Visiting the Strength Clan (Part Two)
"Indeed." Lin Chen nodded slightly. "This is Xiao Wu. I heard from Vice Sect Master Wang of the Azure Wind Sect that the Strength Clan's forging skills are superb, so I came to pay a special visit to discuss some cooperation."
"Uncle Tai Nuo, you're too kind." Lin Chen bowed slightly, displaying impeccable manners.
Tai Nuo's attitude did a complete 180-degree turn; his anger vanished, replaced by cheerful enthusiasm.
"Don't mention it!" Tai Nuo laughed heartily, patting his chest. "Guests are always welcome! Come in, please! The valley is simple, please don't mind, Xiao Wu."
As he spoke, he turned and glared at Tai Long: "What are you all standing there for? Go tell the kitchen to prepare the wine and dishes! Bring out the best jar of old wine, and have the cooks prepare a few hearty dishes!"
"Okay! Alright!" Tai Long quickly agreed, and before leaving, he couldn't help but glance at Lin Chen one last time, his eyes full of excitement. He dashed into the valley, his earlier disheveled state completely gone, and his steps were light and quick, even his old legs, which had been weak from being chased, felt a bit more agile.
Tai Nuo led Lin Chen and Xiao Wu into the valley.
Upon entering the valley, one discovers a hidden world within. Rows of stone houses are built along the mountainside in the basin, with smoke billowing from their chimneys and the air filled with the rich smell of charcoal and molten iron. Open-air forging stations are everywhere, where shirtless blacksmiths swing their hammers, the clanging sounds rising and falling, sparks flying.
Many shirtless children chased and played among the stone houses, and when they saw Tai Nuo, they respectfully called him "Tai Nuo".
The entire valley exudes a rugged, lively atmosphere, as well as a tough, resilient spirit.
"Our Strength Clan has been blacksmiths for three generations," Tai Nuo said as he walked, his tone tinged with pride. "I dare not say anything else, but in terms of forging skills, no one within hundreds of miles of Heaven Dou City dares to claim superiority over us. Even the most complex Soul Tool, weapons, ornaments, and so on—as long as we have the blueprints, there's nothing we can't forge."
Lin Chen nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the forging table beside him. The heat control, technique, and hammering all revealed his skill.
The Strength Clan truly lives up to its reputation.
Reaching the main house in the center of the valley, one finds a spacious stone courtyard. Inside, various finished products are displayed: swords, spears, halberds, armor, and protective gear—all polished to a gleaming shine, reflecting a cold light in the sunlight.
After sitting inside for a short while, the food and drinks were served. They were all hearty dishes served in large bowls and platters: tender braised pork hock, roasted lamb leg until crispy, large chunks of braised beef, and several kinds of wild mountain vegetables, filling the table to the brim. The wine was aged liquor stored in earthenware jars, poured into rough porcelain bowls; the liquor was mellow and had a fragrant aroma.
"There's nothing fancy to eat in the valley, Young Master Lin, please don't mind." Tai Nuo picked up his wine bowl. "I'll drink to that first!"
Having said that, he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, leaving the bowl empty.
Lin Chen also picked up his bowl and took a small sip. The wine was strong, burning his throat, but it was very mellow. Xiao Wu held her juice, sipping it slowly, and curiously looked around at the furnishings in the room.
After a few drinks, the atmosphere became more lively.
Tai Nuo wiped his mouth and got straight to the point. "Young Master Lin came today to discuss cooperation? May I ask what kind of business it is?"
He was also feeling apprehensive. A genius from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, a disciple of Poison Douluo —what good things didn't he have? Why would he bother coming all the way to his Blacksmith Valley to discuss cooperation?
Lin Chen put down the wine bowl, took out the ebony box from behind him, and gently placed it on the table.
"I have blueprints for several types of Hidden Weapon here, and I would like to ask the Strength Clan for their assistance in crafting them."
He pushed the wooden box toward Tai Nuo: "I've prepared the materials, and the blueprints are here too. Please take a look, Uncle Tai Nuo."
Tai Nuo raised an eyebrow, not in a hurry to open the box, but first weighed the wooden box in his hand—it wasn't heavy, so it must contain something light. Lifting the lid, he saw several neatly stacked drawings, with clear ink lines, marking an intricate structure he had never seen before.
He picked up the top one and looked down at it closely.
The more he looked, the more his brows furrowed.
It's not because it's difficult, it's because it's too coincidental.
The mechanism, springs, and slots are so ingeniously designed that the dimensions of every single part are calculated to perfection.
The sound-absorbing structure of the Silent Sleeve Arrow and the locking design of the Flying God Claw were unheard of, yet incredibly ingenious. He was a master of forging and could tell at a glance that this thing was indeed useful. Moreover, the structure was not complicated, and as long as the mold was made, it could be mass-produced.
"These blueprints..." Tai Nuo looked up, his eyes filled with shock, "Young Master Lin designed them himself?"
"Just a little research," Lin Chen said casually. "I'll provide the materials for the first batch; the fine steel and black iron are already prepared. You're in charge of forging and processing. The finished product will be split 30/70, with me getting 30% and you getting 70%. The 70% includes labor and subsequent sales."
He paused, then added, "These things are good for low-level Soul Master and Support System Soul Master, and can also be used by the army and ordinary martial artists. There's no need to worry about sales. Your Strength Clan has many channels in Heaven Dou City; once you establish a presence, you'll earn far more than crafting ordinary weapons and ornaments."
Tai Nuo quickly calculated in his mind. The other party would provide the materials, he would only provide the labor, and he would still get 70% of the profits. He could also use these novel Hidden Weapon to expand his sales channels. No matter how you looked at it, it was a sure-fire way to make money.
More importantly, it would be possible to connect with Lin Chen. Behind him are the Poison Douluo, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and Prince Xue Xing. This favor is worth more than any amount of money.
"Done!"
Tai Nuo slammed his hand on the table, making the dishes bounce, and laughed heartily, "Young Master Lin trusts our Strength Clan, so it's settled! Leave the blueprints; I'll have the master craftsman make the mold this afternoon. We'll make a batch of samples first, and Young Master Lin can check the quality. If you're satisfied, then we'll start mass production."
"Then I'll have to trouble Uncle Tai Nuo." Lin Chen nodded slightly.
"No trouble at all! No trouble at all!" Tai Nuo waved his hand repeatedly and filled Lin Chen's glass with wine again. "Come again anytime! We may not have much else in the valley, but we have plenty of good wine and meat!"
After a satisfying meal, the kitchen staff removed the large bowls and plates and replaced them with coarse earthenware teacups.
The tea is a coarse tea made in the valley. It has a slightly bitter taste, but carries the aroma of charcoal and iron filings, giving it a unique and rich flavor.
Tai Long, holding his teacup, could no longer sit still on the stool.
Ever since he saw Lin Chen, his curiosity had been like a cat scratching at him, his mind filled with the legends of the Great Soul Arena.
Now that the alcohol was taking effect, he couldn't hold back any longer. He leaned forward and asked in a rough voice, "Lin Chen, I have a question for you. Don't mind me."
"Oh? You said." Lin Chen held the teacup, his fingertips gently stroking the rim of the bowl.
"What exactly is your Fourth Soul Skill?"
Tai Long's eyes lit up. "We watched your matches at the Great Soul Arena before, several of them! You always only use your first two Soul Skill, and at most you'll peek at your Third Soul Skill. You've never used your Fourth Soul Skill. Isn't that incredibly powerful? The kind that can destroy the world when you unleash it?"