace of disdain in his gaze as he looked at Lou Xu.
"I am Xue Qinghe. I have long heard that Divine Craftsman Lou's Runic Forging astounds the world, and that his grandson is young yet accomplished. Today, I finally meet the man himself."
"My respects, Your Highness."
Lou Xu lowered his hands and bowed, though a subtle glint passed through his eyes.
Xue Qinghe?
Perhaps... Qian Renxue would be the proper name.
Everyone took their seats, and Lou Xu picked up the teapot.
His fingertips traced a light circle along its base. A wisp of primal fire curled halfway around the porcelain, and the slightly cool tea instantly released rich, fragrant steam.
Xue Qinghe's hand paused almost imperceptibly as she lifted her cup.
The Six-Winged Angel within her had just trembled faintly.
As though... it had sensed the presence of its own kind.
At the same time, Lou Xu's palm also grew slightly hot.
He clenched his hand, suppressing that strange sensation, and turned his gaze to Ning Fengzhi.
"Sect Master Ning, you have invited me several times. Surely it was not merely for a cup of good tea."
Lou Xu went straight to the point.
Ning Fengzhi smiled and set down his cup.
"You are a perceptive young man, my friend. I will dispense with the pleasantries."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wishes to purchase Runic Weapons. Name your price, young friend Lou. Naturally, if the method of Runic Forging can be bought, I will not haggle over that either."
"...I understand what you mean, Sect Master Ning."
Lou Xu leisurely sipped his tea and gave Ning Fengzhi a meaningful look.
"But... once you buy it, can Seven Treasure hold on to it?"
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has considerable foundations. Besides, with our Heaven Dou Imperial Family here, you need not worry, young friend Lou."
Rather than becoming angry, Ning Fengzhi smiled. He was about to speak when Xue Qinghe interjected gently.
Lou Xu set down his cup and shook his head.
"It seems you are still unaware of our Blacksmith Association's position."
"Runic Weapons are available for sale, but only a few. The forging method is not negotiable."
"Runic Forging is not something we use for business, so... it is not for sale. But... it can be taught."
Xue Qinghe's brows drew together slightly.
He had sent She Long to investigate Lou Gao and overlooked Lou Xu, though the intelligence contained a few scattered pieces of other information.
The one who killed Tang Hao must have been...
He glanced discreetly at Xiong Jun.
Yet the burly man, who had seemed lost in his own world all this time, held up a wine flask and swept his gaze over, giving him an amused sidelong look.
Xue Qinghe immediately lowered his head, pretending to savor his tea.
But his cup had long since been empty. What tea was there to drink?
He spread his hand slightly to cover the mouth of the cup, tilted his head back in a drinking motion, then smacked his lips before setting the cup on the table.
The tips of his ears quietly reddened.
He stole another glance and, finding that Xiong Jun was no longer watching him, sat upright and slowly calmed the turmoil within.
Ning Fengzhi had not noticed his disciple's lapse in composure. A glint flashed through his eyes.
"Aren't you afraid I might take it for myself?"
"You jest, Sect Master Ning. As a businessman, you should understand that stealing money is easier than earning it."
"Besides, what is it you seek, Sect Master Ning? Nothing more than a means for your sect's support-type Soul Masters to protect themselves and secure their place in the world. That is hardly difficult..."
Ning Fengzhi raised his brows and signaled Gu Rong with his eyes, but received no response.
Then Lou Xu continued.
"Once the Artisan Soul Academy is established, your sect is welcome to send people to join its first class."
"The Artisan Soul Academy?"
His lenses reflected the last gleam of sunset, obscuring his eyes.
"The next step for the Blacksmith Association and Gengxin City," Lou Xu said.
"We will establish an academy to teach forging and runes, and teach Soul Masters how to tailor Runic Weapons to their own needs.
The academy has land, money, qualifications, and, above all, expertise. As long as the Heaven Dou Imperial Family gives its approval, recruiting students here is entirely possible."
The reception room fell silent for a moment.
"If the academy benefits the nation and its people..."
Xue Qinghe considered it, then spoke decisively.
