Forging

"You're meddling way too much. If you really think about it, every single one of your nephews is older than you. Aren't you just worrying unnecessarily?"

Han Mingxuan shook his head.

"Their father was a problem child himself, and a problem child only raises a bunch of problem children. This has nothing to do with age, but with mentality."

"Severing long-term path dependence abruptly in a short period of time could potentially cause him psychological problems."

"You've really given me a tough challenge, Old Han." Jia put down her cup and began to think carefully about the solution.

According to Han Mingxuan, it is necessary to peel off that layer of Living Metal skin.

They also need to turn that Living Metal skin into a weapon, or rather, a universal auxiliary device.

Old Hawk will help.

"So it's that old bastard. Alright, I'll handle the genetics. As for the weapons, you can discuss that with Hawk yourself."

"Excuse me."

Han Mingxuan picked up his water glass, finished the tea inside, and prepared to leave.

"Hey, don't rush off."

"How?"

"How are you feeling, Urtana?"

"What do you mean, how about it?"

"It's... um?"

"Looks like I really shouldn't have bothered you; you're still a bit sleepy."

"Seriously, Old Han, are you even functioning properly? I'm so envious of Urtana's model, aren't you tempted?"

Han Mingxuan fell silent for a moment upon hearing this.

"There are still many things left undone; let's forget about personal matters and such."

The Emperor's Plan, the Ullanor Crusade, the Appointment of Warmasters, the Primarch's Horus Heresy, the Ork Empire, the T'au Empire.

And the most troublesome, the Tyranids.

These issues haven't been resolved yet, and he's never forgotten that he wants to go back.

If you settle down and start a family here, wouldn't you have something to hold you back?

Once you have something to hold you back, it becomes harder to leave.

"Alright, alright, I was just asking casually. Don't look so upset. Don't worry, I'll handle things tomorrow."

It wasn't until early the next morning that Han Mingxuan found Hawk.

"Oh, you're all here. Perfect, Hawk, I have some suggestions regarding Ferrus Manus's hands."

"You don't need to worry, Father of Night. I spoke with the boy last night, and he's figured it out. Even without these hands, he is still the Primarch of the Imperium."

"It seems your nephew is more sensible than you thought, Old Han."

Jia arrived late.

"Hmm? Ms. Jia, is something wrong?"

"It's nothing. It's just that last night, your Uncle came to discuss a plan with me late at night to make you feel better. He didn't get any sleep."

"Okay, stop complaining, I'll make you a cake."

"You should have said so earlier," Jia said.

Ferrus Manus looked at his Uncle, his eyes wavering slightly.

"Uncle, I..."

"It's alright, Ferrus Manus. You're only human. After a long period of path dependence, it's normal to feel bad if you suddenly lose these hands."

"Okay, so what's your plan now?" Jia asked.

Ferrus Manus was silent for a moment, then he looked at Old Hawk.

"Mr. Hasanti, let's use the first plan."

"The first option?"

"Yes, Uncle, I talked with Mr. Hasanti all night last night."

"Ultimately, there were two options. Option one was that while Ms. Jia was undergoing Gene Modification, Mr. Hasanti would forge that layer of metallic skin into a pair of gloves."

"Option two: Ms. Jia can directly remove that layer of skin completely."

So you're planning to use the first option?

"Yes, Uncle, if I use option two, wouldn't I be letting you down for nothing?"

"And as you said, I'm a person, and I'm bound to have some path dependence."

"Jia, please."

"Sure, but I need a month's worth of the cakes you make."

One month.

"You're not going to eat it all in one day, are you?"

No, at most half an hour.

Tsk.

They're comparable to Trazyn.

"Okay, deal."

"Let's begin."

Option one involves having Old Hawk forge Living Metal directly while Jia undergoes Gene Modification.

Finally, the Living Metal was crafted into a pair of gloves.

As for how to build it?

"Nova, is the fire in the stove hot enough?"

"Don't worry, Dad, it's been burning all night, the temperature is right."

"Alright, forging begins."

Hawk then looked at Ferrus Manus, and Ferrus Manus stepped forward.

He put his hands into the forging furnace.

"What are you doing?!"

Seeing Ferrus Manus's crazy actions, alarm bells went off in Han Mingxuan's mind.

Is this kid possessed?

"Uncle, this is necessary; my flesh and blood must be poured into it for it to be successfully forged."

Looking into Ferrus Manus's determined eyes, Han Mingxuan knew it was too late to persuade him now.

Does it hurt?

"It doesn't hurt, I'm the Primarch, Uncle."

"Lie."

Han Mingxuan dipped his finger in a drop of water and then wrote a word on Ferrus Manus's arms.

Ban.

During the forging process, no sensation in his hands is transmitted to his nerves.

"Uncle, I am the Primarch of the Imperium, it's nothing."

"Nonsense, you're my nephew, and today I'll teach you a lesson."

"You're so precious, yet so cheap! If I'd known you'd turn your hands into roasted pig's trotters for a pair of gloves, I wouldn't have agreed."

Upon hearing Han Mingxuan's words, Ferrus Manus smiled.

"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle," Ferrus Manus said. "Gentlemen, let's begin."

"Good."

Over the next day, Ferrus Manus's hands were completely reshaped.

If it weren't for Han Mingxuan's forbidden technique, Ferrus Manus would have fainted from the pain several times over.

The ten fingers are connected to the heart. When your fingers are too dry and develop hangnails, it hurts terribly to tear them off, let alone putting your hands directly into them for a painful experience.

Fortunately, the process was uneventful.

That evening, a pair of gloves appeared on Ferrus Manus's hands.

"We have succeeded, as we have accomplished our mission," said Old Hawk.

The Necrontyr technology was still too overpowered. With his forging ability, if it weren't for Jia's assistance, he would have been killed by that pool of Living Metal long ago.

"Thank you both for your hard work," Han Mingxuan said.

"It is my honor, Father of Night."

"It's alright, just remember my dessert. Don't make me come looking for you. I don't care if you're asleep or not tonight." With that, Jia gracefully walked away.

"Ferrus Manus, how are you feeling?" Han Mingxuan asked.

Ferrus Manus was silent for a moment.

"It's been better than ever, Uncle."

The feel of his hands—this was something he had always longed for.

He took off the gloves and stroked the still-warm forging table.

"Thank you, Uncle, thank you for thinking of me."

"Thank you too, Mr. Hasanti."

"It's a minor matter; Ms. Jia did most of the work."

"Uncle, could you teach me how to make desserts? I'd like to express my gratitude."

"Forget it, Jia is a picky eater, she can tell the difference in just one bite."

"Please teach me, Uncle. Even a box of cookies would be a token of my gratitude."

"Sigh, okay."