"I can petition my imperial father to grant land and a name, and establish a branch academy in Heaven Dou."
He quietly weighed things in his mind.
Lou Xu might be young, but he sat at this table without the slightest change in expression. Such bearing could not have been nurtured by little Gengxin City alone.
What was this boy's background?
Why did the Spirit Hall Branch in Gengxin City have no records concerning him?
Lou Xu smiled at him.
"Then allow me to thank you in advance, Your Highness."
That smile was perfectly courteous. Even measured against court etiquette, it was faultless.
Yet for an instant when their eyes met, Xue Qinghe actually felt an illusion...
It was as though the other boy could see right through him!
Compared with the message from his Martial Soul, this feeling of being pierced through was deeply uncomfortable. He shifted into a more comfortable position and leaned against the chair back. Only then did that strange, pins-and-needles sensation ease somewhat.
Qian Renxue, you are already a seasoned crown prince with six years undercover. How long has it been since he awakened his Martial Soul? He probably does not even have his first soul ring. What are you worrying about?
His thoughts churned, yet his expression remained entirely normal, revealing nothing.
Just then, Lou Xu's voice sounded beside his ear.
"Your Highness, did you say you were interested in Runic Forging?"
Lou Xu turned toward Xue Qinghe and refilled his tea.
Coming back to himself, Xue Qinghe instinctively curved his lips into a smile.
"You may not know this, Brother Lou Xu, but the Jingzhe Series Runic Weapons have already set Heaven Dou City boiling."
"Imperial Father even declared openly at court that if the Lou family of Gengxin City were willing to move to Heaven Dou, never mind such worldly things as fiefs and treasure-even if they wanted Soul Bones, Heaven Dou would devote the strength of the entire nation to presenting them."
"Xue Ye truly deserves his reputation as a great sovereign. I have seen little of the world, and I am rather curious about what a Soul Bone looks like."
A yearning expression appeared on Lou Xu's face.
As though he had not heard him, Ning Fengzhi smiled and sighed with admiration.
"Soul Bones are rare. His Majesty thirsts for talent so keenly that even I, a sect master, must bow in acknowledgment of my inferiority."
Xue Qinghe did not look up, lightly tapping a fingertip against the rim of his cup.
Soul Bones?
Spirit Hall might well be able to get a hand in the Artisan Soul Academy.
I must write Grandfather a letter when I return.
Lou Xu savored his tea, Xiong Jun drank wine, and several times Gu Rong tried to say something, only to be silenced by Xiong Jun's faintly murderous gaze.
Xue Qinghe and his teacher, Ning Fengzhi, each harbored their own thoughts.
The reception room fell quiet again.
After a while, Ning Fengzhi glanced at the darkening sky outside the window, rose, and cupped his hands.
"It is getting late, and I have private matters to attend to. I shall take my leave for now."
"I will enter the palace and discuss the Blacksmith Association's position with His Majesty. I shall trouble you with another visit some other day, my young friend."
"Of course. You are welcome to visit anytime, Sect Master Ning."
Lou Xu rose and returned the courtesy. Their eyes met, both holding smiles.
Xue Qinghe also rose to take his leave.
He deliberately slowed his steps. By the time Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong went out, he had only just reached the reception room doorway, where he turned for another look.
Lou Xu was looking down, adding water to the teapot.
He poured himself a cup. Primal fire rested quietly at his fingertips, heating the teacup in his hand and releasing an enticing fragrance.
That wisp of fragrance faintly stirred the Six-Winged Angel Soul Power hidden deep within Xue Qinghe, as though it would spread its wings and cry aloud in the next instant.
Xue Qinghe dared not linger any longer. As he left, he said,
"If you have time, Brother Lou Xu, do visit the Eastern Palace for a chat."
"There will be an opportunity, Your Highness."
Lou Xu smiled and raised his teacup in acknowledgment.
Xue Qinghe nodded, turned, and left the branch.
Teacher and disciple parted at the entrance, their carriages heading east and west respectively.
Three streets away, one carriage suddenly turned around.
"Uncle Gu, why did you not say a single word just now?"
"..."
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